Super Sledding...

Today was an awesome day for sledding. Our church was cancelled due to the road conditions so we spent a lot of time outside today. We headed out around 10:45 am and started on the hill beside our house. Then, we heard that the hill down the street was even better with less cars coming through. So, we drove down to check it out. We spent most of the day down there and it was super sledding. We headed in around 1:15 for some lunch and Riley went to a birthday party and Tony headed up to his store to check things out. When they got back home we headed out again around 5 pm after eating some snow cream - YUM! The snow plows came through around 3 pm and then the roads were all ice. So, again we started on our hill and it was amazingly slick and fast. Tony was using his old wooden sled with runners that he had as a kid. It was awesome. Tony and Riley ended up all the way down our road to the next intersection. They would have kept going if there was ice but the snow plows were able to clear the intersection well so there was nothing left. Once it got dark, our neighborhood arranged a gathering down at the big hill for sledding and they had a fire going in a firepit on one of the corners. It was very dark so it made sledding even more exciting. We had to put some adults on car patrol because it was so dark. Tony and I went down once together and I don't think I have ever gone so FAST! It was awesome until we crashed at the end and Tony landed on me. ;) Regan and Tony also went together and they were also going very fast and crashed too. But, Regan got up and wanted to do it again. We ended up staying until about 7:00 pm. We are all exhausted, sore, and wind burned now. We are very thankful that school got cancelled tomorrow so we can sleep in. Well, at least us girls can, poor Tony has to go to work. It was a very fun weekend and nice to have Daddy home to enjoy it with us. It will be sad to see this snow go! The hill by our house.

Regan heading down our hill.

Regan still going....

Here is the BIG hill -- Oh no a car!!!

Daddy and Riley about to head down.

This was the happening hill in our neighborhood today. Lots of people.

Riley and Tony running up the hill because they can't wait to do it again.

Walking back up the hill each time was work.

Riley and Avery Williams got in a big snowball fight with Tony. So, Riley and Avery got smart and hid behind these bushes.

Here is a video of Daddy and Reece going down the hill. Reece screamed the whole way but loved it. Tony said she was grinning at the end and wanted to do it again.

Snow Much Fun...

This weekend (Jan. 29 - 30) we got a snow/sleet storm and we ended up with almost 7" of snow. Tony's store was closed Saturday so we were able to enjoy the day as a family and with no work interruptions. We headed down to our friend's house, the Carlson's, and went sledding down their steep driveway. Then, we tried out the huge hill by our house and that was really fun. Regan and I lasted for 2 1/2 hours before we finally came in for hot chocolate and hot showers. Reece and Riley lasted for about 1 1/2 hours. Racing down the Carlson's driveway. Mr. Justin getting the girls started.

Riley going down on Drew's disc - this went fast and spun around.

Regan was going so fast her sled went all the way across the street and landed in another yard. She had a ton of fun.

Reece making a snow angel.

Huge chunks of ice the girls were getting ready to throw at me....but wait....I have the camera!!!

Tony enjoyed driving around the neighborhood seeing how slick it was. I can't keep him contained for very long. Such a kid!!! :)

This gives an idea of the amount of snow we got. This was about 11:00 am on Saturday but the sleet and snow were still coming down.

The girls decided to wrestle with daddy in the snow.

Regan tackled daddy and they were trying to throw snow in his face. Not a smart idea!

Trying to get a photo of the girls but it was sleeting and they would not cooperate.

Where is Regan's boots??

Regan trying to get down our back steps. They were very slippery and hard to see where the steps were.

She decided to slide down them instead.

Regan making a snow angel

Belated Christmas...

We did not get to celebrate Christmas with Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby in December due to unexpected circumstances. So, we had the pleasure of getting together with them this past week (Jan. 27) to open presents and to let the cousins play together. Fun was had by all. Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby got this Elephant for Reece. It is very sturdy and she can sit on it. She has named the elephant Sarahfina. She loves it and we love it because now she stays in bed all night. She used to get up and get in our bed but now that she has this heavy elephant that she can't easily carry downstairs it makes her stay in bed at night!

