Yeah...ok, go ahead and laugh!

Ok, so maybe I left out a small detail about Addie's little princess party - somehow I forgot to post the picture of "Prince Peter".....I might as well get it out there - others had cameras and who knows where this picture might appear!

****Hey - one thing is for sure - there is nothing boring about this blog post with a picture of me in tights!  Maybe this will give me a boost in my "Blog War" with Hollie (wow, I am desperate!)

By the way ladies - I don't know HOW you all wear these things - they are terrible!

Are you serious?

I just found this picture and had to post it.......this is hilarious - I love it!

Just a little gift idea for Christmas next year.......

5th Tooth!

Hope lost ANOTHER tooth!  It came out last night before she went to bed - and of course the tooth fairy came to visit.  This is the 5th tooth that I have pulled out of that little girl's mouth - and this was the smallest one yet!

This is a picture of her tooth - that I took of course with my amazing Mac!  Man, I love this thing!

My Little Princess

Addie turns 4 years old this Wednesday!  I really can't believe it.  I know that 4 is not that "old" - but she was our little baby and now she is getting older, bigger, and of course way too cute.  This kid is hilarious, fun, full of energy, she has spunk, personality, she is a natural leader, and she keeps us on our toes!  

This picture is from her little Princess Birthday party this past Saturday night - what a party!

Addie, daddy loves you VERY much and I am SO proud of you.  Happy Birthday!

READY

A very important word that was taught to me before we launched Vinings Lake is "READY".  It remains an important word - over 1 1/2 years later.  

When we were getting ready to launch, I was stressed about getting things "ready" for the target date to begin - obviously wanting that to be sooner than later.  But I was set at ease when this word became a resting point for me to realize - "we will launch - when we are READY!"

This is still an important word today.  As we begin new things, transition and grow - it is not only wise, but comforting to be READY.  It is easier to be ready - than to have to "re-act".  Sometimes this takes time, sometimes focus, and most of the time - both!

And being "ready" doesn't always mean that we know what is coming our way - it involves a "ready" and open heart and mind.  God is in control and whatever He chooses to give us, allow us, and direct toward us - He will provide EVERYTHING we need - as we remain READY and flexible - to receive it!

A day in the life of Peter John Lawrence Hixson

I (Hollie) decided to post for Pete since he has had a very busy day and he has been getting too many "your blog is boring" comments........SO he had a great day.  It all began at 7am at the Vinings Club for BNI (business networking international) then after that the VL staff team met for an all day staff meeting and planning.  He told me that had a great day of planning, also he went on and on about what a yummy lunch they had (as usual he had such a great lunch that he was not even hungry for dinner) from there it was back to the office for a couple of hours of sermon prep for Sunday!!  Me and the girls went up to the church about 6pm right after it got dark to have Pete and Brian load up some tables that we needed for Addies's birthday party this weekend and WOW that place is scary at night.  Talk about a fun place to play hide-n-go seek!!  Brings back memories of growing up as a PK and that's what we did for fun....ANYWAYS.....He and Brian had another meeting at a church in the area tonight that is trying to make some changes and they went over there to talk about the changes that took place over the past couple of years at VL.  THAT'S ALOT OF MEETINGS!!

Well, I like pictures, so since I have hijacked this blog, here are some pictures!!  

This is the before the "Extreme Church Makeover" 

During Renovations

Maybe next time I post here, I will post some new pictures for those of you that have not been to our church!

Invite EVERYONE on the journey!

Yesterday morning, Hollie and I (and Brian, Addie, Bill, and Sheila) had the privilege to have breakfast with some of the greatest people on the planet.  Ozell and Alton are part of Vinings Lake - and they were there when it was New Hope and made the transition with us as we began our new church.  Not only did they make the transition, but they have absolutely been so faithful and supportive.  

Someone asked Ozell this past Sunday what she thought about Vinings Lake - and she said she loved it!  I am so glad that they love it and that they love us - because we love them!  

Preconceived ideas might say that b/c of age or whatever else - some might not want to be a part of what you are doing - or the kind of church you are - but I want to encourage all of us to invite EVERYONE on the journey.  I remember the Wednesday nights before Vinings Lake started - and Alton and I would sit together and pray - I am blessed to know them.

When you invite EVERYONE on the journey, it doesn't mean you change where you are going, but you might just be surprised - some may not stay that you thought would - and some might stay and love it.  Alton and Ozell are living proof of that!

Don't miss out - invite EVERYONE on the journey!

Today at VL

After I strapped the chains on my tires and made my way over the hills and through the woods, I finally made it to VL............Seriously, we had a great day - even with canceling our 9:15 service, our 11:00 service was awesome!  

I have enjoyed this message series, "Choreography" and today's message was about adding the Scriptures to our faith.  We learned that "Scripture isn't just a textbook to tell us something, but God's message to change our lives."  Sometimes we view scriptures as irrelevant, boring, or we are motivated by guilt to read - but in reality - it is our creator's message in order to change our lives!  The Scriptures reveals God to us, us to ourselves - in order to change us, gives us a hunger for itself, gives us wisdom for living, and shows us that Jesus is the main character.  What an opportunity we have!  We need to just start somewhere, develop a hunger for the scriptures, and include others around us to help us.

It has been an excellent day all together - went to lunch at US Cafe (best burger around!), good time at Community Group tonight, and then played a little Nintendo Wii - polishing up my skills on Guitar Hero! (still pursuing my dream of being a rock star!).

Update for tomorrow at VL

Ok, it's a little after 10pm - and I just got inside from building this snowman in my front yard - my neighbors were a little impressed...............

So anyway..............sorry for not posting at 8pm like I said I would - but this took me a little longer than I had planned - go figure.  

Visit Hollie's blog for some good pics of the kids today.  (*Hollie and I are still in a blog war by the way - beware, mine is about to go to another level!)

You can check the VL website for an update for tomorrow, but we will be having our 11:00am service only - the 9:15 service is cancelled due to the projected weather issue.  The Preschool Training will be postponed - so nothing happening until 11am.

Hope to see you all tomorrow!

Church tomorrow...

1:40pm - Still watching the weather and putting a general message on the main VL phone line (770.941.8533) saying to call back at 8pm for the next update.

I will post again around 8pm also.

I am going outside to play in the snow with Addie - probably make a snow angel, do a few snow balls, and maybe a snowman!  Pictures will probably be following!!!!!!!!!!!

The "magical" Mac!

So - I am completely impressed with my new MacBook - once again.  

Last night I put this video together about the girls - and I am pretty clueless on how to do this kind of stuff - so it shows that just about anyone can do something with the magical Mac (maybe Apple will give me some sort of sponsorship or something since I am pumping them up.....).

Here it is!

Keep the comments coming!

Well, that may be the most comments I have ever received - from the previous blog!  You will have to scroll down and check them out - I am enjoying reading them - and they are (some of them) bringing me back to my feet (since the wind was knocked out of me with the whole "your blog is boring" comments!).