Can you say BUSY, BUSY, BUSY? I haven't had time to post anything lately! We survived football season...and went 0-10. Not so good. Now we are looking for a new head coach. We all know how fun that can be...and how stressful also. We won't know anything until well after the first of the year. So we just take one day at a time and trust that God will put us where we need to be...He always has and always will! Whether that is staying at Central or moving to another district.

Thanksgiving was great. God has blessed us with so much and continues to bless each one of us every day. The kids are ready for Christmas and so are we. We all need a break from work and school. Of course we will end up driving each other nuts after the first week...even though we love spending time with each other. That's just the fun part of having kids that have to be entertained non-stop! A lot different from our generation- we went outside to play most of the time and didn't have computers and video games. Ashtyn loves Christmas because it's Jesus' birthday! (And she loves the presents too)

Well, we wish all of you a joyful, Merry Christmas, and may the light and love of God continue to shine in you and through you this coming new year!

Love,
Lisa

Haven't written in a while...still busy and just waiting for football to end! It has been hectic around here. We are still "0-fer" in football, Austin has 3 more football games left, and school projects are crawling out of the woodwork. Stress is a major factor in our house right now! Another birthday came and went for me...but at least I got to spend it with my mom and kids at the stadium. Kevin and the kids helped me celebrate the next night, and of course gave me my birthday spankings! That is Ashtyn's favorite part of course. Makes her feel like she is in charge, I guess. Other than that, it was a quiet birthday, and I'm a year older but feel 5 years older some days. Ashtyn's kinder picture was so cute. I'll try to post it when I get it scanned. Halloween is tomorrow, and we have a game in Lubbock. We are not going as planned...Austin has a project due Monday, and a game on Saturday, and I just have not been feeling too great lately to drive 3 1/2 hours one way with 2 kids and rush back. Hope everyone has a great weekend.
GO 'HORNS!!

Off to a rough start

Well, let's just say that football season has not been as enjoyable as it should be. We are 0-4, and 0-3 in district so far. That's gonna make for a long season...or short...however you look at it. But we have to remember...God is good...ALL the time!
The kids are doing great in school and making lots of friends. Ashtyn's birthday is right around the corner and she is excited! She has finally learned to count down the days until then on the calendar instead of asking me every five minutes! Maybe she knew I was getting TIRED of saying the same answer over and over. Other than that, we have all been doing okay. Just trying to keep up with the fast pace and make the most out of every day. Here is a great thought to ponder... I read this on a daily calendar I have...

"My business is not to remake myself, but make the absolute best of what God made."
Robert Browning

I hope it inspires your "attitude" as it has mine!

Lisa

1st Day of School

Monday came and went and everyone survived! And no tears from Mom. :) Dad was not around as he has to leave at 5:45 am each morning, but I took lots of pictures, and the kids were excited to fill him in on the details as soon as he walked through the door that evening.

Ashtyn started her first day of Kindergarten, and she was excited. As Austin and I walked her to class, the halls were lined with kids, siblings and camera-toting parents, which left us little room to maneuver. I was rather stunned when I heard a sarcastic little voice say loudly "Come on, peoples, move!" I guess she was ready to get there and she didn't want anyone to get in her way...and she's not afraid to speak her mind.

I found out after school that day that she was a little irritated because a little boy who sits next to her would not leave her hair alone all day. Oh the joys and tribulations of Kindergarten! Other than that, the rest of the week has gone great.

Austin on the other hand got a little nervous as soon as we pulled up in the Middle School parking lot. Then he turned and looked at me and jokingly said "Do I really have to do this?" I knew he was teasing so I immediately replied " You'll be fine, now get out of the car. Love you and have a good day." The day did go fine...except the boys have to tuck in their shirts, and that bothers him. And he is slowly learning how to get to all of his classes. He has 3 Pre-AP classes, so I'm sure he'll be more challenged this year than in the past.

Tomorrow will be our first football game! I am a little nervous and excited too. Hopefully I haven't forgotten in the last year how to pack my "football bag". The kiddos are starting to understand that Dad is back in football mode. Although Ashtyn asked the other day why football takes so long! Her little mind is amazing sometimes. I think she thinks that all this practice stuff is silly...just go play the games; she'll see the cheerleaders and the band, and then she can go see her Daddy on the field. This ought to be a "fun" season with all her opinions. I will keep everyone updated as the season progresses.

Til then, my friends, may God bless each of you richly as He has already blessed me, and continues to do so each day!

Lisa

Almost here!

Well, school is almost here! I can't wait til we can get into a regular routine. I dare not say "normal" because we all know how our lives are far from normal. Finding school supplies has been another fun issue. Why can't the stores order what the teachers put on the lists?? It amazes me how a town this size can run out of pencils so fast.

