J-High cheerleaders take a stand.

Sometimes doing youth ministry can be an extremely draining calling, but most of the time, it is so exciting!!

To hear the stories about what God is doing in the hearts and lives of today's young people makes it ALL worth it!!

It is crazy just how popular the world of competitive cheerleading is in today's culture! I definitely don't have a problem with it by any means, I cheered for several years in high school... all I'm saying, is that it is definitely a different day & age as far as "cheering" is concerned!

Yesterday, Brian posted this story on his blog about some girls in our J-High ministry who took a stand on their Competitive Cheer squad here in Katy due to some things they didn't agree about or feel comfortable performing!

Read about it here.

I am so proud of these girls!

Playtime with Parker!

Here are a couple of videos that Brian shot tonight of the kiddos while I was at a MOPS meeting and the grocery store!

30x40 canvas for Jennie

Aside from some wall murals, this was largest canvas I've done thus far!

This is a 30x40 canvas I completed this week for my friends, daughter's room. She has red, black, and light yellow room/bedding accented with lady bugs in her room.

She wanted this piece to hang over her bed.

(In case you were wondering, a canvas of this size would run about $100. )

These prints were the "inspiration pictures" I had to coordinate the ladybug pictures with.

Conversations with Parker...

As trying & hard as my days can be with Parker lately, today has been a rather funny one full of sweet conversations.... Here are a few.

Lately, his new favorite question is the infamous "Why?" which he asks after EVERYTHING!! It was cute at first but can get a little wearing after hearing it a bagillion times a day! :)

A daily conversation with Parker:
Parker: "Where is Daddy?"
Me: "Daddy's at work."
Parker: "Why?"
Me: "Because that's what Daddy does during the day."
Parker: "Where's Michael?" (Michael is our J-High pastor and good friend who Parker adores!!)
Me: "Michael is at work along with Daddy."
Parker: "Why?"
Me: "Because that is also where Michael works."
Parker: "Why?"
..... and the cycle continues! :)

Then tonight, it was just Parker & I as we headed out to JCPenney's after cleaning up from dinner. I had to return some things and I've been on a mission to find him a napmat for Preschool that is REASONABLE! I found one online but of course they didn't have it at the store...
So anyways, I'm checking out at Penney's and Parker is sitting in his stroller watching me and the salesman "small talk". I noticed Parker staring at the man funny, so I said, "Parker, can you say Hi?" - but he just waved...He's still staring at the man & I as we are talking as he rang up my things. Then Parker looked at me and asked, "Momma...Who's that?" (What??? You're only 2!!)
So I then look at the salesman's nametag which was labeled "Richard" and I said, "His name is Richard. Can you say hello to Richard?" And Parker said in his sweet little voice & a huge grin on his face, "Hi Richard."
So I guess they are friends now... as we are walking away from the counter, Parker turns around in his seat and yells, "Bye Richard!"
SOOOO Hilarious!!

He can be SO funny & sweet WHEN HE WANTS TO BE!

This was Parker tonight in his bath!

My future Olympian!

McKenna "graduated" from her level of preschool gymnastics on to the next level up! We are so proud of our lil' gymnast! She is getting really good and has loved watching the Olympics gymnastics. She asked me the other night if she could be on the Olympics team and I said, "Sure honey - you just have to work real hard, but I know you can do it!" To which she said with such excitement, "Okay Mommy!!" & ran to go tell Daddy that she was going to the Olympics "next year".... :)

Here is a picture taken with my iphone (I was unprepared, I didn't know they were doing this on Wednesday!)

The Church at BattleCreek

The Church at BattleCreek was the second church that Brian and I ever served at after we got married. We moved to Broken Arrow, OK (suburb of Tulsa) after only being married for about 6 months! We saw the Lord do amazing & exciting things there and He is still moving and changing lives 5 years later!

We were at BattleCreek for almost 3 years, that is where McKenna was born and we have such special friendships and memories from that chapter of our lives. Alex Himaya, the pastor, is Brian's lifelong mentor and friend in ministry and we love he and his family to pieces! It is so amazing to see just how much God is using Alex and the staff at TCABC.

5 years ago, TCABC was a church with a different name, and before Alex went there, they were going to have to shut the doors of the church and "close up shop" if Alex didn't take the position to come be the pastor. After lots of prayers and questions, because Alex wanted to come in and completely shake things up - change the name, go to a home group model of small groups, etc etc. The people were open for him to come & for God to do whatever He wanted to do. There was so much freedom in that place. And the stories of changed lives was something we heard about on a daily basis. Brian & I got to be a part of God's story in the lives of our neighbors there, Abe & Jean!

To make a LONG story, short...we were able to build a relationship with them which eventually opened the door for us to invite them to church with us. Jean came first with her two children and gave her life to Christ. And after praying and praying together with Jean and as a church staff, Abe agreed to come visit. Abe was coming from a Muslim background, so this was a HUGE deal! He came and was so nervous and skeptical at first...but that church was the BEST at opening their arms and loving on people. It didn't matter was race, gender, denomination, economic standing....it was loving, not judgemental which was why so many people felt that TCABC was their place that they could BELONG. Abe also, eventually, gave his life to Christ and Brian had the priviledge of baptizing them together one Sunday morning! Their marriage was restored, their family was then a complete UNIT, united under Christ! They are both still serving in that church to this day. Jean even teaches preschool at their school!!

