2010

I realized this morning that another year has passed ... our family has enjoyed an eventful year and we treasured each minute!

Without a doubt, every child changes in a year's time. It seems to me that in some years they change more than others. This year was a "more" year for our Girlie. Our baby girl is a baby no longer and we are learning to encourage her to grow into a life that will, in many ways, be all her own someday. We are realizing that is an art to truly teach your children to fly while still being oh so afraid that someday, they will do just that. What will the teachers do when the student has flown away? We aren't sure yet. However, we are certain of one thing. We know that in the training years, we will be as present as we can while preparing our nest to launch a beautiful, intelligent, confident and Godly young woman.

Allie's journey this year included big milestones. She learned to snap her fingers and tie her shoes. She lost her first tooth and entered Kindergarten. She played on her first soccer team and transformed from a 100% tomboy to a little girl who loves her American Girl play-dates and pedicures with Mom but still gets excited about a Wii or science project date with her Daddy.

As for us, our most sacred moment this year was the celebration of 10th wedding anniversary! We managed to steal away to Maui in October and it was a lovely time together... just the two of us. As we walked the trail below each morning, we quietly renewed our promise to always love one another even when love means learning to walk hand in hand on unknown paths and through changing seasons.

Despite a demanding life at home and work, we found time to travel as a family. Some of our stops were Hershey, PA, Washington DC and San Francisco, CA. Of course, our most enjoyable journeys included the time that we spent in Arkansas and Texas with our precious family and friends. One of my favorite pictures during these trips is below... I loved how confidently Allie walked the halls of one our Country's most admired universities. She had no fear or concern that someone might tell her she shouldn't be there - she just enjoyed the beautiful California day. I pray she maintains this confidence in her life - no matter where her feet carry her!

(Allie - Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA - 2010)

As we conclude this year, our family is renewing the understanding that life is a journey we must all walk and if we do so together, it is much more effective, meaningful and full. We offer praise to our God for allowing us each breath that we took in 2010. We pray that He allows us many more days in 2011 and if He does, we vow to use them wisely and never take one moment for granted.

As for our house, we look forward to serving our God wholly and completely in 2011!

~ Joshua 24:15

Kindergarten = A New Beginning

Today our baby girl entered a new season in her life... "school." Sure, she went to pre-school, but in my heart I always knew that this was an optional part of her life. I knew pre-school wasn't the "real thing." As long as she was in pre-school, she was still a baby and if she was still a baby, she wasn't "growing up" just yet. Alas, despite my wishes, we walked her down the halls of Elementary school this morning and realized that a new season has begun. We are embarking with her on a new stretch of her life's journey and, as her parents, we will commit to doing our job - we will begin preparing her to face this world on her own.

Be assured, while we have sentiment, we are so very happy for Allie. Jerit and I live in awe of this Girl we have been entrusted to raise and are honored to be her parents. As we walk alongside her, helping her prepare for this life God created her to live, our prayer is that, above all, she allows God to guide her decisions and guard her heart. She will learn much during this season in her life and years from now, God willing, Jerit & I will sit hand in hand and watch her grace a high school graduation stage. And, just like we were today, we will hold back our tears and CHEER HER ON!

A Few More... from last week's backyard fun!

We purchased the pool last week... so, here are a few pictures from our fun last Sunday!!

Backyard Fun!

If you live in Dallas, you can relate to the HOT temperatures we have been enduring! We do not have a pool at our home but we both have fond memories of the little plastic pools our parents provided when we were kids... so, we thought there could be nothing more fun than buying one from Wal-Mart and putting it at the bottom of Allie's slide! Have no fear, we took great safety precautions!!!

Allie's Last Day of Pre-School

Hi Everyone!

Most of you know by now that a little school here in town has grown to be one of Allie's favorite places... Creme de la Creme preschool has exceeded our expectations as they provided our daughter with an exceptional preschool experience. Here are a few pictures of Allie a few days after she began the program and then a few pictures just before she left this morning for her last day. Most of today's pictures include some pretty "classic" Allie Bug faces! :)

Kindergarten, here we come!! :)

Haylee

Congrats Jenny!!

My Sister, Jenny, graduated from dental hygiene school this past weekend and the entire side of my family traveled to Colorado to celebrate! It is rare that my Parents have all four of their children and two grandchildren together at the same time. It was difficult to get everyone looking the same direction and all eyes open simultaneously! We did our best, though, and it was certainly a blessing to have our entire family together!

"Nanna" (My Mom) and her two grand daughters (with one, the gal who belongs to me, acting very silly)!

"Nanna," Allie Bug, Maliah (my niece) and Kaleb (my "baby" brother)

"PaPa Dale" (My Dad) and Maliah (My ADORABLE Niece!!)

"Nanna" and all of her girls!

"Nanna" and all of her children... but, with a classic "look" aimed toward my lil' Brother! :)

Aunt Jenny, Allie Bug, Aunt Tabby and sweet Maliah Girl!

My Sister, Jenny, and her husband, Kole

My sweet Girlie!!

Easter Sunday

Our family had such a nice Easter weekend! There are few moments in life when everyone slows down just for a bit - loved ones gather, churches fill with families and Believers offer specific honor to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We enjoyed a great weekend here at our home! Jerit's Dad, Gene, came for a visit on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Then, we had a wonderful Sunday morning together at church followed by lunch with great friends! Our day was wrapped by quiet afternoon naps and a phone visit with my Grandmother.

I hope that everyone enjoyed the weekend with your families but, primarily, we pray that each of you paused to offer thanksgiving for our Savior!