Christmas Memories 2010

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

(Luke 2:13-18)

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This Christmas has left me a bit more reflective than others of the past. Perhaps it is because Marty and I are in prayer about several big decisions for our future as a family. Maybe it is because this year, our children seem especially big. In any case, I have been finding myself living in the moment more this Christmas than ever before.

I wonder what life will look like this time next year...if all we hope for will come to pass, or if life will take unplanned twists and turns as it often does. It was much the same as how Mary, the mother of Christ, might have felt on that divine night so long ago. We are told she treasured up memories and stored them in her heart. This Christmas, I have been reminded over and over again to do the same.

Merry Christmas! May the memories of this Christmas warm your heart.

Gingerbread Fun 2010

The kids were so excited when they woke up this morning because our Christmas elves had brought us a Gingerbread House kit. Since Besty is a baker at the North Pole and Penny is a candy maker, we are pretty sure it was all hand-made. ;) It was so much decorating our house this afternoon. And we think it is our best Gingerbread House yet.

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Christmas Journey 2010

This year our family participated in The Christmas Journey at First Baptist Church of McKinney. It is a drive-thru depiction and reinactment of the life of Christ from the manger to the resurrection. Our family was part of the teaching and healing scene set in Jeruselum. That particular scene summarizes the ministry of Jesus during his short time on Earth and includes several of the miracles perfomed by Christ.


In this picture, Marty is a disciple speaking with Christ in Jeruselum.




In the photo above, you see me on the far left standing next to a pillar. Lily is sitting to the left of the man acting as Jesus and Sofie is the child on his lap.Lily and Sofie also got to take turns pretending to be "the girl who is risen from the dead". They loved being part of the excitement of the scene! It is really quite powerful and dramatic.



Since I didn't have my camera with me, I don't seem to have any pics of my Jackman. Trust me when I tell you he was a fine looking first century boy. ha! He especially liked getting to hang with other youth on the platform in the scene acting out reaching and calling for Jesus as he walked through the streets of Jeruselum. He is quite the actor!

What a blessing it was to be part of this amazing event. I pray many were touched by the love of Christ depicted so beautifully in The Christmas Journey.

Birthday Bug!

Happy Birthday Honeybug! We love you to the moon and back.

Dear Sofie,

This morning, I awoke to the sweet words, "Mommy. Your birthday Bug is awake." What a smile it brings to my heart to celebrate the day you were born, sweet girl.

Seven years ago, at 6:57 a.m., God blessed us with you, Sofie Faith. Weighing in at nearly 6 lbs, you, my dear one, have always been tiny and mighty.

It has been a wonderful year for you, Honeybug. You have grown so much and have discovered new passions and interests that bring joy to your little heart. Your favorite activities allow you to run and be outside. You are such a busy little bee. Still, my favorite time of day with you is when you settle down before bed and let me snuggle you. We can't even think about tucking you in until you have had snuggle time! ha!

Here are a few of your favorites right now:

Favorite color: Blue
Favorite TV show: Victorious
Favorite sport: Basketball
Favorite friends: Molly Reck and Landon Wood
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite part about school: Recess...(this one cracks me up!)
Favorite food: Moltan Lava Cake (I have taught you well my young apprentice)

Of course, your walk with the Lord is growing stronger every day and we were thrilled when you chose to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior this fall. Your baptism was truly special, as it marked for certain that I would spend eternity with all three of my children in Heaven. I praise God for the work he has done in your heart and the ways he is moving in your life. I cannot wait to see the plans He has for you, Sofie, for I know they are good.

Seven years ago, I looked at your Daddy and said, "We are all here!" I remember so much from those first moments together. I remember the bright red birthmark on your lower back that looked like the angels had left their lipstick when they kissed you good-bye in Heaven. I can still see your little round face, even then full of determination. I recall your shoulders, wide and strong, packed with muscle, like an athlete's. And, I remember how you loved to snuggle with Mommy. As I gazed upon you and fell deeply in love with every inch of you, I could not imagine a more beautiful baby than the one I saw lying in my arms in that hospital bed.

And yet, here we are, years later, and you are even more amazing than I could have imagined. Your face is still sweet and your strong shoulders help you shoot baskets in the driveway with your friends. Our home is filled with life because you are in it. You delight me with your spunky ways!

I pray this year that God would be near to you, my sweet daughter. I ask Him to guide, protect, and lead you on His path as you continue to discover the joys of being YOU! Tender. Strong. Sensitive. Independent. A bit shy. And Crazy funny!

How I love you, my Honeybug. Happy Birthday!!

Love,
Mommy


Sofie requested going for out for burgers at Moo-Yah. :)


Messages we made for Bug on the Moo-Yah drawing board. <3


So sweet she makes her own honey.

Jack's Holiday Band Performance

Jack performed with the Dowell Middle School Symphonic II Band this week. All of his practice and dedication to rehearsals before school really paid off. And Jack was proud to be sitting 2nd chair amongst the French Horn players.



Here is the band performinng "The Little Drummer Boy",one of my favorite Christmas songs. I was delighted to hear as part of the concert.



