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!