More pictures

We took professional pictures last month with Adam's family.  I wasn't extremely pleased with the pictures of our individual family, I felt like we didn't get a lot of time with the photographer and there wasn't a lot of diversity in the shots.  Well, I just received the CD with all the pictures, and found a few more that I really like.  So, I'm sharing them.  Enjoy!

Christmas Eve

Today we spent our Christmas celebration with my family.  My Uncle Frank and Aunt Cheryl came into town from California, which was really the best present of all.  But, we enjoyed a full day of presents, food, and fun.  I was more stressed than usual.  I couldn't seem to slow down long enough to get a drink to calm me down!!  So, now tonight I can relax.  The house is quiet.  It's a mess, but quiet.  Here are some pictures of my amazing family.  Enjoy!

 Aunt Cheryl and Annalie

 Cookin' it up in the kitchen

 Uncle Frank's gift to Grandma- a throw with our family photo on it!

 Jude's gift to Daddy

 Uncle Frank loved our gift: "The Encyclopedia of Immaturity" and an emergency bowtie :-)

 Addison gave Uncle Frank a nerf gun!  Uncle Adam was testing it out...

 KIDS TABLE!  (Jude looks possessed)

 DINNER!

 The kids (minus babies) got iPod Touches!  Thanks GAGA!

 All the kids! 

Our goofy family.  I love them so much...

po-po

I never would've imagined that I would be married to somebody who puts his life on the line everyday to protect people.  First the military.  Now he's a police officer!  We just got a call from one of his co-workers that another officer in his sector was cut in the throat tonight.  The suspect was shot and killed, but we're still waiting to hear back on his status.  Adam is off tonight, but that could've been him!  Same shift!  Same sector.

yikes.

So, it's 11:45 and Adam just left to go be with him.  He had watery eyes (and Adam never has watery eyes).  This hits home.  It's the first time anything like this has happened to a friend.  Somebody he takes advice from, looks up to.  He's on his way to the ER to be with him.

My immediate reaction was to reject!  NO!  It's OUR CHRISTMAS EVE!  He works on Christmas Day, so we're celebrating Christmas Eve.  Which makes this our Christmas Eve.  BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, I quickly snapped out of my selfishness and realized what this meant.  If that was Adam, would I want his friends to gather around him in support?  ABSOLUTELY!

Ultimately, everything comes down to God's will.  Adam could just as easily get in a car accident on his way to work.  Probably more easily!  But it's sometimes stressful to imagine what he does and the dangers that comes with his job.

I love my husband.  I am so proud of him.  I am thankful for who he is, and the strengths he has that not many have.  He's a righteous, good, godly, brave man.  And I am really thankful it wasn't him on shift tonight.

NEW WEBSITE!

I just found the most amazing website.  A friend of mine posted that she just saved $118 and her local, organic food was being delivered tomorrow.  WHAT!?!

It's true.  The website is called Greenling.  And I'm in trouble.  It's amazing!  Seriously.  check it out.

Not only does it support organic lifestyle, but LOCAL!  SO many local farmers that I can support.  Otherwise, I don't know about them and can't help them out.  I'm totally willing to pay a little extra to support the people who can garden and tend to their stuff the way  I CAN'T!  I wish so badly I could support my family with my own produce and grain, but it's not happening.  So I will support those that can support us! :-)

Not only food, but green living stuff.  Oh, I'm so excited.  GO THERE NOW.

tis the season

With Christmas just 5 days away, I'm surprised I haven't blogged anything about it yet.  I'm super excited this year to have Christmas at our house for the first time!  The last few years has been hard for me to enjoy this season.  It seems so tainted with selfishness.  My mom shared this link of facebook, and I just love it so much.  It helps me get excited about this amazing holiday.

Every store is packed full of more things we need- more ways to make them rich and us in debt.  I just want a little simpler Christmas.  I want to gather with my loved ones and express my joy and thanks to the God who provided atonement for our sins through Christ.  Who brought Him into this ugly, sinful world knowingly so He could be killed by the same children that claimed to be true sons of God.  Never has there been such love- nor will there ever be.  I want to magnify Christ.  In a holiday that is supposed to be spent honoring Him, I feel like He gets pushed to the side.  I am making a point to magnify Him this year.  Thank you Jesus for your obedience to the Father.  Your willingness and submission.  Most of all, thank you for your life- so that you could die- and provide a new and everlasting covenant with you that will never parish.  WE ARE SO BLESSED!

merry christmas.

