Epcot...Day Ten

Today was such a great day! Epcot is such a fun place and we learned alot too! Not to miss is Soarin, a suspended IMAX flight, Nemo and Friends ride and of course Planet Earth in the landmark ball in the middle of the park. We also rode Test Track and Mission:Space which were a little on the fast side, but very fun.

The highlight of the day was our dinner at Akershush restaurant in Norway. My Guru told me months ago how smart it was to book a reservation there instead of booking a meal at Cinderella's castle. Eating at Akershush (which looks like a Medieval castle) only uses one dining plan meal per person (The Castle uses two per person) and you get to meet ALL of the princesses instead of just Cinderella. The food was DIVINE with an appetizer salad bar a la Texas de Brazil. Mommies, when eating at Akershush, ask to sit in the right of the restaurant which will allow you to get your appetizers and get settled before all the princesses flood the room. Also, most little girls wear their princess dresses which is perfect for the environment. It worked well for us to pack the dress and "glass slippers" in the backpack and change on our way to dinner. This dinner is NOT to be missed!

Fish are friends, not food

At Akershush waiting to eat with the princesses!

Belle

Sleeping Beauty

Cinderellas

Snow White

Ariel

Pooh and Tigger

Daddy and Ray at Test Track

The Smith Family at Epcot

Raylen meets Belle...and asks to see her shoes!

Disney's Animal Kingdom...Day Nine

I'm not going to lie. We drove all night, had some trouble with the GPS when we got to Orlando and had a misunderstanding about our dining plan, so when we checked-in, I was not feeling very chipper. However, I think that that the folks at Disney filter their air systems with happy juice because as soon as we really began our adventures the whole world and its problems melted away!

We chose to do Animal Kingdom first upon recommendation from my Guru. The idea was to initiate Raylen into theme parks slowly in case it was overwhelming. GREAT plan! Animal Kingdom moves slowly like a zoo, but has just as much excitement. There are a couple of "extreme" rides that wouldn't be appropriate for little ones. Jason insisted that we ride all that Ray was tall enough for which included these "extreme" rides. She lived, but I'm a little worse for wear :)

The absolute highlight of Animal Kingdom is Finding Nemo: The Musical. It is phenomenal! Like a true Broadway musical, but very kid friendly. The whole trip was worth seeing that for me. Lion King was also a wonderful performance. This is an interactive show set in theatre in the round style. My best Mommy tip of the day is to allow yourself some time to utilize the Boneyard. This is a larger than life playground full of dinosaur bones, caves, tunnels and slides. There is no waiting and plenty of places for mommies and daddies to relax. This proved to be such a good opportunity to let our over-energized "Tigger" run out her energy. Jason and I also welcomed the break!

When the park closed at seven, we headed to our dinner reservation at the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Boma. This restaurant is a buffet style, but is NOT lacking in actual style. Included in the buffet are top notch meats and sides native to Africa, but delicious for this picky American eater. A dessert buffet is also provided with amazing miniature pineapple upside down cheesecakes and much more. Yum!

Before I list the photos, I must tell you that I found the Disney Celebrations to be quite wonderful. When we booked our trip I was asked if we were going to be celebrating anything. Our anniversary is in three weeks so I told them and they made note. Upon check-in, we got buttons saying Happy Anniversary to wear and our room was upgraded from standard to preferred (close to the bus!). At Boma, we were sat in preferred seating in intimate window booths as an upgrade. Literally, EVERYWHERE we have been we are greeted with "Happy Anniversary" and "Congratulations" making us feel super special. Don't be embarrassed to mention something special that you're celebrating during your stay. It's free, but well worth it!

Jason at Boma

The Smith Family meet Santa Goofy

Finding Nemo: The Musical

Mommy and Ray on the Safari

Raylen meets Turk

Our very own Tigger!

Slow Southern Sunday....Day Eight

Aunt LeAnn and Raylen cooking lunch

The Gang playing UNO

It's been another great day in Tennessee. I can't stress enough how much I love being here. I've been remembering such fond memories of our Tennessee family through the years today. I met Bud and LeAnn when I was fourteen when they came on staff at our church as youth ministers. There second son, Logan is fourteen now and that is wild to think about. The Georges were immediately more like family and my best friends as an awkward youth. The eldest, Blake, was my favorite babysitting charge then, the most precious ring bearer ever for our wedding and is still the sweetest young man at sixteen. Annalee is a beautiful seven year old that was an answer to prayer for this family. She doesn't know it, but she provided some sweet laughter for my dad in his last month with the video package she sent. Looking back, Bud and Lee have been instrumental in my life at every turn. Bud has taught me invaluable life lessons even without saying a word-lessons about integrity, forgiveness, courage and boldness. LeAnn reminded me on the day that Bud married Jason and I that she had been praying for my future husband since I was sixteen and I know she still prays today. She is the most relaxed, down to earth person I know and makes everyone else around her feel relaxed too. I want to know their secret for raising happy, fun, respectful, well rounded children and repeat that too.