Lizzie opening her Mickey Mouse books.

Regan got a set of books - of course she is happy and we won't see her for days. Riley got a game called, Pictureka, which she loves. It is a hidden picture game which Riley is very good at.

Joshua getting help from daddy.

Joshua checking out his new soft bulldozen toy/book from us.

Lizzie opens her Elmo book and Elmo CD player from us.

Monster Truck Jam...

On January 22 our family had tickets to go to the Monster Truck Jam at the RBC center in Raleigh. Tony got tickets through the Y Guides program. But Regan, Mommy and Reece all ended up sick and could not go. So, Daddy and Riley ended up going together without us. They had a fun time and ate way too much food!!!! Riley had a large slice of pizza, about 3/4 tub of extra buttery popcorn, dipping dots, and a whole bag of skittles in a 2 hr. period. At 1:50 am the next morning I was awoken by Riley to tell me she got sick. The Riley Volcano had erupted all over her room. It was EVERYWHERE. Tony and I spent the next hour or more cleaning, changing sheets, cleaning walls and the carpet, bathing Riley and doing laundry. After 4 loads of laundry, a container of Clorox Wipes, a bottle of carpet cleaner, and 1/2 a can of Lysol we were all good. I was afraid Riley was getting a stomach bug but she never got sick again and the next day was completely back to normal and eating. So, we figured out it was all the food she ate! Needless to say, Daddy and Riley learned a lesson. :) And next time I think Mommy needs to chaperone.

Changes in the New Year 2010...

We are very excited about what lies ahead for 2010. Our family made a big decision this past month, probably the hardest decision we have ever made next to moving from Georgia. A pastor at our church (the pastor of our flock/Sunday School) was offered to take over a church plant 5 minutes from our house. He asked many families that live near the church to pray whether the Lord would have us come with him or not. When I first heard the news I was very upset and said, "definitely NOT!" We have been at our current church for 10 yrs. and I have just gotten involved in leadership in our women's bible study this year and was also very involved with the preschool Sunday School program at our church. I was comfortable and did not want to budge. But, I started praying about it and talking with Tony and the girls and within a week the Lord had changed my mind. The Lord truly was calling our family to leave our present church and help with this church re-plant. I call it a replant because the church started about 1 1/2 years ago but the pastor that planted this church ended up leaving. The church body and church denomination (ARP - Associate Reformed Presbyterian) really wanted to see it work. So, they hired an Interim pastor until they could find a permanent pastor. They called our church to see if our head pastor knew of anyone looking to plant a church. Our pastor reluctantly told them about our associate pastor Ross (because he did not want to lose him but knew he would be interested) who had been recently approved as a church planter and was looking to plant a church somewhere. So, all the doors opened for Ross and they asked him to become the new pastor of this church. Anyways, after a lot of praying, discussing as a family, and talks with the kids we feel called to advance God's Kingdom right here in our little town. This is very hard for us and definitely out of our comfort zone but we also know that God will grow us and do mighty things if we just follow Him! We have had two services already and things are going well. There are definitely some challenges with a church plant and also a lot of work but it is fun and exciting too. I am teaching the 3/4's Sunday School class, helping direct the Children's Ministry program and singing on the Praise and Worship team so I am keeping extremely busy. Tony is heading up Communion each week and is doing several deacon type duties. The girls are LOVING the smallness and are really stepping up and helping too. They love to help set up each week and clean up afterwards. I was really worried about how Regan would like it because she only has one other boy in her Sunday School class but she is really enjoying it. After our first service in the church Regan said, "I LOVE this new church!" And her sisters followed up by saying, "me too!" That had been Tony and I's prayer that the girls would grow to love the new church and it only took one Sunday! The Lord is good!

"To man belongs the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for his own ends." (Prov. 16: 1-4)

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." (Ps. 25:4-5)

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Prov. 16:9)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths straight." (Prov. 3: 5-6)

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (Prov. 19:21)

"Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Another Change......

