She Earned It!!

We had a special day today!! Malaya got her ears pierced!! She has to earn it this summer and she has worked hard!

This was right before she and her friend, Ryleigh went in for the pierce!!

Above she is ready to go in the chair...

I love this above picture. Here eyes are so intense. She is fighting so hard!

And the happy girls after!!!

My beautiful one...she picked out the April birthstone, which is diamonds but these were the "$20 diamonds;)"

What a special day it was for us!! My little girl is growing up faster than I wish but I praise God for precious memories like today!!

Yeh...

So the past few months have been filled with tons of fun! Here is a quick run down:

1) Finished up SECOND grade!! Just typing that statement seems so surreal!! We will be attending yet another new school next year so third grade here we come!

2) My nephew Truitt turned 1!!! I am LOVING this aunt thing!!

3. Jed turned 2 just a few days after...

4) My neice, Jocelyn Brooke was born!!! She is so precious!! Malaya is so happy to have a girl cousin on the Ross side!!

5) Josh, Kayci and Truitt became Tennessians. This is the night before they made their trip!!

6)After this, pictures stopped. Haven't taken another picture this summer!! I know, I am horrible!

We hit Celebrate Freedom full throttle mode FAST!! It was June 27 and 28th. We (KidStand, a team of 7 people!! God does work miracles:) were in charge of the Family Fun Zone!! We had inflatables, constant entertainment, gospel messages, and Tons more. We did have to shut down early due to a bad storm so that was quite a let down and the time but God is so good!! The festival life is hard but so rewarding!! For people, that discount what God can do through mass evangelism, I dare you to experience it one time as one that prays with people and hear their confessions of faith. It is such a gift. KidStand works very hard on follow up and guiding people in "what to do next" in their journey of faith. Festivals are also a place that all "kinds" of Christian churches come together for one goal. God began developing a passion in me the past 15 years about the unifying of Christians. I know it seems an impossible thing to happen especially when I read blogs and sorts that do nothing but divide Christians and throw hateful words back and forth to ANYONE that doesn't agree exactly the way one does. I pray we can become a body that can work in "the streets" together, that can do outreaches together, that can do mission trips together, that can do youth rallies together, that can truly be the hands and feet of Jesus TOGETHER. So there goes my naive, dreaming rant:) God is faithful and graceful! Festivals allow people to come together as a FULL body of Christ and not under a specific church name. I LOVE it!!

7) So today I have been married for 10 years. In fact, 10 years ago right now I was exchanging vows with a wonderful man of God, surrounded by family and friends. It was a great and joyful day!! Happy Anniversary, David!!

I hope the rest of the summer is full of days at the pool, time with friends and family and experiences of renewal and refreshment through Jesus!! Live on...

My Papa

Yesterday was one of those days that your rational mind always knew would come but your heart never thought it would. My Papa's flesh died yesterday. I have been trying hard to remind myself that only his flesh is gone. He is with Jesus, exactly where is desired to be for the past few years. He has told us all on numerous occasions that he was ready to go! Papa will be missed by so many. He was such a kind, witty man. Yesterday, before they could even get his body out the door, the neighbors were packed in the front yard wondering what had happened to Billie. One man immediately started mowing his yard, people brought food over all day and there was not a minute of the day that there was not a visitor over telling my grandmother how much they loved him. There are so many wonderful things about Papa. I have shared before, the majority of my childhood memories are with my B and Papa. I could have lived at their house when I was little if my parents had let me. They spoiled me rotten! But most importantly, Papa and B began a faith foundation for our family for generations to come. Because of their faith and devtion to Jesus, I have faith... and Papa's favorite day of the week was his "visiting day" when he and another elder would go around visit people that didn't know Jesus. He put together a revival 2 years ago in Crockett, Texas where many people came to Jesus.

Our family will not be the same without him. Please pray for my grandmother. They were married almost 59 years!!

8.....Really????

