They got 2nd Place!!!

Grace and her team did AMAZING today at the competition! Her primary team only missed one question and they were in first place literally until the last two questions of the last round. It was so much fun. She loved it and she had a blast. Of course, now she is back at school and they are all rock stars bringing back a big trophy.

The boy holding the trophy in this picture is the captain of the intermediate team and Grace is right beside him. This is a great leap for Green Valley. The best they have ever brought back is 5th place and then they go and win 2nd place this year! Rock on, Green Valley!! The only thing that made it okay to loose by one point was that one of our little friends, Payton, from church, was on the winning team! Go Payton...ya'll were GREAT!!

After the celebration at the coliseum, the school treated the kids to Cici's pizza and they had a great time. We enjoyed watching them all get along and rehash the whole competition. There was another school there (that didn't do quite so hot) and one of the mom's asked me, "Did ya'll even miss any questions? Ya'll were great!" I was very proud, can you tell??

I couldn't get up high enough to get a picture of all of the teams that were there, but there are teams on the right and left side of the picture that got cut out, if that gives you any idea about the competition. There were 21 schools there from our district and our team did great! Way to go, Captain Grace!!! We are so very proud of you and your very hard work. Phew...now, not another trip to the library for at least another week, please??

Today is the DAY!!

Today (Wednesday) is the Battle of the Books competition!! Grace and her pals from school have been reading and practicing for several months to get ready for today's competition. If you have a second this morning, remember Grace, her teammates and 2 of our friends from church that are in the competition that go to other schools. Their names are Payton and Hudson. Grace is really excited about the whole thing but is a little nervous about the "mixed round" in which she will be with the 4th and 5th grade team and they will ask them (the captains and another member of their team) questions about all of the books, primary (1st-3rd grade) and intermediate (4th & 5th grade.) She hasn't read hardly any of the intermediate books because, 1. I read some of them and they are too much for a first grader and 2. Her teacher told her to concentrate on her level books so that she can be an expert on them. She reads on a really high level, but that doesn't mean that she should HAVE to....I want her to enjoy reading books that are meant for her age (Junie B. Jones, The Boxcar Children, Nate The Great and so on...) and not just jump from first grade to fifth grade. I was glad when her coach didn't pressure them to read the other books. She read 2 of them, but they were all just too long....If she would have started on the 4th & 5th grade books this summer, maybe, but I'm glad she didn't.

Anyway, here she is...our battle of the books captain and champion. In our eyes, no matter the outcome!! We love you Grace!!

Happy Wednesday and thanks Jen Mall for watching Parker and Sus so that Aaron and I could both go and cheer on Grace, Payton and Hudson!!

Where I probably should NOT have been....

My friend, Kristi, called me a few weeks ago and invited me to go and hear her niece play at a club. Cool, I thought, a few of us girls going out to hear her niece play piano at a nice little place where we could enjoy the company of other mothers and a nice cup of coffee. I really think in my head that I was thinking, "coffee shop" music or something like that. So, Kristi calls last Sunday night and tells me that everyone else has dropped out of going except for me. That's fine, we will have a great time anyway. We were off and stopped and picked up her sister on the way...still having a great time, talking about church, children's ministry and family. Then we start getting to the neighborhood where the place she is playing at is located. Yeah, should have been a HUGE warning sign...Flashing light saying, "Warning, DANGER!!" but of course, we were going to hear her niece play, so it didn't matter that there were people dealing drugs right beside where we wanted to park. Yes, we found a different spot and then realized that the club we were going into would probably be smoky and didn't want out coats to get all gross so we left them in the car. Yet another mistake, because it was 35 degrees outside Sunday night! But, we ran into the place, oh, you want to know the name of the place? It was called, The Curtain Club, in Deep Ellum, the Club district of Dallas, Texas. Still with me?

