Thankful

How do you put into words everything one is thankful for? I've been struggling with this answer because I have so much. So today, I just want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and an infinite thank you to the One who has blessed me more than I deserve.

"Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and and praise His name." Psalm 100:4

Haiti Bound

I've been sitting here trying to put into words what she's already done so well. So after typing and deleting several times, I'm going to let her words speak. What follows is the letter that Emily wrote regarding her upcoming journey...


Dear Friends and Family,

The past two summers have brought unexpected opportunities to travel to Haiti, each with a nine-day trip south to the beautiful, unfortunate, half island. Hitting ground in Cap-Haitian, my heart running ahead of me, I found myself confident this country had been written in my story long before I knew its name. As the journey continued, the mosquito bites grew numerous, the smells never went unnoticed, the potholes seemed to get deeper, and the nights in bed more restless. However, along the ride the handholds grew numerous, the hope never went unnoticed, the friendships seemed to get deeper, and my heart grew more restless with uncertainty of my role in this seemed to be forgotten place. Staring at the stars I became overwhelmingly reminded that my God knows His creation, fights for those He loves, is the Father of compassion, and Giver of eternal encouragement. He has allowed me to fall in love with a beautiful people and graciously given me time to know them more.

This January my eyes will see Haiti again thanks to an undeserved invitation to return. Wilbert and Meg, the founding couple of Living Hope Mission Ministries, have become heroes, guides, encouragements, and friends during these short meaningful visits. Highly respected among the people in the area, they have served tirelessly to “offer Haiti living hope in Christ, the hope of the world” through education, churches, construction, renovation, farming, and relationships. This spring, for three months, I will walk along-side the two absorbing the culture, learning the tendencies, loving new faces, and assisting wherever and whenever needed. Shadowing Meg, I hope to grow, learn, and share in His relentless grace, true power, mighty justice, and strong mercy.

To go to a different place, a different people, and completely submerge myself into an unfamiliar culture finds me excited, anxious, and doubtful in my abilities. I know that these months will be full of confusion, nervousness, helplessness, frustration, and fears of isolation; but I am confident that my Creator will bring understanding, strength, companionship, incredible hope, and a broken heart to mirror His own for this nation. I know that Love will lead me to be humbled. Please pray on my behalf for the coming months, my preparation physically and emotionally, for those that will cross my path, the opportunities to share His love, and the constant knowledge of my purpose in glorifying the Holder of the Universe; may I walk these steps faithfully.

May the Molder of the mountains, the Floater of the clouds, the Painter of the trees, and the Mapper of the winds remain a mystery to His children. Thank you for taking these steps in my story with me. I love and appreciate you.

Love,
Emily Lane
1 John 4:12


Please join us in praying for our very good friend.

Record Setters

We had the pleasure of getting Greg's company tickets to the Aggie game last Saturday. Not only did we get to enjoy a big win against Nebraska and some text bantering with our Cornhusker friends, we also were part of a record setting Maroon Out crowd. With 90,079 in attendance and the largest student attendance in college football history, I kept thinking I was really glad not to be playing on that field when we all started cheering. It was really impressive to look across and see a sea of maroon shirts and white 12th man towels. We had 4 tickets to the game and invited Emily and our friend Kelly (who also attended A&M) to go with us. Greg was sitting in style with 3 beauties surrounding him. :-) Caleb and Cameron thoroughly enjoyed being spoiled by Gigi and Grandad and had no problem staying back to watch the beginning of the game on t.v. and then the backs of their eyelids.

We had a wonderful weekend - good times with friends, reminiscing on campus, eating some yummy food ( i love you d.ouble d.aves), tent sale shopping, outdoor hiking, nap taking good time. And, it was Emily's first time to attend a big college game - she said her favorite part was halftime - I have to concur...not much beats what comes after those infamous words..."Now forming at the north end of Kyle Field, the nationally famous Fightin' Texas Aggie Band." Gig 'Em

Fall Fun

Better late than never and since my Christmas decorations are up and 99.9% of the Halloween candy has been demolished, I figure I'd show you some pictures of all of it...

THE PUMPKIN PATCH PICS

Sadly, I took just short of 300 hundred pictures to get a 'really cute' one of Cameron on the rope swing, and this was the best one - aka the VERY first picture

Miss Beth, the boys and I listening to the singing ducks (and enjoying a covered shady area - it was over 100 degrees this day)

Rubber duck racing with water pumps

The sweet taste of water pumping duck racing victory. What a win!!

