Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Friends and Family,
We wish you the most enjoyable Thanksgiving! Please, remember to count your blessings and name them one by one! God is amazing an God and even we don't realize it He is blessing us over and over again! We love you! Happy Turkey Eats!
My blessings....
I am thankful for Jesus dying on the cross and making me new
I am thankful for my husband and all that he does in life for our family
I am thankful for our two girls; who are precious and wonderful
I am thankful for our extended family that lives from Florida to Texas to Washington to Hawaii
I am thankful for dear friends near and far
I am thankful for memories, they are what make the tough days special!
Most of all Lord I am thankful that you love me so much even when I make mistakes!

Coach P at work!

Basketball season has officially started and our first game is behind us! You're looking at history! This is the first team at AHA! GO JAGS! The girls had a blast and loved watching the team, as well as, the dance team and cheerleaders. After the game E wanted to meet the sparkle cheerleaders aka Dance Team! Too cute! Guess what she wants to be when she grows-up??? A cheerleader!

Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

So fun! E had a little Thanksgiving feast and program! She was terrific!

Welcome Winter!

Well, if you were wondering if is it cold here? The answer is yes! Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees (all over my yard) and the afternoon warmth is not hanging around much anymore. It feels very nice...Christmas is coming! L said yesterday when he got in his car at 6:00am it was 22 degrees and his car was covered with ice. That is chilly!

Little Ballerina

Practicing for her showcase!

Sweet Friendship

My little E misses her friend Ashlynn so much. She lives in Washington and moving away was very hard for them. There is not a day that she does not mention her speical friend. Ashy (as she calls her) went to Hawaii on vacation and this was a precious picture of her. E asked me to put a little ditty on the blog about them... TOO CUTE! Everyday E thinks of ways to get Ashy to come play at her new house; these are things she wants me to write about. When Ashy comes they will play beauty shop, jump on the trampoline, go the balloon fiesta, play makeup & dress-up, go to the zoo, play in the playhouse and let her ride on my trike.

***From E to Ashy a special note***

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Family Updates

Two very cool family news and updates:

1)We have a Dr. in the family! L's sister-in-law, I call her my sister-in-law-in law; she married to L's brother that means related to me by marriage twice! Anyway, was officially crowned Dr. yesterday as she presented and defended her dissertation! I don't know the specific title but in was in the education program at SPU! Short story is one day this women will be a superintendent- she is that capable...no, her real dream to be a college professor at SPU! Bethie we are very proud of you! Now Dr. Pepper is not the only DR. in our family!

2) My cousin Cheri is pregnant with a girl at 37 years old and her only, oldest son is 15! SURPRISE! Last year she experienced a miscarriage after unexpectedly finding out she was pregnant! She is so excited and always wanted a girl. We have been praying for a healthy pregnancy especially since last year and things are looking fantastic the baby is super healthy, growing and it's a GIRL! Too fun!

Thank you Lord for these blessings! Lord, please continue to watch over them, uplift them and guide their future paths! AMEN!

Mommy Date!

We went to the zoo On Tuesday and had the most wonderful day. The girls were in great moods, the animals were active and we just enjoyed some quality time. (However, we did miss Daddy!) We saw babies! A baby zebra, a baby chimpanzee, a baby orangutan, a baby snow leopard, a baby hippo and more. Our elephant is pregnant and she will deliver in the summer. It was a very neat day at the zoo. Have you ever read the children's book Gerald the Giraffe, anyway the giraffe bent his neck like Gerald. The baby chimp rode on her mommy's back. The hippos were actually out of the water and then walked into the little pool. The elephant was looking for food in all the secret hiding places. The polar bear went swimming. Seriously, when do you go to the zoo and 100% animal participation? I may have enjoyed it more that the kids.

More on Tough Questions...

Yesterday I was getting ready for the day and I was singing the song off the Christian music station- you have to forgive I just know the words- I don't know the artist or name of the song. If you like Contemporary Christian Music than you'll probably know what song I am referring to...All because of Jesus I'm alive....that's the chorus.

I am blow drying by hair and singing my little heart out when E looks at me and says,
"Mom, are we all going to die?"

Hmmmmm....in my head going how do I answer that.....truth tell the truth...and then I said, "Yes, E we are going to die. Eventually we will die because that is the way God designed our life." Ok, got that one out of the way! She looked very sad, it was heartbreaking. We talked some more. I told her God had a plan for lives and that Daddy and I pray she will live a long healthy life. She looked at me and said, "Like you!" I laughed and replied with: I have lived a long life in comparison to your life but hopefully I will live a lot longer!

Then the best part...melt your heart!

I said do you know where you go when you die? She replied, "No." I answered "HEAVEN!" In the moment it clicked and she turned with a huge smile, bright eyes and looked right at me and said, "WILL WE GET TO SEE OUR NANA?" Tears ran down my face, "YES, baby girl you will get to see YOUR NANA!" A moment I will never forget. Thank you Lord for that precious, precious moment with her!

Tough Questions????

My sweet little E has been asking me tough questions lately. She has the most amazing heart for God and just loves learning about him at home, at church and at preschool. (How nice it would be to send her Christian Private School next year for Kindergarten- dreams!)
"Mom, how did God create the trees?" We sing the creation song and talk about what God did and she says, "NO, Mom how did he make the trees? Did he wave a magic wand?" Oh my too much Dora! (Her bible memory verse at church this month is Genesis 1:31 God saw everything he made and said it was very good. I am sure this is stirring up her question.)
She is especially asking about questions about her Nana (my mom) and how come we can't see her or talk to her or why can't we go to heaven. It has been incredible conversation and such an amazing opportunity to talk with her about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Salvation, that there really is a heaven, how we were created and how we are created in God's own image. Just incredible moments; although I am strong in the moment I usually fall a part when she is not watching. I am thankful for these conversations, but oh my how I rely on the Holy Spirit to lead my words. All I keep thinking/praying is, "Lord, I don't want to screw this up."

