There's no place like home...

It is late, but I wanted to get these pictures up of our trip to San Antonio before too much time passes. Sorry if it is all mumbo jumbo, but I need to get to my bed and get some zzzzzzz.... here it goes~

We spent 11 wonderful days in my home state with my family and friends...

above: my longtime friend's kiddos Amy, thank you for being such a faithful, dear friend all these years. I love you so much and if our kids have half the friendship we do, they will be blessed indeed! :)

Below: Mya and her bestie ;) Addison

It has been fun to see these girls blossom into talkative, fun-loving 5 year olds. They have been playmates since they entered the world. They stared at each other at 1yr, play and fought hard at 2yrs., and became the best of friends at 3yrs. Although, they had to say goodbye at 4yrs., they have maintained a steadfast love for one another. It is my prayer that they would always continue to be good friends that spur each other on to do better and encourage the other to "finish the race" well. We miss you Addison!

Mya other dear friend, Brynn, was kind enough to wait for Mya to come into town, so she could attend the big birthday bash! Mya looked forward to this moment for months... can you tell she enjoyed every moment she had with this girl? :) Miss you too Brynn! Above: Felicity, Mya, Brynn


Daddy took me on a date ~ just like the old days.

Thank you dad! I loved every second of it!



Me and my sweet mommy, my advisor, my friend

Mom, I am blessed beyond measure to call you my friend!

Good times with grandpa...

sweet times with grandma...

Slaeter first time on a Tx. ranch and fireants :/ ...




One of the reasons we made trip down to S.A. ~

I wouldn't have missed this wedding for the world!

Me and my sisters ~ I miss these girls soooo much!

And the fun we always seem to have!






The time spent with the Auntie's is always a major highlight of the trip!



Thanks steph and Angela for all your help and for sacrificing much needed sleep for the slumber parties. :) The girls always look forward to the "sleepovers" !

It is always tradition to make cookies with Aunt sandy~

Thanks Sandy for taking the time out of your extrememly busy schedule for my girls. It was the "icing on the cake" or maybe I should say "the cookie" ;) for them! They will cherish the memories forever!

I miss the great state of Texas and the ones I love... can't wait to get back!

Rest

Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ~Matt. 11:28 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him Ps. 37:7


Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for in you do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. Ps. 143:8

Beautiful Texas skies (Sept. 2009)

One year ago, I said goodbye to some of the people and places that I held near and dear to my heart. My heart was heavy and I sobbed for most of the first day of my drive.

*I was driving the van, Nate the truck, and YES it was a crazy thing to do and something we shall NEVER do again!*

We said goodby to family...
I had no idea this would be the last time I would ever hug mi abuela.

shed lots of tears as I said goodbye to my best girlfriends we thought we wouldn't have to say goodbye to our awesome dog Tito, but we did, so I cried again...

Virginia Sept. 2008 ~ We aren't in Texas anymore Tito!

The drive was LONG, TIRING, and I was emotionally spent by the end.

The trip was eventful to say the least, a blowout as I drove at rush hour on a 4 lane freeway outside Dallas,

a trip to the vet in the middle of nowhere for x-rays for Tito (don't even ask)... and all that comes with traveling with a 3yr. old , 23 month old, and 2 month old. Allow me to play my fiddle for just a second PLEASE ~ by the end, I was nursing at nights and driving ALL day. Praise the Lord for Starbucks!

However, the Lord taught me many things during that time and throughout this entire year. Going back to a 2 bedroom apartment living with 3 extra people in a part of the country where winter is real :) and preparing to play outside takes more than a couple minutes was quite adjustment. The Lord challenged me to rest in Him. When I was lonely, when I was physically tired from caring for 3 small little ones, mentally exhausted from finding things to play in our cramped apartment... to "wait patiently" for friends, for community, for a house, for spring... and as I rested, even in the dead of winter, I began to see His provision. He provided community in a few dear friendships, refreshment every sunday by Pastor Mike Mentor, warm homes to spend the holidays in. I get choked up just thinking about the Lord's lovingkindness.

A year ago, I never thought I would be saying goodbye to family and friends almost to the day all over again. The Lord does have a sense of humor! Once again, tears were shed and my heart ached.

But it was different. On the plane ride home, we ( the girls and I) talked about our friends, our community, our home in Virginia. My heart was filled with gratitude as I saw my girls smile and it warmed as I thought of the fun to be had with my girls in VA.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are glad. ~ Ps. 126:3

The Potomac River 2009
One the drive home we crossed over this river and it was a beautiful sight. I took a deep breath as I took it in and felt so peaceful. I don't know where the Lord will take my heart this year but I REST in the knowledge that He is in control, guiding our steps, watching over us, leading us with his righteous right hand.

Inspired...

Fall is around the corner and the leaves on this tree are proof of that. We woke up this morning to gorgeous blue skies, cool crisp air, and scrumptous fall colors beginning to color the trees with their rich hues of gold, orange, and reds of all shades.

All this gorgeous weather has inspired us...

to spend our days enjoying the great outdoors,

inspired me :) ...

to bring in the some of those same rich hues...

oversized velvet, some textured pillows balance the cool tones of the room and add warmth as the cool season blows in from the North.

My husband was inspired by the cool weather and rapidly approaching season as well... FOOTBALL season that is. So energized and ready for the season that he purchased the 52" item below. :)

He steps outside, smiles as he takes in a deep breath of the cool air he knows and loves and says, "I can smell it. Football is in the air. I love fall! I love this weather! I'm so ready for the season to begin!" :)

Since Nate is one of the most unselfish persons I know and sacrifices all for his family - time, sleep, hobbies... even the last scoop of his homeade ice cream! How could I deny my man this one thing? Besides, this weather does put me in the mood for a little football watching myself. :) Those Cowboys need all they can get up here... ;) surrounded by diehard "skins"!

I have been told it will get hot again. HAHAAHAHa - it's been hot for all of 2 days this summer! If this cool front passes by and should it get warm again, I know one little girl who is not ready for summer fun to end. ;) Audrey switches between her bathing suit and princess dresses as playclothes. Works for me! Less washing!

Out to enjoy the lovely day~ blessings ~~