Announcing, Miss Abigail Joy!

Announcing, Miss Abigail Joy!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

My Climber (aka Sir Titus Hillary)

So you know - every kid has their funny little thing... All of my others did. Most recently has been Joshua's freakish athletic abilities. But baby brother behind him has his own little quirky thing... HE'S A CLIMBER. Titus loves to climb on, over, and inside anything he can! He loves the stairs, the gate blocking the stairs, my kitchen cabinets, my desk that's missing a cabinet door (hey - got it at Goodwill for 12.99, what'd you expect?)... He likes climbing into laundry baskets, inside the cubby of the entertainment center, and this morning cleared out a couple of shelves on my book shelf so that he could climb into it... But the other night wowed us all. I was doing some cooking for Thanksgiving stuff and happy to have Titus slightly away from being underneath me, so I let him play in the pantry. He was pulling cans off of the shelf and happily occupied for a few minutes. Then... it was quiet....* This is always a warning sign*. I turned around to check and this is where I found him - UP ON THE PANTRY SHELF!!! Here's the wreckage below.

He decided to search for a snack. All that climbing will make a man hungry.


Of course Bug had to get in on the fun... There were 2. And then there was...



only 1. This was a split second after Titus leaned forward and face planted into a box of saltines. :) Hahahahahahahahahhahahahhahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you, we laugh a lot at our house... every single day. :D












Marriage First

I'll admit that I often read magazine articles or see articles on line (or sometimes just see the title) and kinda roll my eyes at how shallow or ridiculous they can be. But today I saw this one and thought, you know - this is right on. Now, it's without any scripture or the foundational truths of God's ideas on marriage, but for a secular article, I was impressed. It's simple. And it's right. I am always glad for this reminder, and heaven knows that I've wanted to gently remind some of my friends and loved ones... This is an easy thing to get out of whack, and yet, it's SO IMPORTANT. Hope you are blessed by this read.
http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/loving-husband-more-kids-key-good-life-181900983.html

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving History



"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."


—George Washington

Monday, November 21, 2011

Best Friends

Tonight while I was cooking supper, the house was full of joyful "noise". Taylor (not so quiet, especially as he demonstrated gorilla sounds and jumping :)) came in the kitchen with a little brother in each arm and said, "Does anybody else think it's kinda funny that I weigh over 300lbs and my 2 best friends here weigh about 50lbs combined?" Ha! :D I love it. Titus and Joshua continue to believe that their big brother is some kind of super hero. Those 3 are so darn beautiful. Makes me cry with joy.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Go Texans!

Tay had another big football win last night. The Texans won 40-14 over the Gonzales Apaches. It was an interesting night for me. I didn't go to the game so I could stay home with baby Titus. He's having another round of the cold crud, with a bit of a nasty cough. I wrestled all day yesterday (nothing like feeling torn between 2 kids) with what to do and finally Troy said he thought it would be best to not take him out in the wind.

So Titus and I stayed home and my friend told me about a wonderful thing... -THE GAME WAS ANNOUNCED LIVE on the radio/online. I can remember when I was a kid listening to the Dallas Cowboys' games on the radio with my Dad, but I'm not sure that I really cared all that much. Last night was a whole different story. Let's just say that I'm glad no one could see or hear me. I turned into a bit of a lunatic. I was whooping and hollering and dancing all around the kitchen. Titus thought it was great. :) One time when we scored just before half time (an amazing play, only 11 seconds left on the clock) I splattered soapy dish water all over the kitchen! :) Now, I do hope to be at the next game in person, but I was impressed with this radio thing. Not bad.

Speaking of the next game... How exciting is this?! Football during Thanksgiving week!!! Woohoo! How fun! Tay is out of school this week, with exception of practice each day. Yes, even on Thanksgiving morning. We are so grateful for this wonderful gift, that no one even minds that the traditions are being shifted a little.

At the moment Titus and Joshua are having sword fights with plastic golf clubs and it's getting a little out of hand... I better run!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

I AM A MOTHER AND I HAVE A PURPOSE!

I am not languishing. I am not floundering. I am not deceived.
I have a vision. I know who I am and who God created me to be.
I know my purpose. I have direction. I know God's mandate for my life.
I am walking in the perfect will of God.

I know it's not easy. I know it's hard. But I've counted the cost. My goal is set. How could my career be easy when I am impacting this nation for God?
Also the generations to come! And eternity!
How can it be easy when I am destroying the plans of the devil?

Such is the power of my God-ordained career,
the highest calling ever given to women-motherhood!

I have embraced my calling. I am not intimidated by antagonists.
I will not be moved. My heart is fixed.

I may be hidden in my home, but look out world! I am sharpening and polishing my arrows. I am getting them ready to shoot forth and destroy the works of the enemy. In the power and anointing of God I am advancing His kingdom!


By Nancy Campbell



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

I appreciate my husband!

