T'was a VERY Merry Christmas

What a wonderful time we had getting to be with out families!  And boy am I thankful we had the new bigger van!  I honestly don't know how we would have gotten everything there and back without the extra space!  We drove the 6 hours from here to Dallas on the 22nd and stayed with Russ' folks until mid morning on the 25th.  We left my folks' house mid morning today.  I LOVE getting to road trip and see family, but it is always good to be home again! 

The kitten

So the kitten is named Oranges.  And it now seems to be tamed.  It will come to us, eat from our hands, let us hold it.  She LOVES attention.  We brought her inside but didn't let her get down earlier.  She was nervous at first but quickly settled down.  Pupadoo, our dog, and Tabby, the inside cat, were NOT at all appreciative of this little stranger in their territory taking away attention that should be theirs.....oh well!  We are enjoying this sweet little baby.  The kids are now asking if it can be another inside pet.....the jury is still out on that one!  I'll post pictures soon....she really is cute!!

Fun festivities

Friday's Squadron party was nice.  The food was wonderful!  We didn't stay the whole time since we aren't ones to take to the dancefloor and the music was too loud to hold conversations.  Saturday dawned foggy, but we drove on up to Abilene.  The party there was nice too.  Was fun to see all those kids running around.  Then Sunday we went to church, ran some errands, came home for a bit and then went back for the Children's Christmas play and dinner.  Both were wonderful!  Oh! and I do have my new sink installed!  YEA!!!!!  one more thing crossed off the to do list!  Russ is planning to try hunting again this coming weekend.  Kevin is suppose to come down for another weekend with Lex.  Then next week we drive up to dallas for Christmas!  WOW!!!  Will go to town tomorrow to mail packages.   
A kitten that looks about 3 months old has decided to take up residence under our craft building.  It's very vocal!  And oh so cute!  It's an orange and white tabby like our indoor cat.  Kerrie has been making great strides in getting to tamed somewhat.  We will let this one be an outside cat.  We are giving it plenty of water and a little food.  Don't want it dependent on us for food so it will be a good barn cat!  Will be interesting to see if it's still around when we get back from Christmas vacation!

Update on Lex's toe

Seems where a sock has rubbed or she has bumped her toe on something, a thick callous formed.  The Doc removed that with ease, said to keep antibiotic ointment and a bandaid over it for a week and keep an eye on the spot over the next couple of months to be sure that nail doesn't start growing back there.  So thankfully the toe feels all better and we didn't have to go through more surgery.

In west Texas???

Sunday evening, the 29th, we had the Hanging of the Greens ceremony at church with our tasting party after.  Was a lovely evening as usual and the church looks so nice dressed for Christmas. Had a fairly normal week of school and chores.  Russ decided to take Friday off to take Mykhal out deer hunting.  Well we woke to almost 2 inches of snow on the ground!!!  UNBELIEVABLE!! The guys went hunting anyway but didn't get anything.  Oh well....another time.  The rest of Friday and saturday was spent doing odd jobs around the house, Mykhal rearranging his room, and Kerrie moving rooms.  Definitely a process!  Sunday morning I was on Greeter duty, Russ and I were servers for communion, and then we stopped for Mexican food on the way home.  Sunday afternoon Kerrie had Christmas play practice and I got the chance to go visit with a sweet lady in one of our nursing homes and serve her communion.  It was a wonderful day!  Lex's placement test and curriculum did arrive and I started battling computer to get everything installed.  Mykhal's computer was running slow too and so since Russ had finally found the software he decided to clear the hard drive and start over.  What a process that was too! Yesterday I finally had to call tech support for help on Lex's computer.  Thankfully it was a quick and easy fix to the problems!  Today Lex has a doctor's appointment about one of her toes again.  Seems that part of the toenail is growing back where it shouldn't.  So I'm sure more surgery is in the very near future for her.  At least we know what to expect with it this time and know that it's not a huge ordeal.  Tomorrow evening I'm driving the church van (for some strange reason they seem to think I'm well qualified for that job since I own one like it) for the kids' caroling party.  We are going to go to a retirement center to sing.    Then on Friday Russ and I have the Squadron Christmas party, Saturday is the Christmas party for the Bair foundation ( the organization we are going through for the adoption), then Sunday is the kids' Christmas play.  Gracious!  I'm hoping for a much slower week after all that.  Then it will be time to get ready to go to Dallas for Christmas with family!  Can't wait!!