I'm so grateful for positive influences in my life like the Georges. There are so many other people I count in that category as well, too. I realize that I wouldn't be anywhere today without these God given role models that have guided me along the way.

Relaxing In Murfreesboro...Day Seven

We successfully made it to Murfreesboro, TN last night around 6:30pm. It was a great trip and we were so excited to see our friends, The Georges. Even though it's been three years since we've seen them, it feels like yesterday. We always have such a great time when we visit.

We were excited to smell bacon and pancakes from our room this morning and Raylen got a special treat from Uncle Bud on her plate...

Today, we went to Miller's Grocery Store to eat lunch, which is a sweet and yummy cafe in an antique grocery store. There is a little drygoods store across the street from Miller's that has an assortment of handmade things. Raylen and Annalee picked out matching Dorothy dresses for their American Girl Dolls. There felt pretty grown up buying them all by themselves! Tonight, our friends, The Herndons came over for chili and game night. Fun! I need to brush up on my Catch Phrase though. Now we are relaxing around the beautiful Christmas tree and wishing we could visit longer. Here are some other shots from the day.

On The Road Again ..Day Five and Six

I'm trying a new thing: blogging from my phone. I hope it works!
Yeasterday was a great day! We woke up to yummy blueberry muffins made by my Mama and got ready to go to my Aunt Lynn's while watching the Macy's parade. I had a great time with my cousins, as usual. After retrieving a new Christmas tree for my mom, we crawled in bed early for our six am wake up call.
Today has been a great day of travel. It's been beautiful weather and I love all the wonderful fall scenery. We are about two hours outside of Nashville right now and we are anxious to get there. Ray is watching a movie, Jason is belting out (loudly) Bon Jovi and I'm blogging. Oh wait, gotta go. Total Eclipse Of The Heart just came on. It's my turn to sing!

Over The River And Through The Woods....Day Four

This morning started bright and early at 6am for me. I got up, iced the cake that I baked last night, finished packing all things under heading "toiletries" and tried to think of anything I may have forgotten. My dear friend, Russellann is in town (Abilene) for the holidays and I was overjoyed to see her for coffee this morning. Russellann has truly been instrumental and irreplaceable in my life the last two years. Her wisdom, soft and loving instruction and her constant belief in God's destiny for my life are things that I wish every woman could experience. Because of the countless prayers she has prayed for me and my family, I was thrilled to show her around the home that God has so graciously provided to us. It was such a sweet visit!

After Russellann left, we packed ourselves in the car and headed East on I-20. I had to take a pic of Ray tucked in her little "cockpit" in the backseat. She's got a new cup holder, trash can, dvd player, old school headphones, a lap tray and a very special new Nemo Webkin from "Aunt" Janna and the boys.

After our two hour journey, Raylen was overjoyed to see my mom, "G-Da". Mom graciously allowed me to go take a nap, while she and Raylen cooked for the Tidwell Thanksgiving party tonight. This will be the first family holiday without my PaPa and he will be missed. I am truly thankful for his life and legacy this year and that he is celebrating with my dad forever.Tomorrow, round two for Turkeyville. Yummy. We're going to put up the Christmas Tree at Mom's tonight or tomorrow, so look for stunning pics to come!

When You Wish Upon A Star...Day Three

I am frightened that I'm really prepared. I have packed, repacked, shopped, re-shopped and I am certain that I have everything that we will need and not need on this trip. I am frightened because I know that there will be something, probably important, that I will remember that I didn't pack about 400 miles into the trip. It's inevitable.

Tonight, as we prepare to leave the house tomorrow, I am remembering how our true countdown began. Late in July, I made a call to secure our reservation and there was something truly magical in just talking to the uber friendly Disney agent. Maybe it was the sound byte of Cinderella's wand on the line, but something made me giddy with excitement and after I hung up, Raylen and I literally danced around the room for twenty minutes. We rushed out to the dollar store and bought poster board and Disney stickers to make a countdown calendar. Here's where we started...

