Decorating Christmas

For some reason, I only took one picture of us putting up Christmas decorations.  (Probably because I was so busy working.)

I thought this was soooo precious.  Faith fell asleep in the Christmas tree box.

Thanksgiving 2011

Every year on Thanksgiving Day, I give the kids a Christmas ornament.  Usually, something that represents something they did that year or their interest.

:Will & Collin got the same thing.:

The boys both started getting interested in guns this year when we went to Mississippi.

:Faith really loves Tinkerbell:

She fell in love with this little snow globe, so I bought it & turned it into an ornament with a little Gorilla glue & a hanger.

 *********************

 After we had a great meal at Tony's parent's house (didn't take pictures), we headed to our 4th Annual Turkey Bowl.  This year, the Boyle family joined us.

:"Tuukey" and the bowling balls:

 We had a great time bowling & fellowshiping.

 

7 kids + 4 adults bowling = a great time.

Will was the family winner of the Great Turkey Trophy this year.

The Nutcracker

Every year, we start off our Christmas with the Nutcracker.  Tony plays the trumpet for it & the kids love to see him in the pit.  

Our friends, Mrs. Laura, Whit & Addie joined us this year.

After the ballet, we met up with some of the ballerinas.

The Rochester Family - He Loves Me Like I Was His Only Child

My father has a great big family

And there are many children besides me

If you’re wondering how he divides His time

Just let me say, I never stand in line

He loves me like I was His only child.

I never felt so loved before

I could never ask for more

He loves me like I was His only child.

God really loves me, yes he really loves me

He loves me like I was His only child.

He never favors me above the rest

But I can’t help but feel that I am blessed

He treats me best I often say

But then all my Father’s children feel that way

He loves me like I was His only child.

I never felt so loved before

I could never ask for more

He loves me like I was His only child.

God really loves me, yes he really loves me

He loves me like I was His only child.

God really loves me, yes he really loves me

He loves me like I was His only child.

Youre Still God & Sweet Victory - McKameys

Youre Still God & Sweet Victory - McKameys

I thought that it would happen to anyone but me
I never dreamed that I would carry this heavy burden on my knees
I never thought that I'd be standing just where I stand today
I've never known this kind of heart break
I've never felt this kind of pain

You're still God when my eyes have cried a million tears
You're still God when my last hope has disappeared
You're still God and I know you'll make a way somehow
You're still God and you're  holding me right now

My heart cant find the answer  for the reason for this trial
and Lord I know your ways are perfect And You've been watching all the while
for to me You've proven faithful time and time again
and I'm learning Lord to trust You
even when I don’t understand

GA Aquarium & Johnny Rockets

We went to the Georgia Aquarium our last day in Atlanta.  We love ocean animals. 

Faith, Tony & Will (beside some strangers on the right) at the shark & sting ray petting pool.

 

 :Bonnethead shark:

Faith, Will & Collin petting sea urchins. 

:Puff fish:

:Collin & Faith in another petting pool:

 

:albino alligator:

 

:The kids at the huge aquarium.:

:Collin & the spotted sting ray.:

We were fascinated by this Beluga Whale.  They had 5, but only 2 were in this tank when we stopped by.  There were so many beautiful animals, but only a fraction of God's gorgeous ocean animal creation. As we were looking at some strange looking, beautiful, ugly, etc. animals, I was in awe by His creativity.  Sometimes I wondered why He made one look the way He did.  I am so excited to continue to get a glimpse at His handy work.

After our great time at the aquarium, we were walking back to our van & spotted Johnny Rockets.  It is a 50's style restaurant, so we decided to go in.

They gave us lots of nickels to play the juke box.  We all enjoyed the 50's music playing.

Me & the kids.

 

What A Friend We Have In Jesus - Mahalia Jackson

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Well there Is trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged— Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every care; Take everything to the Lord in prayer.

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,  Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise; Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I've proved Him o'er and o'er,
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.

O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me, 'Neath the healing, cleansing flood.

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.

Faith's First American Girl Doll

The excitement was building...... Faith could hardly stand it.  As we pulled up to the mall, it was raining ~ hard, but that didn't damper her excitement.  Tony let the kids & I out while he parked the car.  We were right outside the American Girl Doll store.  Faith wanted this to be a "girl thing", so we had to wait for Tony to get inside.  This was the most excited that I have ever seen Faith.  The wait was torchure.  Finally, Daddy came inside the mall.  After the boys took off, we headed into the store.  Right inside the door, Faith did a very slow 380 look around the store.  (I wish I had this on video, she was in awe.)

Then she spotted the doll that she had been wanting for months..... Kit.  She took off.  Watch out, people, this girl is on a mission.

