I know that when the new year approaches I think about all that I could have done differently, what I should have done, etc. I'm guessing you do the same...it is good to learn from experiences that we have gone through, take lessons from missed opportunities and such...however don't let yourself dwell in regret. Sure there are things this year that I would have liked to have turned out differently, but so many great things have happened in my life this year!

So I encourage you and myself to take this opportunity not to kick ourselves for what we didn't do or because something didn't turn out just right in any particular situation, but to envision 2009 as our best year yet...because it is! Remember your my best days are ahead of you me. You have great memories of the past but don't let any mis-steps 0f 2008 hinder the way you march into 2009... I hope we all have learned from our mis-steps and have grown in the process...


This is a quote that has kinda stuck with me throughout this year:
Time discovers truth and heals what reason cannot.
Dwelling is good for no one and it preoccupies our mind when we could be thinking of more productive things...So, no matter how much "reasoning" we try to put to a situation...sometimes only time can heal...I guess I may have written this more for myself, but I sure hope if you're reading this, you gain something from it!

May you and your family be blessed beyond comprehension this new year.

Lil Man was very surprised Christmas morning to see that he got a 4 wheeler:

We couldn't ride it that day



So on Friday we were able to....Safety first!


Here he's getting the "how-to" from his TaTaw:


I am trying to get the hair out of my face...and yes, I am a little too tall for this one...Go ahead and start singing, "Big girl on a little 4 wheeler" like Chris Farley sings "Fat guy in a little coat"...

We found out it was a little too fast for Lil Man..so TaTaw is turning it down some...

And here we go!!!
And there he goes...he liked it much better without me on it...little punk... :)

So, Lil Man loves dinosaurs...I found the cutest book...

Each page has a pop up dino face... here he tries it out...




And of course I had to try it too...


and so did my aunt...as she looks so excited wiggling her plates to say bye, bye...

I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!

Here is Lil Man in his acting debut. He's the gray lamb:



Enjoy time with your family and friends, treasure the memories but also remember because of Christ's birth we can live forever...I remember a song that my childhood choir would sing: The Gift Goes On....here are the lyrics:

The Father gave the Son
The Son gave the Spirit
The Spirit gives us life
So we can give the Gift of love
And the Gift goes on

Don't you love to get a present wrapped up in a Christmas bow
God gave each of us a present on that night so long ago
It's a Gift that keeps on giving if our spirits can receive
It's the secret joy of living if our hearts can just believe

And the Gift goes on

When your life is full of Christmas then your life is full of love
You can give away the present that began with God above
Just like ripples in the water the circles of our love extend
What was started with the Father is a Gift that has no end

So a local radio station has been playing this song.

GOOOOO SOOONERS!!!

just remember not much rhymes with Miami...

Ok, so I don't have any kids of my own, yet anyway...but I am one of the co-leaders for a kid's ministry team, VeloCity. Our mission is to develop children through discipleship and communicate the love of Jesus throughout our city and area. Our season lasts for 9 months each year. We had our year end awards banquet last week.

Of course, we started off with prayer. As the prayer is being said one of the little brothers of a team member reached for some cookies on the table and caught his jacket on fire with a candle...that's what you get little one for not being still during the prayer...Everyone was fine...

We then started the food line...yummy stuff...


Here is the other leader, Farah, and I...yes, I know I seem to always wear that green sweater...well, I do, it's my fave...

Here is Falisha, she is a huge help with the team.

Toni is so creative. She takes pictures and creates our scrapbook every year.

When we do a group shot we always have to do a goofy one...but not everyone was on board with this first one:

Ok...now we've got it...

Now for the real one...


I am so privileged to have the opportunity to work with these kiddos. It is such a blessing to me to see how the mature over the year. Their dedication to practice weekly and complete devotions daily is such great foundation. They have such giving hearts and realize they perform for an audience of 1, but while performing for Him, so many are affected.

I'm so proud of each and every one of them...can't wait until next season!

#1 Between me and a balloon artist (BA)..but not as in BA in the A-Team

BA: Do you want a balloon animal?

F: I would like a feather, can you make a feather?

BA: I can make Jonah and the whale

F: That's nice, but what does that have to do with a feather?

No response from BA...

#2 Lil Man (LM) is in the back seat singing.

LM: Jingle bells, jingle bells, laughing all the way. The reindeer laughed at him all the way. You better watch out Santa Claus is coming to town

F to Sara: Wow, we have a Lil Man medley going on.

LM: IM NOT UGLY!

F: I didn't say you were ugly I said you were singing a medley (then proceeded to explain what a medley is)

#3 Sara, LM and I start singing all together. After about three songs LM says this:

OK stop all of this singing. It's trippin me out.

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Also, if you can explain the connection with Jonah and the whale and a feather please lemme know....

We had our Christmas Party yesterday at work. Our director was so generous to allow us to go to a local theater and have a catered lunch along with giveaways! I am ALL about giveaways since I just had my first one...however, my number 61 did not get drawn but do not fear...I did not go home empty handed...I left with some pics to share with you...

See...the picture taking started out normal...group shots of departments, friends and such...

My department:






a

Balloon animals??? yes...I wasn't expecting that either...

The background to the stage looked so much like a prom background so...the picture taking took a turn...we all went back into time to high school and tried to remake our prom and senior pictures...ok...when I say "we all" it wasn't the whole staff...just a few of us...





Then someone located some white feathers!!! I HAD to take my pic with them...ok...several pics...





We even took a class photo...this one is for the parents...

Then the goofy one...

So...help me out...which pic should I use for the yearbook???