What Saturdays in October Mean

GO JENKS MAROON!!!

Is a Mama Allowed to Brag?

No, you say? No braggin allowed? It's not God's way? Ok, well, then I won't tell you that in Kami's 3rd XC meet, (DON'T READ THIS>) she finished 5th of 162 girls!!! Nope, I'm keeping that one all to myself. I warned you!I also won't tell you Kami is fitting right in her new school, new surroundings, like a runner's foot in a cross country shoe. Naaaaa, you don't need to know that.And most certainly, I cannot say that Kami's XC Middle School Girls' Team WON THEIR ENTIRE DIVISION! (Watch out Trojan fans, may not want to read any further>) Beating Jenks, Union and Broken Arrow! Way to go Patriots! Should I say that I am becoming more and more at peace with how God has led Kami to her new school, her new friends, her new teammates? Should I say that this is definitely the right decision for her? Maybe I'm not quite ready for that but growing closer by the day. And finally, should i give God the glory for each and every one of my little braggin' moments, (every good and perfect gift is from above) worship Him for my moments of peace and thankfulness and just fall on my knees in dependence on Him for each and every moment? Yep, I think I'll do that.
To God be the glory great things He has done. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!

Shameless Rivalry

Jenks vs. Union is one of the most fierce rivalries around these parts. And that includes third grade football. Today, Jenks Maroon went head to head with Union Black.

Luke is playing up (he is in 2nd grade) and landed on an awesome team!
JENKS MAROON ROCKS!

Luke carrying the ball! Go Luke James!

VICTORY!!! Shut out!!! I won't lie, it feels fantastic to beat Union!

Magnificent Manhattan

Riding on the Top of a Double Decker Tour Bus...

in Manhattan.....

one sees all sorts of things...

the Flatiron building.... always an eyecatcher....

Stop lights (or go lights) whiz inches away from the head....

and buildings that fade into clouds....



the random Sponge Bob on the square....



a ride of interesting sights everywhere....

Brownstone

I have hundreds of new pictures just begging to be published, but I decided, just like my life (one hour at a time), I'm going to post, one slice of an event at a time.

Last weekend, Kami and I and mom and dad traveled to New York for Kami's 13th birthday. Yes, New York City!!! Specifically, we stayed in Brooklyn, NY at my cousin Kristina's very authentic and lovely brownstone apartment (built in late 1800's; worth 1.5 million - rent, no telling how high). I've been to NY twice before, but both times I stayed in very cushy, comfy, lap-of-luxury hotels.

So I was kind of wondering (dreading) about how it was going to be with 7 large people in one small apartment. It couldn't have been better. Not only are those brownstones amazingly quaint, but Kristina has a knack of making things in her apartment feel "happy" as she puts it. I just wanted to share this sweet spot... Kristina and Gael (the dashing Frenchman), we loved every minute... thanks for hosting. :)

More NY to come....

Running

Life has been fast and furious for our family lately.
We've been putting in some serious miles and navigating some new terrain.

What am I referring to specifically?
Thanks for asking!
Well, let me tell ya....

In May, I decided to pursue a particular full time job. Just one little thing, I needed to take 12 hours in one summer to be properly certified. So, with my family's support, I buried myself in a pile of books, tests and papers and completed the necessary requirments (all A's I must add - to God be the glory. With all sincerity, I say it was God and God alone who orchestrated this opportunity and made it possible for me to complete it). In late July, the job was mine and I had a few short days to ready my classroom and prepare my mind to teach 5th grade Language Arts.
Besides the fact that Ellie and Luke both moved schools within our district, in June, we also made the decision to transfer Kami Rae to a private school. Putting your child in a private school is like a mini-marathon in itself.... exciting yet demanding.... all new friends, procedures, uniforms, expectations, and I could go on and on. Hard stuff, but good stuff. Kinda like a good, long, run down Riverside. Along with taking on a new school, Kami decided to take on a new sport, cross country. She started in July, running in 100+ degree weather at noon. It was brutal. Just driving over there in the heat (some days were over 110!) was horrendously hot, but running in it? Half-way crazy.

But that's how it's been around here since May. A little crazy. A little heavy. A little tough. And a lot blessed. I really love my job... demanding as though it is. Ellie and Luke are adjusting well. Metro Christian Academy is a good fit for Kami, and the running.... well, the running has been amazing.... here is Kami in her second cross country meet.


But first let me tell you about her first meet a couple weekends ago. None of us had even been to a XC meet before, much less run in one. So our expectations were low but hearts were pounding as we watched our baby run around the corner towards the finish line in third place! And then in the meet above, she triumphed in a close second place, despite a week of sickness and not regular practice. Wowzers! Go Kami Rae!

Even though the feeling of running is raw, exhausting - every cell of your body seems to be in use - it is always an exhilirating feeling afterward. And that is what I keep coming back to... as our family runs together, I pray Hebrews 12: 1-2....."Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

100

On my Granny Ida's 100th birthday, 100 ways I can be more like her.
(I sure do miss you Gran!)