Austin picked up his schedule and met his teachers on Monday. He will have fun trying to find all of his classes the first few days. He is scattered all over the school it seems like. Ashtyn will get to meet her teacher on Friday. She is really excited. She may not have any shoes to wear, but she has some cute clothes. The little stinker has decided that "nothing" is comfortable and everything "bothers" her!! I could scream! She has been shoe shopping 3 times and still we have come home with nada. The joys of having a 6 year old girl. Can't wait til she's a teenager! lol

Austin is into the longer straggly hair...driving his dad nuts. He almost looks like the Flying Nun if any of you remember that show. But I know it's just a phase and he'll eventually want it cut...so I am just trying to be patient. At least it's only hair and not some other major issue!

Kevin is already worn out from football and inservices. He'll be glad to finally get into his classroom and have somewhat of a routine. We have 10 teams in our district this year, so we only have 1 non-district game. It should be interesting to say the least. I'll keep everyone updated as the season goes on. Hope you all have a great week, and great start to school.

In Christ,
Lisa

Summer's almost over

It has been busy the last 2 weeks and summer is almost over. Kevin went to Kerrville for 4 days recently for an FCA Coaches camp. Poor thing got to hang out with Grant Teaff and his wife, and Randy and Carolyn Allen! He had a blast just sitting and visiting with them all. And they had great attendance.
He left yesterday for San Antonio coaching school. So once again me and the kids are on our own. But that will be the case for the next few months, as football season has practically begun once coaching school comes around.

Ashtyn will leave Wednesday night to go stay with her NayNay and Coach. She is all excited. But I'm sure I'll pay for it after she returns...she doesn't transition well when she is used to getting the undivided attention all day long! Oh yeah, and she got her ears pierced almost 2 weeks ago. She looks so big and grown up now.
Austin has another football camp all this week. I will be running ragged as I leave work at 4:30, drive 12 minutes across town to pick up Ashytn, and then pick him up and take him to camp by 5:00. All with the assumption that is he dressed and ready to go when I get there! Good thing Ashtyn isn't involved in anything right now, but I'm sure she will be soon.

Our summer hours end at work this Friday, and that extra 30 minutes makes a difference. It's been nice to beat the 5 o'clock traffic all summer. Ashtyn is ready for school...not sure if I am. Kevin will probably have to leave the house at 6:00 am for athletics, so I will probably have the task of dropping both kids off in the mornings. Someone please tell me why I was not blessed with "morning people " in my family!! It will be a test of patience for me and a test of determination for the kids. All you prayer warriors keep all of us in your prayers...we'll need it!

We had football program pictures taken the other day. Hopefully I'll get it posted when we get them back. We haven't had a family picture taken since Ashtyn was about 2 1/2 years old. I am excited about football season this year, and sad too. It makes me think of all the friends I've left behind at the other schools we've been at before. But you all know I miss ya'll lots, and I am so glad we have email and cell phones, and digital cameras. Take care and I think of ya'll often!

What a year it has been in San Angelo, but we have enjoyed moving back home. Kevin will begin teaching and coaching at Central High School (5A) this fall. Hopefully I can meet some of the wives and make some new friends. I've missed that this past year!! I have plenty of "friends" at work, but that's about it. FCA was great but the financial aspect was a little tough. I'm sure he would love to stay with it, but it is not financially feasible at this time for us. He has met so many people through FCA! It's been a great experience, and I'm sure God had some awesome reason for us to be involved for only a year!

I am working at the Education Service Center Region XV. It is a neat job, and I stay busy. And the people I work with are wonderful. The kids are doing great. Austin will start Middle School (6th grade) and Ashtyn will start Kindergarten. Look out world...hear she comes!

Austin has done GREAT this year...straight A's all year, highest average in his class in all but one subject, received the Presidential Award for Academics, was commended on all TAKS tests this year again, competed in the city wide Little Olympics and got 4th place in the long jump, won 3rd place in an art contest that all 5th grades in the city participated in, was voted one of the top 3 leaders of all of 5th grade at his school and got to participate in a Leadership Conference, and attended ASU's basketball camp and received an award again this year for Best Attitude/Most Coachable player. We have been extremely proud of him...especially since he was new to town! Ashtyn is growing like a weed...so is the attitude and mannerisms! Pray for us as we experience new challenges everyday with her. She is an awesome artist and smart too. All girl at times, but tomboy also. I guess you could say she is well rounded..and she won't let anyone push her around! That about sums up our busy year. I miss everyone and hope all is well!