Archive for January 2015

My husband loves me.

I have to preface this post with that statement.

Several months before Christmas I began to get very homesick for family.

Since moving here eight years ago, we have not been back to Arizona for Christmas.

We have made quite a few trips...but not during Christmas.

And so...my poor husband was subject to my different ideas of getting us out there this year.

With six of us...flights were just too expensive.

And thus...the road trip.

We had tossed this idea around plenty of times before...but this time it stuck.

We had offers of gas cards from our parents...free hotel stays from a friend...and a very eager four children to see their grandparents...who could say no!?

Jason wasn't able to take the time off of work to make the road trip out there and back again...so I went with the kids and then he flew out to meet me.

Yes, my husband loves me!!!

It was a long...long...long trip. But we made several very fun stops to break it up!

The first up was in Georgia to see my aunts and uncles and to be treated to a yummy lunch!

After that we headed to Atlanta to stay with our friends, the Tucker family.

The kids had a blast playing...so much so that Hailey asked if we could leave her there while we went on our long trip...and just pick her up on our way home :-)

It was such a fun night to visit with them and to see how God has added to their family!

The next day was on the road again...

we went through Georgia,

Alabama,

Mississippi...

and finally...Louisiana!

We stopped in New Orleans on the way to Baton Rouge to enjoy some fun sights and yummy treats!

The kids were a little unsure with the street music...strange masks in the window...and the crowds of people everywhere.

It was definitely a new experience for all of them.

I promised them they would be well rewarded for their little adventure with a hot sugary beignet...

and it definitely did not disappoint!!

Cafe du Monde loaded us up with sugar and warm hot cocoa to keep the sightseeing going!

That night the kids slept hard...after a long day of driving and sightseeing they all fell right into bed.

I have to admit that it was harder for me. It was a little weird being so far away from home...in a hotel...away from my husband.

But I felt the prayers of our faithful friends and family tucking me in and keeping me safe.

The next day we started our two-day trip across Texas!

I couldn't help it while driving...I had to belt out Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces...well, maybe not belt it out...I had my head phones in.

We stayed with our friends, the Richardsons, in San Antonio and had a blast getting to see the city.

They took us along the river walk, which was all lit up for Christmas.

And then we headed to the Alamo.

The kids had a blast playing with their friends...and once again, Hailey asked to be left behind.

I think she was getting a bit tired of all the driving! :-)

The next day started off early...and was the last, but longest day of the trip.

I had planned on only driving to El Paso...but being so close to home made me want to just push through.
It was a fourteen hour day in the car...bleh!
But...the kids did A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!

Four long days in the car and it was actually fun.

I had spent weeks planning for the trip...so they had lots of things to keep them busy in the car.

Each morning, we would start off by listening to the Chronicles of Narnia on CD.

These were incredible. Not only did they keep the kids entertained...but I loved listening to them too.

They would color or do activity sheets while listening.

After that they could pick out a movie.

With each state that we passed they would get a state bag that held a new toy for each of them and/or a new movie.

Being that we were in Texas for TWO days - I did have to shuffle the bags around a bit.

All in all...the kids were awesome.

They played...they colored...they talked...they sang (especially Hailey)...and generally had a good time watching the scenery pass by.

Towards the end of the fourth day...I was definitely beginning to fade. I was ready to be DONE.

But then...I saw the mountains on the horizon...true desert mountains.

And I knew I was almost home.

There are no words to describe how excited I was to pull into my parents neighborhood.

We had finally made it!!!

And I think these guys were just a little bit excited to see us too...

Jackson had been "practicing" his hug for his Grammie and Poppy for weeks.

And now...he was finally able to do it in person!

Four long days of driving...but two full weeks ahead of memory making fun!

The girls and I were invited to a Christmas tea one Saturday in December.

My friend, Suni, wanted to do something special and unique for the girls at One7...and what better then a Christmas tea,

Most of the girls had never attended a tea before...and were a bit unsure of what to expect.

But Suni had been preparing for this tea for several MONTHS ahead of time.

She scoured department stores looking for fancy dresses on clearance.

She picked up special teas here and there...or little trinkets for gift bags.

Each and every elegant decoration...present...dress...tea cup and saucer was a display of love and service from Suni and her friends to these sweet girls.

It was such a blessing for us to be a part of such a special day.

My friend Blessy also blessed the girls with beautiful handmade scarves.

Each of them oohed and ahhed over the pretty colors and unique designs.

The girls from One7 basked in the generous love these women poured out open them.

They sipped their tea and ate all of the delicious treats Suni had prepared...

but wouldn't you know their favorite treat of the day were the little sugar cubes on the table.

We were constantly running back and forth to the kitchen refilling their bowls...of sugar cubes :-)

Hailey felt quite the grown-up with her darjeeling.

But after about two sips...she traded it in for a cup of hot cocoa! :-)

After the treats, I was blessed to share a quick message with the girls.

We talked about beauty and what it truly means to be beautiful.

We focused on Psalm 139 and how God uniquely designed each of us for His purposes.

It was a sweet and precious afternoon...and I am so thankful to have shared it with my girls.

From one party to the next!!

That evening...after the tea...we headed over to a friends for a Christmas party for our home church.

The last few months, several families have been meeting together in our home

for worship and fellowship.

It has been such an encouraging time for our family as we study and apply the Word together with these families.

We have served...grown...exhorted...encouraged...and loved together.

But this night...was definitely about laughter...and there was quite a bit of it!!!

We played several Minute-to-Win It games...

obviously...we are trying to get the cookie in our mouth...

all they while providing the best shots for our husbands to take pictures!

Melanie might not have won the game...but she definitely provided the most comical face :-)

(Jason felt like Tucker was getting left out of the games...so he gave him some love)

After the cookie game, it was onto the Christmas Cliffhanger...

it didn't quite have the suspense that we were intending...

but it still was a lot of fun (if not exhausting!!!)

The guys decided to have an ultimate-challenger round at the end...

this round was definitely a cliffhanger! :-)

After the games, came the present swap...which was probably a bit more intense then the games!

It was a fun night...celebrating with friends the faithfulness of our God...not only in giving us His Son but also in bringing us together!!!

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