Piano Concerts and Winter Slam

We have had a busy but fun last few weeks!! The first slide show is of our Christmas tree hunting at Danville Farms. If you have never been... its a lot of fun. A tractor takes you out into the field to pick you tree, you can have hot chocolate and eat peanuts over an open fire pit! In years past, it has not been cold and we have faked pictures with hats and scarfs. I think 3 years ago it was 85 degrees and the boys were sweating but I made them wear hats for pictures. At least this year was around 55 degrees!!

This slide show also has the boys piano recital. Ethan has been taking piano from our favorite piano teacher in the whole world (shout out to the fantabulous Mrs. Charity!!) for 3 years and Isaac has taken for about6 months! They both love it but still need to practice more! Maybe that should be our New Year's Resolution!!

This past Thursday night, we took the boys to the Winter Slam Concert in Shreveport. There were 4 Christian artists; A new hip hop artist, B. Raith, Family Force Five, Relient K and of course TOBY MAC!!! The boys could barely contain themselves. We missed most of B. Raith's performance and got to our seats when FFF started. Now, my parents came with us to this one. I warned them before hand that is was going to be high energy!! They, however, could not in any way be prepared for FFF. They are a defiantely a 80's hair band!! Lots of noise, jumping around, throwing things and most definately lots of hair slinging! My dad was NOT impressed. Relient K was much better. But I think they actually enjoyed Toby Mac. He puts on a great show!! It is definitely a must see!! Poor Isaac though used up most of his energy during the first 2 performances and feel asleep in the middle of Toby Mac. We woke him up at the end when he performed Jesus Freak, his favorite!! Ethan on the other hand got his groove on and sang every word to every song. I think we may have a little hip hop artist in our midst :) All in all it was a very memorable concert and the boys already are asking when we can see Toby Mac again....

My Husband Rocks Friday

This space is not big enough to write all the of ways my husband rocks!! We have been married for 14 1/2 years. We dated for 4 years before that. So that adds up to almost 19 years together. That means we have already been together for more that half of our lives. I am looking forward to at least 4 times as many years in our future!!

God has been speaking so loudly to me in the past few weeks. I have never had this happen and it has been so wonderful. Circumstances in my life have brought me to my knees but have also opened my eyes to the abundant life that God has for me. I want to take nothing for granted; especially my husband!! I read an article in Today's Christian Woman that inspired me to look at my life with Steve differently. It made me realize that for so many years we had missed the point of why we are together. Not to individually meet each others needs but to work together to strengthen our lives together or our marriage. Here is a excerpt from the article....

"The idea I'll always remember from Wangerin's book was his suggestion that there are three entities in a marriage: the husband, the wife, and a new, holy creation—the marriage itself. Wangerin pointed out that as long as the focus is on whether each individuals needs are being met, the marriage will be filled with defensiveness and accusation. But if the focus is on what a couple can do to best serve the marriage, to deepen and widen it and help it flourish, then both partners can work unselfishly to that end."

This article made me realize that Steve and I have been trying to meet each other needs the way WE think they need to be met. That incorporates all of our insecurities, self-ambitions and flaws.

So, back to why My Husband Rocks!! Simply... he loves me unconditionally! I know that now and that makes me feel like an "eight cow wife" (if you don't know what I mean, read this, it really is a compliment!!) I now am getting a glimpse of how beautiful how life can be together!! He is showing me everyday how Christ loves the church!! Thank you Steve!! I love you with all my heart and want everyday to show you how much I need you!! My heart is forever yours!!!

I found this poem and thought I would share... I think it sums it up!!

A Husband...

A husband should be
Loyal and honest

A husband should be
Strong and protective

A husband should be
Loving and romantic

A husband should be
Patient and understanding

A husband should know
When enough is enough

A husband should know
When to fight and when to cry

A husband should know
all your goals and dreams

A husband should know
your strengths and well as your weaknesses

A husband needs to be a true man
A husband needs to love you unconditionally
But most of all...
A husband needs to know your heart is forever his!!!

