Too Way Totally Behind!!! Lo Siento (i'm sorry)

Yes, I know it has been too long since I've blogged. I get a little discouraged in the blogging area because I only have one friend who comments back and lets me know she's reading it. She is way worth the effort of blogging, of course, but I keep up with her blogs so we usually communicate that way....Anyways, excuses are lame so I won't make any, however, school, husband, 3 children, ministry, seminars, skiing, and of course, just plain old down time are to blame for my lack of blogging. I'll catch you up with us CLIFF'S Notes Style.

Nate is awesome! Struggling with Allergies, who isn't? His Spanish is going great! He is an incredible Youth Pastor, Husband, Dad, and friend too. He is coaching Dylon's soccer team right now and they are doing great....

Me- I've told you what I'm doing...I'm also testing for my minister's liscense too....Remember, credentialed, certified, liscensed, and ordained....I've already done credentialed and certified...My children are awesome!!! I love my life, 'nough said!

Dylon is now back at the Christian School. He just couldn't do Public school. His lowest grade in the public school was a 96, but his heart couldn't take the atmosphere...He is loving school again and we have our "joy baby" back! He is an excellent soccer player, excellent reader (very important priority in our home), excellent kid (he keeps us laughing with his dry sense of humor), and he is an excellent brother (always taking care of his sisters, especially Addy).

Brooklyn is still in public school. She was blessed with an great teacher...She is very smart and helpful in every way...She is also an excellent soccer player (she scored 4 goals on Saturday), and excellent reader ( she loves to read to her sister too), an excellent kid (she IS developing girl sass, we are working on that), and an excellent sister (she is really my left (helping) hand)....

Addyson is doing well. She still is not hearing out of her left ear, but she is developing okay. She is a hilarious soccer player(singing, "the hills are alive..." while she is on the field playing), she loves to be read to and is learning how to write her name. She is also an excellent kid with emotions like Lucille Ball (We actually call her LUCY!) She loves her brother and sister and pretty much tells them what to do and how to do it most of the time..and get this.....they LET HER!!!! Que Lastima! (OH NO!) We are doing great and love everyone very much...UNTIL NEXT TIME!!

Jolie

Sodium Chloride of the Earth!

That was the title of our devotion this morning. Please, Lord, let me be the salt of the earth for someone today. That really is my prayer.

Parenting! It has to be one of the hardest jobs ever. Dylon, who generally makes 100s on all his papers, brought home a 50 and a 46 on his science papers. Do you know what he said about it ? He says, "Well, I wanted to be the first one finished!" I told him "finished" is a good word, except he didn't FINISH his paper, hence the 50 and 46! Boys! The lengths of competitivism stretches for miles.... I tried to blame his dad, but Nate wasn't buying it! Anyways, how do you convince your children to do THEIR best in all things! All I can do it teach the lessons worth learning and go on! He did learn a valuable lesson. He who brings home bad grades gets no TV time, Basketball time, or fiddling time (whatever that means)! Do 9 year olds need fiddling time!?! See, he is Nate's child! Anyways, my ramblings shall cease now!

By the way, I am still working out and I am still working with sore muscles. How long does it take to get muscles into shape. My arms are better, but my hip flexers are shot! See ya!

Forgiven

I am so thankful to live a life of forgiveness, knowing that I too am forgiven of every single thing that I have ever done that has grieved the Lord. My burden is gone. I am free. We studied this week in HIGHLIFE YOUTH that unforgiveness literally ties you to a person that has offended you or done something to you. I do not want to walk around with people tied to my back. My choice is to forgive so that I also may be forgiven by my Father in Heaven. It is so amazing how much power we are given when we forgive. First of all, we cut loose the person that was attached to us, and we are more effective in every area of our lives. WE can truly shine the light of Christ in our lives. These thoughts may sound weird to others, but I know the affect it has on my life and I just want to encourage every one to "let it go, and let God." He will equip you with all you need to be free!

This week was busy but very fun. Addyson was the Flowergirl for Weatherford's Wrestling Homecoming. She was adorable, por surpuesto! Her introduction included:

Addyson Grace Hicks is a Pre-K student who wants to be a Weatherford High School Cheerleader. She also enjoys playing with her 9 year old brother, Dylon, and 7 year old sister, Brooklyn. She love the Lord with all her heart and has a blast at ONE WAY kids church at Life Fellowship. When she grows up she wants to be a momma and have 3 or 5 babies!

It was the cutest thing! Again, I am free and we live life for today. I hope you are doing the same. It is worth living.

This is also my second straight week in toning class. I am getting toned up. PTL!

Que Pasa? Nosotros Estudiamos Espanol!

