Fall 2015

They say time flies when your having fun, and I just noticed it's been 8 months since the last post. I like to think it's because we've had so much fun!

Rachel's got a new business venture with Usborne books that allows her to stay home and only work a few nights a week. So far we all love it. The kids love that they have even more books to play with! She gets to spend extra time with Jacob at home during the days when both girls are in school. One of my favorite new times is lunch on Tuesday or Thursday when Rachel, Jacob and I get to eat lunch together just the three of us.

Megan is rocking 1st grade this year. We just got her 2nd six weeks report card and she made us proud! It's hard to believe that she can read and do addition/subtraction so well. She also learned to play sweeper on her soccer team this fall. I enjoyed seeing a determined look on her face as she chased down opposing players. One team had a player who regularly scored about 10 goals a game, and Megan was able to keep her to just a few goals. The special dates with Megan have an added dimension of good conversation now too! She's also been doing a great job of learning her memory verses at church.

Jenna has really blossomed into a girl instead of a toddler this fall. She's pre-reading, and even reading some words. Jenna is the most loving, and emotional of the three kids. She has really learned how to be a big sister, in fact we have to keep her from mothering Jacob sometimes. Jenna enjoys having and making friends. She loves playing with Megan, and being Megan's best friend - even if Megan won't admit it. Jenna embraced the social, or team aspect of soccer this year. She didn't score as many goals as last time, but she still played well. She just used the opportunity to cheer on teammates this fall. Jenna has really excelled at learning Bible stories, memorizing verses, and acting out Bible stories.

I've been hustling to get all my work done this fall. I've been at the church office 2.5 to 3 days a week, and then working at SWBTS and home the rest of the time. The goal is to finish this dissertation and free up 10-15hrs a week. I've had a great time teaching 2 classes, with a total of 50-60 students. I've enjoyed connecting with them, and mentoring some of them. But, it has required a great deal more time than I thought it would. One class per semester might be more my pace as long as I'm coaching soccer. The best part of working at Greenwood has been seeing small groups gain some momentum this fall. The media team has maintained pretty well, too. I really enjoyed coaching the two girls' soccer teams, and making connections with those families. The WPL has also been busy with an attempt to get started on the process of a new building.

Wonderful Winter part 1

It's only mid-winter, so I suppose this season will be broken into two parts. Just as it was getting cold, Megan got to have her picture taken with Elsa at Chick-Fil-A. Jenna wanted no part of it...

Jacob started playing chase, and learning to scoot around the house. He's into everything now, which is good and bad.



Christmas went wonderfully in Amarillo.

Created with flickr slideshow.

I turned in my dissertation a few weeks ago, and as you would guess a huge burden was lifted. Sleep comes much easier now. I also started a new job as Pastor of Small Groups and Media at Greenwood Baptist Church in Weatherford. I am really enjoying it so far. I think it will be wonderful, and I'm excited about the fact that I may still be able to teach as an adjunct professor at SWBTS.

Rachel is plugging along with a strenuous school year schedule. She is doing an amazing job of being a mother who also holds down a job. I cannot thank her enough for that!! When at home she enjoys her time with the kids, and especially enjoys the snuggles from the little guy.

 

Jacob is getting more teeth. I think 4 are coming in right now. He chews on everything - even me. He chases the dog, chases Jenna, gets into anything he can open, and does the normal little boy stuff!! He is starting to try and say "bye-bye" when he waves bye-bye to people or places as we leave. He still has that infectious baby giggle that we love too. Of course he's growing - we had to buy him a new car seat because the doctor said he was too tall for the infant seats. The girls didn't get this big until they were over a year old.

Megan has teeth coming out of her as fast as Jacob has them coming in. She is getting really good at reading, and we have found a series of books at the library that we read together. They are called "we both read" and she likes to read them with me while Jenna listens (sometimes participating). She is asking a lot of questions about church and God. She also loves to be right about everything - kind of like me. She is also getting ready for soccer season to start soon.

Jenna goes to school twice a week and always tells me about things that she learns. She also tells me about her friends every day. Jenna loves friendships and people in general. If I had to pick one word to describe Jenna, it would be "fun." This girl is going to have fun wherever she is, and no matter what is going on around her. I love to get her special affection from her sensitive heart. I also enjoy seeing her display her strong will (in certain situations), like while digging.

I'll end this post with a picture from our New Years' Eve party. Two of my three senior year roommates were in town and came over to the house. We took a picture of our kids all together on the couch before everyone went home at 8pm...

 

We ask for your prayers in a few areas:

1. Justin to pass his dissertation defense and graduate in May

2. Justin to have the opportunity to teach more classes at SWBTS.

3. Rachel's continued success in teaching.

4. The kids to continue to grow and develop, and make friends.