GINGERBREAD FUN!!!!!

The kiddos had a half day of school today and while Shaelyn went to the movies with the entire Middle School, Carson had a BLAST decorating a Gingerbread House at his friend Ainsley's. Thank you so much Mrs. Ebert for hosting another great year of decorating FUN, FOOD and of course, MUD FOOTBALL! You are the BEST Denise...we love ya!

Carson's AMAZING house!!!!

Spelling Bee

Carson participated in the school Spelling Bee and was 1 of 3 First Graders who won!!!!! He will be advancing to the District Spelling Bee in January. That means lots of spelling words to practice over Christmas vacation. I am one of the school coordinators for the Spelling Bee, so watching him at the competition yesterday added several gray hairs to my head. He was amazing and didn't miss one word. We are so proud of you Carson...Good Luck at the District Competition!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to our wonderful family and friends! We all have so much to be thankful for...faith, family, friends, love and most importantly our Savior! Enjoy your day...we love you!

Thessalonians 5:18 -

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God."

Our sweet Stetson!

After bringing great joy to our family for the past 16.5 years, our sweet Stetson passed away. He truly was an amazing Cocker Spaniel who loved opening presents on Christmas morning and never missed a cookie from "daddy" in the mornings. He had his favorite shredded toy that he received one Christmas...a stuffed Santa Claus! We know that he had a very special and spoiled life (he even had his own baby book that included a few of his baby teeth) and we are going to miss him so much!! We love you Stetson and will never forget our years with you!

Posing with his shredded Santa Claus

ACSI Speech Meet

Shaelyn and Carson both competed in the ACSI District Speech Meet in Tucson. Their first round of competition was held at their school and they were both chosen to move on to the District meet. Carson memorized a sweet poem titled "The Little Turtle." He did an amazing job with his voice and hand motions and received an EXCELLENT ribbon for his speech. Shaelyn again this year chose to write her own speech titled "Letting God Guide Your Paths." She had several guidelines to follow and had to have the speech memorized. She is such a delight to watch speak...she received a SUPERIOR ribbon. We are so proud of both of them and wish them the best in their future public speaking. We love you!

Before the meet started!

So happy with their ribbons!

Children of the World!

We were so blessed to have been asked to Host 2 beautiful boys from the Children Of The World Choir. Gideon is 9 years old and is from Uganda and Christian is 10 and is from the Philippines. What makes these boys (and the 13 other children in the choir) so special is that they are orphans, and many of them have suffered in ways that we could never imagine but yet, their hearts are filled with Jesus and they LOVE unconditionally. In the 3 days that they stayed with us, our house was amazingly blessed and our hearts were touched in ways that we never knew was possible. The choir is touring for 10 months to bring awareness to all of us of the HUGE need for clean and safe water in other countries. Gideon and Christian both have American sponsors (otherwise, I think we would have adopted them) who help provide them with food, water, clothing and education. Please visit worldhelp.net to see how this organization is making a difference...one child at a time.

Sunday was one of the hardest days ever when we had to say goodbye to these boys. However, I truly believe that although Gideon and Christian's families could not care for them, there are NO orphans of God!

Our last day with the boys! We will never forget their sweet voices calling us "Auntie" and "Uncle" They both have the greatest smiles and we just love Gideon's pearly whites!

Some of the choir members. Gideon and Christian are on the left!

Our boys!

They LOVED trunk-or-treating at Joy! Gideon had never been trick-or-treating before.

Their first night with us at Carson's football game. They love sports!

Here are some more sweet pics of these precious children. Their Faith in Jesus is amazing. As I was putting together their scrapbook page for them, I asked them what their favorite Bible Verse was...

Christian's favorite verse is Romans 12:10...

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Gideon's favorite verse is 1John 4:7-8...

Dear friends, let us love another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Up bright and early on Saturday to play some golf...still in their pj's.

Brotherly love!!!!

