Growing in love

GOOFY PICS!

2009-02-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

Adam's dodgeball tournament last weekend at Judson!

2009-02-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to my Valentine

2009-02-12T20:52:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish my one and only a Happy early Valentine's Day! He is really a wonderful husband to me and super daddy to Emma and Ian. It feels as though I have always loved him. Adam is not only my love, but also my best friend! Yep...I think I'll keep him! :-)

Happy Valentine's Day! <3

Emma is 8!!

2009-02-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

I just can't believe it...Emma turned 8 years old yesterday! That is unreal to me. Because she is growing up so much, we decided to give her (and her friend Bailey) a birthday party sleepover last weekend! It was a good time (minus a few obstacles), and full of fun memories for all the friends that came. We started out with a little swimming...then some pizza...then some Wii and a little cupcakes...then a movie or two...then some sleep...oh...scratch that last part :-)....

Yesterday, we were going all day. Started off with breakfast...ice cream (only for a birthday)! Then to McDonald's for lunch (I tried my hardest to persuade her to go somewhere else to no avail). After that, we went to see Hotel For Dogs at the movies (cute movie). We then went to Awana at church, and finally to Cracker Barrel for dinner....healthy day, huh? I guess birthdays are a good time to bend the rules!

Emma is growing up...I can see it more all the time. She is learning about life, and friends, and most importantly God, and His standards for us. Sometimes when we teach them...I can tell that she "gets" it....Ian too. I love those moments. They are moments that God ordains and I am thankful for them. Emma is a loving girl with a sweet heart. She teaches me so much about myself. I am thankful for her and Ian. I love them so much!

More Circus Pics....

2009-01-25T22:57:00.001-08:00

"The Greatest Show on Earth"

2009-01-25T22:50:00.000-08:00

Yee Hoo!! We had a blast tonight at the circus with our friends...the Smiths! We went to the "Greatest Show on Earth" with some of the "Greatest Friends on Earth"! It really was a lot of fun! We made a pact to only get them ONE thing each...Ian, Radlee and Maddie chose a snow cone in a clown cup and Emma chose a tiger stuffed animal. It was hard to stick to this pact for us parents believe it or not! You'd think that with the OUTRAGEOUS prices, we would have not had a problem, but I think we wanted the kids to have all of this fun stuff more than they did (the light up spinny things, light up swords, binoculars and such)! BUT...we did it!! We kept the pact. Adam almost blew it for the Helton team (almost caved in and bought a couple of things), but he stayed strong! I'm just glad we made it there at all. Believe it or not, I took a nap at 1:30pm and didn't wake up until 5:30pm!!! Can you believe that (we were supposed to get together much earlier than that)? I woke up in the biggest panic of my life I think. I couldn't tell which end was up or even if I was dreaming or what! Christy had tried calling me/us a BUNCH apparently, but that doesn't work when your home phone ringer is off and you also can't hear your cell phone ring when it is on low ring and the bedroom door is shut! She thought we were lying in our house with carbon monoxide poisoning or something because she couldn't find us...even Adam didn't answer his calls because he was in an appointment! I felt really bad (sorry again Christy)...but thankfully, it all worked out! God allowed us to get 2 parking spaces right in front though...that was cool. No joke...it was CRAZINESS! I guess I needed that sleep, huh?? (The kids did too)!

Well...I'm thankful for great friends and good memories, (and that none of the things I was thinking at the Circus happened like high wires breaking or trapeze artists flying out into the crowd)....:-)

Before and After...

2009-01-17T17:25:00.000-08:00

Well, "hair's the story"....yesterday Emma and Maddie got their hair cut together and it was so exciting! Let me backtrack a little...Emma has had this haircut before (last year), and has been begging for us to let her get it short again. I personally secretly wanted for her to let it grow out long again, so there was this struggle sort of and I always found ways to "postpone" the hair cut. Well, I know that Emma has a right to her own hairstyle (to a point ofcourse) and I soon realized (and have really always known) that she was her own person and has her own ideas of what she wanted HER hair to look like! So, with that, there isn't much to do than to back down and give in to such a simple request. To put my own wishes on the back burner and to let her be independent in this area (an area that God is working on me for sure...letting them have more independence lately). So, when our friends were over yesterday it seemed an ideal time to let Emma get her hair cut with her friend Maddie who has also been wanting this haircut for a while. The haircut pursuit for Emma and Maddie became even stronger when their friend Gracie got this precious cut last week!! So, off we went to the local Supercuts!! I wasn't nervous until they sat in the chairs and I thought..."Oh goodness...what if these folks don't know what they are doing with this style of cut?!?" I tried to remain calm and make it a fun time for them. And it was!! Gracie was there to be the beauticians' example...those girls laughed...giggled...laughed...and giggled and then cracked up some more! Then they all gathered up the hair Emma's and Maddie's) in little strips which I think grossed the stylists out...but oh well. It was really a great memory for them I know. My kids, Melissa's kids and Christy's kids have all been friends since birth. It is such a joy to see them playing well together and enjoying each other.

