Softball Diva

So there are albums of photos of the first child, boxes of pics of the second child and not so much of the third child. So today with the two oldest off with friends, I ran Abigail up to the ball fields for some pictures! She loves softball and would prefer to be in 104 degree weather in her catchers gear than wearing a dress any day of the week!

rejoice before the LORD your God
at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name
—you, your sons and daughters
Deuteronomy 16:11

Caleb Turns 14!

My ‘little man’ turned 14 today, that just doesn’t seem possible! We began the day with breakfast in his bed and opening gifts. His breakfast of choice was pancakes, sausage and chocolate milk. His big gift was a touch phone, he was texting and surfing before we made it to early services!

A wise son brings joy to his father
Proverbs 10:1

Water Marbling Nail Art

One of our youth group kiddos from Owasso tipped us off the process of water marbling nail art, thanks Kinzie!

After looking at the process, Abigail was certain we needed to experiment! Water marbling is a different nail art process because you actually put drops of nail polish into a cup of water. After putting a number of drops in, you use a toothpick to create a design within the polish, which is floating on top of the water. When you are done with your design, you dip your finger nail into the design and push off the extra polish with the stick. Voila- there is your uniquely different water marble nail design!

Ok, so it is a little more difficult than that especially if you were trying to decorate your own nails! But it is totally do-able with two people! The picture above is Abigail’s green and silver marble nails to match her dress!

Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:31

Corn Rows

Both my girls have had beautiful LONG hair. Frankie wore hers past her waist until she was thirteen. Abigail is now ten and hers is equally as long as Frankie wore hers. I have nothing against short hair, I just prefer mine long and so far my girls have been the same.

When it comes time for church camp, swimming lessons and hot summer days, braided hair is the easiest style. Lots of little corn rows make it easy to wash and run out the door without brushing and styling. Usually the braids can stay in for four to six weeks with washing and conditioning. It took about eight hours to braid Abigail's hair. Her hair isn't as thick as Frankie's hair, there were times when it would take up to twelve hours to corn row Frankie's hair!

The looks you get are kind of funny, people don't expect to see a white chick in corn rows!

if a woman has long hair,
it is her glory?
For long hair is given to her as a covering.
I Corinthians 11:15

Pool Time

Abigail and Baylor enjoyed a little pool time following VBS today. Baylor is good for Abigail, she helps bring out the girly side of Abigail.

Go in peace,
for we have sworn friendship
with each other
in the name of the LORD
I Samuel 20:42

Turning Over a New Leaf

On the way to vacation Bible school we saw that our next door neighbor had most of their tree laid across their front yard. Fortunately, there was no damage to the home. After VBS Blake came home with us for an afternoon to swim in the pool and hang out.

As we drove past the neighbors home the boys talked about what a mess it was, the conversation turned to ‘we have chainsaw,’ ‘it wouldn’t take long with the two of us’ . . . Jon, Caleb & Blake had the massive tree limb cut up and stacked before the delighted neighbor returned home from work!

Return their cloak by sunset so that your neighbor may sleep in it. Then they will thank you, and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 24:13

Vacation Bible School 2011

The theme for this year's Vacation Bible School centered around courage and the story of Esther. Caleb and Abigail worked before VBS to perform black light skits for each day's story. Unfortunately the video taping of the black light didn't work as well as hoped so at the last minute changes were made.

I taught the application stories for the 4th and 5th grade classes. Caleb snapped several photos while I was teaching and every one of them my hands are flying. Apparently I can't talk without my hands!

Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.
Exodus 4:12

Father's Day

Father's Day came with the usual hugs, gifts, and special meal. However instead of the customary card this year the three children wrote a letter to Jon.

Daddy,

Thank you for teaching us at home, for following through, and for pouring out your life for us.

* Thank you for reading the Bible to us every day.
* Thank you for reading hundreds of books to us.
* Thank you for choosing to build a family library instead of buying new cars or big boy toys.
* Thank you for getting up early to teach us math before you left for work.
* Thank you for staying up late correcting our school work.
* Thank you for turning off our laptops and making us play outside.
* Thank you for feeding our interests and fanning the flames of our curiosity. We learned LOTS about history and about God's creation without knowing it was part of 'school'.
* Thank you for investing in piano lessons, chess club, speech/debate, baseball/softball camps, martial arts, Camp Fire, zoo memberships and endless museum visits.
* Thank you for allowing us to make messes and teaching us to clean them up.
* Thank you for letting Mom teach us Grammar and Spelling, 'nuf said.
* Thank you for helping coach over a decade of softball and baseball teams.
* Thank you for selecting the perfect mom for us.
* Thank you for praying for our future mates, (even though that's not a priority right now).

Dad, you have been faithful to the calling God places before fathers!

Love,
C. Abigail, Caleb and Francis Marie

make it your ambition to lead a quiet life:
You should mind your own business
and work with your hands,
just as we told you,
so that your daily life may
win the respect of outsiders
and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
- I Thessalonians 4:11-12

Discoveryland's Oklahoma!

Tulsa is home to a beautiful outdoor ampither with it's award-winning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA!

Mimi, Granny & Donnie and Jon's nephews met us for Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Ranch Dinner featuring a barbecue beef brisket, coleslaw, country sweet corn and cowboy baked beans. Served with cold sliced tomatoes, onions, peppers and iced tea.

The entertainment began with a Western Musical Revue with singers and dancers performing a musical tribute to the Great American Cowboy!...including our high-kicking Can Can Dancers!

Abigail brought her buddy Roy with us for all the fun ...complete with cowboys on horseback,
wagons, and of course, a real surrey with the fringe on top!

Show proper respect to everyone,
love the family of believers, fear God
I Peter 2:17

Bowling with Friends

Today we joined several homeschool friends at the bowling alley for a little morning recreation. Bowling is one of Frankie's favorite activities. She's always been good at bowling and she can beat the boys! The kids rolled a few rounds and then Abigail shared her rainbow cakes with everyone.

Dear friends, since God so loved us,
we also ought to love one another.
I John 4:11

Arlington Work Camp

The junior and senior high school youth joined other youth from around the Metroplex for Epic Work Camp in Arlington. The kids broke into groups and went out to work on area homes. For four days they did yard work and painting and any other odd jobs that were needed. In the evening they would meet back at the host congregation for worship. They stayed at a hotel in Arlington, so following worship they would go out to dinner and one night they even went the wax museum.

I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth
I Kings 18:12

Day of Service

Today the 4th and 5th graders at church met up for a day of service. They worked on craft projects that will be used in Vacation Bible School. They glued and prepared 'memory boards' with card board and quilt batting. After preparing 250 boards they finished the day with a few games including Link-Up.

fear the LORD your God,
to walk in obedience to him,
to love him, to serve the LORD your God
with all your heart and with all your soul
Deuteronomy 10:12

Rainbow-In-A-Jar

We enjoy baking, and today Abigail came across a recipe for Rainbow Cake in a Jar. We've done other cake-in-a-jar recipes but this one is very simple. It's a butter cake with neon coloring added, then topped with a creamy white frosting. Very yummy and and pretty!

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day,
so was the radiance around him.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
Ezekiel 1:28