2011 Spring Break - Robbers Cave

As I mentioned last Spring Break we spend it exploring Washington, DC, this week we explored some of Oklahoma and Texas. Some of our adventures were new for me but it was all new to the kids and experiencing new things through fresh eyes always makes me appreciate the excitement of a child that we as adults typically loose.

First stop was Robbers Cave to pretend like we were outlaws!



See our matching hoodies?  A requirement when trying to throw off the law.



I know many of you think Dora is our Explorer, but actually it is Jayden.

But Hannah was not far behind.

Had to throw this one in, just turned out too good not to.

Thought this picture was funny because of Hannah's face in relation to the position of Darya.
Looks like Darya just tooted, but Hannah bumped her leg.

All that positioning to get this shot!

There were all kinds of nooks and crannies to crawl through.

Follow the leader

Signage to help the robbers find the correct hiding spot.

See the painted red dot? They had a yellow and red trail that helped us
that are directionally challenged not to get lost.

See how high that rock is they climbed? Jayden popped right up...

...and down. As you can see it challenged Darya a bit more   and the height challenged Hannah. I wished you could see her face better!

It was a friend defining moment!

Together we can conquer any four foot rock!

Overexposed! Struggled with balancing the light between being in the caves
and out of the caves, but we made it to the top!

My children were pretty sure that this "Sarah and Joshua" were Sarah Seeley and Joshua Sanders from church!

It was a good thing this warning was here, we were fixin' to roast some marshmallows!

Hannah decided the stairs were too easy and made her own path.
Looking back most of my pictures of Darya are of her backside.
Here she was going up to help assist Hannah down.

I'm pretty sure the girls were considering rappelling.

The new knee worked! Crazy face I know! I promise I wasn't in pain.

Sandwiched in between two trips up and down to Robbers Cave, we met up with
Joe & Gwen for a great Mexican meal. Darryl went to school with Joe and was recently
reconnected with him through Facebook.



Today I think...I know it's a dangerous task for me.

If you blog, do you ever think I should blog about that and that and…that! Then when faced with the white blank page you sit there wondering what you should blog? Or am I the only one? Today I have alot on my heart and mind and thought I would share those with you.

Today I am thinking.....about a co-worker who lost his house yesterday in the wildfires that spread throughout Oklahoma. As well as all the firefighters who risked their lives to save life and property. Also reflecting on the devastation in Japan, shocked and humbled knowing that is only a fraction of the Lord's power. Indeed. It boggles my mind.

Our new Fire Department in Moore! No. 1 to be exact. Today they rest.

Today I am thinking....about my week off for Spring Break. This time last year we were trekking the grounds of the nation’s capitol. I have been to Washington, DC at least 20 times over the past 15 years and to be able to show my family the Mall, the monuments, the museums that I have had the privilege of seeing, my favorite restaurants, and the excitement of riding the Metro was thrilling for me. I loved sharing a piece of my life with my family.

The Lincoln Memorial

Chop't Salad - My all time favorite fast food place! Darya agreed.

Jayden and I riding the Metro. Can you see the speed at which we were moving?

Today I am thinking.....how different our Spring Break will look this year. Different but not in a bad way – we will still be discovering NEW things. I am excited even though it involves Spring cleaning.

Today I am thinking.....WHAT was I thinking when I decided to sign up to “coach” YMCA Volleyball. My volleyball skills and experience come from family picnics, where you feel like a star even though you aren’t. Can you believe they gave me a bright orange shirt that says “COACH” on it? I wear it proud even though I’ve been replaced by a teenager coach. Gladly replaced I must proclaim! Our first game was a bad news bears kind of game and in a matter of minutes between our next game, my new teenage coach (Amanda's sister) taught the girls some simple techniques and much improvement was seen in game two, can't you tell by the smiles on those girls?

Today I am thinking.....July 24 could hurry up and get here because the new Target opens in Moore!

But today more than anything I am thinking......about the promises of God. Last July God begin preparing me to face trials. Preparing my heart. My mind. My faith. Over the past nine months He has been faithful to secure His love for me within my heart, mind and soul. He has increased my faith. He has been faithful in letting me know that perfect love cast out all fear and because I am perfectly loved I need not fear what is to come. Finding security and comfort in His sovereignty. Confident that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I could ask or think and because He is good and works all things together according to His will for my good and for His glory. Because He never fails I can rest in the midst of uncertain times. God is working in many ways in our family and I hope soon I will be able to share the unabridged version of His greatness. His power. His love. Stay tuned.

Therapy Appointments Cheap! Get yours today!

Yesterday was one of those days that you just hope to get through the day with all your hair still intact. Work was overwhelming and I guess it was evident because Jayden, my eight year old grabs a notepad and pencil and sits down in the chair next to me and asks, "So tell me what brings you to therapy today?" No joke! I love that kid, he brings me such joy with his witty comments. So I "played" along and told him that I was overwhelmed at work. I had lots of decisions to make and then he told me, "hold it right there" scribed something down on his pad and looked up at me and said "carry on". I told him I wanted to escape to a beach and get lost in the sand. Again I was instructed to pause and then encouraged to "carry on". Before I knew it I was in a real therapy session with my 8 year old. Cracking up! Laughter truly is the best medicine!

After my session, he left and came back with my diagnosis and treatment plan. I will decipher for you.