The French Horn is a very difficult instrument to master, but Jack has remained committed to practice and continues to grow as a musician. He certainly has come a long way since that first week of practice in 6th grade. Well done, Jackman!!

Taylor Dance Holiday Recital 2010

Lily absolutely LOVES dance and has recently discovered Jazz. At home, we delight in watching her create her own dance routines and perform them in the living room. She has been anxiously awaiting her chance to be on stage. I had fun doing her make-up, curling her hair, and using more hairspray than I have since college in order to hold in her curls. ha! Her performance was quite lively and fun, as she danced to the song "Run, Run Rudolph" by Chuck Berry. A natural on the stage, Lily dazzled us with her charm and grace. Although being in front of a real audience did make her a bit nervous. During the rehearsal, she was having trouble remembering the steps. She said her mind just went blank because the stage seemed so big. But that didn't seem to be a problem when it was "crunch time". Settling a few jitters with Starbucks hot chocolate after the dress rehearsal. Our little Dancing Diva ready for the stage.


"Run, Run Rudolph...Santa's gotta make it to town!"

Daddy surprised his little dancer with pink roses after her performance. They are Lily's favorite and she was thrilled! After the performance, I surprised my superstar with a Rudolph stuffed animal. Watching Lily developing her talent and experiencing the joys of performing in front of an audience truly brought a smile to my heart. It is so much fun having a dancer in the family.

Glen Oaks Tiger Trot 2010

Sofie, the athlete of the family, was thrilled to run with her Daddy in the 2nd Annual Glen Oaks Elementary Tiger Trot. The race is a toy drive for Toys For Tots, and Sofie had a great time participating in the 1K.


Daddy pinned Sofie's number on her sweatshirt before the race.


Pre-race jitters...of course it may have just been the cold. It was pretty chilly.


She was so excited to hang out with the Glen Oaks mascot and her best buddy Landon before the race. Sofie and Landon are truly two peas in a pod.


And their off...


Run like the wind Honeybug!


Crossing the finish line and getting the coveted prize...a candy cane.


Snuggle time with Mommy and bagels with the family at Benny's Bagels after the race.

Merry Christmas All Y'all!

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Dear Family and Friends,

I can hardly believe that 2010 is nearly behind us. It has been such a wonderful year for our family.

While 12 years ago our move to Dallas was suppose to be temporary, we find ourselves this Christmas still living in McKinney, Texas. Marty is now a Senior Manager with Ernst and Young and I am a part-time reading tutor and free lance writer. In addition to work and the kids' activities, we are quite involved at our church. This year, Marty and I began serving as small group leaders for 6th graders in our youth group at First Baptist McKinney. It has been a wonderful new adventure for us both and we have discovered that we love tweens.

The kids are all busy with church, friends and school. We thoroughly enjoy this busy season of life with them. It is so rewarding as we watch each of our children discover their gifts and talents. And we praise God for the wonderful friends with whom our kids spend so much of their time. Truly, childhood is even more fun the second time around.

Jack is now in 7th grade and he loves middle school. Last June, after two years of hard work, he earned his Black Belt in Taekwando. He plays the French Horn in the Dowell Middle School Band and is involved in the drama department at school as well. Just a few weeks ago, he was invited to participate in a district wide drama competiton called Drama Rama. To everyone's surprise, since it is an 8th grade competition, Jack took home 3rd place for his prose reading of a passage from The Hobbit. He seems to have found his passion in acting. This summer he served on a mission team on the Gulf Coast and assisted several churches there. Recently, he was invited to be part of the National Junior Honor Society. Jack is playful and kind and is always quick to laugh.

Lily is in the third grade and loves dance. This past fall, she took up Jazz dance and she has blossomed as a dancer. In October, she was able to dance with the Boyd High School drill team, the Bailadoras. Now she can't wait to become one herself! Dance practice is truly the highlight of her week. Lily has fallen in love with performing and loves being in front of an audience. We are all anxiously awaiting her dance recital this December. The routine is quite lively and fun and she will be performing to the song, "Run, Run Rudolph." Lily also has a beautiful voice and loves singing in the church choir. Charming and sweet, she sparkles from the inside out. And,to top it off, she has her Daddy's twisted sense of humor as well. She is so much fun!

Sofie, aka Honeybug, is now a big first grader. While she hates to sit down, Sofie has discovered that reading can be fun. The trick is getting her to be still. Recess continues to be her favorite time of day at school. ha! She is quite a busy little bee. Without a doubt, Bug is the athlete of the family. This fall, Sofie discovered Soccer and she is fierce and fast on the field. This winter, she is also playing Upward Basketball. To her delight, Marty is her coach. She is also running her first 1K this weekend in the 2nd Anuual Tiger Trot, a toy drive for Toys For Tots at her school, Glen Oaks Elementary. Like I said, she loves sports! In addition, Sofie is involved in Girls in Action through our church. She loves serving others, and I am often humbled by her kind heart and caring ways. Sofie is passionate and strong and fills our home with life.

