reflection...

Okay so as the New Year approaches I begin to think about goals and what the New Year will hold...
The new issue of People magazine comes out..."Half Their Size"...I need to be motivated by that...not that I want to be half my size but 1/4 might not be a bad goal! I want to be more deliberate in my actions...not just "go with the flow" of the day...but plan and decide what we are going to spend our time in...make investments in. I am going to be at home more...not running all over town because I forgot something from the store...which means I am going to need to do menu planning! The most important goal is to spend more time in the Word...reading...meditating...setting Godly goals...doing that all the other will fall into place and I will like the reflection...

Dale is 7 years old!

My goodness time has FLOWN by!! Our precious little boy is 7!! We had a good birthday at home this year. He choose an "army" theme so we had a tank cake, and it was really cool! We just hung out as a family and went to eat wherever he wanted. Breakfast was the traditional donut...lunch was PF Changs...and supper was Long John Silvers! We love this little boy so much...cannot believe how fast he is growing up. He is almost 60 pounds and is over 4 ft tall. I think he will be HUGE! He is sweet and kind and loves his family and friends. He is just the best gift from the Lord and we treasure him.

Remembering...

Remembering why we homeschool...
because some days I want to price uniforms...
because it is hard...
and a lot of work...
...and we have attitudes....both of us...especially me...

...then I remember I want to homeschool because He told me too...and I had better listen and get it together and take it serious...because I don't want them to remember that I ... priced uniforms or on hard days that I didn't want to do the hard things especially when I had a bad and selfish attitude!...So I am going to take a bid dose of get over myself and get it in gear and treasure this time...it is flying by!!

Dale is going to have a birthday!

WOW so I decided that we could take a trip down memory lane! Dale is about to be SEVEN! WHOA...time has flown for us. Stephen and I are seriously trying to talk him into not growing anymore or having birthdays! Oh we will still get him gifts and have parties but we just want him to slow down on this growing up he is so good at! Dale is a sweetie...so is his sister! I am going to post some photos of birthdays past for our little trip down memory lane! These are from when he was born...his first birthday and then also a second b day shot...that one because it included "B" his teddy bear he still sleeps with! What a special boy we have been blessed with...more later! E

Grapes!

Planting the first Grapes in March 2005! WOW! I will put up some from this year it is amazing to see how far they have come!

Okay so we are having a good day.

Stephen is still gone...he is in Texas getting an airplane. Please pray he gets home soon. Some complications with the plane along with weather have delayed his trip home. And if you didn't already know we just bought an airplane. A Cozy Mark IV, this was a dream of Stephen's for years. So yay for dreams coming true!

We have some little friends over to play. Their sweet Mommy and Daddy and little brother are getting their household goods delivered today. We are enjoying the fun and giggles. But right now they are all "resting" WOW!! All on laying down, not together, and looking at books. I think "A" may be sleeping. We went to the park and played and then got lunch. After rest time we are going for a walk!

So I am going to work on the budget. Fun stuff!!

More later...E

The Front!

Okay so we will start with the "front" of the house!! As you can see we do have some grass, this is nice not all the houses out here do! Of course we have put pumpkins outside, reminds me a little of home! The area with the gravel is leading up to the backyard but it has a sitting area, I guess if we wanted we could sit out there and watch the kids ride bikes. We spend most of our outside time in the back...when I post those you will see why! Tonight we are having some friends over so I am going to clean so I will take the other photos!! We do have a few boxes left...still not the storage we need but we really do love the house. COME SEE US!!

Cub Scout Cake Photos

See I really did let him crack an egg!!

Cub Scout Cake

YAY for Dale he made a cake for Cub Scouts. I even let him crack the eggs and pour in the ingredients!! I did roll out the sugar leaves BUT he put them on himself! I iced the cake too...I know but my OCD came out and I couldn't stand to think of the mess...I am working on it...he did get to crack 3 eggs!!



We had so much fun last night at the Pack meeting. His cake was the highest bid and made $25, the total for the troop was over $500!! He was so excited. He bought a "football" cake and it was yummy, or so they tell me...has gluten so it is a no go for me!



Well supper time around here...I am thinking In-N-Out burgers...YUMMY! And yes I can eat there, just no bread/bun.

For some reason it won't let me post pictures...I will get them on here later!!

WOW...I'm BACK!

Okay so in honor of the halfathon that we are doing I have taken a photo of day one of training. We are going to do this to celebrate a friends milestone birthday and also to get in shape...the motivation will be the trip and celebrating with my girl friends. Most are walking it, some are running but in the end it will be fun and great for us all. We still aren't sure where we are doing the halfathon but will keep you posted!!