Loving our friends....

2009-01-16T21:00:00.000-08:00

Today we had our friends over to play...and play they did!! They all dressed up in different things and did a little face art with some not so waterproof markers...ha! Maddie was an "underwater skater fairy", Hannah was a "cute little kitty cat", Grace was an "elegant pretty princess", Abbie was a "snow princess", Emma was a "classy clown", Gabe was "the Hulk", Ian was "a wittle baby", and Reggie was "a dog" (HA)! Aren't they cute?! Check out the goofy picture...I think Ian almost swallowed that binky! We sure do have a great time with our friends!

Emma's basketball skills...

2009-01-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Emma played her first Upward Basketball game of the season last Saturday. This is her third year to play. All three years she has been coached by the cutest, most athletic and skillful coach...her Daddy! She is really got some "skilz"! She is especially good at dribbling down the court...as you can see in the pic. She is all business when it comes to sports, but she especially seems to have a knack for basketball just like her Dad :-). Adam was SO excited that this year's color for the jerseys was none other than....CELTICS green!!! Each year we have watched Emma improve in so many areas....she really gives it her all on the court. She made two baskets this first game...yee hoo! We are very proud of her in so many ways. We thank God for Emma and Ian.

Friends

2009-01-09T21:13:00.000-08:00

I just love my friends. I enjoyed spending time with both of these friends today, and I just wanted to share my heart about them. Christy and Melissa are truly a couple of the greatest friends anyone could ask for. God has truly blessed me with these girls and their families to go through life with! I can call either of them at any time and they are there to lend an ear, laugh with, cry with, and they are friends that I can really be myself with. It isn't the easiest thing for me to be "the real me" with everyone. I mean, I can be me, but I don't just let anyone in to know the real and vulnerable me all that often...make sense?? I tend to keep my guard up a lot of times and not let too many people in my "vulnerable" place...but, not with these two. They always have good Godly advice to give me in times of weakness or problem. I believe God uses them to speak conviction and change on my heart to be more like Jesus more than they even realize. I just wanted to give a shout out to the gals that I hold dear to my heart. "A friend loves at all times" Proverbs 17:17a

A Happy New Years show

2009-01-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

On New Years Day Emma and Ian performed a fabulous show that they had made up together! They got all dressed up (as you can see) and did a song and dance with the new years blower horns. It was about the cutest doggone thing I have ever seen! They were so proud of their show and so were Adam and I!
(Notice...Ian has on a suit and tie...without a shirt...:-))

A Wonderful Christmas

2009-01-07T21:07:00.000-08:00

What a Merry Christmas our family had! We enjoyed lots of time with our family. Emma got "Molly" an American Girl doll...and by the pic, you can see the excitement on her face when she opened her! Ian got a "Batcave"...yes, a batcave! He was super excited too as you can see! We are thankful for Christmas memories full of love.

A "Trueville Whoville"

2008-12-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday evening, Emma had her Christmas program for her school. It was really good. Basically, it was the Christmas story of Jesus' birth told "Dr. Suess style". Emma and the other kids were dressed as "Whoville" kids with crazy cute hair and bright crazy clothes. It was so neat how it all came together. Emma's class sang and did a little dance about the Wise Men...I don't think she missed a beat! We were very proud of her and her performance!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

2008-12-12T18:17:00.000-08:00

What a great surprise yesterday with the snow! Wasn't it pretty? We really didn't get out and play in this one, but maybe God will give us a good snowfall of about 6 inches or more next time!?! Isn't it funny that this one was more of a surprise (I suppose...because I NEVER seem to watch the news), but when "they" say it's going to snow inches and inches...it hardly ever does. I used to get so upset when "they" predicted snowfall when I was a kid, and I had already planned out my entire snowday...then.....nothing :-(...and school wasn't cancelled...and it so bummed me out. That is bringing back some memories right there! The cool part about homeschooling is that I can just call a "snow day" any day that I so choose...even if it's in the middle of the summer?!? (SShhh, don't tell). :-)

Surgery day for Ian....

2008-12-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Well, today has officially been the longest day I've had in my life thus far. Ian had two surgeries this morning. One was on his umbilical hernia that he has practically had since birth. The other surgery was an adenoidectomy (removal of his adenoids). We had to be there bright and early (or should I say dark and early) at 6am this morning. We didn't go into great detail about what was going to happen this morning, but said that he was going to get a belly button like Emma's. He didn't like the idea at first, but I had thought ahead for that moment...bring out a new Batman toy and he was smiling again! So, things actually went really smooth. He even "drove" himself down to the operating holding area by himself with the anesthesia guy. That part was not the easiest for Adam and myself :-(. I knew it wouldn't be. But, he wasn't having a problem, so I didn't want to have a problem either! The worst part was when he woke up from anesthesia and had monitors and an IV on him that he DID not want on him. That freaked him out more than anything. But bless his heart, he was doing everything that me or the staff asked of him...even with tears flowing down his cheeks (and a scream here or there)! He is now recovering with pain medicine and rest. The first thing he went to do when we got home was go to Emma's room looking for her (she was at Aunt Amy's house). That was precious. When Adam picked her up and brought her home, she was so sweet to Ian wanting to help him any way she could. Another blessing for me.