While life keeps us very busy, we managed to get away several times this past year for a little playtime. In March, we took our annual weekend trip to Beaver's Bend in Oklahoma. This summer, the kids and I escaped to Iowa for a week. They loved playing with their cousins and visiting the campus at Iowa State University. And I was thrilled to reconnect with family and treasured friends. Late in the summer, we went to our favorite beach, Okaloosa Island, Florida and had a little fun in the sun as a family.

This week, our family has been part of The Christmas Journey. It is a live drive-thru depiction of scenes from the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Dressed in Biblical costumes, we have been able to experience a bit of first century life, and I gotta say, dressing was much more complicated back then. Still, the gift of Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

As we prepare our hearts for Jesus' birth, I pray each of you are blessed by God's peace. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. May 2011 be a year of joy and peace for you and yours.

Much Love,
Marty, Heather,
Jack, Lily, and Sofie Arbuckle

Happy Halloween Y'all!

I missed Halloween last year since I was on mission in Vienna, Austria. In fact, I remember crying when Marty sent me the pics of the kids last Halloween. I missed them so much and I hated not being there to watch them giggle and run from house to house gathering sweet treats. So, this year was very special for me as I was back with my little goblins for chili dogs and trick-o-treats! The only thing missing was J-Man. He had a party with some of his friends so we took some pics together before he left for the night. As usual, we ate chili dogs at the Reck's house and then stepped out into the neighborhood for trick-o-treating. The girls have so much candy it might last us until next Halloween. I felt so blessed to be back with my family this Halloween. After all...there's no place like home!

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National Junior Honor Society

On Monday, October 11th, Jack was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society for Dowell Middle School. This is quite an honor and recognizes Jack for scholarship, leadership, citizenship, character, and service. We are so proud of J-Man and the man he is growing to be.

Our Mini Bailadora

Lily and Brylee showing a little pre-preformance attitude!


On Thursday October 14th, Lily got to be a Mini-Bailadora. As the drill team for Boyd High School here in McKinney, the Bailadoras are National Champions in dance. And Lily dreams of becoming one someday. On the night of the pre-game performance, Lily was in complete and total awe of the Bailadoras. As we walked up to the stadium she said, "Oh Mommy...I am SOOOOOO gonna be a Bailadora!"



She totally adored her Bailadora buddy named Darby(who coincidentally looks remarkable how I imagine Lily will look at 16..scary thought!)



The girls danced a lively routine to the theme song from Big Time Rush. I loved watching Lily dazzle us with her moves and her smile was as bright as the sun as she performed.

Great Job Lulu! Here's hoping all your dreams come true!

Ladybug Soccer

Sofie was so excited to play soccer this year and we are delighted about the team on which she was placed. A perfect dynamic of fun and competition makes this group of girls a great place for our little Bug to learn how to play one of her favorite sports.



It will come as no surprise to most of you that Sofie is fierce and fast! She zips all over that field and seems to be there at just the right time to defend her team's goal.

Team co-captian Sofie wins the coin toss... Ready to run...

Sofie played the position of "sweeper" for part of the game. She had several saves and kept the opposing team from scoring. Offensively she managed to make one goal and had one near miss.



While she is a great defensive player, and enjoys being the Sweeper at times, it is fun to watch Sofie play offensively as well.




Huddled under a blanket on a cold fall morning. It was the last game of the season and we were the first match of the day. Brrrrrr....



Team celebration of a great season with DONUTS!


That's what little girls are made of...



The Ladybugs had a winning season, but more than that Sofie discovered a love for Soccer that she can take with her long after the season ends. And I confess, I LOVE beinga "Soccer Mom"...Go Ladybugs!!

Sofie's Baptism

Okaloosa Island, Florida 2010

I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.--Psalm 42:7-8

We decided to spend our Labor Day weekend on the white beaches of Okaloosa Island, Florida.






Every morning we enjoyed watching dolphins swim past our condo. It is the best place I know to have a cup of coffee.







During an early morning walk on the beach with my girls, we saw a dolphin swimming not more than 20 feet off shore, as well as about a dozen blue crabs in the shallow waters right next to the shore. It was so wonderfully peaceful watching the sun rise over the fishing pier and listening to the beach "wake up".






We found a wonderful beach for family pictures that just happened to be a perfect place for shelling. While we were there we found dozens of beautiful whole shells. It was a lovely surprise adventure.




One evening on the Okaloosa Pier, we saw two dolphins playing. One jumped into the air and did a flip for us. What a show off!










Marty rented a kayak and took the kids out for a boat ride on the gulf. Lily and Marty ended up in the middle of a pod of dolphins and Sofie and Marty saw Flying Fish jump right over the front of the boat. Jack, however, felt pretty jipped because all he got to see was algae. Sad day for Jack. ha! In an effort to make it up to Jack, Marty took him out for an extra ride. What a guy.









Our final night, Marty and I took in a beautiful sunset together while Jack got one final swim with his boogie board and the girls made a "sand condo" complete with a parking lot. ha!










This was our second year in a row to take in the beauty of our favorite island paradise. A weekend of walks on the beach, sand castles, boogie boards,and dolphins was just what our family needed. It was a perfect way to end a wonderful summer.