Headed to Texas

2008

2009

2010

2012

We have some history at a place called Mission Arlington and this week we'll head back to serve there for two days. Lauren is heading to TX with the 5 of us to do whatever needs doing. It will be Jordan and Cameron's first trip to Texas. We've never had one year look like another: we've delivered furniture, stuffed and unstuffed Easter eggs, sorted clothing, played with children, cleaned apartments, picked up trash and cleaned up playgrounds. It's physical work that is spiritual in nature. I'm looking forward to being OUT of my comfort zone and into His presence. 

Can't wait...

Rocks, Trees and Dreams

This little piece of land, on a pretty little street, is almost ours. Richard has been all over this city and even outside the city to find us the right piece of property to build on. It's been all summer, but we're really close to signing papers on this and we've met with an architect who is drawing our plans this weekend. I'd like to be pretty excited about it, but I'm trying to hold back my expectations just in case it's more work than fun. 

I'm also getting pretty spoiled at the location of our rent house now. We're one block from Main Street and less than 3 minutes from church. We live right behind a Wal Mart and yet, have trees and birds on our back porch. Also, we're within walking distance from all the kids' schools. 

God has a plan, and Richard is leading us now. 

RE-FOCUSING

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3

Had a wonderful weekend, was able to focus on the job God had for me. It was my first time to be a speaker at a women's conference. I was nervous when I saw the stage, I hadn't prepared for that, but God totally intervened on our behalf and I had the best time. 

Sheridan told me before I left, "Be nice and everyone will like you." That was good advice. 

I loved meeting the ladies there, talking to the older and younger ladies, and communicating about contentment 3 times during the weekend. I'm thankful it's over, but absolutely open to doing it again! 

December 23

Cameron's first Christmas here. Cameron's first Christmas present from us. The first BIG SMILE of many.

Sibling gifts: A sweet message from Sheridan to Jordan. A HUGE candy bar from Ryan.

LOVE NOTES

My kids are a hoot! They showed up to our Christmas dinner in Christmas sweaters from my past. Even Cameron had a snowman vest on, you can't appreciate their workmanship from this pic, but you can see the shoulder pads in Ryan's cardigan! 

My favorite Christmas tradition starts before any gift is opened. AND, it was Jordan and Cameron's first time to write and read their own LOVE NOTES. I wasn't even interested in presents after reading the love notes from my family. Call me needy, but kind words of love are balm to the soul. 

 
 

The Christmas Story

Best part of the Christmas season so far? Telling Jordan and Cameron the Christmas story...over and over. "Is there more? What comes next?" Jordan gets her bible and we always read it there after I have told them the story...I LOVE THAT. It's like discovering it all for the first time, and although neither of them believe yet, they don't doubt it's true.  

DOUBLE DIGIT BIRTHDAY

Jordan has lived as a Rogers for 10 months. She's waited through all 7 of our birthdays for hers. It's been hard! She couldn't decide if she wanted a party like Sheridan (painting), a trip (Erin's) or a bounce house (like Cameron's). For a 9 year old, it would seem normal to want to talk about all the options a birthday party could entail...but for Jordan it was her VERY FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY. It's hard to put my mind around that.

She has had limited exposure to the kinds of parties I like to throw...all kinds actually, but with the help of her sisters we encouraged her to have an after-school party with just a few of her friends and she chose tie-dye as her theme. She doesn't care that Erin had a tie-dye party when she was 8...she was just SUPER EXCITED to have the invitations to take to school and the girls who came.

We actually started the day with her breakfast choice: waffles AND eggs. She got to open all her birthday cards and a gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

Richard met her at school with a pizza (her favorite food) and root beer (a treat). THEN, we picked she and her friends up from school and brought them home for THE PARTY!

Lauren came home to help and we had such a great day! It was beautiful outside, it was party-like inside and it kept a smile on her face for over 48 hours.

As much as Jordan has seen or been exposed to in her 9 years...she has an innocence about her because she hasn't been in a lot of different situations. Getting 4 birthday cards in the mail....never. Getting money from grandparents....never. Talk of starting a savings account...never. Having a day all about her...never.

Double digits are BIG. And it's going to be a great year!