Amanda's 7th Birthday Party

Amanda is so camera shy!

Bella Ballerina


Hey hey...the gang's all here


I'm not sure why my daughter is the one with the fewest clothes on


Movie time


Everyone say "Good Morning"!

So this was Amanda's 7th birthday party. There are some things Daddy is good at and some things Mommy is good at. We found out last night that Mommy is the Birthday Party Queen and Daddy is the Birthday Party Wimp!

Brooke asked Amanda what three friends she would like to have over for a spend the night party for her birthday...actually, let me backtrack. Brooke asked Amanda who ALL she would like to have over for a spend the night birthday party and I (wisely) suggested the number "3". Anyway, Amanda chose her friends and they came over for a girls night at the Hurts. It didn't take long for me to figure out I did not have the nerve for four screaming, giggling girls spending the night. Brooke's friend Meagan came over for a while, so I headed over to their house and spent time with my friend (Meagan's husband), Daniel. Brooke, Meagan and the girls did their girl thing here (movies, dress up, make up, hair do's, etc) while Daniel and I watched Hotel Rwanda.

When I came home around 11:30pm, two of the girls were asleep in the living room while Amanda and one other were trying to see who could stay awake the longest. Brooke spent most of the night sleeping on the couch to keep an eye on the girls (who finally went to sleep) while the doggies and I got the bed.

Brooke came to bed a couple hours before the girls got up. They had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, played a little more and then their parents came. Amanda told Brooke it was the best party ever...Mommy is Birthday Party Queen.

- Rob

P.S. You can see all the birthday pictures by clicking on our "Family Photos" link on the Link section of our blog.

Christmas.com

I know Christmas is over, but I just ran across this version of the Christmas story today...and it's worth reading. It's called Christmas.com, but I guess you could best describe it as a techy allegory of the Christmas story. Check it out.

- Rob

Kennedale fire, December 27. 2006. The fire jumped the frontage road but did not make it across Hwy. 287

Kennedale Fire, December 27, 2005 - This apartment complex had fire in the fields and lawn all around it but was spared.

Kennedale Fire, Decemberr 27, 2005 - It's hard to see in this picture, but in the middle of the picture toward the back wood is still smoldering 20+ hours after the fire yesterday.

Kennedale Fire, December 27, 2005 - The flames got so close to this house that it looked like the AC unit on the side of the house (the gray "box" next to the playground equipment) was burned up, but the house was spared.

Kennedale Fire, December 27, 2005 - The red brick houses that survived was on the other side of the field from this lot.

Kennedale Fire, December 2005 - Same lot as the burned out car. They lost everything.

Strike Two

I tried the snoball cooking thing again this evening. This time, I mixed the ingredients in the correct order, but appearantly that was not enough. My snoballs were still flat instead of balls, and despite the fact that I added the 1/2 powdered sugar to yesterday's recipe and added 1/2 cup less flour, they still tasted like they had too much flour.


I called Mom and asked her what she thought went wrong. She suggested sifting the flour first next time and then using stick butter instead of the tub butter since it is not quite as soft. If there is a next time...strike two.

- Rob

Kennedale Fire, December 27, 2005 - Another house totally destroyed.

One AWESOME Plane

F-22A Raptor fighter jets based at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., sit on the flight line on Monday, Dec. 19, 2005. The Air Force's new F-22A is such a dominant fighter jet that in combat exercises its pilots typically take on six F-15s at once. Despite the favorable odds, the F-15s are no contest for the supersonic stealth jet, which is officially ready for combat as of this month. The F-22A officially became ready for combat this month with a squadron of 12 Raptors on standby for worldwide deployment at Langley Air Force Base, Va. (U.S. Air Force/Handout/Reuters)

Strike One

The greatest cookie in the world is one of my Aunt Jan's snoball cookies. I don't mean it is one of the best in the world...it is THE best cookie period! I've been craving Aunt Jan's snoball cookies and I was afraid she would just send me a batch instead of give the recipe if I asked, so I went to the Internet this afternoon.

All the snoball cookie recipes I found called for pecans, but I remember Aunt Jan telling me they need chocolate chips instead of the nuts, so that's what I went with. The recipe I found was as follows:

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1½ cups chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Beat margarine, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. Blend in chocolate chips, flour and salt. Refrigerate dough 1 hour. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheets; cool on wire racks. Dust with powdered sugar. Store in airtight container.

