Staycation!

The past week we have been on STAYCATION......and boy has it been

HOT HOT HOT!! Temps 100+  equals most of the time we were  inside somewhere...

Every year our vacation week falls on the week of July 4th because that's when B's work shuts down. This year we didn't plan a week at the beach....  :( makes me sad....but we just couldn't swing it this year. July 4th week is the most expensive week in the year and with the past few months of vehicle issues, (one right after the other), school expenses, baseball and just the things that happen in life we didn't get to go away for vacation. 

Sooooooo, we tried to make the best of things with the heat being a tough thing. We mostly hung out at home, while that may sound boring and sad....it wasn't. We spend little time at home. We are a family on the go most of the time. It was great not to have to do anything, or be anywhere. Last Sunday ended Legion Baseball, and as much as I love watching Bub play. I was really tired of going and going, and it was SUPER HOT!!! Plus, Kea isn't really fond of spending every night at a ball park or being out in the heat! So time to do nothing was long over due. We grilled out almost every night, went swimming,  Am, M and Baby C were over a couple times. We even got to pick him up one day at school.... lol! Love time with that sweet boy!! 

We did have a couple days out of the house, braving the heat, having fun spending time together. One thing I know, I love my family and it doesn't matter where we are, I am just happy for us to be together!!

We headed to the mountains on the 4th to get away from some of the heat! Praise the Lord it was a beautiful day and it was much cooler than at home. We found out about Valle Crucis park last year and we have been several times and we just love it. Here are a few pictures......

BOY DO I NEED A HAIRCUT!!

Not sure what he is doing?? 

My "oh so cool" hubby!

Look Mom! We are twins!! 

Deep in thought.....

Daddy & his baby girl!

JUMP!!

We also spent a day at C*rowinds.... (yes it was hot, but it was still a fun day!!) This was Kea's first time and he was so excited!! He was tall enough to ride several of the big rides and he was so brave he just went on without hesitation. And I am really really bad.... once again, I didn't take pictures, I left my camera in the van. TWICE!!! Luckily, Sis had her phone and took a few. Once again I will remind you, that I am bad to have my camera and forget to take pictures anyway. I try to do better now that I blog, I just sometimes have senior moments. Lol! 

After a long hot day, we are ready to head home!

The NC/SC state line. All day he let us know which state we were in.
Glad someone was keeping up with that! HA!

My silly silly boys!!
(fyi...my sister-in-law saw this picture on my son's F*cebook page and  let us know quickly that  he had a
picture on his page with a naked woman....baahaaaa.... lol!!

Well, today is our last official day off.... and tomorrow it's back to work! At least we have jobs to go to. 

After church, B grilled some awesome lunch, and now he is napping.... or trying to at least! 

The boys & Sis were watching tv...... are they the cutest??!!

Baby C in his Wo*dy Hat!! See his stickers??

With a biggg teea!! 

He stickered himself at church!! lol!! 

I am sooooo sleepy!! 

As we head into the next week we are preparing to go on a weekend mission trip with our Youth. Please pray for us as well as those that God will allow us to come in contact with. May each one going realize what an opportunity God has placed before us. We each have the ability to change a life for eternity! May God get the Glory!!

Thank you Lord for the time with my family! Thank you for each of them. Thank you that I have a family to love and cherish. Lord thank you for blessing me!!! 

Riding the Virginia Creeper!!!

What an awesome beautiful fun day!!! A friend of ours asked if we would like to go ride the Virginia Creeper on Good Friday. At first I thought...uh riding a bike for hours??? I had heard a little about it before and after checking out the website I definitely thought it would be a great day to get away, even though I was a little concerned about being on a bike for 17 miles~YIKES~ !!! Our whole family (except for M, he had to work, next time M!!!) even Baby C enjoyed the day!! Warning... this post is full of pix!!!



The whole crew ready to hit the trail!!!
This pix is courtesy of http://www.raisingfutureesthers.com/

Our Family... minus Bub he took off we will catch him later!!

Baby C... ready to "ride bike!"

 Kea is feeling a little puny..... (not for long) and his big sisters

 

Beautiful weather...thank you LORD!!

All smiles now!!




All of us, well except Bub, he was way ahead of us with his friend & the oldest of the group! Shhh!! Don't tell her I said that!!! Never mind, I am sure you are reading this...... I have to hand it to you....you  hung right with those teen boys!! Good job!!!
This pix is courtesy of http://www.raisingfutureesthers.com/

Pop!!

