Thursday, July 24, 2008

School has begun.......08/09 Year

Proverbs 22:6 States:

" Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." This literally means to train them up according to their (the child's) way... It is natural for us to want to bring up all of our children alike (I mean are we in the literal here or what - look how our girls are dressed - LOL LOL), or train them the same way.

This verse implies that parents should discern the individual and special strengths that God has given each one. While we should not condone or excuse self-will, each child has natural inclinations that Parents can develop. by talking to teachers, other parents, grandparents, etc... we can better discern and develop the individual capabilities of each child. We do train them to choose the right way however, and even though each might not take the steps to get there, we all pray they will not stray from that path God has layed out before us.
Today, we once again have sent our children off into the throws of the Education System and told them " learn and have fun". Alexxis begins 5th grade (OMGosh, 2 years from Junior High), Natalie begins 3rd Grade, and Payton today began her kindergarten career (OMGosh X 1000 - our little Squishy Fishy is no longer home with us).

We love our school, the staff & teachers, our kids friends and their parents and we pray God's richest blessings on them this school year and that each one of our little ones would shine the light of Jesus to their teachers, friends, and all who come into contact with us and them. Watch over them Father as we have committed them and this year to you.

Gabe & Cheryl Phillips





Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Summer Sun & Fun

I know we live in Arizona (Phoenix a.k.a. valley of the sun) but I still don't think it is possible to have any more Summer fun than these girls & preston have had......Cheerleading camp, Sunsplash waterpark, swimming pool, swim team practice, swim team meets, Pop Pop coming in, Ashley & Juju coming in, Makutu's Island, and more and more and more.

Can any of them ever say they were not blessed....no way. Too much fun....

Here are some great pictures of all the fun and adventures they have had over just the last week of summer here.










































































Happy Summer 2008 Girls, Preston, Sivleys' and Ashley !!!!!!

Saturday, July 05, 2008

POPS & "POP POP" (4th of July)

POP POP


Well, Pop Pop flew in Thursday am from Lost Wages and so far we are having a great time....The whole clan met Pop Pop at the Airport and wisked him home to the house for an afternoon of going to the gym and an evening out to dinner. The girls just love it when Pop Pop comes in to visit....They have an Absolute Blast....Pop Pop also got to see Preston for the first time and Preston loves it all as well.


Friday, we all went to the movies (Gilrs saw Mr. Magoriums Wonder Emporium) & Pops and I saw Hancock....Everyone enjoyed the popcorn and the relaxing Air conditioned theatre as it was like 1000 degrees outside...at least....

Then off the the Diamondback game....Had dinner at T.G.I.Fridays and then enjoyed nosebleed seats in the 540th Row at Chase Field......We had no view of the field but we could see the air conditiong ducts just fine......FYI -- Never buy 32nd Row in any of the 300 sections...It was THE VERY LAST ROW......Had to move down about 6 stories just to get a slightly obstructed view of the fireworks....but it was an awesome fireworks display -- best we've ever seen....so all in all a Great day....


Saturday morning saw a very late start -- Breakfast @ 10am and then booking our time share for us to share a vacation in Florida in October with Pop Pop and Grandma Matty. We also headed off to the Home depot for about 30 minutes to build a bird house with the kids for the Home Depot Kids Club monthly event....what fun -- heated competition to see whose bird house was more perfect....The Pop/ Natalie home had upside down windows and some gaps in flooring / Gabe's and Alexxis' home had a crroked roof with a nice gap for air transference and I think the best of all was the Mommy Payton home which was perfect but took 3 1/2 hours to build. Pops and Gabe's homes were FHA so built in 2 minutes.... more to come today pool time and tomorrow......LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!