1. Everytime someone walks in my door, give them something to eat or drink.
2. Laugh at myself.
3. Remember every one of my loved ones' birthdays. Every year.
4. Make everyone I know feel like they are the most special person in the world, because they are.
5. Play dominos with friends and family at my kitchen table.
6. Put my hope in the Lord.
7. Age gracefully.
8. Feed the birds.
9. Practice what the said was her mission in life: "I was put on this earth to take care of others."
10. Love my neighbor as myself.
11. Pray in the day, pray in the night.
12. Pray Psalm 91 for those I love.
13. Take pictures of everyone, lots of pictures.
14. Eat small portions.
15. Never say a negative word about anyone.
16. Focus more on making my home welcoming than making it perfect.
17. Allow kids to make mudpies in my backyard.
18. Keep my promises.
19. Love unconditionally; love the unlovable.
20. Crack jokes just to lighten the mood.
21. Even through the toughest of times, believe that God is near.
22. Make my bed everyday.
23. Plant a garden.
24. Learn to make a sumptious pot of brown beans.
25. Live by old fashioned values.
26. Hold on to stories from my past and share them with others.
27. Each and every day of my life, look at is as a day that the Lord may return.
28. Fill my house with pictures of loved ones.
29. Fill my heart with the word of God.
30. God first, with family a close second.
31. Be the magnet that pulls my family together.
32. Plant flowers from seed.
33. Delight in God's creation.
34. Flash my smile.
35. Laugh with those who laugh.
36. Weep with those who weep.
37. Let there never be a number of people that is too great to come into my house.
38. Be humble.
39. Trust in the Lord with all my heart.
40. Make my house a really fun place for kids to be.
41. Say "I love you" often and with tenderness.
42. Bless the name of Jesus.
43. Hem people's clothes for them and make quilts to keep people warm.
44. Never, ever complain.
45. Have an open door.
46. Don't get upset when things get broken.
47. Never be too busy for friends and family.
48. Take care of an abandoned animal that needs some TLC.
49. Go to church on Sundays.
50. Tithe.
51. Never get tired of serving.
52. Be thankful for what I have, don't covet what others have and be content with my lot in life.
53. Drink milk.
54. Perpetuate tradition.
55. Put things on my head just to make others laugh.
56. Work with my hands and love with my heart.
57. Let bitterness have absolutely NO place in my life.
58. Be joyful in all things.
59. Recognize the great things that God has done for me and be grateful.
60. Never think I'm too good for anyone.
61. Give to those in need, even when I don't have much.
62. Give my loved ones memorable nicknames.
63. Radiate peace.
64. Think about heaven far more than I do about earth.
65. If you are my friend, you may as well be family.
66. Find the humor in life and don't let go of it.
67. Never say an unkind word to my spouse.
68. Live with the belief that to live is to die and to die is gain.
69. Love and sing old hymns, loudly. Even when my hearing goes. Let it rip!
70. Call loved ones on their birthdays and leave them long messages.
71. Sing until I can sing no more.
72. Teach my kids and grandkids to sew and cook.
73. Treat every possession with great care.
74. Wash dishes by hand.
75. Don't forget to water my indoor plants.
76. Be a cheerful housekeeper.
77. Be obedient to God's call and never, ever, feel sorry for myself.
78. When in doubt, bake a cake.
79. When people think they are coming to encourage me, encourage them more.
80. Don't get caught up in the cares of this world.
81. See Jesus in others.
82. Love, love, love the little children.
83. Support my pastor.
84. Live by the words of "How Great Thou Art."
85. Work tirelessly.
86. Even in loss, bless the name of God.
87. Say "hey Lord! I can't make it through this day without ya!"
88. Shine your faith to everyone you know.
89. Epitomize inner beauty.
90. Have mercy on others.
91. Have NO FEAR. Of anything, for God is watching over me.
92. Accept the jobs that God has given me.
93. Humor is the best medicine.
94. Feed the masses.
95. Give thanks, 24/7.
96. Worship the Lord with my life.
97. When hurting, just say... "joy and peace."
98. Embrace each and every day on earth, but look forward to heaven.
99. Make the years count.
100. Live to be a healthy and vibrant 99 years.

Another FAB Fourth

Traditions are hard to beat, and being with family for the Fourth of July at Southern Hills is definitely a FAB tradition. We have gone out there with my sister since the kids were babies and haven't missed a year. The Hankins children have become deluded that WE are the members at Southern Hills. LOL, that is not the case. However, we are grateful for generous family members and FABULOUS nights like this one. Celebrating Independence!

Celebrating Early!

Kami turns THIRTEEN on Wednesday! We have already started celebrating! Here is our family get together last night. I got a few of Kami and the camera-magnet, Maggie.