Cowboy Church

During our trip to East Texas we had the chance to visit my parent's new church. It is a Cowboy Church. For those Yankees reading this entry -- Here is what Wikipedia has listed as the description of a Cowboy Church:

"Cowboy Churches are local Christian churches within the cowboy culture that are distinctively western heritage in character. A typical cowboy church may meet in a rural setting in a barn, metal building, arena, sale barn or old western building, have its own rodeo arena, and a country gospel band. Baptisms are generally done in a cattle tank. The sermons are usually short and simple. Some cowboy churches have covered arenas where rodeo events such as bullriding, team roping, ranch sorting, team penning and equestrian events are held on weeknights, such as Thousand Hills Cowboy Church in Kerrville, Texas. Emphasis is placed on the "no barriers" model developed by Ron Nolen of Waxahachie, Texas, where he planted the first and the largest "cowboy church" in the world. The "no barriers" church model removes from the worship service the traditions that are believed to have no biblical basis, such as the "altar call" and passing of the collection plate. Tithes and offerings are simply placed in a boot, hat, or wooden bird house at the rear of the meeting room. Even though most of these churches are located in Texas, many have sprung up in other states across the Southwestern United States."

What an amazing way to worship. Cowboy Church is just that -- a church to help people in agriculture, specifically the cowboy, obtain a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I told my dad it felt like they cut out the middle man and went straight to God. I truly felt the presence of Jesus and his work in the lives of those there. It was an amazing experience. And, we all got to wear our boots and jeans! I LOVE my church here in Austin, but I have to say there truly is something special going on in the Cowboy Church. I truly can't wait to visit again.

The picture above is of Jackson practicing his bull riding skills before the service!

Lion Heart

Jackson wrapped up his first basketball season following a very exciting tournament. The Heat tied their first game but lost in a shoot out in overtime. They were very successful in their second game winning by more than 10 points. Jackson scored the last basket (after the buzzer) but he was convinced that his basket won the game. Of course mom and dad could not steal away his thunder so he will never know -- shhhhh!!!

Following the game we had a pizza party at the park and the couch handed out trophies (Jackson's first). The coach said a few words about each player as they received their awards. He called Jackson the Lion Heart of the team because of his amazing team spirit. We could not be more proud.

Go HEAT!!!!!

Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy will be paying Lauren an early visit! While we were at our annual dentist appt. last week, the dentist indicated that Lauren had two loose teeth. I could not believe I had never noticed! I brush her teeth 2 to 3 times a day! She is only 4 -- how can she be loosing teeth already?

When Lauren ate her lunch today she began to cry and said her tooth hurt. Then at dinner she refused to eat anything but ice cream. She was so upset that I took her stright from the dinner table to the tub. Usually if she soaks in a warm bath, all is as good as new. Well, she called me in before the tub was even half full to report that she had pulled her tooth! I just could not believe she did it on her own. Miss Independent. It took Jackson weeks to finally let us pull his first tooth. I think Lauren was determined not to let anything stand between her and food!

Kelley Christmas

Here are our little Santa helpers! They had an amazing time together. It was a full house, but a good time was had by all.

Kelley Wars

Many of you have asked to see the cool Christmas gift the kids and I had made for Mike. My amazing friend and talented photographer, Amanda Wintenburg, took the photos and made the poster -- don't ask me how she did it -- magic! Mike was speechless. I was amazed that the kids were able to keep it a secret for as long as they did.

Christmas at the Kelleys

As most of you know, Mike and I are hosting Christmas at our house this year. My family will arrive on the 23rd for our annual excursion to the Trail of Lights. We will then celebrate Christmas Eve at our Church (Covenant Presbyterian) at the Families with Young Children service. This comes complete with a live nativity scene with camels and donkeys etc…If you have never experienced the joy of the Family Christmas Eve service, let me tell you, it will drive you to drink. It is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas in a crowded pew with children crawling over and under the pews and smearing Goldfish and Graham Crackers in their hair and on their cute little faces (not to mention your best pair of black slacks). Don’t get me wrong, when my kids were babies, this was truly the best place to be -- celebrating Jesus’ birth in an atmosphere that was tailored to the short attention span of our little ones (and exhausted parents).

While our kids are now old enough to attend the later service, we will continue with our family tradition of straining to hear the pastor over the wails of wee little ones because my nephew, Carson, will be with us for the service. If it were not for the whole drinking and driving (especially with young children in the car) I would opt for some Egg Nog prior to the service. Alas, I will just have to have a big bottle of red waiting upon our return home. I look forward to the day we can return to the beautiful candlelight service with the sane people. But, when that day comes, I am sure my heart will ache because I will miss the days of singing Silent Night while holding my baby in my arms.

We will spend Christmas Day at my sister’s house in Cedar Park. Mike’s parents will arrive that evening just in time to wish Mike a Happy Birthday. We will formally celebrate Mike’s birthday when his sister Amy and her family (husband Phil and my three amazing nieces, Emily (age 10), Anna (age 8) and Melissa (age 3) arrive on the 26th from Michigan. We will have the full turkey dinner and top it off with birthday cake in honor of baby Jesus’ birth and Mike’s too! Do you think people born on Christmas Day have a superiority complex? Or, is that just me? Just kidding, honey. You know I love you. And, you are superior in my book. An amazing husband, dad, son, uncle and CPA! We could not ask for more.

Mike’s family will be with us through New Year’s Eve. We plan to show them as much of Austin as possible – including our incredible BBQ and Mexican food. Yum! Yum!

So that's it folks -- the Kelley Family Christmas in a nutshell. We are hoping for a little less craziness than depicted in the movie Christmas Vacation. I think as long as no long-lost cousins arrive in an RV, we will be fine.

As you know, we decided not to send out Christmas cards this year in an effort to cut down on stress associated with the holiday season. Please accept our sincere wishes for a wonderful holiday surrounded by those you love and that love you. May you all know the joy of a Christ-centered Christmas. We thank you for your love and friendship throughout the year and we wish you all the best in 2008!

With love,
The Kelley Family

New Hairdo

Check out our beautiful princess with her new haircut! We cut off 5 inches! She is so proud. Mommy was a nervous wreck watching the hair hit the floor. But, the finished product is too cute. Let's hope it cuts down on the tears every time we comb her hair!