Circus Fun

Last week we were able to attend the circus! It was the first time my girls had ever gone to a circus so we were thrilled we could take them. Since my birthday is in Feb. my family used to go to the circus every year to celebrate my birthday and my sisters' too. So, I went almost every year and had a blast! So, I couldn't wait until we could take the girls to experience the same joy I used to have when it came to town!

Another cool reason we took the girls to the circus, was because we are reading a wonderful series of books about magical carousel horses that jump off the carousel with different riders each book and take them on an adventure. The first horse was a circus horse! So, right about the time we finished that book...it was the day of the circus. It worked out great and the girls had an amazing time!

If you arrive at the circus an hour ahead of time, you are able to enter the pre-show. We were about the first 10 people there and we were able to go down to the 3 rings and hang out with clowns, dress up in their clown costumes, hula hoop with the acrobats, talk to the performers, get up close experiences with the elephant, horses, dogs, and the acrobats. It was amazing!! That was almost the best part because the girls got to get involved up close and personal with the circus!But, then the show began! It was more amazing than I remember. We were only 6 rows from the front and that was awesome! The girls loved Bello who is the clown is kind of in charge of the circus fun. If you look closely in the pictures you can see that everyone has on Bello hair...the straight up blond thing going on...even the animals! It had lots of activity and not a dull moment. But, it wasn't too much either. We could not have asked for a better circus experience!
We couldn't pass up cotton candy...so we got a free clown hat with it for free. Mind you the cotton candy was priced out the roof so, the hat wasn't really free! But, the girls had such a wonderful time that they never even ASKED for a souvenir, candy, snacks, or anything. That was the most special part for Jay and I. They were so thankful to just BE there that they didn't ask for one thing the whole night...so we were happy to get some cotton candy for all of us to share!

Daddy and Virginia enjoyed the show. As you can see we had ear plugs for Virginia who doesn't like loud noises. We got this tip from a lady I met at the Woodstock Library puppet show that same morning...what a blessing. It was just enough for her to still hear everything perfectly...but to not be distracted by how loud it was.

During the pre-show, we got to watch Asia the elephant paint a picture with her trunk. It was super cool! We had a front row view! It was great to be able to enjoy the show up close and personal!

This was her painting...pretty good I must say. They drew names to get the picture and sadly we did not win. Maybe next year!

It was time to go...but the girls were still in clown mentality with noses and everything. They were a joy to take and we are so thankful that God allows us these precious girls for a little while! They are a gift!

OK, Dad loved it too!

Parker

I know that I mentioned above a little about my nephew Parker. We got a call from my sister-in-law that Parker had been sick the past few days. She took him to the Dr. and they began treating him. A day later she noticed the veins in his head were very pronounced. She was concerned so she took him back to the doctor. He wasn't sure, but said that it might be medication, being sick, etc. So, a few days later he was already scheduled for a well baby visit and she took him in to be checked.

They noticed (as they had the month before) that his head was a little large. So, they measured and it was off the chart...literally. The doctor also noted that his head growth was not following a curve but a straight line off the page. He decided to contact some other pediatricians in Raleigh (the best) and they all decided to send him to get an MRI. They will have to put him under, but they are already discussing the things they need to do while he is under so that they don't have to do it more than once.

Please pray for our family. It could be just the beautiful way God made Parker, but it could be other things too. We don't know. So, we ask for your prayers as they wait for his appointment, for the doctors to have much wisdom, for the MRI to be conclusive so that Parker doesn't have to do any more tests, and that God would be completely glorified in all areas of this.

Parker is an active little guy who is smiling all the time! He is even ahead in his development which is a great thing! Thanks for joining us in prayer and we will update you as we find out more.

Finally back to posting!

Well, I know it seems I have been AWOL this past week! We took the week off for winter break since our school system is out for the week. So, we spent the whole week at the library for puppet shows and checking out gobs of books, hanging out with friends, going to the circus, getting our taxes done (THANK YOU Uncle Sam!) and lots of play time and relaxing time together. It was a blast! But, since my girls were out of school I was spending all my time hanging out with them.

But, yesterday we got back into the swing of things...sort of. We started back school, and today I am back to a routine. I have lots to post and lots of pictures to share, so I am going to spread it out over the week to get caught up!