Ate too much/changes for the better

Monday was a normal day for us last week.  Got school going and tried to get things for the week planned out.  Tuesday we had a Squadron Thanksgiving picnic.  It was a chilly day to be out at the lake, but with 1200 plus people around most of us stayed plenty warm.  Wednesday was a day of baking and preparing for Thanksgiving.  Thursday found us driving an hour out to our friends' house to join in celebration there.  And let me tell you....I shouldn't have bothered taking anything to eat!  The literal MOUNTAINS of food were still tall hills when everyone was leaving late in the evening.  Even after taking some leftovers to enjoy later there was still LOTS of food!  Good thing they have a walk-in fridge/freezer to store it all!!  The rest of our weekend was spent doing small projects around the house as we continue to prepare for more kids to come home. 
Our new curriculum is working out well.  So well in fact that we are switching Lex over to it as well.  Kerrie is preparing to move back to the front bedroom in the house so that she will be able to share a room with a new sister, and we are going to turn her current bedroom into a schoolroom/playroom.  Lots of changes, but all for the better!

Fun Visit

This past weekend Russ' parents were here.  They arrived Thursday afternoon and got to stay until Sunday afternoon.  We had a wonderful time just playing.  We shopped, went to the shooting range, shopped some more, ate TONS of course, and enjoyed going to worship together.  We had plenty of down time to just sit and chat too.  Was a GREAT weekend!!!

Finally relaxing

We are finally able to have something of a relaxing weekend.  Homestudy went great yesterday and the safety checklist we have covered.  So we cleaned out the sienna to get it ready for trade in this week.  Got all the keys in the key box labeled and organized, and now I'm going to work on Christmas cards and gifts while the guys work on the archery target backdrop.  Tomorrow we may try to hang some pictures and such after we get home from church....time will tell.  Sure is nice to have some down time!

Long time

Yes it's been quite awhile since I posted.  Things have certainly kept us busy around here.  We had a great time visiting family this past weekend and throwing a surprise party for Russ and his brother.  Such fun times!  I recently discovered that Mykhal and Kerrie were not putting enough effort into their school work which at that point was designed to be very independent work.  So we got some new curriculum that is computer based and comes highly recommended by trusted friends.  We have just started it but I think it's going to fit the bill!  We will still use the other curriculum also for extended learning.  Russ is starting to take days off here and there since his has leave time he has to use up before deployment.  We are enjoying the extra time off.  This week we have started our certification process for adoption!  exciting stuff!!  I'll write more about that on my other blog. 

Faster and Faster.....

About this point each year the pace of life seems to pick up.  This past week we did our usual school things on Monday and Tuesday.  Then on Wednesday got chores done and went into town after lunch.  We went to a thrift shop and found some wonderful winter clothes for Kerrie so except for some dress shoes she's set.  Then we went to the church and I got the last bit done on the Children's chapel projects! So it is complete now and looks GREAT!  Thursday we went to the park for a picnic lunch with friends and didn't leave until 4!  Was TONS of fun!!  I didn't get the errands run I wanted to though.  Just before dinner we hit another thrift shop and found great winter stuff for Mykhal (if they would just quit growing I wouldn't have to shop so much!) We tried again to go to our adoption meeting but it didn't happen again (further explanation on my other blog).  Friday I was back in town to run the errands that didn't get done on Thursday.  Saturday we got up and drove to Abilene to a good sized flea market there.  Had fun looking around, then we met up with friends and had chinese food for lunch YUM!  Got a few things done when we got home.  Sunday we went to church, ate a quick lunch and then went to the firing range.  After we finished practicing target practice, we went back to the church for the Harvest Fest.  Kerrie had a great time and Russ and I ran the ovens for pizza.  Lex and Mykhal had youth meeting at our sister church.  Finally we all got back home and I am worn out!  This next week will have me on the phone a good bit but hopefully not too many days running!