Me & Kea!

I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too! Bahaaa!! B picked on D ALL day!! pix courtesy of www.raisingfutureesthers.com

Oh there's Bub (on right) & his friend...Can you tell Bub is not into having his picture made??

The rest of our "Crew"!! Love them!!!

Lunch time! They have been friends since she was just a baby!

She saw Mr B taking the pix....lol!! I love this ...so cute!

And they are OFF!!!

More of God's Creation!

Getting very sleepy....night night!!

Her Dad is keeping an EYE on that boy!...lol!!

 

Look R, its the little train you flew past!!

Waiting for us at our destination! So proud of these girls!! They were awesome!!

Really proud of this little guy, too!! WAY TO GO KEA!!! YOU RODE 17 MILES!!

 

B whoo hooing as we near the finish!! He's is sooo funny!!

pix is courtesy of http://www.raisingfutureesthers.com/



Look who we finally caught up to.... at the Bike Shop!

Nothing like a nap after a 17 mile bike ride!

 

Warned you there would be lots of pictures!! There are more where these came from, but I was afraid blogger wouldn't let me post!! 

Thanks D for asking us!! We had a great time! Enjoyed the fun, family, friends and the fellowship! Ready to go again....well, maybe not just yet....let my tailbone rest!! 

By the way, who invented the bicycle seat anyways??? I am thinking we need to re-invent it!!!

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

I did it, I did it, uh, huh, uh, huh... (just imagine me doing the happy dance, on second thought, DON'T!!)

That is all in fun...but, the truth of the matter is

 

I could not have done it without my Heavenly Father!! I made it through the 24 verses...I still have a hard time with some, but there are A LOT that I have gained so much from. Each verse has a reason for my choosing it, God led me to each one. Most every one has a story behind it. What led me there or how God used it. So many times I have used one that I learned (not just memorized) in my life and have been able to share it with someone right when they needed it. God's word is living and working in me. If I have learned anything from accomplishing this...I did this for me and my relationship with HIM. Not my friends that were doing it, not to go to the celebration in Houston, (even though, I wish now that I could, ~D don't even!!) and just not to be able to say that I did it. BUT, God showed me what He wanted me to learn, not memorize and He brought each one ALIVE in my life. If you don't understand what it means for God's word to be alive, then just dig in and learn a verse or two, you won't want to stop!

 I have a hard time memorizing ANYTHING... and I have such an easy time forgetting things....In 2009 I started the SSMT but, halfway through I just fizzled out... I just couldn't do it. Even though I said I would, I didn't make it. That seems to happen a lot to me. I think, I am going to do that... or this... and sometimes even before I begin I stop..or I quit...or its too much.... too hard... not for me...ohh and sometimes I am raring to go.....and then...B.A.M its over.

Which brings me to my next thought.... here we are on the 11th day of a new year... and I had thoughts of a resolution...a life change...something I wanted to do different in my life..a word for the year....something on my blog...something that would keep my focus on the Lord. I have seen sooo many great ideas in blogland and I have to say some of you are so precious, so encouraging that it makes me want to jump in and join in the Challenge or the monthly activity, or, or, or. So my mind has been reeling for several days.....ok weeks. And I won't commit to anything because I am afraid of not finishing. CRAZY....yes, I know.

SO, I haven't committed to anything (with the exception of staying in the word). There are a couple of things at the top of my list and I am praying about what GOD wants me to do as this year begins. 

Staying in THE WORD.... sooo excited, to say that on January 23 we begin 

I have to say I LOVE OUR BIBLE STUDIES!! My life tends to go outta control when I am not in an organized Bible Study. Pray for Deidre (our faithful leader), and for the women that will attend. 

Fall 2011 Bible Study Group

God has reminded me in the past day or so that, I am me.... and GOD MADE ME! I am fearfully and wonderfully made. He knows my name, my thoughts, my heartaches, my passions, and He has lots in store for me!! I cannot live through the blessings, trials, defeats or victories of others. God has some JUST for me.... I have got to find what is right for me at this time in my life. No one else is facing what I am, or living in the craziness I am right now. Whatever I do, I must do it as unto the Lord. And I am seeking Him not just to say I did ??? in 2012, but I can say that because of ??? I am different and I allowed God to WORK in me!!So I have to find what is best for me and what will glorify HIM.

What are you doing in your life, on your blog, in your quiet time to keep your focus on HIM in 2012?? Do you have a word, a challenge, a daily post, a weekly devotion or whatever for this year?