First Day of FIRST Grade. Sniff. Sniff.

Well, today was our first day of first grade and our first day in public school. I have already seen God answer our heartfelt prayers on behalf of our little guys. Caleb was so nervous about being in a seperate classroom from Mason. We had lots of tears and lots of resistance to the idea. To help, we used bribery at it's finest. We told them that since they are in seperate classes during the day, they can be together at night. They now are sharing a room. We got new bedspreads, new paint, new dressers (I bought them for $55 off of Craigslist and refinished them) and new artwork. It's still a work in progress, but it's almost there. We also went to the store and they could each pick out two toys. They get to open one after they complete the first day of school and the second one they get to open after they finish the first week of school. All of these things helped, but truly it was "Meet the Teacher" night that God used to give their spirits peace. Caleb's teacher is bubbly and sweet and affectionate. Just what he needs. She knew he was anxious and gave him so many words of encouragement and affirmation. Mason's teacher is sweet as can be, fun natured and was teacher of the year last year. I praise God for the peace of mind I had dropping them off today knowing they were in the hands of God and the hands of these lovely ladies! Here's the first day photos! Enjoy!

Introducing My Future Daughter-in-Law!

I'm thinking I've got some good odds of Lilly Kate Williams choosing one of my guys since she has three to choose from! I loved meeting sweet Lilly and I could hold her forever! Just look at this little darling with these adorable baby blue eyes!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

We have had the most glorious of Texas days...all white!!! The snow started in the wee hours yesterday morning and did not stop until we had 13.8 inches on the ground in our yard! I woke up early to the sounds of giddy little boys exclaiming their joy and anticipation about this miraculous event! They couldn't wait to get outside and neither could I. We quickly bundled up and headed out for 30 minutes of bliss before coming inside to get ready for school. Brady loved, loved, loved the snow and cried, "Snow outside go! Snow outside go!" when I brought him in. We ventured out in the afternoon again and had so much fun competing with our neighbors for biggest and best dressed snowman! (I don't think we ever decided, but I must say that the red Tootsie Pop suckers for our guy's smile was mighty creative!!!)

Today Michael was snowed in and we spent another fun filled day outdoors. Caleb lasted all of about 20 minutes before he announced he was ready for warmer weather and for the snow to go away. He prompty went inside. The rest of us had a ball outside and Daddy helped us build another snowman since ours toppled during the night.

I have to tell you, I married a wonderful man. Right after I came inside to get the boys lunches ready, I heard Michael shouting, "Are you okay??!!!??" I opened the door and down the street was a neighbor in his early 70's laying on the sidewalk (Well, what should be a sidewalk...it was under there somewhere!) I shouted to our neighbor across the street whose house faces another direction. He came around the corner and saw our elderly neighbor, too. Michael and our neighbor ran to this man who could not get up and assisted him to his feet. Luckily, the snow helped cushion his fall and Michael and Brian held him up and got him inside safely. The next thing I know, I see my sweet husband and Brian shoveling our elderly neighbors driveway, walking path, and sidewalk. They were out there for quite some time.

During lunch the boys asked me why Daddy wasn't inside yet. What a great teaching moment! I told them how blessed I am to be married to a man who loves and serves others. I talked about how their Daddy is a man who has a kind heart and does things for other people because it's the right thing to do and it makes Jesus' heart happy. I pray that these are the images that cement in their little minds and hearts as they grow.

Anyway, have fun looking at our snow! It may be another few decades til we experience this again!!!

It's Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas...

I have a hum in my heart as the Christmas season approaches! I love this season. I love the traditions. I love the decorations. I love the colors. I love the smells. I love the cut-out cookies. I love it all!!!! Mostly, I love the meaning of the season, the celebration of God's greatest gift.

I have been wanting a new tree for years. Our ceilings are tall in our house and I've been wanting a 9 foot tree. Well, Garden Ridge was having the sale of the century and Mason and I came home with a 9 footer! Let the festivities begin!!!

