Merry Christmas

The Schooler's have had an amazing Christmas.  Christmas Eve was spent at our house with my parents.  We made homemade pizzas and then opened presents.  The kids and I went to see Frozen again with my parents and Scott headed out to hunt.  I also got an HDR program and got a chance to figure it out.  It was kind of frustrating though!  Thankful Scott has good computer skills!  After fighting the program for almost two hours he said why don't you  just try to restart and tadaaaaaa!  It worked.  I am so excited to have this program.  Here are a couple pictures I have done so far. 

Christmas Day was fun as well.  We headed to my parents to have a feast!  We played cards and a head band type game then watched movies together.  We missed having Rudy, Lori and Kinsley with us but are super excited to see them next week. 

I love remembering the true reason of this season:

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Praying each of you know the true reason!  JESUS!

December Blessings and Surprises.

December has been a fun month at the Schooler's house.  We have lived through snowmageddon, an ice storm, an earthquake and beautiful weather too! The kids and I missed 4 days of school because of the ice on the roads.  It was actually really nice staying home and getting caught up on editing. 

Jess took the ACT again this month.  I am excited to see how she did.  She also did something I never dreamed she would do!  Cut straight across bangs!  It looks really pretty but man it changed her looks all together.  Jess has been having fun hanging out with Maddie and Lauren.  She is rooming with Maddie next year at OBU.  She actually went and saw her room.  Same floor I lived on!  Kind of neat.  I have my moments when I am really ok with the thought of her going to OBU then I have my bawl fests too!  I just can't believe we are wrapping up her growing up years at home.

Jacob has been busy playing guitar.  He actually played a concert one Sunday night at a friend's church.  He also led worship at Carols by Candlelight at IBC.  That boy of mine is super busy!  Hardly ever home.  He has really grown again.  I imagine he is well above 6'. 

Jordan has stayed busy with school, babysitting, church and friends.   She decided she would really like to go to Bethel next year to school.  So I will be helping her get all that together after Christmas break.  I am excited for her.  It is a much smaller school.  Several Grove friends go there. 

At the beginning of December the kids and I went to Pryor to surprise my mom at her 60th Birthday surprise party.  The party was a surprise and we were too!  She had no idea any of it was going to happen. 

Scott has not had the best hunting season.  He got a doe, but that's it.  He hasn't seen many during the daylight hours.  They are coming out at weird times.  He is staying really busy at church.  

I got an amazing blessing last week.  Scott won a trip to Israel last year.  The plan was for me to go with him.  There just seemed to be no way financially for me to go.  I was bummed but still glad for him to get to go.  A sweet lady at our church was asking me about the trip.  I explained with two kids driving, one driving next year and one kiddo going off to college there was just really no way that a trip that expensive could be pulled off.  She came back to church that night and told Scott she would like to pay for my trip.  Oh my gosh.  I cried.  She said well don't cry.  I told her they were happy tears.  God sure surprised me.  I am so looking forward to the trip!

Well here are a few December pictures!

Mid-November Already!

Whew! Time is flying!  We have had a great last few weeks. Well other than me being sick A WHOLE WEEK!!  Better now.  So all is good!  Scott is still trying to get a deer.  This is the first time in a long time he hasn't gotten a couple by now.  He will get one!  He's my mighty hunter. 

Jess is plugging along in her senior year.  She is becoming so grown up.  She has been working hard on school.  She participated in her last DNow as a student this last weekend...well sort of.  There weren't enough homes so they just had a Saturday DNow.  Fun anyway! 

Jacob..oh my Jacob.  He is NOT a little boy anymore!  This evening getting ready for dinner he stood next to me and holy smokes!  He has grown again!  It is exciting to watch him get better and better at his guitar. 

And Jordan!  She is just so happy.  Pretty much all the time.  She finally got her new iphone!  She was pumped. 

