MeRrY CHRISTmas

Here's to all our blog-friends. The Lacefield family is wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May HE be the center, the reason, the peace, the joy, the LOVE... that overwhelms you!

Personal Debate

OK, so I've been thinking about this whole blog thing...I love doing it, it's easy to NOT make time for it, I love reading back through it, it's IMPORTANT to log my thoughts and memories but not URGENT, and I want to be more consistent. All that to say I'm debating setting a new Years GOAL to blog either daily or weekly....I mean 365 days... but alot happens in a day that goes unnoted... weekly could be 7 things that happened this week since there's seven days.... so friends, FIRST I want to know your "opinion." What's the best way to go about this and stay consistent and make it meaningful. SECOND, I want to know if you'll join me on the journey so we can look back at this next year and KNOW the fun things that happened, REMEMBER what God has done, and SEE the fruit of it all in our pictures that we all take and sit lonely in our computers!

What do moms of 14 year olds do?

PANIC!!!!! Just kidding....sort of....(breathe)

14 years old!!! Where does the time go? I can not believe that my babygirl is 14. For some reason this birthday was harder than 13. The reality set in on Thanksgiving when somebody said in casual conversation "Chandler is going to be in highschool next year" Honestly is took me for a loop...I mean, HIGHSCHOOL!!!!! Really???? My calm, cool, and collected response was..."No, she will be going to the 9th grade center" The reality is that my babygirl isn't a babygirl anymore. She is grown up... and has grown up choices to make and grown up responsibilities and temptations and the truth is...I'm so proud of her and how she has handled them so far. Parenting is a challenge but worth every bit of energy invested. I know this is just the beginning of this new "season" in life called TEENAGER but I'm ready. The Lord has given Chad and I an AMAZING daughter...we are lucky to be her parents. So friends, on those days that I struggle, because there will be days, remind me that this is a season and I am lucky God has CHOSEN me to be her mom! Happy Birthday Chandler Paige!

14 things I LOVE about Chandler

1.) She makes me laugh ALL the time

2.) She challenges me to think

3.) She is so incredibly thoughtful

4.) She is a GOOD friend

5.) She cares about those not cared for

6.) She is generous with her stuff

7.) She is learning how to receive correction

8.) She is growing, personally, relationally and spiritually

9.) She has a sense of humor like her dad

10.) She is a leader

11.) She is beautiful inside and out

12.) She knows how to have FUN

13.) She is creative

14.) She is MY DAUGHTER

Happy Birthday Chandler

OK so Chandler had her birthday party Friday night. The original plan was a hoedown... complete with a dance floor and everything. Then... in came the cold front. We debated canceling the party but at the last minute decided to go ahead. We had a bout 30 kids and they stayed outside almost the WHOLE time. There was a campfire and hot chocolate and frito pie a marshmallow fight and...a pie eating contest. Note to self...not the best idea when it's FREEZING and you cant clean up outside. All in all it was a success. Chan had fun with her friends and the kids were great. I'm so thankful that my daughter has a good group of friends who are respectful and responsible. Love having parties so I can meet and hang out with these kids. I know my time for parties is nearing an end so I will make the most of every opportunity.

100 Things I'm thankful for

This is my challenge every year... to write 100 things I'm thankful for. Can you?

This is something that can't be done in a quick five minutes so here's the start of mine and I will continually "edit" this post with the hopes of filling it by Christmas.

1.) A God who loves me-no matter what

2.) A husband who loves me-no matter what :0)

3.) Chandler- my daughter who continually challenges me... to be a better person/mom

4.) Riley- my son who shows me kindness and unconditional love

5.) New River- the place that I worship

6.) New River- the people who ARE my family

7.) New River- the place that I work

7.) My dad- who raised me to be strong

8.) My mom- who taught me what gentleness and kindness looked like

9.) Joshua- my little brother who always encourages me

10.) my soon to be sister-in-law...I never had a sister

11.) Weston- my sweet baby nephew who I've only seen once but love like crazy!

12.) My house- it's not only a roof over our heads but a home, a place to entertain, and place to invite friend and live life together.

13.) My health- the fact that I CAN get up every morning

14.) My lifegroup- a group of people that I truly LIVE LIVE WITH

15.) My kids ministry team- I LOVE the people I get to serve alongside

16.) NR Women's Ministry- a place for women to come together to laugh and cry and grow TOGETHER

17.) My friends- people I can count on, who love me for who I am and don't hold my mistakes against me

18.) True Bond Marriage Class- a class at church that Chad and I had the privilege of going through that brought us closer as a couple.

