2012 Verses

Like last year I memorized a verse each month.  And, like last year, reading back through them all I'm so amazed at how on-point each verse is for that time in our life. 

This year (and part of last) has been rough.  We have been very humbled, confused, scared, and sad at times.  Obviously, there have been many blessings - hello, Aubrey the cutest baby around - but we've had many struggles and low points.  God has used each thing to teach and grow us.  He has strengthened us through His Word and through the love of others.

2012

January 27:  All my longing lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.  Psalm 38:9

February 7:  Do not merely listen to the Word and so decieve yourselves. Do what it says.  James 1:22

March 9:  Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.  Psalm 86:11

April 19:  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

May 15:  Better a little with fear of the Lord that great wealth with turmoil.  Proverbs 15:16

June 7:  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  Lamentations 3:22

July 11:  The Lord is my Shephard, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Psalm 23:1-3

August 14:  Submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you.  James 4:7-8

August 22:  Humility and fear of the Lord will bring wealth, honor, and life.  Proverbs 22:4

September 18:  No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has planned for those who love Him.  1 Corinthians 2:9

October 8:  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:17

November 26:  May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

December 6:  The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will regjoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

Happy New Year!

The Great Christmas Adventure: Finale

So, after almost 2 weeks away, we headed back home.  We knew our trip would be longer due to road conditions.  The worst parts were getting to Benton and then 440.  Other than that path was pretty clear.  I was so glad the girls fell asleep fast!  Both slept for almost 2 hours - which got us from Magnet Cove to Cabot , with a gas stop  :-)

We stopped in Searcy for lunch.  Such a trooper!

When we arrived back, we were greeted with several inches of snow.
We were also greeted with some unwanted rodents.

Here's the story:  The girls and I were home first because Josh went to pick up Henry since we boarded him.  Everything was great, we were so glad to be home- until I walked back to my room and my foot grazed a dead mouse.  I lost my mind.  I don't do rodents.  The only thing worse is a snake - which I would probably have to move.

I was panicking, heart pounding, sort of crying.  I called Josh.  When he got home I was standing in the recliner.  He disposed of the mouse then let Henry down and went to inspect the rest of the house.  He found two more.  I was done.

He had taken care of the three but I couldn't calm down.  I made him carry me to our room, thinking a little exposure therapy or returning to the scene of the incident would help me.  It didn't. 

So, we checked in to the local hotel for the night.

We got the girls settled then Josh went and purchased lots of traps and stuff to fill in any holes we had.  He went back to the house the next morning and two more had been caught - but this time under the kitchen sink. 

We ran errands, bought groceries, then headed back home.  Praise God our issue seems to be under control.  I was so consumed with fear I had to look up verses about it, write them down, and read them out loud many times during the day.  We ended up all sleeping well.

And the girls have been able to enjoy some of their new toys.

I'm exhuausted just reading all that.

The Great Christmas Adventure: Part 4

Christmas morning we woke up and did (smaller) stockings, had breakfast, and headed back to the Austin's.

Aubrey's first Christmas!

Christmas evening it started to rain, then sleet, then snow.  We lost power around 3:00 that afternoon.  Thankfully we stayed warm and in a pretty good mood.

The next day they (not me) played in the snow.  Aubrey's first snow!

And then we opened more presents!  Before it got dark :-)

The power came on around 7 that evening and we were all so thankful!  It was our last night of Christmas vacation.

The Great Christmas Adventure: Part 3

Christmas Eve we went to Nanny's for stockings and a truck load of gifts!

The Great Christmas Adventure: Part 2

We first opened presents at Nanny's with Cecil and Linda.

And then we unwrapped the gifts my dad and Mandy and Heather sent us.



The Great Christmas Adventure: Part 1

We headed down to SW Arkansas the 15th-27th and got some quality time in with our extended family. We were back and forth between Arkadelphia and Magnet Cove the whole time.

Before the presents we:

Visited Christelle

Visited Memaw's house

Had a little cousin bonding

(The girls really started playing well together during the trip)

Played at Mimi's

Checked on the neighbor's horse

Jumped, jumped, and jumped some more

Went to look at Christmas lights

Finger painted

and visited Santa!

We also spent 2 days working on and getting our house in Conway on the market....PRAY for us that it will sell quickly!

School Days

Langley is done with school until January :(  She loves it, they love her.  We are so thankful for her school and teachers!

Ready to go!

this girl and I get some extra cuddle time when sister is at school.

I've learned that we need to run an errand or have something planned for after school.  It helps to ease Langley out of school mode and lessens the tired tantrums.  This day we went to WM.  Langley was my big helper holding the list in the big part of the cart and this was Aubrey's first time to ride in the seat like this.

Reindeer antlers. This stuff kills me.  I could die from the cuteness.