Staff Retreat

We had such a fun time in San Antonio on our Staff Retreat. We stayed right on the River Walk and really enjoyed our cozy hotel.  We planned and brainstormed and encouraged and prayed and worshipped and ate and fellowshipped.  It was a great 3 days and it was such a blessing to get to know everyone better as we all strive to make Acts a better place.

14

Does anyone else have "a number?" Like your favorite number or that number that just is a constant in your life? Mine is 14. It started out as 'our number'...my ex-husband and I's, but God has been showing me how it was never meant to be my number with anyone else but Him! 

In the months after the divorce I would receive money or books in the mail from others praying for me and it would arrive on the 14th or letters would come that were written on the 14th and most recently, He gave me my dream home in 2014.  He has slowly and faithfully been showing me 14 is our number!

This week I am in San Antonio for a staff retreat with our church and being here at this time, in this hotel is no accident or coincidence.  God had something special for me! Today, December 14th, marks 14 years from the day my ex-husband proposed to me at Marriage Island on the River Walk in San Antonio.  I knew He wanted me to go back to that spot today.  So off I went and it was less than a 3 minute walk from our hotel! As I was walking I kept seeing purple flowers after purple flowers after purple flowers! It was so beautiful!

When I got to Marriage Island I just sat and listened; to the nature around me, to music and to Him. It was such a special moment.  In the stillness I was reminded how faithful He is, even when we are not faithful to Him, He is still faithful to us! 

There was a sculpture and underneath was this plaque. I love that the sculpture and place historically represents a "place of restful waters."  It sure was a place of rest for me today!

I love how He is always able to take our mess and junk and brokenness and turn them into something beautiful. 

Thanksgiving 2016

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! We spent the the afternoon at the Hollingsworth's.  Lynette and Roy made a delicious lunch and we were able to hang out with Richard's brother and his kids.

In the evening, we went to the Pippen's for game night!

We and Sorry, Monopoly, and Round the Board going.

On Friday, we sent to the Tech/Baylor game at the Cowboys Stadium.  They gave us all pom poms as we walked in and I was the only one that grabbed the red and black....and the only one still waving it at the end of the game, too!

Birthday Weekend

My birthday weekend started with a girls trip to Canton! A pit stop at Buc-ee's is always a must!

The morning started off rainy, but quickly cleared up! We saw as much as we could in nine hours, but you truly need more than one day to see it all. I also found out very quickly that we should have brought a cart or a wagon. By the end I had everyone carrying my bags for me because I had purchased too much stuff to carry on my own! 

Once we got home, the boys surprised me with birthday balloons that they had picked out while we were gone. They were thankful they were able to stay with PaPa and go to the movies instead of shopping with us.

Sunday morning I was able to meet up with Tanna for breakfast and a chance to catch up. It was a quick visit, but I am glad we were able to squeeze it in.

Sunday afternoon Richard and the kids drove up for the party. The theme was a wine tasting!

The table was filled with cheeses and meats and crackers and pickled veggies. It all was so good!

There was even cake pops and dark chocolate with an almond champagne and a rich port for dessert.

Our party favors!

Mom even had the plates that attach and hold the wine glass so we could walk around and visit while we ate.

Mom got me a wine shirt to wear and herself a new wine apron for the party. Thanks for making this party so personal and special! Every detail was perfect!

I had such a fun weekend with so many I love, on top of all the texts and Facebook messages!! As I get older, I just keep feeling that life gets better and better! I am so blessed and excited to see what this year holds!

Birthday Celebration

Due to our busy schedules we couldn't seem to find a weekend when we were all free to celebrate Troy and Kelby's birthdays, so we had to get creative. We decided to surprise them with a day at the Texas State Fair.  

I had taken the day off but got up as usual and went into town for some coffee while Richard took them to school, so we didn't tip them off! Then, at about 9am we went to check them out. They came to office concerned that they were in trouble! But once I gave them their first clue they knew they weren't. 

They guessed and guessed with each clue, but never figured out our destination. The final clue gave it away though and they were excited!

We visited all the iconic places first and they loved every minute of it! 

Big Tex

Ferris Wheel

Then we went to several shows. 

The slam dunk show.

The ZuZu Acrobats

The chainsaw wood sculptor.

And the car show...oh how they loved the car show!

Next was the midway. They were very brave and tried some scary rides!! 

The Kamakazi

The Fun House

They came out covered in bubbles!!

And last we tried the food!! We had rotisserie chicken, Belgian waffles, caramel apples, corn dogs, grilled corn and fried twinkies!! It was all amazing! 

I think we all had a blast and I hope this double digit birthday will be one they remember forever. Happy 10th, boys!