Medieval weekend

Our trip to Houston was FUN!!  though cold!  Sun never did peek through the clouds so it didn't get as warm as forecasted.  Was still a fun time.  We left home about 2 Saturday morning and made the drive without incident.  We arrived in time for opening ceremonies, but couldn't get close enough to see or hear the show at the gate.  Oh well....another time.  The faire was HUGE!  and had lots of shops to explore.  Lex and Kevin went off on their own for the day and enjoyed their time together.  Kevin seems to be a very nice young man.  So far we approve!  The hours in the car were long but the kids got caught up on sleep.  Monday we didn't do too much even though Russ was off for the day.  I have begun reorganizing and going through kitchen stuff this week.  Will finish up the Children's Chapel projects this week on Wednesday, Thursday we will do park and then our meeting that got postponed last week, and we are hoping to have some friends over this weekend!

Busy and Excited

We have been working hard to go through things.  And we are getting it done slowly.  I have gone through all my clothes, purses, and shoes....have six garbage bags full of things to sell or donate.  Went through all my kitchen utensils and gadgets too and had a large bag of those to add to the pile. Then we put all the small appliances in the kitchen closet pantry and moved all the food stuffs to the storage area outside Kerrie's room.  Starting to feel like things are really getting done!  I'm also working on a project or six for the Children's Chapel at the church.  I am painting the main door, did stain glass effect with paint on the glass panes, and am making all the window treatments.  I have been doing that mainly on Wednesdays.  Russ and I went out this weekend and got a gun safe and an ammo safe.  Makes me feel better about having the weapons in the house.   The younger two kids are still enjoying horseback riding on Thursdays.  We won't be going this week though since our adoption orientation meeting is that evening!  So that's part of our excitement!  Another excitement is the fact that we are going to the Texas Renaissance Festival on Saturday over near Houston!  And I think I made mom of the year with our oldest this week.....we are taking her boyfriend with us!  He lives in Abilene, name is Kevin, and they have never met in person.  Lex has a close friend from church camp, Nathan, who is a friend of Kevin's also and Nathan played matchmaker.  So they talk LOTS and text even more!  Kevin is coming down Friday afternoon since we are leaving on Saturday morning by 3 if I can get us out that early.  We will spend Saturday night in a hotel and come home Sunday after dropping Kevin at his home.  Lots of driving.....but we're use to that!  I must get Lex's car inspected and the oil changed in the van this week too.  so LOTS to do!  but I guess that's nothing unusual!!

Purging

No we don't have an eating disorder around here.....talking about all our STUFF!  Life often takes on new directions and the things that you thought you couldn't live without suddenly become fluff and stuff.  So we are working on going through all our "stuff" and getting rid of the "fluff"!  It's going to be a LLLLOOOONNNNNGGGGG process, but it's a much needed one.  This past week we have been doing lots of talking and now it's time to take action.  The flooring is done in the south side of the house, and even the kids are going through all their STUFF.  So it's a family affair! 
We just booked our room and bought our tickets for the Texas Renaissance Festival in Houston for Columbus day weekend.  Going to be a blast!!  After that we have a Halloween party at Russ' folks house to look forward to!  In between we are doing some getting together with friends.  As usual, Never a dull moment here.....not hardly a slow one either! And with that it's time to get back to work!!

