Ernest has left the building.

The hubs has moved it on up to his own blog. It is called in all ernestness. I married up in the clever department. (in all departments...)

Now for the real question at hand. Should I change the name of my blog? Should I change the header? Question after question...that's me.

The Week In Review

My mind (as usual) is flooded with more than I can express.

Here are the toppers.

Adoption. Aaron & Jamie are beginning the process for their adoption. Our heart yearns to begin but we are still in the waiting of that too. Our minds have been dreaming on ways that we can start the process. Why is this so heavy if at the moment we have no way of answering. Or is there a way and we are just not seeing it? The feelings are definitely rekindled and burning hot.

Swap. I signed up for an online swap. It is kind of like secret friends but online. I needed a cheery something in the mail so why not??? Last night I had to create a list of my likes and dislikes. It was really hard. Why is that? Amanda maybe I will get you to buy for?

Ministry. Eager to return to work. Also, thinking how can I do ministry right here, right now? Am I wasting time just waiting around? What should I be doing?

God. Most of all my mind is centered on staying close. It has been so hard. At many moments I feel forgotten. My heart is sad and then I run to his word to remind the weepy heart of God's truth.

I heard a new song this week, The More I seek You. It may not be new to you but it is to me. Where have I been? I love this song. It speaks to every part of my desire. Listen and tell me what you think. I am a sap for love songs.



What else? What else?

The kids are loving school. That is great news. Here they are on the first day.



And last but not least...

I want to thank everyone that has commented, e-mailed, or myspaced me for encouragement. I have read them all and am truly grateful. I hope to getting around to responding personally. It has just been craziness around here.

Goodness on Saturday

We made the trek down to Galveston and spent the day at East Beach. I love the beach...any beach. There is just something about the sound that is so relaxing. The kids played and we all rode the waves. The best part of the beach experience was opening my bible and talking to God in the midst of all the sights and sounds of my favorite kind of place.
I loved being away with the family. The four of us sat and talked for hours. It has been a while since we have done that. As I am typing this my arms are feeling the pain of boogy boarding far too long yesterday.

 

 

We left the beach a little early because we wanted to visit a new church tonight. The church was Fellowship of the Woodlands. We went to their 7:30 emerge service. I really liked it...we are going to go back (if we are still here). Here is a picture of a water fountain in thier plaza.

 

The kids start school tomorrow. We are all a little bit on edge about it. I am sure that it will be fine. We will have to get there early to register them and take them to class. First days are always fun.

For updates sake...we have been doing a lot of thinking...

We are open to God's move. Whatever and however he moves....

We had some hoped for plans (they are still there) but are willing and open for anything.

Maybe that was one of the purposes for bringing us here.


He only knows our future...

this.and.that

I made this using Big Huge Labs. The girl is completely in awe of American Girl stuff. She is saving her pennies for an American Girl doll. Her destination of dreams is NY City for a viewing of the famed American Girl Store. In her world there is God, Family, High School Musical, Limited Too, and American Girl. She loved the cover...what fun.

BTW...We are moving to Houston tomorrow. We are going to get our kids set up in school until we hear further news on the job front. We are waiting on one particular...if that does not pan through then we will go from there. Ernest will sub while there and I am going to delve in and learn all things photography. At least that is the plan for now. I have a writing thing on the back burner (far back) so you can keep that in your prayers.

Reflecting on Vacations Past

There is not a beach in my close future. Today we would have left four our week at S.Padre. It is kind of sad but very realistic that we do not go. The weather is going to be bad there plus we are still in the saving mode. We only lost out our deposit and the lady was very understanding. Thank you, God.

I know that sounds kind of down. Don't feel sorry for me...oh no! I have been richly blessed. Last summer was the summer of vacation. It was surreal even. So I am going to do a little feasting on what great fun that was. Wanna feast with me?

For starters, we camped at the bank of the Comal river (New Braunsfels). I sleep in a tent for 5 nights with my family. I loved it at it's best and hated it at it's
worst. We floated the river to our hearts content. The family vaca was ended with a weekend with friends in San Antonio. It was peaceful and free of stress.This was at the Riverwalk. I love this picture. Check out the big hair! That is what a week of camping will do to you.