Well, I just got some of the photos from my brother-in-law from our weekend in NC celebrating Jay's dad's birthday. We had so much fun and really loved getting to see our niece and nephew. We surprised Jay's dad on Friday when we were in NC to celebrate with him for his 60th. We made a cake all together, ate a great meal, and just relaxed together. Saturday night we went out to a restaurant that is Tony's favorite in Raleigh and we got dressed up. It was the perfect time for a photo all together! The whole gang together. We haven't had a photo all together since Parker was born.

Gran'pa and all his grand kids! Aren't they great!

Here are the cousins all together. Emma, Anli, Parker, and Virginia Grace. What cuties!

Amy made Tony a red velvet cake and we helped decorate it together. He loved it...and it was extra special because it was made by Amy for him!

Anli and Parker play with the 60 black balloons that Amy and Chris bought for Tony. They were everywhere!!! It was great and really was a lot of fun for the kids.

On Saturday we went roller skating. My girls had never been before and they did GREAT! We had lots of fun since it was a time slot for kids 12 and under. So, we did the hokie pokie, the chicken dance, and even a little couples skating! It was not easy with a still broken toe...I know, I know. I did pay for it the next day...it was really sore. Lesson learned. But, I couldn't stand not skating with my girls for the first time!

Virginia and I were a "couple" during couple skating...ah the memories!

We had a great time and we loved getting to wish Tony a wonderful birthday. There were other pictures, but I couldn't get them to download. I'll post them another time!

Answered Prayer

As my girls grow and change, so does our strategy of discipleship with them. It seems like we just get comfortable in the way we are approaching things like discipline, when they change and we are at ground zero again!

Each morning I pray that God will parent through me. He made these girls and know exactly how they need to be trained and discipled. So, I beg Him each morning to get me out of the way and love, teach, guide, and mold these precious gifts through me. Yesterday morning was no different. But, during my time in prayer, God began to speak to me about how He wanted me to approach discipleship of my girls through teaching and discipline.

I had received two wonderful charts from a company that I order from periodically called Doorposts. Now, they are a little extreme in some areas and not everything they put out I totally agree with, but they are a great resource. Their focus is guiding your children with Scripture.

Yesterday, we spent our morning (we are off for Winter Break) working on some really fun reward and consequenc charts. They all have scripture beside each blessing and each consequence so that the girls begin to see WHY we discipline. We worked through their daily activities and the areas where they struggle. We set up point goals that work towards special times during the week that we are calling "This Week's Treat". We are rewarding the girls for times when they follow the things God asks of them...and giving consequences for the times they disobey.

They are so thrilled! They couldn't wait to start! Since the girls are getting older, it is nice that we can really begin to share the WHYS of discipline along with showing them the reason God tells us not to do these things. It's also nice to have a positive blessing chart that helps them to see that obedience brings blessing!

It is a work in progress...as I am myself! But, yesterday was a neat time to really examine ourselves and allow God's Word to be our standard. We are headed to the Circus tonight and we can't wait! I'll post about all the fun tomorrow...enjoy your day!

Our Valentine's Day

We have been out of town for the weekend at Jay's dad's 60th birthday celebration in North Carolina. So, I never got the chance to do a Valentine's Day update. We had a great day! We hurried through our school work so that we could surprise Jay at his office to take him out to lunch. He usually just has sandwiches at the office...so he was thrilled when we showed up as a surprise to take him out!




After we left lunch, we went to deliver our Valentines to friends. It was really fun to make them ourselves and then deliver them personally. Most of our friends are in school, so we didn't get to see them. But, we had a great time and enjoyed the sweet phone calls to thank us for them.



We do our Valentine's gifts when Jay gets home so we can take our time and he gets to be a part of all the fun. And fun we had! It looked like Christmas with presents and cards from family and friends. We all had a wonderful goodies!

was in sheer happiness when I opened this gift from Jay. It combines the two things I just adore...ladybugs (I love red and they are one of the cutest bugs that are red!) and Life Is Good gear. We are huge fans of the Life is Good line of clothing. The pants the girls are holding up are also from there. We've even gone to their Pumpkin festivals and are hoping to attend their Watermelon Festival this year if we can!

The girls both got precious little bears from Sassy and Pal. They had candy in their paws...yummy!