We did it!  We did it!  We got our Christmas up.  Oh that just makes me so happy! Working on enjoying each moment.  I got a little tree to put all the kids ornaments that they have made through the years.  I love it!

Fall Break!

Oh how I love fall break!  Today I was off and the kids and Scott weren't.  I got caught up on some shopping, checked out JoAnn's (new craft store in town~YIPPPEEE) it is not Hobby Lobby but way better than anything we have here,  and ran a few errands.

Jordan asked me to pick her up for lunch today.  My parents have been in their Louisiana house for a month.  Mom came back today and we surprised Jordan by her being at lunch!  It was so fun.  Jordan said oh look Nana and Papa are here.  Then came hahahahahaha.  "Wouldn't it be funny if they really were here?"  And then we walked into Kim's Place and there she was!  Jordan was so excited. We will be glad for my dad to get home this weekend. 

I have been super busy with photography the past few weeks.  I love it!  The next two months will be filled with people wanting pics for cards and Christmas.  I love this time of the year. 

Jacob went to Tulsa today with two friends to record some music.  Pretty neat!  He is all teenage boy.  Never home.  But I am glad he is active!

Jessica got a new car!!!!  A 2012 Ford Focus.  Freedom Ford in McAlister is amazing.  They are so good to ministers and their families.  I am so thankful for them!

 Scott has been hunting in the mornings and evenings.  He hasn't gotten a deer yet, but he will!  He always does.  It gives us hamburger meat for the year which is so nice! 

I have been reminded many times the last few weeks of God's divine interventions in our lives. I was also bopped in the head a few times.  It is amazing seeing how God uses us.  I was complaining about a situation in my life and I have had the opportunity to minister to and share with someone that otherwise would have never been able to!  I have two new students who at first I was a little grumpy about.  They have brought so much joy and laughter to our class.  I am working on being thankful in all things.  Knowing God has a plan and my best interest at heart.  I hope that makes sense. 

Tonight was one of those nights where Jess, my baby girl came bebopping in from being at a friend's after her wisdom teeth surgery, that I just lost it. I know I know.  She is going to OBU. In town.  But I think the thing I grieve the most is that I know it will never be the same when she goes.  Our family will forever be changed.  And I love how my family is now!!!  I love that she has grown into an amazing young lady and so excited for her adventures at OBU, but man I am going to miss her! 

God's Protection

It's a parent's worst nightmare.  The call.  Mom, I have been in a wreck.  My car is totaled, I need you to come.  Time froze.  We moved at what seemed a snail's pace.  We got in the car and it seemed like we couldn't get to the few blocks away she was at fast enough.  Then we see the wreck.  I bolted across the street and grabbed up my baby girl.  "Mom I just didn't see him."  There was an SUV pulling into the movies and she was going left out.  The way the SUV and car placement were she just didn't see them coming.  She says she remembers her friend Lauren screaming JESS!  Then she doesn't remember much until she was climbing out of the car.  "Cars can be replaced baby doll.  Your life can not."  Seeing first hand the destruction of her car was sickening.  How in the world did they all walk away, virtually unharmed?  How did the guy swerve enough not to T-Bone Jessica's door?  God.  That is the only answer.  God.  He was there protecting and watching over her.  I am so thankful to the stranger who came and stood with the girls until we got there.  I didn't even get her name.  She took care of her when I couldn't.  I am thankful for the man she hit.  He was so gracious and loving.  He hugged her as we left telling her after she said sorry for the millionth time there is nothing for me to be mad about.  It was an accident and we all walked away unharmed.  I am thankful for the police who got to the scene in what Jessica said was seconds.  I am thankful for airbags that softened the blow.  I am thankful that today is Sunday and after a sleepless night we were able to stay home and rest.  I am thankful that we were able to watch Pastor Todd's sermon online.  I am thankful for family and friends that have shown concern and called and texted and sent encouraging words and checked on her.  So much to be thankful for.  Here is a picture of the worst of the injuries this morning. The airbag hit Jessica's arm and really banged it up. 