The Holidays are coming...

I love the holidays, especially Christmas. This is my favorite time of the year! I love everything about: the colors, the lights, the decorations, the music, the movies, cooking, books, Jesus, spending time in celebration with friends and family, but most of all I love tradition.
My mom made Christmas special and it wasn't just about opening presents; she taught my family Christmas was about others. Cooking homemade food (my mom was an amazing cook), delivering food and gifts, picking out presents (her favorite line if you want it then that is the gift you should buy for someone else), giving to the homeless, spending time together, there was always Christmas music playing, but her favorite tradition was driving around this one particular neighborhood in San Antonio looking at the Christmas lights.
My love of the holidays is something she passed on to me a long time ago. Now the holidays are bitter-sweet, since her passing it has caused immense grief during this time of the year. For those of you have not lost a parent, grandparent or someone very close to you it is so hard to explain. You walk through life and the memories flood you, in a moment they consume your heart and your head and it is wonderful and miserable at the same time. A feeling like there are still here, so real and alive. Your heart rushes and you want to see them, hug them and talk to them; but, then you remember that it is not reality and life has changed. The worst part is the loneliness or emptiness you feel in that moment.
When those moments come on I have to go back to the life she shared and the things she passed on; for instance, the love of the holidays. So now when I show joy, happiness, love, and incredible experiences through the holidays I remember who taught it to me and in order to keep her alive in our hearts I must pass it on, so I do.

Sorry for the emotional thoughts but I just had to get them out ;)

Prayers answered!

Praise God that we found renters! Well, our property manager did! They will move in Dec 1 and we will not pay two mortgages. Whew!!! We are so thankful for your prayers. God is faithful!

Reading to each other...

I found the girls in the loft on Monday morning... S was reading books to her big sister! Too cute! I love it!

Friendship

These children are learning at a very young age what a true friendship is. They enjoy each other so much and treasure their time together! You can see the joy on their faces. The moments that melts your heart are when they greet each other. They run to each other hug, embrace, and S screams (LOUDLY), " Hi, Buddy!"

Beauty Shop...

This was too cute....

Loving his new job!

L has finally got settled into his new school and job. I do mean BRAND NEW. The job he accepted here in NM was for a brand new high school and the construction was delayed a couple of months at the start of school. When school started he actually worked downtown in old courthouse. It was very cool! I thought so -did he at times, too- but I guess it would be difficult to have PE in the Plaza.

Anyway, their building finally opened up a few weeks ago and he is now settled. His school is in phases and this was completion of phase one. The school district built only the freshman part of the campus and this year his school only consists of freshman students. A concept he is enjoying- freshman all by themselves.

I believe for next year they will complete the other campus, the gym and fields. Very exciting! He is pumped about this opportunity and WE are looking forward to having 2 gyms- one with 3 courts. That means no more evening practices!!! Oh, PRAISE GOD! Really for the last 11 years we have had practice all over the place and countless (I mean lots) evening practices! So we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

What is neat about this school is that even though eventually it will be a 4 year high school the freshman will have their very own campus within the high school campus. Also, it is designed more like a college campus. No classroom is one specific teacher's. They have shared offices at the end of each floor. Different concepts, very exciting.

I am proud of L, he has brought his 11 years of experience to this school and his opinion is valued and he is sitting on several teams and committees that are non-athletic related. Good job, hubby! I love and respect you for your career efforts and for bringing home the bacon so I can be home with the kiddos! Have a great year! We support you!

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

Tonight we kept our dear friend's children for a sleepover and after dinner we baked cookies. I put aprons on all of them and each child had a special job. E broke the egg, C dumped the butter,T and S helped with the mixing. Then of course everyone had to lick something! The beater or a spoon. The cutest moment was when I turned my back for 2 secs and S and T (the youngest ones both 2) were swiping dough off the cookie sheet! Their smiles show it all..."that was fun and yummy!" It was a good time!

Can't do it alone...

I need your help....PRAYERS!!!
When we moved from the Seattle area and we were unable to sell our home we decided to rent it. It was a great idea and working out fine; however, our renters gave us there 30 day notice and now the house will be available on Dec 1. Last time it rented literally in 24 hours, this time NOTHING- it's only been a week but STRESSFUL! One phone call but they did not work out. Our property manager is awesome and he is working very hard! (He is a Christian and I love that he tells us that he prayers for us.)
Please pray! Pray for our house that it will rent or sell. Pray for guidance and wisdom and knowledge. The economy is tough right now; everyone knows that. We are trying to trust God with all our might; however, fear seems to pop up from time to time.
Psalm 46:1 and Psalm 23 I pray constantly! Also in my quiet time today I read John Chp. 14! Not to mention the I love the Book of James!

Happy Halloween!

We had a very enjoyable Halloween! The girls dressed up as Snow White and Cinderella! Last may we traveled to Orlando, Fl for my brother's wedding and we took advantage of being so close to Disney! We attending the Pirate and Princess Party at Dinsey World! The kids loved it and began our Disney Princess obsession I will call it!

On Hallween we joined friends for chili, rice and cornbread and then went trick or treating with all the families in our neighborhood! It was so fun! The girls loved going door to door checking out the decorations and saying, "Trick or Treat". After every house E would come to me and show me the candy or item she received...each item was a special gift to her. Too cute!

The girls and I enjoyed craving the pumpkin the night before! We each got to draw a face on one side of the pumpkin and I cut them out. Our pumpkin had three faces! It was fun times!