2013 Christmas pics

Em got her piano and she loves it!  

Alex got some boxers.  His buds wear them so he thinks it's cool to not be so restricted...  :)

Em got a "Bo-Bo" American girl doll.  She just loves it and has used a lot of her Cmas money to buy accessories. BTW the dolls name on the box is Emma- brown hair and eyes.

B-balls for practice and fun.

Awesome sled for blasting down the driveway and Glen Cove hills.

Alex got a hunting game for the Wii. It is very hard to operate but one they figured it out they were killing anything that moved on the screen.  It's kind of graphic!

Pre-teen girl got 2 sticks of deodorant in her stocking... Shew!  BTW Alex got some too- never too early to start good habits!

Daddy got new undies and T-shirts in a Victoria's Secret box... Look at kids faces!!

Mommy got the first and second season of CHiPS.  Watched the first episode last night......slant remember it being that stupid....

Lastly new pots and pans for mom.

A somewhat healthy take on gravy biscuits

Do u know what this picture means????

It means I can take a shower upstairs at the same time Rob takes one downstairs!!!!!!!

Today's Quote

 "Christian maturity is not about solving things; it's about faithfulness.  God has given you and me and every member of the human family a precious gift, the gift of life and the opportunity to grow into the person he wants us to become."

Stanton L. Jones

My baby turns 11 tonite at 11:50 pm.

  We had no idea what was in store for us.  This was such an exciting yet nerve-wracking time in our lives.  Look how dark Rob's hair was.  =)  He looks tired too.  I showed him this and made the "tired" comment and he said, "look back at that horrible chair!  You sleep in that for 2 nights and see how you feel!"  I had a little bit of pity for him, but given what my body had been through, that thought went out the window!!!!  =)  LOL

I guess I'll show you another sneak-peak of our family photo shoot with Leigh.  This was a quick random shot that she got just as we got out of the car.  Isn't she so cute!!!

The Chipmonk Song.... By Alex Nelson

The kids and I were going through some old video tonite and we found this one.  I thought you all would like to have a little laugh too.  I have one of Em that I'll post later.  This is sooo funny!  Enjoy!

Ingrafted Branches

I got to work this morning and our phones and computers were down.  I cannot do anything work wise so I decided to pick back up in my reading of Romans.  God had something in store for me in this down time.  I was in chapter 11 and I got to verse 11.  My Bible has this section titled "Ingrafted Branches." What a beautiful section. 

I was down in v. 17, "If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches.  If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.  You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.'  Granted.  But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith."

After I read this and the little notes in my Bible I was able to understand the meaning regarding the Jews and Gentiles (us).  I had a rush of pure thankfulness towards my Savior.  What a beautiful text.  

Sneak Peak....

Well, since my sisters have taken some amazing family pictures recently I thought it was time to update ours.  Here are just a *few* amazing pictures done by Leigh Carter.  We took them down by the Greenway below Lewis Gale.  Enjoy!  =)

 

 The kids loved these shots.  This was just one of many.

This might be one of my favs.  Yea, I stand out a bit but it we're all smiling naturally.

Vinton Fall Festival 5K

The start of the race.  Emily got to use her daddy's phone to listen to music while she ran.  And to also use it if we got separated.... More on that later.....

Before the end of the race the phone was in MY hands and I had to carry it across the finish line!!!!!!

Here's the girls sprinting towards the finish line!  Me in the back.  I will say I would have beat them by at least two minutes if I hadn't gotten a call from my child asking me to stop and wait for her to catch up!  Once they got up to me they blew past me!!!!!!  I was there eating their dust!

Greg got a shot of me soaking wet, coming in behind the girls.  Thank goodness for those army guys doing their running chants.  They really kept us going :)

Emily and Dani about to jump the gun!

Here we are at the start.  Getting ready!

Farm Day 2013

I yelled at them to stop so I could take a picture and this is the pose I get from Eva.  I think her momma has struck a pose like that a time or two...  :)

Eva and her Uncle Rob.  She didn't like sitting on the scratchy hay.

Aunt Laura putting a calming effect on EJB.   She was not a happy camper.

The kids checking out the corn picker upper. (I think)

They loved the baby bunnies.

Look at the two pony tails!!

This was so cute because Eva kept sliding to the side of the pony and her saddle kept going with her :)

Birthday fun on a warm October evening

Alex and his pals 

Alex and his bud Hayden

Goobers at the star.  This was Hayden's first visit to the star!  We couldn't believe it!

First coat of stain

Paw paw jammin. How old does this look go back? 1990s? Lol

Looky what we were selling.

Puppy love

First day of school 2013-2014

Thank you Lumber Liquidators

New tile

Ripped off the NASTY carpet

Busting it up

Work in progress

Thursday's thought

Saw this on FB today and had to re post it.  It's heavy and very "meaty."  Beware!

Marriage partners must follow God's example by offering unconditional love to a partner who has sinned against them, providing an atmosphere of forgiveness and reconciliation. Be ready to love as He loved, to forgive as He forgave, and to wrap a white robe of reconciliation around the one who belongs to you.

Ok.     Enough said.     Shut the door!     Sheesh!

Wednesdays thought

Every day the owner of my company sends us a "thought" via email and here was one of the quotes that particularly stood out to me. 

"Have you thought about all the events that led up to this moment in your life?  I believe God knew exactly where you would be right now and what you would be like.  He knew your passions and gifts and the platform you have.  

LET THAT SINK IN......

How would you live differently if you really believed that God had intentionally designed you to impact others?  What would you attempt if you we're fully convinced He was backing you?  The fact is that when you believe you we're designed for a purpose, you will live with a purpose."

Tony Dugan, "Uncommon Life"

This really hit me today because I have really been struggling in my job. There are good days but mostly it's been a struggle for most of my time here.  I'm praying for contentment and trying to seek Him even when I'm just not happy where I'm at.  I'm supposed to be happy at my job -right?!  My joy needs to come from Him and not my circumstances or the place He has me at.  My focus needs to be on the relationships He's putting before me.  My real job is to point others to The Savior, but I'm praying that I can be somewhat happy with where my paycheck comes from.  

If The Lord puts me on your heart please pray for me in this.

BTW I love being able to post via my iPhone when the Spirit moves me.... ;)

Chides learning how to work the iPhone

Summer Saturday at Smith Mtn. Lake

 First checking out the water and seeing if any critters are around.  The water was really nice and I hate to say it the place was even better then Douthat.  I think it's the sentimental-ness of Douthat that keeps us coming back.

 Big wide beaches, clean "sand" and water.  Beautiful scenery and even small waves from the boats that pass by.  Hard to believe, but Rob actually loved it too.  He said it's a halfway decent substitute for his beloved Surf side.

 Looking back up at the snack bar, restrooms and general entrance.  That tall thing to the right is one of the life guard stands.

 Alex was fishing and Em spotted a fish.  =)

 Alex was able to swim out the dock and go down the slide. 

Em did it too.  It was a fun day and we hope to take the rest of the family back before Labor day. =)