T-Ball Party

Tuesday night, we were finally able to get together to have our T-ball party.
Coach Jay and Colton...

Colton's first trophy...

The team...(some are missing)

VBS 2011

This year, we decided to do a one- day VBS.  We had it this past Saturday and it was GREAT!  The kids seemed to really enjoy it!  We had a Bible Boot Camp and the kids rotated around in stations by age.  My lesson was on the Armor of God. 
Billy was our Drill Sgt.

Jonathan was our Song Sgt.

The classes...

Crafts...

Marching to "I don't know, but I've been told..." chants

Nick as Bible Bill...with his New Testaments in his holsters! 

This is something I grew up having at church during VBS week-Bible Bill.  I always loved it and it was one of the most exciting things I remember about VBS.  Bible Bill interrupts and challenges a child to a duel to find a Scripture first.  All during the week, Bible Bill wins because he is the best.  But at the end of the week, Bible Bill is defeated by a child.  Of course, we had to do a shorter version since we just had one day.  The kids loved it and I already heard the kids talking about how they were going to practice finding verses so they can beat Bible Bill next time.  Nick did a great job and played it up really well! 

Bible Bill challenges Thomas

Snack Time...

At the end of VBS...Bible Bill challenges Macy....

Macy searching...

Macy reading the correct Scripture...

The death of Bible Bill

Afterwards we went to the Kiddie Carnival and ate and played.  We definitely think the one-day VBS was the way to go!  It was a big success!

Catching Up

Cana has learned to ride her bike without training wheels!  She hasn't been on her bike much this summer.  We got it out last week and challenged her to take off the training wheels.  She said she would try.  Chad helped her for about 5 minutes and she took off.  We knew the bike was small enough that she could put her feet down if she needed to.  Now, she is riding in the driveway and all around and is able to start/stop by herself.  She is doing great!


Practicing...

All by herself...

Chad explaining the proper technique of balancing body weight...

This was our dog for ummm...about 5 days.  I was mowing the yard last week and a dog came out from under Chad's truck.  First, I thought it was a coyote.  Ha!  He looked really skinny, so I fed him some leftover dog treats we had from Sadie and gave him some water.  He continued to stay around.  On July 4th, we had finally decided to keep him and so we cleaned him up really good and the kids had already named him Jake.  Well, when we got home from the 4th festivities...he was gone.  We left the food and water out, but he hasn't come back.  Too bad...Chad and I both thought he would have made a good dog.  I guess he's just a wanderer.

For the 4th of July we went to Moulton to my aunt's house and the kids got to swim.  Daddy, Wesley, and I went up to my grandparents house and visited with them since my Pappaw isn't doing too well right now.  Then we went to Mt. Hope to visit with my Pappaw Fischer and the family.  This is my Mom with my Uncle Stevie.

Cana playing "Miss Ma-ry Mac, Mac, Mac..." with Chad

And Chad participated in the corn toss game...

Cana and Clay playing each other with their DS's...

Jacob getting some advice from Pappaw...

My cousin Carrie's daughter, Megan... and my cousin Amy's daughter Hannah...

My Pappaw...

This next picture explains it all.  Pappaw Fischer and family basically put on the fireworks show for the Mt. Hope community.  People stop across the street in the church parking lot to watch our fireworks.  The back of this truck shows the dedication we have to putting on a great show! 

One side of the audience...

Amy and Carrie...

Today

Today I Will Make a Difference




Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.



I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.



I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.



I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.



Today I will make a difference.



From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)


Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002) Max Lucado