AWANA - Career Night

A few weeks ago it was career night at AWANA. Elizabeth went as an author of children's books, Abigail a zookeeper, Rebekah  a veterinarian, and Rachel a teacher. The ideas change from year to year. What fun to dream.
Abigail found a special treasure the other day. Rumor has it that this hat was worn by Tim night and day for an entire summer when he was young. Abigail is carrying on the tradition. She thinks the "a" stands for Abigail. School can be a little challenging when your hat keeps slipping over your eyes.

Recovering

I am still recovering from the garage sale we had last Saturday. Each spring I have tried to have a garage sale to make money to join our neighborhood pool in the summer. Every year as I am getting ready for the sale I say  "I am never going to do this again" but then I will have a great sale and make $700. So then next year I am at it again. Well I think this year will be it for a while. I did make enough money ($375) to join the pool and have some extra "fun" money but I am feeling old and tired. Part of the problem was the fact that I tried to have this sale in a month that contained planning a Valentine party, watching other kids for a weekend, having Elizabeth's birthday, having mutiple meetings at my house, and giving a devotional at a friend's shower. All things that I love to do but not a good time to add something else. I wanted to take a picture of my garage to capture the moment but when I got home from putting up my signs on Sat. morning, I had people waiting to get in. The day was rainy and cold but we had a decent crowd and I enjoyed visiting with the friends who participated in the sale with me. After we were done we packed up all the remaining items and took them to Good Will. I found great joy in putting empty plastic bins back into my attic. A feeling of freedom from the weight of stuff. I want to simplify life trying to live with less.  I also want to be more willing to give to others - not merely looking out for my own interests but the interests of others.

Elizabeth is 10 years old!

We enjoyed celebrating Elizabeth's 10th birthday. For her party this year we planned a Scavenger Hunt around town. The girls were divided into two groups and we all had fun racing to collect the items on the list. The girls got candles and ice cream from the grocery store, a crown from burger king, a gift for Elizabeth from the dollar store and a balloon from the party store. It  happened to be pouring rain during the whole outing but everyone had fun anyway. Elizabeth has such a tender heart and we are all recipients of her kindness. She enjoys writing and thinks that she would like to write children's stories about dogs when she grows up. We are so thankful for our Lizzie Boo. Happy Birthday.

No party is complete without candles.

The whole gang eating pizza.

Elizabeth had plates with dogs on them since she is such and animal lover so Lila was the honored guest.

On Elizabeth's actual birthday we were watching two extra children for the week-end. Riley is one of Elizabeth's dearest friend so we were glad to have a two night sleepover. After church on Sunday we all went to Cracker Barrel for a birthday lunch.

Double digits.

What a precious girl!

Basketball

We have enjoyed participating in a basketball program at a local church over the last few months. I keep meaning to take my camera but have not been able to remember. Here are some shots of the us enjoying our wonderful cul de sac.

A tough team to beat!

Tim gives Abigail a little boost!

Saturday Happenings

Rachel and Elizabeth both did very well in the Sonatina Piano Festival this week-end. All their hard work paid off as Rachel won first in her division and Elizabeth received a honorable mention. We are very proud of them.

Two lovely ladies having a Saturday tea party.

Daddy and Abigail cheer on the Tigers.

Everyday Life

Now that the holidays are over we are back into our routine of everyday life. I was afraid it was going to be a hard transition from vacation back to reality but so far so good. I have a mixed love of routine. Our house seems to run better the busier we are. When we have discretionary time it seems that I can never quite keep up with the duties of home. So I am thankful to be back on a schedule and sad that lazy days are over (for a season). I wanted to capture some pictures of everyday life. I have scrap books full of special events in our lives but few pictures of the routine. As I see my girls growing up fast, I do not want to forget the "normal" at this stage of our lives. 

The girls are working on school in our "multi-purpose" school/dining room. Abby is usually at the kitchen table with me, but she is eager to get a box for her school books so that she can sit in with the big girls. 

A New Year

I love beginning a new year. A chance to evaluate and start again on all those things I want to do but somehow seem  to get left behind in the busyness of life. Each year I will set goals in different areas in my life and start strong in my resolve to do differently.  Somewhere a few weeks in I find myself discouraged and back to my same routine of running through life with little direction.  So this year I am going to do something different. I have decided that I am going to celebrate each new month by evaluating and setting goals for that month. I am also going to make my goals small and tangible. So in fear that I will have to admit failure to all who will read this I am going to list my goals for the month of January. I may end up having the same goals for February but hopefully I will be able to add something new to the previous month.

Spiritually - meditate - Choose at least one verse a day to ponder and understand. I would even welcome the accountability from you who would be willing to ask what I am mediating on for that day.

Tim and girls - kindness in speech - I want to communicate at least one thing I appreciate or am thankful for to each member of my family each day.

Ministry to Others - be a better listener and focused on others - not referring to myself in conversations!

Household - declutter - prepare for garage sale

School - start piano with Abigail - at least 3 days per week, maintain reading at lunch with the girls

Personally- cut back on sweets - one dessert per day (yes, that is cutting back for me!?!)

As I have thought about all that I desire to change in my life these goals look small, but I pray that God in His graciousness will begin to change me into a woman who loves Him more and loves myself less that I might be more useful to Him. To Him be the glory!