Fall Festival

Catching Up on Old Photos

Liz was inspired by Cupcake Wars to make some cupcakes. They were so delicious by the way! I believe she used a cherry compote (which she made), a homemade frosting, and a little gel frosting.

All the cute kid pictures are self-explanatory. They are kids and they are cute!

Elizabeth also chalk decorated our back patio before we moved from Jacksonville. Our only photograph was taken at night (I think the rain washed it out by the next day). I thought it was quite pretty.

And then they all did some crazy hair-do's one night. Their hair was full of mousse and gunk for several days. Nice.

Unexpected Blessing!

Jessica, a girl from church, won tickets from a radio station to Women of Faith. It was a last minute win and she asked if I would like to go with her! I've never been and had heard little about it (besides hearing the name around). So Phillip had the kids while I was away this past weekend. And I got to have an awesome time at Women of Faith!

Looking at the website before we left, I had heard of most of the names but didn't really know anyone who was going to be on the big stage.

Ballet Magnificat was probably my favorite part. I loved how the arts were included throughout the program. The Jesus Painters were there also to do a neat progressive story painting that ends as a painting of Jesus.

CeCe Winans ~ how cute and fun is she!? She tells a whole story in her singing. It's like her songs are a journey.

There was a meet and greet included with the winning tickets, so Jessica and I (and two other ladies) got to meet two of the speakers. One was Jennie Allen (she's written some Bible studies and books; her husband is a minister). And the other was Pat Smith, wife of Emmett Smith (who plays football for the Dallas Cowboys; you probably know that ~ I don't keep up with sports, so I was not aware.). She has five kids! And holds ladies retreats and does speaking engagements.

Sheila Walsh (author of "Gigi: God's Little Princess" and other books) was a main speaker. She's Scottish and has the accent! I loved that.

Ken Davis, Angie Smith, Selah (Amy Perry of the group is stinkin' hilarious!), Lisa Harper were all a part.

It was such an unexpected blessing to me ~ a very encouraging weekend with everyone on stage sharing struggles and being real. Jessica and I got to talk quite a bit too; it was fun to get to know her.

Stop in Louisiana

On our way to San Antonio a month ago, we stopped in Louisiana for a couple days to be with my mom and Momo and see friends. We went to our usual haunt (Jennings Park) and pet the alligator, played on the island and a little bit at the park. It was pretty hot that day. The kids made a little house out of the tree cover. They made swamp gumbo. Harrison enjoyed going back and forth over the bridge with Nana. Nana wanted to sit in the sun. This girl wanted to sit in the shade. So our conversation was shouted back and forth. Phillip was over here in San Antonio getting the house prepared, so I had several phone calls from him. Thank goodness he got all the issues resolved before we got there!

Goodbye's

These are only a few of the memories from good-bye get-togethers in Florida. There were several I missed with the camera, but they are good memories nonetheless.

We made good friends in Florida ~ friendships I hope we continue over the miles. I wrote once about all the churches I've been a part of and how many friends I know all over the States and even parts of the world. So many good, sincere people who live faithful lives. And now the Sunshine State is one of those places filled with good memories and blessings. I can look back over the 5 years we were there and see God working in our lives and see how we've grown as a family and individually. Harrison was born, Elizabeth was baptized, our homeschool journey really took off during those years, half our married life took place, both of our vehicles came from Florida......
With the way the world works, I know I'll meet up with some of these people or have connections through them at future times. It's always fun.

So goodbye to the Sunshine and hello to the Lone Star where there is still plenty of sunshine. We'll all meet again.

While Mom was Gone...

The kids spent lots of time with Dad while Jonathan and I were in Washington. There were several visits to McDonalds, I hear.

Elizabeth was at camp for a week. She LOVES camp ~ plans for it all year long.

Trip to "Mom's Home State"

Everytime someone asked Jonathan where he and I were headed, he would tell them, "My mom's home state." And so we were.  Headed to Washington for a family reunion.  His birthday was the day after we left, so the flight attendants gave him a little birthday celebration on the plane complete with a toilet paper cake.

Tonya my sister also had cupcakes for Jonathan's birthday.  The neighbor kids continually hang around her house, so they enjoyed the treats as well.

Jordan was into playdough while were there.  He makes things out of playdogh the way Jonathan makes things out of Legos.

And here is Jonathan making things out of Legos.

Cory, Tonya, I and the boys drove 5 hours from Seattle to Spokane for the family reunion.  Awesome time talking with my siblings on the drive. There was a lot of talking, playing cards, bounce house and other fun stuff for the kids, pictures to peruse, etc. at the reunion.  It had been a long time since we'd had a reunion with so many people able to attend.  I believe 100 was the number of people who came.  Grandma and those who helped did a great job.

Jennifer is a close friend of mine who I met at McDonald's when we worked there as teens. I liked her so much I wanted to keep her in the family, so she married my cousin.  Or maybe she liked us so much she couldn't resist joining the family.  :-)  She's one of the pregnant gals.  My grandma has 7 children, 26 grandchildren, and 18 or so great-grandchildren with three more on the way.  Her offspring's gifting is procreation.

Here's the other pregnant gal, Alicia. She's acting dramatic. Her brother in Virginia couldn't make it because of his baby being on the way.

Tonya is making grasshopper catching jars.

Jonathan and Joshua.

I didn't get a lot of pictures.  A piece on my camera broke right before we left. But the iPad sufficed for a few grainy pics. I was so glad to make the reunion.  I love talking to my cousins and siblings.  I love seeing the different groups going off to swim in the lake or play volleyball or stay up till 5 playing Risk (really, guys?). I love getting to know all those young cousins who are grown up now.  My heart is grateful.