Random.

Today, while working on a project I found this picture.


Be still my heart. This did NOT help my already strong desire for one more. Look at that face...and that hat. I need one more baby to wear that hat. Right??? Never mind, don't answer that.


See these pictures below of some of my favorite people. I took them (with a Canon SX120) and edited them (Photoshop Elements). I think they turned out pretty good. Would love to take some more. But the fear of messing up keeps me from it.

We are officially done with school until the new year! Yes, it's a week early. But, in all fairness, all they do at school the last week is have fun. So, we will have fun next week too! I'm just not gonna call it school. :)

We are enjoying the Christmas season. We hope and pray that you are too.

40 years

(sign made lovingly by Anna)

Late this summer we honored Chris' parents with a celebration for their 40th Anniversary. (This occured at the same time I was preparing to homeschool the kids for the first time...thus, why I am just now getting around to this post!)

Chris and his sisters had invited friends from my in-laws entire married life to join with us in honoring them on this significant day. When planning something of this nature you are never exactly sure how it will turn out...will people show up OR not? Will they be happy that we surprised them with this OR not? ;) If you know my in-laws, you know they were very happy and blessed. Getting together with the people they love is truly their love-language...and this was a perfect way to let them know that we loved them and honor their devotion to one another and the Lord. It was a smashing success!

Before I get to some pics of the party (photographed by Anna)...here are a couple of fun snapshots from the past 40 years.

The Wedding Day

A family of five

Who is that good-looking guy with the flat-top?

Here is a fun before and after...

My kid's favorite pic of all the oldies.

That was then, this is now! They were kind enough to reenact the scene above ;)!

Surprise!

Keith with his brother, cousin, son and grandson checking out the slideshow.

Cousins.

Sisters.

It was an excellent day...and a great reminder of the great heritage, example and legacy we have been blessed with. Congratulations Keith and Charlene on 40 years of wedded bliss...hoping for lots more!

The World Series

On the morning that World Series tickets went on sale, Chris and I stationed ourselves each on a computer and began our attempt to get tickets. In less than an hour, the tickets were all gone and we had none. Once the Rangers actually won the ALCS and were certain to be going to the WS, I was really wishing that we had camped out with all the crazy people and waited in line for tickets.

However, we did not. So, we had no tickets and no prospect for getting any. The only ones available were those through third-party vendors and we were unwilling to spend our entire yearly family vacation budget on two tickets to the WS. I had resigned myself to the fact that we would not be going...something that was so hard to take since it was happening less than 20 miles from my house!

My eldest brother had bought two tickets from a vendor prior to the Rangers actually winning the ALCS...still expensive, but not total craziness. I was excited for him and reminded him that should he be contacted about any additional tickets from any friends to let his dear sister know. The sister that kept baseball stats in high school, previously worked for a former Ranger and loved baseball. After all, I had gotten him into a suite at the Ballpark on more than one occasion!

Fast forward to the Thursday before the first World Series game at The Ballpark (Saturday). I find out from my mother that my middle brother has magically obtained two tickets to the game. I call him...he doesn't answer. I call my eldest brother and ask if he knows how this happened, his response, "I gave them to him." Me..."You MUST be kidding me. Do you not remember our previous conversation." Needless to say, I was more than a little unhappy. My brothers and their wives going to the game, while I sit at home...I think not!

However, I was still not going to pay more than face value for any tickets. I got on the computer Saturday morning just to see if magically any tickets had popped up as available on the Rangers website. No luck. So, I decided to call the box office. And call I did, off and on for the next 2 hours...I knew the names of all the phone tickets sales people...they were kind as they continued to tell me they didn't have any tickets. BUT...2 hours into my saga....I pressed redial and GOT A TICKET!!! Just one, mind you, but it was a ticket nonetheless...and I WAS GOING TO THE WORLD SERIES!! And...I HAD PAID FACE VALUE!! :) But wait....what about my husband??

At this point we decided to drop the kids at Mom's and head to the Ballpark. Maybe we could get a ticket from someone for face value, right??? We picked up my ticket at Will Call and I asked the nice lady if she had any more...even though they had big signs posted on the windows saying they had none. She didn't say "no"! She said that they might release some more later, if I wanted to move down to a seller window and wait. At this point, there were about 15 people hanging around the seller windows but no one was actually in line. So, I did what any persevering person would do...I stationed us right in front of one of the windows...and we stood there and ate our lunch while the nice lady looked at us out the window. About one hour and fifteen minutes later (with her refreshing her computer constantly), she looks at us and says, "I got one!"

And this is the story of how we obtained two tickets to the World Series for face value on game day.

We had a great time! Truly a once in a lifetime experience to see the Rangers play in the World Series at The Ballpark and WIN!

Hanging out in the Home Run Porch Grill before the game

With Ryan and Ash

(Wade and Cathy were too busy enjoying the finest meats and cheeses in a suite to join us!) ;)

Nolan Ryan throwing the first pitch to Pudge

Look closely, directly above the medallion in the Budweiser sign, at the guy in khaki shorts in a blue shirt...that's Chris on the front row!! His ticket was amazing! I had an empty seat by me in Home Run Porch...but he stayed in his...and I couldn't blame him...it was an awesome seat!

Rangers Win!!

Who knows if or when the Rangers will make it back to the World Series, although I hope it is next year :)! It was such a fun experience to be a part of their first trip.

Just remember...perseverance pays off!

Taking a Walk

This past Saturday was the annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. This year was our fourth year to participate in the walk. Many thanks to everyone who came out to join Anna's Army!! Such a huge blessing for Anna to know that she is not alone in her fight against diabetes.

Here are a few snapshots from our fun Saturday at the park...

I love...

...Anna.

My princess took these photos of herself. She is in a creative photography class and is loving every minute of it.

Let me say...that she is also a bit of a fashionista....see her cuteness above. I have started letting her help me dress and accessorize...there is hope for my fashion future!

An Update

Well...a little less than two months ago we embarked on this new journey. I really believed that at this point I would know whether it was an epic failure or a great success. I guess what I failed to remember is that it is a JOURNEY, not a one time event. How could I possibly be able to determine sure success (or failure) so quickly?

This I know for sure...I love my kids. I am loving getting to spend such focused time with them. I love having the opportunity to truly pour into their lives in a way I haven't been able to before (even though I fail miserably some days). However, due to some other unrelated events, we have felt more isolated than I thought we would. Our world, on most days, has shrunk to the three of us. I am working on ways to change this...asking God to open doors where he would have us build relationships and serve others...which can be a challenge when you are in the process of trying to move to a different community.

This I know...He is faithful and this season of life is just what He intended. He didn't promise a perfect life, He promised that He would be right here with us every step of the way.

On a separate note...this morning's breakfast....below.

Have a blessed week,

10 Days....64 pictures...

no words....yet. (except to say that if you look through the pictures below and still don't understand why we take the same trip again and again...then....)