Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015

2015 started out the same as the last few years.  Learning to live without my sister.  Having a grieving heart and trying to find joy in the midst.  God sent me those I needed in my life when I needed them for as long as I needed them. . .even if at times I felt like I needed them longer.  I have some great friends that will probably always be my friends. . .made some new friends that will be long time friends and said good bye to some friends also.  It was a very busy year.

I dreaded the time up until Chris got remarried.  I've learned though that having Brenda in our lives doesn't take anything away from Brandy.  It doesn't mean we don't love her just as much or miss her terribly what it means is that Chris Brenda and the kids are a family.  In all reality that is what we want.  Brenda doesn't replace Brandy but she adds to our family.  I appreciate her for who she is and what she is doing and for loving Chris and the kids.  The only part that makes me at all sad besides just missing the kids because I do not see them several times a week is that they will eventually be living in another country.   However I trust God!

In the months leading up to summer Anthony and I felt like it was time to move to another church.  I do not know if we were ever suppose to be at Edmond Road maybe we were. . .maybe we weren't.  Maybe God allowed me to be there so I could be with family and close friends during the first few years after Brandy's passing.  I could play a million scenarios out here for you to read and I would still never know the truth.  God's reason's.

I do know this that we stepped out in compete faith.  We prayed about it for months leading up to making the decision.  The decision was made once I accepted what God had been telling me.  God has really been working on me in the area of faith and trust.

I won't lie it hasn't all been easy.  I miss my friends and family and friends who were family.  Most of the one's I expected to talk to I still talk to and I am thankful for that!  I miss being comfortable enough to walk up to anyone and talk to almost anyone at church about their day.

I have been through a lot and I am just not one to want to make new friends. It really just has never came easy for me. . .

I love the church God has brought us to, I love the people.  I love the love I see.  I love their mission. . . "We come in to go out" and they mean it.  I love their worship.  I love that my husband is involved.  (& was before we even joined) I love that they have asked me to photograph some events.  I love love being a blessing with my photography!

 Kind of a cheesy picture but I didn't have my camera at church and decided I wanted a picture

I know that God has brought us to this church.  Like my husband said 15 year relationships do not develop overnight.  They sure do not!

Church is just such a big part of our families life.  It has defiantly been a big change.  This change has defiantly brought me closer to God.  I have had to put my life, my children's and husbands lives and relationships in His hands.  I trust him about who is to be in my life and who is not.  I won't lie and say none of it hurt because a lot of it did.  However I believe that He knows what I need more than I do.

I think this quote sums up so many "moves" God has planned for me better than I ever could. I think I am finally getting it!  From the move to Louisiana to the move home to the move to another church . . .and many other moves and changes in between.  God's God ME! (and He has you too!) Love you my friends!


Sunday, December 20, 2015

We Love You


We started off with a plan that involved letters that spell out WE LOVE YOU . . .my sister Amanda started the ball rolling and painted the letters.  We chose a date and met at the park.  It was such a cold day.  It even started snowing if you look in the last picture you will see a few snow flakes.  

I pretty much love all of these pictures and love love all of these kids!!


 



oh and this is the picture Amanda wanted that started these others pictures. . .

 

Saturday, October 3, 2015

CROWDER

My husband wanted to go see Crowder and we waited too long to go buy tickets so they were sold out :(

Well on Numana Sunday at church Anthony was talking to someone who knew a youth leader who had some extra tickets.  

This was such a great concert . . .my family didn't love the first few bands they were a bit of a rap style. . .however Crowder was so worth the show and we also enjoyed Finding Favour and Lauren Daigle (whom just happens to be one of Carolina's favorites!)

Finding Favour


Lauren Daigle


Crowder


Monday, September 28, 2015

Field Trip to Providence Farms

This was the most awesome field trip I think I could of taken these boys on!  Chris from Providence Farms taught them all about gardening. . .not just regular old gardening but organic, non gmo and how healthy and important it is!  


He fed them veggies straight from the garden!  Nothing more fresh!


Caden loved the beet!  He later told me it tasted like pineapple. . .not sure if I believe him though! 


How often do you think these boys have got to pet a cow?  


. . .and goats?


. . .and baby ducks?


Needless to say they all had an amazing time!  I did also!  I need to make another trip out for some more wonderful veggies though! 






Sunday, September 27, 2015

Numana

My family had the opportunity to participate in Numana at church! It was so amazing.  We packaged 100,000 meals.  Of those 50,000 stayed in Oklahoma and 50,000 went to Nepal.  We had a lot of conversations with the kids about this in the last few weeks.  It was such a great learning experience.  I can't wait to do more things like this.  I know that our Sunday School class is feeding the homeless in Oklahoma City Sunday.  I am not sure of all of the details yet as we haven't been around this church for very long.  I am excited about the outreach opportunities that they (we) are going to get to be apart of.  That is what God commands us to do to care for people where they are!  That is a big saying and passion that I have heard at that church over the last several months. 
 "We come in to go out!" 






















Saturday, September 26, 2015

Fall Trip to Martin Nature Park with the Burtons

We hadn't been to Martin Nature Park in a while and so when Shannon wanted to get together and do something that is what we decided on.  

It was the perfect day for some good exploring fun!



I love this picture of Carolina!


oh and this picture of Brody and Caden!  Such handsome little boys! 


We found a lot of cool animal tracks on our nature hike!  It was very cool!  I think my kids learned a lot about deer that day!  Way more than I could of taught them! 


Then we went and hung out at Shannons and Carolina was so happy when we finally left!  She got to stay the night with Sydnie and make so many more great memories!  

Love these sweet little friends! 

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Kids Second Belt Test. . .Earning that Orange Tip

The kids had a great test!  They worked hard and it showed.  The endurance part at the end is the part that I worried about most when I tested and they pushed through with flying colors!  










So glad that my sister Amanda, Heather, Hope, Charity and Marshall were able to come watch them test.  It means so much to have the support of others watching them.  It makes the accomplishment all that much sweeter also!  


Time for their board breaks!


I love this one!  I named it "You got this little man!"



. . . .getting their tips!




All who tested together! 


My precious family!


Master Lewis and the kids!