Give-Away Day....

Tomorrow is give-away day at my church and I love this day. Every year, all year we collect items like coats, furniture, diapers, clothing, household items, school supplies, cleaning supplies, linens, book, toys and we even have big items donated like computers, T.V.'s, and bikes. Our whole community is invited and we usually have around 550 people show up. They are given a Bible and a number then they are called to go through the rooms to get whatever they need. At the end of the rooms they are given a bag of groceries with all the fixing's for a Thanksgiving dinner, ham included. It is a wonderful day and I am blessed beyond measure, and this day always helps to remind me of that. I love this day for other reasons to though, it is a day of great fellowship with my church family. I also love it because my children are welcome to help, Emily Klair is still to young to really realize what is going on and what she is doing to help but Tyler gets it and has already been a big help. After working at church yesterday afternoon and on into last night, his bed time prayer was very sweet, the boy has a very tender heart! I pray for tomorrow and the families we will be helping.

What a weekend....

I am so exhausted so please excuse this mess of a blog entry today. Last week was a busy and stressful week. I was getting ready for an annual retreat to Lake Guntersville with the youth at church. I have not learned that one little word "no" yet and I was in charge of the games and theme for this year's retreat (along with my partner in crime..my sil Stephanie) and on top of that my 17 yr old little sister Jesi had an internal defibrillator put in on Thursday of last week. So when I say stressful I mean it!!! Jesi came through the surgery great and is one tough chic let me tell you. She is doing well and is in little pain..let's just say it has not slowed her down or stopped her from doing anything. God is good!!! I was already married when my parents adopted her and Krysi, and I probably am more like a mom then a sister. But these last 2 years Jesi and I have gotten closer, and I am thankful for that. Thursday was a hard day, it was so hard to watch her be so brave. I hope she knows that she is an inspiration to me and that I love her. This weekend was great!! The weather this whole weekend was wonderful. The games and tribal councils seem to be a success. The theme was Survivor and when the kids heard about it they asked for physical challenges..not church camp things (you all know what I am talking about!!) well ask and you shall receive...We did some pretty intense things...I can not wait to get some pics to post. We made them build a raft out of 9 random objects, we played soccer with an 8ft ball (where I took a hit from a big football lineman..it hurt but I am a tough girl...got one gnarly bruise from knee to hip!! but it was worth it!!) talk about laughing so hard you pee your pants!! That was soo much fun and funny to watch! We had tribal councils where we set up 50 tiki torches and had some interesting team swapping and alliances made. Overall it was a great weekend. The kids had a great time!! Rusty and Zac out did themselves with the prayer centers this year they were amazing. I love this retreat for many reasons, one of them being that we have went to the same camp forever, I went as a camper during high school. The other reason is it is a special time away from everyone and everyday life, it is a chance to worship God and grow closer to one another. This year's seniors are "my girls" I have taught them from 8th grade on...we have been through alot together, from a death of one the prettiest,sweetest friends we have ever known, to one of them breaking their back and having major surgery, to helping them through some tough teenage decisions, to having their backs when they mess up and need someone. I would move mountains to help these girls. If you don't work with teenagers it is hard to understand the bond..if you do then you get it. I can't explain it so I am not even going to try but I have been thinking alot here lately (and have been told on more then one occasion) I missed my calling. I should have went to school for something involving kids esp. teenagers...I am thinking and praying hard about what to do. I mean I am fairly young, right??? I mean I could go back to school, right???I just wish I knew what direction I want to go with this?? I feel so confused because I have this nagging voice telling me to get on the ball and go back but that little voice is not real clear on what I need to go back for??? Well I'm not sure any of this makes any sense but these are some of the thoughts and prayers I have right now...who would have thought that I of all people would even be thinking about going back to school???

Spooky Ooky Night.....

We had a great Halloween!!

We went Trick-or-Treating with my mom, Kinsley, and Andie! We got drug around the neighborhood for a little over an hour. My kiddos are at the age that I can stand at the end of the drive way or on the road as they run up to the houses. It was fun and such a blast to see as they hollered trick-or-treat and then said thank-you, when they are little and you are dragging them around and reminding them every time what do and say and they are dropping their buckets or crying because they are scared or uncomfortable in the cute outfit you have them in, and you are so stressed out by the end of the night it feels like you will never make it too a fun spooky ooky night...well we have made it and I must admit I am a little broken hearted, my kiddos are growing up way too fast!!!

Kinsley was JoJo and her costume was absolutely fabulous!! (and I have to add here that I am a little jealous of Andie cause she got it for so cheap!) Emily Klair was Minnie Mouse and she loved her costume...the thing she liked the most was the white gloves...go figure when its cold and they have to wear them they hate them but last night she loved them. My little man was a vampire and I have to admit he looked really good! He had the scary face down and it was amazing how mean and scary my sweetheart could look.

After we went all over the neighborhood we loaded in the car and took off for Warren's parents house. His grandmother was in town and the kiddos loved showing off their costumes for her and some good friends of the family. It was a great night and we all had a great time...Hope you and yours had a great spooky ooky night!!!