Next, we hosted a misssions trip to Belgium. For celebration we had a day in Paris. I have a hunger to go back. The cobblestone roads alone draw my attention.
Romance in Paris

I can't believe I was there...

the boys

the girls

Flowers from the market in Brugge, Belgium.

Finally, to celebrate our 10 year anniversary we went on a cruise. It was a glorious five days cruising the ocean and ending in Mexican destinations. Talk about dreamy. I was alone with the man that I love...priceless.
Cozumel

Oh..for the love

Look at the darkness! I used spf30.

See what I mean? I have been vacation blessed.

What has been your favorite vaca?

Heritage from a MAN to his BOY.

I am married to an amazing man who was once a mischievous little boy. It is great truth that he grew in stature but also in craftiness. I stand amazed at the stories he has to tell about the things that he did. Much laughter.

He grew up a pastor's son which meant that he did not miss church. God love him, there were many times he felt the need to entertain. So entertain he did! Once during worship he thought up a jewel of an idea. I can picture his face fill with that smirk smile. While the congregation was standing he placed a straight pin in a very strategic place...right where his mom would be sitting. I had to stop and laugh a bit just for the mere thought. Soon enough the entertainment ensued with the scream and jump of his mother, the pastor's wife. Can we just chuck it up to the holy spirit? She was filled all right. To this day this man takes much pride in sharing this story. Oh what a joy to be his mother. She must have laughed much. If you think this is something we could top it. Oh yes, there is more, like the time his father was preaching on suicide. Let's just say that this ended in a trip to the emergency room during the middle of service.

Prankster, enough said.

This boy is now a father. A father to a young boy. The joy continues! I must say that Colton is crazy at times and then again shy at times. He is either all or nothing. Lately I have been watching this little guy learn the craft of his father. His heritage of pranksterness.

One night I was relaxing up in the loft when I heard what could only be described as shreeks coming from the Carly's room. I could not get there fast enough. Her voice was in sheer pain as she cried. I got in there and saw her holding and bunch of little tacks in her hand. She looks up at me and immediately I understood. They were in her bed. Placed there for her to find by the sensation only they could give. Who would do such a thing? Colton. Yes, you guessed it, the boy found his way. Without hesitation I ran into his room and immediately he found the error of his ways. I didn't even have to say a word my presence over his bed was more than enough. His eyes matched mine and we both knew...

All of this was dealt with while the Man of the House sat on our bed laughing in silence. His grin was huge and his pride even larger. That's my boy! I could read the thought all over the smirk that had settled on his face.

That night will go down in our history. The story will be told many times over the years. No matter how distorted and stretched that it becomes it will always live in our memory. The memory of four people that lived in a house full of love and craziness. Priceless.

49 years

Today is my parents 49th Anniversary.

Amazing.

Summer Afternoons and School Clothes

Can you believe they asked me? It's true. They asked to have their picture taken. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The catch was that they wanted to wear the school clothes we purchased yesterday. I am up for shooting on a lonely afternoon. So off to the park we went.
Look at these shoes! They are super cute. The sweet girl loves them. In case you cannot tell they are covered in hearts. In her words..."who cares if they don't match everything...!...they have hearts all over them!"
This girl is all about a great accessory. We found this headband at a new store called Zida. It is one of those in love stores.
Oh for the love. This boy steals my heart. He picked out this shirt from Ross. As soon as his eyes saw this it became his favorite. It will most likely be the shirt he wears every time it is clean. You know the one? Did you notice his new do? He got a faux hawk back when we were traveling with LIFT. He felt the need for some newness.
His football made the pic. It was easier than the ball and bat he wanted. I enjoy his love for sports. If only I understood more about them.
Do you ever feel like your heart lives in others? I believe it is the ones whom we love that carry our heart.

