The Sheep is Sheared!

Before 

After

We decided to start our double digit years off with a little change :) How I loved his unruly, wild hair! Yet, I find the ease of the new locks have won my heart over quickly!!  My little guy isn't look so little anymore, sigh.....

She Paints

Her first Picasso, a self portrait.

Chesney Best

6 years old

DOUBLE DIGITS!!

My wild-haired, freckled, happy boy!

Where has the time gone? My baby is double digits!!! We now officially have less time with him than we've already had. He could move out of my house in 7 or 8 years. That really blows my mind!!! Although this is terribly depressing, it also gives me great joy to see him mature! Some of my proudest moments of Britton came in his ninth year of life.
At 9:
We discovered  his greatest schooling strength, memorizing!
Diligence and motivations in school have sky-rocketed!
He began doing yard work, woohoo!!

He really grew closer to the Lord this year, reading and study his bible on his own!
He always looks at the positive side in any situation!
Lastly, we received this incredible letter from his baseball coach:

Keith and Brook,

I just wanted to say how great an experience it has been to coach Britton this season.  He is a great little ball player and an even better kid.  He always gave 100% in practices and games and had a positive attitude to boot.  If I could create my own team, it would be full of little Brittons.  His infectious smile and fun spirit made it easy to keep things in perspective and maintain a positive attitude about coaching.  I have no doubt he'll do well in All-Stars and will be an awesome asset for his coaches.  I know you're proud of him as parents.  He has a love for life and a love for Christ that shines through.  What more could you ask for in a young boy?

I know this season didn't turn out that great from a W-L standpoint, but I hope the boys had fun and grew as ballplayers and as young men through the process.  After all, it should be for the kids, not us.

Again, thanks for allowing me to be a part of his life for this short time.  I look forward to seeing you at the party Saturday.

Coach David

I have to say that this was certainly a highlight of my year. Britton, if you never become the best writer, mathematician, scientist, artist, musician or athlete, yet you love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, then I will be one proud Momma! I love you my son! I couldn't be more proud of you! 

Here are a few pics that capture your first spend the night party!!! 

Britt and his life-long "best-buddy".

football cards and beyblades!

Today, she met Jesus.

Today is the day she met Jesus! Her Savior! I often wonder how she felt, when she looked into His eyes. I wonder what it was like to leave earth and arrive at heavens gate. I wonder what she felt when she saw Nanny,her beloved Grandmother. Oh, how I miss her and long to be held in her arms again. Yet, I know she is exactly where she is supposed to be. With Him! That makes me smile, big, and it makes me a little jealous too :)  Oh precious Lord Jesus, please squeeze her tight for me today and tell her how very much I love her.

"What in the World?"

"What in the world!" Thats the look above! That's what my sweet little Cade man says when he is surprised, over-joyed, or looking at something for the first time. It' so funny to hear coming out of a 3 year olds mouth. "What in the world" is what's going through my mind as I ponder the last couple of months....

 I am a full fledged, paid teacher!! 

 I am learning to play piano!! I am learning Latin! 

 I am teaching ART! 

 My kids are in a musical drama!

 I am a helper in said drama!! 

 We are going to adopt a child! 

 All of these things are way outside of my comfort zone. God is stretching me, working on me and moving me. I find myself pondering this often and wondering, who am I? Then I hear my sweet savior whisper to my heart...

 you are MINE! 

you are made for MY glory! 

 you can do ALL things through ME! 

 And then peace washes over my soul as I realize that all of these things (that are outside of my comfort zone) are ...

 BUILDING my confidence! 

 My FAITH is growing.

FEAR is FADING.

 My kids are witnessing that you really CAN do ALL things through HIM! I am realizing that my God is huge. He's teaching this old gal some new tricks :)

A friend named Sherri

A conversation in the kitchen while making lunch:

The conversation began with a discussion about my parents and how they didn't "know" the Lord until later in life. We discussed how different my parents were before Jesus came into their hearts. Then Chesney had a light bulb moment (I LOVE getting to witness these moments).
She says, " So, Momma your parents didn't know Jesus when you were a little girl? "
Me: "No sweetheart, they did not know Jesus until I was much older."
Chesney; " Well Momma, then how did you come to know Jesus if your parents didn't know Him?"
Me: "Well sweetheart, I know Jesus all because a friend named Sherri invited me to church!"

The conversation lead into my sharing my testimony to my children over lunch. Totally unexpected, totally unplanned. A real life changing moment for my kids in the kitchen. Math, reading and history lessons went out the window.
The lesson for the day: a friend named Sherri took me to church, I got SAVED. My parents got prayed for, for YEARS! My parents got SAVED. A WHOLE FAMILY CHANGED!!! All because a friend named Sherri loved Jesus and told me about Him!
So thank you Sherri, for allowing God to use you to change me!! You were His hands and feet in my life!! My life was forever changed because you were bold in sharing your love for Jesus with me!! God used you to impact multiple generations for now, and prayerfully to begin a legacy of Christianity throughout the McChesney and Best family lines.

"Bonding" with the Japanese

So, my kids are doing some bonding these days, thanks to The Japanese!! Beyblades, a Japanese animation, and toy have entered my home and taken over. I have to say I really don't care for Japanese animation or their toys. However, I've had a change of heart, at least for this one toy.


All 3 kids, LOVE IT. They play TOGETHER for HOURS with this silly spinning top game!
Any toy, in my opinion, that creates sibling harmony, deserves an award. So Im giving this toy the high honor of being officially named: The Best toy ever brought into the Best house.
Weird freaky toy + sibling harmony = blissful Mommy :)