Adventure #13

Last weekend, Richard mentioned that it would be fun to go see the Rangers vs Red Sox game. Unfortunately, they were in town on my first week back to school. But after looking at my schedule, I thought we might could pull it off. So after making a few arrangements, I headed out of town Monday after work and we made it to the game by the 2nd inning. My mom, dad, aunt, sister and friends were all there too, so it was soooo much fun and soooo worth all the driving. Plus the Rangers won!!


I really like this pic of me and Richard with the sunset but we couldn't seem to take it without being blurry...

15 pictures later, we finally got a non-blurry one, but the sun had gone down and Richard was having way too much fun making funny faces for the camera!

First Day of School

The first day of school is behind us! Troy and Teague were both anxious to go back to school and see their friends. They had their backpacks ready and wanted to pick out their clothes the night before and when Monday morning came, they both walked right in without any tears! I was thankful for that because my own morning was hectic enough without me having to worry about leaving them in tears! I have been blessed with two wonderful boys that are friendly, easy going, and adaptable and lucky for me, the first day of school was a joy!

Girl's day with Baylee

Saturday, Baylee and I spent the day getting ready for the first day of school. She wanted her hair darker and layered so that is where we started. She came over Friday night and we spent the night watching 13 going on 30 and coloring her hair. Saturday morning we slept in and got donuts before we headed out to the salon. The lady at the salon fixed her hair so cute and she loved how it looked. Then it was off for pedicures and lunch! Baylee really wanted a peace sign on her toe and when we told the lady that's what she wanted she had no clue what we were talking about so I had to draw her a picture. I think it turned out pretty good!! And Baylee loves the rhinestones! It was such a fun day and I hope that her first day of school is a little better after a day of pampering!





Before we did the color

After...a little darker

Adventure #12

It's been almost 6 months since I started Adventure #8 and to my surprise God has brought a man into my life that has completely blown my expectations out of the water. To be honest, I never thought I would find someone that could even attempt to come close to the qualities that I look for in a man, much less, find him online...but I was wrong.

Over the last 6 months Richard and I have been getting to know each other and the more I learn about him, the more I am drawn into him. He is a widowed father of 3 who has a passion for youth like no one else I have ever met. He has been in youth ministry for 13+ years and I am amazed at his desire to connect with teens. He is an outstanding dad and his kids are so sweet and respectful. In dating with children, it becomes a little tricky, and scary, as to when is the right time to integrate the kids, but the kids just seemed to get along right from the start. Granted, I haven't let the boys meet hardly anyone I've dated, so I don't have many scenarios to compare it to, but after 4 months of doing most things together with all 7 of us...I am still amazed at how easy it feels.

Also in Adventure #8 I specified the difference in a good man and a Godly man, and to watch Richard live out who God created him to be leaves me humbled. Even though my list is long and very specific for qualities I look for, a part of me thinks I will not find that. And to now have the companionship of a man that exceeds my expectations only brings me back to praising God for how far He has brought me. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know God is in control and, in this moment, I wouldn't change anything.

Hold Me

I seem to hear God so clearly through music and I love my times in the car alone where can turn up the radio and just praise God and worship with Him. Most the songs talk about God as Deliverer or Redeemer or Savior or Comforter...which are all great attributes but I LOVE the songs that talk about Him in a Husband or Significant Other role. And enjoy them even more when the words seem to say exactly what I am feeling inside towards Him. This is one of my new favorite songs...enjoy!

Adventure #11

For our monthly Girl's Night Out we went to the shooting range. I was so excited to go!! I have shot guns before but not in a shooting range. Once we got there the guy explained all that we needed to know to load the bullets and the rules for being there. It was a lot, and made me a bit nervous that I would do something wrong, but luckily there was a man in the shooting area that was nice and would help us if we forgot how to load or unload one of the guns. We shot a 22, a 45 revolver and a 9. On my little man, I was obviously more accurate with the 22, but I did hit the paper with the 45 and the 9 so I was proud of myself!! I think we all had a good time trying something new!!


I think I did pretty good!!

