Our "Doll"

Oh our little girl...she is such a "helper" and such a sweet dolly!  A couple of weeks back, as I was figuring out what to make for supper, I was bent down looking in the cupboard.  She of course, imitated me right away.  As I began preparing breakfast for supper, she began unloading the cupboard and loading down the counter with what she was making for supper...she got it all up and said, Now eat it!  Too funny.  As you can see it is a wide assortment, from soup, to spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, ranch dressing, ravioli...mmmmm...can't you just taste it?

A different night, I was feeding her some pudding.  Grant called me to help him do something, and when I came back...this is what I found! A chocolatey girl...and of course, in a white t-shirt!

Below is a new sweet picture that my mom took of her.  Grandma and her had created a bed and lined up all of her dollies for naptime.  Then Kiara realized that there was no spot for her!  So, they created a new arrangement and took a "nap" together, which lasted at best, seconds long! :)  She is our baby doll and we love her so much...don't worry, she plays with tractors (or as she calls them "Tractor Power") as much as the dolls.

FOOTBALL!!!!!!

This year we decided to let the boys play football...I mean...the real thing. Tackling, hitting, blocking, running, throwing...did I mention tackling?  Yikes!  These are my "little" boys!  But they are soooooo into football that we let them sign up.  They have been pumped about it since sign ups...so we spend parts of our week and every Saturday playing/watching football!  Unfortunately they aren't on the same team.  Because of Brock's age, he had to be in the bigger kids division.  Here's Grant ready for his first game! Go #14!!!

At his 2nd game, he got to be one of the captains at the start of the game...He looks little next to those others, huh?  That's because HE IS!!!! 

Here's Brock before his first game.  Weather looks great, right?  Well...it let loose and poured the entire game.  Most of the fans sat in the car...but not this mom...I toughed it out, although I did have an umbrella. Go #8!!!

Here he his...it doesn't look like it's raining, but trust me, it is.

Grant again below playing in Warsaw.  Both boys are almost the smallest kids on their teams...on Brock's team the weight range is from 66 pounds to 239 pounds!!! Yikes!

Kiara doesn't like to be left out of things and HAS to do everything the boys do, so they were helping her out a little bit here.  Don't worry Grandma Elaine...she is just the cheerleader during the games saying "Go! Go! Go! Go!"

She can barely hold her head up with this helmet on!

It has really been fun so far watching the boys play.  Our schedules have been much crazier than normal because of it, but they are having a blast and that is what matters!

Treasures

A few weeks ago I RE-started a prayer group of staff at the school where I teach.  We had met for several years under the tutelage of a fellow teacher that always had wonderful lessons/ scripture to share for our devotional and then we prayed together for our needs, praises, and for our school body.  That teacher went to a different building and I felt God tugging at my sleeve and saying..."Your turn to lead".  For a few weeks, I replied back to Him..."no thanks, i can't do that".  Well, we know where that was headed, so yes, I gave in and started it back up again.  The numbers have been few in attendance, and I must admit that I was discouraged at first about that...then I realized that even if no one else shows up to the group...I have still prepared, prayed and given a lesson for myself if nothing else.  A couple of weeks ago, below is what we talked about before our prayer time.  God hasn't let me down in leading me to things that someone in the group needed to hear.  I'm out of my comfort zone in leading this group, but God will provide...I have no doubt in that.  So, every now and then I may share on here a bit of what we discuss (scripture-wise...don't worry teacher friends that I will share anything "pesonal"!) This lesson stemmed from a sermon that our pastor gave a few weeks ago.  It had my brain working and may not be the direction he was really taking it, but it is what God showed me...
Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do NOT destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We talked about how our “treasures” are not just money to give to the church, but our time and our possessions as well. Where do we “invest” our time at each day…Am I trying to simply survive until the next day or am I using opportunities today? Am I teaching music or am I teaching students? Am I being a Godly example to my own kids, or just trying to “get it all done” in the evening so we can start again the next day? What does the world see as my treasure? My most important focus? Praying that the answer will continue to get closer to my treasure being whatever God wants my focus to be…people and relationships and eternal glory…not survival, doing my job and earning a check. Many times I've had to stop myself during the day and refocus on the treasure that God wants me to be focused on...hoping that continues.
May you be blessed today and may your treasures be in line with HIS for you.