My Barbie Dream House

We will be moving soon. Somewhere. That is certain. We have turned down a lot of opportunities in search of the God one. We are confident in the waiting.

We have been looking at houses in areas that we are familiar with. Just thinking... totally not saying that we are moving there. In that process I found it. My barbie dream house. It is perfect just like it was in my childhood dreams. It is completely out of my price range but it is in my heart range. I love everything about it. At least through screen images. The kitchen is all I could ask for. I am anything but a master chef but oh how I could see myself cooking away in that place. I haven't even mentioned the windows. The windows. amazing.

Take a look at the dream house that is completely clouds away. Click here.

Is there an R.V. in our future?

The front porch is a place to dream and talk the night away. All the talking in our house revolves around the motion in which God is moving us. We still have yet to receive a clear answer. He has told us to go we are just waiting to know where to go. The view from our porch is of this sweet R.V. We have spent much time rehearsing a "buyers pitch" to our neighbors. You see if all else fails we think we could buy that R.V. and tour the country in it. It is old, I know. Don't worry...we have a plan. We can call Pimp my Ride from MTV. What do you think? If we need to live in California, no problem, we could have our residence there in 3 days. That would be the beauty of living in your vehicle. If our neighbor's knew how much conversation we have over their R.V...they would laugh their heads off.

Truthfully, at this point, we do not feel a calling to travel in this R.V. But I am telling you if God said do it, we would. Our hearts are tender to his will. I want to remember this moment because I am unsure if we have ever been so eager. I promise I am not trying to brag. If you knew from where I have come you would know. We are just ready and willing. WHEREVER you lead.

Waiting for the blazing arrow (or tender word).

The {thirsty} Princess

There is a sweet princess sleeping in the next room. These days she falls asleep rather well. There were days, mind you, that it was pure torture. I am serious. I remember them without fondness. Training her to sleep in a toddler bed was crazy. She is nothing short of strong willed. When we would tuck her in she would just get up. I remember the nightly battle.

After a period of time she would stay in her bed she would just scream until she would finally sleep. Some nights we could add some wall banging to the sound of blood curling screams. Those nights I would sit on the opposite side of her bedroom door and pray. "Lord please put this child to sleep"...The Lord always provided because he knew my lack of patience.

Time moved on and the baby girl continued to grow. We stretched to the stage of requests before sleep. Oh yes, the requests. "Please read me one more story" "I am hungry" "I'm thirsty"...the list goes on and on.

One night during this fun stage she requested a drink. "I'm thirsty" "Mommy, I am thirsty". Can you hear her calling? "No, Carly, you are not thirsty..." After doing the back and forth for a while her cuteness peeked.

She looked up with her big beautiful brown eyes and said to her daddy "Daddy, Jesus lives in my heart, right?" Ernest replies tiredly "Yes, Carly" "Well Daddy...Jesus is thirsty and he wants a drink..."

Out of the mouth of babes.

Needless to say, she got a drink that night. By all means...Jesus was thirsty.

It is true, I do not miss the nights full of screaming torture. My baby girl is growing up. Some days I miss the little one that could get away with such cuteness. There are still nights when I walk out of her room and praise my sweet Jesus for a peaceful night. God made her feisty and I love him all the more for it.

Blisters and Worship

Camping with the family has been nothing short of tremendous. We are having a complete blast together. Ernest and I are crazy busy working. The kids are thinking this is the coolest place in America. I think part of it is because there is ice cream at the end of every meal.

I got blisters yesterday due to wearing cute shoes on busy Monday. What was I thinking? Cute is a very important factor...right?

One of the highlights has been worshiping side by side with the 3 people that I love most in the world. We don't get to do church together too often. (They go with us they just attend children's church.) We are just passing that stage of carrying back packs full of coloring books and games...I love it. They are in awe of the worship time. Carly carries this look of amazement as she watches her new friends love on their God. They have both been taken in by our college student rec. team. I am thankful for that.

God is drawing us close...the four of us closer to HIM...what better...

He never ceases to amaze me.

He is 8!