God's precious children!

Christian performing his solo...what a voice he has!!!!

Gideon is amazing on the drums!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Queen Bee, Lil' Bee and Sergeant Carson Baker. We hope your evening is filled with lots of FUN, lots of TREATS and lots of HAPPY MOMENTS!

Softball!

The Lady Eagles had a great season! Shaelyn really enjoyed her first year of softball...what a wonderful team they had with amazing coaches. Great job Eagles...we are all so proud of you and are already looking forward to next years season. Now Shaelyn is moving on to Volleyball...HAVE FUN!

What great friends!

Taking a break!

At bat during her tournament!

Lady Eagles!

"I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me"
Philippians 4:13

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?

Carson just started his first season of Flag Football and he LOVES it (although he really wishes he could tackle). He is playing for the CCV Stars and his team name is the Rattlers. After only 2 practices, Carson's team won and he even scored 1 of the 4 touchdowns! Way to go Carson...we are so proud of you. Enjoy your season and shine for Jesus! Posing before the game!

Receiving!

Captain Carson and the coin toss!

The CUTEST Coconut!

Carson's class performed in Chapel at school this past week. Their song was based on The Fruits Of The Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control). Carson and 2 of his class buddies were the "coconuts" in the song. This had to be the CUTEST performance ever!

Perfect performance!

Saying his part!

"It is really cool because when we ask Jesus to come into our hearts to live, His spirit stays with us and he will give us some of this special fruit."

Gotta LOVE the mustache!

Horseback Riding!

The kids had a great time Labor Day weekend Horseback riding with their cousins. This has been a tradition for about 4 years and each time, they look forward to trying to guess what horse they will get. This year, Shaelyn rode "Shivers" and Carson rode "Ginger." Two very sweet horses.

Shaelyn, all saddled up and ready to ride!

We think Carson's horse was ready to fall asleep...tongue out and all!

The AMAZING Locker!

Boy, do I wish they had all the cool locker gadgets when I was in middle school! I snapped a few pics of Shae before school. I needed a picture of the inside of her locker (after 4 weeks of school) to remind her that she is capable of keeping things organized...way to go Shae!

Posing in her PE uniform by her locker...#4

WOW! How FUN!!!!!

Carson...helping out his big sister!

BACK TO SCHOOL!

The kids started back to school this past Monday (and so did I) and they LOVE their classes and teachers.

Shaelyn: I cannot believe she is in the 6th grade and is an official Middle Schooler. At her school, 6th-8th grade is considered Middle School. I am so sad, but I know it is just another amazing chapter in our lives. Her biggest fear as a Junior High student was forgetting her locker combination. She has done great with her locker and has even done a wonderful job decorating it. She rotates all subjects and teachers this year, has a seminar class, bible class, regular subjects and electives. She had to teach me how to read her VERY CONFUSING schedule! My prayer for her this year is that she has an amazing journey and always puts the Lord first!

Carson: Our official 1st grader. He could not be a luckier boy to have his kindergarten teacher move up with him to first grade. He loves her and school so much. He was just tested on reading after a few days in class and is reading above a 3rd grade level. Math testing is next week...good luck BIG man! Carson is so excited about his new "smart board" in his room and he can't wait for all the learning to take place...he is like a little sponge!!!! My prayer for him this year is to continue his walk with Jesus...what a prayer warrior he is!

Me: I started my second year of teaching Kindergarten at the kids school (my 9th year of teaching) and I love it! I have 14 sweet students and wonderful parent support. I am looking forward to an incredible year and the amazing plans that God has for me and my students.

7th Year Stretch!

For Carson's 7th Birthday, we had a sports theme party with swimming, a baseball dunk tank and a snow cone machine. Carson had a "ball" with all his family and friends (about 50 guest in all). Thank you to everyone for making his party a grand slam! You are ALL-STARS in Carson's score book!

