Eli 9 years old

Today my little big man turns 9!  Wow, hard to believe!

Eli is our JOY!  He can make everyone smile, especially when you put him with his "silly" Pap.

That grin and those dimples, he's just a happy little man!

More importantly, Eli loves Jesus!  He desires to be a preacher when he grows up and I think there are big things in store for him!

Eli was our Christmas gift and continues to bring us laughter and joy throughout the year!

Happy Birthday Little Man!  Have a great day!

Soup and Dessert Challenge

 Sunday was our 2nd Annual Soup and Dessert Challenge!  We had 70 people come out to taste the Soups and Desserts that were created by our church members! 
There were 10 different soups to try and then they were voted on with quarters!

 There were also some fun activities for the kids!  Here Maddie, Lilly and Evan show off their pumpkins!

The winners are - Edna Wolf - Potato and Sausage Soup and Barb Vance for her Chocolate Chip Cookies!

It was a great time of Food, Fun and Fellowship!

3rd Annual Kids Service at Farmer and Ney

 Today was our 3rd Annual Kids Service at both Farmer and Ney.  This is where the kids (2yo - high school) are responsible for the entire service!

 

My 4 had a lot to do today and they did a fabulous job!  

 

Ronnie played a congregational hymn at both churches -  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God - then he also had the prayer for the offering, and at Farmer he (along with the Youth) lead the congregational singing!

 

 

Nathaniel played a congregational hymn at both churches - Wonderful Words of Life - then he also (with the Youth) at Farmer lead the congregational singing.

 

Eli gave a sermon at both churches.  It was his 3rd time to preach and he probably practice the most this year.  He would beg Dad to take him down to the church to practice.  Or beg Ronnie to use his new camera and video his preaching so he could watch it.  He really put a lot of time and effort into it and did a great job!  In addition, he was part of 3 different songs and played the Prelude at Farmer! 

Somehow in the busyness of the day, I didn't get a picture of Maddie but she was there and had a part inf 4 different song - both speaking and singing!  She also recited Mark 12:30-31!  She has had it memorized for awhile and was so excited to recite it today!

To say I was proud of my babies would be an understatement!  They did a fabulous job today!

 

 

All the kids did!

Here is the Children's Choir at Ney!

Eli's Sermon at Ney

Kelsie also preached at Ney and did a fabulous job!

Ronnie and Nathaniel both played a congregational hymn at both churches.  I couldn't get a picture of Ronnie because the sun was so bright, but by the end I snapped one of Nathaniel.

Future of Ney UMC!

 Lester Smith preached at Farmer - he is a 5th grader

Klayton Boland is a 4th grader and this was his third to preach!

Eli says it is better at Farmer after he has gone through it once at Ney :)

 

Nathaniel playing - Wonderful Words of Life

 Ronnie played a congregations hymn - A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Eli had the prelude - Shout to the Lord

The future of Farmer UMC

Future preachers?? - not sure, but they did a fabulous job!

 We had 65 kids today in both churches who participated in one way or another with the services today!  They all did such a fantastic job and I'm super proud of the future leaders of our churches!

Eli was equally excited to get to lunch where he got his BIG plate(s) of noodles with Pap and Dad - who know how to preach and eat noodles!

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming to support the kids!

No more Teeth and Doctors

Seems like a pattern around here - Teeth falling out!

Maddie Anne has 3 new holes in her mouth!

 

 Yes, 3

No more baby mouths -now it's only big teeth!  

Miss those tiny little teeth!

Yesterday happened to be the first cancellation day for the kids.  It started as fog, but then cancelled.  Eli was happy because he likes school and knew he would have to miss today because of an allergy doctor appointment!

We had know idea it would be a 3 hour appointment.

First they checked for allergies!

Yep those are some reactions.

Mold for sure and possibly a tree (walnut). There is a chance that the test was contaminated, doctor has never seen someone with only 1 tree allergy!  Eli might just be the first.

However, the doctor wasn't convinced that his symptoms were allergy related.  So thankful that she decided to do a sinus x-ray which determined our little man has a very serious sinus infection and may possibly have had it since early this year! (like January/February)

So he is on some medications, doing some sinus stuff and hoping that in a month it is a good report!

He was super excited that we were in town past lunchtime - He loves to get - THE MEATS!  

Below pictured with his Arby's sandwich.

Think about the commercial - then picture Eli saying - "I have...the Meats"!  Love this kid!

  

Last but not least - my Grandparents!  Granny and Gramps recently (Sept. 24th) celebrated their 65 Wedding Anniversary!  Wow - love these 2 and thankful to be able to live close to them at this time.  I was able just this week to go have lunch with them!  

Thanks Granny and Gramps for your example of Marriage.

Random Pics

I've been doing a horrible job of keeping up with the blog.  

Here are some random picture in the last few weeks/month!  

Maddie wanted a picture with Nathaniel

 Can't tell they are siblings - can you??? HA!

Our potato crop was great this year - Maddie and Eli were showing off how big they were!

I'm not exactly sure what is going on here - He's hanging...

 he was laughing - not sure who was involved here or why this happened - we didn't leave him there long!

Several weeks back we went to visit this beautiful lady on her 100th birthday! 

 She and Maddie are buddies!

Really not sure what was going on here, but with those grins, it looks like trouble!  

My Bookends!

 

 While I'm not doing very well with the blog, I'll try to do better!

Honestly, no promises :)  I've been substitute teaching this school year and I've kept very busy.  Only 7 school days off in September, as of right now, I only have 11 off in October.  I think they are going to be keeping me busy!  I'm enjoying it too!

 

Football 2015 Season

Nathaniel is playing his 3rd year of tackle football - He is loving it.  It is growing on me.  I still hate to see him get hit, but he really is developing into a quarterback and that is fun to watch!

#3 for the Gold Team

He was captain for this picture - with Bryar and Brady!

Eli was asked to be waterboy - he thought it was neat that he could save one bottle just for Nathaniel -shown with the black sleeves below

 

Here #3 watches after handing off the ball.

#3 hands off to #1 - Reed Singer

I'm enjoying watching him play and learning a little Football too!  One more regular season game, then Superbowl and then the State Tournament!  I'm hoping for non-football weather to end the season! :)

Flag Football

 

Eli has been playing Flag Football again this year! 

Tomorrow is his last day!  

He has, for the most part, enjoyed it!  He gets excited to play with his buddies!

Here he is below (in  the gold shirt and black pants - well one of them in the gold shirt and black pants)

 

A little QB

Now his buddy Brett is QB and he is to the right of him.

As much as I hate to admit it - I'm thinking there might be more football in our future!

Nathaniel 11 Years Old!

 Today my little big man, Nathaniel, turned 11!  Wow, time sure does fly!  Nathaniel is the most kind and caring young man I know!  He can be super sweet to his siblings and then go out on the football field and tackle someone!  

I love his passion and his sweet innocence!  

He said it was a good day, only thing that would have made it better - "No school for my birthday!"

 

Stylin in his new Russel Wilson jersey!

Ready for football!

HAPPY 11th BIRTHDAY NATHANIEL BLAKE! 
We love you so much!