New Furniture.........At Last!!

Finally, we bought furniture for the girls' room! We love it and so do they. Of course, they'll have this stuff until college!! Nice furniture is very pricey! But, it was such a great investment. The girls were so excited when they came home from school to find their room all set up. We even went to Target and got them bedspreads, sheets, and new pillows! Awwwww........it was fun! I never had a room like this. My stuff was used and old. (which is totally fine). But it's nice to really dress up a little girls room!

Personal Goals 2010

I wasn't going to publish this but then I thought "why not?!". If I publish it then I'll me more likely to stick to it. I do have a few goals this year. I don't really refer to them as "New Years Resolutions". These are goals and hopes, along with a few pipe dreams!! I usually begin my goals in Dec. of the current year. So I started back in December and hope to keep on going. So, here we go people!

1. Become a better keeper of the Word by memorizing some key verses and getting into my Greek and study materials from college etc.......

2. Fast more often with my husband. I think it's vital for couples to pray and FAST together. I'm embarrassed to admit that we haven't really developed that as a habit but we are this year. (I know that's a pretty personal one)

3. I will take better care of my skin. I live in nasty hot weather and there is no moisture in the air in Phoenix, AZ. I refuse to turn into a prune by the age of 40. I'm gonna wear sunscreen every day (rain or shine) and wear a hat at the pool this year.

4. Read, read, read, read!!! I have been terrible this year at reading. I'm gonna finish my book called "Don't Know Much About History" and would love to read up some more about American History.

5. Eat as much Whole Foods and possible. I'd love to have the family eating veggies and fruit everyday and meat 1 a week. We're gonna invest in Juice Plus this year and get healthy!

6. Take more initiative in doing "one-on-one" with the kids. They are still wanting that individual attention. I took Mia to McDonalds the other day (I know....super healthy) and she loved it!

7. Compete in 2-4 races this year. I'd love to do the half-irongirl in October but it's so very expensive!! I'm running a half-marathon at the end of January.

8. Stick to my grocery budget each month. This one will be tricky!! I only pay with cash, so that should help.

9. Give more to others!

Freaks or Frogs??

I can already hear the future with our kids. It sounds like this "oh mom, do you always have to MAKE the cupcakes?? Why can't we be normal like everyone else and get them from the cake store?!!" Yep, I'm attempting to make froggy cupcakes for Kennedy's teacher's b-day. I'm not sure if they look like frogs though??!! The truth is.........I really do enjoy baking and taking on new challenges, such as decorating a cupcake. Honestly, I stink at it, however, I can only get better! I'm determined to make my kids' cakes for each b-day. I love doing it; and I know that my cakes will be special and made with love! This year, Kennedy wants me to make my famous ice-cream cake and put roses on top. Well, thanks to my friend, Michaela, who is amazing at cake decorating, I'm going to a cake decorating store. She found a store that sells all the really cool stuff. So I can now go and buy the tips and piping bags and make roses for Kennedy. She'll think I'm the stuff!! hahaha I cannot wait.

A Dog's Life

Well, our kids surely do live "the life". Of course our dog is spoiled rotten too. I took this picture of Clifford Yoda Gator and my "almost 2yr old", Lincoln, as they looked out the window in deep thought. They were actually waiting for Paul and the girls to return home with the pizza. They were a bit dismayed when the front door shut in front of them, only to see the girls and daddy drive away!! So...we waited and then with deep anticipation, clapped when daddy drove up with the pizza.

Goodbye Yesterday.......Hello Today

Looking back on last year, I can honestly say that so much was learned. We are learning to be thankful for what we do have instead of wishing today away and hoping for what we may never have. I love to hope but let's enjoy what is in our arms right this minute. I will cherish the wet and sloppy kisses that Linc. gives me. I will cherish the loud giggles that are coming from the girls' room at 9pm. I will cherish Paul's warmth right next to me when I wake up in the middle of the night. I will most certainly cherish our friends here in AZ! We've made some real keepers and hope to have life-long relationships with them. I will cherish the friends we have made before our journey to AZ. I cherish our health. I cherish the opportunity to serve. I do cherish Paul's job too! This year, we are hunkering down and focusing on the kids and some pretty darn beautiful relationships that God has blessed us with. IN fact, we are not having any family in town for the holidays this year. We hope to spend them with friends. We will cherish our extended family on different days this year (not the holidays). We will cherish one another as much as possible. I already love 2010. I hope to see miracles this year, esp. with our friends the McRaes!!

Alexander Family Mission

God created the Alexander Family to: love Him, imitate Him, and to serve others first. Mark 12:29-31 "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and wit all your mind and with all your strength. Teh second is that you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is NO other commandment greater than these."

After some alone time together this summer and some time this fall, we've come up with our family purpose! We are aiming to thread this statement into all we do as Alexanders.

These are the Character Traits that we hope to see grow into our kiddies!We have put them in kid terms and hope to teach them to our kids. Now you can know exactly how to pray for us!!

1. Alexanders always tell the truth.
2. Alexanders show compassion on everyone.
3. Alexanders are reliable- we keep our word.
4. Alexanders use self-control- no matter what.
5. Alexanders strive to be humble- we don't brag or show off.
6. Alexanders make wise choices.
7. Alexanders are strong; we never give up.
8. Alexanders like to have fun!

