More than a year has passed...let's finish 2017 shall we

Hello again! More than a year has passed since I last blogged, hah! Oops! So now you're thinking...this is going to be a HUGE, LONG post, but I'll try to stick with the most important and interesting details!! Who knows, maybe I'll stick with blogging a little more often now...if I remember!

Let's see...most of 2017....hmmm...

SPRING 2017:

Noah and I went to a Willy Wonka Jr. Play in Downtown McKinney and that started his love of drama and theater! :) He wants to act or direct or something along those lines! :) 

Noah played soccer for the spring 2017 season and had some company on this particular day!

April 2017 Game Ball - it's amazing how young he looks!

We welcomed another niece to the family!

Noah had a Willy Wonka Birthday Party!!

SUMMER 2017:

On our way to Branson last May, we stopped by to see my Great Aunt in Oklahoma. We also got to see my second and third cousins! It was so nice to see them again! She's always been special to me, and it means even more now that my grandmother, her sister, is gone.

On a hike in Branson

He rode his first roller coaster! He's ready for them ALL he says!

Silver Dollar City. We also went to Dixie Stampede!

Almost got all of the family in town at once!!

My roomie and her family came to see us!!

Our last picture with our minivan. Finally convinced Wes to give it up and get something new to us. There was plenty of miles on it! Don't know if we did the right thing, but it's what we did, hah!

Our annual trip to Red River!!

We knew people this time! Hah!

My mom and sister went to CANADA!!!  Wow! Can't believe it! And it looks beautiful!

July 4th!

Singing and playing with Pawpaw!

Gramma went on a mission trip to Zambia and then got to spend some time with Auntie and Kuda! Yay!

Look at this cool dude!!

FALL 2017:

School starts again! 1st grade and 3rd grade! (It wound up being a really great year for Malachi - I think we've got it down!!)

Malachi's 9th Birthday Party! We played baseball, of course!

Fall Festival

My mom and I took a trip to Waco!! It was so much fun!!! We stalked Chip and JoJo, ate at their bakery, went to a play at Baylor, and just enjoyed the visit with each other! So fun!

Then, Wes and I went to see Tim and Faith!! Yay! A dream come true, hah!

Wes and I also went to see the Piano Guys! He liked that one, hah!

Malachi and a friend went to Kershaw Camp and got to see Clayton Kershaw, straight out of the World Series!

I got to meet the Bush twins!! Very cool! I told them that I grew up in Midland, too.

Malachi was recorded by the guys from Appian Media about his generosity in supporting their videos. The video played on youtube and during commercial spots wherever they went fundraising! Noah was excited to see the cameras and see how it all worked. A neat opportunity!

Malachi's fans!

We had Thanksgiving and Tommy and Pamela's house! We continued our tradition of playing football!

Noah and I went on a date (I can't remember where though) and afterwards he said that if he could've paid for it, it would have been a nicer date. I said, "Then I guess you should get a job!" And he said, " I already have a job...loving you!!" Oh my!!!!!! Be still my heart!!! (11-10)

WINTER 2017:

Malachi was in the Timothy class and participated in leading the congregation for the first time ever! He read scripture and lead a song! He did fantastic! Such a neat feeling for a mommy! He started asking about becoming a Christian during this time. It's still an ongoing discussion, even as we speak.

Noah is so reliant on positive encouragement and reinforcement - I've GOT to remember this!! Anyway, one evening during our prayers I was just really bragging on Noah and thanking God for him. After the prayer, Noah came up and gave me a big, huge hug! :) 

One of his education videos is produced by a Baptist group and in one lesson, the teacher was talking about something that wasn't in the Bible. I talked to him about it and told him that some people just don't understand what they read in the Bible. He was really concerned about it and felt bad and sad for his teacher. He prayed several times that month for Mrs. Lawson to learn more about the Bible. 

Trying to take our Christmas card pictures!

Our family rented a cabin in Broken Bow, OK for Christmas! It was amazing! We had never been on vacation all of us before! It was pretty much perfect!!

And this picture is special anyway...but in just a few short weeks, it would become even more special.

It was so neat!! So fun! Wish it didn't have to end!!