I AM CHRISTIAN

When I say that I am a Christian, I am not shouting that I am clean living;
I'm whispering I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.

When I say I am a Christian, I don't speak of this with pride;
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say I am a Christian, I'm not trying to be strong;
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say I am a Christian, I'm not bragging of success;
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say I am a Christian, I'm not claiming to be perfect;
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say I am a Christian, I still feel the sting of pain;
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

I know I have been MIA...I promise to be back soon!

Taking Over The Blog!

Guilty...

This is Mimi...I have temporarily taken over Stacey's blog. Just switched the background, made a new button & added a signature. Big Fun!

Stacey is still limited with her computer time...she will be back posting & commenting soon!

In the mean time visit my blog. LOL

I'm kidding!

Mimi

Well...It's Official...

...my computer has finally gone to computer heaven!!

...Ryan was able to get it to Best Buy just in the nick of time to get our entire hard drive saved to an external hard drive...thank goodness...

...now we just have to wait until my parents get here from Michigan with another tower that they are bringing for us to use with our desk top...

...so until then...no blogging for me!

Where's Mom?! 37 Photos of ME!!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 37th week!
You all know that I love Colin's teacher, who was also Brendan's teacher last year! Well each month she assigns book reports in different genres and types. In September they had to do a Cereal Box Report. For October the genre was sci-fi and the type was a story skeleton! Colin read Aliens for Lunch and this is how his story skeleton turned out! I helped him decide what to write, although he had to come up with the ideas since I have not read the book! He wrote all the cards and I put it together with paper clips...each 'bone' has a different element of the story on it such as characters, setting, problem, problem resolution, and what Colin liked about the book. The 'head' of the skeleton was the main character's face! I think he did a great job, if I do say so myself...oh wait, I just did!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!

Got Candy?!

Football Frenzy...The Last of the Season

This is my last Football Frenzy post of the season...tear...

This past weekend was the last football weekend of the season for the McCraken house. It is a bittersweet time, as I am relieved to have more time, but sad that I will have more time! I can't imagine my life without football in it, so it will be missed until next season! With that said...on with football...

Friday night WCHS played at DVHS against the Sky Hawks for their season closer. This was the most pumped up I have seen the team all season...they were ready to play some football.

For the National Anthem, the Nation Guard presented the colors...AWESOME...The Wildcats pumped up for the game...
The captains out for the coin toss for the last time

One of Ryan's guys taking down the quarterback...again!

Ryan's defense on the field

Ryan doing his coaching thing


Defense firing off of the line

And the Wildcats bring home a V.I.C.T.O.R.Y beating the Sky Hawks 28-12!!!

It was an awesome last game and I am so proud of the players and coaches!

What a way to end the season!!!
Last hand shakes of the season

We actually did make make it into the play-offs only to be pushed back out again for league champion...you see the AZ high school football rule is that all league champs, regardless of their season record, go to the play-offs. Well we were #16 seed in the bracket, but a league champ, with the record of 4-6, pushed us out because of their league title; it might not be fair, but it's the rules, so they are in and we are out. Our boys finished with a record of 5-5, but it is probably better this way, since we would have had to play the best team in the state and what fun would have that been to lose to them again!! So this way, our boys go out on a win and we are all happy!!

Singing the school fight song after the big win

Ryan and the boys after the win

Ryan and head coach, Hud, after the game

What a fun game...and that is the end of the Wildcat season!
Way to go Honey...you had a great season!


Onto Saturday...

This was the Cobra's last game of the season, their 'bowl game'.

We were up against an undefeated team that was rumored to be pretty tough.

Here are the boys walking to the field

Cobras vs. Suns

Let the game begin...

Brendan is to the right of the kicker

With our team being a little bit older this season, the coaches have been trying to mix it up a little bit with the plays. They have really been working on their passing game!

Right after Colin snapped the ball

Brendan checking with Colin about the play they are about to run

Brendan taking down the quarterback. Both boys had an outstanding game. Colin even forced a fumble. Great job boys!

And even though the coaches said this was their best game of the season, the Cobras were defeated by the Suns with a score of 0-20.

Great game Cobras!

The sadness for the boys' does not last too long...they just love to play!

And because this was the last game and a bowl game, all of the players and cheerleaders received a participation medal.

And with that, our football season has come to an end!

Yesterday all the equipment was cleaned and handed back in; the bags and cleats were put away until next season, and all of the grass was vacuumed up from my foyer!!

The Cobras will have their end of season banquet on 12/5/09 and Ryan's football banquet will be 1/16/10.

What ever will I do with all of my free time???!!!

Until January that is...that's when basketball season starts!!

I'm Gonna Miss This...Halloween Fun

Pam over at Your Gonna Miss This is the hostess of this weekly meme that helps you to remember and cherish the little things in life!

Last Saturday was Halloween. I told my boys that I WAS NOT buying costumes this year, so it was up to them to get creative with the things they could find around the house. At first Brendan said that he didn't even want to go...gasp...what?! But it was his choice, so I didn't push the subject except to give him a few costume options...how about a football player, baseball player, nerd, doctor, old man, old lady, cheerleader????? All were shot down except the doctor. Something about wearing daddy's old scrubs intrigued the boy!! But he didn't want to be just an ordinary doctor..."Mom can I be a dead doctor?" WHAT...how morbid! But it's just in fun and I must say I think he turned out kinda cute! And it wasn't until Saturday afternoon that Colin decided to be a baseball player! He wore his uniform from last season. And for whatever reason they both decided that they could not smile for any pics...reason being Brendan be dead and Colin be tough of course!!

