New Year's Challenge-31 Day Challenge

My blog friend, Pete, (www.withoutwax.tv) the pastor of Cross Point church in Nashville, is giving a 31 day challenge to read one chapter each day in the book of Proverbs, beginning January 1st. Post it on your blog and pass it on!

I think one of my favorite seasons on Without Wax last year was the 28 day challenge we did leading up to Easter where hundreds of you joined me in reading through the book of Matthew.

With that in mind I want to extend an invitation for you guys to join me for the 31 Day Challenge.

It’s simple. There are 31 days in January and 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. I want to challenge you to read a chapter a day from Proverbs through the month of January. We’ll start with Proverbs 1 this Friday, January 1.

I’m doing this challenge in conjunction with a new series we’re launching next week at Cross Pointentitled Pursuit, The Search for More, where we’re going to go through the book of Proverbs. Whether you’re at Cross Point or not I would love to challenge you to be a part. We’ve even set up a separate blog RIGHT HERE so you can discuss with others what you’re reading. You can also track each others observations by using the twitter hash tag #cp31days.

Do me a favor and leave me a comment if you want to join us. Then RT this post and let’s see how many people we can get to join!

Are you in?

New Year's Eve 2009

Another year has come and gone! We are celebrating this New Year's Eve differently than we have in the past.

Jordan left this morning to go on a hunting trip to Alabama with Nathan, Kennedy is spending the night with Papa and Gigi, Jackson & Chandler Grace crashed at 8, and as for me, I am spending New Year's Eve alone, in sweats, with homemade chocolate chip cookies watching Gone With the Wind.

Praying for a blessed, happy, safe and healthy 2010.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart

Psalm 37:4

Christmas Day in Hot Springs

Gigi helping the girls open a gift from Aunt Bobbie for their room

Getting a little help from Uncle Kyle

3 of my favorites!

Bryson's turn to karaoke!

Gigi's birthday party!

Bryson taking Kennedy outside to see the water and Hunter

Getting tickled by my Uncle Steve!

We had Christmas lunch and exchanged gifts with my Mom's side of the family at Uncle Phillip and Aunt Bobbie's in Hot Springs. It was great to get to be a part of it for the first time in 3 years! The kids enjoyed going outside to see the water and Bryson's dog, Hunter. We had a great time eating, visiting, relaxing and opening gifts.

This day is also special because it's my mom, or Gigi's birthday! She's such a good sport sharing her birthday with Christmas. We always have her a birthday party complete with cake and birthday song at this get together. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Mama!

Christmas Morning 2009

Santa was good this year! The kids woke up at 7 and came into the living room together to see what Santa Claus left under the tree. (This was after Kennedy woke up every hour from 1AM-5AM asking "Has he been here yet?") Kennedy got Dora Links, Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion game, Snow White costume, 2 harumika fashion kits, My Meebas, Princess Tiana (Princess and the Frog) Barbie and Heelys.

Jackson got a remote control bounce back racer, light saber, shield, machine gun, car mat/cars, Little Einstein's rocket and Woody (Toy Story) doll.

Chandler Grace got a kitchen, baby doll & bottle, dishes, dress up trunk, Mama's childhood rocking chair and Cinderella-her first Barbie.

The kids also got a giant size stocking stuffed full of goodies!

I got Jordan a watch and he got me a rug and a curtain rod. We shared a Midnight Oil gift certificate which is perfect for us since we are hooked on the junk!

After opening the gifts we ate our traditional Grandma's Sticky Buns that I made and then got ready to leave for Hot Springs for Christmas with my Nana and mom's side of the family at Uncle Phillip & Aunt Bobbie's.

Christmas Eve with Papa, Gigi & Uncle Kyle

When Kyle and I were younger and living at home with our parents, we celebrated our Christmas on Christmas Eve since we traveled to both sets of grandparents on Christmas day.

They have continued this tradition, so we had their Christmas with them at our house.

We had it at our house, had our traditional finger foods for dinner and opened presents. This year we also let the kids buy gifts for Papa, Gigi & Kyle at the Dollar Tree. Papa got a flashlight, watch and pair of socks; Gigi got a scented candle, Santa figurine and frame; and Kyle got a badminton racquet and birdie, Wall E puzzle and silly glasses/mustache. Lots of fun!

The kids were completely spoiled with all of the presents from Papa & Gigi and Kyle & Katy.

We were so thankful Kyle came down from Fayetteville, but we sure missed Katy since she was in RI for Christmas with her parents and brother.

The most special memory of the night for me was watching my Mom read Twas the Night Before Christmas to my kids just as she always read to me and Kyle when we were little.

It was a great night and such a blessing to be back in Arkansas to celebrate together this year!

Christmas-y Family Day!

This year we set out to go see Santa Claus on the court square before going shopping, but due to the rain, he wasn't there. So, in an effort to recover from the disappointment, all 5 of us-for the first time-went to the matinee to see The Princess and the Frog. Despite 4 bathroom trips and one spilled large drink, it was a success!

Ever year we take the kids to the Dollar Tree to buy gifts for each other and for us. After the movie we went and took turns taking each kid in for his/her turn. It was so much fun to watch each of you carefully and excitedly choose each gift for each person.

After shopping, we headed to Brick Oven-everyone's favorite pizza-to pick up dinner and bring home. Perfect evening for it since it was cold and rainy out, and we were starving after all of the shopping. Love this time of year, traditions and special memories with my sweet family.

After dinner we did our gift exchange. This year Kennedy got Jackson a Mickey Mouse flute, Chandler Grace a Cinderella ribbon wand, Jordan a flashlight, and me flowers in a vase. Jackson got Kennedy an Ariel ribbon wand, Chandler Grace a Princess Tiana tiara, Jordan a mini flashlight and me a toy soldier jewelry box. Chandler Grace got Kennedy a Disney Princess night light, Jackson a Diego paddle/ball, Jordan a pair of socks and me moisturizing cream!

I will say that 3 toys were broken before bedtime! But, it was a great day and night.

Email Videos from Santa

Kennedy's email video from Santa

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/3373d765f21c27a193edc2cdc820ea92

Jackson's email video from Santa

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/da02ef15d4b91d5206f25968596a0c0f

Chandler Grace's email video from Santa

http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/ddc466170604a26e18d0a8f4b9552c09

The kids were beyond excited to watch these-so much fun!

Merry Christmas 2009

Jackson, Chandler Grace, Kennedy, Jordan & Kim

Papa & Gigi's Surprise

Papa & Gigi stopped by to surprise the kids with their annual Christmas ornaments. This year they gave them mini snow globes with their names on it. They love them! The kids love having their grandparents nearby and all of the fun times they are able to spend with them.

12 Year Wedding Anniversary

12 years ago today, we were married, barefoot at sunset, at Fleming's Park on Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui, Hawaii.

Happy 12th Anniversary, Jordan!

Grandma's Surprise

Grandma came by and surprised the kids with a rice krispy treat gingerbread man! They were beyond excited that she was here and for the treat. How nice to live close and enjoy experiences like this!

Annual Gibbins' Family Christmas Lunch

For the first time in 8 years we were able to attend the annual Gibbins' family Christmas get together. One of the perks of being back in Arkansas :)

There were 65 there this year. It was so great to see family we haven't seen in so long and get to visit and eat some good catfish.