First Upward Game

Christian  playing Upward Basketball this year and is super excited!  He has even been practicing at home.  His first game was today and he scored 10 points!!  More importantly...he was grinning from ear to ear!

Final score 22-12...Way to go Cheetas!!

Carolina Creek Christian Camp

Our kids FINALLY (imagine a child exaggerating that!) got to go to Carolina Creek Christian Camp this summer thanks to an auction bid that was extremely low and won by non other than their AWESOME (imagine me exaggerating that!) mom.

In this case 2 out of 3 children highly recommend and would return to the camp which was wonderful, fun, awesome and well, they could go on and on.

Christian had a blast!

Rylen had a little fun while he was there but said he could have done without it...

Brogan had a blast and ended up knowing some of the girls in her group.  While she was skeptical to go by herself at first she ended up having a great week!

At the end of the week the camp gives out an overall award to one boy and one girl that exemplifies what it means to put others above yourself in all things.  This year we were happily surprised that the award went to none other than our beautiful Brogan.  She truly is a gem!

On the job training

 

Christian has been wanting to earn some money so he asked Uncle Rusty if he could help him at the restaurant.  They went through some negotiations and Christian now has a steady job.  He has been folding take out boxes, sweeping the floors, refilling shakers and today he got to mix the meat.  He is so excited to go to work on days that he is scheduled and they say he is a great worker.  Proud that he is motivated enough to seek it out on his own and then do it right!

Upward

Christian played basketball for the first time this year.  As always, we chose Upward as they have a great program.


Christian's coach quit after the first practice and they were in need for someone to step up.  one of the parents would do it so Joshua stepped up to the plate.  He is an awesome big brother for doing so and he did a great job with the kids!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Who's the silliest of them all?

 



Gone To Texas

This photo album made with Smilebox

Christian was asked to play the roll of Sam Houston's youngest son in a skit at the Folk Festival this year. He did a great job!  To top it off, we all learned a ton about Huntsville and Sam Houston that we did not know.  What started as our annual fieldtrip ended up being a fun family event and memory!  It was a fun day!

It's All About the Game

When Christian plays ball it is all about the game.  He is so serious and takes in everything.  He is not one to be playing around on the bench or on the field.  Whether he is on first base, pitcher's mound or hitting, he is focused.  And, he made All-Stars his first year playing!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!  Way to go Christian!!!

Little Tyke Rodeo

Well, we had another year of the Little Tyke Rodeo at the Walker County Fair!

Rylen had a great time in his 2nd rodeo!  He is always full of energy and this evening was no different.

Christian looks forward to this event all year!  As soon as we start picking out rabbits to show he knows his turn is coming to rodeo.  This was his 3rd year to participate and he did a great job.

It was a fun evening!!!

1st T-ball game

Rylen did not want to play t-ball.  Well, he did.  He was so excited at sign ups that he was old enough to play.  He just didn't understand he was going to be playing t-ball and not "real baseball" as he calls it.  We got out to the first practice, he saw the tee and he didn't want to have anything to do with it.  He sat out that practice and then on the second practice it was the same thing only with crying and screaming.  I called Jeremy and he came over from his practice but not even Joshua and Codey could convince the little guy to get out there.  I finally got him out in the field on the second practice but it was rather reluctantly.  Then, the next practice it all changed.  He got his uniform, put it on immediately and ran on the field with a smile.  He had a blast at his first game and Jeremy took this great picture of him right after he scored.  I found this quote and it fit him to a tee.  I have been calling him my Bambino since he was born.  Turns out he may be more of a Musial after all :)

Christian has been waiting and waiting to play.  We had told him he had to wait to play until he was 7 and he seemed satisfied with that.  Then, Daddy decided that the boy needed to play.  Turns out he is pretty good.  Then again, why wouldn't he be?  I mean, he has only been playing since before he could walk.  (Umm, not being a bragging mom or anything, right :) )  Turns out, he really is pretty good!  He played pitcher and did a great job watching the runners and making good throws.  Jeremy took this awesome picture also!  I found this quote and thought it fit perfectly.  He really did make it happen!!  Though, he will always be my Big Pappy.  I don't think his personality is a Lasorda :)