Zilker Performance

Every year, Dance eMotions has the opportunity to dance on the Zilker Hillside Theater and perform our competition pieces for an audience!  It's a great opportunity to show our pieces off for others, and get our girls' jitters out of the way before competition!  Well, this year is a bit different for me since I have a daughter on a team now!

She is so sweet.  Always practicing.  She listens to her teacher and takes it very seriously.  If Miss Sarah (aka Auntie Sarah) tells her to go home and practice, she does.  She is very hard on herself if she forgets.  Or does 5 minutes instead of 10.  Oh, by the way, she's 6.  ha!  Anyway, last night, she was so great.  This was her second performance, and she's improved so much since the first, which was only about a month ago!  I'm truly so proud of her, but admittedly, it's hard for me to step back from dance teacher mode and into mommy mode.  I see all the positives, just like a dance teacher and mom, but also see the work ahead of us, like a dance teacher.  I pray that I am able to correctly divide the two jobs.  I don't want Abigail to never feel like I'm proud of where she's at.  BUT- I don't think my dancers feel that way.  I think they all know I'm proud of who they are as dancers now, but can still grow.  But, you know, sometimes you just want your mommy to hold you and tell you that you're the best thing ever.  I want to be able to do that for her when she needs it.  So, I guess I need to truly step back and let Auntie be her dance teacher, and I'll be her mommy.  :-)

The other girls, of course, looked amazing.  But, this blog is about my precious daughter.  It's amazing watching your children grow up.  I'm so honored to be chosen to raise these outstanding people. :-)

 One of my advanced dancers, Gabby.  I am truly so proud to be her dance teacher!  She's an amazing dancer and person!

Rising Stars 1... Abigail is far right

From the side of the stage.  Abigail is closest to us.

Ending position of lyrical.  Abigail is front right. (closest to us)

Most of our amazing performers.  LOVE THEM!  I'm a proud mama.

Man Card

At dinner tonight, Bappo explained to Micah what "turning in your man-card" meant.  He asked Micah if he had a girlfriend, he said no.  Bappo said "So you haven't turned in your man-card, yet?"  He said no.  Then Owah asked him "Micah, is Jordan your girlfriend?" He said no.  "Is Anika your girlfriend?"  Micah responds "Yes, but I haven't turned in my man-card to her".


seriously.

he's 3.

Micah and his "girlfriend" Anika

EIGHT YEARS!

So, it's 12:30, I just wrote about my birthday dinner, but HAVE to write about my wedding anniversary.

For the first time in our marriage, Adam surprised me.  And it was amazing.  Here was our day:

1. woke up to breakfast in bed- a big one, bratkatoffeln (sauteed potatoes and onions- a german thing), eggs, toast, smoothie
2. while eating breakfast was informed I wasn't going to work that night, and neither was he.  He got a sub for me and got the night off - got my mom to babysit and has reservations at 6:30 at a brazilian steakhouse.  Doorbell rang, I answered it to find flowers delivered for me.
3. went to the mall to get the girls ears pierced, shopped, played, ate, etc.
4. dropped kids off, went to restaurant
5. GOT TO RESTAURANT AND ATE.  AND ATE. AND ATE.  It was amazing.  I loved it.  The restaurant is in Sunset Valley and is called Estancia Churrascaria.  I can't say enough good things about it.  Everybody in Austin has to go there at least once.
6. Left the restaurant, fully satisfied, and headed to play games at Dave n Busters
7. Embarrassed myself on the Japanese version of Dance Dance Revolution
8. Picked kids up, went back to our house and continued reminiscing on our amazing marriage.  Our amazing children.  Our amazing life together.

I can't brag on my amazing husband enough.  This anniversary was the best ever.  He is not the kind of guy to even buy a gift, so this was a HUGE surprise.  We've been married 8 years now.  I can't imagine life without him.  I don't really remember it without him.  weird.  I love our life.  I love him so much.  While at the restaurant, we shared 8 of our favorite memories with each other.  My cheesy idea.  But it turned out to be more like 50 of our favorites.  Our life together has been so flavorful and memorable.  SO many changes, ups and downs, separations, and reunions.  What a wonderful night.  I LOVE YOU ADAM!