Carson trying to dunk someone (sorry for the blurry pic)

Taking some time to pose!

A new lego set!

His new Cardinals football!

Yummy cake!

Happy Birthday Carson!

Happy 7th Birthday Carson!

It is so hard for us to believe that 7 years ago we were celebrating another amazing chapter in our lives. We will never forget the day you were born. God blessed us with our 7 pounds 7 ounce "mini me"..you looked just like your daddy and you still do! Everyday we count our blessings and thank God for your sweet and gentle heart. You are such a lover and a pleaser and you always amaze us with your many, many talents. We hope your birthday is filled with the GREATEST of all gifts...LOVE!

Have a wonderful birthday sweetheart...we love you so very much!

Mommy, Daddy and Sissy!!! XOXO

Such a sweet smile!

Our Special Angel!

We will miss you Grandma...Heaven is even more beautiful since you arrived yesterday!

Jim's Grandma passed away yesterday at the age of 86. God's timing is always amazing...Grandma just celebrated her 86th Birthday on June 23. We had such a great party for her in her Hospice room. We know how much Grandma loved parties and celebrations and we also know that she will be celebrating everyday with Jesus!

We will never forget the incredible Faith that Grandma had. She loved going to Church and having Bible studies and she loved quoting scripture from the Bible.

Her health started failing these past 2 weeks and the kids and I tried hard to visit her everyday. One day we wheeled her outside to get fresh air and I will never forget sweet Carson asking her if he could bring some cards the next day to play with her outside (she loved playing cards). She was so excited and smiled. The next day, we took cards but Grandma was not alert enough to play. Carson and Shaelyn were sad but they understood...instead, they sat and held her hands and again, she just smiled her sweet smile!

We will always have special memories of Grandma...her love for the Lord, our days together playing cards and dice in Flagstaff, the chair she sat in to read and her unconditional love for her family and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Thank you Grandma for so many memories and for sharing your AMAZING Faith with us and so many others!

We love you and already miss you so much!

Also Grandma...we know how much you loved your Diamondbacks and they need your help right now. Be sure to cheer them on...you have the BEST seat ever!

Hebrews 12:2

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith...

Happy 4th!!!!

We hope you had an amazing 4th of July celebration with your family and friends. Our day started very early and ended very late...what a great day we had!!!

We started by visiting Jim's Grandma who is in Hospice. Her health is failing quickly, so we have been visiting her on a daily basis. Her Faith is amazing and she is at total peace with her journey with the Lord. We too are at peace knowing one day soon, she will no longer be in pain and will be rejoicing with our Heavenly Father! We love you Grandma!

After our great visit, we journeyed to my cousins house...great family, great friends, pool, sun, games, lots of food, drinks (and special drinks hee hee)...what more could you ask for when celebrating our GREAT COUNTRY!!! We had a BLAST!

On this special day (July 4th), I could NEVER forget my Grandma. She would have been 87 years old. My Grandma passed away 12 years ago (the year before Shaelyn was born) and we miss her so much. Talk about the light of a party. We know that Grandma celebrates her special red, white and blue birthday ever year in Heaven and that she's the amazing fireworks that we see in the sky. Happy Birthday Grandma..we love you and miss you!

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

Our "All American" Kids!

Ready to swim and have some FUN!

Happy 4th of July!

Carson loves his cousin Allie!

Cousins are so special!

MORE BASKETBALL...

Another GREAT day of basketball. The little Bulldogs (Carson's team) and the medium Bulldogs (2nd-4th grade) both played today and both teams WON! Great job Bulldogs!
There is also a BIG Bulldogs team 4th-6th grade (many Joy boys)and they have been asked to play in a more competitive league since they are so AWESOME! Yes, Coach Inness coaches all 3 teams and he is amazing!!!!! We are blessed to be playing on one of his teams!

A little game action!

FUN with friends!

Victory Tackle!

Doris, Me and Beth...Bulldog Moms