Minute to Win It Birthday Party!

We were ready for Jordan and her friends after school on Friday! Jordan has the last birthday of the year in our family so she usually changes her mind MANY times during the year about what kind of party she wants! 

This year her birthday was two days after my event, so I had to talk her in to letting me throw her a party a week late so I could put my mind around it.  Richard helped me gather everything I needed and we played FUN games and awarded them candy medals, grilled hotdogs, served cheese dip (Jordan's favorite!) and had fun giggling with her sweet friends! Jordan adds so much fun to our family...I'm thankful we got to give her a VERY SPECIAL DAY! 

LIFE GROUP

This our second year to lead a LIFE GROUP. It's often the highlight of our week. I actually enjoy cleaning the house and often cooking for the group! Funny thing about our marriage groups...they keep having babies! Jessica is due this week and Krysta is due in 2 weeks. Kristi and Emily had babies last semester! Between the group pictured we have 13 kids...and with the other 4 ladies (not pictured we have 28 kids! So, seriously, we have a lot in common! I'm so thankful we can laugh about all the things moms and dads go through on a daily basis and can encourage each other through the different seasons of our lives. I love my friends...and getting a "baby fix" holding their babies...and doing LIFE together.

Turning 12

Jordan adds so much to our family...but mostly...

Laughter ~ The girl thinks she's funny and has the gift of humor some of the time! She laughs at our jokes and keeps her cool no matter what is going on!

Legs ~ No matter where she's sitting, there's not room for others. Her legs are all over the place as she's getting taller and taller! You can usually find her sprawled on the living room floow with legs on both ends of the room.

Laundry ~ Because it's easier to put clothes in a basket than up...Jordan has more laundry than everyone else. It's great because she knows how to do her own!

Ryan

Two weeks ago I was deep in sale-mode and everyone around me was pulled into that. However, Ryan and Katelyn were doing their own thing in Georgia.

1. They celebrated Thanksgiving early.
2. My cousin's daughter came and stayed with them a few days when she was evacuated from her home in Florida due to a hurricane. I would've expected nothing less than for Kate and Ryan to welcome family...even though Ryan hasn't seen Ashley since they were around 5!

On Sunday, October 2nd, Kate took Ryan to the drop off point and although it was a hard day for Kate, it was what Ryan has been prepping for. He looked at possibly hardest time of his life as a great challenge. He saw the hardships as opportunities and he was mentally, physically and spiritually ready to go.

We are praying for him everyday. Every time I think of him, I just ask God, who I know can see him in the mountains of Georgia, to watch over him and keep him safe. And sometimes I feel a little guilty because Ryan is in training and there are SO MANY active military on the front lines of all kinds of battles around the world. Ryan is being trained to do that very thing and his confidence, leadership and sound mind will be an asset to our country.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth 

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 

2 Chronicles 16:9

More from our 17th!

EVENT 17

Biggest sale ever: 63,800 items
Best location ever: in a former National Home Center
Best help ever: 20 leaders and 24 Supermoms and over 100 volunteers
Best husband ever: Richard held down the home front and was TOTAL support for me at work too.
Best family ever: Lauren & Ian, Erin and Sheridan worked our busy PreSale and many other hours during the week, including sort. Jordan and Richard helped sort too!
Great sell through, one of my highest fall ever: 63%

I'm thankful, so thankful.