Another week

Last week just FLEW by!  Gracious!  The kids and I did all our regular stuff throughout the week, and Friday began a rather crazy weekend.  Friday I spent the day relaxing and pampering myself with a manicure and pedicure.  The Air Force Ball was Friday night.  It was actually an enjoyable time and the food was quite tasty.  We didn't stay for the dancing and there were very few folks we saw that we knew so we didn't socialize much after either.  There were some fun personalities at our table though and we had some good laughs.  Saturday we slept in and enjoyed not having anything pressing to do during the day.  Russ and Mykhal did get Mykhal's room ready for the vinyl tile so I'll be working on that this week.  Saturday night we had Dinner for 8 with a group from our church and that was a very delightful evening!  Sunday we were up early as I was working with the Children's ministry again this week.  So much fun to do that!!  Russ and I are leading our Sunday School class this fall and that began this week.  Going to be a good time there too.  After church we made a trip to Sam's club, then it was home to put things away and get ready for the all church picnic last night.  The food of course was scrumptious!  so it was a busy weekend but fun!!

Late

Yes I know I missed a week! Sorry....but kinda hard to write a post when you're on the road with no internet connection. We have been busy to say the least. Last week we were preparing for a trip then began the jouney on Friday Sept 4th. We left town mid afternoon and drove to Russ's folks house up near Dallas, then Saturday found us on the road to Tulsa to see Russ's grandma who turned 91 this month and we had dinner with her, then Sunday found us back on the road to Russ's folks house to do a birthday dinner for his dad, Monday was a quick jaunt over to my folk's house to do birthday dinner for my mom, and Tuesday found us heading home. Was a GREAT trip but exhausting! Wednesday dawned with us pulling carpet out of our front room and hall....NASTY stuff that we should have removed before our furniture got here when we moved in. Once that was done and the concrete cleaned up, we began laying vinyl tile....this took up Thursday and part of Friday as well. Then Friday evening we had members of our Sunday School Class over for a "Back to School" type party. Was good fellowship! This week we have also been enjoying wonderful rain and cooler temperatures!! the house is opened up and airing out! Sooooo nice!! Today I took the younger two kids for a make up riding lesson while Russ pulled carpet in Mykhal's room. I'll be working on laying tile in there next week. Tomorrow I am the storyteller for our Children's ministry, then Russ and I are starting to lead Experiencing God as a study for the Sunday school class. We did not go to the adoption orientation meeting this past Thursday, so we are planning to go next month. Also in the works now are some farm animals! Can you believe it???? Yep....got plans for gardens, cows, goats, and chickens! Now we need a fence and a barn!! Russ says " and the list just keeps growing!"
Never dull around here for sure! But life is suppose to be a wonderful adventure!

GONE

Yes!!! He's GONE!!!!! Our houseguest that is. We dropped him off at the airport on Saturday. We can finally reclaim our house, craft building, truck, time, and extra finances. The past week has been good. Nothing extraordinary really going on. Kerrie did get to go to a friend's house for Thursday and Friday nights. She had a great time and learned to milk a goat!! We picked her up Saturday afternoon at a cookout with friends at their house. Was a large gathering and everyone had a lot of fun and PLENTY to eat! We had a good Sunday morning and are doing odd jobs this afternoon. Next weekend will find us on the road again!

Fast week

This was a busy week so it went very quickly. Monday I had to go into town to take care of some things at the base and grabbed a bite of lunch with Russ. Tuesday I had a Children's ministries meeting. Wednesday there was a swim party for the kids of the church. Thursday was park, errands, riding lessons, and then ladies' night out. Friday was a family day for Russ' squadron out by the lake. It was HOT and MUGGY! But it was still a nice time. I got to meet Russ' commander...very personable woman. We have lots of clouds around us today and can hear the thunder, smell the rain, but aren't getting any yet. Sure hope we do! Our third week of school was good and the kids are enjoying their studies. I'm sure since I don't have much extra planned next week that 200 things will crop up that I need to tend to. Always seems to happen that way!

