Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter















From our home to yours, Happy Easter!

Way back in 2001 we moved to Kentucky and hadn't really been here that long when we received a call from a family inviting us to church. Long story, but an older couple we were really close to from our church in Texas had a daughter who was married to a pastor & they had lived out in the same county that we live in. By the time we moved here they had already moved to a different city, but our friend Naomi in Texas contacted her daughter and asked if their friends here would give us a call to help us feel welcomed and to invite us to church - this friend is who called us.

When she called, I hemmed and hawed and really wasn't sure that I wanted to go to church w/ someone who just called us out of the blue - but she went on to say they would meet us in the parking lot so we wouldn't have to go in alone. Not that going in alone bothered us one bit, but that struck me as a really nice gesture. Then she said they would take us to lunch. By the time we got to this part of the conversation I was really getting homesick, missing my family, missing our friends in Texas and really wondering if we'd made the right decision to move here and so I told her yes. We would come to church w/ them.

Needless to say, we have become best of friends with them and have somehow been adopted by their whole family. Wonderfully nice people, lots of fun, a little on the ornery(fun kind of ornery) side and very easy people to be with and enjoy. Our first meeting was probably in August or September and the following spring they invited us to their home for Easter. Now here we are 10 years later and have spent every Easter since with them!

Just goes to show, you just never know the fruit that can come forth by just one little act of kindness. Amazing if you ask me!

Monday, April 11, 2011

For Today



Haven't done this little exercise in a while ... wasn't sure if readers enjoy these kinds of posts? Or do your eyes gloss over and you come back when there are pictures? :-)

Outside my window: It's dark and rainy. Much cooler than the unseasonable 85 that we had here yesterday.

I Am Thinking: About Rebecca and how it was a really difficult decision for us to hold her back from starting kindergarten last year. Since she has a late birthday, by the cutoff date she could have started - but she would have been starting as a 4 year old. She just wasn't ready and as much as I wanted her to be, there just didn't seem to be anything I could do to "make" her be ready. When it came down to it, we decided the best approach was to let her learn when she was ready and to let her mature another year. And oh my goodness - that's been the best decision we could have possibly made. Girlfriend is more than ready for kindergarten to start this fall!

I Am Thankful For: My family, there was a time in my life I never thought I would truly love someone or them love me. But oh my my ... I met Brian and the rest is history. He's my best friend, a sweet husband and fun to boot. And of course it goes w/out saying how much I love the kiddos.

From The Kitchen: I've tried a few more pioneer woman recipes. One was a sour cream noodle bake thing that we all loved. The girls especially were cleaning their plates! I also made a budget type casserole not too long ago that that kids loved as well. It really tickles me when they really, really like something we make. The yums are music to my ears.

I Am Wearing: Black sweats and an OU t-shirt. Boomer Sooner baby.

On the 'Go Organize' Front: Sigh. Is this something that is ever completely done? Seems like I'm in a constant state of piling things up for Goodwill. Still need to work on the toy room some more but think I just may wait for my mom to come out later this month. Mama's have a way of making things like that better :-)

I Am Going: To bed soon, last week was pretty tough at work and today wasn't that much better. I really do love my job, and for the most part it's not stressful ... but lately, well - it's been a tad bit stressful. I even cried today & I hate showing emotion like that. Especially at work. For some reason it makes me think of my dad telling me when I was a teenager that only weak people cry. I really do not remember the complete context, but do remember the words and remember he was upset with me for being emotional. Not that I really agree with what he said but not so sure I've ever cried since then (other than a sad cry) and not thought of him saying that.

I Am Reading: Ryan bought a couple of Grisham books not too long ago and I read one of them and really enjoyed it. Haven't read a book like that in a long time. I noticed he laid the other one on my night stand. He's such a thoughtful son.

I Am Hoping: Hmmm ... not sure what I'm hoping ... that my week gets better???

I Am Praying For: A non-Christian friend of mine that I have been praying for going on several years now. She's a sweetheart, good natured, fun, thoughtful - all those things you want in a friend. But for the life of me I can't ever seem to say the right words when the subject of Christianity comes up. In fact I seem to somehow always say the wrong thing. And to add to that, I do not feel that I always act the way I should either - all those things that I feel keep me from being a good witness. Anyway, praying first and foremost that I be the way I should be ... and secondly, that I somehow find the courage to open up the right door to lead her to Christ.

I Am Hearing: Diners, Dives & Drive thrus and they are showing a restaurant in San Antonio. Oh how I'd LOVE to visit San Antonio again some time! Such good memories of that city! We used to stop and spend the night there every time we went to the beach with my best friend in high school & college. Brian & I took the older boys down there one time at Christmas - the river walk is absolutely beautiful any time, but even more beautiful lit up with Christmas lights! The best time though was spending our honeymoon there!

Around The House: Brian had a deacon meeting tonight & the kids and I cleaned house!

One Of My Favorite Things: Talking to my mom. We talk on the phone just about every day. I love my mama.

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week: Deacon meeting for Brian tonight. Swim lessons for the girls on Tuesday & Thursday. Gymnastics for Emma on Wednesday while Bex & I run some errands. Friday night we're having an adults only dinner w/ our Sunday school class. Two birthday parties on Saturday, one for Rebecca early in the day & another for Emma later in the day. Sunday - baseball draft/tryouts for Ryan. Makes me tired just typing all that.

Have a great week everyone!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Park Time























We're finally getting some spring like weather in the 'ville. It was one looooonngggg and cold winter so we're all very thankful for some of this warmer stuff.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Rebecca is Getting Ready for Kindergarten!


Little Miss Rebecca is officially registered for kindergarten. My baby is such a big girl now! She is ready for fall to get here & more than ready to ride the bus with her big sister. I couldn't help but get a little misty eyed as I filled out kindergarten paperwork for the last time :-(

Friday, April 8, 2011

Chocolate


They were supposed to be making chocolate candy! I think there was more eating going on than making. Just sayin'