The Lazy River

This was our favorite spot - just a few steps from our patio door was the 'Lazy River'.  We spent many hours floating around! 

Sights Around San Antonio

Relaxing on 'Aunt Mary's Porch'

Sea World

We're home!

Once we got settled, we really enjoyed our vacation.  We stayed at the Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio.  It sort of reminds me of the resort in the movie 'Dirty Dancing', but without the mambo lessons.  It's a great family place - lots of activities for everyone.  We played tennis (all four of us), went on nature hikes, roasted marshmallows for s'mores every night, watched a movie out on the lawn and spent a lot of time in the lazy river.  Gloria didn't want to leave this morning.  I was up showering and packing and she kept turning out the lights saying, 'Go back to bed - we aren't leaving today!'  It was good to get away, but as always, it's great to be home!

Why can't I get my garden to look like this?

This hibiscus bloom was as big as Emily's head!  

Emily's new hairstyle

Inks Lake State Park

Every time we drive through the Hill Country, we always take a detour through Inks Lake State Park. Just as I told the girls to look for deer out the window, we came across this little family - so cute!!

We have pictures of the girls on this same rock from years past- I'll have to post one of the older ones when we get back in town.  It's fun to see how much the girls have grown!

Cooper's BBQ - An Institution

Well, it's pretty pathetic when you plan your vacation around food.  We left yesterday for a little getaway before Emily's soccer gets back in full gear.  We are in San Antonio staying at the Hyatt Hill Country.   We took the scenic route and went several miles out of the way to have a late lunch at Cooper's BBQ in Llano.    When we got to the pit, it all looked so good, we couldn't decide what to get.  Our indecisiveness resulted in a huge tray of meat!  The girls loved it - they were impressed to see pictures on the walls of President Bush sitting at the same picnic tables enjoying the ribs.  They especially liked the 'plates' and the white bread (they don't get any at home!)

Know the Truth, Speak the Truth, Live the Truth!!!

 

4 Four days of Vacation Bible School

Over 500 Children and Volunteers

More than 350 pounds of pennies collected for missions

7 decisions made by children to follow Christ....   PRICELESS!

A day with Bailey

   I was blessed enough to get to spend the entire day with Bailey yesterday.  First, we took her to VBS at church.  She fit in quite well with the other kiddos in the nursery.  Every time I would walk by, she would smile really big and wave.  I was feeling pretty special until the ladies in the nursery told me she was doing that to everyone that walked by!!!   She is such a joy - the ladies were disappointed that she wouldn't be there the entire week!  We finished out the day with a wagon ride - what a treat!  I can't believe she'll be a year old in just 2 weeks.

Waterbaby

It's so fun to see Bailey in the pool at mom and dad's.  She loves the water!  Here's a little video clip of her 'swimming'.    Gloria is no longer the baby in the family - some one else is getting all of the attention.  It's funny to see how Gloria tries to 'steal' the show!

Horse Camp

Gloria had a fabulous time at horse camp last week.  She rode 'Odie' - her friend Elaina was her partner.  The kids not only spent a lot of time riding, but they learned how to tack up and clean stalls. They also learned horse anatomy.   She never once complained about the heat!

Go and Tell!

And Jesus spoke to them saying, 'All authority has been given to me in Heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age'.  Matthew 28:18-20

Please pray for Cheryl Read and the group she is leading to Ghana this week.  Cheryl has a passion for the Dagomba tribe - the groups she has led in the past have been instrumental in building a church and leading natives to Christ.    

 You can visit Cheryl's  blog, 'Rescue the Perishing', in my blog list.  They will be updating daily during their mission trip. 

I think they are rougher than boys!

When you walk away from a game saying, 'I'm glad no one got hurt', you question your motivation!  We have some tough girls!  Em's playing midfield - she was able to sneak another one in at the end.   Please forgive my video-taking abilities.  I got a little distracted toward the end....

What soccer players do when it's too hot outside...

Em is #15 - she's in the middle and scores right as the video ends. 

Gone green!

Gas is now $3.95 a gallon at our local grocery store/gas station.  To think we were gasping last Summer at near $3/gallon gas.  It doesn't sound so bad now!! 

Well, I took my green machine in for its' 100K mile checkup before our trip to Houston last week, and ended up with a new Hybrid Tahoe.  We picked it up on Thursday (with a full tank of gas), drove it around town Thursday afternoon and Friday morning (about 100 miles), then drove to Houston, back and forth to soccer fields 4 times over the weekend, not to mention the running around for meals, etc. and still had some gas in the tank.  We finally filled up Sunday afternoon on the way out of Houston.  With most of my driving in and around town running kids here and there, I was getting about 13 mpg in my old Tahoe.  I'm averaging 22 mpg in the new Hybrid - not too bad!  This last tank of gas lasted nearly 550 miles!!! 

It's the first day of Summer........

Gloria made up a song that she has been singing each day....  'It's the first day of Summer - and it's gonna be a bummer'....   'It's the second day, third day, etc'   I asked her why it's a bummer.  She said, 'I won't get to see Mrs. Golden until August 25th!'  Okay, so my children are not typical.  They don't want the school year to end.  

Another huge blessing - Mrs. Golden just happened to be voted 'Teacher of the Year' for ALL 13 of the elementary schools in the area.  When you take into account the 1000 students at our school alone, that is a huge accomplishment.  Mrs. Golden is so calm and sweet.  She really brought out the best in Gloria.  She had a fabulous year with virtually no behavioral problems. Mrs. Golden said she is a very giving child.  She even made the A Honor Roll!  

Last day of school!!!

We should be celebrating, right?  Well, Emily was really dreading this day.  Mrs. Watson has an amazing gift for relating to 5th graders, while effectively teaching.  She called them her 'darlings'.   She is moving to Edgewood to take a teaching job as a reading specialist.  Emily was afraid she would never see Mrs. Watson again!  I had to spend the entire afternoon consoling Emily.  

She had a fabulous year.  After major anxiety over changing schools, Emily ended up fitting in quite well.  She made some great new friends and accomplished a lot!  She was runner up in her school spelling bee, 2nd Place Media Fair winner, both at the local and state level,  1st Place mileage winner (a running award) and A Honor Roll.   This year provided many teaching moments, as well.  It's amazing how the Lord weaves intricately the parts of our lives, those we come in contact with and our circumstances for a greater purpose.  

'For you know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'   Jeremiah 29:11

The Girls

It's all about the drama!

Our little Drama Queen Gloria was able to put her God-given talents to good use this year in her Drama Kids class.  She played the part of an 'ant' in her end of the year production. 

Emily - soccer player, pianist..... thespian!!

This was the year Emily finally decided to venture out and try something other than soccer.  She participated in the Drama Kids teen class with her friend Kara.  She was the youngest in the class, but did a great job and fit in well.  They just completed their end of the year production, 'Murder at Mornington Manor'.   Her character spoke in an English accent - she was quite convincing!    The biggest challenge was finding a 'formal' grown up looking dress for her little pre-adolescent body.  Several trips to the consignment shops and a few alterations later and we were in business!

Princess Bailey in the pool!

Well, I think Bailey likes the water.  We spent part of Memorial Day weekend at mom and dad's - it was perfect pool weather and dad had the pool heated so that it was nearly as warm as bath water.   Bailey absolutely loved it!  She is such a cutie - always happy and smiling!!  I can' t believe she'll be a year old next month!  

Yikes - that's scary!

I was working on my computer when Emily walked up behind me looking like this!   Had to get a picture of her - what a comedian!