Regan finally has her own room. We moved Reece in with Riley and now Regan has Reece's old room. We picked out a new bedding set, curtains, lamp, bookshelf, and reading pillow for Regan and we painted her room a light lavender color. It looks really good. She is loving it. The first day in her new room (which was Jan. 16) Regan posted a sign on her door that read, "Regan's Room Knock Before You Come In." She is loving the independance and is doing well keeping her room nice and clean. Here are some photos of her new room...

We still need to get a few more photos up on the walls.

This is Regan's favorite spot in the room - her reading pillow by the window. Check out the clothes tree in the far right corner - Tony made it!
And her next favorite, the bookshelf in the closet and she has a ton of storage for books under her bed.

Christmas 2009

Regan and Riley making a birthday cake for Jesus.

Christmas Morning - first glance at stockings

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.

Regan has a book - present opening has officially slowed down now.

Reece wrote a letter to Santa and asked for a real baby Giraffe. That was not going to happen so she got the next best thing - a webkinz giraffe. She is VERY excited.

Reece named her baby giraffe, Sarah.

This year we started a tradition that we heard from our friends, the Stepps. We all took a trip to the dollar store the week before Christmas and bought each other presents. Everyone got a shopping basket and $4.00 and went on their own around the store and picked out presents for everyone. Regan and Riley took turns helping Reece around the store. It was so much fun. At one point, I ran into Regan and Reece in one of the aisles and Reece tried to put a bag of marshmallows into my basket. I asked her "what are you doing?" She replied, "I want you to get me these!" I then responded, "Reece you can't tell Mommy what to get you for Christmas!" An older couple was walking by and they just started laughing and the woman replied, "Oh come on Mom that makes it more fun!" They got such a kick out of us. Reece then proceeded to take the marshmallows back and tried to put them in her sisters' baskets. She finally ended up getting them for Riley as a present and figured she could just eat some of Riley's. We took almost an hour to find all our gifts. We had such a great time and will definitely do it again next year. Opening the dollar gift presents ended up being the highlight on Christmas morning. The above photo is Tony opening his gift from Riley - she got him a sports watch. Riley got mommy a puzzle, Reece a coloring book, and Regan a book. Regan got daddy a flashlight, mommy a dishtowel, Riley a princess book, and Reece a princess cube puzzle. Reece got mommy a puzzle, daddy playing cards (which she picked out all by herself - we were impressed), Regan a big bag of gumballs, and Riley the marshmallows that she wanted. Tony got me a porcelain box that I can store jewerly and it has a nice saying about "love" on it. Tony got Reece the hairbows, Regan a word search puzzle book, and Riley a puzzle. I got Tony a devotion book for dads, a cooking CD for Riley, a David and Goliath DVD for Reece and a book about space for Regan.

Regan got me a dish towel from the dollar store - good job Regan!

Tony got Reece a set of pink barrettes and a pink headband. She was so thrilled. She kept hugging daddy over and over again and saying, "Thank you daddy, thank you daddy, thank you daddy." She wore them the rest of the day, week, month.... Ok so she hardly ever takes them out. I think next year we just need to do all our shopping at the dollar store. :)

Reece got a big girl scooter

Mama Cook and Papa Doug opening a photo book from us.

Mama Cook is very excited about the photo book. She is saying "YAY!!!!"

Still looking at the photo book.

Reece loves her monkey PJ's from Grandma and Grandpa Crissman. Perfect for our little monkey.

The girls got photo albums from Mama Cook and Papa Doug. Check out the sea of paper...

Regan is very excited about her webkinz Cat.

All the girls with their webkinz pets. This is the closest they are coming to a real animal! Riley got a webkinz dog that she named, fuzzy puppy.

Tony got a "Bald Eagle" photo framed from his Mom and Dad. Perfect since his Indian Guides name is "Bald Eagle."
Riley really wanted a guitar for Christmas but she told us after we had already bought a bunch of her gifts. So, Papa Doug brought up his guitar that he used to play but does not use anymore. It is in great shape and Riley was very thrilled. I am hoping to eventually take guitar lessons and then when Riley gets older she will learn too.

Riley reading to cousin Lizzie at Mama Cook and Papa Doug's house. We went to Atlanta (unexpectedly) the day after Christmas for several days.