First Deer

 Caleb and Tim have begun deer hunting this year.

 After many hours in the deer stand, Caleb shot his first deer.

There was much excitement in the Fish House.  

I look forward to learning how to cook deer meat and getting the meat back from the processor.

So proud of Caleb!

Hip Hop Shepherds

Leah in the back in orange

 The elementary school did a great musical called "Arrest These Merry Gentlemen."

Leah and Ruth were Hip Hop Shepherd dancers.  Bet cha didn't know there were hip hop dancers at the nativity.  :)

They did a super job and had practiced so much on their dances and songs.

 Unfortunately they were in the back row and I really struggled seeing them well to photograph.

Leah on left and Ruth on right

So proud of my girls.

Basketball and Good Eatin'

 AB made the basketball team this year and has enjoyed playing again so much.

 Basketball is a sport she is passionate about and it has been real fun to watch her improve in her skills over the years.  It was just a few years ago that all the parents in the bleachers were screaming at our girls to be tough and aggressive and if anyone fouled out, then we would treat them to ice cream after the game.  These girls have certainly learned how to play tough and aggressive. 

 One night after a home win, we headed to a local Mexican restaurant with several other families.  We pretty much packed the place out. 

Madrigal Dinner

 This year the middle school and high school performed a Madrigal Dinner.  Anna Blair was a disgruntled shepherd's wife.  

We sat at a table with all 4 grandparents and enjoyed the meal and the entertainment so much.

 I know I've said this before, but I will say it again.  It has been so nice to see AB blossom since attending school.  Four years ago she was mortified to try out for the school play.  Now, she can't wait to try out for any and all roles, including a leading role.

 It brings us such joy to see watch her perform, knowing how much she likes drama and music.

(My flash kind of messed this photo up, but....)

During the meal, the students came around to tables and would sing, dialogue or tell jokes.  Here is AB and her 2 sweet friends singing Christmas carols to our table.

Flipping Out

The day after Thanksgiving, our sweet friends who own the local gymnastic gym called to see if we would like to attend their open gym for family and friends.

Most all of the families there were large, like us, and many homeschoolers too.

Our friends told us to bring our family and we did.  Lots of kids and lots of fun!

From age 2 to 16 - it was the perfect fun for us!  (oh yea, and the 40 somethings had some fun too!)

Action shots of the girls jumping into the foam blocks.

Josiah

 

Lydia

We also had some pretty funny videos of us dangling from ropes hung from the ceiling and being swung.  My sweet niece, Rebecca, gave me a good spin and my body came back around and whacked her good.  Ouch to both of us!

My favorite was my big sis doing a vault beam routine....(I have no clue if that's even what you call it, but sounded legit.)  Mary Lou Rettin she is NOT but she always has made me laugh till I wet my pants!

More Thankfulness

On Thanksgiving day we headed over to my parents house and were joined with my brother, his sweet wife and their 3 kids.  We finally got to meet my latest nephew, Conner.  We were all guilty of being baby hogs.

Isn't he just a doll??

I had several girls who took turns holding Conner using a timer.

He was in high demand...

And such a good sport to sleep through of the handling and passing.

The day after Thanksgiving, we hosted all family members on both sides to come to our house to hang out and eat.  Grandma got her turn with Conner too.  Did you know that she was my sister-in-law's 5th grade teacher??  Neat.

So Thankful

For Thanksgiving we had a big feast at my in-laws the night before Thanksgiving.  

Grandma is a super cook and feeds our big family well!!

Before dinner, we went around the table sharing what we are thankful for.

Resting off some of the good supper and watching football.

Silly Girl

During Christmas shopping, I got Josiah and Lydia an ice cream at Sonic. Lydia asked what a brain freeze was when Josiah said he had one. I explained it to her. Then she said, "Oh, like when you eat ham from the fridge and it gives you a frain breeze!"

Poor Baby

Lydia was at a play date at our good friend's house.  Their neighbor had a large dog chained up that our friend warned the kids to stay clear of.  He's not a mean dog but is unpredictable.  

Lydia, being a dog lover, couldn't resist a quick show of affection to this big dog.  

She came to him, hugged and kissed him and he bit her hand.

To our surprise, the doctor said that cat bites are the germiest, people bites come 2nd and dog bites come 3rd.  He did prescribe a preventive antibiotic because it was on her hand, but she has healed well.

