Time to Reflect

Brian here...

Thankful for so many more things than I deserve. A savior that loves me unconditionally, a beautiful wife that I love more every day. Two kids, Izze and Ian, that make their daddy's heart melt every time our eyes meet. My dad (Jack) & brother (Michael). Friends I love (and that love me, even with my lack of sports knowledge). My Pastor & Mentor (Herbert). Thankful for the staff that I lead at People's Church. Incredibly thankful for our team of almost 90 people in the Music & production department at People's Church. Blessed, & very, very Thankful.

Brian

Mom's group Thanksgiving Party!

Today we had our mom's group Thanksgiving party at our house. The kids had a lot of fun playing with their friends, and doing a couple of crafts. We got to indulge in some yummy food as well, tis the season!
I am so very thankful for these ladies, and their kids. I know they make my life brighter. Thankfulness is in my heart today!!

Paw Paw's Birthday!

This last Friday was paw paw Jack's birthday! We had paw paw over for dinner and chocolate cream pie. Isabelle got to go with us to pick out a present for paw paw after her school fall festival. We had a great time celebrating paw paw!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

Our finished Christmas tree!!







Isabelle got to put the star on the tree this year!! She was so proud!








Isabelle with her stocking on her head, saying, hohoho!!She was having so much fun finding all her favorite things.







Ian with his stocking on his head. He was following sisters lead! All though his head seemed bigger than hers, trying to get the stocking on. lol









Ian starring at the tree when Brian turned the lights on. Like I said his eyes tell it all.







Daddy and Ian "working" on the Christmas tree, well, really just Brian. lol




Well, we finally give in. This year it seems like Thanksgiving is being rushed along, and fast forward to Christmas. My theory, we feel as though this thing called The "Christmas season" goes so fast we want to get a jump start to hold onto it just a little longer. Who could blame us right!
Our reasons for putting up our Christmas stuff early:
We have two cute kiddos, specially the four year old, who has been asking for about a month or more now, we need to put our Christmas stuff up guys! She thinks if the stores are doing it, well, it must be time for us to. She's right you know, if you see it everywhere, why not join in on the Christmas spirit of things.
We will be doing a combined Thanksgiving/Christmas this next week. Yeah!!! Of course we need the Christmas tree for that. Right? Izze says, absolutely!!

We have had new conversations this year with the kids, or really Isabelle, about giving, and what it is to be Thankful, and what is Thanksgiving, why we do certain things, or don't do them. She is growing up too quickly, and sometimes I feel like I want to skip the tough questions because I feel like she is so innocent to have such big questions sometimes. Then I think, I would rather her hear the truth from me instead of someone else, so I begin....

Our house inside is beginning to look like Christmas, and soon the outside will too. I love looking at the kids eyes/faces when the tree lights up, or they find all the treasures of ornaments, stockings, and fun things, it is so magical to them. Ian was only one last year, so I don't think he remembers much, but this year his eyes tell the story!! Izze remembers her special things from last year, the reindeer we put under the tree, her little Christmas books, her fan, musical note paper, the little doll ornament Nanny Carol got her, she has her favorites, and she found them all. These are the moments I treasure, and will continue to treasure for many years to come.
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.........

Family Vacation 09' !!!!

A couple of weeks ago we had some vacation time, and we took the kids to the Great Wolfe Lodge in Grapevine TX. They had a blast and so did we!! It will definitley be a place we go back to. It was kind of like having a small white water in doors. They had a toddler area just for the kids. They also had big stuff for us as well. We had just as much fun as the kids did. They have a wave pool, lazy river, bigger slides, fort in the middle of the place. It was great!! The kids also got to dress up in their Halloween outfits and go to each floor and get candy. We didn't even have to leave the lodge, because they have restaurants, starbucks, everything you would need right at the lodge. Each night they have story time at the big clock, this is where trees, animals, people "come alive" and tell a story. Also, from one of the pictures that I took from our balcony was the outside pool and slide area. It would be a fun place in the summer as well. We also got to do a little shopping at one of our favorite places, The Grapevine Mills Mall. The kids like it because they have the crocodile that moves, and the carousel they LOVE to ride. Izze always picks the horse, and Ian & daddy rode the round spinning wheel. I so, so enjoy these times together with my favorite people in the world, my family!!

Our little princess & Fireman!!

This year the kids dressed up as a Princess (of course), and a fireman. They both looked so cute. We took them to paw paw Jack's church for a carnival, they had so much fun playing games, and getting all kinds of fun stuff. We got home a little past bedtime, so we took them around the neighbor a little bit. They both had the system down pretty good for getting candy. It's so fun to watch them!!

Vistit from Papa Lin & Nanny Carol!!

This last week we had a little vacation time, and Nanny Carol and papa Lin came into town to see us. It has been a little bit since we have seen them, so us and the kids were really excited. The kids kept talking about when they were coming, and how long it was until that time. They came to the house, then to dinner one night, and then breakfast one morning before they headed to Ponca. The kids love to play with nanny and papa, and wanted papa to come outside almost first thing. The one picture of papa Lin and Ian, Ian was brushing his beard with his hand. This is something new this time he was doing, I thought was funny, and cute. The kids really miss them when they leave. Hope to get together again soon. love ya

Our Cowgirl & Cowboy!!

Last week Isabelle's school was having farm day, and everyone was suppose to dress up in their farm/cowboy clothes. The school was going to have real animals at the school for the kids to pet, and look at. Such a fun thing for them. Izze was so excited. If you can imagine, Izze didn't have anything that we thought would say farm day in her closet. I went out in search of something she could wear. I came back with a pink cowgirl hat, and a pink bandanna, perfect for our Izze. If you know her well enough, pink is her favorite color, and she will tell you so, if asked.
Of course we ended up getting Ian his own hat and bandanna as well, he likes to follow what sister does these days. We thought they both were "really cute". She had a great day being a cowgirl!!