So we are mostly settled into our new home. Moving across country to a different part out West has been an adventure. Getting settled into a routing with home school is the most important thing right now so I am going to give FB a break and I will be blogging more! That way the grandparents and other family can see what is going on!! We have been to the Grand Canyon twice (North and South Rims), once on our way here and then again with a df. We also went on a grand adventure to Zion! It was amazing and all I can say is I cannot wait until the next trip!! I have had requests to post photos of our house on FB but I am going to put them here...you know the whole FB break thingy!! We are starting Dance with Miss Merideth tomorrow and Dale is a Cub Scout...we are enjoying it all. I better run...got a lot to do around here!! Next post will have the front of the house...then I will add more later...or it may include Dale's leaf cake for the Cub Scout Cake Auction!!

We are here!

Well we have arrived safely in our new home. It is great, there just aren't as many closets! I guess newer homes do have drawbacks! We feel blessed with the house we rented, it is actually a house we had originally thought we would buy...decided with much prayer not to purchase and found this house online for rent. WOW God is great huh!? So the fun of settling in a new home and a new part of the country begins. I will put a list of what is great about here later...so far so good. BUT I do so miss my family and friends in Texas.

The movers are here today so busy busy but I did want to check in. More later.

Updates

We are really enjoying New Mexico! The kids and I are spending a lot of time at the base pool and they are BROWN! Funny thing that pool; it is a lot more fun when your kids can swim!

The photo of my hand is me holding a horny toad. We really wanted to keep it as a pet but they are a lot of work and decided to let it stay with its Mother!

Then a photo of the entire family. Dale with the typical thumbs up and well I can't figure out why Meri Ellis is upset!??

We move to Las Vegas in about 2 weeks and are looking forward to getting settled in a home again! Come see us!

Letter to Dave Ramsey:

We always say that other Jesus Christ in our lives Dave Ramsey has made one of the most important impacts on us.

After years of using credit and credit cards we decided we were sick of it! Our church in Mississippi offered a Financial Peace class and we joined…we drank your kool aid! That was January of 2005. Our consumer debt, including cars but not our home was over 60K. We paid that off in less than 3 years, we tried to call then!

In the meantime the Air Force has required us to move and we bought another home thinking we would be in Texas for several years! NO, we have moved again and are headed to Las Vegas…I think we are some of the few people who are in the position to buy but are choosing not to. We sold our home in Texas this week and can now truly say we are DEBT FREE. We like this feeling and are going to hold onto it, take you advice and not purchase another home until we are going to be there awhile, and hopefully we will pay cash!!
Thank you so much for you honesty and your convictions. We truly laugh when we are able to “give” money to charities and our church, it is so much fun! We want to encourage others on the program to continue tithing or to start and write it into their budget.

God Bless you and your ministry.
Elizabeth and Stephen

There is more to this story...so much more and I will write it later but we are so excited to show and share that our home has sold!! YAY!!! Thank you everyone who encouraged us and prayed over us during this time!!!

Riding bikes in New Mexico!

White Sands New Mexico

We had a lot of fun at White Sands. It truly is unbelievable...all that sand and NO WATER!! We may have stayed longer except for the confession that Meri Ellis had put a BB in her ear!! Oh yes she did. So home we went...I will post photos of Stephen removing said BB later!! FUN FUN!!!!

No title today

Okay so LOTS of things to update on...

-the packer/loaders finally came and got our things the AF is moving on June 1/2
-we loaded our things we put into storage...thank you so much neighbors
-decided to pay someone to clean our home...some of the best money spent EVER
-moved to Holloman AFB in Alamogordo NM on Thursday...arriving on Friday June 5
-checked into our temporary base housing...long story about that but if you are going TDY en route to MQ9 training call us and we will give you info on the situation...thanks to the new squadron that is helping us get it all worked out
-Friday June 5 at about 11pm Texas time my sweet very dear Granddaddy went home to Jesus.
-Saturday we decided to just stay in NM for one whole day
-Sunday the kids and I headed to Tx to celebrate Grandad with our family
-Monday the funeral

We are going to miss Granddaddy but know he is not in pain anymore...it is a huge adjustment as he is a very big part of our family.

The kids and I are going to head back to NM on Thursday...
WHEW....

Still praying we sell our house.

Missing friends...

Adjusting....

Love, E

Moving...

Okay so here we go....

Thank you to all our friends who are coming to help today! We should be headed out of Texas by Wednesday! Lots to do in the next few days and even more going on...

Please pray for my family as we tell my Grandfather goodbye from this earthly home as he goes to his heavenly one. My sister is coming home from Hawaii to help take care of him, she is an RN and so sweet and giving to come and do this. Pray for Daddy as he is going to miss his Daddy so much.

We have other things going on but they seem small compared to the other...

I will post more when we get moved for the summer class....

Love, E

Lots going on!

