Family reading time

Friday night we had an impromptu family reading time led by Emma. The picture says it all. I was sitting across the room and realized it was a perfect Kodak moment.

Sermon Series

We attend Sugar Creek Baptist Church and our pastor, Mark Hartman, is 3 weeks into a sermon series based on the 10 Commandments. Today was commandment #3 Thou shall not misuse the name of your Lord God. The following is taken from the printed material we receive for the service, "If we want strong families, and if we want to develop our children to walk with the Lord after they leave our home, we need to demonstrate to them how important God is. They don't care what we say in church. They care how we live behind closed doors." Children are very perceptive and this served as a good reminder to me to live what I believe everyday, regardless of how I feel or how I impulsively want to react to a given situation.

If you are interested, his sermons are available for viewing at the church's website. http://www.sugarcreek.net/

Parental Instruction

As parents we hope to impart our wisdom and experience to our children. Sunday night Jeff and I were sitting outside while the kids played. Alex was first playing with a tennis racket and ball, then dribbling the basketball and finally a Frisbee. He was throwing it decently but not correctly. Jeff brought him over and explained and demonstrated how to throw a Frisbee the right way. (hold the Frisbee so the thumb is on top, pull your wrist in and snap it out while letting go of the Frisbee) Alex stepped away from us and did it just as Jeff had explained. A perfect toss and landed right in front of us. Alex exclaimed, "Daddy, you're a GENIUS!" Hence, confirmation once again that I married a very smart man!

Quote

One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had, nor what my clothes were like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.

Dating and party pictures

May 1996

Aunt Helen, Brad, Julie, Jeff, Kimberly, Dad, Becki, Uncle Roger

May 1995

Memory Lane

Where did you meet your husband?

Jeff and I met in the First Baptist Church parking lot on a Monday night before the city-wide singles Metro Bible Study.

What was the first thing you said to your husband?

He had walked over to me and introduced himself followed by a long list of places he had noticed me (church, Bible Fellowship class, Metro etc...). I was taken back by this and probably just said hi and told him my name. We chatted all the way into the auditorium where he asked me if I wanted to sit with him and his friends. I declined and went on my way. He will tell you that he was a greeter for Metro and was very friendly, but I like to think otherwise! I got all dolled up the next week to approach him and chit chat and when I did he didn't seem too impressed one way or another. We did not talk again for 2 months.

Where was the first date? First kiss?

Our first date was at the Mason Jar restaurant. I can remember being so nervous and excited. He was impressed that I had brought with me a Buy one- get one free entree coupon. (I am laughing even as I write this.) Sometime after this date he attempted to kiss me goodnight and I turned my head. Wasn't sure if I was ready. Our first kiss came a couple of weeks after the first date and it was when he was telling me goodnight as I was getting into my car to drive home from his place. I was ready by then!

Did you have a long or short courtship/engagement?

Short courtship and engagement. Started dating end of March1995, met his mom and sister and extended family August, engaged September and married January 7, 1996. Nine months in total.

Where did you get engaged?

I pretty much knew it was coming on our 6 month "anniversary" because I had gone to Conroe to pick up the ring when it was ready. We went to dinner (where I don't remember) and then to his place. I remember thinking how nervous he was all night. Back at his apartment I sat on the couch and he brought in a vase with 6 red roses. He read to me several Scripture verses (which I will keep to myself for sentimental value) and explained how the number 6 in the Bible was the number of incompleteness; and that is how he felt until he met me. He then gave me my ring and the 7th rose. The number 7 in the Bible is the number of completeness and this was how he wanted to live -- with me. It was so beautiful. I was crying, and he was relieved to be done with it!

Where did you get married?

Harrah's wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada January 7, 1996. It worked out so perfectly -- January - new beginnings; the 7th for completeness.

How did the reception go?

There was no reception because it was just he and I there. In May when we travelled to New Orleans to visit my dad and stepmother they surprised us with a party. My aunt and uncle were there from New York and my sister and her husband were there as well. They had a guest book, engraved champagne flutes, a wedding cake, wedding cake knife/ serving set, a cut-out of Elvis (!), matching T-shirts commemorating the wedding, corsages and the wine served at my dad and mom's wedding back in 1967. We loved it!!!

