Happy New Year!

Happy New Year blessings to all my Xanga friends! The Mitchell household has had a very busy fall and now winter. Just a few updates:

AJ (mainly me!) made it through 8 weeks in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.  He truly blossemed through this immersion experience.  He is so grown up--he even came home and  most of his pants did not fit anymore!!! We are beginning to decide which middle school he will go to.  He wants to go to Carver--the most prestiges of all--even ranked nationally as one of the top middle schools in the country.  He gets to "shadow" on Tuesday. (try out the school!)

Jake--had a great time playing football.  He is even talking about going to Mexico.  We'll see.... 3rd grade has been fun.  LOTs of homework (strict teacher!) but he is doing well...

Tate--3 going on 30!  He is talking and acting soooo grown up.  I am going to enroll him at the elem. across from church for their all day pre-k program for next year.  I think I am going to sign him up for soccer this spring. That will be hilarous to watch!!!

Troy--in Atlanta right now for Songsters.  Found out he is going to Sweeden in Sept. with the Songsters.  This makes 2 international trips he will take this year.  The other is Trinidad with the DYB.  He is also coaching both boys in basketball. 

As for me, I'm just trying to keep it together!  I love the busyness of this beautiful family!  I did decide that in 08 I am going to hit the gym more.  Would like to see some major results by June--swimsuit season!!!! 

I pray that everyone is having a great 08--try not to break your resolutions!!!

Just a quick prayer request and update:

AJ leaves Saturday for San Luis Potosi Mexico.  He will be gone for 8 weeks on a student exchange. 

He has his own email address and would love to hear positive comments from each of you

ajmitchsaintsfan@yahoo.com.

Pray for us as we send our 1st born out into the world.  I think I know how Sarah felt when Abraham left that day with his 1st, Issac. 

Thanks everyone for your prayers.  I covet them! 

Jake had his 1st tackle football game Sat. and they won 31-0.  His team is undefeated for the past 3 years.  My little Jakey is on the defensive line holding kids 2x bigger than him.  Guess roughhousin' with dad and big brother has paid off!  As soon as I find the cord to download pics I will!  He looks so big and tough--too bad he can melt like ice cream when he hears mom yell, "Go Jakey!!" Jakey apparently is not tough enough to yell out at the games.

That afternoon Troy got 2 powerful phone calls.  They were from 2 spirit-filled men who just called to uplift him.  Wow!  I love the way God works!  He really needed to hear what they had to say. I'm so glad that Troy has men in his life to talk with and nothing goes from there.  They are there to pray and disern what is going on.  Sometimes it is nothing more than just listening--good and bad.  He has about 4 men he trusts enough to do that with and I thank God for them!

Oh yeah--Tate is FULLY potty-trained--even at night!!!! Alleulia!  He took the longest to train.  So, does anyone want some pull-ups--we are not in need of them anymore!  That chapter in my life is closed--I'm glad because of the expense and sad because he is not a baby anymore.  These boys are sure growing up soooo fast.  Time sure does fly by! 

Anyone doing anything special for Labor Day?  We are going to my parents lake house on Lake Texoma for some sun and fun!  Our last getaway before AJ goes to Mexico.  He leaves on 22 Sept. I think I'm going to have a Welcome home party for him in November.  The school does a big send off--so we will do the welcome back.  We've heard from the parents that he will be staying with.  Troy and I already have them prayed up--whether they know it or not! 

OK, gotta get or I'm not going to be getting up in time in the morning.  Blessings! 

Yeah! School's In!

Well, I don't know about you, but my kids were ready for school!  Since, AJ and Jake wear uniforms to school--shopping was very minimal this year!  I know I'm going to have to buy pants but for now-shorts are working just fine! 

This is AJ's last year in elementary school.  I am excited and sad at the same time!  I bought him a shirt at this great consignment expo they have 2x a year, and I KNEW it was going to be too long for him (it was Saints colors and for $3.00!!)  I got it home and he tried it on (which he hates doing!!!),and the thing fit!!!  Where has my blue-eyed baby gone???  Now I worried about sending him to Mexico--what if he grows up while gone?  Am I ready for this..... He leave Sept. 22 and returns Nov. 15.

Jake is now in upper elementary.  3rd grade he is finding out, is WAY different than 2nd.  His teacher is VERY strict and does not coodle(sp) the kids. She makes them work and work hard they do!  This was a pivotal year ofr AJ and Jake seems to like it.  He has had homework every night but tonight. 