A/C Installation

Here's a great picture of the guys that were installing my a/c unit. I just thought it too funny not to share!

What a week!

I think I could use the same title as last week! Last weekend we became very aware that our a/c was not working correctly. So Monday I called to set up and appt for them to come out and so they were to come out Wednesday. Tuesday I spent at the church. I filled in for our vacationing secretary that morning. Our regular young lady was unable to fill in for Monday and Tuesday. Then Tuesday afternoon I was going to be working on painting the door for our Children's Chapel, but they had not painted the room yet so I'll wait. Spent the afternoon chatting with our Children's ministries director instead. Was nice! I took the younger two kids with me and they did school there. When we got home though we discovered that the a/c was no longer working and it was 91 in the house... UGH!!! Thankfully there was rain that moved in and cooler breezes so we were ok for the night after we opened up the house. Wednesday was hot and muggy! The a/c guy didn't make it out until around 7pm. He was able to get the a/c working again with adding freon, but we had already decided to replace the unit. The guy said that they were totally booked for Thursday but might be able to get our Friday or Monday. Well Thursday morning I get a call from the boss man who confirms our desire to have a new a/c system and then says they've had a cancellation for the day and can be out in an hour! As I'm standing there in my pajamas going over my list of errands for the day, I say that's great! So I hang up and the scramble begins. Lex was able to take care of the one errand that HAD to be done and I got a workout and a shower before the workmen arrived! Whew! So today we are starting our reading program and making sure all school work is finished. Then this afternoon we will go run the errands I didn't run yesterday. Never a dull moment right? Not sure what all we will accomplish this weekend, but we'll get something done I'm sure. Going to smoke more meat for one thing! YUM!! I'm just thankful that we have cool air again along with the pleasure of a reduced electric bill!! I do have some pictures of our a/c replacement, but that will have to wait until tomorrow or sometime....

I Survived!

Our first week of school combined with evening VBS at church is OVER! and I still have all my hair, my kids still have all of theirs, Russ still has most of his.....just kidding I think it's all still there just more gray ...no not really! It's been a long week, but I think our new schedule is going to work well! We are all exhausted right now, but next week will be better since we won't have evening stuff going too.
Lex has gone to Rock The Dessert this weekend. It's a two day Christian concert in Midland. She is not pleased with the sleeping arrangements there so is riding too and from with some of the youth leaders who aren't staying over. Her toes are healing very well after the ingrown toenail removal surgery she had almost 3 weeks ago. She said the recovery pain was nothing compared to the pain of the ingrown nails! She is finally starting to walk normally again.
Mykhal will get to go to the concert next year. I just wasn't quite comfortable enough with his going this year to let him. So it will be something he gets to do with the high school group. It works out well that way.
Kerrie has recently discovered talking on the phone to one of her local friends. Thankfully both of us mom's agree that 10 min is enough since they talk at least once a week and see each other at least every other week. She will get to have her own phone when she is twelve. Right now she is just anxious to get her own Military ID. The kids are able to get them at age 10.....and she's there now.
Lex has decided to drop horseback riding and is going to pursue volunteering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Mykhal and Kerrie are still doing the horse riding and enjoying it. They have both mentioned wanting to do gymnastics again though....time will tell on that.
Kids are all doing well in school! Guess that's about all there is for now.

Back in the swing of things

We ended our school year close to the end of May. Summer time has consisted of a science course, Church camps, a grand 4th of July celebration, planning and executing projects around the house, and trying to stay cool. We are starting back into a full schedule of classes on Monday. The kids are looking forward to it almost as much as I am. Lex is plugging along in her studies and doing well. Overall she is maintaining a good B average. Mykhal is very excited to begin learning piano this year. Kerrie is showing an artistic eye and will be starting some art courses this year. We have decided not to participate with the homeschool group this year. But we have made friends that we will still be able to do things with. We are looking at the possibility of taking a road trip in September, and probably going to a Medieval Faire in October in Houston. Also in either September or October we are planning to attend an information meeting for adoption. We will go and get some questions answered and get paperwork to fill out. Then the holidays will be upon us! Wow!! Where has the year gone???