I cannot describe how God gave me peace today. I have been so anxious about this day for a very long time, but when I was actually going through it, God through His spirit gave me His peace that truly passes all understanding. (Phil 4:7)

Amazing. I am thankful beyond words.

Trimming the tree...

2008-12-01T22:34:00.000-08:00

Can you believe Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is almost here? I can't! This year seems to have flown by for me. We put up our Christmas tree on Thanksgiving night this year. I can't say that is is an actual tradition to put it up then, but it worked out for this year. Thanksgiving weekend was pretty busy this year! It is usually busy, but this year seemed more so. We went to Adam's parents for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with his family. That is a tradition! However, this year we were missing all of Adam's grandparents :-(. Adam's granddad was in the hospital with a couple of new illnesses, his grandmom was at the hospital with his granddad caring for him, and his Nanny was at her place with a cold! It did not seem quite right at all. So, after we ate, we all drove over to the hospital to see his grandmom and granddad and spent a little time with them. That made it seem more "right". After we went home, I got a call from one of my BFF's(smile) Melissa, and somehow we (me, Mel and Cassie...missed Christy though) ended up at Opry Mills Mall at midnight just to shop until 4:30 (after standing in LONG lines to win a $20 gift card...I was thankful though). Then I went on to Wal-Mart, then to Target...got home at 6:30am---wired up I might add and not able to even go to sleep until practically when it was time for the kids to get up! Well...then off we went again to my parent's to have ThanksgivingII on Friday afternoon. My sister and nephews came in from Memphis...so we were all enjoying each other! I had planned on getting a nap at some point, but somehow got roped back in to going shopping...AGAIN? with Trina my sister! At this point I was almost delirious--okay, I was very delirious...we were cracking up at everything! Then, me and the kids spent the night at my parent's house with everyone. The kids and my nephews made a big pallet(sp?) in the middle of the floor and slept. My Mama LOVES having everyone (all of her babies) at her home at the same time. It just doesn't happen often enough. It was a great time with my family, my wonderful friend and my big sister who I wish I could see and spend more time with. There were lots of memories made with my husband, my babies, my family and my friends that I'll never forget. I love spending time with those I love, and I thank God for giving me such people that I can truly share my life with.

A turkey treat day...

2008-11-26T16:02:00.000-08:00

We had a great time today with our friends on this...Thanksgiving Eve! Our friends came over today and we made these fun turkey goodies with oreos, candy corn, butterscotch morsels, and chocolate icing! The kids (and Melissa and myself:-)) were in sugar heaven! They loved making their little turkeys and then "gobbled" them right down. It was fairly messy, but well worth it! After the kids were finished, me and Melissa made some more to take to family tomorrow. I sorta felt like a kid for a minute making a craft with my friend. Good times. Well, thought I'd post these cute pics...but also wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:1

Introducing...King Ian and Queen Emma!!

2008-11-19T11:36:00.000-08:00

Skating...

2008-11-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, we went skating!! It is funny how just walking into a skating rink can bring back memories of childhood! It's almost like taking a step back into time (other than the Miley Cyrus songs being played instead of "Beat It" or "You dropped a bomb on me")! I didn't skate this time, but watched Adam and the kids skate. Ian went one time around and he was through...so we hung out playing games and stuff. Adam was such a good Daddy with Emma. She must have fallen 1000 times. Every time he'd help her get back up again and then off they'd go. He held her hand almost the entire time. Seeing them reminded me of God our Father...and how He holds our hand...and when we "fall"...he patiently helps us back on our feet so we can keep on going....even if we "fall" 1000 times and even more! It was a great family time. I'm thankful for my Father and my family.

Love the fall

2008-11-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again...I just love the fall! I wish that fall could be year round! I find it amazing how beautiful the colors of the trees are all together...some red, some yellow, some orange. My kids are getting sick of me saying how beautiful the trees are every time we get out...I guess I say it a lot. It makes me sad when all those beautiful leaves fall off the trees, then they eventually are gone and we're left with the bare trees for the wintertime. But, I love to then look forward to the spring when God made it to start all over again! I thank God for the seasons of the year that we can experience. He truly made a beautiful world! As I think about how much thought He must have put into the beauty of the seasons, trees and world...how much more does He love US...and how much more did He spend in our design and purpose?! I am thankful for His love.

It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's The Heltons??

