Saying goodbye to 2009..welcoming 2010!

The past two weeks have been so busy, but with lots of wonderful things! Some of our most memorable moments..

Uncle Matt came in from CA for Christmas and the kids LOVE being with him so much! He doesn't come home often enough though, so Matthew...make it a New Year's resolution! Or we will have to go to CA more!!

Madeline and Mallory both sang in Christmas Eve services at church and Madeline had the honor of singing a duet in one service of "Happy Birthday Jesus" Talk about proud parents! That girl has no fear..we attend a large church...must have been 2500 or so folks there :) She continues to be our "rockstar"

Mallory lost her 2nd tooth! Yes, day after Christmas! She is now sporting a large hole in the bottom of her mouth!

We made CRAFTS..yes, CRAFTS..gingerbread houses, shrinkdink trees, Christmas cookies..you name it we did it..thanks Grandma! Kept the kids from killing each other from "togetherness"

Parker turned 7 months on the 23rd! Kind of snuck up on us! Guess this is what happens though in a busy house of 6!!

Madeline got a cold and she passed it to Lara(too many late nights and early mornings)...but, no one else is sick! Please keep praying for a hedge of protection! Thank you Lord!

It has been nice this week to have some "downtime". We have so much to be thankful for this year and we feel God's presence in our lives. We look forward to 2010 and know that with God ALL things are possible!

"May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Santa Parker Style

Ho Ho Ho..Parker is happy to oblige countless pictures with humiliating(?) outfits and Santa hats. Could he be any cuter? We don't think so!



I took Parker for his 6 month pedi visit a few weeks back and the report was excellent! We don't go back until he is 1 year to the pedi. Dr. said he is developing as a "typical" 6 month old and even a bit ahead. Dr. commented he couldn't hear anything in his heart. Said he wouldn't believe it if you told him he had a heart defect. We keep praying this is our miracle! He has great strength, bears weight well (likes to stand), and is even starting to crawl. He is still working on sitting "hands free," but he can roll anywhere these days. You can't turn your back for a minute or he's halfway across the floor! He is lifting his tush and pulling his legs under him. He pushes backwards instead of forwards, but it is so fun to watch. He has some new sounds which are loud squeals, but so fun to hear! He is so much more interactive and reminds me of our other kids when they moved from infant stage. Mike always said how fun they were at this age and he is no exception!

We are in the throws of Christmas preparations and have no shortages of parties, programs, and events, but we are focused on the reason for the season. Remembering that Christmastime is God's chosen time. A time for us to receive forgiveness for the wrong things we've done. God sent us a Savior because we need a Savior. If we didn't need a Savior, God wouldn't have wasted time sending one. God sent a Savior so we could receive forgiveness. Forgiveness...all it takes is saying, "God, I don't deserve to be forgiven. I just cast myself on Your mercy." And God says, "That's what I've been waiting for. You are forgiven."

Thank you Lord for forgiveness!

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17 NLT)

Merry Christmas from the Font's!

Here it is our Christmas card 2009!!!

It has become increasingly hard to get a good picture of all of us and 4 kids is no exception! We had the card done in September, so Parker has grown so much!! Thank you to our fabulous photographer Christine Meeker who always knows how to get the perfect picture! http://www.christinemeeker.com

I have lots to say, but not enough time to write today (never fear I will be back to write), but I want to share from Rick Warren..

"But the angel said to them, "... I bring you good news of greatjoy that will be for all the people." Luke 2:10 (NIV)

Knowing that Christmastime is God's chosen time teaches us that Christmas is the time for us to renew our faith.

We need not fear God because of the Good News of Christ's arrival; it is a Good News meant to "bring great joy to all people." (Luke 2:10 NLT)

What is the Good News?

You matter to God: God knows everything about you -- the good, the bad, and the ugly -- and He still loves you. He cares about you. He loves you more than you could ever know. God is for you, not against you.

You are not an accident: Regardless of the circumstances of your birth, you were not the result of an accident. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. The only way you will find meaning and satisfaction is to discover God's purpose for your life and then to get right into the center of his will. "

And from our Christmas card..

May the gifts you receive this Christmas be the ones that abide in your heart-the peace of God...the presence of His joy...the warmth of His love.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

Well, this post is late (naturally), but SNOW it DID last Friday!!! And not just a barely noticeable flurry! Big, beautiful flakes and not just for an hour or so, but off and on all day. School was closed at 1pm and the kids had a ball in the snow. Makes for a memorable Christmas! I even took Parker out for pictures although he thought it was a bit too wet :)

Snow in Texas is rare..yesterday we were back to 77 degrees, rainy and humid, but the weather over the weekend was COLD (at least by Texas standards)! The snow reminded me of some of my favorite memories. As a child I lived in Boston, Alaska, and Wisconsin where there is no shortage of snow. The kids made a snowman and threw snowballs even if they were more like ice. I was amazed at how something so simple could excite all of us and even the entire city. A simple gift from our loving God!

Blessings to all!

Lara

Thanksgiving, Santa, and SNOW?

I am WAY behind on Christmas this year, but I guess I have an excuse? I am hoping that by changing the blog background I am on my way!!! Parker has been to see Santa (see pic) now to get the "whole gang" together..what a trick that will be! 4 kids? Poor Santa! At least this year we will have no "screamers"..Parker was oblivious to the bearded Santa that strikes fear in the heart of small children! We have a "threat" of snow today (a rarity here) and the kids are praying God delivers! We went to the tree lighting at our town square last night, so all of this should get us on our way.

Today I was blessed by a friend. Her words were the Holy Spirit witnessing to my soul and I must share. She posted about the Drs writing "simple ears" as the marker that pointed them to her daughter being diagnosed with Ds and how it had always hurt her to hear that comment. She had some pictures done and the photographer focused on her child's hands, feet, and ears! This made her think more about these ears and God revealed this to her..

"You see we don’t have to have “fancy ears” or “special ears” or any certain kind of ears at all to hear God. We just have to have a heart that is willing to listen. He doesn’t care what our ears look like or what some doctor says about us…He just wants us to love Him and for us to want to get to know Him better. I really can’t think of anything that is more simple than doing that. "

As most of you know, Parker's one marker was "low set ears" which I must confess I resented hearing, reading, and even looking at Parker's ears. Mike and I kept asking, "what does that mean?" and still don't honestly understand it, but through the gift of a friend I now have a new perspective! I love when God sends His love in awesome and unique ways!

I am reminded that when God doesn't do what we want, it's not easy. But faith is the conviction that God knows more than we do about this life and HE will get us through!! Disappointment is cured by revamped expectations!!! Remember this story?

" A man went to the store searching for a singing parakeet. He was a bachelor and his house was too quiet. The store owner had just the bird for him, so the man bought it. The next day the man came home to a house full of music! He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time the bird had one leg. He felt cheated that he'd been sold a one-legged bird, so he called the store owner to complain. "What did you want," the store owner replied, " a bird that can sing or a bird that can dance?"

"The ways of God are without fault." Psalm 18:30

Thank you my friend for giving me a revamped expectation!!!!

Blessings!