Oh my the kids are growing too fast!! They just got back from a weekend sailing trip with Stephen...I will post those photos as soon as I get my computer to cooperate!! I do know that other than a side trip to the ER for Dale cutting his head the trip was a success...even with a little girl going!! I stayed home and was going to pack BUT my eye gave me trouble again so I was in bed for a good part of the time...there went my plans to pack!! The drs finally figured out what was wrong with an MRI and I have "orbital myositis" evidently it is very painful and hard to diagnose!! REALLY!! Anyway steroids and a lot of pain meds I am on the road to feeling better! Now if we can get the AF to get our move scheduled and our dates to us we will be set!! We will be packed and moved in less than 2 weeks now!! Oh and we still have a house for sale!! YIKES!!

eye business...

So they have a diagnosis and it is orbital myositis...My Dr is calling around to see what treatment to seek...I am just looking forward to feeling better! This hurts!

Dale had an accident to day and earned a trip to the ER...he is doing OK but banged his head and cut himself pretty bad...

Oh and we move in 2 weeks and I have a ton to do and life seems to be falling apart in many areas....

Please pray for my grandfather...he has been in the hospital for over a week now...

E

Better

Thanks for the prayers! My eye is feeling so much better. I am still going to have the test done on Monday to see what is going on, it has minimal pain but is so much better!!

We are getting so close to the move and it feels like we are going in slow motion in the day and then BAM wake up and it is 10 days closer to leaving! We still have a house for sale...In HIS time right!

I am going to drink some coffee and listen to the rain!

E

Retrobulbar Neuritis

My eye hurts...BAD! I have headaches and it is only in my right eye and hurts to above my eye brow...other symptoms but I won't bore you with them! It has been hurting for a week or so. The eye Dr thought it could be allergies and sent me home with a RX for that and to call if it kept hurting because it could be autoimmune of some sort. Well it started hurting again and I called and went to one Dr then another...a specialized eye Dr...then to my regular Dr. I am going to have an MRI done on Monday, if not sooner. I wish I had not looked up what this could be...I am going with sinus infection! Please pray with me that it is a simple fix!http://www.ecureme.com/emyhealth/data/Retrobulbar_Neuritis.asp

YUCK

Well all potential buyers are not "potential" after all...now we are back to square one. WAITING on the buyer...waiting on God...remembering that HE is in control of this all! Thankful we even have to opportunity to own a home keeps things in perspective! I am going to start packing some things this weekend. The kids and Stephen are going sailing. (Pray for their safety and fun) I am making a lot of lists! I am marking some things off them, makes me feel accomplished...now if I can just mark off the "house sold" that would be GREAT!

She is FOUR!!

So here is the girl's birthday! We start every birthday with donuts and singing! She had a big pink princess cake...lots of pink and a whole lot of fun! She conked out midway and I HAD to take this photo of her clutching her jewelery box! We are privileged to be her parents, she brings us a lot of joy and makes me want to be a better person...she is just so wonderful...

We are BUSY...as in I know everyone is but "hey we move in 3 weeks and the packers will be here in 2 weeks busy"...Wow that one snuck up on us huh? I am overwhelmed with all that there is to do and feel pressure to be what everyone wants/needs...BUT I am going to be what God needs...and Stephen and the kids need...I am going to be...

The gluten free is going great! I am feeling better and am loosing weight! That is a bonus I will take!!

I better go and make me a list!!

E

Celiac...Going Gluten Free

So big changes here...again!

When I had my gall bladder out the dr was optimistic that it would help the problems I have been having with my health. He was somewhat concerned that b/c I tested positive for Celiac disease gene I would need to go gluten free. Yesterday when I went to the dr he put me on a gluten free, or GF, diet. It is not just "cutting down" on the gluten it is NO GLUTEN at all! It is a pain in the ... but if I feel better it will be worth it, right?

Anyway I am off to do some research...it is overwhelming as gluten is in a lot of foods, additives, seasoning, drinks...it is everywhere...even in make up!

On another note...Merideth started doing some school today. She did great and had fun with it! Let's see how long the "fun" lasts!!

Now on to the research!
E

Birthdays and Dresses

I cannot believe that our precious girl is about to be 4! Here is her invitation for her family party...I think that is all I can swing this year! Here is what is going on...

WE move in less than 5 weeks!

Merideth is turning 4 on the 9th!

We still have a house for sale.

We need to pack...schedule movers...etc

MOVE...

Granddaddy's 85th birthday party.

School.

And then just the other everyday stuff we have going on! I know we will blink and we will be on the road to New Mexico for the summer, Stephen's training is there...then...blink...we will be in Vegas! WOW!

