Coach Daddy

Will wears many hats....husband, father of 4, pastor to many, brother and son, and the list goes on...
One of his many jobs is that of Coach. We are so proud of him for his dedication to the volleyball team at GPA these past two years. It has been a great ministry for him and he is a natural leader and coach. When we are able, we pack up and go cheer for Daddy and the team. This picture was after the game last Saturday - a playoff win - which advances them to regionals this weekend.
Way to go, Coach Daddy! We are your biggest fans.

Tinkerbell and Dora

Thursday was "Dress like your favorite storybook character" day. We just chose costumes from our costume box and matched it with one of our many, many books. Josie was Tinkerbell and Kate was Dora! (or Go-rah as she says) The girls were excited to dress up for school and to see how their friends dressed, but Josie couldn't remember any of the other costumes in her class. These girls play dress-up every day but it was fun to wear the costumes out of the house. Here's to many more years of dress-up!

see ya at 3!

I knew we would miss Jack while he was at kindergarten each day. I knew Josie would be a little lost, and that Kate would be sad. I knew that I would be wondering what he was doing and learning. What I didn't know is how his school schedule would totally set our schedule here at home. It's like our whole day is geared toward getting him to school at 8 (thankfully, my awesome husband takes him each morning) and picking him up at 3.
We have settled into a good routine around here. I won't bore you with the details but certain things happen every day....and one of these things is that Jack tells me each morning how many days he has been to kindergarten (today was #40!) and that he can't wait to see me at 3:00. I try to be the first parent in car line which means I wake the girls and Sam at 2:30, load the car and we drive to school. My reward is seeing his smiling face walk out those doors with his class!
I will leave this note hanging on my fridge all year. Jack wrote it to me and put in on my desk. It says, "Hi Mom, Bye Mom, See you at 3:00!" It's 1:30 right now and I can't wait to see my boy at 3!

wordless wednesday

a good life

"Live a good life and, in the end, it's not the years in a life, it's the life in the years." Abraham Lincoln

My brother Clay would've been 34 this week. He lived an exceptional life in his 24 years. I remember him today and every day. I miss him today and every day. If you knew him, you could not forget him. It was my privilege to grow up with him, laugh at his jokes, argue with him, cheer for him, and cry with him.

He loved being the center of attention, so he loved celebrating his birthday. I have many birthday memories of him but I woke up on October 20th this year remembering one in particular. His birthday always seemed to fall around the A&M/Baylor game. I have no idea which birthday it was but we were going to College Station for the game. He got to invite a few friends to go to celebrate. Clif and I tagged along as usual. I honestly don't remember how the Aggies did but I do remember that we had a great time. I also remember after the game we walked around the stands picking up the Aggie plastic cups that people had left behind. (gross) We were sitting in the end zone. He included me just like I was one of his friends. He always did. This may seem small, but if you are a little sister, you know it was huge.

Many people have written me this week, remembering Clay, telling stories, and sharing their favorite memories of him. Thank you for this....it helps us so much. He lived a great life in his years and now lives an even better life than we can imagine.

praise

We all have struggles that bring us to our knees. Almost two years ago we were brought to our knees when we found out that Jack has a lifelong bleeding disorder. It made many things clear to us and answered many questions, but it also brought fear and sadness. We know that he will face many trials but we would be wrong to not give praise to God for His protection and plan for our Jack. It has been just over a year since he has had his last infusion for a bleeding episode. This is huge! We are so encouraged because this has been his most active year yet....playing soccer, t-ball, countless backyard baseball games, daily P.E. class at school, Awana games at church, and a gymnastics class. We know that he will have more infusions and trips to Children's. I know that I will question God and cry many tears for and over my son. Tonight, though, I want to praise God for this encouraging year of growth and protection!

"happiness is...

all the bodies together." My brother Clay was quoted saying this at a very young age. Our families love to be together. Unfortunately we don't get to do this very often so we are always planning for the next time! It truly makes Will and I happy to be with our families.
I was blessed with a gift to go and visit my little brother Clif and his family for a week. Josie and Sam went with me, while my Mom (super Mam!) stayed here and took care of Jack and Kate. Will was here but busy with work and volleyball practice and trips.
Jo and Sam did super on the three hour flight, and I think Kate got some much needed attention from Mam. Jack went to school and loved doing his homework with Mam in the evenings and taking a farm trip on the weekend.
What a trip...lots of memories made with the Virginia Kennedys - Clif, Kat, Clay, Evy and Scarlett. I will never forget playing in the backyard with Clay and Evy, and holding miss Scarlett. They have done an amazing job renovating their home and yard. The cousins bonded, and we were able to celebrate Clay's 4th bday while we were there with a camouflage party! My favorite part, though, was just hanging out with my bro and best friend in the evenings...laughing, watching tv, whatever. Oh, how I wish we were neighbors!
Thanks to Mam, Will, Josh and Shantel, and Clif and fam for helping make a memory. Looking forward to Christmas now!

sam at six

How will I remember you at six months?
1. sweet and snuggly
2. sucking your fingers
3. your hoarse, deep laugh
4. how easily you smile at everyone
5. your bald head and two dimples
6. how you are adored by your siblings
Love you, bubba boy! Days with you are blessings that we don't take for granted.

Hello October!

October is here and we are looking forward to many things here at the LHIGP...
Aggie football games, kindergarten open house, picking pumpkins, a family trip to Virginia, school pictures, cool crisp mornings, World Series, costumes, farm trips, Sam starting cereal, GPA volleyball, first report card, fall festivals, visit with cousins.
What does October have in store for you?