Kate and Her Bike!

Tuesday night I asked Kate if she had any desire to learn to ride her bike with no training wheels.  I assumed she would reply with the standard "no" - I've been asking her for about a year. . . Well, to my surprise she said "yes" and jumped right on.  One try and she's a pro.  Not a single fall - and it's probably a good thing because I have no doubt if she had fallen she would never have tried again!  Jill and I have often thought Kate would be the only 9th grader who still had training wheels - she usually isn't all that excited about trying new things, especially if it involves possible bodily harm!

Check out this video taken from my iPhone below:

The Girls

Ecclesiastes 4

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor;

if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help him up."

Dinner with amazing friends tonight. As we were eating I was reflecting on how we have grown together, laughed together, watched our children grow, and experienced life together. We've been through some pretty rough patches and seen god do some amazing things. I see people around us who do not have the kind of deep, meaningful friendships we do and am grateful for the blessing of amazing friends.

Jill and I are dealing with some major life issues right now and knowing there are people interceding on our behalf is comforting. Knowing there is a friend to turn to for help, prayer, advice, and counsel is something to treasure.

I pray Blake and Kate will know the same kind of friendships we have experienced in Amarillo, Texas. Seven years ago when we moved here I never would have imagined what an amazing ride it would be and how content, blessed, and loved we would feel.

Some of my favorite pics with some of the most amazing people I will ever know:

  

Family

As I was looking back over the pics I've posted, I cant help the feeling of gratitude and blessing. I'm amazed by the goodness of our God. Visiting my grandmither's home at Christmas is always a crazy event - thirty people in a 12x12 living room - you can imagine the logistics! Children everywhere, gifts take up more space than people. Needing to scream just to be heard...

I wouldn't trade it.

For some reason it doesn't matter how much time passes between our gatherings - one month or one year, we always pick upright where we left off. Family. Unconditional love and acceptance. Thank you, God, for an amazing wife, two beautiful and amazing children, and a legacy of love and faith from my family.

Christmas @ MawMaw's

Christmas with Nan and G-Daddy

More of My Pics. . .

Out our front door this morning.

Beautiful Children

Dinner with Friends

Last night we had a great dinner with some amazing people.  Here's the view off their back porch. . . 

James 1:17

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Christmas Pic Rejects

Um. . . so taking great pics of your kiddos for Christmas Cards is harder than it looks.  Gives me a new respect for professional photographers!  Check out these "Christmas-Card-Rejects."

A New Hobby For Me . . .

So, after more than 10 years of marriage, I decided it was time for a hobby.  Bought my first DSLR camera, and here are some of the pics. . . .

Cadillac Ranch - Amarillo, Texas

Tree in my front yard