2008-11-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

As you can see, our family went as "The Helton Super-heroes" for Halloween. Yes, even the Reg-meister was Super-weinerdog! It was lots of fun! Emma was Super-girl and was just beautifully heroic in her costume! Ian was Batman's best friend and side-kick "Robin" and played the role to a "T"! Adam was the famous Batman and was the cutest Batman I've ever seen. I was Super-woman...pretty embarrassing, but I couldn't let my family of crime fighters down! We really enjoyed our time together at Church Trunk-or-Treating and later going to a few houses that still had their doors open. Since Ian ALWAYS is in "costume" (and I do mean "always"), I think that he looked around at everyone on Halloween dressed up and said "Finally...what has taken everyone so long to get with the program"? He was in Super-hero heaven! Emma was in candy heaven when she got her 3 tons of candy home and went through it (there is only slight exaggeration in that comment :))...

Punkin' Time...

2008-11-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

The kids had a great time with their pumpkins this year! They always pick out thier own and then draw the face that they want on a piece of paper, then Daddy carves the face for them! I am always curious to see what face they want each year...sometimes it's a happy face, sometimes a silly or scary face. Emma's pumpkin is the one on the left. Ian wanted for Daddy to do the face that is on his halloween lantern light (his is on the right). Daddy is always the carver and I am the official photographer and videographer (I know...it's hard to believe :-))...the pumpkin guts always makes my hands itch SO bad!

I've been tagged??

2008-10-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

Okay seriously, I don't know how to do any of the things I'm supposed to do when you are "tagged". Go ahead and get your laughs out, because I am not the most "blog saavy" blogger and I know it...

I don't know how to put the cute little box that explains the directions to the game, I don't know how to add links to other people's blogs that I should be "tagging", I just don't know how to do much, but the very basics. :-)

So, I thought that I'd do at least the part that I can do which is tell who tagged me and tell "7 interesting facts about myself" to all of my 3 or 4 readers :)...

A very sweet and intelligent Christian named Jill tagged me...which I am very flattered by (I think??:-)). Thanks Jill for giving me a task in which I am underqualified for (ha)...

Here goes my "7 semi-interesting facts about myself"...well, that I'll leave up to you to decide...

1. My maiden name was Abernathy, so I was ALWAYS the first for EVERYTHING while in school, the first name called on the roll, the first desk in the front of the classroom (because they always seated you according to ABC order), the first to graduate from high school and college, etc., etc. (I also remember practicing on my "A's" in cursive in swanky ways so it looked really cool when I signed my name).

2. I took dance for many many years (even into college believe it or not). My favorite was hip-hop. I used to could "bust a move" on many of stages at recitals or other venues...I still find myself wanting to break out in dance every once and a while especially when no one is looking. ...once a dancer, always a dancer I suppose. (Melissa, can you relate?)
Can anyone say "Go Hammer"....uh oh

3. I had a dog Bootsie for 19 years. She was the very best dog in the absolute world (no offense to our sweet Regmeister). I got her for Christmas when I was 6 years old and Adam and I had to put her to sleep when I was pregnant with Emma. She was black with a white belly, and while feet which ofcourse is why I named her Bootsie! I still miss her...

4. Adam and I were prom king and queen in high school (I know this is probably known by all who read this, but I am running out of ideas here)....He wore a white top hat a cane with his tux...he was a "cool dude" all right...handsome <3...

5. I haven't ever had color on my hair. I'm a very low maintenance kind of girl...I just don't want to have to keep up with the roots and stuff...besides, it would probably turn orange or something!

6. I can't stand bikes!! I had a couple very bad bicycle wrecks when I was young and I have a very difficult time "watching" Emma ride hers. Thankfully, Adam is not a bike-o-phobe like me and is Emma's bike-riding partner. I'm trying to overcome this "fear" with the Lord's help and smile and be happy when Emma is riding her bike! :-)

7. I DID have big hair in school....lots of hairspray...LOTS! I totally followed my sister's footsteps and she actually taught me step by step how to lift, spray then blow dry...lift, spray then blow dry. HA!

Well, there ya go...pretty interesting, huh??

It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

2008-10-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

Last week we went on a fun field trip to the pumpkin patch at Gentry Farms in Franklin. It was lots of fun. It was a very educational place! There were lots of things to do...a corn maze, a barn that had a "spider web" that the kids had to crawl through and NOT make the bells ring on the"webs" or they'd be spider food, a place to build log houses with Lincoln logs, amazing tree tire swings that I REALLY wanted to get on myself, and ofcourse...the Great Pumpkin Patch! I have learned over the years that decisions are not the easiest for me to make, and unfortunately, this less than desirable trait has been officially passed on to my kids as well :) or should I say :(. We were the VERY last people to get back on the hay ride to go back to our van after the pumpkin patch. The funniest part is that we had come all that way and talked about the pumpkins that they were going to get, and after NO decision had been made and everyone was on the trailor, we were actually trying to BRIBE them to just get on the trailor and we'd stop on the way home and get pumpkins at Wal-Mart!! Funny stuff. Well, as you can see in the picture, they ended up making a last minute decision (in a panic I might add), and picked these cute little pumpkins. I bet the people on the hay ride were excited to see a decision was made too!