Our wedding photo!

Birthday dinner

It's 12:30am, I am awake.  Just wrapped our Christmas presents!  But, remembering my family as I do it, realized I didn't blog about my BIRTHDAY DINNER!

So, I must.  Obviously.  It was with the best people in the world (minus our terrible waiter) and was lovely.  My mom really does spoil us.  Also received new cookbooks which is always a bonus AND new shoes and clothes!  HELLO!  She's the best.  Sarah wasn't feeling well, but was still a delight.  :-)  Ate at the restaurant Siena in Austin.  Don't recommend it.  It was... meh.

We celebrated Adam's, Sarah's and my birthdays together.  It seems weird that Mike and Mom don't get to partake in the holiday birthdays.  I'm thinking we should change their birthdays just to make things easier.

Here are some pics of my fantastic family.  ENJOY!

 Birthday boy and girl

 Mom and the birthday girls

Yet another birthday girl and Mike!

I'm doing it

Ok, so I'm doing it.  I know this blog is on the internet.  And the internet is full of so much- so I want to put this out there.

I'm so excited.  I went to HEB today to pick up a card for my husband since tomorrow is our Anniversary.  Well, on my way out, without a card (because I decided to write one myself- he would appreciate the gesture of saving money!), I saw this book.

The Complete Guide to Bible Prophecy

I already own another one of his books, The Complete Guide to the Bible.  It is written so well.  He's a journalist, so his writing is easy to read.  So, I was interested when I saw this.  I have found myself, over the past few months, changing my view of the Bible.  In a really good way.  But it's changing.  And I don't have so much in common with the common Christian anymore.  If you look up what I believe, heresy will come up right away on the internet.  But, I seek truth.  And truth has been revealed to me through Preterism.  I don't like the name, but I want it out there on the internet as a good thing, so I'm using it.

So, what is preterism, you may ask??  Well, it is a view of Bible prophecy that means "fulfilled".  I believe that all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled.  I believe the Bible was written in languages that are difficult to interpret.  That we do our best, but our best is not inherent and holy.  In it's original language, it was.  To it's audience, in it's context.  Like I said, this is my view, my opinion.  What is Preterism? (If you're interested in looking deeper into it)

So this book captured my attention.  A book at HEB about prophecy.  Hmm... should be interesting.  I'm sure it's got futurism written all over it.  I'm sure it's more about the Antichrist and taking the mark of the Beast- dang technology and Obama! (on a very serious note: I thought Obama was the Antichrist when he was running for president).  BACK TO THE BOOK:  I'm going to copy some quotes here so you can read them, too:

"In the swirl of all this uncertainty about the timing of Jesus' return- or of anything else about end times, for that matter- all that many Christians say we can know for sure is that God knows.  And in God we trust."


"If a renowned prophet, sage, and dream interpreter like Daniel couldn't interpret his own visions of the future, why should I trust some preacher who says he's got it all figured out?"

So, I like him.  I like that he's willing to risk the common belief- and money maker- to publish what Bible scholars have found.  He says:

"Instead of telling you what to believe, I'll tell you what the Bible experts say they believe.  And I'll tell you why they say they believe it."

Thank you very much!

So... I'm excited about this book.  After reading just about 5 different pages, it actually justifies my view.  Which is crazy, because my view is considered CRAZY!  I'm not a closed book.  I'm ready to be taught, and molded, for the sake of understanding God better.  I want to read the Bible the right way.  I want to understand it the way it was meant to be understood.  I want to grow closer to God in the process.  I want to love others deeper through a deeper understanding of our God.  If I'm wrong, I want the BIBLE to reveal it to me.  For GOD to show it to me.  I think this book is important for all Christians to own.  To understand what Bible scholars say.  They don't all agree on everything.  But there are some things they all agree on.  I want to know why- so I can know God better. I'm sure this book will not confirm Full Preterism.  If it did, it wouldn't be sold on the bookshelf of HEB.  But, the fact that it's sold there and even discusses the fact that the Antichrist isn't actually in Revelation at all, and that AD70 was Jesus coming in Judgement with the destruction of the current age and it's temple- bringing for the NEW age and the NEW temple (US!).  Man, that's exciting.  So hopefully it will open eyes.  Mine, especially.  I'm not a scholar.  I don't understand a lot.  But I sure like it when God teaches me. :-)

Thanks for reading.  I hope you get this book.  I hope it teaches me, grows me, and humbles me.

