a wrap up of 2016

2016
 What a year you have been. 
You have brought many changes to us. 
I'm not hating you 2016, 
you have been nice in so many ways. 
BUT......
You were really weird in the political world.
Really weird!
You also brought some strange weather....
the heat.....and the drought.
BUT...
As much as I am looking forward to what 2017 will bring,

I am also thankful for so many things from 2016. 

God was good to us.....even in the hard things.

Here is a little of what 2016 brought to my little family.
  
We spent New Years Eve 2015 driving from Houston.

Dave had clear scans to start off 2016.

We had an offer on our house in January...it fell through.

We had an another offer in March...it fell through.

Dave's sweet sister Brenda died in April. She was such a rock for the family.  She is missed in so many ways.

Abby made all state band.

The kids finished their first year at Donoho.

Abby turned 16.

Dave and I celebrated 18 years!

Erin turned 15.

The kids started their second year at Donoho.

After 4 years, our house sold.  (thanks Amber)

We bought a new house that we love so much.

I started teaching high school the week we moved.

Samuel turned 14.

Samuel started playing basketball.

We got a new puppy...Jovie.


So here's to 2017

more time with God
 more prayer
more reading
more exercise
more thankfulness

........that list could go on, and hopefully I will add to it.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Christmas morning at Grace Fellowship

Christmas Eve

Lots of Changes

So much has happened since I last sat down to write.  We have been very busy with some exciting stuff!  

We finally sold our house in Weaver.  After FOUR years of trying to sell it, it finally sold in August.  We bought a new house that we love so much.   This has kept us quite busy over the last couple of months.       

Our house sold and I started a new job all within two weeks.  I am now teaching Family and Consumer Science at Lincoln High School.  After 15 years at home with the kids and 1 year working at the hospital, I am back in the classroom.  I am loving it.  It helps that I really really really love what I teach!!! 

my first day of school

These three started school in August.  We now have an 8th grader, a sophomore, and a junior!!!  How did this happen? They are all three in the band. Abby still loves her horn, Erin is as artsy as ever, and Samuel is the tallest 13 year old I know and loves dribbling and bouncing basketballs all over the house.  

Dave is still band directing, youth pastoring, and music ministering!  He wears lots of hats.  He is doing well.  His next scan is in January.  He has been cancer free for 5 years!!  On my way home from school one day I snapped this picture.

Thankful for Gods promises and for daily reminders of hope.

18 years of marital bliss......or something like that

June 13, 1998

A few years ago I did a blog post recalling every year of our marriage and the highlights of the year.  I'm adding a few more years to the post.  It's good to remember....to be reminded of what good things God has done.  My sister Giny sent Dave and I a text this week encouraging us with all the Lord has brought us through. She said its good to remember what Jehovah Jireh has done in the past.....even make a list.  So this is a list of each year of our marriage.  The good and bad. God has been faithful to us.  

Its good to remember......

1st year-1998-1999-our first little rental house in Gordo that we worked on so hard to make a home. Bible studies with the sweet students from Gordo.  Going to Grace Church in Tuscaloosa and making some lifelong friends.  Oh...and we can't forget the air conditioner never working... :)

2nd year-1999-2000-we bought our first house in Oxford, both of us had new teaching jobs, WOW...what a year that was.

3rd year-2000-2001-we got a new titles.....mommy and daddy.  Abigail Grace was born. 

4th year-2001-2002-another baby girl....Erin Rebekah was born, and Dave began seminary at New Orleans.

5th year-2002-2003-and another baby :)  Samuel David, our baby boy was born, we lived in the little apartment in Alexandria, and learned to manage 3 babies together.  Dave began full time ministry at Hill Crest.

6th year-2003-2004-bought a new house in Weaver, Dave went to Germany on his first overseas mission trip.

7th year-2004-2005-busy raising babies, working....ahh the simple life.

8th year-2005-2006-started homeschooling. Abby's first year of school.

9th year2006-2007-Dave's graduation from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Erin's first year of school, Grandaddy White died.

10th year-2007-2008- Began leading the college ministry at Hill Crest, went to Disney world with Ken, Ann and the boys.  Samuel started school.

