Walk For Water

Every year our church goes out into the community to "Go and Be The Church". Usually, there are a few different ways we can serve together to be Jesus to those in need. This year, Sofie said she felt called to participate in Walk For Water. So, our family supported her in her efforts to provide clean drinking water to children in Africa.

Jack, Lily, and Sofie went door to door around our neighborhood and gathered donations. The goal was to raise $5,000 so that a new water well can be dug for the children at Hosettta Obdallah Special Needs School For Children in Sierra Leon, Africa.             .

Sofie was so proud when she presented Miss Kim with her baggie filled with over $100. The kids even pitched in some money from their own savings!

To kick off the Walk, Lily sang with the Children's Praise Team. They were sensational!

We walked to Town Lake in McKinney and then scooped water into a bucket. Along the way, there were facts and pictures posted to educate and inform participants about water conditions in the poorest parts of the world.

 There were a lot of people walking with us...

And we had a ton of fun!

 

When we reached the end, the girls poured the water we gathered into this cistern.

Then the kids got to practice using a hand pump to access water. It took a lot of muscle power! Ha!

 In many parts of the world, it is the job of young girls to gather the water for the family each day.

My girls are grateful that all they have to do for a clean glass of water is head to the water cooler!

It was a great day to Walk For Water!

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

-John 4:10

Spring Concert FBC McKinney 2012

Last night, Lily got to sing her very first solo at the FBC McKinney Children's Choir Spring Concert.

She was pretty nervous when she stepped up to the microphone. Then the music started and she began to sing her solo...just like an angel. Sofie told her sister that it brought tears to her eyes!

When we got home, Lily rushed to the television so she could listen to Hollie Cavanaugh sing on "American Idol". We have been watching this season because Hollie is a former Glen Oaks Elementary Tiger and she is a big inspiration to sweet Lily. Hollie sang "Rolling In The Deep" by Adele, one of Lily's favorite songs. As usual, she did great, as did all the finalists. It was a big night on "American Idol", and Lily loves watching them perform. But my favorite female vocalist lives right here in McKinney. And tonight, she got to feel like a star!

Texas Bluebonnets

One again, it's time for the Bluebonnets. They are so lovely, I just had to get a few pics.

Handsome Jack

Sweet Sofie

Lovely Lily

My Texas Cuties

"The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air"-Song of Solomon 2:12

He Is Risen!

Easter morning, we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It was a glorious day and we made the most of it!


Of course, the Easter bunny left goodies for the kids. One special egg had something better than candy tucked inside. It was a message..."He Is Risen". He is risen indeed!


Every year, the Easter Bunny hides our Resurrection Eggs all over the house, just before he leaves. After we find all twelve eggs, we open them and retell the Passion story. It's a tradition we have had for many years, and it helps us all stay focused on Christ on this holy day. This year, Jack led his sisters as they went through the items stuffed in the eggs and retold the Passion story. Aferwards, we ate breakfast and got all dressed up for Easter church service.

Handsome...Like father, like son.


Texas wildflowers have nothing on my little beauties.

They clean up nice, don't ya think?!


So Blessed...

Easter Fun 2012

On Saturday evening, we spent some time in the park. We had a pizza picnic and then we had fun with confetti eggs. As the sun went down, we had our first ever glow in the dark Easter egg hunt.

Sofie and her bestie, Molly, had fun decorating the confetti eggs while the guys hid the plastic eggs for the Easter egg hunt. This year, Jack decided he would join the men in hiding the eggs. I couldn't help but think back to the first Easter we spent with our J-Man. He is really growing up.

Lily put special messages on her eggs.

I am so grateful she understands the true significance of Easter.

Sweet girls sharing a sweet time together.

Confetti Eggs!

Big smile. Big fun!

We put glowsticks in the eggs so they would show up in the dark. It was a cool new twist on hunting for Easter eggs and the girls loved wearing the left over bracelets.

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ"-2 Corinthians 4:6

The Living Museum-Sofiejawea

Every year, the second graders at Glen Oaks Elementary put on The Living Museum. Each student is assigned a historical figure that he/she must research and present to visitors who come to meet them. Sofie was so excited to bring Sacajawea to life for us this year.



She worked very hard on this backdrop in the days before the presentation. And she was so proud to show off the fruits of her labor. I love that big smile! She was nervous but Little Bug memorized every word of her speech and she delivered it perfectly. Great job, Sofiejawea! You made history come alive!

Sofie's Saturday Surprise!

Saturday morning, we had an early soccer game and then went to the outlet mall to buy Sofie some new tennis shoes. As we were walking down the sidewalk, we passed Claire's. Jokingly, I asked Bug is she wanted to get her ears pierced. She has been talking about it for months but has been too afraid to actually commit to it. To my surprise, she asked, "Can I, Mom?" So, we took a detour into the store and she picked out some birthstone bling for her little ears.




She sat very still as the attendant marked her ears for the new piercings.


Just a quick stick and it's all over. She was nervous, so I held her hand while Daddy cheered her on.


Isn't she precious?