Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Day 7 In the Shadow of the Cross

I was driving to the Christian school to pick up JJ and was listening to the radio.
As I was driving along, I glanced up and saw this amazing shadow. It even took me a minute
to really figure out where the actual shadow came from.
I pulled over into a parking lot so I could take a picture.
Hannalee was in the backseat and of course, like she always does,
asked what I was doing. If you're on the phone she asks who was it, what are they doing and
what did they say.  We just laugh!
So of course as I pulled over in the random parking lot she asked what I was doing.
I pointed out the shadow on top of the building and asked her what it was.
She said, "A CROSS!"  It's Jesus' cross!"
Priceless.

AND...the other part of the story was the song on the radio.
I dont know this song, but I've got to find it again because about the only phrase I heard,
at the same time I'm pulled over taking this picture was the phrase,
"in the shadow of the cross."

Good job, God!


Psalm 63:7
"Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings."






Friday, January 13, 2012

Day 6 Dad's Day at WOCS

The dad's were invited to come to JJ's school today to tell about their careers.  We had been talking about this earlier in the week and JJ asked Dusty, "Dad...what do the students call you at school?"  Dusty said he would tell him when he talks to the class.  It's not a secret...Mr. Cloud.  Just thought it was cute that JJ asked.

Dusty read a story to them...I mean...he teaches kindergareten after all!  What else do you do when you're a kindergarten teacher and you visit your sons kindergarten class?! 


Genesis 2:3 NIV

And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Day 5 Will there be a confession stand?

We were going to a basketball game to watch the 4th and 5th graders from the Clinton campus. The game was at Canute....about 10 minutes from Elk City. We left right after school and JJ was saying how hungry he was. Well..I wasn't too worried about it. He gets 2 snacks at school everday. While were driving he was still saying that he was hungry and was wanting a snack. We were almost at the ballgame and close to the gym. Then JJ said, "Mom, I'm so hungry. Are they going to have a confession stand at the game?" WHAT??? Dusty and I looked at each other and cracked up!! We laughed out loud!! It was priceless. We explained what "confession" was... it's even funnier because their Bible truth for this month is "truthfulness." I think he's getting the right idea about confession and truthfulness this month...just got a little confused! :) Cute.

And yes...there was a CONCESSION stand at the ball game. He ate Laffy Taffy. Green.

Day 4 Hats on Day at WOCS

Today was "Hats on Day" at JJ's school.  They had to pay at least $2.00 to have the privilege of wearing a hat to school today.

This is taken from the website at the Foundation for Children with Cancer:


What is Hats On Day?
Hats On Day was founded in 1995 by four sixth-graders in St. Louis, Missouri. They began the fundraiser when their friend and classmate Kevin Beffa was diagnosed with a type of childhood cancer called Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Kevin had been a bright, happy child with a passion for soccer. When he got sick, he began to miss school, had to give up his favorite sport, and lost all of his hair from treatment. Kevin also needed a bone marrow transplant, so Hats On Day was planned to show support for Kevin during his suffering and to raise money for his surgery. However, just days before the event, Kevin passed away.
The founders have continued in Kevin’s memory with the aim of creating awareness about children undergoing chemotherapy and related issues like hair loss, illness, and missing school. From 1995 to 2008, the fundraiser has grown from just a few participating schools to schools across the country. The funds raised are used to make young cancer patients’ daily lives more comfortable as they deal with this disease. When you participate in Hats On Day, you make life happier for children with cancer and show compassion for the many difficulties young cancer patients face.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to host Hats On Day! But you can host the event anytime throughout the school year.
Hats On Day has grown to be one of the most influential and profitable fund-raisers among school age children, raising over $1,000,000 in the past 10 years.


This is a picture of some of the kids from JJ's school that wore their hats!

Day 3 JJ's new report card

Well...this is just for JJ and for someday to show him how hard he worked in kindergarten at the new Christian school!  His grades for the first quarter were "S" but now...he thinks its cool to have a "REAL" A+!!! And not just one of them!!!  We are proud of your hard work and heart JJ Reed! I'm proud that there is a "Bible" grade....worth every penny! 