Colton and Biggio

What does the world look like for this amazing kid?

Today my boy, our baby, turned 8 years old. We woke up early to make his favorite breakfast, eggs and bacon. He opened presents and has already went shopping to pick out a game boy game for his new game boy. He has been saving for some time and now his joy is complete (for today).

For birthday festivities he has requested that we play "parker baseball". If the weather holds up you will see the four of us out at the ballpark acting like the pros that we are. I think this afternoon we are going to prepare with some batting practice at the local cages. I've got to get my game on.

We will end our evening enjoying Colton's favorite cuisine, "ballpark" dogs and "baseball" peanuts.

We had so much fun at the game on Friday night. We took Colton for his birthday. He loved every second of the game. We arrived before the doors opened so that we could try to get some autographs. If I had a more aggressive boy he would have scored many but no worries. He came away with a script from Jason Jennings. Not only did he get that but he sat forever and admired his favorite players Biggio and Berkman.

I am so honored to go through life with this child. He is precious, crazy, wild and so much more. He is the kid that carries 4 bibles to church for extra credit. I am serious. He receives more bible bucks for each bible brought. We think it is funny but he does not care. He likes cool hair cuts and his camo shorts. He thinks girls are gross and I love that. To this day there are times when he will reach out and grab my hand...how long will this last?

I treasure him. My boy.

Surprises and Tears on Father's Day

Sneaky. That is what attribute I had today.

Since things have been kind of crazy around our life lately I decided not to tell my parents we were coming to Houston. I did not want to disappoint them if we decided to take our week and sleep. When I knew for sure that we were coming I continued to keep my mouth shut about our plans in order host a grand surprise.

I love surprises.

When we come to town we stay at Ernest's parents house. (My parents only live about 10 minutes away.) The funny thing is my mom called and talked to me right after we arrived. My plan was to not be found out so I could walk into my parents church and surprise my dad.

Ernest was preaching for his dad, however, I decided to skip out on his message and head farther down 59 for some much needed 'time'.

Finally, I make it to the church, get out, and honestly I can feel the size of my hair growing from all the humidity. That is one thing that I do not miss about H-town. I make my way to the entrance of their small church and quickly am greeted by an usher. Sweetness. I scan the room looking for the one man in the room without gray hair. I make my way over to his pew start walking towards him and I get the blankest stare I have ever seen. He is looking right at me and yet has not 'noticed' me. He had that look on his face of "I know that person". You know the look? It was so funny. The moment he realized it was me, was well, worth all the effort. The biggest smile and strongest hug. Love. Then that is when it happened. He cried. Did you hear me? He cried.

The surprise worked. There was nothing he could have wanted more than to have one of his very own sit beside him in church. My daddy, I love him.

My mom soon noticed me (from the choir loft) and with the same eagerness showed me her love and joy. My dad had to stand and make a bold announcement that his baby daughter was there from Abilene to see him and that I made him cry. What a man!

So, to my daddy, I love you, For so many things to numerous to list. You have held me captive for many years. That is the way it is suppose to be. I will never forget your tears as we walked the aisle at my wedding. I considered not becoming a Mrs. if it would cost your heart. Forever you will always be my daddy. The first man in my life.

Mom

I love her. After being the mom of 5 children she still had love for one more. me. I am grateful to my mom and dad for choosing to love me and call me their own. I cannot even imagine life without them.

My mother kept me dressed to a T. Although it was her kind of T. I am serious ladies. She made me wear dresses to school and get this they had bells in them.

What was she thinking?

I finally understand. She wanted me to be beautiful and have the finest. In her mind frills are beautiful. We are so different. I think it would be weird if we were not.

In all my little girl party pictures you will find me in some of the laciest clothing. To this day I do not wear lace. That makes me smile.

My mom is amazing. She has taught me everything about love. There is no discrimination in her veins. She loves freely. Her life speaks love in motion. What a legacy she has. At this point in my mom an dad's life they are raising my 7 year old nephew. She is still mothering well past her mothering years.

It's good to be her daughter...