King Nebuchadnezzar

I don't normally 'journal' my personal thoughts on here. But recently, I've felt moved to do so. So...here I go. Not that anyone really reads this crud anyhow! I've been reading through Daniel and am completely enamored at how God moves through us and uses such weak vessels, like ourselves to bring honor/glory to His name. I am especially touched today after reading about Nebuchadnezzar. What a mouthful of a name. Well, I often think of all these 'bad' guys in scripture and think about all the bad choices they made. You know there are many others like: Cain, Herod, Haman etc...........we're so quick to sling them into the "loser" category. But I was amazed at how compassionately God dealt with King Neb. Well, I suppose it was quite brutal, in that the king was reduced to a beast and grew feathers like an eagle and bird claws. And for 7 years he moved like a beast in the field. However.........God sent down dew from heaven and then allowed the king to have one more shot. When the 7 year were up, the king found God again. I mean look and see what God returned to King Nebuchadnezzar. He returned: his understanding/reason, his majesty/splendor, the glory of his kingdom returned and his friends (lords/counselors) returned to him. Isn't God good??!! My heart can be just as twisted at times as King Neb.'s. Wanna know what his crazy-huge crime was that he committed??? Pride!! yep "his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly". That would describe every living human being. And yet.........the King changed. I believe there is hope for me this year. I can change. And yet, I hope I don't need 7 years of isolation in the fields to prove it. I just need some time alone with God. Well..........I need more than that! You get the point!

Best and Worst of Friends

These girls are either the Best of Friends or the Worst of Enemies. It's good to see them work through their differences though. I think they will always remain close when they are older. They are only 14 months apart but it's like they are twins. They are just growing up so fast. I wish I could slow down time. I love my little ladies.

Handsome One

What is there not to love about this little guy?! He's amazing. Lately, he's been grunting and roaring as loud as he can! He is all boy!!!! Sometimes it's so loud at my house. It feels like we have around 10 kids some days! I love it though. I love the fun noise, giggles, and squeals.

The Girls!

We all fixed our hair the exact same and went out to dinner at Red Robin with the family. We had a nice time and stuffed our tummies! Thankyou Nanna and Pappa for the great meal!

Homemade Pies Made With Love

We had our own Thanksgiving dinner here in AZ after returning from CA. The girls made homemade pies with Pappa and Nanna. It really was fun to see them all cook! I didn't have to worry about the desserts! Yippie.

The Annual Gingerbread House

The girls made their annual Gingerbread house with Nanna. I must say.....it turned our to be pretty cute! I think it is most certainly a "girl" house. Look at all the pink and fluff!

Mr. Man

Lincoln has been giving us the 'serious-man' face for quite a while. Of course we all crack up laughing. He really knows how to stare us down! He had the entire table of family members staring and laughing at him in California. Oh, he's just so dang cute!

Thanksgiving in CA

We drove down to California on Thanksgiving Day to spend with Paul's side of the family. It was fun having a lot of family members around and the playing with the cousins. Our kids never get to do play with their cousins........so this was especially nice! It felt like a real Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Program

Kennedy had her first program at school! It was a blast. She kind of looked like a deer in the headlighst up there! We were laughing and cracking up. Also, she didn't like being a pilgrim and really wanted to be an Indian.She was so very precious!! It was fun having Paul's parents go too and see her perform.

Simple

Lately we've just enjoyed the simple things in life: hiking, camp fires, donut runs to Krispy Kreme, netflix movies, and the entire family (including Clifford) laying on Kennedy's bed. I love family!

Curious

I always wonder.....where will I be next year at this time? Do you? I'm always curious about the future? I wonder what major hurdle we will be jumping or major celebration we will be clapping for. I always wonder. I do like to reflect also on the past. I'm so thankful for how far we've come and how much He has blessed us both! We have great family and some pretty dang amazing friends! I do feel, however, that there is much in front of us! I feel like God has some stiff plans for us some day! I'm not sure what but I think we are being molded and (broken at times) in order that we may be in the shape He wants. Just curious.......Jer.29:11

Heart Breaker

This little man has stolen my heart! Lately he has been quite cuddly and wants to lay his head on my shoulder. How can I resist. He also has started saying "uh-ooohh". It's way too darn adorable! Not to mention he has a very cute 'stare-down'. Yep, he'll lock eyes with you and turn those eyebrows in and just give you the very scary serious look. We do it right back until we can't help but burst into laughter and then he throws his head back and laughs too! He's just so jolly! I love him!

Growing Up

So Mia says to me the other day "Mom, when am I gonna be all grown up, anyways?" Then she said "cause it's taking so long......" I told her that she was growing up way too fast and I loved her being my baby girl! Of course she loved hearing that. We've been snuggling alot lately and sitting down to color together. It's so fun!

Time is Precious

I haven't blogged in forever. I guess life has just taken me by the coat tails! Tonight as I was leaving to go have girl time, Kennedy said "will you snuggle me when you get home?" I said, yep, I will if you are awake. Then she said "pink promise" and then came at me with the pinky. So we folded pinkies and that was that. So when I got home, I walked into her room to see her fast alseep like a princess. I just sat down next to her and rubbed her little feet. I was just pondering about how much she has grown up this year and how much I wish time would slow down. I have so many things I want to do and say. I already feel like I'm running out of time. Time is brutal and seems to beat us to the punch each moment. It's one of the cruel things in life that we cannot manipulate. I cannot speed up time or slow it down. All I can do is make it count!