home again home again...

What a wonderful summer we have had. We got to do a lot of traveling and had a great time! I can now say I am a world traveler. The only thing I didn't like about the trip was being away from my precious babies! Oh and the LONG flight to Rome!! I will post about the trip in the future, it truly was a dream come true to go! We are about to kick of our school year here. Lots of changes in the curriculum department. I really believe that this year is going to be awesome! Dale and Meri Ellis are doing great and we are excited to learn new things! I will close with new pictures of the kids, of course the boy doesn't really like to be still enough for a picture!!

Texas trip

The kids and I are having a great trip "home".

We have been able too go to Jordan's high school graduation and party. The lake was so much fun! Dale and Meri both got to fish, she even baited the hook with worms! They both caught fish! We all swam in the lake, some of us got out once we saw good ole snakes! Yes, I said snakes!! The kids rode seados with Uncle Bob and Aunt Heather Belle, and the other big kids! Dale also learned the fine game of pool! He calls it "pitching balls" when he get one in! We have had a blast! We have gotten to hang out and play. Dale is learning how to tie the grape plants up, and Meri is "watching" the cats and one very special kitten! Mother and Daddy got the kids a swimming pool, it is a huge stock tank that they will later use for cattle, the kids love it and I'm loving the summer baths they take in the pool!

Tomorrow a dear friend and her family are coming over, I'm so excited to catch up! Later we are headed to Abilene to see some friends and then back to the farm! I'm looking forward to some sister time next week too!!

In the near future Stephen and I are going on an amazing trip. We are going on a cruise that will take us through the holy lands, specifically where Paul's ministry was. Stephen's father is very generously taking us! We are so excited! Many people are making this happen, from sweet friends watching our home....thanks Lizzie, Kathy and Paul, to parents and family keeping our kids! We are so blessed! Please pray for a great trip, safety for us and peace while we are away from the kids! I'm gonna miss them!

Long time no post...again!

So for some reason I can't seem to remember to post! I know Facebook keeps people pretty up to date but this is nice too.

We just got home from camping. This time in our new motor home. We went to Zion! It was so much fun. We hiked in the rain and then were warm and cozy inside out of the rain!

The kids and I are about to head to Texas for a fun trip! We are going to celebrate Jordan's high school graduation! The kids will stay long enough in Texas that they might get their Texas accents back!! Stephen and I are getting to go on an amazing trip. Lots of people are making it possible and we really appreciate it!

JOY

These two bring such joy to our lives...daily. Not going to say some days are harder and I may want a vacation day...but this is a season...one that is all to short. I pray that we are honoring God as we strive to raise these precious gifts to be conformed to His image.

LIFE!

Oh we are blessed indeed!

Disneyland!!!

You could have never told Stephen and I that we would enjoy Disneyland like we do! After the plane crash we went for the first time. It was something we had told the kids that we would do and just had not gotten around too! So we made a point to go! While there we had SO MUCH FUN that we got a season pass. We have been 3 times and once Cha Cha joined us! The photos are from our most recent trip in December. I think we may be headed there again soon! More to celebrate!

Grand Canyon

Stephen and Dale went to the Grand Canyon with some friends for a guy day. They had a great time and look forward to going again!!

Farm

There are some cool things you can do with a plane. One of them, and one of the best in my opinion, is taking ariel shots of friends and families homes. This is my parents Farm. Many many great memories here....and many more to come!

This week has been good. Very BUSY but good! I am working on the last of school right now with Dale...he is sitting on the futon reading while I type this. He is such a great kid. He has not wanted to go go go this week and that seems like all we have done! BUT we got school done and the only stuffing I did was my face!! Will work on that some more...not stuffing it that is! We are off to the gym now and then finishing work.

Stuffing

I don’t want to do it anymore….

I don’t want to stuff my face…my drawers…my life with things we don’t need.

I WANT to be purposeful and intent on being Christ like in all I do. And what I do to reflect Him.

No more putting a pile of things somewhere that will later be stuffed somewhere. I am going to put it up or get rid of it.

I am not going to stuff my words; I need to say what needs to be said, in love but also in truth.

To be real with all I meet.

To quit apologizing for being who Christ has called me to be.

So here in my list…I will not stuff in a drawer for later.

I will be purposeful.

Quiet time
School
Exercise
Time for me and kids to play
Time for Stephen and me to invest in our marriage
Plan and dream for the future

I think that if I do these things I will be able to be purposeful and will quit stuffing! Now pray I will apply!!