Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Weekend Update

The past two weekends have been full of all kinds of fun!

The weekend of the 12th was not only the first weekend of deer season (Unfortunately, we've got no meat in the freezer this time around.  You'll get it next time, honey!), but it was also Fresh Grounded Faith here in Springfield.  If you've not heard of it, Fresh Grounded Faith is a women's conference hosted by Jennifer Rothschild.  It's a fantastic Kingdom-focused event put on by area churches that partner together.  Jennifer goes all over for these events.  Anyhow, each event has special guests and this time around was Tim Hawkins (hilarious!), Abby Rike (Biggest Loser Season 8), and Michael O'Brien.

We're blessed to not only be Jennifer's hometown, but the church I go to is also her home church.  She and her husband were even the teacher's of one of the college department Sunday morning classes Daniel and I went to back in the day.  We're so thankful for them and their example of love and godliness!

My friend, Tanya, and I were Abby's (and her mom) hostess/driver for the weekend.  What fun!

(me with Abby and her mom, Billie)

L to R: me, Paula (our women's minister and fabulous lady), Paula (dear friend - we used to teach together in the youth department), and Tanya (a new fabulous friend and co-hostess for FGF)
So thankful for the multitude of godly women God has placed in my life!

Speaking of great women, my dear friend, Marilyn, came all the way from Van Buren to go to the conference and stay the night at my house.  So thankful for her and that she could make it up here!

Now for this past weekend.  It was filled with youth and more fun as we had our annual Engage Weekend (typically known as Disciple Now :)  ).  It was great to have a group of senior girls who "get it" and are seeking to honor and glorify the Lord.  Thanks, Lord, for the opportunity to serve you this way!


Here's to serving in the name of Jesus and having fun!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Fall Fun

I'm still alive, friends.  :)  It's really not on purpose that I post once a month, I promise!

Last month Katie and I took Ky to one of our local pumpkin patches.  So fun!





Fun and family - that's what we're up to these days!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Kyler + Flint = Showstoppers!

A couple weeks ago we had the pleasure of spending the entire weekend going to PBR events here in Springfield with my family.  (For you non-country folk, PBR is Professional Bull Riding.  ;)  )  The grand finale - Kyler not only was the PBR Fan of the Night on the last night, but he even got to go out to the middle of the arena and dance Michael Jackson with Flint!!  Just watch the video and you'll get it.



Needless to say, I'm a proud aunt!!  And we were all hooping and hollering, of course.  And, he was on national TV!  PBR plays on a channel/station called Versus and they showed a clip of him dancing with Flint.  So fun!





Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Family Time in California

I've decided to not worry about being caught up on my blog anymore.  Last thing I need is another thing to add to my to do list.  So, the fact that these pictures are from nearly a month ago doesn't even bother me. :)

Just over a month ago Daniel received a call that his sweet Tia Mayra had passed away (his dad's sister).  She'd been battling cancer for quite some time.  She's a fighter and bypassed all those dates the doctors would give the family of her life expectancy.  But on August 20, she went home to be with the Lord.  It didn't take us long to decide we needed to be in California with the rest of Daniel's family for the memorial service so off we went to L.A. with Steven and Evelyn.  While we wished the circumstances for the visit were different, we were very thankful for the chance to spend time with his family.  We were also extremely thankful Daniel and Alvaro had had the chance to spend some time with Mayra earlier this year.  Without a doubt, God is good ALL THE TIME.

Here are lots of snapshots for you!













Thursday, September 2, 2010

River Rats

Daniel and I went home (to Van Buren, of course) a few weekends ago to get our last taste of my beloved Current River for the summer.  Aaaah....relaxation at its best!
(We took some friends and fam from Springfield with us, too.  That's the unfamilar faces you see in the pics. :) )








Saturday, August 21, 2010

I Present to You...

Mr. and Mrs. Josh Johnson!




That's right, we have a new addition to the family.  We're so thankful for the work God is doing in Katie and Josh's life and pray they always seek to honor and glorify Christ alone.  And for sweet Kyler, that he'll be in a home filled with love.  Congrats - we love you guys!

(The wedding was a private ceremony with immediate family and then there will be a big celebration reception with the rest of the friends and family next weekend.  I'll be sure to post those pics as well. :) )

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Happy Birthday, Steven!