I'm sure I have no readers left...but I have to shout out for Malaya's birthday! My daughter turns 8 YEARS OLD today!!! 8 years ago right now I was in a deep sleep, after recieving the greatest gift known to women (an epidural), while my labor increased with petocin. At 3:00, a nurse came in and told me it was time to push!! I was a little shocked but I was ready to have this baby in my arms. At 4:20 pm on a Monday afternoon, my life changed forever!!! I wish I had documented more of my feelings and how I felt b/c I had no clue that I wouldn't experience those heavenly feelings again, and for all you optimist out there, at least for a very long time!! Only God knows...
I was in pretty bad shape after giving birth to an 8 lb. 12 oz. baby (I know babies that have been born much bigger but for us Rosses this was a BIG baby!) so I didn't get to hold her for about an hour. I remember hearing her scream and cry and my Mom went straight to her and talked to her the whole time. My sweet hubby didn't leave my side. Malaya nursed really well but sleep..not so much!! And still to this day, she requires very little sleep, unlike her momma!! :)
I never knew what a joy being a mommy would be. Last week my parents and I were getting out Malaya's baby clothes to give to my niece that will be here in June!! and as I looked at those clothes every outfit brought back memories. And then to think to the present to her playing basketball, being in 2nd grade, talking on the phone, doing power point presentations at school!! How did we get 8 years later??!! I took everything super serious as a mom. I was telling Malaya last night that everyone would laugh at me b/c when you were just weeks old, I would rock you and read the bible to you. It did feel kind of silly but oh well, I had fun. And now you are eight and you read the bible each morning on your own. It seems surreal!!
I know all of us mommies hear all the time that they grow up so fast but let me just say these past 8 years have flown!!! I have grown closer to my Lord b/c of Malaya's existence. She has taught me about joy, love, laughter, and bizaillion's of other things. And I have loved getting to know God better with her. We have walked 8 years of life together.
I am so proud of her!!!
If you get a chance after reading this blog, will you just say a quick prayer over Malaya and her next year of life--that she will continue to have a hunger for God's word, that she will have a deepening desire to have relationship with Jesus, that she will be bold in her faith and continue to witness to kids at school, that she will have a devotion to Jesus and his calling and she will commit to living her life for Him! Thank you so much!!
And Malaya, precious one, Happy Birthday! You are such a treasure. I cannot imagine my life without being your mom!!! I love you the most:)

Daddy/Daughter Fun

Please forgive my lack of blogging. My laptop has been broken so I don't have my favorites and I only have use when David brings his laptop home!! AAGGHH!! Major withdrawals!
So many fun pictures from the last couple of months. Maybe I will catch up slowly. So Malaya and David left a few minutes ago for a 50's Soc Hop/ Daddy, Daughter dance at school. We have another Daddy/ Daughter dance next Friday so we didn't do the poodle skirt but I think she looked so cute.


So crick your neck a bit. Aren't they cute??! We watched a video on You Tube on how to Jitterbug so they are ready to swing!!


I can't wait for them to get home to hear all about it!

Better Late Than Never

So Halloween was 2 weeks ago but here are some fun memories from our day. Malaya had a field trip and my mom came along. IT was a lot of fun! Here they are on the bus on the way out there.
So you will not get this if you have never seen the Hannah Montana show but Malaya's great friend, Ryleigh was Hannah Montana and Malaya was Hannah's sidekick, Lola. They were so cute and really played up their roles. We had trunk or treat at church and so fittingly, our truck had a Hannah theme. We had a hula dance off!

Here's me and Jessie. She was of course, Candi Cotton and I was Candi's friend, Brandi. We had so much fun!

The fam...

We had a great time with our church family and having fun with people from the community.

Great memories!!

My Fall Update

I think I am going to be a seasonal blogger :) so here are some fall updates from the Biz's.

Second grade is underway... Malaya's teacher had a baby but was back today. She took a very short maternity leave. Malaya is loving school. I can see more than ever before God's activity in her life. Her character is being developed and refined and I praise God that I get to witness his activity in her. I am realizing more than ever about my intentionality as a parent. Last night I was trying so hard to go to sleep and I just was so restless. I could feel the Spirit pulling me to get up and pray. I went into Malaya's room and just gave it to Him. I stared into her sleeping face and was once again reminded of how short my time is with her. I still remember so detailed the day she was born. It that was almost 8 years ago. I really wasn't going to get emotional. Onto something else... :)

