a "tori-ism".....
as I was paying for MacDonalds today, after Tori's dr appointment, she says to me, "you have money momma?" to which I reply, "yes." She then says, "let's go shopping!"
My they learn quickly!

Just a quick shot of the family before the kids headed back to the "hot sunny south". I think the hot weather will be a bit of a shock to their systems once they return home since they've been in the "chilly north" for the past several weeks. We are so proud of our kids and so thankful they are following God's leading in their lives as well as serving this great country. PTL for soldiers who stand in the gap for us and our freedoms.........

Fun in the Sun

These three had a blast playing in our ridiculously little pool.
I guess it doesn't matter how big or small the pool its the fun that counts!
and finally........we had some great weather for the kids to enjoy the water!

Today was Brad and Amanda's last day with us. We had the best time with their family and it was, once again, extremely tough to see them leave. Before they left, however, the kids enjoyed some great outdoor fun, between bikes/trampoline/swimming pool. Its so cute to watch them interact and play, even the little disagreements were minor compared to the fun they had.

Wilson, Uncle Colson and Walker enjoying time on the trampoline together! I love listening to their pretend play.

Uncle Brett bought a new WII game and the kids have had fun playing it, here is Wilson enjoying it all by himself!

Walker loved the big wooden riding pony. I tried to get a shot of him but each time I took a pic he was singing! I think I should have taken a video instead to capture his little song!

WOW amazing how fast time fly's when you are fully enjoying yourselves. My prayer is that it won't be 2 1/2 years before we can spend time with them again. Maybe once they get to their new base we will be able to have more frequent visits since it is only a days drive and not two! We love you and miss you already..............

My son and his family have been here for the past week and their little guy, Wilson, who turned 6 today, and Colson have pretty much been inseparable when they are together. It has been such a joy to watch these two play, laugh and enjoy each others company. Today
we had Wilsons birthday party at our families campground. Though it was cold, much like fall weather, we had a BLAST! and I was able to capture this shot of the two of them together! Aren't they both the just the cutest little guys ever?

Wilson and Uncle Colson!!

My sweet Aunt Enid just sent me a FB message that I needed to update my blog with some pictures of the kids so without further ado and to honor her request here are a few that I snapped today at, our grandson, Wilson's birthday party.

Our oldest/youngest.....Victoria and Bradley, 28 years separate these two in age!

Benjamin and our grandson Walker, 3 (Uncle Ben)

Jacqueline and Victoria.....sisters

Our life............our journey..........

Its still hard to believe that summer's here. I think because we missed the entire last week of school its thrown our "beginning of summer" off. But here we are, moving into mid-July. We are still waiting, in that all-too-familiar holding pattern that God has placed us in. Wondering when He will open a door for us to move through. These past 6 months have been very challenging; so much so that my faith has been weakened, my eyes have moved off the goal and my heart has been heavy. I can't pin-point one specific thing that altered my course but know that my journey hasn't always been on the right path. You know the scripture, (my paraphrase) "what I need to do I don't, and what I don't need to do I do". I'm not liking where I am at, my heart desires the fullness of Him, yet steps this way and that way, never full stepping with both feet in front of me. I know I'm not being a good example to my children of trusting, and with each passing day it gets harder too; wondering if God has forgotten about us, if He's frustrated with us, (why wouldn't He be I wonder some days, with me and my dwindling faith?) yet I do know that He never walks away, though I have from time to time; He is constant and an ever present help, but......can't He do it my way? It's so hard to let go of the, "my way" of wanting and hoping for life to be "like its invisioned in my head" and striving to live life, one day at a time, as He chooses. Why is control so hard to relinquish? why do I have to be so darn controlling in the first place? Why can't I be more accomodating, submissive, relaxed? So....here I sit with a beautiful day dawning trying to be thankful for all He's blessed me with, trying to get my "groove on" with Him and hoping today is better than yesterday in that I attempt to "step His way".

We definitely are on a journey, somedays I want our life to be "normal" but exactly what is "normal"? were we even "normal" to begin with? is "normal" what God considers "comfortable"? and does He want us to be "comfortable"? Lots of questions running through my head, lots to ponder, pray over and work through!