A Message from Jody

Pastor Jamie was out of town this weekend so Jody was able to preach in his place (both the 8:30 & 11:00am services). I do have to say it was one of Jody's better messages if not the best. The message was fantastic, if you weren't able to hear it you missed out! God was truly speaking through him. He challenged us to live as a living sacrifice for Christ, surrender our life to Christ and get off the pews and serve! Many people said it was just what they needed, "a good kick in the pants"! He doesn't get the chance to preach very often, but is grateful when he can. The church has tapes if you would like a copy, just let us know! I also wanted to give you a job update on Jody. He decided to take a job at a Granite, Tile and Marble Showroom and left the YMCA after 8 years (the end of January)! He is able to interact with new people every day and do something new. He had been thinking of leaving the YMCA for a while and this was a great opportunity. He is able to focus now more on family and the church :-)

New Addition. . .

We have a new addition, a fuzzy one of sort. . introducing Jake! We got Jake yesterday and the girls are still not too sure of this puppy??? He's a Border Collie, 8 weeks old, born on Christmas Day! He is adorable, the pictures don't do him justice. He is such a fuzz ball, the opposite of Dally (our other dog) and about the same size. He's just like our other kids, you can't get a good picture :-( So far no accidents in the house and he wasn't up all night whining either?

We think he's tricking us! We think he looks like a wolf, but he's a keeper!

SURPRISE

Jody had planned for he and I to go out to dinner last night to celebrate my birthday since we had AWANA wednesday night. He had arranged for my parents to watch Emma and Anna (Lizzy had to stay with us because she's still nursing). The girls decided to spend the night so when we went to pick them up this afternoon Jody had also planned a party with my family. . .I was totally surprised! I do have to say I'm sorry for giving him all the grief for not doing anything for my birthday because today was great!

Valentines Day

Yesterday was my birthday! I don't feel any older though? When I woke up Jody had decorated the house with white and pink streamers, had blown up about 20 balloons and had a Happy Birthday sign hanging on our living room wall. We also have an inflatable "lion" (4 ft tall) that says Happy Birthday (we bought for the girls birthdays) that was in the living room! Josh wanted to go out to lunch and my parents decided to go too. It was an interesting lunch with the girls (I'm watching my friends little girl during the day too). None of them wanted to sit in their booster seats, they all wanted to sit in my lap! We got to AWANA last night and one of my Sparks had brought Roses for all of us and they surprised me with a birthday song and some ice cream cake (Jody had bought). And I had about 10 different versions of Happy Birthday sung to me throughout the day! It was a good birthday.

Winterfest 2007

Saturday night was Winterfest for some of our youth. The theme was "Head Over Heels" (for Valentines Day). Since we were too old to actually go to Winterfest, we went and ate dinner with them in their fancy dresses and suits. I'll get some pictures on here as soon as they email them to me! We had a good time. . .

Check-ups

Emma had her 4 year check-up last Monday the 5th. She shot up in the past few months so I was surprised when Dr. Ryan told us she was in the 75% for height and 90% for weight! They estimate her being about 5 ft 6in, which is about an inch taller than me! She did great, they did a hearing test (I asked because her volume button gets stuck a lot), but she passed with flying colors! They also did an eye check and she did great too. She was really happy when they told her she wouldn't have to have shots until next year :-) All in all it was a great check-up. The doctors are always amazed to hear how well she talks, draws and writes. Her preschool teacher told me this week they couldn't believe how well she draws letters and tries to sound out words! She gets it from her mommy. . . :-)

Emma is how old?

My baby girl turned 4 years old Saturday January 27th! I can hardly believe she is that big? She had a great day. . .we had a birthday party for her at Pump it Up on her actual birthday! Pump It Up is an indoor inflatable playground! It is so much fun. . .and yes adults can play too (18 and over is free)! Emma invited her friends from preschool and church as well as family, we had quite a crowd! She played on the huge slide, had a boxing match and joweled (I don't think I spelled that right)! Jody and I even had a quick boxing match, I took him down! Then we switched rooms and she played in the obstacle course and basketball court! We ate cake, ice cream and chips, opened her presents and it was time to leave! We all joked that from now on we adults will have our parties there!

Thank you to everyone that called and sent Emma cards for her birthday. Her face lit up when I told her that there was a card for her in the mail. She's looking forward to having Anna's party at Pump It Up. . .although Anna didn't like the slide too much :-)