On our way to Adams ntl guard Christmas party where a Santa is going to give them presents. Micah says "are we almost there to Satan's birthday?" LOL

The Perfect Day

One of the things I love most in the whole world is being out in God's creation, worshiping Him.  Yesterday we had the best day EVER.  (A long needed day together)  We woke up, had breakfast, packed a lunch and headed out.  There is a sweet spot by the river in our neighborhood that is a great hiking spot.  With Annalie on my back, and the Camelback (for water) on Adam's, we headed out.  At first, it was a basic walk- on a small man-made trail, down to the bank of the river.  We were skipping rocks, finding fossils, looking for snakes.   Then, it started unfolding into a bit more than a basic walk.  We crossed the streams with our own made bridges.  We roughed it to the other side, and then again, back to the end where there was a huge Boulder ( I mean HUGE- Adam had to lift everybody up- about 7 or 8 feet off the ground).  We ate our picnic there on the rock and enjoyed the beautiful view.  After lunch, we headed back.  Oh, this is where it got interesting. So on the edge of the ravine (I guess that's what you would call it) is a tall rock/stone wall.  We climbed up to the base of the rock wall (through brush and leaves and thistle). Well, the wall was not strait up, it curved outward (almost making the bottom seem like a cave), and that's where we were.  Well, with Annalie on my back, I couldn't do the ducking and crawling required to make it across, so I had to rough it down in the brush and thistle.  haha.  I literally slid on my bottom twice where there was no other option of getting down.  Now this brings me to the topic of... Micah.  This child.   Oh this child.  He knows NO FEAR.  He was scaring me so much, I don't even want to give you examples of the things he was doing.  So I won't.  Imagine the craziest thing a 3 year old could do while hiking.  Now put Micah's face on that 3 year old.  There you have it.  Jude is so funny.  He LOVES this kinda thing.  LOVES it.  BEGS for it when we're not doing it.  But when we are doing it, he's scared to death.  He went so slow- so safe.  He freaked out about twice, thinking he wasn't going to be able to make it across.  Sweet boy.  But Daddy doesn't understand.  Daddy was Micah as a child.  So, this was a good bonding time for Jude and Daddy- Adam was very understanding and patient with him, encouraging him and building up his trust.  After 5 minutes of tears, Jude ended up jumping off that big boulder into Adam's arms.  (after all the other kids did it- including Annalie!).  Annalie was in heaven on my back.  I did hit her in the head with a branch once- and she cried.  And I also knocked her head on the stone wall once- and she cried.  But other than that, she was pointing at everything saying "ISH!" and "HAI!".  So sweet.  Now Abigail- Abigail is the best.  She's gonna make the coolest wife one day.  She was all about it.  Like a pro.  Wasn't scared of anything.  Enjoying it gracefully.

It was so much fun.  Thanks for reading the details.  I know blogs are best when short and with pictures, but I couldn't make this short!  So, I'll post pictures to redeem myself! :-)

 Daddy teaching them how to skip rocks

 LOVE!

 Daredevil Micah

Annalie and me  

 Sweet Abigail

Lunch on the rock  

Lunch on the rock! (the rock wall is behind us) 

Handome boys! 

 Boy Bonding Time

Abigail

Micah playing on the rock- 8 feet above the ground- no fear

After the hike, we came home and took naps, then went to see TANGLED.  IT'S THE BEST!  I can't wait to see it again.  And again.  And again.  You get the picture.  I think it's my favorite princess movie.  Then, out to eat at Monument Cafe (the BEST restaurant in Georgetown).  Since Monument is near the square, we decided to surprise the kids and take them to Galaxy Cupcakes afterward.