Corn Maze

Picked their Perfect Pumpkins

Our Pumpkin Patch trip was a blast! There was so much more we did, but in an effort to not overload everyone's computers with super cute pics of my kids, I will keep it to that.

In other fall news...

The baby turned 5

The first trip of the season to the deer lease

Cameron making quite the fashion statement

Mario Bros. - Mario and Luigi

What a busy and fun time of the year! We have enjoyed soccer games every week and are sad that those are now over. Cameron is already looking forward to the next season. Caleb is staying busy with school, Spanish and karate. He is looking forward to the Thanksgiving break!

My little Cowboy

My sweet cowboy turns 5 today. Talk about complete joy in his eyes and tears of "where did the years go" and "thank goodness we made it this far" and "I love you so much" leaked out of mine. Cameron, at five, you have an amazing vocabulary, you make us laugh daily, you've consistently kept your ER visits to an average of 2 per year, you stun me with your big blue eyes, you still love to give lots of hugs and kisses, you think your big brother hung the moon (and the feeling is mutual), you can ride around on two wheels, you love to play soccer (and your pretty darn good), your a fanatic about your N.intendo DS and the W.ii, you have an intense determination that is going to take you places, you love to laugh, you love icing on a cupcake, you can't wait to start school, you could play C.andyland for hours straight, you still talk with your L.ittle P.eople, your favorite restaurant is C.hick-fil-a, your laugh is contagious, you are convinced you know more than any adults that you talk to, and most of all, you love Jesus with all your heart and are more than happy to tell anyone that will listen (and some that don't). We love you sweet boy! Thank you for charming my life for 5 years and counting...

Cowboy day at KidsKare was a couple of weeks ago, hence the get-up. Well, while that's completely true for those pictures, the "get-up" is an almost daily occurence around here - on any given day you might see Cameron as Robin Hood, a pirate, a cowboy, davy crockett, or whatever might suit his fancy. :-)

My Mean Green Soccer Playing Machine

Cameron has been patiently waiting to put on a soccer uniform and get on a field for 3 years. He's watched numerous soccer games, baseball games, and other 'you're not old enough yet' events as well as practices and FINALLY the day arrived to sign him up. He went with Greg for sign-ups and was thoroughly disappointed when he didn't get to play that day. So, when the day came, and his first game was at 12:30 when it was just shy of 100 degrees outside, he was all smiles and played his sweet little heart out - scoring all the goals for his team. He is hooked! His team name is the Mean Green, and I might be slightly biased, but I think he's the cutest little player on the field.

Where Has the Time Gone?

First you start the second grade, then you think you can go and turn 8 on me?! Where oh where is my little sweet snuggly Caleb? Now, you are my tall, sweet 'don't hug mom as tight or long anymore' Caleb. You are so loved. You are amazing. You are precious. You are a gift from God. Thank you for blessing me everyday.


So with a new bike, a birthday sleepover complete with banana splits, some best buds and your brother, you said good-bye to 7 and hello to 8!

Hellooooo 2nd Grade

It was a bittersweet day today - on one hand, I am super proud, extremely thankful, and amazed by the fact that my preemie baby is starting 2nd grade; on the other hand, I was so stinkin' sad! I'm going to miss him. I liked having him around this summer. I just love his personality, and it's hard for me to share it for the majority of his days. But, alas, this day has come. I love you Caleb. I love your sweet spirit, your curiosity, your ability to learn and retain, your amazing imagination, and the fact that at the end of the day, you still love to hug your momma. Learn lots and have fun!

And, as much as I'd like to think I'm Caleb's #1 fan, there was a certain 4 year old left behind who missed his best friend very much!

So, Cameron made his brother brownies for when he got home from school

I don't think his motives were completely unselfish...those beaters are pretty delicious.

Davy Crockett times 2

Caleb has been begging us to go to the Alamo for quite some time (you know, the usual, two years or something completely inappropriate that it took us this long to actually go). And, Greg had made a deal for good grades and behavior for the year, Caleb could pick any restaurant he wanted, and we would go there to eat. He chose the R.ainforest C.afe. Not our favorite (and by that I mean second to last on our "favorite places to eat"), but the boys love it. So, we chose the coolest month of the year and knocked out the Alamo and the Cafe in one trip two weeks ago.

Caleb would have read EVERY sign if we had given him the chance

Like our hats??

They make us official