Monday, July 28, 2008

We have a job!

Well, we have the answer that you've all been waiting for... We have a job! Where, you ask, well, let me give you some hints: our new home is somewhere we've been before, it is a warmer climate than Ohio, it is closer to family, we don't have to change our license plates. Let's say it with a song, "Amarillo by mornin'! That's right, John has accepted a job at Pantex in Amarillo, Texas. We are looking at living in Canyon, which is just a few minutes from Amarillo. It is actually the place John and I met and worked at Walmart, went to school and got married. How many people join the military and then move back to the exact zip code?



You can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl. We are so excited to be back in Texas. Our kids are thrilled! We've actually already left Ohio and are in Lubbock now. We have been so busy with movers and cleaning that I have not had time to update my blog. We left Friday and drove into Missouri, just past St. Louis. Saturday, we drove 15 hours to get to Lubbock. We have not done that in years and will not be doing it again any time soon.



Tomorrow, we are going to Canyon to house hunt. We are 'Property Virgins', so this is sure to be an adventure in house hunting! I'll keep you posted on our journey to becoming home owners.



We are so thankful to have a job and to be back in Texas. We have seen God's hand in all of this. This whole process has been a huge growing and learning experience for us. We have grown closer together as a family and closer to God. We have learned to wait patiently for the Lord in everything. A verse that has been hanging on my wall in my kitchen is Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Believe me, if ever there were a time to be anxious, this was the time. We can not wait to see what God has in store for us here. We are eager to jump in to a new community and serve Him.

School starts here August 25, so we are trying to at least have an address by then. We will keep you posted on our house hunt and what we are up to here in Texas.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Bug Houses

My neighbor Lynn has 2 girls and they invited us over to make bug houses a few days ago. In my opinion, you can't go wrong with paint, wood and kids. Hayden, Rachel and Lynn's girls had so much fun. We spent the afternoon painting the houses, (then swimming while they dried) picking out ribbon and handles and putting them together. Before they were even done, Rachel had already found a leaf bug to go in her bug house.

These four have been seen frequently around the yard catching all kids of bugs and flying creatures. In the evening, they love to catch fireflies. They have been known to catch daddy long legs and June bugs too. One thing is for sure, there are plenty of bugs to catch here in Ohio.





Friday, July 11, 2008

A Princess turns 13



Kate actually turns 13 on July 23, but we had a party early. She decided to have a princess party. Well, every princess party deserves a princess cake. Some of you may have seen this cake before (Rachel's 5th birthday in Albuquerque). I love making this cake; it is so easy. Much less work than the Wii cake. It is 2 bread pans with one cut in half and turned on its side at each end.
Anyway, as I type, there are 7 girls in my living room floor watching "Grease". The funny thing is that I loved this movie when I was their age. Hard to believe it came out in 1978. Wow, this is the 30th anniversary for Grease. Can you believe that?

Ohio Pastime...






We have been introduced to a new thing here in Ohio. It is a past time phenomenon. Cornhole. It is essentially bean bag toss game with 1lb. bags of corn. We played it last fourth of July for the first time and loved it. We have played it several times since then and most recently have been playing it with our small group from church. I had to have a set! I have spent the past couple of days sanding, priming and painting cornhole boards. I'm sure that it is a sin to paint the Texas flag on cornhole boards here in Ohio. They are definitely one of a kind around here; you usually see Ohio State, Cincinnati Bengals... I can't wait to take them to Texas and play at our family reunion. We got Dallas Cowboy bags to toss! We can't wait to play.

Friday, July 4, 2008

"I drove a race car, daddy!"

He couldn't reach the pedals, so they let me in with him.

They gave out hot wheels sized cars of the one Hayden drove.


Hayden went to the commissary with me yesterday and there were a couple of race cars there. If you're a big NASCAR fan, I'm sure you could tell me who drives this car. Kasey Kahne? They had his picture everywhere. Hayden didn't care; as far as he was concerned, he drove this car! There was a screen inside the car that let you 'drive' in a race. We were going 120 mph. Hayden probably would have gone faster, but mom was in charge of the pedals.

Don't Rain on My Parade?






We decided to brave the weather and go to the Fairborn parade. It started as just a sprinkle, but just as the parade started, so did the rain. We stayed for about 20 minutes and then decided to pack it up. We were soaked. It was about 60 degrees. I don't remember ever wearing jeans and jackets for the 4th of July. We did feel sorry for all the people in the parade that weren't able to carry an umbrella.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Patriotic Toes

We lined 'em up and painted their toes.

Leann is from Abilene, TX; funny how we met in Ohio.

Patriotic Toes!

No takers for painting my toes, I had to do my own.

My camera man


If you've ever been around our family during the Fourth of July, you know that we always paint our toenails red, white and blue. This year is no different. I invited the neighbors to join us and I think we painted 9 sets of toes in all. All the girls had so much fun. They look so cute with their little painted toes. Yes, I painted mine too. Hayden took pictures for me. I think this is the first
year that he remembered that boys don't get their toes painted. Yes, he is still the only boy in the neighborhood. There are usually anywhere from 4 to 8 little girls running and Hayden. We have joked that we are going to go door to door when we move and ask if there are any boys his age. Hope you all have a great 4th! We are planning on going to a local parade if the weather holds out.