And here's where we are today...

I highly recommend doing a countdown. It was something that we looked forward to doing everyday and seemed to make the days go by just a little faster.

Tomorrow's post will be coming to you from my mom's house while we have full bellies from the first Thanksgiving meal of the week. Mmm...I can already taste it!

Disney Dreaming Day Two

I have been a busy little bee all day which is why this post is coming so late. It has been a day full of laundry and rolling the laundry to fit in our limited suitcase space. I think that I have successfully planned for a total of twelve outfits for each of us. This is tricky considering the unpredictable weather in the three states we'll frequent. I've got jackets, rain ponchos and mittens to accommodate all of these surprises...I hope!

As I mentioned yesterday, another great tip I received months ago that I will be including as daily surprises are themed tutu outfits. I went a step further and planned a tutu for each day we will be in Disney and planned the theme with the park we will be attending. Animal Kingdom day=Tigger; Magic Kingdom days=Minnie Mouse and Pirate of the Caribbean; Hollywood Studios day=Belle (She has her own Broadway style musical there that is quite impressive). I decided to do without an outfit for our day at Epcot because we will be having dinner with all of the Disney princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall that evening and Raylen will be wearing a princess dress. My Disney guru forwarded me this Disney Tutu Link that showed me step by step how-to for these ultra cute costumes. Here are a few photos I took while making them-shown is the pirate costume and Tigger front and back, with tail.

You may be wondering, "Why is she doing all of this?" That's a valid question. My only response is that I LOVE fun. I adore it, in fact. I was brought up with the philosophy that fun is everywhere, even if you have to dig it up yourself. If you asked my mom right now what drew her to my dad she would say that he always looked for fun in any situation. We don't go to Disney often, but whether we're at Disney or at the park or visiting Santa Claus or our family, chances are I have thought ahead, planned a special outfit, packed a backpack or written a little song to make the day even more fun. I'm well aware that way sooner than I would like, we are going to trade our freckled face five year old for a young vibrant woman with a family of her own. When that day comes, I will daydream and laugh at the memories we made getting there and all the fun that we had.

Tomorrow is last minute store run as well as last minute chore to do's. Raylen needs her bangs cut, I need my nails trimmed and we need a vat of batteries. So as Pooh would say, TTFN.

Packing for Disney Day One

I am freaking out because we leave our house this Wednesday for eleven days! This time will include two Thanksgiving meals in Ft. Worth, a weekend trip to Murfreesboro, TN, and FIVE DAYS at Disneyworld in Orlando, FL. I can't tell you how excited we are and in shock that we are actually going!!! As the Mama to our clan, I am in charge of nearly everything for our trip. Daddy is making sure that all the tires, brakes and oil things are in good use and repair, while I focus on the more fun side of the trip. I will be posting a blog a day as we lead up to and during our vacation. I know that grandma's, aunts and other loved ones will appreciate this. I also hope to help and inspire anyone that is or might be planning a trip to a Disney resort in the future. I have been MUCH inspired and helped by the memories of my mom's fun surprises for us when we went as children and the deep well of wisdom from my own Disney Fairy Godmother, Janna Briggs.

And now, Disney Packing Day One: When we went to Disney as kids, we flew (we are driving) and my mom packed each of us a carry on with games, crayons, snacks, etc. It was an exciting beginning to the adventure. Janna inspired me to avoid the normal tourist trappings of a lot of souvenir purchasing and pack a backpack each day for Raylen with goodies I found here at home before the trip. These items have been purchased at the dollar store, thrift stores, clearance racks, and the ever wonderful Disney Outlet store. All have been packed in Ziploc bags with the themes of the parks we will visit each day in mind, ie. Animal Kingdom, Day One, Lion King, Pooh and Tigger, Bug's Life Themes because these are the main themes inside that park. I've included small toys that she can play on the transportation or in longer lines as well as practical things like sunglasses, sippy cups and chapstick, all with Disney themes. The best tip I got was to include character PEZ dispensers and candy in each day's backpack. These are fun to collect for the child, but also provide a small sweet boost while not being messy or hard to contain. Here's what the packs look like today...The plan is to pack up Raylen's backpack each night after she goes to sleep in the hotel room and then have it waiting for her the next morning when she wakes up. (Check back tomorrow for another surprise that will be with her backpack each morning) I have also purchased Disney jammies, dry erase board, autograph book and slippers that will be waiting in the room for us when she arrives. How am I going to do that, you may be asking. When we arrive at the hotel, there will be an enormous amount of sites to be seen just upon checking in. Jason has agreed to take Ray around the hotel to explore while I get the room set up for her. Then, I'll get them, we'll all go in together and we'll get ready to go to Animal Kingdom.