Okay so to keep my sanity...sort of! I am sewing some...just a little because we have to keep this house ready to show! But her dress she has on in the photos is from the greatest pattern maker...Portabellopixie...Sandi Henderson. Her patterns are easy to use and I can make this dress in under 2 hours. The pants pattern is a favorite too and they are easier than the dress.

Well I better go do some productive things around here!

About Life

This photo was taken last year around Easter...for some reason I cannot find a photo of them in the Easter outfits...

I hand smocked Merideth her dress last year, sure wish I could find the photo! Oh well hold out in anticipation of this years dress...it has smocked bunnies!

About life...

It is not suprising that He hears us and answers us and holds us in his grip. Gives us answers when we don't think there are any. Gives us peace in ways we did not expect. He is good and He is ALIVE!

So a better day around here...still moving slow. I am going to take a rest, a short one as Merideth calls the nap!

Have a great Easter...

My sweet little somethings! I love them so much. They are being very patient with me today!! I have been up since 5:30am! Oh my word. I have not been up this early in a while. Stephen was snoring and I just couldn't sleep. I didn't want to take another pink pill because I will be alone with the kids so Tylenol it is. It is working fine. We have had a great morning. We have rocked, done school, read, made muffins, read and done laundry. I am washing all the rugs today. Hopefully the buyer for this house will show up soon!! Please pray with me in Jesus name!! Later I am going to call in a professional vacuumer. Whitney does a great job and I can't do it yet. Well I better go and figure out lunch! ...then I am taking a nap!

Jeep in Mexico.

So I will be out of commission for a few days. I am going to have my gall bladder out Wednesday ...I know I will start to feel better so...that is the plan...So pray recovery is quick!! Oh and that this house of ours will sell soon!!

Stephen and I in Mexico! We had so much fun...more pictures later!!

Hello! So while we were on our cruise Dale and Merideth stayed with my parents at the farm. While there I guess they were flipping through channels on tv and the scene in Titanic was on where they stand on the bow of the boat. Well the kids recreated that shot! Another funny thing is that they really wanted Stephen and I too also...but you can't get to the front of the boat/ship! BUT we do have a photo of us in the front of a boat....I will post it later! I just love this photo...it shows the girly side to my Merideth and then Dale, being all boy, not wanting to do this but doing it b/c he loves us...Mother and Daddy emailed us this while we were gone. It made us miss them even more!!

The cruise was great, but we missed the kids. I will do a post just about the trip later...

I have other things on my mind.

Today it has hit me hard that we move in less than 2 months. I was doing the April budget. I suddenly realized that is the last full month we will live here. Oh I can feel the ache of homesick already. I am going to miss my Mother and Daddy so much. I feel like a little baby just thinking about it. Those who knew me when Stephen and I made our first ever AF move will remember how homesick I got. It was bad. This move feels like that. I am excited about what lies ahead but very nervous about being away. Also we still have not sold our house. We changed Realtors. Please pray it happens soon!!

Well I am gonna go and get supper ready...Meatloaf tonight!!

E

New week...

Okay so here we are. It is a little after 8:30 and we are all dressed for the day. I have been to the gym and we have done school! WOW!!

Thank you Krista for getting me the new background...YAY cupcakes!

This time next week we will be on our cruise...WOW!

Okay Cyn is here gotta go and sew!!

E

Just life going on.

Newest photos of the kids...I am sure you have all been wanting to see their angelic little faces...

Well we are just trucking along here. Right now I am researching home school curricula for next year. UGH...I normally let my friends do this for me! But I am looking into the suggestions of what we will use a little more intently this year. There are so many good ones but for every good one there is a bad one or one that does not fit what we need or how we do school. So I am looking at them all again. It helps to have friends that have done this before!! I really enjoyed My Father's World last year with Dale, and we have a few weeks left to go before we are done so now is the time to decide what we are going to use for next year. And when I say next year I don't mean "next year" I mean for 1st grade. I know we will need some review to keep up until I make the decision once we are done but if I have the next years stuff then we can just move right into that. Anyway I am sure this is boring to some...The things I look for in curriculum is that is has to use the Bible, meaning it goes to it for a lot of what I teach. With MFW it did/does. For example for the letter A it used Apple...then went on to the fruits of the spirit. It went into character and then also nutrition. I loved how it all ties together. So that is what I am looking for. I am not against using MFW again but I want to make sure it is the best for us. Anyway enough about HS.

I have started doing a new Bible study and love it. THANKS Krista and Donna for the encouragement to do this study. Of course being so sick last week I missed another lesson but am keeping up with the homework and am really learning and enjoying it a lot. I am doing the "Esther" study by Beth Moore. Also in our small group we are studying the spiritual gifts. I find this fascinating. I can tell you what Stephen's is but mine is being elusive! It is great and reminds me to use the potential that I am to God's glory.

Well I better go and fix lunch for our company...

E