The First of the Lasts

Anna is a part of the MP3 team in our Children's Ministry at church. They lead out in our children's worship time on Sunday mornings and have choreographed dance moves to help motivate other kiddos to participate and enjoy their worship time.

She's been a part of this group for well over a year, maybe even two, and LOVES it. Until now...

Yesterday was her last time to serve in MP3. It was a reminder to me that we are really beginning to experience our "lasts" before we go.

As I lamented about this with a friend in the hallway at church, after I went and took pictures of Anna "doin' her thang", this friend cheerfully reminded me that even though there are many "lasts" now, we'll get to experience a lot of exciting firsts very soon. Thanks for the perspective, Cindy S.!

Great job, Anna! Your dad and I are so proud of your passion to serve God and His Church and you do such a good job at it! It will be fun to find our places of service at a new church in Singapore.

Space Center Houston

We had a super fun time at Space Center yesterday. Anna, Jenny, Jackson and I spent the day wandering, watching, playing, touching everything germy, shopping, eating and visiting. I remember going there several years ago when Anna was little. And I watched parents with all of these little kids trying to keep track of them and keep them happy. They could have spent much less money and gone to Chicfila or McDonald's for the play area and the kid wouldn't have known the difference. I treasure those years but I don't miss that craziness. Parents with little kids in Space Center can get rather cranky.

Here are a few snapshots of the day. Jenny has some good ones on her blog. I've included a couple of video clips too of the dive show. Not sure what the diving has to do with Space Center but it was enjoyable. I took my new little camera and I guess I didn't realize that you couldn't video sideways. Death defying dives and gravity defying as well as it would appear.

Anna in the flight simulator. She and Jackson had fun crashing their planes on purpose. Hope they never become real pilots.

Jackson took this one of Anna. Not bad!

"hmmm... no matter that I'm responsible for the people who are in orbit. i wonder what i should have for lunch?"

Watching the dive show.

I think the sideways video's are funny.

Bella-Full Dog Treats - Pay Day!

The final payments for Jakeb and Tori's Kenya trip were due this week so Anna decided to hand over the money she's raised for them selling her Bella-Full homemade dog treats. She was able to give them each $99.50!! Way cool!!! I'm so proud of her for her heart, her generosity, her time and effort, her love for her big bro and sis and desire to help them fulfill their passion and her mean cooking skills. It has been a great experience for us all.

Anna wants to continue to make them for local family and friends if anyone wants some. She plans to take her supplies with us to Singapore and see if there's a market for them there with our new "family" and friends. We hear there are a lot of spoiled pooches there too. The money she makes will just go into her savings account. Probably for one of those Cavalier King Charles Spaniels when we get back to the U.S. :)

Anna's tearin' it up on the court!

Here are some videos and pics from Anna's basketball games this season. This is her 4th year to play Upwards Basketball. She knows what she's doing out there and it's fun to watch her play!

Anna and big sis', Tori.

Anna & big brother, Jakeb

Anna and the team & coach - post game pep talk.



Thanks for coming, Pawpaw!!

This wasn't Anna's shot but it's fun to watch when they play as a team.