VBS...Boomerang Express

Well, it is Friday and the last day of VBS. My girls are quietly sleeping upstairs...exhausted from a week full of wonderful activities and learning more about Jesus. I should join them, but I couldn't help but want to reflect on what God did.
This year's theme was Boomerang Express...It all comes back to Jesus! It was a great theme set in the Outback with kangaroos and a cool train that lead the children to teaching others about Jesus. I taught 1 of the 5 classes for 4 year olds. They had a total of 1,200 children registered. Each day was action packed. I loved my little class. We acted out the Bible stories and had so much fun. I think though everything really sunk in when I saw Carlie performing in the musical. I had practiced all the songs with my class each day, but the last song we taught them really touched me. There Carlie was singing, "I will pray in Jesus' name, and believe things will change." It still makes me choke up remembering her little voice saying those words.
Because the reality is that for years I have prayed that God would heal Travis' back and give me back my sweet husband who I fell in love with. And you know He has! For two months now, Travis has been off all his pain medicine, and the difference has been incredible. He is gaining weight and is laughing again, more energetic, more physically and emotionally tuned into me. It is wonderful! Of course, he still has pain, but what we once thought would make him bed ridden hasn't. What he once thought he couldn't live without (the pain medicine)...HE IS!
I guess I didn't realize what a toil being on pain medicine had taken. The side effects they warn you about, but that you don't pay attention to. Anyway, it makes me grow even more and more in love with Jesus when I realize that only because of my relationship with Him was there any hope that things would change. That one day the troubles that seemed so overwhelming so all encompassing would fade. "So I'm praisin' and I'm thankin' God for His son, Jesus...because He can do anything." Out of the mouths of children....PROFOUND!

The not-so-baby pool

It always delights me how children can find enjoyment in the smallest of things. I resisted buying a baby pool, because I thought it wouldn't compare to the real pool we had back in Abilene. But after a few trips to the swimming pool on Base, I wanted something more convenient here at home. The girls took to it immediately.
They splashed and giggled for hours. Here I was so afraid they would be disappointed, and yet they were ecstatic.

Everyone needs a sister!!!

Here is my dare devil!

Not quite sure about being in the cold water, but loved the splashes that hit her.

Going one more time...

In my spare time...

When I wrote the title of this blog entry, I laughed. What spare time? :) With three girls at home for the summer, there isn't much spare/alone time to be had...but I did manage to squeeze in this project. Ever since we moved into 1010 Sycamore Place, I've hated the chandelier in the kitchen. It was one of those that would most often be found above a pool table. You know the round kind minus the beer logo. Anyway, since we are renting, I've tried not to go overboard in updating the house. But I couldn't pass up this deal. I was selling some garage sale items at my dear friend's house and decided to venture over to the other garage sale down the street. I found this chandelier for $3. Her husband is a great handy man, and told me he could install it. PERFECT!
So while I was in Chicago, Travis and Keith got together and put it up. The funniest part though, was afterwards they took our girls and Keith's two girls to McDonalds for lunch. It makes me smile thinking of Travis and Keith having their own play date.

The original lamp shades were dusty and old, so I decided to recover them. I had some left over fabric from the curtains I did by the sink. Taking the original lampshade covers and using that as my pattern...it was actually pretty easy. Then I added some fringe to make it more whimsical.

I thought the chandelier base was beautiful, even more so with the matching fabric lampshades. Now, I know I can always recover them when my decor changes.

I also found this great print at a garage sale for a $1. The original frame didn't give it justice. So I got Hobby Lobby to re matte it and re frame it. The frame is very similar to the chandelier base.
I think what I love most about both of them is that they match my favorite dish pattern, Blue Italian by Spode. For Mother's Day, Travis splurged and bought me matching tea cups and enough other dishes to entertain up to 12 guest.

There is a great little Tea Room in Lebanon that my girlfriends and I enjoy going to. Now, I can bring the tea home and have my own little party. Honestly, I try not to become too attached to material things, because there is always that chance that the movers will break it. I do hope the chandelier, picture, and dishes make it to our "Dream Home" one day, though.

Whenever we do finally settle down, even if that is 20 years from now...I hope to surround myself with things that have a history...a story to tell. Some many wonderful memories in so many different places...Colorado Springs, Wichita Falls, Abilene, and now O'Fallon.

Chicago Trip with the Girls

Several of my dear friends from Mother's Day Out decided to head up to Chicago the last weekend of May. It was wonderful!! We all piled into Kelly's Honda Odyssey and headed to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Chicago. Cathy had gotten a killer deal on some really nice rooms, just two blocks from Michigan Ave. We couldn't have been more giddy as the car pulled away from the driveway.
The drive up there was 5 hours, but it went by so fast. I think having uninterrupted conversations was my favorite part. I relished being able to "really" listen to what my girlfriends were saying. I get easily distracted at play dates. I think the trip really helped everyone to get to know each other better.
The picture below doesn't give this scene justice. It was our last night in Chicago and we were on the 97th floor of the John Hancock building. The view was AMAZING! Millions and millions of lights...absolutely stunning. It was the first time I wished my girls and Travis were there with me during the trip. I would have loved to share this moment with them.

But they weren't... so the girls and I decided to have a few drinks and share a scrumptious dessert.

Here is the whole gang that went...including two friends of Jodi and Kristen. It was an "Authetic" Mexican food place...I'm from Texas..."authetic" mexican food doesn't quite describe it right. Cathy and I just laughed having actually been to Mexico and seen the real deal.

I love this one of Gloria and me. We were laughing because Jodi's friend mentioned how nasty catfish was...as if only white-trash ate it. She was from up north. Gloria, from Georgia, whispered, "Girl, I was raised on catfish." I seconded it...and added, "She must not have tried it with tarter sauce." It was a Southern thing. Gloria kept me laughing the entire time.

Friday night I ventured away to spend some quality time with my sister and niece and nephew, Dan and Emma. We visited the Field Museum which was extremely interesting and then walked along Lake Michigan. It was a gorgeous night. I love the Chicago skyline behind us.