Adventure #10

Tonight was the Monster Truck Jam. The boys have been looking forward to this for awhile and being able to share it with Richard and his kids was so much fun. There were 4 or 5 different challenges and each monster truck would compete and then they would decide who won that challenge. In between the challenges they had 4-wheeler races that were fun to watch also. They boys loved all of it and it's so neat to watch their reaction to it. Teague kept saying 'this is awesome' with a fist pump! It was definitely something every boy should do at least once...but I bet we will be going back whenever they come to town again.

Troy with King Krunch

Everyone watching toy cars being raced on an obstacle course


Grinder Vs. El Toro Loco

The boys couldn't even take their eyes off the trucks to look at the camera for a quick picture! LOL!!

They had two different transformers come out that shot fire and had a gun fight and the boys LOVED it!!

Grave Digger vs. Ninja Turtle

Me and Baylee and Teague...with his ear plugs!

We bought all the boys got monster trucks to take to the show

Grinder flipped over during his Freestyle part

They had to bring the tractor out to help him get up

Headline of my Heart

A few months ago I wrote a blog that talked about the headline of my heart and how as life goes on, that headline changes. Over the last couple of days my heart has been breaking for two different families. They are going through completely different circumstances, but, strangely enough, the emotions I am feeling are the same. And in both situations there is little I can do to change their circumstances, but I am desperately wanting to do something. Which leads me to the only thing I know to do... pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray with ceasing. I have been consumed in prayer this week for these families. It seems like my mind and heart are constantly thinking of them, so I utter a small prayer, and then 15 minutes later I think of them again and my heart aches and I say another prayer. All day, just consumed to the point where I am having trouble focusing on my own tasks for the day. In Romans and in Galatians it talks about those that are strong bearing the weakness of those who are not and to bear each others burdens. I hope that in my small little prayers upwards that I am somehow living these verses out. Not too long ago, many of you shouldered my own pain and I think I'm getting a glimpse of how you guys must have felt. Powerless!! It's a horrible feeling, but I'm certain there is power in prayer. So I will keep praying every time God brings those names to my mind. Although it feels like I am doing nothing, I know my little prayers throughout the day are being heard, so I am going to just trust God to be who He is and watch Him work.

Saturday with the girls

On Saturday, I was able to go down to the Lost Pines Resort for a day of fun with the girls. Tanna and Audra come down from Dallas and Lauren came over from Bastrop. Tanna and Lauren both had their kids. I wish the boys could have joined us. We floated the lazy river, got some sun, explored the petting zoo, and played in the bounce house. I think me and Tanna had more fun in the bounce house than the kids did!! The resort was so nice and the staff took very good care of us while we were there. I think we decided that we need to come for a longer period of time the next time we come! There were too many fun things to do and not enough time. I think my favorite part of the day was when the kids were playing by themselves and the four of us were able to talk uninterrupted for a bit. About nothing in particular really, just real life issues that women face and how we cope. We were able to share songs and verses that speak to each of us, in hopes that they speak to others too. I am so blessed to have women around me that have my same spiritual convictions and who I can talk freely with about anything!


Being silly

Ice cold drinks on another 100+ degree day

On the Lazy River

Me, Tanna and Lauren

playing in the sand

Back to work

It was back to work for me last week. I am so lucky that I love my job and I love my coworkers. Having to go back to work was hard because I loved being a stay at home mom, but I think God set me up with the perfect job for my situation and my personality. Not only do I enjoy teaching 4 year olds and get the summers off to spend with the boys, but I also have great ladies to work with which makes it so much fun. This week was filled with a ton of training but also with us all catching up after being apart all summer. I am really looking forward to this year!

The whole gang!

Me and my co-teacher, Dora

Our director was so sweet and got us each a welcome back gift!!

Adventure #9

Feather Extensions...the new fad. I'm sure we will look back in a few years and wonder why we were putting feathers in our hair, but for today it's the new fathion trend! So, earlier this week Baylee, Richard's daughter, texted and asked if I would take her to have feathers put in her hair. I have been wanting to do it all summer, so this was the perfect opportunity, plus I'd have a friend to go with me!! Baylee wanted to get 4 feathers and for it to be very bright and visible. I wanted just one feather and wanted to be able to hide it, since going back to work is right around the corner for me. There were a million different feathers to choose from. You're not only looking at color, but length and the way the feather hangs and how "feathery" it is. Once we decided, the lady clamped them in and that was it. So now we both are very fashion forward...and perhaps have given future generations reason to question what we were thinking. ;)