My brother, Kyle, graduated from Texas State University with an engineering degree. We are so proud of him!! His niece and nephew were excited to see him and their Aunt Justine. Justine is currently Caleb's best friend. So cute!
Caleb was more interested in the storm drain than anything else!
After the ceremony we went to eat and then to Kyle and Justine's apartment in San Marcos and had our quick family Christmas before the parents headed off to the mountains to go skiing.
This year we spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family in the hill country. This is a picture of my mom, "Nana", with Caleb and Maylea in front of my Aunt Becky's home. We love our Nana soooo much!
I find it so funny how guys take pride in their injuries, especially if they come during an act of "toughness." My wonderful husband is among most men who feel this way. He thinks scars add character! :) Late one evening last month he showed up at home looking like this. Come to find out he did try to call me as he was waiting to see the doctor but couldn't get a hold of me. So here is how Josh's exciting new "character builder" occurred: He was playing football with a group of guys from our church. They were playing around after the game was over and Johnny had the ball. Josh started to tackle him while he began to throw the ball when Johnny's skinny elbow came back and hit Josh's face. The End. Here's the funny part to me. Being all boys, they continued to play until Johnny noticed Josh was bleeding pretty bad and the cut was deep. So then all the guys left to go to other engagements and Josh drove himself to the hospital, bloody eye and all, checked himself into the ER, and had stitches put in! If this would have happened to a group of girls, the entire group would have canceled whatever else they had going on and would have carpooled to the hospital together for the moral support. I guess going alone adds to the manliness of the whole situation.
This is the group of students I am so privileged to spend time with at our church, Grace Outreach Center. They are college-aged students in a program we have called Leadership Master's Commission. These students spend 9 months at our church traveling around the country putting on services at other churches, serving in our church, memorizing scripture, taking college courses via coorespondance, praying until they are blue in the face, loving on children, youth, adults, and each other, being discipled in the areas of leadership and ministry, and doing their best to be faithful in where God is leading them in the present and for their futures. I love these students and am so excited to see how God grows and changes them for his glory during their time here. Over Halloween weekend we were able to go camping together. It was our version of "roughing it" with my wonderful in-laws house about a 1/2 mile from our camp grounds. I'm glad to say though I love "roughing it" I also love going to the bathroom in doors and having coffee ready for me in the morning! We had a great time.
My adopted brother-in-law, Brian Spruell-Hargrove
Christina and her torch, made from a stick and a t-shirt
Sweet, singin' Kayla
Look closely...Christopher is in that tree!
James and Adam
Josh's cousin, Christopher, who is also an LMC student
Ashley, Helena, and Jesse
Pastor Jessie cooking breakfast
This year our Halloween play group was at Celena and Kennedy's house. The whole crazy crowd showed up and we all had a blast! The kids decorated pumpkins with sticker, etc. and we collected food and put it all in paper bags decorated by our kids. The kids filled the bags and we took them to the local food pantry. One of the moms came up with this great idea and I learned that even at 3 years old our little ones can learn about giving and serving. Our little flower and mighty Superman have so much fun with their friends. They are all such a blessing to us!
Caleb's best bud, Ryan, turned 3 this October and had a pirate party! Check out the awesome pirate ship Ryan's daddy, Scott, built for the party! The kids had so much fun.