11th year-2008-2009-became a part of Grace Fellowship.  Dave started teaching at Donoho.

12th year-2009-2010- so much happened this year, but the main thing was that we learned what the words we said on on our wedding day "in sickness and in health"  really meant. We went to Hawaii with the Donoho Band and Choir, I had major surgery, Dave was diagnosed with cancer.

13th year-2010-2011-we tag teamed school in Houston, lots of family time, watching God heal Dave through his fabulous doctors.

14th year-2011-2012-Dave had surgery to remove tumor, we moved back home, realized there was no "normal" anymore, began learning how to live life after cancer, Dave had clear scans.

15th year-2012-2013- another surgery for Dave, Clear scans, continuing to learn what normal is after cancer, we became the parents of a teenager. 

16th year- 2013-2014-clear scans for Dave, we became the parents of another teenager.

17th year-2014-2015-started working with youth ministry, clear scans for Dave, I took some biology classes at Gadsden State, Erin had surgery,  all three kids were in the band.

18th year-2015-2016- kids started school at Donoho, another clear scan for Dave, we became the parents of a 3rd teenager, I went back to work after being home for 15 years, Dave's sister Brenda died.

It's good to remember.   

Happy Anniversary to us.  

    

 The Life I Planned

Has someone seen the life I planned?

It seems it's been misplaced.

I've looked in every corner;

It's lost without a trace.

I've found one I don't recognize --

Things missing that were dear;

Promises I'd hoped to keep,

And dreams I'd dreamed aren't here.

Faces I had planned to see,

Hands I planned to hold;

Now absent in the pictures;

Not the way I told.

Has someone seen the life I planned?

Did it get thrown away?

God took my hand from searching;

Then I heard Him say --

"Child, your ears have never heard,

Your eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans I have for you

Are more than you could dream.

You long to walk by sight,

But I'm teaching eyes to see;

I know what I'm doing --

'Till then, you must believe.

He's done so much, I felt ashamed

To know He heard my moans.

To think I'd trade in all He's done

For plans made on my own.

I wept over His faithfulness

And how He'd proved Himself;

How He'd gone beyond my dreams

And said to Him myself,

"No, my ears have never heard,

My eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans You have for me

Are more than I could dream.

"Yes, I long to walk by sight

But You're teaching eyes to see;

You know what You're doing --

'Till then, I must believe.

I felt His great compassion --

Mercy unrestrained.

He let me mourn my losses

And showed to me my gains.

I offered Him my future

And released to Him my past.

I traded in my dreams

For a plan He said would last.

I get no glimpse ahead;

No certainties at all,

Except the presence of the One

Who will not let me fall.

Are you also searching

For a life you planned yourself?

Have you looked in every corner?

Have you checked on every shelf?

Child, your ears have never heard,

Your eyes have never seen,

Eternal plans He has for you

Are more than you could dream.

Perhaps you long to walk by sight,

But He's teaching eyes to see;

He knows what He is doing --

Child, step out and believe.

By Beth Moore

No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived what God

has prepared for those who love Him.

{1 Corinthians 2:9}

Erin is 15

June came and went so quickly I forgot to post about one of the biggest events of the summer.  Little Erin turned 15!!  On June 20th we got up early, went to the DMV, sat there for what seemed like forever, she took the test, and boom...... she is now a permitted driver!!  

I never thought about this when the kids were little....oh you know.....the fact that they were so close in age and that for 3 years in a row I would have a 15 year old who needed a permit.....and then for the next 3 years in a row I would have a 16 year old who needs a drivers license.   

Heaven help me!!  

Her first drive thru experience......this was harder than the permit test.

I love this girl so very much.  

She is a hard worker. 

 Organized.  

An artist.  

Clarinet player.

A dancing machine.

Faithful friend.

Baller in training. 

Mamas girl.

Jesus lover.

So let's spend this year driving around and getting ready for a for real drivers license next June!!