We put on Christmas music and sang as we decorated the tree. We followed up with a cup of hot chocolate! Caleb kept saying, "Merry Christmas, Mommy. Merry Christmas, Mason!" The boys are really starting to enjoy and look forward to our family traditions this time of year. We have our annual trip to the Gaylord for pictures and a glimpse of Santa. (This is the first year they want to sit on his lap). We get the see the model trains set up and the life-size gingerbread house. We make Christmas cut-out cookies. We go look at lights. We read about the birth of Christ from Luke 2. We eat our traditional mock chicken legs and wake up to Santa's surprises under the tree. This year I hope to start the new tradition of lighting the Advent candles. I hope that this will further draw us closer to the significance of the season.

Oh, I must not forget my new favorite tradition to start of the season...Walmart on Black Friday at 3 am. What fun!!!!

Soccer Buddies!

Soccer season came to an end and I must admit, I was a little sad. This was the first year that the boys have ever participated in a team sport. We've always felt like parents that put their children in sports at a younger age do it for their enjoyment, not really because the child will develop skills that can't be developed later. That's another whole issue...

Anyway, we finally signed them up for soccer and they were the only kids on their team who had never played. It was good for the boys. We felt like they would benefit from teamwork (though they are twins and everything is about teamwork in our home), help them to build confidence, and encourage them socially before they head off to public school for the first time next year in first grade. All of these parental goals were accomplished and the boys had a great time!

The last game was really special for the boys. They got donuts from the coach and their first trophy! If you could have only seen the priceless look on their faces. They said, "It's like a Piston Cup!" If you've seen the movie, Cars, you'll know what they are referring to! When I walked in that night to turn out the overhead light, Caleb had his prized trophy cradled in his arms. Oh, sweet boy!!! Looks like we have a few more soccer seasons in our future!

Operation Christmas Child

We are always very excited when we find opportunities to serve others that our children can get involved in. In the past, one way we have done this by packing Thanksgiving Day baskets with all of the ingredients for a holiday meal for families in need. The boys helped me at the grocery store pick out all of the items we needed and eagerly filled the basket. Another opportunity that we've been a part of is Project Angel Tree, which the boys were able to participate in buying gifts for children whose parent(s) is in prison. This year, our Sunday school class and many within our church, have embraced Operation Shoe Box. It is a wonderful, wonderful ministry of Samaritan's Purse and gives Christmas gifts (that fit into a shoe box) to children around the globe. Included in the box, is not only a message from the boys, but the message of Christ. Each child gets a Bible in their own language. For many this is not only their first gift, it is the first time that they have heard about the gift of salvation through Christ.

We had fun at Walmart loading our boxes with toy cars, toy airplanes, balls, coloring books, crayons, balloon rockets, a shirt and some toiletries. It's amazing how much can fit in a box!!! We are excited because we were able to download an informational coloring sheet from their website that the twins got to fill out and color. They got to tell the recipient about themselves (where they live, what they like to do, their favorite foods, and why they love Jesus!). What a great way to personalize this gift for the giver as well as the receiver!!!

We hope that by participating in such things, we will teach our boys about love and giving. We pray that they will see beyond themselves in a culture that is so "me" driven. We pray that their eyes will be opened to God's grace in their lives. And I am humbled because so often I just think of these things around the holidays. I pray that we will continually be mission minded!

Trick or Treat...Smell My Feet!

We had a great time with the kids enjoying the beautiful fall evening and going door to door filling our pumpkins with yummy delights! Later, we filled our tummies with those delicious treats and Brady has found a new favorite food group...chocolate!

We enjoyed the fall festival at our church on Wednesday, a trunk or treat at a different church nearby on Friday, and our neighborhood festivities on Saturday. The boys had so much fun!!! Brady really seemed to get into the holiday spirit and ran up to each door with a smile on his face and quickly either held out his bucket or reached his fist out to grab the goods!!! The twins love picking out which treat they want to put in their lunch box each day! Oh, the joys of the weight gaining season have begun!