10 year anniversary <3

2008-10-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

Adam and I will be married 10 years on the 10th of this month! I really am finding this hard to believe! October 10, 1998 seems like just yesterday to me. It seems like we have been in love forever though. I am so thankful for a husband as great as Adam. He is truly my best friend. He loves me on my good days when I am easy to love, but most importantly, he loves me on my bad days when I even find it hard to love myself! He always reminds me of God's promises when I need it and makes me laugh when I feel like crying. (This part can actually annoy me at times "Let me see those wittle wippies and see if I see a smile".....this is one of his classics for me and the kids (he learned it from his dad who is wonderful and also very funny). Anyways, just wanted to share that I love Adam on our almost 10th anniversary.....

Wedding beauties...

2008-10-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

While in Chattanooga this past weekend, we went to Adam's cousin's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding. The best part for me was our "wedding beauties" (my babies). At the reception, they danced their little hearts out! It was one of THE most precious times as a Mom for me. They were so sweet and lovey to each other, it just melted my heart! They refused to dance with anyone else (including Adam and myself) :-(...but, they loved dancing with each other! I just love my family and I am so thankful to the Lord for them all! We had a good time visiting with Adam's family (the kids just love Uncle Alex). It was one of "those" times that I know will always stay close to my heart and be in my forever memories!

Rock City!

2008-10-07T15:25:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went to good ole' Rock City! It was a fun time, but VERY nerve wracking! Adam and I both were having one panic attack after another with being up so high (I mean SSOOOO high)! We both later talked about our "visions" of nightmareish things happening while we were up on that hill! Whoa, I almost think that kids should be made to wear some sort of sturdy body harness to be able to go. If you have ever been there, you know what I mean. The fact that Adam and I both have a fear of heights should have been our first clue that this might not be the BEST idea of fun for our little get away :). But, the kids enjoyed it and we did try and contain our "watch outs" and "hold on tights" and "get back heres" and "do you have their hands" and "don't look over the edge too fars" (you get the idea). AND that shaky bridge!! I just can't even go there! Well, we survived (thank you Wonderful Lord)........

Strolling through the zoo...<3 <3 <3

2008-09-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

A giraffe eating a giraffe...you have to see it to believe it!

2008-09-26T17:34:00.000-07:00

A day at the zoo...

2008-09-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

What a fun day today was!! We had a fun field trip with our wonderful friends the Jeters at the zoo. There were so many fun things to learn about today....from things from the 1700-1800's like the toys and clothes from that era.........to feeding the lorakeet birds (one even landed on my hand and ate right out of it).....to riding the carousel........fun, fun, FUN! The kids seemed to enjoy each other and the weather was just PERFECT! We love our friends!!!

Lacy and Reggie

2008-09-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is My Reggie and my Mama and Daddy's Lacy. Sometimes we "dog-sit" for Lacy when Mama and Daddy go out of town. We got to keep her this past weekend! I just love Lacy. Lacy is 11 years old and is one of the very best dogs in the world. She is really like a little hairy person...with four legs :). Reggie loves her. He is so cute with her...he just wants for her to play and be buds with him, but bless his heart...she doesn't care as much for him....well that's probably putting it lightly. He will run circles around her...she just looks up at me as if to say..."can't you give this dude anything"? Reggie is very playful and a great dog. I really do love him, although sometimes he gets on my VERY LAST nerve. He loves to snuggle up close (he has to be touching you when he naps)...and sometimes I just hold him like a little baby. The kids adore him and he is in love with them too. Last night Ian was crying (loud I might add) and Reggie started barking at him...the big deal here is that Reggie NEVER barks at us...not to go out...not when he goes in his crate...not when the kids get a little rough with him, etc. He was REALLY upset that Ian was crying and Reggie wanted to help him somehow. It was a sweet moment with my furry "third child".

Time for a change...

2008-09-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

Emma's new room....yes...very green. A minty kinda green. It is really a change from the purple and pink that she had before (with a terribly stubborn border to remove I might add). But, it's growing on me. She wanted a color that was very different than before...she picked out the color and she loves it. Bless her heart, she's been looking at those same "little girl" walls for five years, and it was definitely time for a change!

Painting adventures...

2008-09-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

We...or should I say "I"...decided that it was time to do some painting in the Helton household. So, this past weekend, we did just that. We started with Emma's room. Well, that's as far as we actually got, but the most important thing for us was...that we DID start :)! Getting started seems to always be the hard part doesn't it?? So, I decided the we'd do a fun little assignment on Friday for art. I let the kids draw anything they wanted (with pencil ofcourse) on their walls! This was fun for them and it occupied their little minds and hands for quite a while. Emma drew a beautiful picture of Noah's Ark and the animals and rain (see picture). It was kinda sad to cover it up with paint...but fun while it lasted.