We were freezing, waiting for the lady who worked at the door of the club to let us in because I didn't have any I.D. with me....why would I need I.D., I'm a mom and I'm 33! I mean really, do I look like I'm under 21? Don't answer that question....we walked in the door and I'm not kidding, once you see though the smoke haze and get your bearings to the nearest corner where you want to hide from the mosh pit in the front of the stage, we heard the F word about 20 times in less than 2 minutes. I honestly think these guys were going for some kind of record or something. So, we stuck around for about 5 more minutes, could not understand any words of the songs that the band was playing except for the bad ones, and then the rest of Kristi's family showed up and we all went outside to huddle together. Her brother in law found us a "safe" restaurant/bar to go and stay warm in while we waited for her niece to play. We sat, out of the wind and shared a pitcher of Dr. Pepper with Kristi's sister's Mother-in-law, whom they lovingly call "Me Me." All Me Me could say was, "I hope the Lord doesn't come tonight and see us in that place!" Several times. It was getting to be quite funny. It was even funnier when we saw her for the first time in the Curtain Club and she had ear plugs in her ears. Of course, now I think that was a pretty great idea because the other music in that club was NOT worth listening to that evening. I honestly would not even call it music, it was more like yelling into a microphone.

Of course, you know, all I could do was laugh. There were about 25 of us there to hear Kristi's niece play and we were having a fun time despite the situation that we were in at the time. Someone in their family commented, "I think that the people in the club can smell the church on us." Yes, still laughing.

Kristi's niece's name is Allie Farris, by the way, and she was in a "Battle of the Bands" competition that night. When we got back over to the scary club, it was about time for Allie's group to get up and play. It was so worth the wait. Allie (and her band) were so different from the other bands that had played before them. Allie plays the keyboard and sings her own music that she has written. She is AMAZING! I was blown away by her playing and her music. So, despite being scared to death to go in this club and listen to her play, it was a great experience. I would call her a Alicia Keys/Norah Jones type of player, but she is so much younger and has SUCH a great career ahead of her. I really encourage ya'll to click on the link in her name and hear some of her songs. She and her band won the battle of the bands contest that night and now they are in the finals. The winner of the contest gets recording time in a real studio. I don't think that Allie and her band mates will have to worry...they blew away the competition that night and me!! Thanks Kristi for a fun and VERY memorable late Sunday night!!

Western Day and Donuts with Dad

Yesterday at Susie's school was Western Day and Donuts with Dad. She was so excited to get to ride in Daddy's car to school and to eat donuts with him. Aaron normally takes Grace to school on his way to work so he slept in a little yesterday and I took Grace to school in my pj's and glasses. I'm sure I scared the crossing guard, I'm glad that I look completely different after my shower or she might not let me cross next time!! Susie just loved that she got to spend time with Daddy by herself. I love these little days at school. Really special.

Susie was loving her little cowgirl outfit that we had to change at the last minute because she has outgrown everything in her old size! We got up and put on Grace's old cowgirl outfit and it was WAY too small on Sus, so we had to improvise with this outfit!! We took the whole backseat full of clothes on Saturday to goodwill. Their drawers were overflowing and after I cleaned everything out, it was so nice. I put all the 6X and most of the 7's up for when Sus is bigger and Grace is now officially into a size 8. Is that possible? YIKES!! The girl is going to be as big as me soon and she is only 6 years old!!! At least she is healthy, that is for sure! So now all 3 kids have all their closets and drawers cleaned out for winter or until they grow another size bigger.

Parker was so funny yesterday while I was trying to take Sus' picture on the stairs. He just climbed right up and started posing, like it was his Western day, too! I told Susie to say "Yee Haw" and use her lasso in the pic above...Parker wanted to do it, too!

Not too much going on here today. One of Susie's buddies is over for a morning playdate while her mom and dad are at their baby appt. for their newest addition that is on the way, so Sus and Parker are loving their playtime with a friend. They could care less what I am doing and are just playing together so sweet. I'm so thankful that Susie is so loving towards her little brother who isn't that much smaller than her now...

