But God is God and God is GOOD - no matter what.

The Story of Zac Smith from NewSpring Media on Vimeo.

December Update

I held the annual cookie exchange at my home but forgot to get a picture of the actual cookie table and it was beautiful. Here are the fun ladies that attended.


My sweet, Courtney, turned 12 on the 15th. It is AMAZING how quickly time passes. My mom always said that as you get older the years fly past and she was right. They are going by at supersonic speed.

We went to Olive Garden for her birthday and had a fun waiter. Then we came home and had cake.





We were able to head to Austin this past weekend for Keith's sister's wedding. It was beautiful. She made a gorgeous bride. The wedding was held at The Plantation House in Pflugerville. It was a beautiful location and the house was decorated for Christmas.






We celebrated Christmas with the Jackson family at my dad's yesterday. We had a fun time and a lot of laughs with the gift exchange.

Please excuse the chopping of Courtney's head off, I'm not the photographer in the family.



It's been a busy and fun month and there is still more to come. God Bless Everyone!

Christmas Card 2009

My fantastic sister-in-law at www.PortraitsbyKym.com took all the great pictures.

Thanksgiving was a blast

Thanksgiving 2009 has come and gone and we had an enjoyable day. We started off with me and the kids heading to downtown Dallas for the annual YMCA Turkey Trot. Keith made a huge sacrifice and stayed home to cook the bird and the much anticipated Monkey Bread (not the dessert version but flour, yeast and butter heaven). Everyone knows how he hates to miss a 5k.


37,000 people registered to walk or run in the 5K or 8 mile. We carpooled with Kim, Cathy and Kym and our bestest friend Toni in spirit. Kim met Kevin and showed us all up by running the 8 mile trot after training since August. Way to go KIM & KEVIN!

Then me and my kids, Cathy, Kym, Ellaina and Gavin hit the 5k and walked. It was fun but so very crowded, 37,000 people will do that.

When we got home the Oklahoma Crew had arrived. Keith's brother Steve, girlfriend Vicki and Grace. Keith' sister Susan, hubby Jeremy, son Justin and wife Jacqulin and Keith's mom Becky. Steve and Becky picked up Granny Gunn in Plano and brought her over. Later, my brother Brad and his wife Kym and two kids came and dear friends Greg & Cathy Hodges and their two cute kiddos.

Kym was generous enough to take some family photos for us. We walked down to the pool area in our subdivision where there are lots of trees and she took a group shot and some individual family photos. I'm so excited to have a group shot as it's not often enough we are all together and it will be treasured by all. After pictures it was time to eat. There was SO MUCH FOOD! It was insane, we can eat for weeks off the sides and desserts. The desserts, oh boy, we had pumpkin pies, cherry pies, sopapilla cheesecake, pumpkin crisp and lemon ice box pie. Seriously, it was nuts.

After stuffing ourselves silly some went upstairs to watch the cowboys and others stayed down to chat and nibble on leftovers. The kids went outside to enjoy a beautiful Thanksgiving day.

Keith's Aunt Coda, Uncle Jon, Cousin Tori and second cousin Kelsey popped in to say hello. Tori has been in China with a missionary group and we got to hear some about her travels. God is working in incredible ways in her life.

It was a great day. I wish the Okalhoma crew could have stayed longer but several had to work today. I look forward to seeing everyone for Christmas.

(Pictures to come...Kym's computer crashed but we should have some to share at the end of the week. I HATE to wait but they say patience is a virtue.

I'm thankful

Psalm 107:1 (NIV) "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

As I sit and reflect on the last year it has made me realize all the blessings in my life. This year has had more than it's share of heartache but we have so many blessings to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for my husband of 16 years. I'm thankful for having two beautiful and healthy children. I'm thankful that my husband has a job. I'm thankful to be able to run my own business with my sister. I'm thankful for my mom who taught me what it is to be a good parent. I'm thankful to have a home. I'm thankful to have an amazing brother and sister and their spouses and kids. I'm thankful for all of my husbands family. I'm thankful for my dad and his wife. I'm thankful for our health. I'm thankful we can put food on the table. I'm thankful for friends. I'm thankful for our Church and our special ABF class. I'm thankful for a God who loves us unconditionally.

It's easy to sit and complain about all the things we don't have but when you stop and think about all you are blessed with it's easy to see there is plenty to be thankful for.

I wish everyone a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Early Birthday party

So we celebrated Courtney's 12 birthday early. She and her friends are into Twilight and we all know, or those who follow the series, that New Moon came out on Friday.

We started out the evening with pizza and gifts:



Taylor had a unique way of giving her gift, she had a puzzle that had to be put together to find the location of the gift

It turned out to be in the sleeping bag, very cute.

After cake and gifts the girls did girly things upstairs which involved a lot giggles and screams.

Since it was opening day of the movie we knew to get to the theatre early. I had bought tickets a month before so we went early to get in line for decent seats. Keith and I stood in line while the girls played video games and talked.

The movie got out after midnight so we headed home and the girls got out all their sleeping bags and put out in the gameroom. I think they finally stopped talking about how hot Jacob is around 2:00 a.m.

It was a fun night and party. Can't believe my baby will be 12 in December 15th, wow!

P.S. Mason is finally getting his appendix out at 6:30 tonight. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

McKinney Food Drive Goal Reached