"Whatever Your Doing" (Something Heavenly)

Have you ever read a verse in the bible that maybe you had read a hundred time before but this one time it really moves you? I have been reading God's word for the majority of my 34 years. Something that I have taken for granted. I know we all hear about men and women all over the world that die just to get a small copy of the book that sits on my shelf gathering dust!! I rarely have to say " Where is my bible" because if I can't find the one that I usually use, there are 4 or 5 more on the shelf to grab. I think I have been asleep or in at least in a daze for most of my life. I come from a multi-generational Christian family. That in it self is such a blessing! To feel secure that most of your extended family knows God and will spend eternity in heaven is very comforting. I think, though, sometimes you become complacent in that role. When you feel secure that those closest to you are not in need of salvation, you tend to forget what living and dying to Christ means. I don't think I have ever had to "sacrifice" for my faith. I don't think I have ever really felt God's love and grace in my life. Until recently...

God is real in my life. There is a peace there that has never been before. I couldn't say that a month ago. Our God is a truly amazing God. He takes you to exactly the places you need to go and will pursue you unto the ends of the earth. God has really spoken to me over the last couple of weeks. He has opened my heart to a brand new kind of love. I think for the first time in my life, I can feel God's presence and definitely His love. I am so thankful that He can bring you to your knees!! He takes what you give Him on the chin and gets right back up and wraps his arms around you. There is no running away from Him. GRACE!! I love that word!! It means so much to me!! I feel so honored to be able to say that I have experienced grace in a profound way!! My God is real to me and I LOVE Him!!! I don't want to take anything for granted now!! My God, my family, my friends, my church!! I love them all!!

I want to share the verse that has struck such a chord with me.. I pray that it blesses you as well!!

Psalm 119:129

"Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant;
longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.

Blah...Blah...Blah...

That's how I have been feeling lately..

I know that I haven't shared any insight into our lives lately. My life has been total chaos for the past week or so. Last Wednesday I started feeling really badly and went down hill fast. By Sunday I knew something was wrong and had my dad (yes, he's a vet but has all of the same tests as regular doctors but they are free to me:) ran a few tests and found out that I had an infection. So, I started antibiotics and only started feeling better on Tuesday morning. In the meantime, we had bible studies, small group, Halloween, AWANA and the boys birthday party. Thankfully, I was able to forgo some of the activities for some couch time but there is never much rest for mom!! I also stayed up late watching the election and had to drag myself out of bed Wednesday morning and take the sweet snack to ELO. Needless to say, I came home yesterday after ELO, after missing our weekly lunch date :(, and collapsed on the couch for a long needed nap... God has blessed me with some amazing boys that entertain themselves while I rest. I think all of the new birthday presents that they were able to open and play with helped too.

All this to say, Thursday is looking better. I feel better. Got a good night's rest and have to look forward to a not too busy weekend!!

In typical Laura fashion however...I am nothing if not predictable and dependable... I leave you with a slideshow of the boys birthday party. I know some of you are saying " Why are you having a birthday party for your boys in November when neither of your boys birthdays are actually in November. Well, we totally missed Isaac's birthday in June and Ethan's snuck up on us b/c of mom's surgery and other craziness so we decided to join up with the Akin's and have triple party. So, Andrew, Ethan and Isaac had a party at The ROC at First Baptist. There was pool, Foosball, a bounce house, scooters, a whole gym to run and play ball and thanks to Aimee's super awesome and creative mom, a exploding volcano cake. It was a lot of fun and there was a lot of craziness. Both of the boys said it was the best birthday EVER!! So, thanks Aimee for taking up the slack for me while I was down and making this party so fun!!

So without further ado....

Trick or Treating

This year we decided to forgo the traditional "Fall Fest" Halloween and actually get candy the old school way!! Some friends of ours live in a great neighborhood for door to door trick or treating. The filled up their trailer with hay bales, hooked it up to their truck and took the kids door to door. We had a great time! The kids loved it and are already looking forward to next year!!