February in Washington

TCYFL Steilacoom Sentinels

Check out our new football website. We have so much to learn, but we think we have a good start thanks to the help of a very kind, patient, and helpful friend!

Go buddy, Go!

It was a big day for Cole today!


Here we go! First try with some help.


Getting better. A little less help.


A temporary set-back.


Don't give up, buddy! You can do it, I know you can!


A little encouragement from Daddy goes a long way.


Feeling more confident by the minute.


He's got it!


Who needs Mom and Dad anyway??? See ya later!

Changes

Our family hasn't experienced a ton of huge changes over the last few years. Adding homeschooling to our schedule was certainly an adjustment. And having dear friends move away has been difficult. But, we've lived in the same house for over 6 years (a record for us!), we haven't had another baby in over 6 years :-), we've gone to the same church for almost 9 years, Mark has had the same job for over 12 years, I have worked at home now for over 7 years. And now, 2010 is going to rock our world, I think...

We have decided to join The GraceWorks, a new church plant - daughter church, really, of our current church. We are so excited about this new adventure and can't wait to see how God is going to bless this church. But, it's also going to be a big change for us, and a lot of work, too!


And, as of Sunday evening, Mark is now the franchise head coach of the new TCYFL Steilacoom-DuPont Sentinels. Again, the thought of creating a brand new football/cheerleading franchise in our hometown is so exciting...and amazingly overwhelming! The lists of things to do just keep growing and growing.

I'll admit that the unknown of exactly what lies ahead for us this next year is a scary thing for me. But with all of the changes and unknowns, it is so comforting to me to know that we serve a God who does not change; who is the same yesterday, today and forever.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Anderson Island

Conversations with Abby

Abby: Mom, some of the kids at school say that the shows I like to watch, like Imagination Movers, are for little kids.

Me: That's ok, Abby, because you are, in fact, a little kid.


Why does everyone try to make our little girls grow up so quickly? Abby is 8. I want her to read little girl books, and play with dolls and stuffed animals, and sing silly songs. Abby is in the 3rd grade. I don't want her to be reading/thinking/watching things about boyfriends/girlfriends and high school years. She'll be 18 soon enough. Right now, I just want her to be 8.

Christmas 2009

Pirate Pride

We received the following letter from Noah's school last week:

To the Parent/Guardian of Noah Miller,

It is with great pleasure that I announce that your child is receiving a medallion as an Outstanding Student at Pioneer Middle School. He/she will be recognized at our Pirate Pride Assembly. Each student was selected by his/her teachers on the basis of Academic Excellence, Improvement, Leadership and/or Citizenship.

Today was the day of the assembly, and we were SO proud to see Noah receive his award. He was selected by his Language Arts/Social Studies teacher, Ms. Nixon. She is probably Noah's favorite teacher, so it was nice to see that the feeling is mutual :-) The awards were given with the entire 6th grade in attendance, so it was great for the kids to be recognized in front of their peers.

While Noah has always done very well academically in school, we have always stressed that more important than a grade on a piece of paper, is the character that is being developed. So we were thrilled for Noah to be recognized today for his positive attitude and leadership skills - two great character traits that he definitely possesses!

We love you, Noah, and are so very proud of you!

Blessed

More Conversations with Cole

Cole: "Mom, whose picture is on the nickel?"

Me: "Thomas Jefferson."

Cole: "Were you alive when he was president?"