Thank you God for protecting her!

Fall is in the Air!

Fall has come!  Yahoooooo!  It is my absolute favorite time of the year. The weather is cooling off, which makes me so happy.   Our family has of course stayed extremely busy.  We went to homecoming at SHS last weekend.  I love going to the games.

Jess is enjoying her senior year.  She has really made me incredibly proud with her drive in Chemistry.  She has worked so hard.  She has also been surviving her college classes.  She is mentoring two girls from our youth group.

Jacob is staying busy with his guitars and friends.  He loves being gone and go go going.  Jordan is doing lots of things with her mentor from church.

I have taken a new challenge.  I was hired by CPN to do the photography for their online gift store.  It has been really a great deal. I go a few days after school to shoot and then come home to edit.  I wasn't sure how I would like it at first, but I love it!  It is a challenge to get the tiny buttons, pins, jewelry and other items just right.

Scott is counting down the days until deer season.  He has been putting out corn and examining his game cams.  I love how much he loves hunting!

Our family has adopted two college students from OBU that go to our church.  We are enjoying getting to know Sam and Katlin.

My parents are in Louisiana right now at their house by Rudy.  I miss them!  But I am happy they are getting to spend time with his family.  We are looking forward to fall break when we get to visit.  I am looking forward to the time off!  I love my sweet class, but I also love the time with our family!

October is going to be crazy with my photography business.  I love how the Lord has blessed me with amazing clients!  Looking forward to the pumpkin patch sessions.  Some of my favorite of the year!

Well we are headed to OKC this morning so I will sign off!

Wonderful Crazy Life

I swear this was yesterday.  I blinked.  I did what everyone warned me not to do. It just is happening so fast.  My babies are almost grown.  It's horrible.  It's wonderful.  It's stressful.  It's joyful.  How it is all rolled up into one is just a mystery to me. 

Jessica is a senior this year.  I have thought since school started about starting this blog and telling of our journey.  I thought maybe it was a little corny.  But it keeps surfacing again and again.  So I am going to give it a shot. 

Jessica is as I said a senior.  She is taking all concurrent classes at OBU through SHS with the exception of AP Chemistry.  It's crazy thinking that when she begins OBU in the fall she will have several classes taken care of.  Let me tell you.  This girl is incredible.  I know, I know....I am a little biased.  But seriously.  She is such a Godly young woman.  She is driven in a way that I will never understand.  That strong will that drove us crazy as a child has blossomed into a beautiful thing.  She babysits after school for spending money.  She studies and studies and studies.  And yet still finds time for her time with the Lord.  I AM PROUD! 

This year Jacob is a sophomore.  He started driving in August (Lord help us all!!).  He is incredibly talented in music.  He took guitar lessons for a few months and from there he has taught himself.  I am telling you that boy takes his practicing very seriously.  We are constantly saying turn it down!  He leads worship in the Youth Band.  Hearing him play in church makes all those noisy Sundays and evening practices worth it all!  Jacob works part time on a friend's farm.  He paints, hauls hay, pulls brush, fixes fences, herds cattle, the whole nine yards!  I am proud of how hard he works.  That boy of mine is tall!  Pushing 6' at 16.  Jacob loves the Lord and has an incredible heart.

And my Jordan.  She is 14 and a freshman with no care in the world.  She is so laid back.  It's all good is her motto!  Jordan is very involved in our church youth group.  This girl has the sweetest heart.  She is incredible with kids.  She just has this natural ability to love on them and guide them.  She watches two little girls after school and they adore her!  Jordan is very loyal.  She stands even when it is hard.  She isn't afraid to say what she is thinking.  Jordan is very artsy and creative.  She learned how to knit last year.  She has the patience to sit there and work! 

Every day in our house is an adventure.  I am excited to document our joys, sorrows, etc.  I am really working on savoring each moment.  I am trying hard not to blink!