Angels are Rejoicing

Christian has a cracked skull so we have slowed down and limited our activities outside of the house.  During this time we have been taking the time to do home church rather than venture out on Sundays.  We have been praying for several specific things during the last few weeks and have spent much time in prayer as indivisuals and as a family.  Christian has been asking lots of questions and yesterday Jeremy told him when he was ready to take the questions, and answers, seriously to let him know.  Right after we finished up with our church he went over to Jeremy and said "Daddy you told me to tell you when I was ready and to remind you to talk to me."  Jeremy sat down right then and talked with him a little bit and asked him some questions.  Christian said he was ready to pray and we prayed with him.  I even caught Brogan stopped in the hallway praying with him also.  Christian accepted Christ as his Savior!  And, once I thought about the date I realized that it was exactly 8 years ago on the same day that I was baptized.  How cool is that?!  Super cool!!  He was so excited the rest of the day and walked around like a totally different little boy.

Thank you, Jesus, for coming to our rescue!!

Happy Birthday Christian!!

He is 6 years old today!!!

Today we are thankful that we get to celebrate Christian and the blessing that he is to everyone that he meets!  Thank you Lord for making us his parents!

Morning Convo

I just love my morning conversations with my boys cuddled on the couch.

Today it went like this:
Ry talking to me "how did you get this age? Did you used to be three?".
Me "yes i was three once"
Christian "yeah she was three then she got married".

Then they immediately go into a staring contest to see whose eyes are bigger.

Co-op Week 3 Highlight

Kindergarten Graduation

That's right!  That says Christian Julius Winston is a Kindergarten Graduate!!  Wow!  That is so very hard to believe but he did it and he had a great year!

There were four kiddos that participated in the ceremony.  It was lead by a very special woman who homeschooled her children also.  While they are now grown, she so very nicely agreed to give these kiddos their awards.  She also gave a very touching tribute and said a very special blessing over our children. 

Christian was soooo excited and had been ready this whole week.  He kept asking when he got to graduate and when the night was over he said "Momma, I'm in first grade now!"  with a huge smile!  Way to go Christian!  You had a great Kindergarten year!!!

Daddy Has Himself A Catcher

It looks like Daddy may finally have himself a catcher after all of these years....

He has tried to convince Joshua, Codey & Brogan to catch and none of them have wanted to.  Now, Christian may seem to be the one!  He loves his catchers gear!!

Awana Awards

Brogan and Christian both finished their Awana books in the middle of March.  They both finished about 7 weeks ahead of schedule!

They received their 1st Book Award during a Sunday service.  Way to go kiddos!!!  So proud of all of your hard work!!

Two Hearts, Two Loves

The Sleeping Man

Christian is so funny.  He walks around quoting the movie "Night at the Museum 2" and his favorite phrase is "I'm thinking, I'm thinking" so, when he feel asleep like this...

I couldn't resist taking a picture.  I could just hear him "I'm sleeping, I'm sleeping."  Anyway, just had to post.

Happy Birthday, Christian!

Our little boy is growing up.  Our little turkey.  He is 5 today. 

 (at 2 yrs. old)

Five years ago at midnight I woke Jeremy up and told him I was in labor.  His response "You're joking, right."  He had this grand plan for our Thanksgiving turkey and this just wasn't in the plan.  Our plan that is.  But, it was in God's plan.  And, just a few hours later we welcomed Christian Julius Winston.

(at 3 yrs. old)

He is such a sweetheart.  A kind-hearted, soft spoken little guy.  He has such a great heart and is so eager to learn.  I can't wait to see wait the future holds for him!

(today!!!)

Happy 5th Birthday, Pappy!!!

We love you!!!

It's A Boy Thing

Don't ask because I don't know.  All I did was take the picture...

They are precious though aren't they??!!