"Mary-Jo" and Her Lost Sheep

Monday night was Josie's first Christmas play. It was put on by the Mother's Day Out program she goes to on Mondays. For some reason the teachers decided to give her the role of "Mary". At first we were very nervous that she would cry and refuse to go on, but as you will see she did very well. She knew all the songs (thankfully she didn't have to speak), and we only had one scary moment. In one song the kids are supposed to march in place, but she started to trip over her dress. She started tugging on it and she got so mad that she fell backwards! The look on her face was priceless and Wesley and I held our breath, but she popped right back up and started singing again. Isn't she adorable?

On her way to the "stage".

We have no idea what was up with her hair.

I'd like to boast that she is singing, but she's actually yawning. (She was great at the hand motions!)

Joseph was not very happy. (The little star is one of Josie's best friends, Addy).

I got a picture with "Mary-Jo" after the show.

Sadly, I misread the letter they sent out and didn't realize Caleb was actually in the program as well. He and the other babies were supposed to be sheep. After we saw his name on the program and saw the babies doing the hand motions, we realized he had been doing them at home the last few days whenever he heard music. We even got pictures a couple of days before because we thought he was so funny.

Gingerbread Cookies

This last Sunday two of "my college girls" came over with a surprise for Josie and Caleb. They brought over belated birthday/Christmas gifts for the kids and stuff to make gingerbread cookies! Here are some pictures of our fun and messy afternoon!

Whitney and Jo rolling out the dough.

Mary Margaret, Whitney, and Jo icing their cookies.

Messy face! Proof of the yumminess.

These girls are so wonderful! They took time out of their schedules (studying for finals!) to come spend the afternoon with us! I feel so honored. I am so thankful for their friendship and their love for my kids. I pray Josie will always remember what amazing young women they are and admire their faith in and love for Jesus!

December Babies...

This year our babies turned 3 and 1. Although their birthdays are only one day apart and we celebrated them together that weekend, we tried to do something nice for them individually on their special day.

Happy Birthday, Jo!

A special birthday date with Dad. Off to Chick-fil-a!

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

Nana and Pawpaw came over for dinner!

Let's party!

Notice the difference between girls and boys. I know there's an age difference too, but I'm not sure that changes much.

Yes, Caleb did face-plant into the cupcake!

I think this is his second one.

And Fufu gets the prize for providing the pink princess tutu! Josie wore it the rest of the day!

Lord, Jesus, thank you for our children! You have blessed us beyond measure.

Sweet November

Here are a few sweet moments from our November. We are so blessed! Thank you, Jesus!

Having Tea with Mallory (our next door neighbor)...


Our trip to the new Library...

Our BU/A&M weekend with Aunt Bekah (Mommy's Aggie Roommate) and Uncle Ty-ty (so much fun--except the cold/terrible football game)...

"I wear my sun glasses at night, 'cause I can, 'cause I can..." (for those of you younger than me that's a song from the 80's)...

Pawpaw took his four princesses to Disney on Ice. Nana also wore a crown. It was a very sweet date! What wonderful memories!

This was Caleb's first time in the little push car. I think he liked it...

Caleb loves his big sister...

This mysteriously appeared in our fridge after Mommy's family Thanksgiving. That's a lot of mac'n cheese...

Bring on December....

Thanksgiving Trophy

We spent Thanksgiving with Wesley's family at their ranch in west Texas. After spending early mornings and late evenings sitting in his blind, he finally saw a deer worth his wait.

(For those of you who think it's cruel, sorry. We are using the meat for food.)

very interesting antlers...

A Servant

On November 23 Wesley was ordained as a Deacon in our church. It was a great honor and yet so humbling. Our pastor gave a history of the position of deacon in the church. The position was established because the Apostles could not continue to teach effectively and care for the everyday needs of the rapidly growing church. Men of faith and character were called to the "front lines" of caring for people. During the plague they were the ones who bravely went in to help those who were sick and dying. There were so many other fascinating things that I had never known about the history of deacons, but the most important part of being a deacon is to have the attitude of a servant. Any of you who know Wesley, know that he definitely has that heart-attitude.



Our families came to support him...


Our dear friend and Wesley's accountability/prayer partner, Jacob said a few words of blessing before our lunch...

Pink Spoons?

When we first moved into our new building at church, our pastor preached a series on prayer. The first week he reminded us about how we all have mountains in our lives that we pray to be moved. He wanted to give everyone a tangible object to help us really focus on consistently praying that God would move that mountain.

Since they were still unpacking from the move, all James could find were little white plastic spoons in the kitchen. So, he went with it. They passed them out to everyone as we entered the worship center. After thinking about it for a while, I thought how neat it was that all James could find were the spoons because sometimes (not always) our prayers are like little shovels that God gives us to eventually move the mountain one "spoonful" at a time. (I understand that God chooses to move/not to move mountains when He wants, but that's not the point of this story...)