Thankfully this has not made her scared of dogs, but I hope it will help her obey when someone warns her to stay away from a dog - even if she just wants to give them a little Liddy Love!

Shopping with Purpose

If you find yourself in need of some fresh Christmas shopping ideas, check out my sweet friend's auction this week.  All proceeds go to help bring her son home from Africa!  What better purpose do you need?

Click HERE to check it out!!

 

Thankful 4th Graders

Two days before Thanksgiving break, the 4th grade class invited all parents to attend a brief program and enjoy dessert after.  They sang songs and each read their list of things that they are thankful for.

My little peanut sure is growing up!

I Did It!

My 10 mile race was fast approaching and although I felt like I had been training forever, when our adoption case started moving forward, I was somewhat hoping I would be in Africa on the day of the race.

That didn't happen and the race got nearer and nearer and I was running less and less due to preparations for our big trip.

I had one goal in running this race - DON'T WALK!

There were 3 of us signed up to run and the one who twisted our arms to join the race is the friend who ended up sick and staying in bed the day of the race.  That left D and I met up early to break our personal records and run 10 miles.

Before the race

My folks met up with us on the trail - can't remember the mile - it all ran together - and cheered and took photos

We did it and we didn't walk!  Honestly, it wasn't near as horrible as I thought it would be.  Just when we were nearing the end, I realized that we were just under 2 hours.  I decided to pick up my pace and see if I could make it under 2 hours.  When I crossed the finish line, my app said 1 hour 59 minutes and 58 seconds.

So blessed to have a friend to run with!

Happy Birthday to My Man

My Man had a birthday.

Happy Birthday to the Man who surpassing any of my expectations as a father to our children.

Who loves deeply and serves without end.

Who gives quietly and generously - oftentimes secretly.

Who is passionate about the Lord and serving Him with integrity and truth.

Who creates a home of security, love and laughter!

We love you, Tim!!

Clearly an action shot - Blowing out the candles

Veteran's Day Thankfulness

For Veteran's Day, Leah came home with this card to give to my Papa.  So sweet!

So thankful for our Veterans!

Pin King

Last year when our school began their first ever wrestling team, I was at a loss.  I had the hardest time figuring out the goal of the matches and when to cheer and when not to cheer.  I ignorantly showed up for Saturday tournaments with a few packs of crackers for all my little Fishies and then figured out we were spending 8 hours in a gym.  This year we feel more confident in our wrestling knowledge (though still limited) and Caleb is rocking it on the mat.  He's grown, increased in strength since weight training and LOVES this sport....plus he's really good at it.

When he pins his opponent (meaning pins both his shoulder blades on the mat which is an automatic win), he gets awarded decorated pins to put on his sweatshirt from the wrestling team mom.  After 2 matches and one tournament, he earned 8 pins.  (Last year he won a total of 2 for the season.)  He even won a medal at this tournament.

So proud of him!!

His teammate, his coach and Caleb

At this particular meet, his Daddy had to leave in the middle of it due to an important business appointment.  

The minute I saw he was hitting the mat, I ran to the bottom of the bleachers, got my iPad ready and pushed the start button.  I thought I was taking a video but what I didn't realize is that I had merely taken a photo (above) of Caleb facing his opponent.  

12 seconds later, Caleb pinned his opponent on the mat and won.  I'm screaming my head off cheering; I push the button to turn my "video" off (below) and text My Man to share the victory with him.

Talk about disappointment when I realized I missed the 12 seconds that really mattered!  So sorry, Hubby!!

 

And the end to this post is sad.  The very night after he won a medal at the tournament, he went to a lock in with the varsity football team at a local gymnastics gym.  In a rough-housing incident, he broke his big toe, which sent us to the orthopedic doctor, who put him in a boot and told him no wrestling for 3 weeks.  

So sad.

Let the Hunt Begin

Caleb worked hard last year, along with his Daddy, to get his hunting license and this year they have enjoyed a season of dove hunting and now deer hunting.  When bow hunting season began, they were hitting the deer stand before the break of dawn.  As of yet, no deer has filled my freezer, but I'm still anticipating it!!

suiting up

Love Red

My Fish Sticks love pomegranates so they are super excited when they are in season and I buy a few.

They are super messy though and it always makes me giggle to see my kids' faces covered with red juice.

"Look Mom!  It's my Duck Dynasty beard!"

YUMMY!!