Lets' Pass the Germs!

Germies! Yuck! We are now 4 days away from celebrating Christmas and we are all sick! Landri woke up Saturday with a nasty cough and snotty nose. They tested her for RSV and it came back positive so we are now officially separated from the rest of the world for the next few days. Joy!

I think every child in this part of the state is sick with everything from strep throat, stomach bug and RSV. Its all been passed around at church. Paige started feeling bad last night as well...and as for me...well maybe I am a little paranoid but I also feel a little achy today too.

The weather is nuts! Yesterday it was 80 and today 40. Crazy!

Still looking forward to Christmas and spending time with the girls and Coley and family. This is the first year in a long time that we will be in our own home on Christmas morning and get to celebrate as a family - like I did each year growing up. So for that I am excited even if we are slinging snot and coughing. :0)

"Baby, its cold outside!..."

Brrr! Yesterday is was 82 degrees here and then a wintery front blew in and dropped not only the temperatures to the low 30s but also sleet and heavy rain for most of the night. We also had hail and lots of lightning. The girls did enjoy wearing flip flops yesterday! They are still in denial about it being cold outside.

Paige woke this morning with much excitement that "God had sent us snow!" as she and Landri peered out the front door. It was actually pellets of frozen sleet that was stuck to the grass, but we can consider that snow because that is as close as it is going to get to snow around here!

Thanks-Giving-Shopping

What a celebration! We had an awesome weekend with family and friends celebrating Thanksgiving. My mom, brother and new and wonderful sister-in-law kicked it off with Midnight Madness shopping experience at the Outlet Malls only to return home around 3:30 a.m. It was crazy but invigorating in some weird way -like being in Vegas when you can't remember the time of day. The sales were amazing and so were the lines so we weren't too serious. However, Tanner and Jessica did swing a few elbows while shopping at Carter's and Mom and I broke a sweat as we walked the entire 200 acres of stores!

Most of all it was just good old' family time! The laughter almost outnumbered the number of calories we consumed! Ethan has officially given me my name "Manda". It is too precious! He and the girls just loved on each other and fought passionately over a few toys. God is good!

All I want for Christmas is my two front bottom teeth...

After many weeks of wiggly teeth Paige's front two bottom teeth finally came out tonight! One I was wiggling and it fell out in my hand and the other we had to pull. She looked like a sailor who had been in one two many brawls as they were both crooked and hanging out of her mouth. She was really excited after a few dramatic moments of trying to understand that it really is okay for your "baby" teeth to fall out. She looks like a totally different kiddo! It kind of made me sad...she is growing up too fast! We noticed on the way home from small group that she was having a hard time talking and keeping the saliva in her mouth. That will be interesting... :)

God's Glory - Paigism

In the car today, Paige pointed to the clouds and shouted at Landri saying "look there is God's glory!" As I surveyed the sky the rays of sun were shining through the broken clouds beaming toward earth. She continued, "God's glory looks like that because he is mighty to save us."

I could not wipe the smile off of my face. It was so neat to hear her vocally recognize that God put those rays of sunshine in between the broken clouds and sent them earthward.

Later she said, "Landri - remember the video on GodTube it had a picture of the clouds just like that and it is God's glory." Landri's response was too cute "Yes, Pay--g God loves us." :)

Wiggly Baby Teeth

The girls are too funny! Paige is about to lose one of her front bottom teeth. Its makes my heart sad to see her growing up. Sad in a good way. She is so bright and hungry to learn. She recited the story of Jonah to Landri yesterday during lunch. She got all of the details correct. Amazing! They were studying it at church - but its been over a month ago. Confirmation that if you write God's word on their heart it will not be void.

Landri keeps having problems with sinus/upper respiratory infections but keeps trucking along. She is almost potty trained! Hallejujah! She loves to sing "My God is Mighty to Save" with her play broom as a microphone while standing on the fireplace.

Fall in Texas

Here's some fall pics of the girls at a local Pumpkin Festival.


Well I think that Fall is arriving here in Texas...I could be wrong...its supposed to be 85 degrees today so is that really considered fall?

With the change of seasons we have had lots of changes as well. First, we are going to stay put in our home. Its good to have peace about that. God has us where he wants us - as there are several folks in our neighborhood who have been coming to our new church plant, Harvest Community Church. God has such a good sense of humor - I can see him saying "no the house will not sell, your ministry is here! - Catch my vision" Okay - so finally we got it.

Harvest has been a tremendous blessing to both Coley and I. Its amazing to be a part of church plant. To see the details of God's plan coming together even through all the work. God has defintely grown Coley and I through this time. Too exciting!!!!