While we were in Branson we had our family pictures taken. Brook Robinson was my sister's best friend growing up. . .I have known her for more than two decades! I've been trying to work out our schedules so that she could take our pictures and it finally worked out. . .and she was worth the wait! The official pictures won't be ready until the end of May, but she sent me a few as a "sneak peek" and I am thrilled! Thanks, Brooke!
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We had a super time at "home" in Branson! We got our "love tanks" filled (as my mother-in-law says) and it was so nice to be back! Friends. Family. Fun! My sister and her family were in town for the weekend. It was fun being together. The cousins had a blast together! We got to head to our favorite spot for Easter: James River Assembly. It was so good to be back in the church where we truly feel at home. As always the worship and the sermon were "best ever." It was refreshing! We also got to see some fun friends while we were at church. We all got to spend great time with friends! Walks and lunches and shopping and a pizza party. The kids saw friends. I saw friends. Andy saw friends. It was perfect! Family time was great. Seeing my parents and my Gran'ma was exactly what I had imagined. I didn't want that part to end. There were lots of tears as we said good bye....
The view (or lack thereof) driving away from the most beautiful state in the country. We made a quick detour by BeBe and PaPa's yesterday. As always, BeBe went over the top (in a very good, we feel extra special and love that everything is a big deal way). We had a big Easter dinner last night. The kids got ALL of the toys out to play with all afternoon (and when I say ALL, I literally mean three generations of toys). They had a blast! This morning we had a yummy breakfast and a quick Easter egg hunt. It was an in and out trip, but we will be back later in the week! We love BeBe and PaPa! I called BeBe less than a week ago and told her to pick up the Chasing Fireflies catalog and turn to page 17. She did and I said, please make that dress for Gabby for Easter. And she did! She had to make up her own pattern (Gabby is a pattern size 18 months around and 7 from top to bottom.) The dress...
"A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams." -Unknown Sometimes I really struggle with "home." I know that "home is where the heart is" and I know that I feel most at home with Andy and then with my kids. So, technically, home is in Durango, Colorado (or wherever Andy and the kids happen to be). They are my family. They are my home. Period. When people ask me where I am from, I say Durango. I don't go into my life history and get them to my answer of "Durango" by way of Missouri for 30 years (and Waco for 4). I just say Durango. However, it is Spring Break time and when people ask me what I am doing for Spring Break, I say, "going home." And then I catch myself. I'm not really going home (see paragraph one), but in my heart I feel like I am going home. I am heading into the arms of my Mom and my Dad and my Gran'ma and many friends who love me. Even though Durango ...
When we bought this house last summer it was a work in progress; inside and outside. Andy had big visions for a pond with a little stream and waterfall where there was a sink-hole (or something) in the front yard. Well, after many man hours, here is what we have. Granted, we still need to plant many more plants and grass and we most definately need to hide that big black thing the water is coming out of, but what a great job he has done (with much help from Lesley and little help from me)! Our pond. . . Andy's pond. I love it! I love to hear the water running and I love to hear the frogs croaking (all of the time). Jake would have loved this pond! It makes it feel like home! I love being home!
These shoes came with a card that said (on the front), "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our spirits have trouble remembering how to fly." I've written a little bit about my new friends in the Sandbox who I immediately felt bonded to. I truly left that place sad that I was leaving friends (how does that happen in two weeks. . .kind of like camp, I guess). Well, one of these friends sent me out of the country with these shoes. What a great story of friendship! I met Jen during the Summer of 2010. She and her hubby had met Andy earlier that Spring (in the Sandbox) and they came to Kivu for a visit. It was late in the summer and I was exhausted. I hosted them but really only half heartedly and that was that. When I got to Saudi this Spring she was there and was so over the top (in a super way) good to me! She is the one who hosted the Abaya party and got me my new abaya. She also is the one who took me on the trip ...
Well, my time in the Sandbox has come to a close. What an amazingly wonderful trip Andy and I had. I feel like each day was highlight followed by highlight! First of all, I had the best time with my hubby! I honestly was a tad nervous to be spending 17 days with him and no kids. . .it has been so long--2006--since we've spent more than two or three days together (just us) and I just didn't know what to expect. (There is a bit of honesty.) And we had a super time! We laughed so hard and enjoyed one another so much! I am so thankful that we got that time! We had to part ways in the DC airport this morning and I got on my plane to Denver and just cried. I love him! My second favorite part was the friends I made. I truly feel at home where we were. I hated leaving because I felt like I was leaving behind some very dear friends. I think I was the most shocked by how at home I felt with so many ladies. I feel like my new girl friends are and will be a huge blessing i...