A few months ago, God began really changing my life. Several habits have been broken. Several new habits have been put into place. Several habits He is still trying to break:) It's a work in progress, right?? I have never been more dedicated though, to my role as wife and mom. I am taking it so much more seriously than ever. I could never have imagined how busy I would be when I got serious about the role God has given me. I prayed and prayed for so many years for God to show me if I should get a job, go back to school, etc. etc. but when I finally submitted to His will and jumped in with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, I know it is right for me to be dedicated to my family for this season. A few weeks ago, in our Wednesday night parenting class we made a list of characteristics that we desire our children to have one day. And then we brainstormed and discussed what we are doing in our day to day, hohum life to put those characteristics in place for our children. I realized how passive I have been with so much instead of thinking intenionally about every action and word! That's a work in progress for the next 10 years!!

God is so GOOD! He has blessed our family of three beyond what I could have hoped. Though my human nature wants to everyday align myself with MY will, I know I have pledged my life to something different and that means MY will does not exist.

This blog has gotten way too serious so here are some FUN pictures!!

Malaya adores her Grammy. This was before breakfast with grandparents at school.

Malaya had a day out of school a few weeks ago and we were going to go to the fair but after sitting in traffic for over an hour we exited off, had some lunch at Landry's and then went to the Dallas Aquarium which is amazing!! We also celebrated my dad's b-day all day which was fun!

Okay, this picture is a big deal b/c I have always been REALLY afraid of sharks (even if they are in aquariums) I have always been fascinated by them. I LOVE shark week on Discovery and all but yet very afraid. So it was a HUGE deal for me to sit UP AGAINST THE GLASS with these monsters swimming inches behind me with just a think layer of glass between us. I couldn't stop thinking about Jaws 3 when the aquarium glass breaks and all the sharks go loose!!Still gives me the heeber-jeevers but I did it! My dad took this picture of me so I could show off that I did it! :)

The next week we took Malaya out of school early and we did go to the fair!! It was a great day! Some Bizaillion relatives (whom we have never met nor know) sent us Flat Stanley so here is a picture of Malaya holding up Flat Stan with Big Tex!

We went to pumpkin patch right here by our house. The girls had so much fun!

It is drug free week at school and they have been doing silly themed things each day. This was "keep your friends accountable day" so you had to be "twins" with some one. Malaya asked our neighbor to dress alike so here are the cuties!

Malaya was out of school last Friday so we went to our favorite place, Glen Rose!! We went to Fossil Rim. We had the greatest time!! At the very end of the day we came to the giraffes and this one stood in front of my car and stretched its neck over the top of my car and then came INTO my car through the sunroof!! It ate food right out of our hands!! It was the greatest! To be able to see such an amazing animal right in our face! I even touched her eyelashes! She was beautiful! And as you can see the sky was beautiful! It was so awesome to be surrounded by God's beautiful creation all day!

I hope your fall season is off to a fun kick! We will be trunk or treating tomorrow!

Maybe I will aim for 2 blogs in one season and post for Thanksgiving!! :)

Okay, okay...

Okay, so I will roll with this thing. :) We'll see what happens!!
Here are the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (if you don’t have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

1. I have never gone one night in my life without a bath ( if I must, a shower) but I definitely prefer the bath. Baths are the closest thing to heaven on earth!

2. To go with #1, I always go through all 3 steps of my Beauti Control EVERY morning and night. My day does not begin until my teeth are brushed, my contacts are in and my face is clean.

3. (This habit has developed in the past 3 years.) I can not STAND for my finger nails to be long. I have to cut them at least once a week. I will say, I am not a nail biter, just a cutter.

4. I LOVE wheat thins. They are my new favorite snack. They must be the simple original kind.

5. I get pretty addicted to reality television (Bachelor, American Idol, The Hills, etc.)

6. I get car sick very easily. One jerky turn, one slam on the brakes and my equllibrium (sp??) is thrown. I have never actually vomited from it but I can get pretty sick. That is why you will see me driving most of the time instead of David!

7. I LOVE to work puzzles! In fact there is a 1,000 piece puzzle out on our card table in the living room now. Malaya has got on to my love!

