Christmas tree with Christmas carols

Today Tyler and I decided it was time. Time to put up our Christmas decorations and tree. So to get us in the mood, which we both already were, Tyler put on some Christmas music and we are in the process right now of putting everything out while playing with Griffin at the same time somehow. We just love doing this. I don't have that many Christmas decorations, but I do have plenty to take up all the space we have in our home. I just remember growing up having so many Christmas things to put out with my mom. I hope to keep everything for years too, so Griffin can remember each thing as the years go by as I did growing up. I told my mom recently that I miss putting up the Christmas decorations and tree with her and my dad. But now I have a family of my own to start new traditions with! That is really exciting! So as we make our house into a winter wonderland we will anticipate this year, Griffin's first Christmas, and the years to come as we celebrate the Lord's birth as a family each year, making may memories and traditions together.

Poppa Scott

Tuesday Griffin and I traveled to the near town of Lubbock, TX to meet my dad for lunch since he was in a nearby west tx town on his deer lease on which he shot a 10 pt. buck the following evening. Way to go Dad! We ate at Texas Land & Cattle and had such a sweet time visiting and I loved watching my dad enjoy playing with Griffin the whole time. Griffin acted like "oh yeah, Poppa I remember you!" It was funny. So of course I, camera in tow, got to take their picture while they played.
Dear Poppa,
Thanks for taking Mom and I out for lunch. I had a really fun time when you held me and let me put the small plate in my mouth. Thanks for giving me sugar from Naunie. Please tell her I love her so much. I will see you again soon at Christmas and we can play again. Maybe you can sneak me some blue bell again. I love you, Poppa.
Love, Griffin

Meemaw's & PawPaw's

This past weekend Griffin and I got to go visit Tyler's parents in Denver City while Tyler was at youth retreat in Glorieta. We had such a sweet time with them and were so thankful that we got to go. They enjoyed showing him off at church on Sunday and we also got to go visit Griffin's great great uncle Claude and aunt Phyllis.

Dear MeeMaw & PawPaw,
Thank you for letting Mom and I come visit. I had so much fun playing with y'all and cuddling. Thank you for my new toys and the Christmas stocking you got me. They are fun to play with. I love y'all very much and can't wait to see y'all again real soon at Thanksgiving. I will miss you until then.
Love,
Griffin

Fun with Daddy

Griffin and Tyler love to hang out. I think they are both the happiest when they are together. I think we are all three the happiest when we are all three together. We love to sing that Jack Johnson song to each other "It's always better when we're together. Look at those stars when we're together..."

Had to share these sweet pics of some time they spent together on the couch one day and some guitar time by the window.

After Fuel

This is what being around teenagers for 2 hours will do to a baby....

Griffin fell asleep on the way home from church last night and when I got him out of his car seat he didn't wake up. He laid his sweet little head right down on my shoulder and snuggled up in the crevice and stayed asleep. I got him in the house-still asleep. Sat down on the couch-still asleep. 10 minutes later, still laying on Mommy-still asleep. Finally I carefully flopped him down on the love seat- STILL ASLEEP. Never woke up. It was so funny. He was exhausted.

ps. I did eventually wake him up, give him a bath, and then put him in his bed. I did not let him sleep on the love seat all night :)

Fool Moon Rising

Another great children's book that I recently bought Griffin is one by the name of "Fool Moon Rising". PLEASE get this book for your children! It teaches such an important lesson. It is my favorite children's book that I have ever read and I could read it over and over again to Griffin. I am eager for the day when he will really understand it and we can talk about it together.

Jesus-dependent (Mark 9:14-29)

Jesus-dependent (Mark 9:14-29) from Tyler Hicks on Vimeo.

Questions for parents and students to discuss:
1. How does God get glory from our dependence/reliance on Him?
2. Are you giving God your problems, or are you trying to control everything in your own power?
3. Are you relying on past success in your walk with God, or are you pressing into God and His grace even now?
4. Are you praying? Are you praying as a family? Do you pray together with family? with friends? Do you really believe that prayer is important?