About me........

Keira made her first about me book at school this past week. I have decided to take pic of her work, rather than trying to keep every single piece, which I had begun to do, but soon realized this wouldn't work out. I do plan on keeping things like this, just not the endless amount of painiting and glue things. So, maybe one day I can compose a montage of of schoolwork in a scrapbook through pics. I don't know if you can read this or not, hope so. She wants to visit the beach, which I assume she answered this since we are going in a few weeks and it is her favorite place to go.

I got cracked up by her answers on this page. Favorite animal is a zebra, no clue where this came from. We figured out bowling (her favorite game) had to come from playing it on the Wii. I loved that her favorite place is at home, that makes me think she is truly happy at home and feels love, security, and a sense of belonging. The obvious answer for favorite food was chicken, which wasn't a surprise.

Where's Brock?

The kids and I play hide and seek often, they love this game and Keira requests it almost daily. Keira's favorite spot to hide is under the covers. So, the other morning I had put Brock on the bed while I was cleaning up or bedroom. Well, he automatically takes a pillow and tries to hide. It was so funny! He really thought I could not see him. I kept saying "Where is Brock?" and he would laugh but stayed still. I couldn't resist taking pics.

It only took 2 months.......

For Keira not to cry every single time she goes to "school." The past 3 times she has been, she has not shed one tear or said, "Can you stay with me all day." She only asks "Can I give you a big hug and sugar?" My baby has finally come to the conclusion that I will return to pick her up in the afternoon and she has so much fun! She talks about her new friends and sings us songs she has learned and also mimics the teacher. I was putting on crocs the other morning and she said "Ms. Kim said we need to wear tennis shoes, not sandals" So, she must be listening very well. I consider this a breakthrough because she happily goes now and also is happy about going on Wed. evening to Awanas at church. The first night I had to stay with her. We are so proud of her for saying her verses to Ms. Terri. She had to memorize 2 verses for last night and I had a difficult time getting her to practice with me and I just knew she didn't know them, but she did. She received her first Cubbie ( her club name for her age group) book last night and was so proud. It is so much fun to watch her be excited about learning and interacting with her little friends.

Saturday

Even though the Vols lost, (oh how it breaks my heart to type those words, HA!!! ) we still had a great time with family. Before the game was over most of us had went outside to play.

Daddy built us a fire and we all enjoyed making smores. Brock and Keira like the chocolate best, so mommy usually ends up eating the rest of theirs.

Silly Girl

Keira came out of our bathroom looking like this. She was enjoying playing in make-up and posing for me.

Roane County Park

We took the kids to Roane County Park for lunch and to play. The Baker's happened to be there eating lunch also and they are friends with Papaw and Mamaw Leffew, and they had their grandson Bo witht them. So, Keira made a new friend today and she seemed to really like Bo. They fed all the ducks, played on the playgrounds, ran the trail, and Keira even shared some cheetos and a juice with Bo. That is big anytime she (or any toddler) does this w/o a fuss.

Park

Brock and a turtle. He wanted to pick it up and throw it. Keira was more hesitant about picking the turtle up.

Brock was cracking himself up just simply sitting and throwing rocks. He would laugh and laugh!

Another role for Daddy

Sunday in our evening service, Brandon was ordained as a deacon. Our family is so proud of him! Brandon and 3 other men, Isaiah Ruffner, Ralton Emory, and Eric Stone, joined our 7 current deacons in this position. I think the 4 chosen are tremendous additions to our church leadership body. This has been an on-going process as the men were questioned over doctrine and their beliefs. It isn't like we had a sign-up sheet in the foyer and any man could sign-up to be a deacon if they chose to do so. Our men had to meet the Scripture qualifications (1 Timothy 3:8-12) and be evaluated by our pastor and the other deacons. Each couple had a home visit and the wives also were asked some questions. God has truly been at work in these 4 men and I have seen them grow more in knowledge and faith over the past 6 yrs. Praise to the Lord for all the blessings He has given us in our new beginning at Grace Community.

Another head boo-boo

We were outside this evening doing smores and Brock fell face down on the concrete. I don't know if he tripped on something or just got in to big of a hurry. But once again, another boo-boo on his head. He cried for a few seconds and then went back to the mini-marshmallows I had let the kids throw everywhere. He may have slipped on them...oops! They had so much fun throwing them all around, daddy wasn't quite as happy. But, we did clean them up and had even more fun throwing them into the yard, daddy was pleased with this. I don't mind the clean-up part.

Lunch anyone?

Brock is really wanting to feed himself with a spoon or fork. So, while Keira was at school on Tuesday, I let him attempt this feat. He had a blast!! No food was really eaten ( he still has issues about eating), but hey, he had a good time. I am the type that lets them have fun and don't worry about the mess.

Do you see the pasta ring flying in the air to the left? Also, notice the table - some landed on it. Yes, mommy had a huge mess to clean up and Brock had to take a bath. I love it!!!!

Here am I.

I am currently in the book of Isaiah in my Bible reading and earlier this week, I was reading Chapter 6 and verse 8 has stuck with me all week. Isaiah hears the voice of the Lord say "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Isaiah replies " Here am I. Send me!" 5 tiny words, yet so strong. These words have been stuck in my thoughts all week. I picture Isaiah with his arms stretched toward heaven, head bowed, possibly even on his knees, saying this. Because in no way are any of us worthy of this position, but only by God's mercy and by His authority can we be called into service. I have wondered all week if I could say these words and truly mean them with all my heart. I know in the past in my prayer time I have prayed this, but was I just speaking words without much meaning. Was I ready for this kind of service and devotion to my Lord, or was I being more like a Pharisee and only showing outward signs of doing the "right" thing to make myself believe I was doing good. I know the truth and it has been obvious in my life that I was just speaking words. Isaiah was not being self-righteous at all, he was admitting even though he knew he was unworthy and not "good" enough to have success on his own, if he turned it over completely to God, there would be success if God allowed. Not through Isaiah, but only through God. I can look back the past few years and see so many times that the Lord was leading me to do something and I failed or said "No, I cannot do that, that is so out of character for me" Normally, when I heard this verse before, I use to think more along the lines of a missionary position or some role that seemed out of reach for my abilities, I always had a reason or excuse to give God. But this week, as this verse has been in my head, I have begun to see I was so off the mark in my thinking. This verse applies to my daily life. I need to say these words every day and truly mean them, letting go of my will and follow His will. I have to remind my hard-head at times, that I have no control over anything and no matter what I plan, it won't change what God has planned in my life. I am learning that just having a thought of sending a card, visiting people, or simply when someone comes to mind that I should pray for them, that this is a part of how God is usuing me daily. It may not seem big, but possibly for that person who the Lord laid on my heart, it could be. I need to continue to be willing to serve and rely on myself. No, my mission is nothing like Isaiah's in a sense, but the elect have their own missions which God has appointed us. How humbling it is to think that "I am a sinner saved by grace" no one or nothing else can save my unworthy, undeserving, fleshly self, but the blood of Jesus. So, my goal each day should be to have the eagerness and willingness to ask God " Here am I. Send me" even though I do not deserve a drop of grace.

Sunday evening

Keira and her best friend Alyssa from church. After evening service, our church had a watermelon social at the city park. We have no clue who the little boy is in the picture with the girls. He took a liking to Alyssa and followed her around. Keira was not happy about that, he was invading on her "turf". Emma joined in on the action. Emma was just recently saved and baptized. She is such a sweetheart!

Papaw being silly! Brock has made a new pal at church, Abby. She is so good with him and I may have to use her as a babysitter in the future.