~Sing Sing Sing~

Fun, Friends and Freezing.......

This week it was back to the "normal" life. No more sleeping in and staying up late, no more play dates, sleepovers or large amounts of leftovers to pull out instead of making dinner. Christmas Break was grand. Camden and Berkleigh didn't start back to school until Tuesday, so we met up with our friends at the bowling alley on Monday for some bowling (obviously) and pizza. The kids played awesome and the mommas....well we chatted it up, while supervising our kids of course. I took my camera, but forgot to get any pics. Sorry~

It is officially winter here and this past week I faced a sad reality....no more flip flops for this girl. It has been cold/cool here for quite some time, but I could still squeeze in the flops a day here and there. NO MORE! This week the "Artic Freeze" decided to mosey on down to Texas and freeze us all. It dipped down into the teens and was in 28-32 range when I took Camden to school a couple days. So needless to say we are all dressed in layers, wearing outerwear that we would have never owned 2 years ago and burning A LOT of firewood. There is one thought that gets me through winter time here.....This too shall pass.

We have been enjoying our Nintendo Wii that we got for Christmas and have found out that the girls are quite the baseball players. Not shabby boxers either. Berkleigh's favorite is pitching during baseball. And both of the girl's can knock someone out in less than a min in the boxing ring. Don't know if I should be proud or worried??? Any who....tonight we played quite a few games on the Wii and just enjoyed our time together. I love Sundays. The naps are better and I don't feel rushed or that I am having to keep up with a hectic schedule. I'm sure spending time in the Lord's house getting renewed has a lot to do with it.

Today I had the honor of visiting a friend's church. She was being ordained as an elder in the church. Isn't that awesome? Her Pastor preached a great message and the ceremony was wonderful. I know that God is going to do great things through Sarah and that she is such a blessing to her church. She has blessed me and my family beyond words and I thank the Lord for her.


Congratulations on your Ordination, Sarah!


Here is a song that I just LOVE~ Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city. I want to be a part of this in 2010! I know God has great things in store for each of us this year~

{{hugs}} Deanna

~Happy New Year~

Happy New Year's!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday and fun ringing in the New Year. 2009 was a rough year, especially for our economy....but I think we have all learned from this rough year. I know that if I have learned anything, it is that the the Lord is my provider. I have learned to be more content and that HE is all I need. I've also learned that when God wants to get his point across...HE WILL! Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. God is good and I am blessed. Goodbye 2009~

2010 started off at our house with Dax, me and 9 little girls. Camden Hope had a New Year's slumber party. We had 7 beautiful little girls from her school and Berkleigh held her own with them all night long.There was alot of giggling, squealing, snacking, chatting and all around fun! We had our official countdown at 9 pm and all were asleep around 10:30. Not too shabby~ It was a blast!






So it's that time of year again when we make our New Year's Resolutions. Most of the time I don't recall what last years were. Isn't that sad? I mean I always do the standard....get in better shape, eat healthier, drink more water and stick to my daily devotions. Which each year I can definitely work a little harder on that. So this year I am writing a list and plan on checking them off throughout the year. Therefore...my 1st resolution is to stick to my resolutions! No really. If I get 2 months down the road and realize that I haven't followed through, I am going to start where I stopped!

Here is a list of our family resolutions. I asked Camden this year what hers would be and I was quite impressed!

Berkleigh Faith~
1. Everything that Sissy said:)

Camden Hope~
1. Learn to ride my bike with no training wheels.
2. Work on my handwriting
3. Be nicer
4. Get lots of I-Bucks (Children church currency to shop at their store for prizes)

Dax~
1. To be a better financial steward

Deanna~
1. Closer relationship with the Lord.(increased prayer life & time studying the word)
2. Have a better servants heart with my family and others.
3. Increase my volunteer time @ school, church and in the community.
4. Increase my sewing knowledge and learn to crochet
5. Stick to a budget and become debt free
6. Lower my Wii Fit age~LOL! No really though!
7. Blog weekly!
8. Make each holiday special, remember others birthday and send cards.
9. Bake/cook more and try new recipes.
10.More water~Less soda.

I am excited about 2010. I feel that this year is going to be awesome. I know that the Lord is going to do amazing things in our lives, our church and our community! Happy 2010 everyone! God Bless~

Blogging Sabbatical Is Over!!!!!

Well..we are officially back from summer break. Atleast that's my excuse. So much has gone on since the last post and I plan on updating on everything individually because I am drowning in pictures. Summer vacation in Florida, Trip to Disney, Family Pics, first day of 1st grade for Camden, Berkleigh started Mother's Day Out 3 days a week, and we are MOVING!

Just here in Beaumont, but a move is a move. Boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, newspaper wrapping, cleaning and PURGING! Oh I LOVE IT! Any who, updates to follow soon:0)

Wordless Wednesday~ (Well...sort of)

Written by Camden Hope Age:6

An artist and photographer in the works~

"The Sutherland Family"
Artist: Camden Hope Sutherland



"Dadda and Momma"
Photography by Berkleigh

Welcome back summer time...we've missed you!

Swim lessons,vacation bible school, pool parties, $1 movies, library time, water parks, flip flops, sunscreen, playing outside until after 8 pm, sunglasses,sand toys, sunhats, tank tops, popsicles,and rosy hot cheeks from playing outside. Just a few perks to summer time. Not to forget...ummm. NO SCHOOL! Woo hoo!
Berkleigh is so happy to have her sissy at home to play with all day Berkleigh posing with her first pair of flip flops~
Cat in The Hat day at MDO. Berkleigh had green eggs and ham of course! Father's day 2009~ Daddy and his girls! We have the best daddy ever!
Rosy cheeks from an afternoon in the sand box (Okay, some call it the beach volley ball area~not us!)
A day with our friends Anna and Abbi at Chuck E Cheese.


Curled up and ready for a family movie night~

We are enjoying our summer. Berkleigh started a Mother's day out 2 days a week from 9-1 and is having a blast! We went and let her pick out a back pack and lunch box. She loves them! Every morning she rolls her bag in while trying to carry her lunch too. "Berkleigh, do you want momma to help you?" "No tank too momma~"

We leave in 1 week to head "home" to Florida. We are all very excited. So many friends and family to catch up with. Camden talks about our trip everyday and I am so happy that she remembers all of her friends and is excited to visit with them too! Happy Summer!

Graduation Pool Party

Corinne invited Camden and several other Kindergarten grads over for a kick off to summer party. It was a blast. The girls had a wonderful time swimming and chatting. Mrs. Amy, Corinne's mom, served up a super lunch and we all made our own ice cream cones for dessert. It's officially summer!

Last Day of Kindergarten

Friday was Camden's last day of Kindergarten. Each day of her last week had a theme. It was a 4 day week because of Memorial day.
Tuesday ~Hat day~ Camden wore her Minnie hat
Wednesday ~sunglasses~ Sparkling sea shell glasses
Thursday~Fav stuffed animal~ "Cameron" the horse
Friday~favorite shirt ~Hannah Montana, ofcourse!

Friday before noon dismissal her class had their end of the year party. What a great bunch of kids this year. They are all so respectful and show it in the way they interact as a class. Just a sweet bunch of kids and one wonderful teacher!

Mother's Day

~Camden Hope 6 years old~

~Berkleigh Faith 2 years old~