We went to Olive Garden last night with Daniel's family to celebrate Steven's 23rd birthday.  Lots of laughs were had by all!! :)

Happy Birthday, Steven!!  We love you!!

L to R: Daniel, me, Tia Mary, Tio George, Steven, and Abuela
(Spanish to English: tia = aunt, tio = uncle, abuela = grandma)
Evelyn took the photo and Keila was on her way. :)

Monday, August 9, 2010

Noah has been published!

That's right, Noah is one of the cutest pets in the Springfield, MO area!  And I have the published magazine picture to prove it.


I had submitted his picture online a while back ago. The original is on a disk somewhere or I'd show it here. He's licking his nose so his tongue is sticking out perfectly and he's obviously enjoying the snow.  Soo cute!  Sorry, I digress.  I received a copy of the magazine in the mail which I thought was odd because it is a free publication.  As I was looking through, I yelled to Daniel that Noah is in the magazine (why they mailed it to me, I'm sure)!  So fun!  If you're curious, first place was a Weimaraner standing by a bush.  I think Noah had him beat, but I'm just a little biased.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Kyler is 5!

Amazing to me that he can be five years old and going into Kindergarten this fall.  We love Ky so much and pray he grows to be a man after God's own heart.  Here's to your 5th Birthday (which was actually July 11 :) ), my sweet nephew!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

He's Growing Up!

Hard to believe this little guy....



Is this little guy....

Monday, June 28, 2010

Slip 'N Slidin' Fun

A couple weeks ago Kyler called to see if he could bring over his Slip 'n Slide to play with Uncle Daniel.  (I had told Daniel how excited Daniel got when he saw one for sale, so she and Ky were happy to share his Diego slide.)  We had lots of fun and ended up with plenty of grass cuts from sliding off  into the grass!




I hope to have some video up soon.  Soo much better than the pictures!

Of course, as much fun as this was, we had to get one where we could race!  The next weekend Daniel bought a 3-person Slip 'n Slide complete with flags to grab at the end.  This time Katie and Josh joined in the fun. :)

Friday, June 18, 2010

We Are the Champions

I'm sure the neighbors could hear all the yelling from our house last night as we (well, Daniel) celebrated the Lakers winning the playoffs.  When he called Steven to celebrate I could hear the yelling through the phone across the room.  As you probably noticed in our family pics , we are a Lakers house.  Daniel was born and spent the first 9 years of his life in L.A.  So, yes, we both had our jerseys on last night like good fans. :)

Daniel and Ky getting ready to watch game 5 :)  (phone picture quality, of course!)

Monday, June 14, 2010

My Cool Parents

Mom and Dad just returned from their vacation in Destin, FL with some great family friends of ours.  Of course, they had a blast and are now trying to adjust to "everyday life" again.  So glad you enjoyed yourselves, Mom and Dad!  You deserve it! :)






Here's to great fun and great friends!!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Hope

I don't want to take too much from this video to preface it.  I will let you know it's 27 minutes long, but I definitely encourage you to take time to watch it when you can.  I was reminded of so much.  We serve a God of hope - when all seems hopeless.  We never drift toward anything good.  Grace, true grace, can only be shown to others through the power of Christ.  Wherever you are in life today, take hold - OUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD!



FYI: I found this through Justin and Trish's blog called Refine Us.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Thankful

Dear Jesus,

Thank you.  For teaching me (continually and still) that I can't control anyone but myself.  For providing for our needs daily.  For giving me a husband who loves me AND tells me.  For your Word that directs, comforts, and gives us all we need.  For the Holy Spirit that convicts us and leads us to repentance.  For the example of true love that you showed us through dying on the cross for our dreadful sins.  That depiction of love is what drives us daily.  Your example reminds us that love is not easy.  But it is deep.  It is real.  It is a choice, a commitment.  It's staying when running seems like an option.  Love is sacrificial.  It calls us to put others first.  Lord, thank you for the fun, the laughter, the memories (and the ones to come!).

Thank you that today, because of YOU, Daniel and I are celebrating our marriage of five years!  We love YOU so much and give YOU all the glory!