2008-09-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

Where's Waldo..I mean the kiddos???

2008-09-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

Just a favorite pic

2008-09-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a favorite pic of my big girl. She is precious!

Fall is in the air

2008-09-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

I just LOVE the fall. Adam and I got married in the fall. I love opening my windows and feeling that cool breeze blowing. There is just nothing like it! What is so funny to me is that Emma and Ian really love the fall too...the other day they both were talking about how it "felt" like Halloween. I found it so interesting that they can feel the temperature and look at the trees and smell the air and equate that to Halloween....
Isn't God so amazing. He gives us such beauty around us to enjoy. Thank you Lord for this beautiful season.

Emma's 7th tooth...gone..

2008-09-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

Emma lost her 7th tooth the other night....I really can't decide how this makes me feel! Kinda happy that she is getting bigger and growing, but kinda sad that she's getting bigger and growing...make sense???? My little girl is really growing up...she's almost as tall as us parents and most of you know how really tall that is :). J/K
She did super with this one....it didn't take the very dramatic 2-3 hours of fun-filled tears, fear and drama that he other 6 took. She bit into a piece of grilled cheese of all things at dinner...we went to the bathroom...and I took out the pliers...HA-- just seeing if you were on your toes...I really got a piece of TP and barely touched it and it was out!! You should've seen the smile on her face...OH, wait...you can because here it is in this pic! (I don't go far without my camera, can you tell)??

Camping...well almost anyways...

2008-09-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

Last week, we set out to do some serious camping....well, sortof...well, okay, it was just in our back yard....well...we actually ended up coming inside to our nice cool home after a couple of hours...okay...we wimped out. I admit it. Adam and I really did have good intentions though! We got it all set up, made a real campfire, cooked hot dogs over the fire and made smores and roasted marshmallows. When we got in the tent we realized..."WHAT ARE WE THINKING??" It was SSOOO doggone humid. Really, no joke. As we looked around the tent at Emma and Ian with their hair dripping wet with sweat, we thought...maybe it wouldn't be too difficult to talk them into going inside?? SSOOO, a little bribery goes a long way with the Helton kids. The promise of a home made milkshake, staying up late to watch Funniest Home Videos and sleeping in the living room did the trick! Score one for the parents!!! :)
It was a really fun "almost camp out". We'll try again when the conditions are much less....sweaty!

Watch out bad guys...

2008-09-17T20:26:00.000-07:00

If anyone ever needs help catching any bad guys...my little dude will come to the rescue! See the seriousness in his face...he doesn't mess around when it comes to fighting crime. :)

The fun that we have...

2008-09-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

Emma and Ian planned their own art lesson on this day....oh what fun! Ian sat so quietly and still as Emma "transformed" him into one of his favorite superheroes. After he got his "makeover", he went out directly to fight the crime in the neighborhood :). THANKFULLY, it was a washable marker...my heart did skip a beat or two because a sharpie was nearby and for a second, I thought I might have to permanently get used to this very very dark face...
Can't do art like this in school, huh??

Love <3

2008-09-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

My babies are my loves. I know, they aren't "officially" babies anymore, it is just that they really are "my babies" in my heart! I love it when they love each other! I think it is the best feeling a mom can have when they love each other and play well together (without prompting or correcting I might add). It just makes my heart smile...if a heart could smile that is :-). Well...then there is the opposite......which makes my heart so sad...you know....like when they scratch, scream, tattle, etc, etc. It makes me think of God and how He might feel when we are loving like He wants us to versus when we are fussing and complaining like He doesn't want us to. Does His heart smile when we obey, love and forgive?? Does His heart frown when we do the opposite?? I want for God to look at me and smile............

Cheese :-)!

2008-09-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

I love photography! I love to take pictures of my kids especially. I have been all about the pictures since Emma was born. With both of my kiddos I took a picture of them (close up and full length) every week for the first year of their lives! I can look back on them now and you can actually "see" them grow right before your eyes! It is impossible to make time stand still, but you can't get any closer than with a picture! I also love to take pictures for other people. It is so rewarding for me to be able to give someone a picture of their family or child. I guess you could say that photography is a passion for sure for me. So, please forgive me if I get a little obnoxious if I have my camera in hand and I go a little crazy with the pics....I can hardly help myself!!!!

"Hair's the long and short of it..."