OK, first of all, I changed 1.5 cups of pecans to 1.5 cups of chocolate chips. I don't think that's what led to the disaster...I think it was something after that. First of all, I put everything in the bowl before I mixed instead of leaving the chips, flour and salt to the later part of the mixing routine. Secondly, I thought the 1/2 cup of powdered sugar was for the "dusting" at the end, so I didn't mix it in with everything else. I put the dough in the refrigerator for an hour, but when it was time to make balls, it didn't roll very well so I sorta blobbed it on the pan.

The result? The cookies were not in balls and they tasted something like flour pancakes with chocolate chips in them! Not only did they not take like Aunt Jan's, but they didn't taste good enough to eat. Amanda thought she wanted one, but she threw her second half in the trash as I was tossing the rest of them.

Now I've got to go buy more chocolate chips and butter if I want to try it again. Strike one.

- Rob

What Kind of Soldier Am I?

Speirs to Blithe: "The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function. Without mercy. Without compassion. Without remorse. All war depends on it." - Band of Brothers

As Christians, we talk about fighting a battle and serving in the Lord's army. As I was watching Band of Brothers last night and heard this quote, I wondered how much different the world would be if we were this kind of soldier. Obviously Christ does not want us to be without mercy, compassion or remorse, but what if we functioned without doubt, selfishness or pride? What if we so considered ourselves dead, as did the Apostle Paul, that we did what soldiers do...follow orders regardless of personal desire, fear or danger?
A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. - Ephesians 6:10-13, NLT

What kind of soldier am I?

- Rob

Go KCBabes

When I was youth pastor, Brooke is the one who talked football with all the guys. I'm not that into sports, but my wife is, especially when it comes to football. This was her first year to play fantasy football. She played in three leagues and got first place in two of them! This league is one she was in with 1 other girl and 10 guys mostly from our church. This was not an automatic draft team...she picked 'em and she won with 'em. Way to go, Babe!

- Rob

A Perfect Parent

A perfect parent is a person with excellent child-rearing theories and no actual children.

—Dave Barry

Making Christmas Memories

Brooke and I were talking the other day about the number of "messed up" people in the world. We weren't really trying to be mean or judgemental, but sometimes I have to wonder what makes certain people tick. And then I said to Brooke, "You know, I just don't think we realize how blessed we are to have come from good homes where we knew we were loved." The more I observe people, the more I realize how much "a rough childhood" can really mess people up. That same night we drove through a very well-to-do neighborhood in the high school district where Amanda will be going to high school if we do not move before then. All of this led us to talk about how Amanda would never grow up in a rich household, but we are determined she grow up in a home knowing she is loved, knowing her Mom and Dad are not going to divorce and where she can learn to grow up into the godly woman she was created to be.

Because we are committed to family at the Hurt household, we're planning lots of family time while Amanda is out of school for Christmas. On Friday, Brooke, Amanda and I went to see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. We talked with Amanda about the movie before we went, about how it was an allegory, and about the Christian symbolism/story in the movie. She sat on my lap during the movie and we talked about the symbolism throughout the movie. She remembered what I had told her and understood what was going on during the movie. Afterwards, she asked if we could get the movie when it comes out on DVD. Yes, I told her, we will get it. (Very good movie). I then asked her if she would like to get the books, the Chronicles of Narnia, and read them (I read to Amanda at bedtime). When she said "yes", I was glad since she already had the one volume set under the Christmas tree.

Tonight we finished the book Last Flight of Noah's Ark and are excited to begin the Chronicles of Narnia tomorrow night. We read together at night for several reasons: because Amanda likes it and because it encourages her desire to read, but the main reason I take 20-30 minutes out of my evening is to make memories. I want Amanda to remember the times she and her Daddy spent together before she went to bed. I want her to remember the stories we shared, the secure feeling she had going to sleep knowing she is loved, and knowing that she is worth taking time for.

On Christmas Eve, we slept in a bit. We hung around the house until 3pm or so and then headed over to my parents. We played Pigs and Chickens (a dice game) which Amanda won. Mom made vegetable soup and chili for dinner, but the vegetable soup was so good that nobody got around to the chili! After that, we sat down read the Christmas story, opened Christmas presents and then watched It's a Wonderful Life .

We purposely did all of the stocking stuff and gift opening on Saturday we could focus on Jesus' birthday today. We slept in and then went to church at 10:30am. We had a good time of worship, special music and reading, a message from Pastor and family communion. We came home, Brooke and I slept while Amanda watched Madagascar twice and then we went to spend some time with Brooke's brother and his family. We came home this evening and Amanda played with her new computer game until bedtime when we finished reading our book and prayed before she fell asleep. Brooke is not on the couch reading/falling asleep while I sit here and blog. It has been a good day and a good few days of making Christmas memories.

- Rob

Puzzling Picture

It's a Wonderful Life

Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.

Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

- Clarence the angel from It's a Wonderful Life

Merry Christmas

Luke 1:26-38

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! " 29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 "Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! 31 You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!" 34 Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." 35 The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God." 38 Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left.

Matt. 1:18-25

Now this is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, being a just man, decided to break the engagement quietly, so as not to disgrace her publicly. 20 As he considered this, he fell asleep, and an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to go ahead with your marriage to Mary. For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All of this happened to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: 23 "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel (meaning, God is with us)." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded. He brought Mary home to be his wife, wife, 25 but she remained a virgin until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Luke 2:1-20

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

8 That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, 10 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! 11 The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!" 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others--the armies of heaven--praising God: 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors. " 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, 19 but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

Matt. 2:1-12

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him." 3 Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law. "Where did the prophets say the Messiah would be born?" he asked them. 5 "In Bethlehem," they said, "for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 `O Bethlehem of Judah, you are not just a lowly village in Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.' " 7 Then Herod sent a private message to the wise men, asking them to come see him. At this meeting he learned the exact time when they first saw the star. 9 After this interview the wise men went their way. Once again the star appeared to them, guiding them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But when it was time to leave, they went home another way, because God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Matt. 2:13-15

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up and flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to try to kill the child." 14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod's death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "I called my Son out of Egypt."

Matt. 2:16-18

16 Herod was furious when he learned that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, because the wise men had told him the star first appeared to them about two years earlier. 17 Herod's brutal action fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah: 18 "A cry of anguish is heard in Ramah-- weeping and mourning unrestrained. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted--for they are dead."

Matt. 2:19-23

When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and told him, 20 "Get up and take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead." 21 So Joseph returned immediately to Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler was Herod's son Archelaus, he was afraid. Then, in another dream, he was warned to go to Galilee. 23 So they went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets concerning the Messiah: "He will be called a Nazarene."

All Scripture taken from New Living Translation

Things I Want You AND Everybody Else To Know

Dear Brookie,

At the funeral this week, people stood around saying what they remembered and appreciated about Mark. As I was thinking how nice it was that so many people had so many nice things to say about him, I also thought how sad it was that we often wait until people are gone to say those kinds of things about them. I don't want to wait until you are gone to tell you (and everybody else) what I remember/appreciate/love about you.

You have to be the most loving "people person" I know. You are not happy if EVERYBODY (and I do mean EVERYBODY) is not happy. You work to make me happy, Amanda happy, your family happy, my family happy, the people you work for happy, the people who work with you happy, our church family happy, teachers and people at school happy, the lady who cuts your hair happy, the person checking you out at the store happy...HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY. You always want to make everybody happy. Hey...you do a GREAT job at it.

You love Amanda Kay and you are a great Mommy. You always want to pick up something for her when you are out just to remind her she is loved. You work hard to help her look good at school like helping her dress up for special days, etc. You know everything she likes and dislikes. You help her be confident in who God made her to be. You do a GREAT job as a Mommy.

You have a BIG heart. You love people, you always want to help (even when you're helping 20 other people simultaneously) and you always want to give. Give your time, give your money, give your support. You are a GREAT giver.

You like to have fun. We both know on the spontaneity scale, you are more towards one end and I am toward the other. I'm not always (ok, not usually) as eager to jump into something new or on the spur of the moment as you are, but you sure are good at making memories. You're GREAT at making memories that will last a lifetime.

And I guess the one thing hardly anybody else knows about you, and probably the one thing I am most thankful for is the way you have adapted your life and made room for me. When people get married, they give up who they are as an individual and become one together. Some parts of that are easy, and others are really hard. You have to be one of the most adaptive, loving and giving people I have every known. In our marriage, I try to make sure that I am giving my fair share, but I know I cannot come anywhere near where you are in the area of adapting and changing to make "you" and "me" into "us". This certainly is not an excuse to quit changing on my part, but I have seen you do so many things to become a good wife to me. Sometimes my personality can get stuck in a rut, and too often I have the "strong" personality. You manage to stay the unique and special person God made you to be, yet you make changes to be what I desire in a wife. When I'm not being selfish, I see you struggle sometimes, but I never hear you complain. I don't know what can make one person love another so much to be what you are to me, but I thank God for you. Solomon said it right when he said "he who finds a wife finds a good thing". When I found you as a wife, I found a GREAT thing.

Please forgive me for not saying these things more often to you and to the people around me. If I should out-live you, I want other people to know the kinds of things I am going to say about you at your funeral because they've heard me saying them every day. After Christ, you are truly the GREATEST gift God has ever given me and I want you to know how much I love you.

You are the love of my life!

- Rob