That Sunday some friends of ours definitely knew that their mountain was infertility. They took their "spoon" very seriously and devoted themselves to prayer. Well, they still have their lttle white spoon, but this week they gave birth to a precious little girl. Instead of cigars, they chose to pass out pink spoons to remind everyone that God answers prayer.

Praise God!

What's your mountain?

Mothers and Daughters

OK, all you Mommies of little girls, I wanted y'all to know about this book and an online book club that will begin on January 5th (see the link on the right side of this blog). I first heard Vicki Courtney speak at a Bible study called Breakaway when I was a freshman at Texas A&M and have been "reacquainted" with her through her blog and her books in the last few months.

She has a wonderful ministry for young women and their mothers called Virtuous Reality based out of Austin. I have learned so much and had my eyes open to many things which I would simply like to turn a blind eye.

We must be proactive in raising our daughters to be godly, virtuous young women who will live to glorify our King. I have been greatly encouraged and challenged by Vicki's ministry. I hope you will be to.

The Sweetest Sound on Earth

OK, so this happened literally about five minutes ago. Wesley and I just put Josie down for her nap. We've been encountering a lot of resistance lately to naps, so we've had to institute consequences for coming out of her room. (Today's consequence was not being able to go see her friend who lives next door.)

Anyway, we heard the door knob twitching and the door open then shut again. Wesley was ready to go and deal with her when he heard something. He stopped and listened. He called me over to the hallway. We could hear her singing with the CD in her room.

Chris Tomlin's "Arriving" CD has been in her CD player since before she was born. We had just gotten it when I was pregnant and I listened to it while I was getting her room ready. It just happened to still be in there the first night we put her in her crib, and it's still in there to this day. (We often joke that someday she'll be in church and sing some of his songs and immediately fall asleep from "Chris Tomlin" narcolepsy".)

So, today, we're standing in the hallway listening to our almost 3 year old daughter sing in her sweet little voice, "Holy is the LORD, God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory, Holy is the LORD, God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory...it's rising up all around, it's the anthem of the Lord's renown...together we sing...everyone sing...Holy is the LORD, God Almighty...."

We held our breath as we stood outside her door listening to her worship in her room all by herself. Our hearts were so full. I am so thankful that those words have been sung over her every night of her life for the last almost 3 years. Someday, when she needs them the most, those words will flood her heart and she will always remember: "HOLY IS THE LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY!"

Praise you, Lord!

Windows, Part 2

Well, here's the finished product. Gabe came over Friday afternoon and put the frames in the windows! It's so wonderful We really love them. The kids love bringing out all of their toys and playing in the sunshine. I think the sun really helps everyone's moods!

Caleb loves the windows too! He learned to crawl up onto the ottoman and sit/stand to look out the window. Isn't he cute!?

Trunk or Treat

Here are some pictures of our fun night at our church's annual neighborhood outreach, "Trunk or Treat." Josie has been talking about being Aurora from Sleeping Beauty for several months (ever since she found out there was a day called Halloween and you got to dress up in a costume.) When she gets an idea, she sticks to it. So, here we go...

The curls have returned...

Posing...

Aurora, Belle, and Cinderella (a.k.a. Josie, Darby, and Addy)

Josie and her Sunday School teacher, Chantelle

Exhausted after collecting candy....

We all had a lot of fun. Just in case you're wondering, I didn't get Caleb a costume, but he had a lot of fun too. Sorry there aren't any pictures of him. Oh well. He's the second child (just kidding). Poor kid.

"The Pumpkin Gospel"

A few weeks ago Auntie Jenna gave Josie and Caleb a book called "The Pumpkin Gospel." It's a parable about how carving a pumpkin is like the process that God goes through when we cleans the "mushy gushies" out of our hearts when we receive Him as our Savior. It's a wonderful book! Ever since, Josie has been wanting to carve a pumpkin. So, we finally went and got one. As we carved it, we talked about "The Pumpkin Gospel."

Daddy cleaning out the "mushy gushies"...

The "mushy gushies" are stinky!

"Carve a tross, please."

The story finishes by telling us that when God cleans out our hearts, he puts His light inside of us to shine for everyone to see. Isn't that a wonderful parable!

Home Improvement

This weekend we embarked on a huge task. Wesley with the help of our friend Gabe, put windows into our living room. Those of you who have been to our house may remember that our living room had no windows and with it's low ceilings, sometimes had the tendency to feel like a cave. I guess I should really say Gabe put the windows in while Wesley followed directions. Gabe and his wife, Melendy are absolutely AMAZING! They know so much about home improvement and have such beautiful servants' hearts! They totally blessed us this weekend! Take a look at how awsome it is!

Before windows.....

Taking down the siding....