Tate is in the Pre-K class even though he is 3.  His teacher had both the boys and has taught for over 20 years!  He loves her and she is a family friend.  of course, in her eyes, Tate can do no wrong!  He is loving it and has even appointed himself the Music Director for the school!  He tells all the children from ALL the classes to "shhhhh! OK,1,2,3,GO!"  Wonder where he gets that from..... Oh, don't let them not sing it right--he makes them start over!!!!  Martha? Troy? Me?  Poor child....he doesn't stand a chance--good thing he's cute!

Pictures will come!

As for Troy, he has been putting in about 60 hrs a week. I don't know where CNN gets their stats but the housing market in the Green Country area has not slowed down!  He is talking about better perks and possible bonus because of the extra hours he has been putting in.

For me, I've been dealing with something lately and I cannot elaborate on Xanga because someone will turn it into something it is not. (see a previous entry!)  I was reading my devotional the other day and it was talking about life seasons and was using the scripture "To every thing there is a season, a time to mourn, a time to sing etc from Ecclesiates 3 and it got me thinking, I've been praying wrong.  I've been asking God to change my situation (and He can if He wants to!) but through this devotional, He said, I need to learn something through this season.  Maybe that is the reason things have gotten worse instead of better.  I've been praying wrong!  There is a lesson, a growth process if you will that I need to learn to be able to move deeper with God.  In one of Beth Moore's bible studys, she talks about delivered FROM the fire, delivered THROUGH the fire, delivered OF the fire.  I wanted to be delivered OF or FROM but God has shown me that I am going to be delivered THROUGH the fire.  Now, my flesh is crying out not to put me through this but my spirit is standing strong.  As I am typing tears are streaming down my face--what a breakhrough for me!  I have to submit to His will and allow my self to fully die to the flesh in order for Him to do His will.  I know that God is showing me something and He is going to take care of this I need to seek strength in Him. Please keep me, my husband, our leaders, and our Corps in your prayers.  The flood gates are about to open up....

"There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal                    

a time to tear down and a time to build up,

a time to weap, a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to search, and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate

a time for war and a time for peace

What does the worker gain from his toil?  I have seen the burden God has laid on the men.  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  I know that everything God does will endure forever;  nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.  God does it so men will revere Him."  Ecclesiates 3;1-10,11,12,13

Blessings!

Round II

Please don't think this is going to be an everyday thing.  I don't want to spoil my Zanga friends with the pics but I had 368 saved on my digital camera!  I really need to send them off to be developed.  Most are from Day Camp that I need to give to the Corps to keep and scrapbook--Oh yeah, that's my job as well!!!!

T-SINC has been amazing.  I have learned alot and their are some things that I want our D-SINC to tackle.  I got put on the committee that talks about Stewardship.  How that happened I'll never know!  I just remembered my John Maxwell, TD Jakes, Jose Dabdub training and put in my 2 cents!  I pray that our recommendation is received with an open heart. 

I return home tomorrow night--pending any airport problems.  I think I have already gotten this round out of the way--hopefully going home is easier than getting here.

I went to trade today and bought another Dorkie blouse, a t-shirt and loops.  I now can give my hubby his back! His are really are too big--but I had to have them!

I pray that everyone at Family Camp is having a great time!  I will see you Sunday Morning.  We are going and supporting our A/C Linsey New.  (AC daughter).  Troy has a full day planned for the boys.  1st, Jake is going to a parent orientation for football. That is at 9:00 am.  Then, at 10:30 there is a make-up baseball game.  After that, I'm sure Troy is taking the kids McD's--I think they have Transformer toys--(You know how boys are!) Then, come and get me from the airport--if my flight is on time!

Tate painting his Treasure Box at VBS!  Ms. Emily does a fabulous job with the pre-school kids--We LOVE her!

Happy Birthday Troy!  Happy Father's Day Troy!  Our favorite cake--Tres Leches (3 milk Spanish Cake)

Happy 3rd birthday Tate!  Another Tres leches--any reason to buy one--we do!!  This is down at my parents lake house last weekend.  The lake crested so we couldn't go swimming or boating but it was nice to see my Granny and Pa wear party hats and celebrate Tate's big day!  7-7-07!

Jakey running to 1st!  His team won by 1 point Wed.  Go Mustangs!!!!

OK, I know there are more to get ya'll caught up on but I'm tired.  Blessings this weekend!  Remember, The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior!!!!