God Is A Special Man

The other morning a sweet voice drifted downstairs as we were enjoying our Saturday together as a family. John and I both stopped what we were doing to figure out who it was. We smirked as we heard Rebekah (3) singing over and over "God is a special man, God is a special man, God is a special man." It was not being sung to any particular tune but she was singing her heart out. She walked down the stairs with a huge smile as she continued with her song. It blessed me so much and I know blessed my God! Even with the off notes and unreconizable tune, her love for Him poured out and affected all of us that morning.

God I pray that my heart and love for you would overflow and affect the world around me. I am so amazed by You, my God and my Redeemer. Thank you for loving me, for radically changing me and for giving me a husband and children who can't get enough of you. Thank you for being my Father. You are a "special man!"

Your Grateful Daughter,

Nicole

1 John 3:1
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Changes- March pt. 2

If you are just checking in, I am doing a re-cap since we have moved to Dallas. So... I am going back to catch up! The second part of March was so special. My Mom (a.k.a Mimi) came to visit us in our new home. We had not seen her since Thanksgiving so we were so ready! We celebrated Christmas with her and thats about where the fun ended!! Unfortunately, all 5 kids got a stomach flu! For most of her trip, we cleaned up puke and held sick babies!! God did give us a fun surprise though! Hannah and I took Mom to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory- it was literally the only time we left the house the whole time she was here! While we were eating, huge snow flakes began to fall! We came home to Dad already making "snow ice cream" and went out to play! That night we decided we had to build some snow men before it all melted! We had a blast playing in the snow, enjoying a fire outside, and drinking hot chocolate. My mom seriously had the most fun! It blessed me so much to see her playing with my kids in the snow and working to roll snowmen! We even made snow angels! Here are some pictures:

Can you believe this? I have never seen this in Texas!

Dad making snow ice cream and the "kids" enjoying it!

Having fun with my 2 oldest!

Rebekah (3) not having fun!! She doesnt like being cold like her Mom! Check out that face!

Mom and I about make our angels...so fun! I am stylin' in my husband's clothes, shoes, hat! Cute, huh?

My beautiful mother! She is amazing!

John and I with our snow couple!

The Mr. and Mrs....man that was some hard work!

We finished off the month with a last minute trip to our old lake house- which has still not sold! We camped out on sleeping bags ...it was roughin it for me let me tell ya!! For real, I am so not the camp out kinda girl so this was pushing it! :) While in Longview we got to visit with our Nana, had a visit from Grandpa Jesse, and got to hang out with the lovely Pelaia family and meet their newest addition! A few Teen Mania guys also came to have a little lake time and our dear friends, The Holloways, visited as well. We had a little cook out and played with confetti eggs! There was lots of catching up to do and so we went late into the night. Our families sat by the fire and roasted marshmallows. It was great getting to spend time with some our very best friends. Such a blessing to be with them again!

So the one kicker (besides the fact of the whole camping out thing for me) was that 4 of our kiddos got another 24 hour stomach bug! Throw up again!!! So we had a quick trip to the laundry mat. As we arrived my 4 yr old informed me of an accident in her pants. Yep, the big D! Oh the joys!

John coming after me with the confetti egg.....

Dad attacking and finally his defeat!

Hannah with Rachel and Allyson. Joseph and Ethan.

Joseph holding Bryson Pelaia!! Hannah with Bethany and Brittany!

We headed back to Dallas for our Easter service at church and then had a lunch in our home with some friends. Katie, Hannah and I had so much fun in the kitchen!!

Oh and all the Teen Mania guys...yea they all got the bug! Poor single guys...just not used to kid's germs!! :)

"Hannah Nicole" -God's Grace and Victorious Heart

Dear Hannah,


Happy 10th Birthday! I cannot believe you are in the double digits! It seems like just yesterday your Dad and I left for the hospital to have you. I remember standing in the kitchen, turning around to look back at the house and thinking this would be the last time here with just the 2 of us. I wondered how it would all change when you came along. Little did I know that a tiny baby would change my life as much as you changed mine! I am so thankful that He sent you to be my first. I remember how as a newborn you would snuggle up with me and I thought my heart would burst with the most unbeliveable love for you! You captured my heart 10 years ago! I have loved watching you grow from a cute little baby into such a beautiful and graceful young lady. Here are some things that I love about you:


You are such a lover of Jesus and you have been for a long time. I can still see you just worshipping as a little, cute toddler with your chubby arms raised to the heavens. His light and life truly shine through you!! You have always been my little helper and friend. You are such a caring and sweet sister to all your siblings. You have the greatest, most contagious laugh that always makes me laugh. You have always amazed me when you worship Jesus through dance...what a gift He has given you. You are an amazing example for our firstborn child. You have a great sense of style and have always surprised me at the outfits you can put together. I remember once telling you when you were like 4-5 how something didn't match and you said, "Matching is boring!" You were ahead of your time!! :) You are very thoughtful and always write Dad and I such encouraging notes. You love to learn and are very teachable. You are so wise for your age.


Hannah, I could go on and on. There are so many special things about you. You truly are a gift and a princess. My prayer is that you know how incredible He has made you and that you clearly see what a treasure you are to Him and to all of us! I love you dearly!

Changes-March Pt. 1

March was a very exciting month in our home, so I will split it up into a few parts!
First of all we celebrated one of our dearest friends 70th birthday. Although his birthday was in December, we were not able to get his present here and actually celebrate until Feb 22. (I know this should technically be in last month's but I downloaded the pictures in March so it threw me off).
Tom is my husband's spiritual dad and is just downright amazing! He and his precious wife are so dear to us and we are honored to be a part of their lives! They came in to visit so we did birthday dinner at Saltgrass and then John had a giant cookie made. We all enjoyed it- especially the blue icing! Even with blue teeth, these two are still adorable and classy!



Then on March 1st, we welcomed Isaac Thomas Terry into the world!! John and I got to be there for almost the whole time and it was so special. Melissa is seriously a rockstar and did such a fantastic job. I watched as Joe took such great care of her and was reminded me of how much I love this guy! He is just perfect for Melissa!! He has proved to be such a strong, wise and caring husband these last 2 years to our spiritual daughter! I know he will be an amazing dad as well! Here is little "I"as my 2 yr old calls him! He is precious! I felt so blessed to be there as he entered the world and I loved getting to see Melissa love on him the moment he arrived. She is already a phenomenal mom!

Our good friends, The Davidsons, came in for a birthday party. Brad and John were roomates before we got married. Jenifer and I went to rival high schools in Houston and met at church years later in Longview. They got married 2 months after us and we loved hanging out as newly married couples (they lived on our street)! It was such fun times. They now have 4 kiddos and have moved away. We love getting together and this time was extra special. We went to church together, went on a date (just the adults) and then me and Jen got away for a little shopping!! The next day we went to their oldest daughter's bday party at the American Girl Bistro and the girls had a blast. This is the ONLY pic I got while they were here!! All 9 eating breakfast!!

This is Sarah (4)and I going on a girl date!! Sarah so looks up to her big brother that she sometimes wants to be just like him! I took her out to remind her how fabulous it is being a girl!! We went shopping and compared the drab boy clothes to the oh-so-lovely girl stuff. We then had lunch and a cookie and sat by the fountains to talk! She really got into it and bought some sparkly, gold flip-flops! It was sooo much fun! She is a sweetie and I loved getting some alone time with her.

Hannah getting her sisters dressed in the morning-part of her morning duty. She does a great job, doesn't she?


The kids playing in the mud and little John being silly!

Rebekah giving herself a make over and the 5 fabuloso kids! They are too much!

Changes- February

The month in pictures:

We gave our dear Miss-i-la ( Rebekah's version of Melissa) a baby shower!! Many of our dear friends from Longview came in which made it even more special!

Two silly girls : Hannah pretending to be Katie wearing her clothes, dancing shoes, purse and phone!! Rebekah all bundled up to go outside.

John- when you are number 5, sometimes you have to fend for yourself!! We often find him in the pantry.

The men of the house praying...that makes a woman's heart melt!

Kids inschool-such great readers!

Valentine's Day... It has become tradition to the kids waking up to cut out construction hearts all around their bed and leading to the "fun" table!!



Joseph and his animals...the boy STILL loves them! If that is all we ever gave him, he would be happy!

Sending a thank you to Mimi for their box full of presents and a Valentine's dinner for Dad.