Swim Practice

The girls continue to love swim.   They are learning so much!   At the end of 45 minutes of lap practice they get to swing on the rope!  FUN!!!

Miss Mia

She loves her hair can fit in a pony again!  She also loves her Alabama shirt!

My girls just might be jewelry designers when they group up!   Look at these beauties!

Mr. Tanen's Tie Trouble

Choosing which tie to wear

The 2nd Graders at JAE just finished a story about a principal that had 1000 ties.   They all wore ties on Friday!  What a darling group of kids!

We LOVE Books!

Aunt Mis' letter that se sent with the books!

Pure Joy!

What a great surprise to receive a box of books from Aunt Missie!  We love you and are so thankful you foster our love of reading!

Outdoor Fun!

Last Weekend the girls had so much fun learning to shoot a bb gun!   I think S. had just as much fun showing them how…...

Grandpa and Kim send Christmas

Thank you Grandpa and Kim for sending so much love to us for Christmas!  We can't wait to see in you a few weeks!  Love you!

Thinking Out Loud….

First of all, there are no pictures to this post.    I just want to take a moment to pause and think out loud.   My family is tucked in bed and snoozing.  Tomorrow we head back to school after an extended winter break.  As I type this, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.   I am thankful for lazy days, hot cocoa, fully tummies, hearts full of love, a warm home, working cars, a schedule about to resume…..the list goes on and on.   

There is never a moment where I don't feel God's presence in my life.   It may be in a sunset, a friend's hug, Mia's silly drama, Ansley's thoughtful words, S. holding my hand or a gentle gesture, the voice of my parents, my sister's encouragement……the list goes on.

I am sometimes challenged in wanting God to "do something" that I have been waiting/praying over.  This week I have been reminded with words from my devotional that time is a trainer to wait upon His perfect timing.   I embrace this as I move into 2014.   Sometimes I struggle knowing God has the answer to every Earthly problem, frustration, aggravation, being unmotivated and I want an answer or "something done" to solve the immediate problem.

I am again reminded to live by Emilie's words, "Sheila, God doesn't make mistakes."   I am growing in my faith and patience that God does have the solution to every worldly problem, but waiting on Him is really the solution.  In the process of waiting, I find myself seeking truth from the Bible, surrounding myself with friends that follow Jesus, and just continue to grow in knowing our amazing God.   I am beginning to understand that this process is exactly where  God needs me to be.   So tonight, I am headed to bed way too late, (I am sure I will be on my school schedule tomorrow night) with not a clear understanding of this world, but an incredible peace that only God can provide.  

Snow Day

The storm that is pounding the midwest has clipped middle Tennessee.  We have an extended winter break due to cold temperatures and some freezing rain and snow.   At 7:30 p.m. the snow was falling and the girls wanted to get out and play in it.   There was a dusting and frigid wind whipping through the back yard.   They had a ball!   How much longer 'til summer?    I think I can honestly say I am ready to be back on a schedule and have my brain work again!  

A day out of the house

Ansley stamping art!

Mia's turn

The Frist

Yesterday we explored the cultural side of Nashville.  There are so many fun things to do in this city.  We went to the art museum and saw the Norman Rockwell exhibit.   Then the girls got to get creative in the art room.  We had a fun afternoon!   It was a great day to spend the afternoon.

Happy Birthday!

So excited to celebrate another birthday with an amazing husband and daddy!   This year we sent him to the spa for the day and his favorite dinner at Popeyes, followed by birthday pie (coconut cream this year), and the Alabama game.   It was almost a successful day….Alabama didn't deliver!    Hoping for another year filled with love, health and joy!

Last Tooth of 2013

The tooth fairy had  to make one final stop at our house in 2013!  

Happy New Year! 2014

We had a fun night staying at home, playing games and making party hats to ring in the new year!   We are so blessed and looking forward to another amazing year!  I am so thankful every day to be living the dream!