2008-08-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

The title speaks volumes. Today we took Reggie our "long haired" wienie dog to the groomer to become our "short haired" wienie dog. I had no idea what he would end up looking like and was a teeny bit nervous about it, but he turned out SO cute! I tell you the truth, I was about fed up with the Reggie hairs....they were EVERYWHERE! I know I am gonna rest so much better knowing that now he won't leave a trail of hair behind him when he walks down the hall. There is no covering up with hardwood floors....and white is also impossible to overlook. YIKES!! So needless to say, I am pleased with my new and improved buzz-cut pup. Now, I must get the evidence up that he was ever a long-haired breed(-:. Some serious vacuuming is fixin' to start in the Helton home!

Grapes...

2008-08-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

This afternoon God gave me the priveldge to teach to my kiddos something that was very cool for me. As I was making lunch (hot dogs, mac & cheese, apples and grapes), I felt as though God told me to do something! Please know that I don't have these moments often...so I am super excited about it (not super spiritual). I just want to make that clear because lots of times as I'm making lunch I'm fuming with frustration or raising my voice to someone or just not being anywhere close to hearing from God. Well, back to today at lunch...God told me to tell the kids about what He says in John 15 (about Jesus being the vine and we are the branches). I had the grapes in hand and I showed them to the kids. I said that in the Bible, Jesus talks about Jesus being the vine and we are the branches (and I pointed to the vine and then to the branches that the grapes were on). I then went on to point to the plump juicy grapes on the branches and I said (or God through me said)..."see how healthy and full these grapes are?" I then got a grape that was in the bottom of the grape bag that had fallen off of the branch. It was squishy, wrinkly and just not very full of juice. I told them "this is like what we are when we are not attached to the vine (Jesus). We are all flimsy, not healthy and we have no way to grow. We dry up to prunes. BUT, if we remain on the vine (Jesus), we are able to bear healthy fruit just like these grapes. Our lives can be full (like the grapes) and we can grow (in knowledge of God) like the grapes can grow and be fed while still on the vine!" They got it! Oh it was such a special moment. I will never forget that! I just had to say out loud, "Thank you God for speaking to me a word that I can speak to kids to help them understand YOU in a better, more "real" way"! It is funny though when I have a time such as this. Satan wants me to think that this illustration is something that is old news and not such a big deal. It might be old news to some or an illustration that pastors, teachers or even parents have used millions of times. But ya know what I say to that? It is a big deal to me because I heard from God himself. I've eaten grapes many many times and had never had that encounter before!! Satan tries to discourage us, but nope, not today!! I just had to share this today. Thanks for being patient and reading my "lengthy" blogs.

Going Beyond with Priscilla Shirer...

2008-08-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had an amazing opportunity to go to the "Going Beyond" women's conference with Priscilla Shirer with some ladies from church. It was such a wonderful learning and growing experience. For those who have never seen her before in person, you have to go if given the opportunity. She is a dynamic speaker who is "real" and relateable (is that a word?). She is a parallel kind of speaker. She makes the Bible come to life in a very practical way that you can relate to presently in your life. When she teaches, you can see a parallel in your life to what she is focusing on in the Word (it was Moses leading his people from Egypt to the Promised Land of Caanan this past weekend). Wow. I loved it! I love it when God gives me those "light bulb" moments. I almost have to laugh out loud because it is like I could sense God tangibly teaching me. It's so amazing that He loves me so much that He'd give me that special time of learning and growing.
First, let me say that Priscilla is a firm believer that we DO NOT need "the next Bible study" to grow in the Lord. We have all we need in the Bible. She spoke on and gave specific direction and detailed guidance for "quiet times" or as she coined it "Soul Stirring Conversations with God". This was huge for me!! I needed this simple direction of having a genuine quiet time. So often, I'll think I'll have to open the Bible and read chapters and pray for lengthy times. There are so many factors (that I made) involved that I'd get overwhelmed...what book do I read from?...how much should I read?...do I pray before or after I read the Bible?...should I do it first thing in the morning?...if I don't do it first thing in the morning, I feel as though I blew it so just forget it...(I'm an all or nothing kind of girl). Who doesn't want to REALLY hear from God...it is something I truly desire, but unfortunately not always the reality in my day to day life. I really would try do these things at times and just be doing a quiet time to check it off of my list (if I did one at all). WELL...I don't have any excuses any more. Priscilla laid out a very simple 5 step plan to having conversation with God in a "real" way. Let me share................
1) POSITION yourself to hear from God (alone and quiet place) Habakkuk 2:1 & Psalm 27:14
PICK out 1 or 2 verses ( or more according to whatever time you have) from whatever book of the Bible that interests you.

2) POUR over (read) the verse/s and then PARAPHRASE the major points in YOUR own words (in a spiral notebook/journal/whatever). List the points. James 1:25; Joshua 1:8.
(Tips for Paraphrasing: ask WHO are the major participants...WHAT are they doing/saying?...WHERE are they going?...WHAT is the happening?....WHEN is this occurring?)

3) PULL OUT the spiritual principles from your paraphrasing (write them down). Then, CLOSE THE BIBLE! (This part was freeing for me in some ways. You have in front of you what you need if you've done step 1 & 2).

