Tuesday, January 3, 2012

My Mom Rocks!!!


And I have one amazing, joy-filled mom! Today is her birthday and I couldn't pass up a chance to brag a little on her. I love how not only is she my mom but friend and a wonderful Grammy to my girls. :) She's incredibly fun and creative, giver of time and all heart in everything she does for us. She blesses us all so much.
We love you mom (aka Grammy)!!! Happy Birthday.

Monday, January 2, 2012

A Year in Review...

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34

Year 2011 might just go down as one of the biggest transitions in the Prater house. My husband leaving a mega-church, transitioning out of student ministry to Lead pastor, a move across Houston, rented our home out & rented one in Katy, and finally...starting a church.
From the huge announcement last January to Clear Creek Community Church that we were leaving, to the starting of weekly services for Cross Community this coming Sunday~ what a difference one year can be!
Not only did we transition our home, family, and church into a new city...the baby Prater girl started kindergarten and this mom began to work a little more.
We also were given, YES given, a new (used) car from Ryan's parents and high school buddies who put personal funds together to bless our family with a new vehicle. Amazing blessing beyond words!!!
2011 proved to us that God's guidance and hand has been faithful as we've journeyed through this move and prepping for the launch of Cross Community Church. I am beyond excited and ready for 2012. I am ready to see habits form in my own life this new year, to see God use not only our family but Cross Community to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to our new friends, neighbors, Katy, Houston, and the world.
I look back at 2011 and can't help but think of one word....Grateful.
Grateful for God's hand,
Grateful for financial means to move to Katy,
Grateful for new friends,
Grateful for support, love, & encouragement from family and old friends,
Grateful for the core team of Cross Community to do the hard work,
Grateful for my husbands laugh and fun spirit,
Grateful for our home,
Grateful for our health,
Grateful for the love, leadership, & support from Clear Creek to Cross Community,
and so much more.
Thank you 2011, a year I'll probably never forget.

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; 
 my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. 
My heart leaps for joy, 
 and with my song I praise him.”
Psalm 28:7

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Best Christmas Gift....EVER



My best Christmas gift ever came to me on December 26th, 2001! A dark headed, 6 pounds 9 ounce beautiful baby girl~my first girl, Addie Noel. :)
My dark headed, Christmas baby girl is double digits now~the big 10...yikes! I can't believe 10 years have gone by so fast, yet they have been a blast. I've treasured every minute being a stay at home mom and sacrificing a lot to be with this girl as she has grown.


Happy 10th Birthday to my big girl, Addie. I LOVE YOU so so much. :) Praying God continues to use you mighty for Him.
We love you.
Mom

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

From our Family to Yours....

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!




Ryan, Kara, Addie, Avery, & Annalise Prater
2011

Christmas Fun!!!

I LOVE, LOVE this time of year. Having lots of fun in the Praters for sure. :)

1. Christmas shopping
2. looking at Christmas lights around town
3. Getting Christmas cards in the mail everyday
4. Advent calendars
5. reading the birth of Jesus as a family at night all piled up on one bed
6. the cheerful songs of Christmas music
7. a glowing Christmas tree in a completely dark home
8. Christmas movies with my girls
9. endless holiday treats that are constant in our home
10. Christmas Eve service with my church
11. wrapping gifts with my husband
12. holiday dinner with your best girl friends
13. collecting all the stocking stuffers for my girls
14. Operation Christmas child box
15. new pjs for the girls

...And, SO many more!! It's fun just writing them down. I love the Christmas season and hope you too are finding new reasons to celebrate this Holy season. :)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

November update...o wait, it's already December

Whew....One word!! Wow, it has been incredible busy settling down to life in Katy and the demands to starting up a church with your husband! I can't even hardly remember November besides a trip to TX panhandle that brought me some of my favorite weather...cold! ;) Then, between subbing and constantly hosting something at our home for church, we were volunteering in the schools, and for me just keeping my head on top of water with 3 girls, schedules, homework, and did I mention my kindergartner has homework?!?! Needless to say, November came and went, and we are already have way into December.
Cross Community Church is doing well, we added another family in November so right now for our "core group" we are at 9 families & too many kids that we literally could already have a peewee school!!! LOL :) I'm excited to announce that we will have our first "public" service this Christmas Eve at Cimarron Elementary, my girl's school. We are SO Excited to celebrate our first Christmas with some friends and neighbors the core group has been investing in. After Christmas Eve, we will meet starting in January. August will be our big "Launch" as they call in church world where its a HUGE push to public and the church has to be ready on so many levels. It has been hard....but so fun. I am getting gray hair and Ryan is still losing his. ;)
Girls are growing like crazy...2 of them already letting go of their blankies but needing me in so many other ways. Its a weird dynamic going on but I am trying to enjoy and embrace the good growth.
I caught a super cute pic of the girls so I'll be posting soon. Its a perfect example and snapshot of all 3 personalities.
Well, it's off to bed I go....although sitting here with all lights off except the Christmas tree next me makes me happy. I sure do hope to post more...tomorrow. :)

Saturday, November 5, 2011

My Avery Girl's Birthday

On October 29, 2003..the Lord blessed our family with our second girl! Avery Rian truly has a heart of gold, the sweetest & kindess spirit, and lover of our family. I love every ounce of that girl beyond belief. I thank my God for her life.
Happy 8th Birthday my Avery girl!! :)



Last Saturday, Avery and her 2 best friends~Kennedi and Brighton, along with Addie and Annalise had a pedicure all together to celebrate Avery's birthday. What else would a 8 yr old girl love but have leopard printed on the toes and be pampered while doing it?!?! ;) We topped off her "fancy" day with cupcakes at Ooh La La. :)
She beamed the whole time and I think it might be one birthday she wont forget.
Best friends and pretty toes....Happy Birthday Avery.