What Mrs. Dungan wrote:  JJ continues to be a positive role leader.  He is a delight to have in class! 

Thank you, Mrs. Dungan! 

Day 2 Hannalee asleep upside down

Because back to school after over 2 week off for Christmas vacation just wore us all out!! She was so tired and had missed a nap that she just wasn't going to give up nap easily!  When she finally did, this is where and how...upside down practically, on the big red chairs by the fireplace.  Snoring.  :) 

We tell her sometimes that we love her to the moon and back.  She's started saying, "I love you in my room."  or "I love you more than my baby doll."  too cute!

I love you to the moon and back a million times, Hannalee!



Genesis 37:9 NIV

Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

First post of 2012!

Well...sigh.  I just didn't know if I'd blog again this year. But my BOOK from last years blog just came in the mail!!  I LOVE IT!! IT'S THE BEST!!

Now...I've got to catch up because that book was worth every penny!!!  It really has just simply become my scrapbook!  Soooo....here I am frantically trying to play catch up with the year and the pics I've already taken!  I'm posting today pics that I have on my iphone and laptop...because...the iMac is well....upside down on my desk and NOT WORKING.  Don't ask. don't even ask.  All I wanted to do was to upgrade my RAM so the STOOPID thing would run and work faster.  Well...so much for that! I started this project December 12.  Today is January 13th.  It. Doesn't.  Work. 

So...laptop it is!

Here are a few pics to share:

The first thing that happened this year was that JJ turned 6.  But alas--THOSE pics are on the iMac.  ARGH!  At least....I hope they are still there.  I hope. I hope. I hope!  That's another post.

Smack dab in the middle of winter...it's 60 degrees outside.  JJ (who loves to go to rodeos--only to have snacks, play in the sleeping part of the trailer--never to ride a horse) actually asked to ride Bear (the older than me horse) on his own.  He had it in his head that he wanted to ride. So of course Papa Jerry saddled everything up!  Hannalee got to ride with Aunt Kimmie and Papa Jerry!




1 Kings 20:25 NIV

You must also raise an army like the one you lost--horse for horse and chariot for chariot--so we can fight Israel on the plains. Then surely we will be stronger than they. He agreed with them and acted accordingly.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Day 151 Christmas Eve at Home and Weatherford

After we opened presents with the Clouds we came home and opened presents here and then we to my folks in Weatherford.









We were going to be away from our house on Christmas Eve
 so we left a note for Santa on our door asking if he would 
please bring our presents to Meme's house.  
Shew!  He did!!!

Sprinkling out Reindeer Oats!!
Hannalee did NOT want to do this...at all! She cried???!! :)


cookies and milk left for Santa at Meme and Papa John's house--
note--those are "Great Sally cookies" that we decorated.  :) 









Thank you all for a wonderful year and Christmas!
We love you all very much and are grateful to God for your love and friendship!!

With Love, 
The Clouds

Day 150 Random and Christmas Eve at Clouds

Well....with 365 days in a year....I didn't quite blog everyday. But I'd say I did pretty good overall.  I'm going to upload some last minute pictures from Christmas and such so I can close out this past year's blog from 2011.  I'm going to print this blog again like I did last year and have it made into a book.  It will cost an arm and a leg but it will be a great scrapbook!  Thanks for reading!

Happy New Year!!!  May the Lord bless you deeply this year in 2012! May you live out His will for your life and have the courage to do it grandly and with the glory to Him!


I was a blue crayon.  His yellow shirt was  a "post it note"
His "post it note said:  I love blue!"  
:)  

Halloween Festival...she was in a huge bubble and blew it to pop it and get out!

cousin Halle finally came to visit...from Quatar!!!!!  

What joy!

Wyatt got his own baby brother...with a real expecting to come this spring!

Always happy to have a new truck! 

Niece Kelsey and Me
(she just turned 16 and got a new red HHR!!!)  
We got to hide it in our garage and she found it there after we sent her
on a scavenger hunt all over town!!