The Fair

We went to the Comal County Fair today after church. It is supposedly the largest county fair in Texas, if that really matters to anybody! We only stayed about an hour and a half because it was so blazing hot. I can't believe it is still this hot and tomorrow is the first day of October. It's not feeling very fall like yet!

Here are a few pics from the fair:



















Disney Radio was doing a kids event, so we stopped to watch and Tanner joined in the dancing. I have no idea where he got his great dance moves, but he is hysterical! Here is a video, and if you watch closely you will see Chris doing some moves of his own off to the right...maybe that is where Tanner learned his technique!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday...

I am a day late in posting this....but Happy Birthday Rachelle!! I feel so privileged to have such a wonderful and beautiful sister who is also one of my best friends. We are only 13 months apart and growing up I have to admit that we fought like cats and dogs. And Rachelle will be happy to tell you about all the abuse and trauma I inflicted on her...she probably needs counseling! Eventually the fighting did stop however, and now I couldn't imagine a better friend or sister than Rachelle. She is a fantastic mother, and she amazes me with her ability to juggle so many different things and yet do them all so well. She is a tremendous blessing to me and I am so thankful for her. I love you Rachelle!!

One of my favorite pics of us taken 8 years ago (wow, I can't believe it has been that long!):

The miracle of new life

Our good friends, Shane & Holly, became proud first-time parents last night at 7:01 pm. I went to the hospital today to visit them and was able to see the precious and adorable AvaLayne Susannah. She weighed a whopping 9 lbs, but she is as cute as she can be!!

Congratulations Shane & Holly...we love you guys!

New haircut

A few pics of Tanner's new haircut. Great job Dad!!

The Adams barber shop

I actually bought a haircut kit at Walmart this week and Chris cut Tanner's hair tonight for the first time. Well, I guess I should say the first "successful" time! Tanner has gone ballistic everytime he sees the scissors or shears for quite some time. We tried about a year ago to cut his hair at home, but quickly realized that the screaming and flailing were jeopardizing the safety of his ears and scalp so we decided to leave it to the professionals. So, we have been taking him to a kids haircut place every 6 weeks or so and he has been slowly getting better. Of course, it helps that they have these cool cars for him to sit in and they play movies while they cut his hair. This is one of those things that makes me realize how extravagant and over the top American culture has become...but I digress. Anyways, his last haircut was the first time that we didn't have any screaming the entire time...a huge success! So we decided it was time we cut his hair at home. He did really well. Chris let him use the shears on his stuffed kitty so that helped to calm him down. We had a few tears, but overall it was a pretty good experience. I would take a picture of the newly sheared cutie, but he is fast asleep. Maybe tomorrow...

The crafty bug...

I don't know if it is the time of year or what, but I am just itching to do some crafty projects! We had a tease of fall weather earlier this week, which quickly disappeared as I knew it would, but it was enough to make me start thinking of the holidays. And maybe that is why I have the crafty bug since I always enjoy making homemade gifts for my family at Christmas. Every year I tell myself I will start those projects earlier so that I am not doing them the week before...maybe this is the year! I think part of my problem is that I have so many different ideas colliding in my brain that it is hard for me to settle on one and start working on it. I seem to spend more time visualizing and dreaming ideas rather than actually making them happen. I think I need to just designate one night a week as crafty night and make it happen. I'll let you know how that goes.... :)

A Success!!

Well the ladies retreat was fantastic! Every single lady showed up that was registered...56 ladies in all. We had no major problems and the facility was absolutely beautiful. Most importantly, the message for the weekend was truly God breathed and many lives were touched. We watched a Beth Moore video series on "Loving Well". Her main points were as follows: 1.) God is perfect love, 2.) Nothing can separate us from God's perfect love, 3.) God's perfect love is poured into our imperfect hearts, and 4.) Accessed, we can love anyone through anything. It was a wonderful message - encouraging and challenging at the same time.

God showed me several things this weekend. For one thing, He showed me how great it can be when the body of Christ works together and everyone uses their individual gifts. I had a great leadership team, and while I must admit that I struggled with some of the delegating during the planning stage, I really felt God challenging me to let everyone play their part and not try to hold their hand. That is usually very hard for me to do, but I know it is just pride on my part. So, I assigned the duties and let them be and it was so awesome to see everything come together...and beautifully! Usually when I am in charge of things, I am stressed out the entire time because I am trying to do everything. However, because I had delegated, this experience was so much better. I was able to relax and enjoy the weekend and just sit back on several occasions and observe other people operating in their gifts and talents. It was such a beautiful thing to behold!

This weekend was also so exciting for me because I felt like I was finally returning to the calling of God on my life. This weekend felt so natural for me and I could really feel God's hand on me. Chris and I are doing more and more at the church, and while it can be a little scary and overwhelming at times, I am also excited about what God has in store for us. I definitely feel my comfort zone being stretched, but I know that is the only way to grow!

Ladies Retreat

Well, it is early Friday morning and our church ladies retreat starts today. I just got finished spending some time with the Lord about this weekend, and I am so excited about what He has in store for us! I had a lot of last minute registrations so our final number is 56 ladies. After a crazy week trying to get all the last minute details finished, it is finally here...ready or not!

I know it will be a great time of refreshing for so many of the ladies. My heart is that we will be a unified group this weekend and every one will feel welcome and loved. We have so many new ladies at the church and this is the first FFC retreat for many of them. Like any other place, we naturally have cliques, but I am really praying that the women will step out of their comfort zone this weekend and love on each other.

I John 4:7 (Amplified Bible)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].

This is our theme verse for the weekend, and I just love this version of it. Oh Lord, help us to have a love that springs from you. Help us to develop a better understanding and knowledge of who you are, so that we can love those around us. Make us your vessels and pour your love out of us so that it splashes on everyone we come in contact with. Amen!