Water lily garden

On July 5th in the afternoon, my parents and I braved the humidity and heat to go to the International Water Lily Garden here in San Angelo. The blooms were absolutely beautiful...as you can see! What a treat!

Celebrations

WOW!!! what a fun weekend! It all started really back around Father's day when we bought Russ a new smoker. We proceeded to smoke about 40 pounds of meat....pork roast and ribs. Then come last Wednesday Russ' folks drove into town pulling their trailer and parked here on our property. We enjoyed visiting and going out to eat with them. Then on Saturday, the 4th, we put the meat back on the grill to thaw and finish cooking....low and slow. My parents pulled into town in the early afternoon and other friends from church and work began arriving about 4. We had soooooo much food and such good fellowship. It was HOT for sure! But we had a bit of shade to enjoy, games to play, and ample iced tea and lemonade for all! And no one left hungry!
We filled an entire row of seats at church on Sunday with both sets of parents with us. I was slotted for Deacon's duties that day and so asked Dad to join me in serving communion. What a wonderful treat that was! (Dad is a retired Preacher for those who do not know.)
Now we are preparing our project calendar and supply lists. Will begin working this next weekend. (yes I'm a slave driver...hahaha).

Getting there....

Yesterday is experience. Tomorrow is hope. Today is getting from one to the other as best we can.

John M. Henry


I think I really like this statement! It holds great truth.

And we are getting there....
We recently sat down to make a list of all the things we wanted to do in and around the house. Then we organized the list.....now we just need to prioritize it and get started! There's painting, taking in the back porch, deck building, living room remodeling, garden planting, and more! WHEW! I get tired just talking about it, but it's going to be great as we get things done. It's all about making our house our home. And we are getting there....
(pictures will come as we work I promise!)

...Full

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.


It was Easter 1983 in an OLD church in Ft. Worth, TX, the day I was baptized. I was 11 years old. Having been a pastor's kid since the age of 6, and having grown up in church before that, I had the understanding needed to take this step. And so I began the next phase of my Walk of Faith..............

It was December 15, 1983 in Poteau, OK and just as I was about to get ready for bed there was a knock at the door. I answered it to find policemen asking for my dad. Dad stepped out on the porch to talk and came back in a bit later a shattered man. My sister had been murdered. “How could God allow this to happen?” was my cry. It was 10 years before I finally came to terms with my grief and allowed God's healing of my heart. During those years I was not joyful, I did not pray, I was not thankful....I wanted nothing to do with God.....I was MAD! But that's not the face I showed to the world and somehow God used that one small part of me that wasn't walled off. Looking back God was working through me and around me that whole time. But I had put blinders on and didn't want to see. God comforted my friends through me, God brought my husband to be into a relationship with Him partially through me....but I didn't see and couldn't rejoice in Work of the Lord. I was married and pregnant with our second child before I fell on my face before the Almighty and found myself scooped up into the Everlasting, Loving arms of my Father..................

Now it's February 27, 2009 and my little two and half year old boy goes into a seizure in my arms, and dies. I cling to the only thing I know will help: the Hand of my God. How different my reaction, how different the results. God provided me with a peace that passes all understanding, He provided me friends who provided that human touch, He gave me strength, He gave me comfort. And I rejoiced in knowing I would one day see my little one again, I celebrated the two and half years of memories I had. And I sought to find how God would be glorified.