 She pulled Kit off the shelf & just held onto the box.  She stood there looking into the circle cut out for quite awhile.  Now let me remind you there was a Kit doll in a glass box right above her, but the one in the box was hers.

She began taking pictures of everything she saw.

Then she began playing with everything that was set up.

 I'm not one for toilet pictures, but I thought this was too funny.  AG thought of everything...even a place to put your doll when you have to take care of business.

:

Faith & Kit:

After a wonderful time at AG, we met the guys for supper in the food court.

:Above is my favorite American Girl:

Faith & I went back to the AG store the next day to have our brunch.

:Faith & Kit:

Faith & Kit

We just love this little Bistro.

World of Coke

Faith wanted to use her birthday money to buy her first American Girl Doll.  So we decided to plan a family trip to Atlanta.  Our first stop, World of Coke. 

I was so excited when I found out that you could get free tickets from Coke Awards.  So we asked everyone we knew to save us their bottle tops, cardboard boxes, etc. from Coke. We were so blessed by so many people giving them to us.  When Tony played at his high school alumni game, the kids & I grabbed all the tops of the bottles that people left in the stands.  (Can you imagine what the clean up crew must have thought the next day.... why is every single Coke product drink topless?)  So thanks to many wonderful friends, family & hard work after a football game, we got all 5 tickets free.  Yay!

:Coke bottles from all over the world:

I loved watching my children as we entered the World of Coke.  There is a huge bottle hanging from a very high ceiling.  There is the sound of someone pouring Coke, then drinking it & the famous Ahhh.  My kids were mesmerized by this.  Then we decided to hit the bathrooms, which were gorgeous.  We could have left right then & the kids would have had a great time. :)

:Faith:

:Me, Faith, Coke Polar Bear & Collin:

:Collin at the "Coke" counter:

Will trying to write "Coca Cola" like on the bottle.

Will watching how they bottle Coke.

Let the tasting begin.

There were different Coke stations set up around the tasting room. Different Coke drinks from all around the world.  This was a lot of fun, but after tasting so many, we all felt pretty yuck.

When we enter the World of Coke, they told us that "Beverly" was the most talked about drink Coke had.  They don't tell you why that is.  Can you guess by Collin's expression?  After seeing this & Tony's expression I didn't taste it.  Tony said that it tasted like motor oil. 

This ended up being our Christmas Card.

Will wrote why I love Coke to put on the Wall of Fame.

Collin resting on the 2005 American Idol couch.

I just thought this was a charming picture.

They let you take home a souvenir Coke as you were exiting, which lead right into the gift shop. 

Leading into the Olympic Park.

The Cathedrals - "Sinner Saved by Grace" - 1993

If you could see What I once was
If u could go with me
Back to where I started from
Then, I know you would see
A miracle of Love that put me
in it's sweet embrace
and made me what I am today
just an old sinner Saved by grace

Im just a sinner Saved by grace
when I stood condemned to death
He took my place
Now I live and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
loved and forgivin backed with a living
I'm just a sinner Saved by grace

How could I boast on anything
I've ever seen or done
how could I dare to claim as mine
the victories GOD has won
where would I be
had GOD not brought me
gently to this place
I'm here to say I'm nothing but
a sinner Saved by grace

I'm just a sinner Saved by grace
when I stood condemned to death
He took my place
Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgivin backed with a living
I'm just a sinner Saved by grace

Now I grow and breathe in freedom
with each breath of life I take
I'm loved and forgivin backed with a living
I'm just a sinner Saved by grace
Saved by grace

Amazing Grace-Rochesters

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
  I have already come.
Tis Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS - Selah

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.


Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Carrie Underwood - How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder

Consider all The world Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout The universe displayed;

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

And when I think, That God, His Son not sparing;

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the Cross, My burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died To take away my sin.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, With shouts of acclamation,

And take me home, What joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow In humble adoration

And there proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Karate Kids & Celebrating Faith's 6th Birthday

The kids are doing a great job with their karate.  They are learning self control, respect, more about our Lord, as well as self defense through their classes.

Collin practicing his forms.

Will with Mr. Gerald working on his forms.

Mr. Gerald & Faith working on her blocks. 

After Karate, which happened to be on Faith's 6th birthday, we met Faith's best buddy, Jacob at Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate a little.

Jacob & Faith watching/playing a "scary" game.

Collin, Will, Faith & Jacob playing skeet ball.

Pizza!!!

(Don't know why it is sideways) Faith's family celebration.

Faith blowing out candles with Collin & cousin Nathan watching.

Waiting on cake.



Faith opening presents.