Well to our surprise, there was an AMAZING Christmas thing going on down there.  They had FREE cupcakes from "whooville" where everybody was dressed like the grinch stole Christmas.  And then, the best.  Bethlehem Village.  A LIVE MARKET- with all people dressed in first century clothing, and booths set up as shops in the market.  There were soldiers taking the census, a man walking with his donkey, women dancing in a circle with tambourines.  The kids made pottery, milled wheat, and even got to go inside a small version of the Temple!  It was amazing.  I can't describe it properly.  I had no idea anything like this went on!  Oh, but now.  It will be tradition in the Best house.  There was a little play at the end of the village with Mary and Joseph in the stable with newborn Jesus.  It told the story of His birth.  I cried.  It was not cheesy at all.  It genuinely represented God's love for the world on that blessed day.  I loved it.  It was the perfect way to end the perfect day. :-)

And it brought back my passion for this amazing holiday.  Thanks Bethlehem Village!  See you next year...

Tangled

At the movies, Micah asks for more POC-PORN. ha.

Go see Tangled.  It's soo good!

School

I used to obsess about needing school to be rigid and hardcore all day long.  That's what I was used to!  I went to public school.  8 hours of my day was at school.  Sure, there was lunch, recess, and PE.  But for the most part, I was at a desk.  So my first week of Kindergarten last year with Abigail, I felt inadequate... that we had finished all the curriculum for the day after an hour!  All the curriculum for the week could've been pushed into one day!  It was a huge change for me.  I didn't understand.  I thought, somehow we were expecting less out of our children.  Abigail is smart, and could've done so much more than this curriculum was asking of her.  (and we started her kindergarten year with first grade material)I kept asking other HS Moms and they told me to relax.  Just have fun with her!  BUT IT'S SCHOOL!  My insides were torn.  I almost felt like I was being lazy if I didn't do school with her every minute of every day.  AND THEN... it hit me.  We do school every minute of every day.  We LIVE school. How do you LIVE school?  I teach her when it's relevant.  I have found that just being with her.  Playing, exploring, talking, cooking, cleaning.  Whatever it is, there is school involved.  Of course, we still use a solid language arts and math curriculum.  Writing out equations and spelling words just don't naturally come up like you need them to! :-)  Last night we were driving home from the studio and Abigail was like the energizer bunny with questions.  Over and over again, she asked so many questions.  Without waiting for response, she would ask another.  I found it quite humorous.  But once she got to asking about pirates, she waited for responses.  PIRATES! ha.  She wanted to know about gold.  About maps.  About boats.  About treasure.  About stealing.  I found that pirates were actually an amazing subject.  SOOOO.  Today, we went more into detail with maps.  We buried treasure in different places in our house (our treasure was an iPod- although thinking about it now, it should've been a Bible. aaaargh) and drew maps to lead each other to our treasure.  It was adorable.  That was all we did today.  And normally, that would stress me out.  But I know that isn't all we did.  WE LIVED SCHOOL.  It's not a part of our day, it is our day.  All the time.  I am falling more and more in love with homeschooling.  Even on the days I forget to relax. :-/oh, also- random, but Jude spelled the word PASTA today.  Wrote it out all by himself. :-)

Abigail's map of our living room- the couch, table, and fireplace.  Notice the X by my hand- she hid the iPod in the cushion of the couch.  :-)  

Bella Best

At Carrabas, Jude says "Mommy, what does it mean when your tongue swells up?" I explained and asked why? He says "When I see Bella, my tongue swells up".  "Why is that Jude?" I ask.  "Because she's really pretty."Since Jude was a baby, I used to whisper in his ear to try to brainwash him to marry Bella Robertson.  Our friends Ginger and Michael have 4 beautiful daughters, but only ONE matches the age of our boy Jude.  BELLA.  A couple years ago, she was asked what her name was and she responded "Bella Best".  It has a nice ring to it. :-)  We were psycho.  But the last year, we haven't seen a lot of eachother, so it was surprising to me that Jude is now MORE in love with her than when we were together all the time.  He's proposed to her.  He's kissed her in public.  He's even taken a bath with her (innocently I promise).  But now, he's almost to the point of having a serious crush.  HE'S 5!!!  Ginger, we've successfully brainwashed him.  If she doesn't love him back, there will be many tears in this house.  And I will blame you.  ;-)

This was their first dance recital together- "A Penny A Kiss"  very appropriate for them! :-)