Reese's Eyes

I just had to share this picture because you can see the pure joy that Reese has in his eyes. He has prayed for this baby and still prays for this baby and is at times more excited than Momma about this baby!

About a month ago on the way home from school Reese asked me why God took his brother or sister...man what a rough question. After discussion on how God is in charge of our lives and everything that happens he told me that he just wanted to be able to kiss a baby brother or sister in the morning before he went to school. He then said he would just keep asking Jesus for one and that maybe he could have one in heaven and one with him. I knew at the time that I was pregnant and wanted to tell him so bad, but it was best to wait.

The night we told him, his eyes just sparkled, he covered his face and was just so happy. It was a moment that I will never forget!

Anyway all that to say that I love how happy Reese looks in this picture and I love listening to him pray for this baby and thank God for giving him/her to us. He is going to be a great big brother!

We went to the doctor today and heard the heart beat and saw the baby, everything is going smoothly. I have been really sick but I'm thankful for being sick because it just reassures me that everything is okay. Thanks for your continued prayers.

The last doctor's appointment made our hearts soar, because the Hightower family will officially be four!

Yes, I am 9+ weeks pregnant! We are so excited to share the news with you all. The doctor is still cautious and has me completely off my feet when I get home from work, but he did give us the 95% chance at our last sonogram. We praise God for his blessings, and will continue to praise him no matter what happens. We trust His will and believe that "all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose."

We ask for continued pray for us and for this pregnancy.

"....cause the pain that you've be feeling, can't compare to the joy that's coming..." I love Before the Morning by Josh Wilson and it is now more dear to my heart than ever before.

I know there are so many friends out there who will be happy for this news but sadden at the same time. I understand the pain in the hearts of those who are trying desperately for a baby. In my sister's Sunday School class this morning why talked about, why does God do what he does. I want to share these thoughts with all of you and hope to bring comfort to the hearts that are hurting.

God controls nature so that all men may know His work. Job 37: 6-7
God turns sadness to joy so that we will sing His praises and not be silent. Psalm 30:11-12
God allows suffering so that we may learn His laws. Psalm 119:71
God works so that we will revere Him. Ecclesiastes 3:14
Jesus healed a blind man so that the worked of God might be displayed in his life. John 9:3
God allowed Paul to suffer so that Christ's power will rest on us, our strength is made perfect in his weakness. 2 Corintihians 12:7-9

We cannot answer why God heals some, allows some to suffer, gives some children, and takes away from others, but what we do know is that God is in control so that all mean will see His power, His glory, His strength...life is forever will be about His glory!

A High Priority - for Katie =)

"You will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed." 1 Timothy 4:6

Why is so hard to make studying the Bible a high priority? Is your book shelf filled with Bible study books and different translations of the Bible like mine? Are they worn or do they look nice just sitting there?

Sadly, mine look nice - to the visitor of my house it looks as though Bible study is a priority for the Hightower family. The truth is...there are  many things taking priority over us deepening our faith. I am not saying we don't read the Bible, that we don't pray, or that we don't talk about God on a daily basis. However, it is not given the most of our time. Why do we let life and work get in the way? How can we do a better job of bringing our faith to our life and our work? That is my true desire.

I read this saying yesterday in my 10 minute Bible study..."it's hard to stumble when you are on your knees." This really hit home with me. How many times do we stumble or struggle then get on our knees? If we were "prayed up" as my sister, Katie, would say then we would be ready for the stumble or the struggle and be able to see the glory.

We are to represent God's glory in our family and the way in which we chose to live. I pray that God becomes a bigger priority for the Hightower family and that someone can be greatly blessed from the journey.

Katie - this was updated just for you =) love you sis!!

Creative Child

Today we have planned to go to Gammy's house and play on the big water slide with Nathan and Gigi. We we got up this morning Reese wanted to make a Blue's Clues book for Nathan, he worked for 1 and 1/2 hours. He did everything without help! I just wrote the words. He did tell me what to write and I did not help at all!

Here is the finished product. He is so proud and can't wait to give it to Nathan.

This one cracked me up because he said it had the other books you could buy.

That made my morning, hopefully it will bring a smile to your face. Reese is so kind and loves to do things for other people. I have been so blessed that God shared him with me! Have a great weekend.

First Day

Well, the report is that all was good today at Yantis ISD. My classes were pretty good, I just love my 6th graders, it really reminded me of why I wanted to teach elementary school. It's hard to get used to teaching 45 minute classes instead of the 90 minutes, but I'm sure I'll get in the groove before long.

Reese seemed to have a great day in Kindergarten, he was passed out before we even left Yantis city limits to come home this afternoon! They said he fell asleep in centers too this afternoon, he will have to get used to this no nap routine. He said his teacher was nice, he loves math, already knew the color read, how to spell red, and everything that was red, they didn't do any science but he thinks they might next Monday, he loved music class, he played the drums and tambourine, they have a sandbox for recess but it got all in his socks, and he read 2 stories. =) I just love those 30 minutes after I pick him up where we get to sit and talk about his day. I love hearing his version of the events and what was important. He is still passed out, I think he might be out until morning...he looked so pooped!!

Here are some pictures of him this morning!

Dad and Reese in Mom's room before going down to Reese's school.

He was so excited!

Putting up his backpack and lunchbox

His seat, Mrs. Huie had it all ready for him.

Working on his first assignment - draw a picture of what he thought he looked like today.

You can't really see it, but he has 2 big humps on each arm...they are his muscles because he is strong. I love how he drew blue eyes and blond hair - too cute!

Letting me know it was okay to leave...he was doing good.

Thanks so much for any prayers lifted up for him today, he did good. After the melt down last week I was really worried. He is going to have a great year. He will have lots of friends by the end of the week I'm sure!

changes happen

Article in the paper today about Chris and his new job.

http://www.myssnews.com/news-telegram/sports/11384-changes-happen-yantis-assigns-chris-hightower-as-boys-athletic-coordinator.html

Lack of Joy

"So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time." Galatians 6:9

When we are discouraged are we feeling weary because we are doing good or are we feeling weary because of our lack of good? If we are doing good then we really shouldn't be discouraged based upon the promises of Galatians 6, right?

I have been trying to focus on joy this week and last week, but I have been overwhelmingly discouraged. Sunday at church the pastor was talking about how if you are lacking joy maybe it is because you have not imputed enough from the Word. He went on to talk about how we will get back what we put in, if we are really 'hiding his word in our hearts' then it will come back to us when we are crying out for it.

Maybe instead of searching for joy and what it means I should be searching Christ and then joy will be given back to me "at the appropriate time." Not that I am not searching after Christ, but maybe I am not doing enough...