We have been watching old family videos most nights together because we all love to see them! It's also cleaner than watching TV! So, as we have been watching, the girls have loved the segments that have them dancing to a little white bear that sings "Jesus Loves Me." I mean they danced to it almost every day. It was a staple around our house when they were younger. But, through several moves, I guess we lost it. Well, I got on ebay and one lady was selling this bear! I got it immediately and gave it to the girls as a very special surprise. They freaked out and began dancing all over the house...it was precious. I'm so glad that they will have this bear as a reminder that since they were just babies, Jesus' love has been so present in their lives!The girls got Jay a movie that he had been waiting to come out. It was the one movie in the series that he was missing. He was thrilled...though you could never tell from this photo. But, those who know Jay realize that photos are not his favorite...so since it was Valentine's day I decided to spare him having to flash a fake smile for me!

That evening for dinner we wanted to take Jay to his favorite place to eat...Slopes. But, the one we wanted to go to out near our house is closed! The sign was still up, but there was not a Slopes there anymore...very heart breaking to Jay. But, we found another restaurant and enjoyed our Valentine meal together. It was a wonderful day and we not only enjoyed the love and fellowship of our family, but of our Lord. We reflected together about how grateful we are for the love God has for us!

Circus Week!

We are thrilled to be going to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus on Thursday night! We have been reading a wonderful series of books with the girls about magic carousel horses that take them to different lands and times for adventures. The one we have been reading is about a circus horse. We had been reading it for a while...when one night I saw the commercial for the circus. So, we quickly ordered our tickets and can't wait for Thursday!

Since we homeschool, we were able to get the educational kits that go along with the circus. It has reading lists, letters from performers about where they live and neat things about the circus, animal information and lots more. We are taking time this week to learn the ins and outs of cirus life and history. It's really cool that they have those things available for us!

The girls have never gone to a circus so we figured it was about time. We found out from Jay's sister, Amy that we can go an hour ahead and see the animals, play with the clowns, dress up in their costumes, and meet performers...that is a must for us. We are planning on taking advantage of it all!

We'll give an update on Friday after we have gone and let you know how it all went. Have a great week!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Yesterday the girls and I worked on homemade Valentine's to take to some of our friends and family. We had a great time and enjoyed staying warm inside since a huge cold front seems to have moved into Georgia!

As you can see at the top, we made some of our Valentines with yarn art. It was a lot of fun and turned out really nice!

Anli decided to do some funny Valentines by using puns. This one says "BEAN my Valentine!" That was so cute and she is sending that one to some friends that are boys...they like those kinds of cards.

Virginia made some beautiful cards too! She used shells to say "SHELL you be my Valentine?" She also made a necklace for one friend and included loose shells for people to have in the cards. She collects shells, so this was a gift of love from her very own collection!

Pacey even got a Valentine or two! He enjoyed sleeping right next to us...

We are excited about today! We have some fun surprises for our sweet Valentine Daddy today. We can't wait! We pray that you read and meditated on the verses above for today. Focus on the love that God has for you...allow that to fill you to overflowing today. Then, and only then, allow God's love to p

Wonderful Birthday!

Ever since Jay and I have been married, we have observed "functional" holidays. That means that if there was a birthday, holiday, or anniversary that fell on a day that was packed with things we couldn't help...we observed a "functional" day to celebrate. Now, it has taken me a few years to truly get onboard with Jay's idea. Don't even get me started on one Mother's Day!

Anyway, since I had a retreat this past weekend and my birthday fell on that Friday, we celebrated my birthday together as a family on Thursday. Jay wanted to take me out to a nice restaurant and give me their gifts. But, if you know me...food is not something that really gets me excited! So, he asked where I wanted to go for dinner - and I wanted to go to Sonic! Yes, you read correctly! I wanted to eat there in the car with just my little family around laughing and joking together...I also wanted the new Sweetheart Blast.

The Sweetheart Blast has been a tradition for the past 4 years. Every February we go to Sonic to check out the new Sweetheart Blast and every year it gets better and better. This year is my favorite because it is a combination of raspberry and dark chocolate...what could be better?

So, I had the very best birthday ever! And since we spent a whopping $15 on dinner...I got to go shopping with the rest! We had a great time together and my girls made me a beautiful painting and made the wrapping paper too! Jay didn't even know about it! They are awesome!

Jay gave me a wonderful new outfit to speak in for my upcoming retreats and a new pair of shoes that I could wear...broken toe and all. He is a sweetie and we are looking forward to a night out with all his Valentine's tomorrow night...it's a surprise he says!

Anli takes our photo every year...they are pretty funny to look at! But, it is part of the Valentine tradition! So here is our recent photo along with last years. At least we are both in the photo this time!