Hey, guys! Can I help?

Awaiting further intructions...

Almost finished product....

Almost finished on the inside...

We still have to finish the trim on the inside and outside, but I'd say for one day of hard work, Saturday was a very effecient day. I'll try to remember to put a picture of the final product up when we get everything together. We are LOVING our windows! It is so nice to have our room full of natural light!

We are so thankful for friends like Gabe and Melendy! They truly serve out of love and definitely know how to work as unto the Lord!

"Will You be My Flower Girl?"

A few weeks ago, a very good friend of ours came over for lunch. She brought with her something very sweet--a bouquet of cookie flowers for Josie. Mary Margaret asked me if she could give something to Josie. She handed me a card and I knelt down to read it to Josie. It said, "Josie, your family is so special to me, will you please by my flower girl in Caleb's and my wedding? Love, Mary Margaret."

Thank you Mary Margaret and "Big" Caleb for thinking of our daughter! We love you guys!

I LOVE MY HUSBAND!

I absolutely love Wesley Brooks. He is the earthly love of my life! I was so overwhelmed this morning that I decided I HAD to boast in the LORD because of HIS amazing gift called "Wesley."

I will not attempt to brag on Wesley because of anything he does of his own power, but I know he would not want me to if I tried. He would be the first to tell you that without Jesus he is nothing but sinful man (and some days I might be the second). And that is the first thing I'm thankful for about him--his heart to increase Jesus and decrease himself.

We were talking last night about how busy we've been, but by the end of our conversation we concluded that we could redefine it as "life to the full." Let me explain. Last week I had two nights in a row that I needed to do some very important stuff and he took great care of the kids without complaining--even when Caleb had been diagnosed with Pneumonia. Then this week (yes, it's only Wednesday) he dropped everything to go help paint a friends' house who's family is about to go be missionaries in Europe; followed by leading a downtown Bible study called Brother's Keeper for homeless men and women.

Now, don't think for a second that he is neglecting his family. Once again, we give God praise and glory for how HE is the sole provider of a precious commodity called time. Wesley told me last night how even though his job might not be the most "prestigious" he couldn't ask for anything better because he realized that he couldn't participate in all the opportunities God gives him if he still worked in a big accounting firm. For example, he works until 4 and then last night was able to come home and play with his kids for a a couple of hours, eat dinner and then go lead Bible study. He had kind of an "AH-ha" moment. He said, "What in life is better than that? Who would WANT to work those extra few hours anyway if they didn't have to? Prestige has a price, and I'm not willing to pay it."

But, I can go on. He is a real man's man. He loves to fish, hunt, play and watch sports, BUT never puts those in front of his family. I know most men would say they don't, but Wesley really doesn't. He doesn't rush home from church in fear of missing the Cowboys, and if he misses all but the last quarter, he's ok with that. He understands that relationships are eternal and no one will remember the score of a game 20 years from now. I don't mind him watching sports or going hunting because he's not obsessed with them! He gives me no reason to be jealous of those things.

One last thing. He truly loves our family. He loves our kids and he's in love with me! We laugh because I tell him that he's a picture of God's grace to me and I know that can sound weird. What I mean is, he is a reminder that God gives us things we don't deserve because I don't deserve Wesley. I don't deserve to be his wife and yet I have the privilege to be just that.

I feel sorry for all these women who think that "submit to your husband" is a bad word choice for what God really meant in Ephesians 5 because there is such a freedom in it. Wesley (because of God's grace and mercy in his life) is learning to love me like Christ loves the church. Why would I ever want to be "liberated" from that?


THANK YOU, JESUS! THANK YOU, JESUS! THANK YOU, JESUS! YOU ARE SUCH A GOOD GOD! I WILL PRAISE YOU AND BOAST OF YOUR LOVE, GRACE, MERCY, AND POWER ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE! PRAISE YOU!

Even "Bigger" Hair Day

Well, after talking to our friend Whitney, I was inspired to use sponge curlers on Jo's hair. So, last night after her bath I covered her head in rollers. I honestly had no idea what the outcome would be. What do you think?

Wesley and I were in complete shock. I had no idea this would be the outcome. Because I'm not really a "fru, fru" type anyway (which there's nothing wrong with that if you are), I quickly calmed these crazy locks with spray conditioner. Subsequently, Jo went to church with straight, damp hair.

It is cute, but seeing as how it resembles more of a Richard Simmons wig than my daughter's hair, I think I'll wait for Halloween to do this again.

Oh, one more thing. I think we have officially gone overboard with the hair stuff. When Wesley picked her up from Sunday School this morning the teacher told him that Josie was "really into hair today." When Wesley asked her what she did in class today, instead of telling us about the story and lessons she learned, she told us, "I played with Addy's hair."

Hmmmm. No more hair talk for a while. I think it's becoming a distraction.