How was the honeymoon?

We stayed in Las Vegas for the week. We were married on Sunday and came home on Saturday. We went out to Hoover Dam, Ceasar's, MGM, Excalibur, saw The Rockettes show, saw Magician Lance Burton, and just had a great time.

Recommended reading

I recently finished reading The Preacher and the Presidents by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. (yes, I know the title of books should be underlined but I don't see that as one of my Options). This is the story of Billy Graham and his relationship with each President beginning with Truman. It answers the questions of how he initially gained popularity across the nation, and developed friendships with the Presidents. (side note -- he was not friends per se with Truman or Kennedy). From the book cover "... the friendships posed a challenge : how could any president resist taking political advantage of one of the world's most admired men? For Graham, how did he resist the temptations that come when power, faith and fame collide?"

The bottom line for Graham is that everyone needs Jesus as their Saviour (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God) and certainly the leader of the United States would need counseling, comfort and wisdom. Very interesting book and I highly recommend it.

Mouths of babes

This is what took place between Emma and Alex tonight. Alex asked me "What would it be like to be in somebody's body?" I replied "Well, you were once inside my body, when you were a baby before you were born." He got this disgusted look on his face and said, "Did I look around and did I say "Eeeewww?" I just busted out laughing at the simplicity of it. Then Emma chimed in with , "Did you know that when you were inside Mommy that when she ate food that she was feeding you too? So when she mushed up her food and swallowed it was like you were eating it." That just about did him in! They went back and forth with "did too, did not, did too, did not.." until I told Emma it was the same for her before she was born. The conversation ended there!

My First Soccer Game

Posted By Rebekah...
At my first soccer game it was a lot of work. First I was in goalie postition .The sun was shining right on me. I was burning hot! After the game I was sweating soooooooo much. My team is called The Blue Giants. We have some good players. We won the game 5 - 0.

Automatonophobia

Huh?? What in the world does this mean? To put it in layman's terms - fear of statues. Defined as "a persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of statues." How ridiculous is this?! Well, actually not very. Believe it or not, I have this fear of statues and it seems to be getting worse as I get older. Crazy, right? From the huge (Sam Houston statue on I-45 North) to just a normal "person" size I can't handle them. My heart beats faster, my breath is shorter and I can't control it. Jeff got to see it firsthand on our honeymoon when I was upset about having to walk into the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas. (for those of you who don't know.. the front of the hotel is an Egyptian Sphinx). My girls experienced it when I took them to the state Capitol and you must walk between 2 Texas hero statues to get into the rotunda.
So there is a little something about me you probably did not know.

my little Blue boy

Today was Alex's first day of Preschool 4s. He is a Blue friend with Mrs. Gregory. This is the teacher Emma had and was the first time in 9 years at the school that I made any kind of special request. He will have such a great year and while I want him to go and learn and have fun, I'm sad that my time with my baby is almost over. When I dropped him off this morning he said, "Don't be sad Mommy. I'll bring my love back to you after school." What joy he brings me!

My Labor Day

posted by Rebekah...



Sunday night my wonderful parents took us to the concert in Sienna. There were moonwalks, face painting, animal balloons and popsicles.Monday we tried to go to the pool party but 15 minutes into it it started to rain. and rain... and rain for the rest of the day. We ate pizza for lunch and then I played with my neighbor, Hunter. I played video games with my dad and sister; then Mommy came home from the mall. The End.

Welcome!

Hi to all my new readers! At the urging of my neighbor, Leslie, I have created a blog. I know.. I know.. just what you need to keep you from that housework!
Rebekah is excited about this and plans on contributing her own 2 cents worth every now and again. I think I will have her write the Labor Day blog...

Today we attend church, enjoyed lunch with John and Paige Akard and their kids Jack and Abby and then spent time at their "new" house. I say "new" because they have built on to their existing house and have done a tremendous job. Paige continually amazes me with her creativity, household skills and talents. She also helps John with his law practice and serves on the PTO board of their elementary school. Puts me to shame!

When you have a spare moment or two check in with me or post comments. I can't say that I will blog everyday but it should be often enough to keep it interesting!