Fun at the Lake!

Good ole' Uncle Tray and Aunt Cheryl invited us over to their place in the country last weekend, and we had a bunch of fun. :)

Between jumping on the trampoline, watching the peacocks, playing with kittens, splashing at the sandy beach and tubing on Lake Conroe, it was a FUN-FILLED day!

Here they are, filled with anticipation!!

Is it possible to find a life jacket that REALLY fits?!

Hang on tight, girls!

Whoo Hoo!!  LOVE it!

Tanner loved the challenge Uncle Tray gave him.....go fast......real fast!

Zach enjoyed his turn at NORMAL speed, though.  :)

Uncle Tray, you're awesome!  :)

After our boat ride, we took the kids to a sandy beach, and they ran and swam and ran and swam.....

Parker is getting too big, too fast......  makes me proud and sad, all at the same time......

Thanks so much Uncle Tray and Aunt Cheryl!!  We had a blast!!

Blessings,

Steph

Hannah's Baptism

A couple of years ago, Hannah started seeing her need for a Savior. :)  It has been so sweet to see her desire for Jesus grow and grow, to the point, where she was ready to acknowledge Jesus as her Lord!

We celebrated Memorial Day at Aunt Dorothy's house, and while we were there, we thought it would be a great time to celebrate Hannah's new birth, too. :)

Many family and friends were there to witness her special day, and have fun in the sun.

From races, air-soft wars and water-gun fights......

To dunking contests.....

To trying to dunk Uncle Mike!

Then, the fun turned into a special silence, as Todd started to read scripture to Hannah and the 'witnesses.'

It was our first time to have Todd baptize our new believer,  and it was just precious.

We were all crying and thanking the Lord for such a blessed time as this.

Afterwards, we continued to celebrate with what else, but Angel food cake!!  :)

As a parent, it is the most fervent prayer, that my children will love the Lord, Jesus, with all their heart, soul, mind and strength!
Thank you, Lord, for a precious, answered prayer!


Blessings,
Steph

Exciting News!

Keep Praying!!

Well, the Lord sure has His plans. :)

"For I 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 past three weeks have been such a whirl-wind, but oh, so good.  After the rug was swept up from under our feet, and we couldn't continue with our travel adventures, we decided to put our house up for sale.  I just couldn't fathom dealing with renters and again, and all the unknowns that come with that.  Some friends of ours had recently shared their moving experience with us, as well as their AWESOME realtor that sold their home. (thanks Wendy!)  When Todd and I decided that we wanted to try and sell the house, I immediately thought of Wendy's realtor.  It is amazing how the providence of God works in our lives......  Every little detail. :)  In less than a week, she had it on the market, with pictures and 4 showings!  Todd followed her advice and painted a couple of rooms that needed updating, that first week as well. (I can still see the cloud of dust from him moving so fast!)

Praise the Lord!  In TWO weeks, our house has a contract!!!  Our hearts' desire was to sell the home last year, but the market was just too weak.  Now, with everything going on, what seemed to be so disappointing, is now giving us a 'hope and a future!"  What peace and comfort we will have as we travel, knowing that we don't have renters, or a mortgage, or insurance or taxes, or repairs, and on and on......

It is such an awesome reminder for me to trust in the Lord.  He knows and is working all things for my good. :)  All the while, I am growing, and sometimes, that means growing PAINS!

Please continue to pray for this process!  The home inspection is Tuesday, and if all goes well, then we will plan to leave, Lord willing, early July. :)

Blessings,
Steph

Tea Parties, Blueberries & Family

While we are parked in Texas for a while, we have come to a decision.  Ya know, we are just going to make the most of it, right? :)  So, for Mother's Day weekend, we decided to visit my sweet Mema, Dad, and Aunt Myrtle.  The kids were super excited to see their cousins as an added bonus. :)

At 91 years of age, my Mema is STILL being the amazing hostess...... It is extremely difficult for her to allow ANYONE into her kitchen!  HA!  Thankfully, I found opportunities to gracefully SHOVE  my way in there and help out.  :)

They were so excited to have a tea party. :)

Emily, with her mouth STUFFED with cookies!

Hannah, with her 'proper' manners showing brightly. :)

Parker even got in on the action, by using his 'knife' and fork!

Talk about HAPPY!  Doesn't everyone LOVE tea?!

This weekend, we spent a wonderful morning blueberry picking with Todd's mom.
The weather is really starting to warm up here, so we were at the fields around 8:30.

They were HUGE!  So, so good, too!

Fifteen acres filled with blue yumminess. :)

Eat all you want, and pick all you can!

In a couple of hours, we picked about 30 POUNDS!!!  For only $2.00 a pound, too!
Too cool!

It's the little things in life that make it that much sweeter. :)


Blessings,
Steph

Hard Times

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9



As I type this post, my heart is heavy, and I am honestly putting my trust in the Lord.



The past few days, have been some of the hardest.  To put it as clearly as possible.....

Our tenants that are renting our home, with out warning, literally HOURS before we were set to start our next traveling adventure, told us that they did not want to renew their lease.  (heart breaking.....can you hear it??)

To say that it was shocking and disappointing is an understatement.  I am still seeking a cheerful heart and peace right now.

