Changes- January

Now for the month of January! Let's see....unpacking boxes, some boxes and more boxes! We all settled in quite quickly and smoothly. I believe the 2 years of prayer really laid a foundation and totally prepared the kids. There was a very nice transition for all of us here. John had it the hardest as he really began the traveling back and forth to Tyler.

We celebrated Rebekah's 3 rd birthday and as always she had a blast! Her birthday is a little difficult to get people together because it so closely follows Christmas. She never gets a really big party...it is usually just the fam! But to Rebekah, everyday is a party!! She is my fun-loves-life-kind-of-girl. SO on a day where we sing to her (even if it is just the 6 of us) and give her presents and cake...she is giddy! This year is was just our family including Katie and Anna! If you look at the twinkle in Rebekah's eyes you see the pure joy in her! Her nickname is "Happy Heart!"

All three girls also started taking dance classes. Melissa told us of a Christian dance studio called Studio One. Mrs. Jennifer is the owner and teacher and she is amazing! She loves Jesus with all her heart and is so great with our girls. We are blessed to be a part of what God is doing through her and the studio! She is teaching quality dance instruction, godly character and modest (BUT COOL) dance and dress! Taking the arts back for Jesus is what I say! :)

Getting ballet shoes and leos for the girls!

First day of classes at Studio One

One of my very dear friends, Jen, and her crew came to visit in January! With 9 kids under the age of 9, it was a definite party! Jen and I go WAY back to before Jesus days. We met at UT Tyler and even though we desperately needed Jesus to step in, we always had a blast! It is so amazing to get to walk through the different stages of life together...and NOW we are doing it with Him! Radical transformation, marriage, kids (VERY shortly after we got married for both of us), and now raising and educating them! Our old friends would fall out laughing if they heard we were sold out for Jesus, homeschool moms! :) Jen is so dear to my heart and I am blessed to have her as a friend! Here are some pictures of the "preschool class!"

I love the way we are looking at each other..."Who's kids are these anyway??"
Elijah and John enjoying spaghetti!

Our month ended rather sadly- the whole family got the flu except Dad! I have never felt so horrible in my life! Then to watch all the little ones get it was just so sad. Sarah had a trip to the ER for breathing issues and Joseph to the doc for a sinus infection. It felt like the NEVER ending flu season for us because we had a few relapses after the initial onset. We were thanking Jesus when everyone was finally well!

We also had a fun trip to the zoo and the new park right around the corner. Here are some more pictures :

Trying to take down Dad!

Daddy w/ his happy stick in the back pocket for any rowdy zoo animals!

Sarah and her nifty binoculars checking out the animals!

I dont know what we are laughing about, but this pic cracks me up!

Park time!

All 5 tumbling down the slide.

Saying goodbye to the faithful baby mattress all 5 kids slept on.