Today is report card day for Grace. We will see what she brings home this afternoon. Her battle of the books competition is on Wednesday and she is getting really excited. They got their t-shirts yesterday and they are really cute. She wore hers to school today with her cammo pants...she said she is getting ready for the battle!! :) She said yesterday, "Mom, aren't you so proud of your captain?" You bet ya, Grace...I think I am more nervous than proud today, but she will do just dandy in the competition. After all, she is just in the first grade....we have many many more times when we will be proud and nervous!

The rain is still coming down, but the temp. went up so we don't have to worry about freezing roads, thank goodness! I'm happy with my coffee and my slippers for now...a great welcome to a hopefully lazy weekend!! Enjoy some time cuddled up on the couch with the ones that you love most! Tonight is movie night here at our house...that means a cute kid movie and lots of popcorn for us. We love Fridays!

My rant for the month....

Got invited to be part of a children's committee meeting today. I was so excited...I love being a part of my kids walk with Jesus and helping them get to Heaven. After all, that's my job, right? This meeting was this morning in the church library. Parker did not agree. All of the other little girls at the meeting did great. They sat quietly with their moms, ate candy, read books. Not mine. Not Parker. That little boy did everything in his power to keep me out of that meeting. And I have to say that he did a good job of it! Sometimes it is just so frustrating not having a family support system in the area. Good thing that he is so cute....it makes him not seem so much like a hand full when I miss something that I wanted to hear!

I know many couples that get a night out once a week and the kids go to the grandparents house. What a cool thing. I would like to go out once a month and not have to spend $50 on a sitter! I mean seriously, has babysitting changed that much where sitters now get $10 an hour as when I babysat for every kid in our church growing up and thought it was awesome if I got $5 an hour? Crikey! Aaron and I do love having a night out, but when your babysitter costs more than our night out....I'm out. That being said, I just miss my family. There is no telling the next time that I will see my parents. They are busy teachers in a college town and when they do get to visit, I certainly don't want to leave to go out to the movies! We were so excited yesterday when Aaron's dad had a layover here in D/FW. We got to take him to lunch and then back to the airport. It was a wonderful break in our routine....Now if we can make it until Aaron's mom comes at the end of February, we will be great!

We've never lived close to either of our families, but we have always had "extra" grandparents in every place that we have lived. Here we have lots and lots of friends our age, which is such a wonderful blessing, don't get me wrong. Different blessings, different times. Just right now I'm missing my quiet time with Aaron and just getting to go out without having to mortgage the house off...okay, I'm done. I think it was just all pent up from having to chase Parker during the meeting. If you are still here...thanks....I feel so much better now and I'm sure that Aaron thanks you because I'm almost over it and then he won't have to get such an earful tonight while we are trying to get ready for church!! :) Oh, I really do love to blog. How I went from being frustrated about not being able to be in a meeting to paying crazy babysitting prices is beyond me, but after all, it is MY blog!!!

What they do for fun when it is cold outside...

Shout Hallelujah....

My cousin Kathryn approached our family at Thanksgiving and asked us to participate in a year blog study of the New Testament. It's basically a New Testament blog that once a week breaks down different chapters in the NT with a short devo thought. The chapters are also on the blog so that you can just read that week's selection right there on the blog. I say all this because I have been working on my week's blog this past week. You know, in between school, church and laundry. Thankfully, the devo won out, and is written and will appear on next weeks blog. I would like to encourage my blogging friends to participate as well. If you are interested after looking at the site, Shout Hallelujah, leave me a comment or e-mail me and I can send you the schedule for the rest of the year and you might can even pick one of your favorite passages to write a short thought about to be posted on the blog. It is so rewarding and I hope the site gets many readers. Wouldn't you love for people to read a blog that tells of the best gift of all? Yeah, me too!! Pass it on and add it to your blog roll.