We went to our church's trunk or treat this year and they had lots of fun! Our neighbors joined us too! Kenny was an alive doctor and Stephanie was Wonder Woman! I had so much fun passing out candy and being able to see all of the costumes! Usually I am the one to walk the boys around, but since we were in a safe place and they were with friends, we let them walk around by themselves! There was costume contests, car decorating contest, best Pastor Lee look alike and lots and lots of candy! I actually ran out of candy (had 2 ginormous bags from Sam's Club) so the boys went through there loot to share the candy that they were not fond of! They are just too sweet!

Of course that didn't even make a dent into what they brought home!!!Good thing they just saw the dentist!!!

One day they are just going to be to old to dress up and beg for candy (I almost thought it might have been this year), but for now I will take pictures of their craziness and let them eat too much candy one night a year!

What are you going to miss? Visit Pam and let her know!

Football Frenzy

I know my football frenzy post is a little late, but better late than never I always say!! Ryan finally got the computer up and on for longer than a nano second on Tuesday night, so I hurriedly uploaded all of my photos to get my posts done!! Yay! I was so excited! But enough chitter chatter...onto Football Frenzy...

WCHS vs. BCHS

10/30/09

The Wildcats were up against the tough team of Jaguars last Friday. I must say that this is my least favorite school to come to. I am not one to judge, but I just don't like the people there...they are kinda snobby and not very nice to the visiting team. Their team (or rumors of their team) pooped in the visiting team's (our) locker room before we got there as a kind of welcome present for our boys...wasn't that nice of them?! GROSS!!!

Well anywho...back to football...cuz it all about the football...it's always about the football!!! Here is Ryan doing his coaching thing. He is on the right with the head coach Hud standing on the left. Not sure who the guy in the middle is!! (I think it is a player taking stats, but not sure)

Not sure how I captured this beauty...but I love it!

It is one of Ryan's players taking down the quarterback! You go boy!!!

Wildcat defense lined up on the ball

If you are on defense...always go where the ball is!

Unfortunately the mighty Wildcats were not so mighty...they were defeated by the Jaguars 40-22.

It was a sad night that made our Wildcats 4-5. The only way that they will now make the playoffs is if they win tonight and 2 other teams lose. But I am not sure I want to go to playoffs you see...because if we go to playoffs then we will probably play the best team in the state and really, what's the point of that?!

So tonight is our last regular season game and it is away..I hope for the seniors sake that they win their last high school game.

Go WILDCATS!

Where's Mom?! 36 Photos of ME!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 36th week!
This was taken last week of me and my teacher friend Crystal. Last Friday was her last day until January because today she is being induced to have baby Zachary! I am so excited for her and her hubby David! I'm not gonna lie though...I am really missing having her at school!! But I can't wait to meet Zachary!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!

WW~My Honor Roll Kid Can Beat Up Your Honor Roll Kid!!

BUMMER....

...so it seems that my home computer is dying a slow, vvveeerrrry slow, death...

...this past weekend it would not stay on for more than 5 minutes at a time...

...and with that being the case...I was not able to upload any pictures...

...not sure when I will be able to upload...

...BUMMER...

A Moment I Am Gonna Miss

aaaaahhhhhh...to remember the little moments!!! Pam is the hostess of the weekly meme to help us remember the little things in life!
Here is my sweet Colin Boy with his Star of The Week Poster!
Last week he was chosen by his teacher to be Star Student of the week. On Monday he presented his poster. On Tuesday he read his favorite picture book. On Wednesday he did the sharing bag with Show and Share items. On Thursday I wrote a letter about him for his teacher to read to the class and on Friday his class presented him with a Friend Poster!
He was so excited and did a great job with all of his daily presentations! This boy has come a long way this year with his behavior. He started out a little shaky bringing home yellows and reds for not making appropriate choices. Now,with a lot of hard work, he brings home green almost daily!
Great Job Colin...I am so proud of you!

I am gonna miss the days when they don't do "Star Student of the Week" anymore...it won't be long when they are "too big". So for now, I am gonna brag on my boy!!

For more moments you are gonna miss, be sure to visit Pam!

Can A 2 Year Old Take Down A 9 Year Old????

APPARENTLY THE ANSWER IS...

YES...

HE

CAN!!!

Where's Mom?! 35/52 Photos of ME!!

Are YOU a mom? Are YOU missing from the pictures? Most moms I know are, but here is a fun meme that brings us moms out from behind the camera and puts US in the spotlight! Carin over at Forever in Blue Jeans is the hostess of this year long picture project; and just think, after a year, you will have at least 52 pictures with you in them! It can be scary, but com'on, give it a try! It's easy, all you have to do is hand over the camera and smile (or not, it is completely up to you!!). And the best part is, you can jump in and start whenever; for me this will be my 35th week!

On Saturday we were fortunate enough to have a date night...how exciting...I KNOW...a date night during FOOTBALL SEASON!!!

So 2 of Ryan's students, sisters, Andrea and Silvia, came to watch the boys. They had pizza, made football shirts, watched TV and all around had a super fun time while Ryan and I were on our date!
We went out with 2 other couples, football coaches and their wives of course, for dinner, a movie and drinks afterwards! We were celebrating one of the coach's birthdays. We started off at a yummy place for Chicago style pizza and then headed to the movies to see "Couples Retreat".

Can you say HILARIOUS!!!! Funny funny movie...lots of laughing throughout!

Here we are waiting for the movie to start.
Gayle and Todd (the bday boy!)

Hud & Dawn

After the movie we walked to an Irish Pub thinking we could sit and talk.
Well for us who don't go out too often...unbeknownst to us...they had a live band playing, loudly, so instead of talking we were kinda shouting!
Oh well...we still had lots of fun!


The 3 gals as we were walking back to our cars!

I love having date nights, especially with great friends!

Now it's your turn to join the fun...hand the camera over, say cheese, and smile!