Yogurt Explosion

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck...Sitting at my desk at work, I swiveled around to answer my phone and my wonderful strawberry, snack came tumbling down between my chair and my file cabinet. It was a pink mess and somehow it reached my printer almost four feet away from my desk. Shrugging off the annoyance, I grabbed the paper towels I keep at my desk (yes, I have been known to spill things) and went to work on my files, the print, the floor and my desk top.



As I worked I gave my self a "glass half full" pep-talk,
"Other people are cleaning up grosser stuff than this, I mean it's a hotel for crying out loud"

"At least I have yogurt to spill and it's just my mid afternoon snack, not my meal for the day."

"I'm sure glad I grabbed those extra napkins from the bathroom last week." etc.



After it was all cleaned up and I had gotten most of the stickiness off with my Lysol wipes I plopped back into my work chair. Only after my elbow slipped through the yogurt splattered on my chair arm did I realize there was more work to be done... I had been so focused on cleaning up the mess right in front of my face that I hadn't noticed the pink goo all over my jacket and the side of my chair. Had I been looking closely I would have cleaned myself up first and dealt with the floor later.

It made me think of the times I work to clean up the messes I make in my own life. I diligently pray and have my early quiet times but there is still goo that I'm not seeing because I'm so busy fixing things myself. It's only when I sit back, take a deep breath and start working on what I was doing before the goo inconvenience me that I realize there's stuff I didn't realize need cleaning. I'm resting in the fact that I do not have to frantically look for things to fix. Christ will reveal those issues in His perfect time and I only have to follow His lead and even if I slip into the old grossness He'll be there to give me a renewed heart.

Big Bend: Part IV

On our way back to Houston we spent the night in San Antonio and even got to stop by the Alamo for the boys to experience. It's so interesting to see their eyes light up as they learn about war and how brave the people were who defended the little church. I think inside every little boy (and man, for that matter) is the desire to fight for and protect something. We didn't have to drive to another city for me to see this part of their hearts. Even just playing in their club/tree house we pretend war and pretend rescue.

And of course there's lots of fun shopping along the river walk. check out this cool chandelier that I got...i kid, i kid. This was an awesome hand blown glass chandelier available to you for the affordable price of 3K.


San Antonio is such a fun place to visit. Just like little European towns there are unexpected surprises around every corner that call for you to sit awhile.

Another pretty water fall made for the perfect sister picture backdrop

Big Bend: Part III

On our last day at Big Bend we saw a little herd of deer/does (doe plural) in the parking lot eating little tid-bits visitors left behind. I teasted Kelley saying if she were a deer she'd be in the most pampered and protected place possible...a.k.a Big Bend where people can't shoot you.

We all had a great time on our trip but we were happy to be homeward bound. Thank goodness for portable DVD players and that I do not get car sick from reading. I love to read and it sure helps pass the time by getting me tired enough to sleep which also helps speed the the time along.

My dad was such a champ. He drove the entire time and did a great job navigating. The trip was kind of tough on little Luke and I learned so much about having children on this trip. They are so much fun but any kind of change is a major adjustment for them and I have to be patient.

I snapped this pic as we were driving out of the park. Although we didn't get to see any bears it's still fun to think that it was a possibility!

Big Bend: Part II

We were eager to start our next day of adventures and couldn't wait to see what treasures we would discover along the way. It so easy for me to find inspiration and beauty in life when I'm not in my daily routine...

I tried my best but the pictures just do not do the scenery justice...I never knew we had mountains in Texas!
Usually my imagination gets the best of me in my day-to-day life; like thinking a hair elastic is a bug on the floor or Toby barking like a maniac means there's a robber about to break-in to the house...but on this vacation it was easy to imagine Christ walking along with His disciples.."One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grain fields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels..."Luke 6:1

I love how comfortable they were with Christ. We only know about a handful of these moments from the bible but I'm sure there were thousands of instances where similar situations occurred. I always think if could have walked with Jesus and lived life in general with him it would become easier to change my "Martha" mentalities for a more peaceful "Mary" attitude. But then I remember those two women actually did touch and cry with Christ. Why should I think I would be more willing to change than they were? Lesson learned.

Although this sign looked promising, the only wild life we saw were a few wild deer. However, the one we spotted was only a few yards away from us, camouflaged in the tall grass...Aren't you glad a deer was the only animal we noticed until we were looking in his beady eyes. Oh sweet mercy, I sure was!

Later that day we took a drive to anothe part of the park and got to see a little part of the Rio Grand river. For a Lonesome Dove fan such as myself this was especially exciting! I could just see Captain Call and Gus riding off into the aird Texas wilderness and I was immidatly grateful for my air conditioned car waiting for me...

