Spies Like Us

Brogan asked for a Spy Kit for Christmas so I set out to see what I could do.  Her Grandpa sent me a cool briefcase and we got her a camera, binoculars, pocket knife, funny glasses and made her some passports with funny names.  From her Spy Kit she took some pictures and then she sat down and made this slideshow. 

Here is her spy introduction:

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Made by Brogan!

Reflections on "2010: A Year of Service"

So, our goal was 2010 acts of service for Twenty10.  How did we do?  I don't know.  We quit tallying.  But, I do know that, according to our standards, we did good.  I also know that we could have done more. 

With all that said, here are some of the things we did do...
volunteered at the Hospitality House, several times
took food to the Hospiatlity House every month
Brogan collected toys for her birthday party, rather than getting presents, and donated them to the Hospitality House
cooked meals for our elderly neighbor and took them to him, several times
had the same neighbor over for dinner and visited with him
Codey helped another elderly neighbor down the road with her yard
baked muffins for FCA meetings
made taco soup for the BSM luncheon
I took pictures for families at no charge just to bless them
made dinner for several families with new babies
organized and made dinners for several families that have adopted
organized and took pictures for an adoption fundraiser
served in the Children's ministry and First Look ministry at UHBC
supported missionaries
supported those going on mission trips
Joshua, Codey & I went on a mission trip
made 14 boxes for Operation Christmas Child
started our Blessing Bags for the car
donated items to the Bridge Ministry of UHBC
donated items to the Good Shepard Mission
donated items to a church for their garage sale benefiting their Youth mission trip
Jeremy & I started serving in the Youth ministry at church
made cookies for our new neighbors
took our surplus of veggies from the garden and shared them with others
served each other around the house without being asked


I am not writing this to boast.  Just simply so that years down the road we have a way of remembering how our life service began.  We have blessed by each one of these acts of service just as much, if not more than, the ones that they were given to.  We have also been the reciepient of many acts of service over the past year.  Each one has been very much appreciated and has shown us just how much people, random people, people we know and do not know, care for us.  Each one that has been given to us or that we have given is a true living example of who and what Jesus is.  My prayer is that we continue to serve joyfully and that you find somewhere to serve as well.

Gingerbread Houses

Our annual Gingerbread House making day with Mrs. Shannon was a success!!!

This lady is so super sweet and we are truly blessed to have her as a friend!

We love you, Mrs. Shannon!

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.

Sewing Practice

Brogan has been practicing sewing lines by making pillowcases out of scrap material that we have.  We didn't have a pattern so we had to make one ourself which was a great learning experiece.  This is her first one that she made (and had to resew twice).  She worked through it though and it turned out great!

Our Thanksgiving Vacation

We don't usually get to take family vacations but this year we planned way in advance and made sure we had the time to take one.  Jeremy, Joshua and Codey missed two days of school and we headed out to West Texas to the mountains.  We were gone a week and visited three state parks and several other neat places.  Brogan had lots of great things that covered history and science and, most importantly, we enjoyed God's creation.  We spent Christian's 5th birthday camping and he loved every minute of it.  here is just a little recap of our mile-filled week...

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My Little Turkeys

I've had a canvas sitting in our craft closet for awhile so I got it out and we created this last week.  I think it turned out so cute...

(hands from left to right: Rylen, Christian & Brogan)

It is hanging in my kitchen.  Just a reminder to not eat to much this weekend y'all!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!!

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!!!