Parker and his food...

Here are some pictures of Parker doing his very favorite thing....eating. This 18 month little boy eats more than his 4 year old sister, before lunch!

I was baking a sour cream cake for Aaron last night and Parker grunted and grunted until I finally gave in and let the poor kid lick the beater. I know, horrible mom giving their kid the beater to lick. But hey, my mom let us do it and we survived. I don't let him do it everyday. As a matter of fact, I think this is the first time that he has gotten to even hold the beater! Wow, a first and I didn't even realize it until just now. Good thing I had the camera out to capture the moment. You know, they say that the last child hardly gets photographed, but I so don't agree. Now, he may not get photographed in a studio with fancy backdrops, but he knows how to smile and pose for a camera, for sure!!

Well, all I know is that he was in hog heaven last night with that beater. I really don't think that he gets this from my side of the family (the eating all the time part) but I could be wrong. I do love to eat, but some days this little one is pushing it, for sure! It's a good thing that he is so active or he would be a really big boy and that, I mean!!

I am so thankful!

Small groups and Guitar Hero...

No, the two didn't happen at the same time. Don't worry Allan, I just wanted to post these pictures of the kids playing Guitar Hero, but I really want to post about our small groups meeting last night. First, the photos...Parker thought he was a big kid, so he kept carrying around the guitar all over the house and making this face..."I'm a tough guy and I play in a rock band..."

Grace is REALLY into this game. So much more than we ever thought she would be, I think. She is way ahead of me, although that isn't saying much, but I really like the game,too and I don't like most of Aaron's 360 games. This one is so fun and the music is great for a kid of the 80's!

My sister got Grace a Hannah Montana wig for Christmas so she would wear the wig and play all at the same time...you can see her little tongue sticking out. That is a complete Green family characteristic. Below, Parker is carrying around Susie's new Barbie guitar because Grace had the Guitar Hero one...He just thinks he is so big....and he is getting there for sure!

Okay, now on to small groups....Last night was our first meeting at our house of our small group. It totally rocked. Were things perfect? No. Was my house busting at the seams with kids? You bet. I loved every minute of it and it was over WAY too quick. We meet at 5:30 for dinner and then we started our worship service with all the family about 6:15 or so. We have one member of our small group that gets here late because of work so we want him to be a part of everything too. The singing was sooo GREAT!! I was so very impressed. I think we could have sat there and sung for an hour and it would have been no big deal. The kids were all singing, the adults were all singing and all I could think was that God was sure loving the sounds coming from our neighborhood, because there was some praise going on, for sure! We sang a few kids songs, but mostly devo songs from the song sheets and the kids all pretty much sang along or tried to, if they didn't know the words. After some prayer requests and a prayer, my friend Steph and I took the kids upstairs for their own kids bible study. Now here is where it got a little sticky! We had 16 kids but, 4 of those kids are around Parker's age. It was a little overwhelming at first to see all those kids in the room, but you know, after a minute, those kids were all (for the most part) listening to the bible story and then we colored a picture. This week, I'm going to work on a behavior chart with stickers because I think that might help a few of the little bit rowdier ones to remember to listen. Other than that, I think our kids bible study went fine. Steph is very good at looking at the big picture. I was getting an overwhelmed look on my face when we had 3 kids crying at the beginning, she says, "Remember, this is all new for them, too, they will get into a routine and will settle down." And you know, they did. Everyone was gone home by 8:00 and the kids were asleep by 8:15. Pretty good ending to a really great Sunday. I'm loving small groups church already. Now, I can't wait to be downstairs with the adults next Sunday night for some bible study! I read this today on a website and wanted to put it on here to brighten your day:

Find your "ordinary miracle" for today and be thankful for it. Wake up and expect God to show up in your life. When you see Him in your life, you're faith will grow and you will love Him more. When you love Him more, you'll love others more and they will see the light of the Lord shining thru you!