So Much To Do..............So Little Time!

I really enjoy blogging. Since it's been more than a year since my last post, one might find this hard to believe. The problem is that at my house the things that get done are the things that are urgent, screaming for my attention. You know, things like the royal blue fingerpaint that Bradley decided to smear on his door and Lauren's door and the bathroom counter. Or, how about the never ending pile of permission slips to sign for end of year field trips. Then there's the small detail of feeding six faces three times each day. Add to that the joys of juggling work and home and you end up with one tired Momma!

All that to say.......................

Things are great at the Beaty household. The kids are enjoying all of their end of school activities. Bradley will graduate from Kinderbridge a week from tomorrow. Matthew toured the first grade campus last Friday. Lauren just finished up 3rd grade AR by receiving every award her school offers. Will had a great weekend roughing it at Camp Billy Gibbons with his new Boy Scout troop and will get to take a trip to Longhorn Caverns on Thursday for earning more than 300 AR points.

Things are going well at FBC Stephenville. We celebrated the church's 154th Birthday today. We will get to host Michael's Sr. Adult Choir for lunch at our home on Thursday as they wrap up their year of concerts at area assisted living centers. My job at Green Creek Nursery continues to be a challenge that keeps me on my toes.

God has blessed us beyond measure. We have so much to be thankful for.

Until next time when the voice in my head reminding me how long it's been since I last posted screams louder than all of the "emergencies" around me.................................

God Bless You and Yours.

Lori

The Willster

Will turned ten on February 5th. Although I'm a little behind, here are ten things I love about this guy!

1. Will loves to help! He has even learned to do the laundry without any help. My daughter-in-law will love me for that someday.
2. Will loves to read! In 1st grade we thought he may never learn to read. Obviously he did and is passionate about it. He tested on three Hank the Cowdog books today alone. Probably a little obsessive but, oh well.
3. Will makes me laugh! On the morning of the writing TAKS he called his cousin to wish him luck. When Josh answered, Will asked "What's an adjective?" To Josh's answer he replied, "Okay, just checkin'!" He is such a clown.
4. Will loves his little brothers! They look up to him too! I love to hear Bradley laugh at Will's jokes, no matter how goofy they are. He loves his sister too but would never admit it.
5. Will has cowboy in his blood! We aren't sure where he got it. Certainly not from Michael or myself. Nonetheless, something in him wants to be outside with animals, working hard.
6. Will loves to sing and play the piano! As much as Will loves to be outside, he still loves music and being a part of his Daddy's music ministry. He is working hard at learning to play the piano and has a great solo voice. He sings with great enthusiasm. (Wonder where he got that trait???
7. Will loves people. It's so neat to see a kid his age that has a heart for others, not just himself. Don't get me wrong, he has his moments when it's all about him, but overall he is all about loving and helping other people.
8. Will loves his Grandad! There is nowhere on earth Will would rather be than on the farm with my Dad. That makes me smile!
9. Will loves his momma (& daddy too). One of my favorite things is just before bedtime when he will come snuggle in my bed with a book. We love to read together. I know his hugs and kisses won't last forever so I take 'em anytime I can get 'em.
10. Will loves Jesus! Will accepted Christ a couple of years back. He loves his Savior and isn't ashamed to talk about Him.

I am so proud of the young man Will is becoming! Time is passing too quickly. He brags daily about how tall he is (almost 5 feet). I know I'll blink and he'll be in High School. I just pray he keeps his love for God, love for people and strong work ethic. If he does that, there's no telling where he'll end up.

Mighty Matt

Matthew Landon is five years old today! WOW! That happened fast. Here are five (of the many) things I love about Matt.

1. His SMILE!!!



2. The way he runs with his entire body.



3. I love the way he tries to spell and do simple math and play the piano. He's brilliant, I'm sure of it.



4. Every night when we ask him the best part of his day he always answers, "Snugglin' you."



5. Though his heart may not be perfect anatomically, it is full of love for everyone, especially his momma!

Matthew is a great kid and I am proud to be his momma. His birthday is always an emotional day for me. I can't help but remember when he was nine days old and we handed him to a nurse for his very first open heart surgery. To see him grow stronger each year and function so normally is one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given.

Happy Birthday, Mighty Matt!!! I love you more than you know!

There's a first time for everything...........

You know, your first steps, first word, first car, first date, first kiss. There's a first time for everything. So here goes......................

My first blog.

Life with the Beaty Bunch is a bit crazy right now. We are nearing the end of what we call "musical season". The Children's Choir will perform "Christmas County Spelling Bee" on Sunday. Will and Lauren both have solos. Matt and Brad will both sing with the preschool choir before the musical. It feels a little strange for ALL of my kids to be on stage this year.

On top of all of the rehearsals and extra work hours for Michael, we have been infected by Strep! Seems when one picks it up everyone has to have their turn. Everyone is well into their antibiotic doses so all should be well for Sunday's performance. Hopefully we are getting this out of the way early in the "sick season".

I feel a bit like a scrooge this year. I haven't even begun decorating the house for Christmas. My Mom always told me the house had to be clean before you could decorate and well, you guessed it, the house is still not clean. Of course, Michael has always wondered why we clean the house just to pull out all of the decorations and mess it up again. Mom says it's because that was one of the few bribes that actually got us to clean up the house.

Mighty Matt had a checkup with his cardiologist, Dr. Tracy, yesterday. He passed with flying colors. We still may need a heart cath down the road, but for now we're just staying the course. What a joy that little guy is! Every night when we put him to bed and ask him the favorite part of his day he always answers "Snuggling you." What a sweetheart!