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Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.~Romans 12:10

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Our 2011 Family Photo's

A big thanks for not only the pleasure to be a part of a sweet gal who will forever be our friend in the greater Chicago area, but also that she would take time out of her busy schedule of a life as a wife, mother and exquisite photographer, to do our AFFORDABLE (photo release) family photos while we were in the Chicago for a day. 

Christina Michelle Photography.  
It was fun, eventful (including the constant knocking down of a base board prop from our son Gabriel, who by the way was not paying attention each time, but displayed a concerned look as if he was doing something wrong each time lol) 
Candid's, props and just go with the flow pictures were beyond awesome. I don't think I have ever worked with such a laid back, witty and patient photographer before. As you can imagine, family portraits with 6 very different personalities who have been on the road for 2 out of 8 days over 800 miles away from home can be tricky. AND- not to mention the mood swings and changes that lie ahead. HA! Oh how we all slept well that night! ;)  Enjoy! 



















Friday, November 18, 2011

Randoms- A "cheatful" way for a quick update...

Or, maybe just a quick way to catch up?! Our lives have been so busy that we are being bombarded with so many changes... ALL GOOD CHANGES of course! Those stories are for later blogs. For now, lets just update some photo's and quick liner stories! :) 


Gabe found Daddy's head set for when he goes to the shooting range. I bet he would make a great DJ! :)




Ahhhh, the peaceful moments! Yes, I like them as much as I do when he is bright eyed and bushy tailed! :) Keeps a sense of balance around here! LOL



Duke has finally figured out how to open the cabinet door where we *thought* we could hide the trash. Guess the lock is going to have to be placed on the knobs when we are gone now. *sigh*


Literally, shopped him to sleep! He found it to be cozy in Brandy's letterman jacket. He's so adorable! <3

Daddy likes to take the kiddo's to the park right by chucrh on occasion when it's nice out. Of course, it's always a surprise as they are mainly spur of the moment spontaneous, but that is ok! :)





Thursday, November 17, 2011

Life Is But A Mist

James 14:4 You don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while. Then it disappears.

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Alright, so we all know about the circle of life. We are born, we grow up and we die. Very simple. Very matter of fact. There is NOTHING we can do to change this circle, no matter what scientists try to do to slow the process down, we will die. 

The average life expectancy of our country is alarming. The only data I can find is from 2009 and that number was 78.1. No matter how you look at it, that is as just a "vapor" in the midst of forever. 

No, I am not going to go into details about salvation, although, every single person should become familiar with it and consider it as a part of their lifestyle for many different reasons. So, yes, EVERYONE needs Jesus, but less than that, I wanted to bring up a question to anyone who meanders upon this blog, or even family or friends who read regularly or on occasion. 

I was reading through devotionals and found this scripture that really stuck out. Not to leave out the fact that there are so many questions about life -before and after Christianity. And we all were created to be seekers. Seekers of life, seekers of love, seekers of food, seekers of acceptance, seekers of self, seekers of God.. whatever it may be.

To the point... James 4:14 poses a real question. What is your life? Read it again. The first part of the scripture tells us something that we all know and live in faith -faith of staying alive. But it also states that we don't even know what will happen tomorrow. We don't know the day we will pass away, die in a car wreck, have a heart attack or even get cancer and live only months. We don't know the day or time, but God only does. So what is our life? 

It is short lived. It is with a purpose. It is with great expectations. It is short lived. It is short lived. It IS short lived. 

So here is my proposal to you. Evaluate where you are in life. Re-evaluate what road you have paved in your so far short lived life. Whether you are 10, or 100, everyone has the potential to do great things. No matter how big or small. No matter what we have done, no matter what we have messed up. We can always ALWAYS turn around from where we are. Life is an ongoing circle that cannot be stopped, but, the beauty of making changes in life is they are  ongoing as well.  

We only have 'but a vapor' to live, what legacy are you leaving behind?
Does our legacy bring honor or dishonor to carry on through our future children, grandchildren, great grandchildren? What examples are we setting for our children, our siblings, our family members, our friends, and even those who watch us from a distance that you may never know we impacted their life? 

Does your life reflect a memory of strong character, integrity, faithfulness, patience, wisdom, gentleness, self control, joyful, peaceful, imperfect but yet willing to strive for excellence? It is within our reach. And yes, no matter what anyone says, I promise you that we ALL will be held accountable for every thing we have said and done by what we leave behind. 

You count. You matter. So live like you do! 

~ Shared in love, 
Cathi~







Friday, November 4, 2011

Marching Season!


I love the dramatics, the feel of the thumping on my heart and ears of watching our marching band perform. Brandy and Jeremy both are in Marching band, and I have to give them a big shout out that I am VERY proud of both of them! One, for Brandy sticking with it every year for all four years of high school, and Jeremy for honoring my request to try it for one year. They are both unbelievably remarkably talented musically, and I can only hope that this has helped them realize that God has given them this talent and that the music on their hearts will always honor God. 
Brandy has played the French Horn (mellophone -a smaller version of the french horn- during marching season) since the 6th grade, and Jeremy the clarinet since the 6th grade also. 
Here they are completed with their show, and are playing our school win song. Love it! 


Brandy and her Mellophone.

Jeremy and his clarinet!

Kien also loves watching the marching show. Then, he loves being held by Brandy and Jeremy afterwards because their marching uniforms are very "interesting" as he says it!


Gabe still has not learned the meaning of "being patient" and that is ok, Daddy takes him for walks that will help him not get fussy having to wait.





video
I don't know if this has uploaded properly, but if not I will fix it. :)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Too Cute To Scoot!

Cute shots .. well, because we can! :) Silly willy, cutsie tootsie! Love my boys and their expressions! *HEART*