I'm off now, to finish day one packing...tune in tomorrow!

October

October is my favorite month. I have always loved it. There's usually a chill in the air, the smell of pumpkin spice candles and an unspoken anticipation of all the wonderful celebrations to come in the next months. My most favorite band, U2 (whom I saw in person Monday night!), have an old song about October that I love that also prompts me to worship the Lord for the changing season.

October and trees are stripped bare of all they wear, do I care

October and kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall, but You go on and on

Unfortunately, October also brings Halloween. Yuck. I hate that day. We don't participate in it at our house and I often get questions about why. My good friend shared a great article with me from Gateway Church that really details why we don't celebrate and why all believers should examine their participation in the holiday as well. Here's the link: Gateway Halloween

This current October is bringing with it some nostalgia and new adventures. Thirteen years ago this month, Jason and I started dating. Each year I think about that, but this year, having moved back to the college town that we met in, I am reminded at almost every turn that we fell in love here. I'm lonely here without him because he's working "back home" during the week for this month, but it's a special gift to be around such fond remberences which seem to have strengthened my love for him just by remembering. I am working hard to get the house set up and organized, but today my girl and I are going to take a break and just BE here. She has begged me for a rainbow to be painted in her room since way before we moved so we are getting some canvas and paints and we're painting a rainbow for her room along with a picture of the place we lived before since she's having a tough time letting go.

To end this post, I want to get an early start on my Thanksgiving. I'm in a funk-a-doo because I'm in a new city, alone, with an unorganized house without my friends and family nearby. BUT, I know that the best cure for funk-a-doo is gratitude and praise so here's a list of the current blessings in my life:

Grace, beyond all my reasoning that is real and present in each moment.

The man of my dreams dusguised as a funny college kid that is now solidified as my best friend.

The most precious, precocious, curious, funny, wild, imaginative little girl that thinks I am "the best mom I've ever had".

A dedicated mom who wakes up early to fix pancakes, bacon and eggs for me.

Brothers who pick on you, but drop everything to help me.

Friends who call me daily to talk about nothing and everything because they know how devasting topsy turvy living can be and the plague of being lonely.

Music that quiets my soul, causes me to praise, draws me Nearer and keeps me sane.

For these and so much more, I give thanks.

NEVER say never

Today I am doing the worst part of packing up-trying to pack and organize all the last little things that somehow didn't make it into the correct boxes that are now all taped up. I'm trying to avoid the inevitable: all of this random "junk" getting thrown into an empty laundry basket for me to dig through later. All of this has given me time to think about this move and press into what the Lord is saying to me.

One, He is talking to me about the importance of never saying never. I've learned alot the last two years at our wonderful church about making inner vows and how they can be curses in our lives. Most of the time we don't even realize we are making these vows. "I'll never be like her" or "I won't ever forgive them". What we do when we say these things is to set in motion a web of bondage in our hearts and lives. These vows entangle us, keeping us from living a life of true freedom. For me, some of my inner vows have come out the last few months and upon first glance, they look very trivial and not seeming to have the power of the bondage making kind of vows. But, digging deeper, I've found that these vows are the very thing that God is using to teach me something about my walk with Him.

Vow one: "I'll NEVER move to Abilene." Abilene is obviously not Iraq, but for a big city girl like me, it seems like a dry, desolate small town with little action going on. Add on the fact that my family is not there, my friends are not there and there are only two non-country radio stations, it was not my first choice of places in America to live. However, God has so clearly and plainly called us to move to Abilene that He has fashioned my heart to meet His desires. I WANT TO GO! I know! It shocks me too! But, I can't wait to get there and see what He has for us.