I hope that tomorrow as you shower those around you with love, candy, presents, dinners, and cards that you don't forget the Author of love. Meditate on this verse as you thank Him for the love you are surrounded with today!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

More Summer Fun!

This summer is going to be amazing! Usually, during the summer my husband is never home! In student ministry that is the busiest time of the year. Many summers he has been gone at least 3 full weeks on mission trips and camp...and the rest of the time he's running nonstop. This summer will be a bit different for us and we can see that God had some very special things in store for us.

I got a call last week inviting me to be a part of the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Florida this year. I will be going as part of the team from Winepress as their new authors from the past year. My book actually came out last February, but it is still considered a "new release". I can't wait! We were asked to go last year, but the book wasn't out and it just wasn't the year for us to attend. So, we were so thrilled that they called to invite us this year! They are taking just a few authors this year...since last year they took too many! See God has just the right timing.

This show is the largest Christian retail show in the world...hence the International! It not only features every publishing company in the Christian market today, but all sorts of retail items that you see today in many Christian stores (cards, stationary, paintings, music, videos, etc). The publicist told me that it will be THE place to do my Christmas shopping!

We are thrilled to be going and grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It is not an event open to the public...but it is the largest in the world...so it will be teeming with all kinds of great things to do and see. Besides my two book signings and a few luncheons, we are pretty much free to do whatever we want. Jay and I are going alone...so it should be a wonderful time together as a couple. My hubbie tells me there are more surprises he has planned - I can't wait!!!

So, this summer is shaping up to be really thrilling for the Worthington family. Please pray for us as we start doing the work to get ready for this event. ICN is working on my website to totally overhaul it. Publicity will begin soon and we'll be deciding on the promotional materials that Winepress will be doing for us. There will be lots to do in the mean time...and retreats in between to prepare for. Thanks for your prayers and support during this time.

Mission Trip!

This year our family is going to be involved with the Families on Mission program through the North American Mission Board. We will be working together all week as a family doing all kinds of block parties, light construction, visitation, VBS, and work with the Cherokee Indian Reservation. We are so excited to be a part of this amazing program.

NAMB launched this program last year and with Jay's hectic schedule during the summer, we weren't able to be a part of it. We were disappointed then, but now we are thrilled to be a part of a missions trip that is strategically aimed at families ministering together. They allow children as young as 5 years old to come and they provide a place where families can reach out together! The location is only about 2 1/2 hours from our home so the drive won't be that bad either.

Missions has always been a big part of our family life, but most of the time the trips were geared for Jay and I. So, this year our desire was to have a mission trip where we could work together as a family and mentor our children in missions. They provide a motel room for us to stay together, all our meals, worship times as a large group, training for parents and children, and family devotion times every evening to reconnect together. We couldn't be more excited!

If you or your family is interested in Families on Mission, you can check out the NAMB site at www.namb.net for more information. It's exciting to have a place in ministry for the family together...we can't wait!

Scrapbook Weekend!

This weekend I was able to go to Columbus to scrapbook with some friends from college. We all met at Auburn University at the Baptist Campus Ministries. The funny thing is that we all met and married guys from the BCM too! So, not only are we all close friends...our husbands are too!

We had a blast together catching up on families, churches, kids, and what God is doing in our lives. It is such a blessing to have those kinds of friends that have known you for over a decade and love you anyway. I know that I am one of those few people who can say I have lots of friends who have endured through time and location. That's just God!

We ate some wonderful food and worked like crazy on our scrapbooks! It was a great time and we laughed more than I have in a long time. But, more than all the laughs and scrapbooking...we are sisters in Christ. That bond lasts forever!

Shannon and I work on digital scrapbooks this year and we loved it! It made for easy clean up and we got to work on the comfy beds the whole time...that's the way to do it!

Meredith and Amy worked on "real" scrapbooks and they both really got a lot accomplished. Meredith even ran out of pages and had to find new ones in Columbus!

Amy was my college roommate for a while. We have stayed close and we are now both homeschool moms...so we really are there as a support to each other. It was great to get to hang out with her. She is a busy mom of 4, so her time is very precious and I'm glad she could spend it with us!

Our friend Brooke (left of me)could not come because she was really sick. We missed her so much...but next time! Our other friend Amanda is in New York right now and we miss her too! Can't wait to come and visit you really soon, girl! (I have not idea why this photo is so small...it's the same as the others...weird!)