Christmas Card Picture Attempt 1

So I am really just wanting to update my blog a little today, so it will seem out of order with all the stuff I have missed that I need to put up like Brittany's wedding pictures and some other cute miscellaneous pictures! As for today, here's a picture we took over the weekend in an attempt to get a picture for our Christmas card. Not happy with this one, but I will try again. The kids are going to be wearing Christmas clothes everyday until I get a good one. Oh that Jake would cooperate!!!

Happy Fall!!!

I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I better update. We have just been schooling and staying home most of the time. The biggest thing we have going on is that we have applied to adopt a baby. We are going through a local ministry in Memphis. We are very excited about this. God has been teaching us so much through this process such as His love for us in His adoption of us. We would have never chosen to love or live for God, had He not called us to Himself and made us His very own by adopting us as His children through Christ. It is amazing to me, and I am so grateful for the love the Father has for us that we should be called children of God!!!(1 John 3:1) And I pray that this would be true for the children the Lord has given us and will give us that they may know, love, and live for Him all their days!

As we are in the middle of this fall season, just as leaves change and die, I pray that God would work in me and my family, changing us into His image and that all the wordliness in us would be put to death as Paul has urged in Colossians 1:5. Our days on earth are so short, so I pray that the days and minutes would not be wasted! Spend the Kyzars for your glory Oh God!!!!

Oh yeah, Nathan will be leaving for India in a week for a mission trip. Please pray for him!

My Boys

I took this picture because they were all color coordinated for church. Lilly wasn't happy because she wanted to be in it, too. She didn't match them at all though, but I did take her picture by herself.

Look who's 1!

It's hard to believe Jake is already 1! The year has flown by. He started walking around 11 months, and he is everywhere now! We celebrated his birthday with just a few friends and family. When we started singing happy birthday, it startled him, so he started to cry. He was really unsure about what was going on, but it did not take long for him to dig into that cake! He and Olivia shared just like usual when they are eating. She makes sure Jake gets fed. It is so cute! She's a little momma. Thanks to Aunt BB we have lots of pictures to show just how much he enjoyed his bday cake. We had a great time celebrating. We pray for our little Jake, that our God would be pleased to make Jake His very own and use Jake for His glory all the days of his life!!!

School is in session at Kyzar Elementary

We started back to school this past week. It has been so different from last year and definitely for the better. Thankfully, Jake naps in the morning for the most part. We are having a lot of fun! Drew is in the first grade and Lilly is in preschool.

Happy Birthday to me!!

Well, my birthday was actually at the end of July, but I am just now posting. Marval, my moher-in-law, took me and the kiddos to Ameca (my fave, except for the fact they have now switched to coke products which means pibb and not dr. pepper which is a lot disappoinging for me b/c I loved their fountain dr. peppers) for lunch. Well anyway, Mrs. Stacy, a very sweet friend surprised me with my own personal birthday cake which is also one of my favorites. (store bought cake that is) Jake obviously enjoyed my cake as you can tell in the picture!! It turned out to be a great birthday. The morning of my bday brought a lot of tears as I mourned that usual first happy birthday wish from my momma, but the Lord was and is so good as usual to bring much joy and comfort in the Holy Spirit. I am just thankful for such wonderful kiddos, husband, inlaws, friends, sisters, brothers, ...that made it special.

In Loving Memory of our Mom

As I remember Mom today, I am thankful for her once again. How blessed we were to have her for the years we did. Though today, the focus is on moms, my heart can't help but look to Christ as I am so aware of Mom being in His presence this moment. My longing is not so much for her but to be in His presence with her glorying in my Redeemer who bought me with His precious blood. This morning as I worshipped with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I was reminded that the goal of the Christian is not heaven or eternal life but CHRIST and knowing Him which is what John 17:3 says, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
As I have wondered about God's purposes in taking Mom home, I do believe first and foremost that all God does is good and for His glory, and I also believe God wants to use her death to impart life, not physical life but life to the souls of her family and friends that have not put their hope in this Christ. With all this said, in loving memory of her, I pray that the eyes of hearts would be opened to see this glorious Christ that she now sees face to face. He alone is worthy to receive all honor and glory! Psalm 63:8 says, "My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." May we cling to Him continually as He is the one that sustains us!

Mud Island Crew

Spring time means Mud Island is open and our kids love it! This is our first trip this year. We pack a lunch and spend a few hours playing in the water. This day we were celebrating our sweet friend, Augusta's 10 B-day.

Play Ball!!!

Drew started t-ball for the first time this year! We have actually only had one game so far due to rain. These are his friends Josiah and Garrett.

Easter

I can't really say why Jake only has one sock, but it is a common occurrence. We had a good Easter celebrating our risen Savior!

Lilly Kate's 3 Year Pictures

It's Great to be 3!

We celebrated Lilly's 3rd birthday over the weekend (actually through Monday). I think she had a great birthday with Granny and her cousins coming to visit, then celebrating with her friends on her actual birthday. She has become such a big girl over night. She went for her 3 year check-up, and she didn't even mind them pricking her finger. She got her 3 year pictures taken, and she just posed so cute for the photographer. We're so proud of the little girl that she is becoming. We are so thankful to our Lord for her and long for the day that He will call her to Himself and that as a result she would love Him more than anyone or anything else and live for His glory all her days.

A Weekend with Granny & Pa

Granny & Pa came to visit this past weekend to celebrate Lilly's birthday! Pa, Lakin, & Paige were a surprise for Drew and Lilly. They had so much fun with their cousins. We went down to the Mississippi River for a little bit. This tugboat passed and the kids tried to get him to honk, but he only waved. Pa found some driftwood that he was really impressed with, so I think that made the trip worthwhile to him. We enjoyed them coming! We love you Granny & Pa.

Jake's 4 Months Pictures

Here are Jake's 4 month pictures. He is such a happy little boy. It is very easy to make him smile and laugh! He is trying hard to sit up, so I don't think it will be long. Drew and Lilly Kate are still as thrilled about him as ever. Drew carries him around the house wherever they are playing. It is so cute!

80's Revisited Rockin' New Year's Eve Party

Jordan & Tracy

Kelly & Emily

We celebrated New Year's Eve at the Marconi's house 80's style. It sure was fun. We dressed our kids up too. I tried to dress Lilly Kate as Punky Brewster, but she didn't look that much like her. She said she didn't want to be punky booster, she wanted to be Cinderella. I made Nathan shave that mustache first thing this morning. All the guys encouraged him to keep it, and I said no way!! I thought Benji had a pretty good mullet going on. I think I would give him the award for best 80's fashion. Nathan said Bryan's was the best, and it was pretty hilarious but then so was Jordan's.