Vow two: "I'll NEVER buy a house that has a swing front garage." This seems pretty silly to even write, but it is my latest "Ah-ha Moment" that came this morning and it had big impact on me. For years, Jason and I have driven around the metroplex looking at homes and dreaming of purchasing the perfect one for us one day. When we looked at floor plans and curb appeal, I never liked the houses that have the garages that swing right in front of the door. The plus is that you can't see the garage door from the road, but the downside is that you walk out your front door onto cement and cars can pull up basically to your front door. Not a fan. (If you have one of these homes, I do apologize....I'm sure it's lovely!) But, I'll give you ONE guess as to what kind of house we are purchasing....that's right. The very kind I said I'd NEVER buy. And yet again, I am head over heels ectastic about the house! The garage is actually going to be a perfect retreat for my football/man cave loving hubby who wants to grill and have lots of parties right on all that cement.

So, when this second vow came to mind this morning, I asked the Lord why He was so bent on taking these seemingly trivial things and doing the exact opposite. His reply astounded me. He answered me by reminding me of how different my whole life had gone from the way I had promised it would when I was young. By now, I should have had four biological children, graduated from college, married a white collar man and have a cocker spaniel. Opposite, opposite, opposite. Okay, Lord, obviously you've been trying to talk to me about this for a while now, so what are you wanting to say? I'm listening. He told me that He really isn't interested in the details of what I want or don't want. He could have just as easily given me all the things I thought I wanted as younger Jenn and He certainly didn't have to move me to Abilene or give me a swing garage house just to irritate me. He said that He is after my freedom...my abandonment. (There's that word again, Lord!) He's calling me (and this is the part that floored me) to live so abandoned that I wake up each day to literally walk with Him seeing where He will take me and what He will show me. In my last post about abandonment, I didn't even fully get this. I was "sold out" to Him to do whatever with me, but still I was more about me on my journey and if He wanted to interrupt me I could be fine with it. Today, I'm understanding that me has to be out of the picture. The wild adventure that He wants to have with me is one that can only happen when I come to Him with no agenda, no plans, no thoughts at all except to hang onto Him and enjoy.

When I think about that, it gets me pretty excited. I envision myself in a flowing white sundress with no shoes on, holding onto Sweet Jesus' hand and running along side wild horses on the beach. That's the kind of life I want. Sweet and wild abandon to the Redeemer of my heart. I'm sure that this isn't the last lesson on my journey with Him, but my eyes are open and I'll never...err....I'm keeping them that way!

QT On The Mower

Last night I spent some great quality time with one of my BFF's. We spent the evening laughing and being silly and venting about the things going on with us. At the end of it, with a specatular lightning show around us, we spent some time praying over the pressing stresses in her life right now. The main theme: trust God for His timing in His way. Such a sweet time!

Inevitably though, this morning I woke up to my own life again. Not that it's bad, but it has been full of a chore list a mile long, another trying day learning short vowel "i" and did I mention the power and water were out due to the storm? I haven't been in the best of moods, let me tell you.

One of the things on my chore list is mowing the three acres of land we currently reside on. I don't mind it really other than the storm of allergies it conjures in my head after I'm finished. But, it gives me some time to think uninterrupted and process things with the Lord. For some reason today on the mower, I started thinking about the Duggars...pregnant with their 19th child. I have mixed feelings really, but mostly I'm supportive of the decision to honor life and love children. That has been my heart since I was a little girl. So, of course I start thinking about my life and the amount of children I would like to have and then it dawned on me: I'm going to be 31 in two months....31!!!! Most adoption agencies don't allow you to adopt after 40 so that only gives me 9 years to adopt all the children I want, but if they go by Jason's age then we only have 8 years! Literal panic set in my heart and head while I went round and round on the mower. "My life is half over and I only have one child! What about my dreams? My plans?" Panic, Panic, Panic. I had to stop the mower and breathe. Thankfully, Sweet Jesus came to the rescue. He sang over me Peace and Confidence in Him and reminded me that I have offered Him my life to use for His glory. Abandonment. That's the goal. To live a life so abandoned to Him that I care nothing about my own desires or plans unless it lines up with His desires and plans.

I remembered the prayers we prayed last night for my friend and echoed them for my situation today. If I go the rest of my life without any more children, be glorified, Lord. If I have the blessing of adopting more children, be glorified, Lord. Whatever your will for me...for us...be honored, be praised, be high and lifted up! My life is Yours...I yield to You...I will not panic...You've got this...You're not shaken.

Lessons Learned

I'm not a great mother. Most days I'm short tempered and preoccupied. Too many nights in the last three years I've gone to sleep thinking about the ways that day that I missed the mark, let her down. Yet, every morning, I'm greeted by the same sweet smiling face. Truly the image of an angel with sleep in her eyes and the imprint of bed sheets on her face. She says "Good Morning, Mommy" with a sheepish tone, not sure she's ready to be awake. In that moment, I promise anew to be gentle, patient, focused and FUN and pray in my heart for God to make it so.