Yes, I sure do appreciate my hubby! He has always worked hard to take care of us. He has always sought to provide a way for me to be at home with our children. When others have encouraged me to go get a job, my husband has said - no way - and has gone to extreme measures to pick up an extra job to make ends meet. Of course I am thankful for all the non-financial things that he does for our family - and that's a very long list. But today, I just want to say that I'm proud of Troy for his commitment to provide financially.

1 Timothy 5:8 says, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (italics mine)

Now, it should go without saying that I don't think this scripture is referring to all those that are struggling and without work during these tough economic times. But, I do think the verse's major focus is that the man recognizes his responsibility and does his very best to provide for his family's needs.

Troy has always been so faithful in this area. Always. Even when were so very young and he was a full time student, he never shirked his responsibility to work. Never. In fact, he had to humble himself to do a few jobs that payed little and were not very glamorous... But - HE DID THEM ANYWAY.

On a related note, he has always GIVEN (he gives of himself wonderfully, but again I am referring to money) very generously. This is a beautiful trait that he learned from his precious Mama. I KNOW that God has met our needs in some very lean times simply because he honored Troy's generosity to others. Heaven applauds and blesses those who give. I am thankful that this reward for Troy spills over onto all of our family.

Lord, thank you for providing for us. Troy, I thank you too. I am so proud to be your wife.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Football Playoff Update

Whew! :0 It was a little stressful for my liking... The Texans beat the Ducks last night in double overtime... 38-31. It was a bumpy game... felt like we never really got in the groove. But thank God (and I do mean that literally) we were victorious. Taylor had a monster game. He seems to be getting more confident each week. I am praying each day for God's blessing, favor, power and strength to be given to him. I pray before each game that he will supernaturally become stronger than he is, more athletic than he is, and even mentally sharper than he actually is. Of course I'm always asking God to help him be sportsmanlike and to be a godly example on the field with all that he says and does. May Jesus be glorified in Taylor's football career. My verse that I always pray for and encourage Tay with is 1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time".

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Turkey vs Santa

So the battle rages on in our house - Ha! Don't you love this?! At our house Troy's favorite holiday is Christmas... he loves every single thing about it. Especially the 3 or 4 weeks leading up to it. I, on the other hand, love Thanksgiving. My philosophy is that Thanksgiving is all the good stuff from both holidays - food, family, friends, food, football, food ;), etc... but without all the shopping, money crunching, praying they like the gift you got 'em, etc... Sooo, that settles it. I win! Thanksgiving is better. :D

Actually, (shhh, don't tell Troy!) I'm super excited about Christmas this year! I can hardly wait for the decorating, baking, shopping, music and Christmas movies. It's such a great time for memory making with our children. I love when we read each night of the Advent calendar and talk about God sending the Messiah in the form of a tiny babe... I LOVE IT! Maybe I'm really looking forward to this year since over the last 3 years we've had a few other things going on... like moving across the world! Like having 2 new babies! Like going to the 6-man state championship game! Okay, I'm actually praying that we still go to the state championship football game. But this year it feels like there's so much more joy and memories to be made around our house... After all, it's a brand new thing for our youngest sons and the last Christmas for Taylor as a kid in our home. (tears)

So, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season - both Thanksgiving AND Christmas!




Friday, November 4, 2011

Encouraging Word

Today I got to hear a teaching on this verse... it SO comforts and inspires me...

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In light of some around me that are suffering and going through really painful things, this verse gives me so much hope. HE IS OUR OVER COMER!!! Praise Jesus!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Here are some pics of fun moments over the recent weeks. Here's Em decorating cupcakes with Joshua. He was eager to eat up all the "mess ups". :)

Bug at the spa. ;) I guess it was a hard day at the office.



This was the pep rally where the boys and girls swapped... Funny thing was that most of the boys fit in the girl's skirts, but Tay had to pin 2 to each other. *NOTE* Boys should never wear girls' clothes... especially linemen.


This was the sweetest blessing... from Jesus and Troy. It was just one of those days... and then arrives these beautiful roses and with this note that I'll keep forever. It's so good to be loved.


Emily captured this of my littles... Are they so beautiful or what?! They are such a gift that I cry with thanksgiving and gratitude.









Wednesday, November 2, 2011

On Earth As It Is In Heaven!!!

Tonight everyone was out and about except for the babies and I.

We played football in the front yard (as is the daily custom during football season. It will change to basketball when football is over) then we came in and Bug helped me scramble some eggs, and we sat down to eat. As we were getting settled at the table I was singing Chris Tomlin's song "Sing, Sing, Sing" (this is Bug's favorite song besides Happy Birthday). Anyway, we were singing and I was kinda praying aloud... thanking God for the beauty of these precious boys. I said, "Lord, bless these boys in Jesus' name! Make them strong and healthy, help them to know you and to love you with their whole heart (my prayer every day) and Holy Spirit, fill them with your joy!" As I said "fill them with your joy" I placed my hands on their heads. Immediately they BOTH burst with giggles! Wow!!! Of course then we were all filled with the joy of the Lord. Laughter poured forth!

So for just a moment Heaven invaded our dining room... And it was SO GOOD. Thank you Father. Praise you Jesus. Come Holy Spirit, come.