Dione. Patient 930 lost all power she think she has no time for herself she just wish she could go to the beach and disappear in to the stand she is dumb (this was his diagnosis) she keep forgetting thing she has decision she has to make and doesn't know which the right one she has stress work. Her order 1# she wants a Cheese Burger with onions (this was his treatment plan). He then cut it out made me initial in TWO places and then he signed his name, Dr. J on the back.

Today he informed me that he only charges $10 an hour and that people love him because they always come back! I am so very fortunate to have my own therapist, you know working for the government you need one!

Last night we worked in the nursery at church. There was alot of testosterone in the room, it seemed like all I said all night was "keep your hands to yourself, no pushing, no running, no kicking, etc..." So we went out to the gym and ran off all that energy. When we came back in Darryl read a book to the boys and they all loved it!

Next Jayden entertained them with Red Light/Green Light and Simon Says - for some reason they didn't like the quiet game. Check out those moves below!

Then when I came home today this is what was waiting for me IN the driveway!

Which is my 5'5", size 9 shoe - 12 year old going on 30 holding her proofs of residence so she could go enroll in Junior High! Could someone just find me a big rock to go hide under for the next six years? I'm teasing of course! I would not miss this precious time for nothing!

Yes, I know that isn't a trumpet, but I failed to get the picture with the trumpet.

I am real excited for Darya as she signed up for band. The students were all very helpful and encouraging to the new students helping them to decide what instrument they would like to try. Darya started out with the flute but it was overwhelming that her instrument is the trumpet! She was able to play it well. I think it is all those blowfish faces she used to make growing up that strengthened her lips or it could be her farting noises she blows out at her little brother. Either way she has that buzzing sound down!

Hannah, Marley, Cameron & Darya

Darya enrolled in Honors Geography & Science, plus Band. She is going to sign up for volleyball and basketball as well. Look out Junior High there are some very excited girls ready to make some memories!

Our tree is in bloom, which means Spring Break is just around the corner! Last Spring Break we were trekking across our Nation's Capitol - this year we are sticking close home, doing some spring cleaning, remodeling and discovering Oklahoma!! If you need a therapy session, please book with Dr. J he is really good!

Inside Out - Celebrating 25 Years of Feminar - Part One

As I lay in bed this past Thursday night and anticipated my annual trek to Longview, Texas to attend the Feminar, which is a Christian seminar for females. I found myself with eyes shut and a big smile on my face praying for a Spirit-filled, Word-drenched, life-transforming, God’s-will-be-done weekend getaway. It was all of that plus lots of laughter, some shopping and of course La Hacienda.



Racing through IKEA, see the action of the soles of those shoes running?

I LOVED and wanted this LIGHT fixture! I would be perfect for my bedroom!

But instead I came home with some items for my Scrapbook Room,

a meat mallet and chip clips.

Annual lunch at La Hacienda. No manna on the menu!

However, the famous Beef Fajitas were the popular menu item at our table.

Gaye's Lunch - Poblano Al Carbon
Mesquite-grilled poblano pepper stuffed with grilled chicken and cheese.

Cammey's Lunch - Spicy Chicken Verde with a Puff Taco, that's the round thing
and it was empty...like the tomb of Jesus.

Am I making you hungry yet? My lunch - The Hacienda Ranch Chicken
Wood roasted grilled chicken breast topped with sour cream sauce, Monterey Jack,
grilled onions and mushrooms. Served with grilled vegetables and Spanish rice.



Started out with some Phillips, Craig & Dean "Here I am to Worship"



Bob & Janet White being honored for their vision of starting Feminar 25 years ago.

Some more Phillips, Craig & Dean "Mercy Came a Running"

Somehow I missed getting a picture of the comedian Jeff Allen,
so instead we bring you our tribute. Jeff's best advice, "Happy wife = Happy life"

Lysa TerKeurst (Proverbs 31 Ministries)

I loved Lysa's black and white top, but I loved her message she delivered even more. I don't know if you have ever heard her story, but you can go here to read her story or visit her blog to see how and what she is doing now. The short of it is God told her to adopt two Liberia orphan boys from the Liberian Boys Acapella Choir. She said yes and from her act of faith and obedience 14 other families in her community has adopted 31 more children from that orphanage. Her story has been on Oprah and she announced at the Feminar that Dreamworks is making the story into a motion picture and it is being turned into a Broadway Musical. Plus, her friends and her won a cruise getaway because they designed the winning t-shirt. It said, "We left our 57 children at home with their dads". Blessings do indeed follow obedience! Her scripture focus for this first session was, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

During this first session, Lysa shared a cute story about her “new” family, which consist of three biological daughters and two adopted Liberian boys. A lady had come up to her and her children, pointing back and forth between the children and said, "Oh I get it...two different dads." One of her little girls with hands on hips replied, "Let me susplain it to you...when my mom was pregnant wit my bruthers she drank chocolate milk."

She closed this session with challenging us to allow the Messiah Jesus Christ to mess with us. The first four letters of Messiah is Mess, so if we will allow him to mess with us, to interrupt our lives, to disrupt our comfort so He can change the world through us.

Caught a glimpse of the Sandra's! Some how through the droves of women
I missed catching up with Michelle Rosson
I think she may have been seeking out bridesmaids dresses.

Found these girls hanging out in the balcony.