Sweet Abby.... Sweet Sixteen

She is 16 today.  She has always been the most compliant child.  My helper.  A big sister since she was 13 months old.  She's always been a daddy's girl.  His sidekick.  She's funny.  She laughs when she's nervous.  She's loyal.  She can be a little messy.  She loves music of any kind....and she likes it loud.  She can catch fish all day with bread on her hook.  She cries during movies.  She is dependable and responsible.  She loves playing the horn.  She loves  the band.  She loves her friends.  She loves her cousins, aunts, uncles, and all her  grandparents.  She loves Erin and Samuel and has always helped me take care of them.  She is a conscientious student.  She is learning to walk with God....and nothing could make us more proud than that. 

Last Friday night we had a sweet 16 party for our sweet 16 year old girl.  Abby danced the night away with her friends.  

the party was just getting started!!

My three!!  

How are we old enough to have a 16 year old?  Time is flying by.  Weren't we just having her 13th birthday party?  We are so proud of her.  She is becoming quite the little lady.  

All State 2016

All State Band 2016
Mobile, AL

Brenda Swinney Canterbury

Dave's oldest sister passed away earlier today.  She had a second aneurysm this week followed by a stroke.  This is what Dave wrote about her earlier on my Facebook page:

My beloved sister Brenda went to be with the Lord last night around 3am. She always affectionately referred to me as baby brother. She was 17 years older than me. I was eating her wedding cake in my high chair at 9 months old. Her husband, Doc, was (and is) one of the most powerful influences in my life. I always strive to be like him. I grew up with her kids (Jeff, Stephanie, and Paige). Jeff, the firstborn nephew, was only two years younger. We grew up as great friends. Brenda was the stereotypical older sibling, always taking care of everyone. I am very proud of her, proud to have had her as my sister, and glad that she can't be harassed by illness anymore. Jesus, thank you.

She was all that he said and more.  She was deeply loved by her family.  While Dave was in cancer treatment, she came to Houston to spend a few days with him.  This meant so much to him.  I hope she knew how much he appreciated that.  He said he felt like he had just gotten to really know her over the past few years.  She was a good big sister to him.  She was a good daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had many health problems, but was always so cheerful, always smiling.   She pushed through her pain like no one I've ever seen. Thankful that today she is free of all her pain.  She will be missed, but we can be assured we will see her again.  

We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from this body and to live with the Lord.  

2 Corinthians 5:8

Dave with his mom and siblings at his mom's birthday last year.

Well.....the month started off with bad news. The sale of our house fell through, so we are starting over.  And strangely, I'm content.  I wasn't at first....but I am now.  Realizing that there is always more to every situation than what I can see.  We spent last weekend and much of this week working in our yard and doing some things around the house to get it ready for the market again.  The yard looks so nice....ready for the beautiful blooms of Spring.  Our house is nice and clean....I really love that house.  It's so comfy and has a homey feeling.  But we are ready to move on.  So I hope it will be a special refuge of comfort to new owners soon.  

Always lots going on with our family.  The kids had intercession at school last week.  Abby shadowed the band director at Alexandria High School.  She loved it!! 

Erin and Samuel did the community projects.  The first of the week they painted murals for display in Anniston.  Thursday they did work on a house through habitat for humanity.  Friday they went to SIFAT in Lineville, AL.

my little artist

Always lots of band activities for us.  Abby has been a part of the Alabama Youth Symphony Orchestra this year.  She got to play in a side by side concert with the ASO a couple of weeks ago. 

Donoho had their Spring concert.  All three of my babes are in the Advanced Band.  Abby and Samuel are also in the Jazz band.  

Dave took the band to Music Performance Assessment where they scored all superior ratings.  

 Samuel and Abby were a part of the Calhoun County Honor Band.

Abby made the District Honor Band.  The concert was last Saturday.  She was thrilled this year to have Madelyn and Hannah with her.

Horn playing girls

The kids love their youth group at church.  A couple of weeks ago the were able to be a part of the united DNOW with other churches in our county.  They had small groups, worship with 2000 other teens in the county, did a big service project where they gathered food and clothing for our local food banks, and just got to spend some time getting to know God more.  

This week is Spring Break.  I have enjoyed having the week off with the kids.  It felt like old times when we were all home together every day.  The kids have 9 weeks of school left.  9 weeks!!  It's hard to believe this school year is almost done.  It's been a very challenging year for all of us.  But....we've almost made it.