Kamryn's 8th birthday

Kamryn Brooke

Curious

Energetic

Lovable

Humble

Compassionate

Happy

Playful

I can not believe how you have grown. What a beautiful young lady you are turning into. You are our little missionary, ballerina, and all around have a good time gal. We are so proud of you and wanted to say that we love you very much and wish you a happy 8th birthday.

We love you, Mom, Dad, Kaylin, Cole, and Connor

NYC

This past weekend I spent in NYC with my very good friend Sam and others. It was the coldest trip ever! To begin Friday was spent checking in a dropping our bags at the hotel. From there we went to Serendipity. Waited 3 hours! Not worth it! By the time we all sat down, we are so grumpy , tired and HUNGRY! Not a pleasant lunch. From there it was the usual Rockefeller Center and off to a show. CHICAGO! It was a great show. I love to see shows in NY on Broadway. That is always my highlight. I would do that the whole time if it was not so expensive.

Saturday was freakin' cold!! The signs told us 27 but that was not the wind chill factor. I am from Florida and do not own things that would make the weather comfortable. So it was sooooo uncomfortable. IT HURT!! It is nice to have a Starbucks on ever corner. Duck in to have something warm. Lunch was at my favorite pizza joint. It is a little whole in the wall place in Brooklyn. It is packed out from the minute they open until closing. We waited 20 minutes before they opened to get a table. It is one of the original coal burning ovens in NYC. It makes a difference with the pizza. They serve pizza and that is all. That is my food highlight! The rest of the time was spent shopping, window gazing, and yes more eating. I love this trip and hope to do it again next year. Any takers?

School Daze!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! My children are in full Christmas spirit. In other words they are on Christmas Vacation! Their little minds have left the building and they will not return until 2009! The funny thing is we have at least two weeks left before our official vacation begins. Are we going to make it? It is not looking good.

Maybe you are thinking what could be so bad? Well...

1. we are all still in our pj's NO SHOWERS!
2. Kamryn has spent the morning skipping around! AWANA and Hooked on Phonics done (that is about 30-40 minutes worth of work in 3 hours)
3. Cole has asked every five minutes "Am I done now? I want to go play with Connor!"
4. Kaylin 1 lesson in math not corrected (I think) and AWANA
5. Why does school make them hungry? Every time we start someone is hungry?!

Vacation sounds so good, maybe I should let my mind go! Wait, it is already gone.

Old friends

Today we spent the afternoon with some good friends. Jeff and Tiffany moved away last month and stopped in on their way home (Sunrise, Fl). I love to visit and talk with her. Tiff is a true woman of God. She inspires me! We both have obstinate girls (Kaylin and Jaden) that need direction and we need support. Today Tiff said something, which was very good advice. "God is always molding my character and it's not the most comfortable for me. He does what He needs to do to mold me more like Him." That is her direction with Jaden. It may not always be the easiest way but what is best for Jaden. That is my new outlook with Kaylin. My focus needs to be on her character and not her short comings. Thankfully God does not focus on my short comings.

Free Ride

I am humbled by my King and how he loves me. Nick and I have been having some stressful times lately. Law school, finances, and anything else you can think of! Nothing our God can not handle!! We have been truly blessed by His provisions and love for us. A couple of weeks ago I felt God was preparing me for something. Something? Anything! My prayer time was very simple, "I'm listening?"
It was not till later when I went to my M.O.M.S. group at church and was blessed by one of the older women's testimonies. She used the verse Phil. 4:6 & 7; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I have been praying this verse constantly. It has been comfort in my time of freaking out. When He is in control, His peace is overwhelming. I know and believe that He does work all things for good for those who love Him. There is a light at the end of this tunnel. I can see it! It is very far away and I am tired. But I no longer have to walk. I never had to walk!

The fixer!

This is Nick. He can fix any problem. He is a wiz at com-
municating with others. Emailing is his strong suit. If you are looking for a few sleepless nights and a good headache, call him to mediate your next problem. He is NEVER wrong! You can't miss!
This is written in fun. Love you much Nick.

Two of a Kind

I never realized how much Connor and I looked alike. He thinks this picture is him! Now I know where he gets his good looks.

A Diet Coke and a First Impression

The power of a of Diet Coke is great. Yesterday, I decided to wait and get my daily Diet Coke of the way to basketball camp at noon. I have done that before and have been fine. I can usually feel my headache starting. Due to the lack of caffeine in my body. But having one with my lunch will hold off the headache. Not the case yesterday!! I met with a fellow mom in our co-op to do a little timeline planning. Not a heavy task, so I thought. By the time I had arrived at her house (12:15) I could hardly stand to keep my eyes open. I knew at this point it was only going to get worse. By the time we were in deep conversation about timelines I could feel my stomach turning. Let me set the stage.... I knew this mom, Kelly, only in passing at co-op. We will be working together this coming year for the first time. My idea of getting to know her is not vomiting at her home. But, apparently that is what I was about to do. I excused myself to take Connor potty and to take care of some business. After a good tossing of the cookies I usually feel better and did so for about an hour. Then it happened again. After the tossing of the cookies the second time I excused myself. (2:00) I stopped to get something to eat and for a Diet Coke. Since I lost the other one! Picked Kaylin up and went to my mommy's house to take a nap! Yes my MOMMY'S house!!! Can you believe that I woke up this morning with the same little headache. It is going to be a long day!!!!

The Peaceful Waterfront

I love this picture. It was taken on one of our many adventures out to our friends the Glasses'. We were at the end of the dock looking for gators when I saw the sun stretching through the clouds. It was a amazing to stand in the presence of our Creator and all His details. You do not notice the power of creation until you stop and nothing else is important. I was no longer nervous of anyone falling into the lake with the gators. (it was at the end of the dock) I was the only one left on the dock. Sam (my BFF) had taken the kids back up to the house. She knew I could stand out there forever! (hunting for gators)

My life is in need of a peaceful waterfront. My plate is very full trying to plan for co-op and getting ready for homeschooling three kids this coming school year. I am very nervous and as I type this I feel a lump in my throat. I have been placed here for a reason. Father, remind me again what it is? Oh yeah, my four little blessings. In each their own way bring a little bit of laughter, smiles, tears and anger all in one brief moment. It is never boring around here!

For the few minutes I was on the end of that dock in complete amazement. I was being refreshed and loved on by my Heavenly Father. This pictures reminds me that he is with me every moment of everyday. I am not alone. When I am in need, he is my peaceful waterfront.

Gators, Turkey, and Deer Oh My!

These are a few pictures from our sleep over at the Glass family homestead. They live on Florida preservation land in which Steve is the head biologist. The kids and I had a great time!! I love the pictures so much, even though it was over a month ago I had to share them!
Thanks Krista for having us out. I cannot wait to do it again!

We saw gators, turkey, deer, rabbits, and did I mention gators? When I walked on the dock I could see some and hear some. The ones I saw did not concern me. The one I could hear (very close) but could not see was a little freaky!!!




Kaylin and Allison Glass BFF!




It is not easy to ride a bike in the grass. Kamryn was determined!



"One little monkey swinging in the tree. Teasin' Mr. Crocodile, you can't catch me"
Connor Reid so darn cute. Yum!!!


Cole is just as cool as the gators!!



Turkey Tracks

My favorite subject.

I am only ten feet away! Eat your heart out Barry Barr!!!!!