Kelley, Trip, Nate and I took a hike up one of the larger sand dunes by the river. Although it doesn't look steep this was a major endevor especially when ever step sinks into the sand.
But we made it and shared an orange at the top. A psalm came to mind as we sat munching on the jucie fruit,

"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." ~ Psalm 27:5

Being completely surrounded by wild nautre I see things that make me feel small, I can then think about God's greatness in creating it and realize how strong He truly is.

Here are a few other pictures from our adventures that day. Everyone was feeling the heat, especially Lukie of Pookieness. Since his little head was getting sunburned, I was happy to fashion a make-shift dew rag for him...to all of our surprise he didn't pull it off right away!

We had some tired little explorers in our car. I love these pictures because only a few minutes before Trip had been teasing Nate about falling asleep...I had to take a picture as evidence that Trip had fallen asleep too :-)

Again the sunset was a beautiful site to be seen!

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep.

Psalm 36:5-6 5

Big Bend: Part I

Last March the family went on a trip we've been planning for two years. Between weddings and babies being born; this trip was put way on the back burner. Even in the crowded suburban I am happy to say we didn't take a moment of or time together for granted; I was so glad to finally be able to spend time with my family.

We were a little worried about the weather being nice once we finally made the 10 hour road trip o the park but I can honestly say it was a perfect trip. The air, crisp and clean. The sky, clear and beautiful.

After seeing this licence plate, I felt kind of convicted about complaining about our state wide trek...

We went to church on the Saturday before we reached the park. This was the sweetest country church you'll ever attend. At the end of the service the whole church sang "Happy Birthday" for all the parishioners who'd had their birthday that week. The song went something like this:
"Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday God Loves you
Happy Birthday to you..."
At first I thought this was a little too corny, even for a west Texas county church. But when I heard the last line of the song my eyes welled up with tears...God cares about our special occasions. Being the perfect parent that He is, He wants to know me intimately. He longs to give me good things and let me be amazed by His faithfulness. I know this is alot to take from a Happy Birthday song but sometimes that's all God needs to speak to us...

(Switching gears)
And you all should be glad to know Big Foot is actually masquerading in west Texas as an adorable 5 year old boy...just kidding of course, this is an action shot of Nate playing outside after church.

Daddy requested the cabin with the best view and we weren't disappointed...the view totally made up for the long hours of travel.

I lucked out and got my very own bed out of the three available in the cabin. I guess being Aunt Fuzzy does have it's perks!

And I guess God felt like showing off on our first night. The sunsets were glorious and we all know "we'll never see another one like it"!

Be Grateful

Be Grateful
for good music, for dark chocolate,
for a place to call home, for warm hugs,
for quiet time, freedom to dream,
for family time,for understanding souls,
for kindred spirits,for true forgiveness,
for sweet memories,for pink bubblegum,
for silliness, for red shoes,
for blue skies, for every breath,
for sunshine on your face, for a child's laughter,
for God's grace

What do you believe?

"I believe life is more than survival.
I believe the heart is more than a muscle.
I believe we can know right from wrong.
I believe in hope and freedom.
I believe my life can make a difference.
I believe the message of the cross.
What do you believe?"

This past weekend I got to share a very special experience with my dad...an Aggie Football Game. We drove up Saturday afternoon watched A&M BTHO New Mexico, 41 to 6. I have been so blessed to be able to spend so much time with my parents this summer...Big Bend with Daddy, D.C. with Mama ...While the circumstances aren't the best in the world I have treasured our time together. Through a messy situation God is giving me gifts of beautiful memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. While I should be thankful for the good times my flesh still wishes for more. And I wish for so many things:

I wish I didn't have to drive 30 minutes each way to work
I wish I would have nurtured my faith walk sooner.
I wish I wouldn't have tried to pick up the pieces by myself.
I wish things were different...

But as the saying goes, "your back bone has to be stronger than your wish bone." And God specializes in messes. Even the ones we walk directly into and I want to be part of God's clean up process. I could choose to thrown myself on the floor and cry, “It’s not fair,” and I may gain some sympathy but it certainly won't change the fact there's a mess to deal with. I believe God is leading me to something higher and where that leads I do not go alone. God promises in Joshua 1:5 “I will never leave you or forsake you.” I am thankful I'm not designed to work alone; Christ is always there holding me up, showing me the sneaky messes that like to hide and giving me to courage to confront them. Working with the Lord is not easy; He is so thorough and I am always pushed to grow but I'd rather work with Him because alone I'll only make a bigger mess. Through Christ I can move from just wishing to belief that no matter how stinky or deep my mess may be I never have to work alone.