8. I am a verge Obsessive compulsive as you can see by some of my list but I think this one tops the cake. I am quite sentimental...Let me see if I can articulate this...Each day I think, for example, "This is the only 10th of September of 2007 I will ever live." "This is the only 4th day of second grade Malaya will ever have." etc...I know, a little depressing.

So there are some of my surface interesting facts. :) If I go deeper you will think I am a nut case.

Now, i tag anyone who is reading this and hasn't made their list yet.

I SURVIVED!

I lived through the first day of 2nd grade. I cried off and on all day but I made it. We had prayed over this school year all summer and the anticipation was BIG! (OF course, not for Malaya but for me:) Her teacher is once again a Christian and another ACU grad. Malaya LOVES her. I trust God is going to do wonderful things in Malaya's life this year. I know God will use her at school to be a light to her school. Here is my little 2nd grader on the first day.

My Papa turned 80 last week! He is such an amazing man of faith! Some of my greatest childhood memories are with him. He is a firecracker and has the cutest wit!

Malaya enjoyed some time with Cousin Truitt.

At Papa's party Malaya stole my camera for a bit so I thought I would share some of the pics she got. Enjoy... (This might result in some major payback:)
Cousin Tabitha, who I must give a proud shout out b/c she is a freshman and she is paying Varsity volleyball!!
Brother Josh, need I say more...So, I'll throw myself under the bus too!

And Josh again...I love this kid :)

And I have been tagged several times so I will be sharing my interesting things about myself tomorrow. I need some time to think:)

Summer Vacation

Well, we are still recovering from our family vacation. Our family added 2 additions this past year so vacation was SOOO much more exciting. A stomach bug got passed around a bit especially for Josh and Kayci. I missed getting to hang out with them more. Here are quite a few pics of some of our favorite memories.

As soon as we got there we all jumped in the lake. It took us a while to get Malaya in. The idea of swimming with snakes and fish was not appealing to her. We got this picture and she did not stay in too much longer!

We had a huge deck. We had dinner each night on the deck. This was the sunset the first night! So beautiful and of course an even beautiful site is the little girl posing in front! God created the perfect backdrop!

Grampy and Grammy with their grandkiddos.

Two of my loves!

The one of 2 days I actually put make up on:)
The three Ross cousins!

One day David had the greatest idea to go to an Orchard to pick strawberries, blueberries, figs, etc. Well, the orchard was deserted. We were the only ones there. No workers, no other visitors, NOTHING, NOBODY!! BUT... we still had fun. We found a few berries that were alive and we got a few tomatoes. Malaya and Jed enjoyed just walking around. It was TOASTING hot so most of the fam spent time under the shade. On top of the heat, when it was time to leave I realized (out of my excitement to be there) that I had locked my keys in the truck. My "can do anything", sexy hubbie, was able to open the sliding door on the back of the truck and we got in!! I LOVE HIM!!

The Chillin Trio

Well, Malaya rode on the boat for about 2 minutes. She was the flag raiser for when someone fell off the inner tube. She did it a couple of times until she started claiming that she was "seasick". I had another picture that did show Malaya's face but it also showed a little more of David than the blog world needs to see;) So this will be my blog memory of Malaya on the boat.

Some inner tube fun! This was my favorite day!! I got thrown around like a ragdoll back there but it was so much fun! I have bruises and cuts to prove my determined self! Every muscle in my body hurt for a few days.

Jenn and I had a great time. (Kayci was sick this day. :(

Dad and Josh

The Ross children decided to take a ride together! I laughed so hard! They graciously gave me the middle. I can say I was the last one off. Ha!

Jed wasn't too sure about the ride. I think next year he will be a pro.

David got Jed and Truitt matching, reversible Astros hats. Mom also got them matching shirts. Aren't they handsome boys!

Josh teaching his son the important things of life early on...

On the last day, Malaya went fishing and as soon as she put the pole in she caught a catfish. That would be in the exact same spot that we had been swimming all week. No wonder she didn't want to swim:) We were very proud of her catch but after that one fish she was done :)

I love you, Kayci! Next year you will be back in the saddle to play again!!!;)

We had a great vacation. I loved getting to love on my nephews. They are both so precious!

We have some great memories and I look forward to next year's also.

I am sad summer is almost over:( Hopefully some great 2nd grade memories are coming!!