4) POSE a question TO YOURSELF based on the spiritual principle that you've seen in the verse/s. Ask yourself...am I doing that spiritual principle? Do I let Him... Do I desire... Is that spiritual principle evident in MY life?...You can go on and on depending on what the verse/s are about.

5) PLAN obedience and PIN DOWN a date to do it! James 1:22; Jeremiah 7:23
It's like drawing a conclusion from the questions you asked yourself and then the Holy Spirit WILL convict/draw/make clear those things that you need to change to be more like Jesus.

You'll find in doing all of these steps that you ARE having a genuine dialogue with the Holy Spirit of God and fulfilling the very purpose of a quiet time that is "real" and not forced.

Pretty great stuff (for me anyways). Just wanted to share with anyone who might struggle in the same areas of genuine quiet times with the Lord.

She shared these points to those at the conference, but there is a Bible study of hers that is based on this very way to study the Bible for yourself called "Can We Talk? Soul Stirring Conversations with God by Priscilla Shirer".

My sweet hubby...

2008-08-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

Where do I begin? Adam is the best husband anyone could ask for. Really. Here is a bit of "Helton History Trivia" for you: 1) We were high school sweet hearts (Go Bears) 2) We were best friends in 9th grade 3) We were prom king & queen (I know...don't laugh) 4) We dated for 3 years before we got engaged 5) We were engaged for 3 years before we were married 6) We'll be married 10 years this October! The great thing is...we're still friends! He cracks me up. Has the best sense of humor of anyone I've ever met. He is such a great husband to me. He is such a great daddy to Emma and Ian. They adore him. When he comes home, they just light up and get so excited. He is really fun with them...always doing those fun dad things like wrestling, playing, reading to them. I am thankful to the Lord for such a great husband that is also my best friend.

Homeschool "R" Us

2008-08-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

Well...This is blog post #2 for me...maybe I'm getting on a roll. Thought I'd mention a bit about homeschooling and what's going on in our lives with that. I homeschool Emma, my precious 2nd grade girl...this is our 2nd year. Tomorrow makes the start of official school week #3 for the year so far. So far so good believe it or not. Let me back up a bit...homeschool is not what I had planned when I had my sweet little babies. As time (and circumstances with a rough school year in school for Emma in Kindergarten) went on, I felt the "call" to homeschool Emma. It was more like a fog horn (-:....it wasn't what I had necessarily desired or expected, but here we are. I am blessed to be able to spend time with my children during the day, see them both bonding (I love that part), and attempt to teach in a way that will please the Lord. Do I do it right all the time???? Are you kidding? No way. Do I do it right some of the time??? Well, it depends on who you ask :). In my own power, I never do school right (or parenting for that matter). When I am led by the Lord, things DO go right and He shines through. It is at those times when I am encouraged to keep going strong. I have determined that God wants homeschool for us at this time as much to change and mold me to who He has called me to be as a mom and as a Christian. I want nothing more to be a woman after God's own heart and to teach and train my children in the ways of the Lord. I fail miserably on a daily basis, but praise the Lord that He is always there ready and willing to forgive me and help me back up on my feet! Parenting is....HARD!!! Wow, is it hard. I love my kids so much. They are both so unique and fun! Emma is very creative and empathetic. She'll be the first to go get you an ice pack if you've fallen (well...she usually gets an ice pack for every kind of boo-boo...I guess she thinks ice is a cure-all (-:). She can't stand for someone to be hurt. She is also very just and will get EVERYONE straight if there has been an injustice that she sees (especially if it has to do with her little brother). Very FAIR-minded little girl. She'd be a great judge. When I say creative, let me give you an example...tonight we went to Las Palmas after Church (with a coupon FYI Christy..:)). Well, she tore a piece of Adam's taco aluminum foil, made a swan bowl out of it, put cheese in it and then proceeded to dip her chips in the swan bowl instead of the regular cheese dip bowl. I just love her imagination...it truly inspires me at times! Ian...well...he's just a little dude! He is very sweet and hilarious (takes after his Daddy for sure). He is very much into super heroes right now. He is very independent. He is determined to pick out his own clothes and every day he has his own idea of what he wants to wear and you just cannot get him to change his opinion (and I do try sometimes when it is pajamas or a sweat shirt and jeans in the middle of the summer). I'm working on letting go of some (okay...a little) of my control. This is a hard one for me I must confess. I know it is necessary though and God is helping me through that one. Well...I didn't know I was gonna go into so much...but remember, I'm new at this. Hopefully I'll get better at it with time!

Never Say Never

2008-08-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

Hey there folks. This is my new blog, can you believe it?? I promised I'd never do this. Never say never. I might be the only reader, but I can say I did it (with help from my friends). That's all for now. Bye, bye. Check back for updates..........although there might not be any :). I'll do my best! Have A GREAT DAY!