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! It brings tears to my eyes every time I recount witnessing what God did through us!

They began a building campaign a few years ago and on the 5 year birthday of TCABC they opened their brand new worship center and phase 1 of this building plan.

I am so excited for that church! Such an exciting journey they have been on!

My friend, Ashley, put together a slideshow of pictures from that day... Click Here.

Preschool

I can't believe that the summer is already winding down and school is just around the corner! Both of my two kiddos will be attending the preschool at the church and I will be starting a new "adventure" in my life.... teaching! I will be teaching one of the 3-yr old classes three days a week. I am really excited about this new chapter in my life since I haven't worked outside the home since McKenna was a baby. So this will be a change for us! It is only 3 days a week until 2:30! McKenna will also be starting Dance (tap & ballet) on Monday's and gymnastics on Friday's.

Wow...
we are getting ready to be one VERY busy family!!

"In GOD We Trust!"

Below is an email that I was forwarded today:
(I normally just delete forwards because they are usually a waste of time, but this one caught my attention since it is a poll through MSNBC.)

"Here's our chance to let the media know where we stand on our faith in God, as a nation. NBC is taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.

Please send this to every Christian you know so they can vote on this important subject.

Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off the web page.

Vote "NO" I do NOT want "IN GOD WE TRUST" removed!
Poll is still open so you can vote.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/

McKenna's "American Idol" audition! :)

Here is a video of McKenna "performing" her new favorite song, "Deep & Wide" for Grandma Mills....

EBHDesigns: Cute idea!!

A friend of mine that I met while serving at our last church in Arkansas is heading up her own business of making the CUTEST diaper bag/backpack/luggage tags, personalized stickers (for school supplies, sippy cups, etc), Christmas package labels, Stationary, Invitations, etc....

You name it, they print them & they are super cute!!

Check out her website here!! And place an order! :)

"Lions & Tigers & Bears... OH MY!!"

Okay, so there weren't any lions, tigers, or bears...but McKenna & Parker had a blast at the Hot Springs Alligator farm & petting zoo last Friday. Brian and Poppy J took the kids to see all the animals the morning of Parker's b-day so Mimi & I could get things cleaned up and decorated for the big 2nd birthday party! Their expressions in alot of these pictures of hilarious and I just HAD to post them!

Parker's B-day Party!

Friday evening we had Parker's 2nd birthday party with all of our family & some friends in Hot Springs. It was "sports" themed since my son is SO into footballs, basketballs, baseballs...anything he can throw! :) We had a great time & he got some great gifts!

It was so great to get to spend some short time with my parents & both sets of my grandparents who came down from Little Rock for the party.

What a mess! That green icing stained all of us! :)

Parker's 2nd b-day "photo shoot"

Last night we attempted to take our own pictures of Parker for his 2nd b-day! It was a success I think... we got several great ones!

To view them all, click here!

What do you think?!? :)

Just a glimpse into our week...

We are having a fabulous week of doing nothing but having fun in Arkansas! It is so nice to be together as a family & just hang out, have fun, & most importantly have NO AGENDA!!

Now, tomorrow I have to finish getting the last things together for Parker's 2nd b-day party that is on Friday...but other than that we have just played, swam, rode 4-wheelers, fished, visited family, ate, and swam some more!!

Click here to view more pictures.

Happy Birthday to my 2 boys! :)

Since we will be gone this week away from my computer -

I wanted to give a lil' shout out to my two amazing men in my life!!

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY BRIAN!!!

(Brian's birthday is on Thursday!)

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY PARKER LEE!!!

You have brought so much joy into our lives!!

I love you both with all my heart!

Weekend re-cap!

This weekend has been our last few days with our sweet girls, Sophie & Kelly!

They don't leave until Wednesday to had to Las Vegas, and then to L.A. before they head back home to China....but our family is heading to Hot Springs after church today to spend the week relaxing with family & celebrating Brian's 30th b-day and Parker's 2nd b-day!

Friday the girls had a FULL day! They spent the day at Johnson Space Center & touring NASA's facilities.

Then I picked them up from school and the girls and I headed to The Woodlands with some of our friends and their classmates to eat at Cafe Express (YUMMY!!)

We then headed on to the Natalie Grant/Mercy Me concert!! Which was absolutely AMAZING!! What an incredible worship experience (outside of our church) for them to see & experience. My friend Kenzie wrote a post on our experience that is really neat!

The girls had a great time & they loved Mercy Me! Which, who doesn't?!?! They presented the gospel so clearly and simple... I just prayed the whole time that all 8 of our girls with us, that their hearts would be open to HIS amazing love for them & HIS TRUTH!

What an amazing night!!!

We didn't get home until after midnight, so they were exhausted and slept in until 11:15 Saturday morning!! Haha! Saturday night we head over to our friends, The Chapman's, for a cookout for our last night with our girls before we leave today. We had a great time & our little kiddos had a blast playing together!

Lord, thank you for this experience with these 2 precious girls from the other side of our world! They have touched our lives during their stay here in Katy!