I was/am joyFULL, I was/am thankFULL, and continue to Pray and give Glory unto my God. God is the Great Provider, the Great Comforter, and the Ultimate Peacemaker. I strive daily, moment by moment to let the Light of God shine through me so that all around me will be drawn to Him, and once in awhile He provides me with glimpse of His power at work.

more tumbling thoughts

Mark 11:24 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”


Do you mean it? When you pray for someone do you mean it? We ask for peace for someone in a troubled time, we ask for strength for someone when they are down, we pray for comfort for one who is in pain, and we pray for healing for the sick. Why are we always so surprised when our prayers are answered? Do we mean it when we pray? I know I am earnest in the moment.....but what about tomorrow? Do I still mean it?

Recently, as we experienced our own tragedy, we had more people than we could possibly begin to count praying for us. I asked people to pray specifically for peace and comfort for our family. And you know what???? God provided! Amazing huh?? We shouldn't be so surprised. God is our Great Provider! He hears and answers our prayers! He is faithful even in the smallest of details!

A friend, during this time, has been approached repeatedly by others wondering how it is I have a smile on my face, how can I be so calm and full of joy. And she lowers the boom! “What do you mean?” she asks, “Didn't you pray for peace and comfort for her? Did you expect God NOT to answer your prayer?” I say you go girl!

But how often are we the ones asking “How?” Is our Faith not even the size of the mustard seed? Or do we think God is too busy? Pray BELIEVING, KNOW that God will answer, and REJOICE REJOICE REJOICE! Give God the Glory that is HIS! Amen and Amen.

Tumbling thoughts this morning

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

~ Romans 12:16, NLT

I subscribe to KLOVE's Encouraging Word of the Day. This is today's. And my mind starts working.....

how often do we find ourselves on top of the "I'm so good for God" pedestal? Now I'm not saying we shouldn't strive to be "Good for God", but where is our attitude? What's in our heart? Are we striving to be there for us?...thinking we are doing it for God? Or are we giving, campassionate, and Loving our way to being "good for God"? Are we looking around and saying oh those poor people? or are we trying to make a difference for someone else? Is our way the only way? or are we attuned to God and listening for His instruction so that we do it His way? Aren't we just ordinary people too? Like Noah and Moses and Abraham, Mary and Peter and John....Ordinary people leading ordinary lives... not on a pedestal...called by God, instructed by God, to do extrordinary things.

So if you find yourself with a spiritual nosebleed,or maybe a little altitude sickness, Look around you.....it might be time to take a leap of Faith and join the rest of the ordinary people....God just might be calling you to make a difference.

Our craft building

This is how it all began in October of 2008

With the help of Russ' folks we began work in earnest

The floor is down. End of day 1

The walls go up

The roof goes on

And it finally looks like a building

We got it painted Memorial Day 2009.
This building is 12ft by 48 ft. It houses an office, workout space, sewing area, jewelry making areas, bead making areas, oil painting area, and a scrapbooking area. We also have storage space for each craft. It's a dream come true! Finally we don't have to clear off the craft supplies off the dining table so we can eat!

Duckies!

While Russ and I were enjoying our anniversary picnic (tomorrow makes 18 years together), along came a momma duck and her babies. They were SOOOOOO cute!

Pix from the water park

Kerrie shivering....Dad Laughing


Mykhal wishing dad wouldn't block the sun
Lunch....
Yum!
Top of the Caribean Swing
A brave soul harnessed up
On his way to the top
On your mark, get set,...
GO!!! swinging through the two towers
And back again.
Better him than me. We watched them send two and three people up at a time....UGH! NO THANK YOU!!!

