This past year, Lynley and I were blessed and thankful to see our daughter make a profession of faith in Jesus.  Ava is approaching her 8th birthday and her baptism was one of the most special moments of her life.  Of course, being her dad, I was especially proud and emotional as I lowered her little body into that water.  It was an unforgettable moment for our entire family.

11. Our little duck. Jack Mandrell learned to swim under water this past summer.  He made us laugh out loud every time he dipped his head under like a duck looking for food.

12. Mud, mud, mud. One day in the spring, after several days of nonstop rain, the kids just couldn’t stand one more hour indoors.  It was exceedingly difficult for Lynley and I to stand back and watch the colossal mess transpire, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of 2010.

13. Goodbye training wheels! A rite of passage took place on the same day for both Ava and Max.  A few spills in the grass and they had it down.  Independence day had come.

14. More Jack in the water. No explanation needed.  The boy has more courage than his siblings.

15. A New Tradition is Born. This year, our family did something new.  One Sunday afternoon, following church, we decided to eat lunch in the Dining Room (you know, that room with the nice table and the china cabinet.)  The kids thought it was really something.  We found it to be another way to make Sunday special.  I’m so thankful for Lynley’s crockpot recipes that allow us to eat as a family following three services.  Nap time soon follows, which I appreciate almost as much.

16. First day of school. Looking forward to seeing how each year looks a little bit different.  Our little girl is a reader now!  First grade.  Next year, Max will enter Kindergarten and only two will remain at home.  It’s changing so quickly. Some days that realization makes me joyful; other days that makes me sad.  Bittersweet.

17. Growing, growing, growing. This is a photo of all the grandkids on Lynley’s side of the family.  Granddaddy and Grandmama have done their part to multiply the earth with people!  In addition, another little girl, Lydia, just arrived.  Another little boy is coming soon.  That’ll make 15.

18.  Countin’ the offering. This past summer, I served as the Treasurer for the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference.  Several offerings were taken up to cover the cost of the conference and I was in charge of getting them to the bank.  This appears to be a high-stakes poker game.  I can assure you that Paul Priddy and I deposited every dime.  :-)  This experience gave me a new appreciation for those folks who count the Englewood offering every Monday morning.

19.  Potty Training Complete. Game over.  Thank the Lord!  Pampers stock has plummeted this year, I’m sure.  The Mandrells are no longer customers.  I told you it was a big year.

20. The Pumpkin Patch. There is nothing better than fall.  By far, my favorite season of the year.  Pumpkins, pumpkin spice lattes, college football, sweatshirts and jeans, a break in the heat of the summer, sittin’ outside in a lawn chair, college students return to Jackson…!  I could go on and on.

I’m so thankful for my wife.  She takes her camera-shootin’ very seriously.  Sometimes I moan and groan about “picture time” but I always admit my shortsightedness once I get the final product in my hands.  As the old adage goes,  a “picture is worth a thousand words.”  Each of these pictures were worth 10,000 to me in 2010.

1. Jack’s pancake prayer. I couldn’t help myself when I took out the camera and snapped this picture.  I know that grownups are supposed to “shut their eyes” and be a good example to children at mealtimes.  Lord, forgive me, but you do understand, right?

2. Seafood and Sunshine. Every year, I love to escape to the sand, to soak up some rays, and to eat crab legs with Lynley at some never-before-tried restaurant that just so happens to be located on a deck overlooking water.  This year was no exception.  Retreat is so vital to our marriage…to every marriage.  I thank God for that sacred time with her.

3. Car pool. Our family is very serious about redeeming wasted time.  Max and Ava like to catch up on world events right after morning oatmeal.

4.Lynley’s Speaking Debut. At the Englewood Women’s Conference, I had the joy of sharing the platform with Lynley and listening to her share her heart on marriage, parenting, and walking with God.  This picture was taken behind the scenes as she put on her first “face microphone.”  She was a natural.

5. Shark Hunt. Max Mandrell had the day of his life on the beach.  You can’t tell by the photo, but gigantic schools of black minnows had drifted toward the shore.  As he put his little net in the water, he pulled up gobs of tiny fish.  He was elated.  Minutes later, the Coast Guard showed up and told us that sharks were dangerously close and feeding on the minnows.  Needless to say, Max came ashore.  I love his little boy silhouette.

6. All I want for Christmas. This is my daughter Ava (on the right) and her little friend, Addie Cultra.  Addie lives a stone’s throw from our house and these two gals are growing up together.  How excited they were to share in “their time of loss.”  Note to readers: Lynley Mandrell does ALL tooth-pullin’ at our house.  I just can’t handle it.

7. Christmas Nativity. It’s an annual tradition at Grandmama’s in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  All the kids act out the Christmas story and every year, they can hardly stand the excitement to see what part they have earned on the cast.  Lynley and I were proud of our Joseph, the two wise men, and the angel.  Special times.

8. New Friends: the Cottrells. Lynley and I have been so blessed to have wonderful people fill our lives and invade our home these past 8 years in Jackson.  This year, God brought Travis and Angela into our world and this has introduced another layer of joy and laughter.  This pic was taken at the Orpheum in Memphis.  (Yes, that is a bowtie he is wearing.  I have tried to talk to him about his style, but he refuses to listen. He is quite obstinate.)

9. Our First 3D Film. We finally broke down and attempted a trip to the movie theatre to see Toy Story 3.  As you can see in the pic, Jack stayed with a sitter, but Lynley and I had such a ball watching the screen light up on their little faces.  The best part was watching those three kids maneuver those “lift-up” seats.  Several times, I thought Miles was going to be swallowed up by his chair, as if it were some kind of Great White.

10. Miles Mandrell, the thinker. All of our kids are unique, just like each of yours are.  Miles is not a poser.  He reluctantly stands for every picture, but for some reason, this moment was different.  He put on Lynley’s reading glasses and looked up at the camera.  In a snap, we received this shot, which seems to say so much about his personality.  ”Deep Thoughts by Miles Mandrell.”  I expect to see that book on shelves one day.  Ha!