Being a homeschool mommy gives me every opportunity to test that promise. We are only in day two of school for this year and yet, I have closed my eyes about five times today to silently pray for the strength to be patient and gentle when everything in me wants to scream and yell. My dearest little one has had three total meltdowns today over Kindergarten work. You would think that learning her ABC's and coloring the pictures that have the short "i" sound would be less traumatic, but you are wrong. For my lovely, who is at heart very particular and hard on herself, if she doesn't get it right, she doesn't want to do it at all. I think she gets this from me although I don't know how. Meltdown number one came when I listed off names of her friends and asked after each one if she heard the short "i" sound in that name. After the third wrong answer, she stomped her foot and put out her pouty lip and said that learning was not fun. Great. Meltdown numero dos came when I asked her to color the picture of the turtle and duck on the pond in the appropriate colors while I put in a load of laundry. When I returned to find the whole picture covered in silver crayon, she threw her hands in the air and said she had no idea what color a turtle is. Right. Meltdown trois came during math. This one was a doozy. I asked her to count how many times I clapped my hands. Each time, one..two...three claps, yet she kept counting to four. What? She knows better. After the third try, the water works showed up. "I'm just not smart!" I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, but instead I closed my eyes (again) and prayed and started again. After about the tenth time, she got it and we celebrated by dancing around the room.

I post all of this for two reasons: One, my wise and wonderful friend Janna motivated me when she wrote a great post about being transparent on her blog here. She is so right. We can only grow when we allow ourselves to truly be real with someone else. Too many times, I want everything to "look" right so that I in some way seem to be a success. If you're looking for a "picture" of success though, you won't find it on this blog. I have purposed to be open and real here...the good the bad and the ugly.

Second, in dealing with the, umm, DRAMA my precious put out today, I recognized someone in her...me. So many times I am being instructed about something from a wise leader, my husband or the Lord. I don't get it right the first, second or even third time, so I stomp a bit and quit. Sometimes, I go the exact opposite direction of the instruction I've received and do my own thing. And other times, I cry and whine letting my insecurities show and give up because I know I'm just not good enough. This all rushed into my mind when Sweet Holy Spirit put in my mind a verse to tell my girl amongst her tears. 2 Peter 1:3 says "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." In my own words I shared with her that God has already given her everything she needs to learn and do well. Her eyes lit up and she was ready to try again. Our pastor just preached a two week series on this great verse and I admit it did the same for me; I lit up again and was ready to try again.

We're learning alot, my girl and me. May you be blessed and encouraged to know you're not the only one!

Praises While Packing Up

Packing Day One went well. I had the dining room on the agenda first since it is the least used of our things...you know fine china and all that. I cleared out that room and will use it as the box storing area as it will be quite easy to get the movers in and out of there. This is our third move in 1 1/2 years and I have gotten pretty good about organzing it although it is not a fun task no matter how many times you do it. My solice is knowing that this move will be permanent unless God calls us elsewhere.

Jason had his final interview yesterday. It went really well and the hiring manager called him yesterday afternoon and formally offered him the job. He gave him $1 an hour over what he currently makes which is about double what we were told he could expect in Abilene. Praise the Lord. He is to report in Abilene by September 28th.

In thinking about this move and how it has come about I keep thinking about Psalm 118:23 "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous to see!" Jason and I are amazed. This is truly the Lord's doing over and over and it is marvelous and amazing to witness.

Now, in that spirit, where is the tape gun?

The Next Adventure

Jason and I announced on Facebook last night that we are moving to Abilene October 1st. We are so excited about how God has shown us that we're to move and about starting our new adventure there. Of course that excitement doesn't come without its sadness about leaving our precious family and dear friends. This coming month will be one of many highs and lows as we ride the emotional roller coaster of relocating. But, one thing I know and hold strong to is that my Redeemer is faithful and true. He is Emmanuel...God with us. He goes before us and prepares the way. Only good comes from Him!

As we get ready to do the big move, look for pictures and updates from our adventure!

After a long hiatus...

It has been a long, long time blogger world! After the new year, we were very busy at our house with moving and there wasn't much to blog about. Then in April, our overused laptop crashed and we have been without a computer since then. Thankfully, we got a new laptop last week and things are looking up. I'm so happy to be connected to cyber space again!