Travis on Air Force One

Yes, this is my extremely lucky husband getting a private tour of Air Force One. Obama was scheduled to throw the 1st pitch at the MLB All-Star Game last night here in St. Louis, MO.

Earlier this month Travis had organized a Squandron Commander Course at Scott AFB. One of the pilots of Air Force One had attended. He was grateful to Travis and all the hard work he had done and decided to invite him for a tour. Along with a friend from work, Travis headed down to the game. The whole city was excited about the president coming. This was a once in a lifetime invitation, and I was so glad Travis was invited. He said it was truly AMAZING!
Another AMAZING sight is the view from our porch in Branson. I forgot to post it with the other Branson pictures. I never realized how gorgeous Missouri was. Isn't it absolutely beautiful?

Silver Dollar City

Water Fun at Branson

One of the greatest parts about Branson was the amazing pools at the Big Cedar Ridge Resort that were included with our condo. The condo was AMAZING, but we were allowed to use all the amenities of the Resort free. Most evenings we would take the kids over to the pool area and cool off. It was around 100 degrees every day. YIKES!

I called this picture, "All our little fishes"...because each of us, the parents, had about two children around us. Here you can see Desiree with Scarlett. Uncle Tim throwing Carlie and Eli into the air, Daddy tossing Ellie up, etc.

Mollie loved this one area. It had sprinklers shooting up. She loved stopping the flowing and then letting it go once we got close.

Man, if Travis was a little more tan, wouldn't he be a hunk? I'm extremely attracted, because he is loving all over Ellie.

Mollie did great! The swimming lessons at the YMCA really paid off. She felt more comfortable to let go wearing her life jacket. Before she would cling to me and hated wearing it.

You can see Ellie smiling here. The higher Daddy threw her, the more she loved it. Carlie is swimming in the background. She is a fish and has been practicing her strokes this summer.

Here is a better picture of little Ellie. I love her little fat legs.

This is another great picture of Carlie taking off. Uncle Kev showed her how to glide more in the water and keep her head down.

Here is Gary and Kevin. Gary was playing with his son, Lance. Then Kevin was taking turns with Carlie and Eli throwing them in the air. Ole' Daddy got a pass due to his back problems. I'm sure Kevin regretted throwing them up so high later. They loved him for it, though.

Branson coming and going...

It was so wonderful. This summer the "Elite 8", then "Sweet Sixteen", now...we don't know... decided to do our big reunion in Branson. Our group began as the Elite 8 (The Stevens, The Greicars (MIA for photo), the Pritzs, and the Walters) back in pilot training, almost 10 years ago. Then as we added to our group (aka children), we called ourselves the Sweet Sixteen. Now with the addition of Ellie, Ella, and Lincoln, we aren't sure what to call ourselves...perhaps "Crazy" would be most appropriate. LOL
Back in Wichita Falls it was easy to get together. We were all neighbors and had our weekly Thursday night dinners. Then when the Air Force decided to send us all over the world, we decided to be more intentional about getting together at least once a year. One year we all went on a cruise, then a weekend in AL during SOS, then a weekend in San Antonio, and most recently a week in Branson, MO. Truly these families hold our heartstrings.

I grabbed this quick photo of our family before we departed. It actually was a perfect day, around 80 degrees...having been more in the 100s all week.

This is Eli, Carlie, and Joy saying their last goodbyes. Boy, did they have fun!

Ella decided to be our little stowaway. I would have taken her. She is about two weeks younger than my little Ellie. Katie found out she was pregnant again shortly after our San Antonio trip.

One night the guys insisted all the Mommies go out on the town. We went to Branson Landing and visit the Outlet Mall. It was so wonderful getting to catch up with no little distractions.

It truly was a great trip. The 5 bedroom condo we rented was ideal. It was gorgeous inside and out, located near Lake Table Rock. We are already brainstorming our next trip together...perhaps the beach, Colorado Springs, CO...who knows. More entries to come...

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.