Todd has been amazing to say the least.  We decided that we just want to sell the home, and move on with our lives.  Todd has already found a realtor and getting some painting completed this week.   Don't get me wrong, our tenants have paid their rent and kept the home immaculate.  Praise the Lord for that!  And, they DO have every right not to want to renew the contract.  What is saddening, is they knew we were heading out for the road, and decided till the very last minute to tell us.  Why?  I will never have this answer, but what I DO know, is that I serve a great God.  He knows.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5


As a family, we are blessed to have Todd's parents' support and encouragement.  We have a safe place to hang out for a while. :)  Lord willing, it is part of His plan to allow us to sell our home......that is what our heart's desire has been all along.


Please pray!  There is power in prayer!


I know that I am just a speck on this Earth and my measly, little problems are NOTHING compared to so many others'.   But, I also know, that I love a Lord that loves me back.  He even knows how many hairs are on my head!  (even the ones falling out or turning gray!)  He knows how all of this will end up, and I will be stronger for it.  My faith is SO weak.  I truly know that.  He is wanting me to grow and love Him all the more!

When you think of my family, please pray for a clear direction.  We would love to travel again.  Right now, we are living in an RV!!!  An RV is supposed to MOVE!!!  :)
 Life has its bumps in the road, no matter what you live in, but what is going on inside ones heart is the telling sign of faith.  The Lord is growing mine, that is for sure!


Blessings,
Steph

So Thankful

Well, we are preparing to 'hit the road' VERY soon!  While we are super excited to see new places and experience great adventures, it is also bitter-sweet, to leave good friends here in Texas.

We invited a bunch of our sweet friends over for an afternoon picnic and play time for the kids.  It was a beautiful, sun-shiney day! :)


They had light-saber fights......

Swung on the horse swing...

Played with the baby kittens and much, much more.  ;)

Special friends :)

Here, the guys are preparing for an airsoft battle :)

Parker did NOT want to stop hugging little Maddie!  HA!

Thank you so much for spending a special day with us, my friends!!!  We feel so blessed.


Blessings,
Steph

Zach's Corner!

The X-36!!


Warning!

 This is a VERY exciting edition of Zach's Corner, so prepare yourself.....  :)

Blessings,
Steph

Parker is Four Years Old

Sniff.....sniff.....  :(

He is just growing up so fast.  It is shocking to me!  My youngest child will be starting Pre-K next year!   Are you kidding me!??!

We celebrated his birthday with the cake of his choosing, icecream and presents.  :)

He was SUPER excited, and literally giddy for days.

Thank you Papa-Jack, Nana, Grandma, Grandpa, Mema, Aunt Myrtle & Uncle Wayne!  You made his day so special!!

One can not contain this kind of JOY!!!

My little 'iron-man'

He was singing, "Happy Birthday" to himself.  LOVE it.  :)

Yeah Parker!

Happy Birthday Parker!!  We love you so much!

Blessings,
Steph

The Shuttle........I Mean, The Truck!

Cowtown Sleepers, in Fort Worth, TX, attached the extra seats in our truck, so that all SEVEN of us can travel together!!  Is this so cool or what?!

I like to call it, "The Shuttle."  :)

This is the view from the back.....  It has its own back door, or you can climb through the crew-cab section.

This is what it looks like from the front seat!  The back section has two seats that face each other.  Our truck actually has enough for 8 people!  LOVE it!

I am now an official, dually-drivin' mama! :)  HA!

Blessings,
Steph

The Importance of FOOD!

You know, there is just something about food.


Yes, I know that we need it to survive after a few days, but, it is something much more than that, right?



Food can bring back memories, or even make new ones.



 Food can make an awkward moment, into a funny moment in time.




When we were traveling last year, we met a wonderful family, the Harper's, that also have this 'connection' with food.  They not only introduced us to LOVING bell peppers; the yellow, red and orange variety, but also to the VERY yummy.......


CHURROS!!  Oh me.  Oh my!!



Well, I HAD to buy this cereal when I saw it at the store!  The kids and I laughed and laughed and thought of our sweet new Canadian friends.  We talked about how we miss them, the places we went and even the friendships made with them, that are continuing to this day.

They live thousands of miles away, in another country, but because of  the many things, including FOOD, that we have in common,  we talk on Skype or email regularly!  LOVE IT!


So, the next time you open your home to strangers or even friends, think of the food!  It just might make a lasting impression! :)

Harper Family, this is just for you!!!

Oh, and just so you know!  We REALLY liked it, and ate the whole box in TWO days!  UG!

Love you and Miss you!  Yucca! (another family joke!) :)

Blessings,
Steph

Easter Fun with Special Cousins

Here at Grandma and Grandpa's, there is a FUN tradition of hunting eggs at Easter.  The kids have always looked forward to it, not only for the yummy candy, but also for seeing their cousins.  :)


This year, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, and the kids were ready....

Parker was SOOO excited!  This was his first year of SERIOUS hunting.  (sunglasses and all)  :)

Zach and his cousin, Hunter, were in fierce competition!!  HA!

There is just something so fun about your kids running all over the place like wild chickens!!!

Yeah, Parker!  You did great!

They had a blast!

Hope your Easter celebration was special, too.
Jesus is ALIVE!!!  Praise the Lord!


Blessings,
Steph