Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!

Well, school has begun and so has football.  Needless to say life in this Dean household is whirlwind.  This has been my first football season experience the full extent of what it means to be a football widow.  I think for Stinson and I it is even worse because of our classes and other things that we are involved in.  Time together has to be intential and unfortunately most of the time we spend together is spent catching a few zzzz's. 

So far after a few kinks thrown into the starting line up a week before the first game, MNU is 3-0.  They are looking great and Stinson's running backs look awesome!  He is loving every moment of coaching.  His guys are lucky to have him as their coach.  MNU faces the #2 team in the coutnry next week, Lindenwood, at home.  It will be a great test of hwere they are at.  Here are me and some of MNU friends hanging out at the game.  Oh yeah, I dyed my hair brown, just in case you can't tell which one I am.

Janae and I

All of the Girls

Last weekend I spent my entire day watching football.  I went to all three boys games and had such a blast.  I just love these precious things.  They all played so well.  I got to have dinner/lunch with them on Sunday too.  I don't have the words to describe how much I love them!  Enjoy these pictures!  (This day was 100% football.  I went to 3 little league games and 1 MNU game, it was quite the day!)

Andy's Game Face

My Bud Andy and I

The Really Cool 7th Grader and I

Adorable Carson!



So with all of me "extra time" I have been leading my mother-in-laws bible study Live a Praying Life.  We are two weeks in, and already it has been amazing.  She really puts a whole new perspective on prayer.  One of my favorite things she written so far comes from the end of week one's study.  She is talking about finding a new purpose of prayer when she shares this verse and says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezkiel 36:26-27) Before I desired such a thing, God had make it available.  He had already promised to reproduce His heart in me, shaping my desires to match His.  He promised to take my  self-centered heart and fasten it on Him.  And He who worked in my until I desired to reciece what he desired to give."

My heart fills with joy just typing those words.  It is so awesome to know that God has already arranged everything so that I can have this.  That He would take my heart of stone and soften it and fill it with Himself. I am already excited about the changes in my attitude towards prayer and the way I have been praying.  I will keep you updated on how things are going.

The dogs are doing great.  I am so glad that I have them to keep me company and to keep me enterained on all my nights home alone.  They are so much fun and Mia is so entertaining.  She loved to play and I could watch her bounce around for hours.  Jake is huge, but so cute!  He has the sweetest face that melts your heart and make you want to give him everythign he wants!  Maggie is doing good and is always waiting at the door to great you when you come home.  She love to have her belly rubbed first thing!  Here is how I found Maggie and Mia one morning.

 School is going awesome.  I love my class.  There are a few challenges, but in general, I think that they are my best class yet.  I know that I am better as a teacher this year and I am so excited to try a few things out this year that I started last year.  Friday and Saturday I was at workshop called Picture Perfect Science.   It was such a wonderful two days and I cannot wait to go back and beef up my science instruction.  It was exactly what I was looking for!

I think that is all for now.  If you live near by or need to come visit, I would love some company.  I have lots of alone time, so don't feel like you're imposing!