To a place?

Genesis 12:1&4
Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your fathers house, to a land which I will show you"...So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him.

This is the place where we are. Today we told our students that we are going to pursue this dream of speaking. It was not quite the time table that we were looking for but God's ways are not our ways. He determines our steps.

We will serve in our current position until the end of July and then the next couple will take over.

There are a lot of questions that we do not have answers to. It is scary yet it is exciting. I love exciting. I love adventures and this is sure to be one. There is a fight raging in the pit of my stomach over fear and faith.

At this point we are seeking a position with a student organization. We will see where God leads us. If you are a student organization and you want us by all means let us know. If it were only that easy.

This blog was created for this specific journey. To all my blog friends...I know that this is not the funny stuff you are looking for...sorry. I will be back with hopefully funny stuff later.

What will the other moms think?

The girl needs me to send in a recipe for a project that she is doing at school. She has reminded me a little over one hundred times today. To top it all off she requested that I send the recipe for my famous sugar cookies. Really? Out of all the wonderful meals I serve this is the one you want. I aim to please so I typed out this secret recipe.

I am almost positive this is for a mother's day recipe book. Once again I say...what will the other mothers think? Honesty has always been a strong point for me so I press on.

For your viewing pleasure I have posted my recipe below. You should try it at once.


Mom’s Famous Sugar Cookies

Instructions:
1. Get in car and drive to local grocery store
2. Get a cart and proceed to refrigerated section
3. Search high and low until you find the main ingredient
Pillsbury break-and-bake sugar cookies
4. Walk to cashier and make the purchase
5. Drive home
6. Walk into the kitchen
7. Follow directions on the back of the wrapper
8. Don’t forget to keep the box top
9. When done put on dryer rack and let the smell overwhelm the house
10. Let the family enjoy “mom’s” famous cookies

Taste the Rainbow

Picture It:
A family of four is sitting in the mall food court having some dip and dots ice cream and a few laughs. Here is a peek into our family conversation.

Boy: Eating Rainbow Dip and dots shares a taste with his sister.
Sister: Mmmm...that really does taste like a rainbow! (With much glee)
Mom: (curiously) How do you know what a rainbow tastes like?
Sister: DUH!,Mom. (with a sly smile) Skittles!...You know taste the Rainbow.
All Four: Laughter Erupts

They bring such joy to my heart.


Do you have any cute stories you would like to share? I would love to hear.

T-shirts + Numbers= COOL

To have a boy in the house. Noise. Joyful noise. There are many things I love about my boy. One thing for sure is his clothing choice. You will usually find him wearing some sort of T-shirt with a giant number on the back. He feels so cool in his team shirt. My boy is also the one wearing underarmour to school. Who am I to tell him that his ribs are sticking out of his small frame. If I told him, I doubt that he would care.

Friday was our first baseball game of the season. My boy had a great night. He was four for four. For those of you who don't know what that means. No worries. I will share my new found knowledge. He was up to bat 4 times and got on base 4 times. Our team ended with a score of 3 and yep our boy scored all 3 runs.

Tonight was the second game. We are 4 games behind everyone else due to weather complications. We were hoping for another awesome game. It was not so. The boy struck out 3 times. Yesterday I took him to the field for batting practice and for some reason he missed a lot of balls. In short he lost his confidence. I am sad for him. Needless to say, after the game, the coach (Ernest) kept him late. After a good pep talk from dad he was able to shake his feelings and hit. Phew. I hope he can do that tomorrow. I just cannot handle him leaving the plate with a long face. I am all about smiles.

The Beautiful Egg

Thank you, Martha Stewart, for this great idea. The kids had a great time decorating these eggs. They are beautiful and different than anything we have ever done. They were so easy. Try it and let me know how it goes. Here is what you would need for this project: old ties, white vinegar, old white sheet or muslin, and twist ties. We used some of Ernest's better ties since he does not have to wear them to church anymore. I think he felt kind of liberated.

I feel like I should be writing something very profound about Easter. Sorry...maybe tomorrow.