Nate and I are learning Spanish and we are having fun! He is in Elementary 1 and I am in Elementary II and Spanish for Healthcare Professionals. So far, so good! It is proving to be very rewarding. I am still exercising faithfully and I am building some really good muscles. I am looking forward to gaining muscle. I don't really have any muscles right now, but I can tell a difference. No doctor can diagnose me with Muscular diseases...I'm on my way to pure health! Nate attended the exercise class with me today.. It was fun! We are toning muscles we didn't even know existed. I'm loving the way Ifeel though. So much better. Anyways, Keep us in your prayers and don't forget to live, laugh, and love.
Jolie

I am Ashamed!

I honestly am ashamed that I have not blogged in too many months.....Much has happened. Most of it is good! God is still in control, and I'm quite thankful for that! I am now a credentialed minister, and a mother to a 9, 7, and5 year old..What?!? Yes, I am! We are having so much fun in life.. It just keeps getting faster and faster..I almost feel like I don't have time to enjoy, but I am fighting for it! Just a little thought that the Lord has placed on my heart......He has reminded me that nothing is worthwhile unless God is in it! He has also gently nudged me to not forsake the time I spend with Him....We all make time for whatever is important to us. I choose to make time for the Lord. I am committed to reading His word everyday and praying to him, just listening to the still small voice that He uses to connect with me. He is important to me! Is He important to you? Then He is on your priority list and good for YOU! While I was spending time with the Lord telling Him that I did not want to go back to school, He helped me see that I had chosen the wrong path...Not that I don't enjoy English Ed..because I do. It is, however, very time consuming. I've already discussed my time issues. I have now changed my major once again and I am now a Spanish major with an English minor. Can you believe I only have 50 hours left on this plan. I will complete this major in 50 hours. Wow! That is alot I know but it is not as much as 78 hours, which is how much I have to take to finish an English Ed. degree. Anyway, I love Spanish, the people , the culture, well...all of it!! Enough about my boring decisions...Well, I do have another one to share! I am also beginning a toning exercise class and it kicked my TAIL today! My exercise has been weak all year, but I am going to get buff, no, for real this time! hehe! We shall see! I love ya!

Jo

It's Raining It's Pouring!

Waa! Dylon's first football game was rained out! Oh well. We will travel to Merritt next weekend for his FIRST football game. Our house is turning our really cool! I am a very blessed woman. Okay, so for those who need an update I have dropped my classes for this semester. It was a hard decision, but I feel like I'm missing life because I'm so busy..I would be working on a research project right now, if I was still taking my courses. I am finishing my credentialing process. I have made top grades doing that and I have two tests and one seminar left until it is final. I am getting to participate in a credentialing service at Muskogee, Ok. that's where my husband grew up...My Pastor's wife, Christy, is being credentialed too, along with Mark Williams, who was once one of our students in our youth group! He is now my childrens' pastor! How cool is God! My son's 9th birthday is on Monday! Where does time go? He is such a great little guy. Keep him in your prayers, his transition to public school has been a little rough. He's not used to bigger class size, more responsibility, and making new friends. He's a champ though. I learn so much from my kids. We still don't know how we are going to celebrate his birthday. Maybe he'll want to go putt putt. He wanted to go to the lake but our weather is not conducive to the lake...it's too cool and rainy. Anyways, Nate and I have been waking up really early and walking in our neighborhood before the kids wake up. SCORE Nate and Jolie!! We are trying to stay fit. We also walk with the kids in the evening. it's wonderful to be able to walk in our neighborhood and not get hit by a car!!! Reason #101 that our house is so great! Love you guys and I promise to try to update you more often. Don't be too upset with me! I usually have a choice...computer or spend time in the word...I usually choose the later, but tonight I didn't because I love you guys so much! These are a few more current pics of the kids. Some were from July. The one with brooklyn is at her first day of school with her teacher.

AAH! Fall is in the Air!

It still hot as the blazes, but school has begun, routines are being established, and football time is here! We have a little football player, AKA Nate Junior. He tried out for the Weatherford Eagles 3rd grade team and is attempting to decide between running back and quarterback. He thinks the runningback life is for him. He and his dad have been watching Adrian Peterson films all afternoon. We are officially football parents...Kinda crazy, but Dylon is loving it! I hope he still feels that way after his first hit in the game. We have media night at the High School Football field on Monday. He'll get his name announced out loud and stand with the Varsity team. He also get to scrimmage during the high school homecoming game. The girls are already planning their cheers for their bubba. I'll let ya know how it goes.
We move starting tomorrow. College starts tomorrow too. I hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to update a little more tomorrow.
Love ya,

Jo
P.S. I don't know what your situation is right now but let me encourage you. Read Galatian 6:9......I'm still doing the fat blasting dance mix! It is so funny. I can't get Nate to do it with me yet...that's my exercise news!