Cold waterpark weekend

We did get up to Arlington and to the water park. Our drive up was cold and rainy, but we were behind the worst of the rain so it wasn't too bad. Then we met up with my folks and Russ' folks for dinner....good food and good company! Lex had no desire to go play in the water so she went home with Russ' folks for the night. She took schoolwork to get ahead on during Sunday. Sunday morning dawned slightly overcast, but the sun soon broke through and began to warm the air. We had a leisurely morning since the park didn't open until 10:30. I did take pictures as I promised I would, but I don't have a cable for this camera nor a reader for the card so the pics will have to wait. The sun was warm and the sunning chairs were quite inviting....so Russ and I sat while Mykhal and Kerrie went off to play in the icy cold water. Watching every one's reaction to the water was highly entertaining as we sat in the nice warm sun. The kids checked in periodically so all was good. We did get to witness further entertainment with a short jump rope team display, and one of the wildest rides I've ever seen! They had three towers and cables hanging between two and a wench on the third. People were hooked up to the cables in a hang glider harness and pulled up to the top of the third tower about 250 feet in the air. They pulled a rip cord releasing the wench cable and away the swung! FLYING at the ends of the other cables. It was just a huge swing....but what a wild ride! No I didn't want to go up....but yes I did get pix. We left the park about 3 in the afternoon with the kids shivering in the breeze. After showering we met up with Lex and Russ' folks for a steak dinner. It was a whirlwind weekend, but it was fun! Good to be back home again though. I'll get pix posted as soon as I can get things figured out. Now it's back to the grindstone tomorrow morning! Blessings!

Birthday

What a glorious day it has been! I am so richly blessed with so many wonderful friends and family members!! I have had numerous emails, phone calls, texts, and posts to my homeschool lounge page. God is sooooo Good!!

Happy Mother's Day!

As I sit here thinking about it being Mother's day, reasons I'm proud of my kids start to come to mind. They are growing so fast. But they are becoming incredible young adults. They are learning to use their words to truly communicate with each other (instead of crying and screaming), with us (instead of whining), and with their God. Without being prompted, each of them is seeking a place to serve in the church. Their desire to give from the heart is truly evidencing itself. Their understanding of the world, and their faith, and the difference their faith has on their world and the world around them is growing by leaps and bounds. I am so greatly blessed by my children. And yes I'm going to make sure they read this so they know how proud I am that they are mine.
I had many people today hug me and ask deeply how I am. I know they were truly asking how I am feeling on this first Mother's day after our precious Nathan went to his Heavenly home. I was able to smile and squeeze them back assuring them that I am doing fine. No I'm not lying nor in denial. I sit here with tears rolling down my face as I write this, and I am blessed. I got to hold and enjoy that precious baby for 2 and a half years. And now I rejoice in those memories.
....and more importantly I keep making happy memories with my other three children. As the song "Cinderella" says "...so I'll dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms, 'cause I know something the prince never knew, oh I'll dance with Cinderella, I don't want to miss even one song, 'cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight...and she'll be gone."
I sit here this Mother's day thinking also of the family yet to come. Yes, there's the next generation part of that, but as we are looking into adopting in the near future I think about the children who will be ours. And I pray, I pray that God will protect their hearts and help them to have hope of a better future...pray that God will begin their healing now.
So on this Mother's day, I hope you are "dancing" with your child(ren)! And that you will keep dancing and making memories! God Bless!!!

I am so glad that this school year is nearing an end! There's light at the end of the tunnel!! We will continue to do some schooling through the summer months just so we don't lose our "groove". But with Church camps, park days, weekends with family, and mini vacations we just don't have time for a full course load. And then of course there are the projects on the house we want to work on too.
Kerrie recently participated in Jump Rope for Heart through our homeschool co-op. She raised over $150 dollars on her own, contributing to the over $1700 total that was raised by the dozen or so participants. By raising that amount, Kerrie earned 2 free passes to Hurricane Harbor water park in Arlington. They are having a special day for just the JumpRope for Heart kids and families on May 17th. So we are going. Hopefully we will get to touch base with family while we are up there, but the details on that will have to be worked out quickly! I'm sure I'll have pictures to post after that weekend!
Time for me to go get ready to pick up our weekly produce! Have a blessed day and weekend everyone!

Keeping up...well with the rest of you!

I can't say I'm keeping up with the Jones' since I am one....but I've finally joined the fun and have myself a blog.