turkey day in Dallas

we spent thanksgiving in Dallas this year and had tons of fun with family and friends! we ate way to much yummy food, baked delicious desserts, chase went duck hunting three different times, I went shopping on black Friday for the first time!, and we all packed in Sherry & Scoot's room to watch our wedding video! it was a memorable trip! we are so thankful for our family.

BAM

You all probably remember this little guy.... this is our nephew that was adopted into our family a little over a year ago. It is amazing to see how God has used Bennett to remind us all of His love and how He saved us when we were left for dead, He feed us, clothed us, cleaned us and adopted us into His family.

We got to see Bennett this weekend and watch him walk... well run around, dance and say a few words ("bye, bye", "da-da", "ei-ei-ei-o"). Being around our nieces and nephews makes me wish we lived closer to watch them grow! They are all growing up way too fast!

Bennett Walking and Talking

Bennett Dancing! (and me shacking the camera... sorry!)

thankful...

there are so many things to be thankful for this time of year. In the spirit of "thanksgiving" I am going to list a few things I am thankful for this year...

• God's abundant grace and patience upon my life as I press into Him during stress and worry about work.
  
• God continuing to lead us to pursue moving to the gulf in about 14 months and attend a conference in January! (more on this later)
• Chase.... he loves me, cares for me, listens to me, supports me, prays with and for me, makes me laugh, takes care of me, shows me Christ's love daily...
  
• Paige... I know this may come as a surprise to some, but I really am thankful for her, I have grown to love her and enjoy her company :0) (this is our dog for those that don't know)
• Our family-- who continues to support us, love us and pray for us. We are so blessed to have three wonderful sets of family to care for us. (wish we could see you all more often!)
  
• Our Friends--I appreciate their love, laughter, and company.
  
• Sweet blessings-- for example, a few weeks ago, jord drew me a bubble bath with candles and everything (in a best friend sort of way...), just because she is great and wanted to bless me! another example, my mom's care packages... for thanksgiving we got fall decorations- which I love! another example, my sisters and old friends calling, "just to say hi and to see how things are going!

... and so much more!

"Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances..." 1 Thes. 5:16-18

enchanted rock...

a few weekends ago we went camping with our good friends amy and geoff vernon! amy and i had been planning this trip since march-- i can't believe that it is already over! we had a great time cooking yummy food on the fire, drinking coffee from our french press, sleeping in our tent from our wedding for the first time, hiking for 3 and a half hours on the "rock", playing cards, roasting some'mores, and walking around Fredericksburg on Sunday! thanks for a memorable trip amy & geoff... we love you guys!

happy halloween!!

this year for Halloween we did lots of celebrating! it started with carving pumpkins with our neighbors (bottom of post), then we went to an awesome "H" themed Halloween party on "hallows eve" thrown by drew & jord (middle) and then we went to the Tech football game, cooked chili, made caramel apples and passed out candy with my family on Halloween night! it was a ton of fun with lots of great memories...

Kristen dressed up as a "brats" cheerleader!

Don't those apples look delicious?!

Some of the great "h" costumes... (left to right) H1N1, Hula girl, Heln the Horse Jockey, Hermine from Harry Potter, Homeschoolers!

"Half Pint" the horse with "Helen" his Horse Jockey!

The picture to the right is a tribute to all my dance girls... from the Jockey dance!

Harry Potter, Horse agian, Hedwig, (Harry's owl)

pumpkin carving with Kayla, Michael, & Mason!

The boys added "blood" (red candle wax) to their pumpkins.. boys will be boys!

Chase's pumpkin is on the left!