Return of the Rack(leys)

We had a little visit with our sweet friends, the Rackleys, about a week and a half ago. Well, some of the Rackleys anyway. They were just in for a quick, impromptu visit with family and friends, and we were so blessed to be on their list of must-stops. 

Kelly and I went shopping for a bit together, as I had a couple of extra OCC shoe boxes to fill after the church's packing party. While we were away, Melissa took some pictures of the shenanigans.

The Rackleys are the best!

We can't wait for them to come home for Christmas before their big move to Africa. As of right now, however, they do not have enough money to get there. Would you prayerfully consider making a donation to help them fulfill God's calling on them to do missionary work in Uganda? If so, please visit SuubiFamily.com to find out how you can help and to see what all they're doing to advance God's kingdom right here in the U.S.!

Project 365: Week 48

Sunday, November 21, 2010

The kids were called up to the front this morning in church to answer some Thanksgiving trivia questions. The reward was a baggie of homemade popcorn. (Made by my friend, so it was the good, healthy stuff. Yay!) Atticus couldn't be left out (of course), so he toddled up there, too, and even talked in the mic!

Monday, November 22, 2010

Three boys and a box of LEGOs.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

This morning we were showing our house, so I took the kids out for breakfast and then we went to a local beauty school my friend Krista recommended to have the boys' hair cut. Atticus sat sooooo still. He was doing such a good job...

...but this is how he really felt inside. Awww...

Gabe was a perfect angel the whole time! I was so proud of him.

Noah sits still (and doesn't fight getting a cut) for one thing and one thing only. Video games.

Saylor decided to practice her photography during this time.

Gotta admire her perspective!

There now. That's a little better. (And, don't worry, that scowl doesn't phase me one bit.)

And then some neighbors who moved back in the summer dropped by unexpectedly to play for about an hour. You may remember they did this once before. (We love it!)

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Someone's hijacked my camera.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Day

The cousins had a great time together.

I've never, ever tasted a better coconut pie than the one my mom makes. Let it be said, I had several slices during my visit back home. ;)

This is my cousin's little boy, my aunt, and my great aunt and uncle. All the now-grown cousins (myself included) were at the table playing Monopoly until all hours. Fun!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Leftovers and laughter

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Home at last. Ahhhhhh...How can I go wrong here?

 

Okay. I'm getting later and later at getting this post up. It's just so busy lately, and I'm just so unfocused, it seems. There's not much time for blogging or reading, which sort of has me looking forward to the quiet of winter. I'm really going to try HARD to stop by Sara's and visit all the links there. Really.

Project 365: Week 47

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Daddy had another business trip. He left to catch his flight to Dallas a little before dinner time. It's so hard to see him leave again.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Today I was feeling the need to rein in all my little ones. Sometimes I feel like we disperse and spread out too much and there's no sense of family in our day. So I decided to create a sort of "One-Room Schoolhouse." I barricaded the doorways with whatever I could find, and we all stayed in the kitchen from breakfast until nap time. (I even stocked the kitchen with diaper changing supplies, house shoes, toys, and anything else I thought we might need at some point that could potentially cause someone to need to leave.) After a few forgetful episodes, we all settled in and remembered to be content with what was in the kitchen. Even Atticus. If he dropped a toy car over the bench, he'd crawl under to get it and then back right back into the kitchen without being told.

It was challenging, but I'm so glad we did it. I would have missed this, otherwise:

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Today we showed the house again. The kids and I drove to the neighborhood playground to wait, but it was wet. So we listened to another several chapters of Beezus and Ramona. We all enjoy the Beverly Cleary books. And the audiobook versions, read by Stockard Channing, are especially wonderful. I highly recommend!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

We did another "One-Room Schoolhouse" thing again this morning, during which we needed to determine how much money we were able to save for My Passport to India. Gabriel sorted the coins.

And then Noah counted the money.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

My very spontaneous husband came home early today so we could drive to Fayetteville for a Razorback basketball exhibition game. (We had free tickets.) It was a bit of a long trip and a late return, but all-in-all it was a fun time.

Atticus showed his team spirit, though he hasn't learned to call the Hogs yet. (Disappointing, isn't it?)

Friday, November 19, 2010

Today we had a little field trip to a local elementary school where our church has been volunteering for lots of different things. I find it hard to help out due to the fact that I have my own children I'm trying to take care of, but today we were serving the teachers a Thanksgiving lunch. So the kids and I brought a big sweet potato casserole. That's something I can do. We were looking around a bit, peeking into classrooms and such, when these two adorable little girls walked by holding hands and asked me to take their picture. What?! You want your picture taken?! Gladly!!

Later that day Noah took a box full of food down to a neighbor's house, where they were collecting donations for holiday meal supplies for the community.

He loves the four boys who live there. And I love that he gets to go be rough with someone. He needs that.

And then, we had the privilege to have dinner, dessert, and lots of fun with our precious, long-lost friends.

This is some sort of battlefield.

Flashlights were a major theme of the evening.

And Saylor got her hair and nails done by the big girl in the background.

Atticus did some relaxing.

Gabe wanted to "hold her," even though she's not a baby and is only a year younger than he is.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Today we helped our church pack over 240 Operation  Christmas Child shoe boxes.

My week wore me slap out. Especially the weekend. Man! Hence the late posting at Sara's. I have a feeling this week will be much the same. But I'm so looking forward to being with family. What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Thanksmas

Quick! Hurry over here to see what our family has been learning about India. BE SURE not to miss the tabs just beneath the video window (I almost did!!!), because there's a wealth of information and family resources there. But you really must hurry, because what I REALLY want you to do is make a quick, one-time online donation. It's completely easy and secure, and Sonlight Curriculum will match your donation (up to $167,000)! The deadline has been extended until today (Friday) at noon. So, see? You really must hurry!!! 

See for yourself the impact Children's Bible Clubs are having to God's glory in India. God is doing some great and mighty things there! One dollar is all it takes to send a child to a Club. And Mission India is a great ministry!! But whether you donate or not, I sincerely hope you will visit the site at My Passport to India to do a little discovery of your own. Be sure to include your kids. There are many beautiful, beautiful souls being won there...

In other news, the kids and I are finishing up our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes to be dropped off this weekend. I think it's becoming my favorite part about Christmastime!! Maybe it's because I luuuurrrv (That's for you, HB!) buying itty-bitty gifts and then squooshing them into a shoe box; maybe it's because I've seen the videos of the precious, joyous children receiving their boxes; or maybe it's because God is getting bigger in me and making me less............well.............me. (I'm praying it's the latter.)

And tomorrow afternoon we'll be joining up with our neighbors to gather boxes full of Thanksgiving foods which will go to families here in Little Rock in need of a holiday meal. Giving really does bring joy.

What things do you like to do this time of year to share Christ's love to those in need?