19.) Change- the kind of change that rocks your boat and makes you trust HIM like never before

20.) Faith & Trust- the two things that God has been growing in me these last few months

21.) Sports- they keep us busy but I love watching my kids

22.) Cheerleading- Chandler cheered this year and it was so fun for me, former cheerleader, to watch

23.) Dr. Pepper- I drink my caffine cold

24.) Chick-fil-A... a chick-fil-a a day keeps the weight loss away!!

25.) The Hollands- their story blessed us and challenged us to trust God in a new way

26.) Pictures- they capture memories

27.) My new scrapbook room- I love that I have a place for all my stuff...now if I can just find the time to use it!

28.) The D6 Conference- an amazing opportunity to be challenged to teach families how to live out Deuteronomy 6

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girls and their daddies

just a pic of chan and Chad because I thought it was a great picture. they both share their annoyance with me and all the picture taking!

Last football game of the season

Tonight's gonna be a good night...tonight's gonna be a good good night!

Halloween Fun

Well this year was a little different... Chad and I actually dressed up for the occasion... or AN occasion... Chad's work party to be exact... here are a few pictures that take us "back in the Day".

CrAzY GirLs!

Ok so it cracks me up how crazy teenage girls act. Always taking pictures of themselves and all about the FUN! Here's some fun pics off Chandler's camera on Halloween. Don't ask me what they were... all I know is they were inspired by the movie GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!

Chandler's Cross Country team

Football, Football, and more football!!!

Ok so when anyone asks..."what have you been up to?" there are few words... Work, kids, sports; would pretty much be my answer. I love that my kids love to play and I love that I can be there to watch. I was asked earlier this season after all my "going to watch_____ at ______ " posts on facebook if I was "that Mom" who went to EVERYTHING and my proud answer was YES I AM. I truly hope and pray that when my kids look back that is something they are thankful for. This stuff is important and it's important to me that they know they are worth it... worth all the time, and energy, and shuttling them around, and running like a crazy-mom.

And I try to capture as much of it as I can with my camera.... I enjoy taking pictures... lots of pictures... so this post won't really do it justice... I'll shoot for a hi-light slideshow at the end of the season.

First Day of school

Walking in Riley

Dropping off chan

Chandler Paige

Sweet kids

Riley Chad

So this is it...the last year before high school...what?!?!?! Because ninth grade is it's own school is it really considered high school? Not really sure but the point is...8th grade?!? Where does the time go? This year was a pretty fun day...Chandler we had to drop off at the curb and Riley we got to walk in. He started 5th grade so we have one more year...one more first day of school where we get to walk them in...one more people.......

Chandler had a rough couple days because she didn't have many friends in her classes and had C lunch when most of her friend are in B lunch. By the end of the week it got much better. Riley had a rough couple days too because none of his buddies are in his class. By the end of the week and after lots of prayer and "talks" and encouragement...it got better...we found the positives...and believe God has big things in store for this year.

Cheer Camp

Well this was the first year EVER that the Jr High cheerleaders did NOT go away to cheer camp. We were a little disappointed but it turned out to be a great week. The following week the cheerleaders did a camp for the Weatherford youth association and had a blast with the peewee cheerleaders. They think these girls are the coolest EVER! Here's a few pics from our cheer adventure thus far...

Kids Camp 2009

Mach 1 Summer Club Track

Ok so Chandler decided to run on a summer track team. She ran the 3000 and the 1500 and medaled at every track meet. Towards the end she was ready to quit because she wanted to enjoy the rest of her summer but coach Lupe talked her into sticking it out through qualifying. She went to qualifying in Dallas and was in the top three for the 1500. She didn't get to try out for the 3000 because she was at Super Summer but it was totally worth it. We head to Houston this weekend for regionals. If she places in the top three in Houston she will be headed to Jr Olympics in Atlanta. Through all of this running Chandler started having trouble breathing. Took her to the Doctor and he prescribed an inhaler and shes been doing great ever since. She runs this saturday so if you think about it say a little prayer for her...to run her best and forget about the rest!

Ready...OK!

Well Chandler finally admitted this year after vowing since she was six she would NEVER be a cheerleader that the thought of trying out actually interested her. Well, needless to say this high school/competitive cheerleader and cheer coach for six years was THRILLED!

Tryout weeks was one of the hardest weeks of our life! The stress these girls put on themselves was crazy. At the Lacefield house it all came down to you do your best and that's all that matters...if we make it or not...knowing it would still be hard if we didn't. Chandler and her closest friends all tried out and the four hours between tryouts and the posting were gruesome. We tried to take the girls to dinner and a movie to keep them occupied.

