Just another funny video for your entertainment. :)

"I love you" game

Playing a special game with her Paw Paw...

Championship Week

Reading the subject, one might ask, "What championship do you speak of? The playoffs haven't even started in the NFL yet." Well, this championship is much, much more important. It is the championship of the Nac Attack fantasy football league. The Nac Attack league consists of friends from college (SFA) and we are going on our 7th year. It is a "dynasty" league meaning that we keep players from year to year and the focus is on building a young and talented team that will be good for several years. While I was dominant in our league early on, I have fallen off the last couple of years. But, this year... this year things are finally back to normal.

I am in the championship this week against Nathan Holman. And it is a true, clash of the titans...

Now this is a deal!

Ok, so I have been seeing on several people's blogs recently this great deal from Shutterfly . It's helpful to keep up with friend's blogs. :) I love cards, invites, you name it from this site. It's great! They are so creative and fun. You can receive all types of styles and find the perfect gift or way to preserve your memories year to year.

They are giving away 50 free cards . Best deal yet!! Especially at a time when we are buying gifts, candies, and the list goes on and on. I even bought my cards early, but this deal is way better. :) I love all the designs and the creativity the add to make your cards, calendar, or announcements that much better. :)

I love the design Merry Blossom which gives a homy and warm Christmas greeting for your Christmas Cards.

Check out this deal and don't miss out. :)

Now having our sweet girl, utilizing the Calendars , creative Photo Gifts, and birthday or Christmas cards will be well worth it to you. I promise.

Especially if you have a little one you are wanting to show off and how beautiful they are. :) I know that is a huge incentive for me. :)

Make this year special and send out cards. Blog about this deal and then you can enjoy cards to make this time of year that much more special. :) I know you will be happy you did.... I know I am! ;)

Creation

A few weeks ago Tim and I went to Enchanted Rock. Of course as we pull up there was a line of cars as usual(for us short due to us leaving early and getting there at a good time :)) We were laughing at how so many people are so excited to wake up early on a Saturday morning, drive 1 1/2 hrs just to climb a big rock. hee! Doesn't sound overly fabulous to some, but it is. :) It got me thinking about the past few places we ahve been to for fun family outings. Bull Creek Trail, Greenbelt trail off mopac and 360, playgrounds (due to the fabulous weather), and now Enchanted Rock.

What do all these things have in common....God's creation. Think about it, we pay thousands of dollars to go to Hawaii, why? God's creation. The weather is beautiful year round, the ocean breath taking, Diamond Head energizing, the sea turtules fun, and the sky at night reveals just a glimpse of the beauty of God. I have been to Hawaii and besides going to see my sister and her family, I went to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

When you see how breath taking nature alone is, God just becomes bigger, better, and more beautiful than I can imagine. As beautiful and mighty God's creation is, God is so much more than that. God is in control of the waves and the birds and takes care of them, I am reminded of how much more God is taking care of his people. "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, you I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive i the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" (Luke 12:27,28)

What a loving, beautiful God we serve. I am so thankful to know this amazing God. He loves us so much. So, so much. He does wants you to know and experience his love and wants you to know how much he delights and rejoices over, "The Lord your God is in your mist, a might one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exalt over you with loud singing." Zephaniah 3:17,18

Horse Races

We embarked on a new family adventure.... the horse track. Tim has been going to horse tracks here and there since we lived in Dallas. He did such a great job sharing with us how everything works and we were impressed. :)

Neela enjoyed running around, seeing the goats, sheep,and rabbits in the front and watching the horses. They did have kid friendly activities like face painting and balloon animals which looked really fun.


Neela enjoying the livestock when we first walked in. She was so excited. The kids were allowed to touch the animals, but I didn't let Neela.... they were a little dirty. :)


Neela watching very closely...


Fun memories

17 Months

On October 12th, Neela is officially 17 months old. I can't believe it. I can't believe just a year ago she was barely rolling over, trying out puree food, nursing, and not mobile! This girl has truly stolen my heart and has forever changed my life.

Since she turned a year old, it's been so fun to see her personality develop, and does she have personality! :) She definitely has a soft, gentle, cuddly, girlie side... but she also has a spunky, goofy, want my way or else side! :) All in one little sweet package. She is such a talker and a singer now. She is great at repeating words we say and jsut gets so excited when she says it. She carefully watches our mouth as we say the word and then says it! Amazing! What a quick learner. :) Her favorite songs right now are "Row Row Row your Boat", "The horn on the bus goes BEEP BEEP BEEP", and "ABC". "ABC" she knows the melody and a few letters, she sings BEEP BEEP BEEP, alot, and loves singing "row row row".

Discipline has been a change. I an still reading Sheperding a Child's Heart. Totally have not been consistent lately, but this keeps me accountable to do so. :) She is definitely learning the work "NO". She does not say it as much as we do. We say "No Maam". She does stop sometimes, but there are times when she tests us. So we have started using a wooden spoon and gently hit her on the hand or arm. (the first time I definitely hit her sweet little hand too hard and felt horrible!!) She now sees the spoon when we say "no" and usually immediately stops. I am learning how to parent and discipline her so she does not fear me or does not follow out of fear but out of obedience. I am not completely sure what this looks like, but I know God is leading me in this area. I am so desperate for Him to lead me and as he leads and disciplines me as I disobey and is so gently in leading me back to Him I desire to do the same with Neela. As I write this I can think of daily times I am just too tired and don't lead Neela well. I desperately need God's guidance and wisdom in parenting. I am loving every step of the way.

Tim is so cute, sometimes he comes to me very serious and wants to discuss our strategies and the example we are to Neela. He takes it very serious and loves Neela all the more. He is such a great Dad. He is more knowledge in some areas of parenting than I am. I love that he desires for Neela to know who God, to fall in love with Him daily, to find refuge in Him alone, and know how precious and beautiful she is.

All this to say, I love Neela. I love the gift of children and parenting. It's stretches me in more ways I thought possible, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. God is sweetly drawing me to rely on Him and to dwell on His promises that He is my strength when I am weak. As I seek wisdom, He will give it to me.

Happy 17th month Birthday Baby Girl! Daddy and Mommy love you!