The results were finally posted at 11 something that night...I called my friend and made her get there before me so i could be prepared if need me to do damage control...but no damage control here because...SHE MADE IT!!! And her friends made it...so all is well in the lives of these 8th grade girls who have plenty of drama on the road ahead!

Happy Anniversary mom and dad!

This is the super yummy strawberry short cake chandler made for us to take our anniversary escape. She planned it, dad got all the supplies and she and went to a friends house to make it and surprise me with it. I am the luckiest mom!

14 years...where does the time go?

Well Chad and I are getting ready to celebrate our 14th anniversary. As I sit down to write this I am in total awe of Gods love and grace and provision. He sure knew what He was doing when I met Chad fifteen years ago at a high school party. I'm amazed at the way I love him...with a depth that I never knew was possible. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world and I pray that feeling only gets stronger as we get older. Happy Anniversary baby...here's to many more amazing years!

Thou shalt not LIE

Well, we've been dealing with one of those fun but tough issues as parents. How do you teach your kids not to lie?? I mean, they aren't even lying about big stuff...it's little, insignificant, no big deal stuff...that ends up turning into a BIG DEAL. IT's hard...and there's no "figure it all out" book for parents but here's a few things we are learning right now.
*teach them the age old addage that it's much easier if you tell the truth the first time
*make sure that they understand that there is no difference between what seems like a little lie and a BIG lie
*emphasize the reality that this family is built on trust and honesty and that is an area there is NO ROOM for compromise
*use the Word to reinforce the principle...but make sure they can personalize it and make it their own
*punishment must fit the crime and follow through is critical
*We must tell them we love them and encourage them when they "get it"

District Track Meet

Well, track season has officially ended...and officially begun, depending on how you look at it. Chandler competed in the District Track meet two weeks ago in Aledo. This is as far as they go on the middle school level so Chandler was geared up and READY. She ran the 2400 in 9:46 placing third behind two girls from Stephenville who are really fast. In the Mile she placed 4th with a time of 6:10. We were so proud of her determination and drive. She wasn't discouraged by third and fourth because both were RECORD BREAKING times for HALL MIDDLE SHOOL! It was on the WIDS website. The coolest part is that Chandler's best friend Emma also had two HALL MIDDLE SCHOOL records for long jump and triple jump. Here's a few pics from the day. The coolest part was immediately following her last run a coach from the Weatherford club track team approached her about running with them on a summer track team. Chandler is excited about this opportunity and ready to fully commit to track. If nothing else this will help her improve her form and times for cross country in the fall. Exciting things are coming!

Baseball Time

Well, after taking a few years off to play soccer Riley decided to play baseball again. Not gonna lie...Chad and I were a little leary of it because soccer is a little less demanding. But ultimately it was Rileys choice...and he picked it up like he hadn't missed a beat. He is on the Cubs and is playing pitcher, catcher and short stop. Here's a few pics from our first practice game.

Spring Track season has begun

Well Chandler has started track and is excited to be running the mile and the mile and a half... how she does it i'll never know...and never plan to try and keep up either! here's a few pics from her first practice meet and the meet this week. Here's a video from tonights race

In her practice meet she got first in both races. This week she placed 2nd in the mile and a half(2400) and 3rd in the mile(1600)

Happy Birthday Ri-Ri... Double digits from here on out!

Well my sweet baby boy turned ten last Monday. Lucky for him it was a school holiday... how cool is that! This year he decided he didn't want a big party. I know... crazy considering I LOVE to throw a good party... and birthday parties are HUGE for me. But anyway, he decided he wanted to go on a hunting trip with his dad for his birthday. Since deer season didn't go so well this year, Chad set up a hog hunt for late February. So on his actual birthday we spent a fun day at home. He had a few friends spend the night and they played ALL DAY outside playing Air Soft, building forts with duct tape, and just being boys. We did take a short break to head up to Riley's favorite place for lunch... yes, this is something he and I share, our passion for a certain little chicken place...and when we got back, Chandler made him Birthday cupcakes. The best part is she did them all on her own, the cooking the cleaning up after, all of it!

We finished the day with a family dinner. Everyone was there except my mom, who is with my brother in Nebraska right now.

As I look back over the last ten years I can't believe how my baby boy has grown into this kind, giving, young man whose goal in life is to please others and make you smile. He makes me laugh and shows me how to love sincerely and completely. He teaches me to enjoy the little things and I so miss the little white-headed boy who used to crawl into my lap, but I am thankful for the thoughtful young man he is growing up to be. My prayer is that his love for God and others would continue to grow and that Chad and I can love him, teach him, guide him, and be the parents HE needs to be the man God created HIM to be. I love you Riley Smiley! Happy Birthday!!