Princess Party!

Princess with her Princess Cake

She LOVED opening her presents!

A random picture of Cason's first haircut--a buzz!

Silly kids..

LOVE this pic!! Love my mama!

Princess Pinata!

Caedmon took his job of handing out presents very seriously!

The Royal Spread

Let the Waters Rise...

I've been wanting to blog about this song for a few weeks now, but sometimes it's hard to put the depth of what you're feeling into words. I'll try.

A few weeks ago on a Sunday morning I heard a new song by MikesChair. Here are the lyrics:

Don't know where to begin
Its like my world's caving in
And I try but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here?

Sometimes its so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where you want me to
God, I trust You

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
'Cuz You'll be next to me
You're in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You'll never out of reach

God, You know where I've been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You'll be faithful again
I'm holding Your hand

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I'm holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ok so it's the chorus that really hits me. "There's a raging sea right in front of me, wants to pull me in, bring me to my knees." I feel that way a lot preparing for our move/life in Zambia. Sometimes the sea changes--it is usually a sea of fear, sometimes a sea of doubt, sometimes a sea of panic. And it does want to pull me in and bring me to my knees. But God is already in that sea, and I'm going to follow Him through. So let the waters rise, God. I will follow You.

Halloween 2009

Cambree giving it all she's got throwing the ball!

We went and saw Big Maw's play, Willy Wonka!

My Boys at the Fall Festival

Pretty Cambree

Case in the recycled pumpkin outfit! We can finally retire it!

Shade, Caity, and Andie Lyn

Big Maw and two of her boys, Blu and Shade

Princess Cake

Cambree is having a "pink and purple princess party" for her 3rd birthday! I finished her cake today!

To Infinity...and Beyond!

A weekend back home!

We spent last weekend in Alvarado!! It was great to be back at our home church and with our close friends. We spoke at two different churches so it was pretty exhausting but we still had an awesome weekend!!
We took the kids to the Waco Zoo on Saturday on our way to Alvarado. I was pleasantly surprised--what a nice zoo!

This was the end of the zoo trip--everyone was so tired!


Caedmon checking out a snake up close!

In Alvarado, we stayed with "Ms. Telly" (Mrs. Kelly) and the rest of the Baxter family. The kids took hikes, cooked mac n' cheese, baked and decorated cookies, watched movies, and had an awesome weekend getting spoiled!

Lauren, Lindsay, Jessica, and me :)

This is what we did when we got bored..

Lauren and Baby Cason

Lindsay being crazy!

Me and Jess :)

Vampires or Jesus??

The kids have a new "Jesus movie" that they've been watching lately. It is not at all unusual for us to hear Caedmon (who is an up and coming movie quoter) yelling through the house "It is written!!!" "Where is your God now?!"

Last weekend, my mom told me that Caedmon told her "If you don't stop that, I'm going to make you drink my blood!" I was shocked and furious and asked Caedmon, "Where did you hear that?! Who says that??" assuming he had seen a vampire movie or something.

Caedmon just looked at me real confused and said "Jesus. He holds out his hand and says this is my blood. Drink it."

:)

October Happenings

We enjoyed the weekend with Grandpa and Mama Dee in Temple! We went to a pumpkin patch and the kids loved it! We also celebrated a little early my 29th birthday! And I got a haircut!

Things that make me smile...

My almost 3 year old daughter climbing a tree

Me, Whitney, and Bethany--we've been friends since me and Whit were 9 and Beth was 2!

Whitney hugging a tree

Caedmon's future wife Hannah

Caedmon sliding backwards down a slide

Happy Birthday to Blu!

Blu turned 28 on Sept 27th! We had a fun football party for him and watched the Colts/Cardinals game. He got lots of neat presents (a leatherman, toolbox, TONS of new tools, a Cowboys shirt, and from me--tickets to the Dallas Cowboys Monday Night Football game!!!) We had a blast!

Busy...

Well, our internet has been down for almost 2 weeks, so it's been hard to keep track of everything!!! Here are some things that have been keeping us busy!
Blu took some amazing sunset pictures in Zambia! He's quite the photog!


So innocent looking...

Or not...

10 months old!

Progress in Zambia!!

Blu is halfway through his 2 week trip to Zambia and he and his brother Cloud have gotten so much accomplished!!! Things that shouldn't be happening fast are happening fast! Blu said it's like God has paved the way for us. Here are some things they've accomplished!

1) Vehicle! We have a truck--purchased, registered, and ready to drive when we get in Zambia in January! Blu has been driving it while he's there.

2) Visas! We got all of our forms submitted and we had almost everything we needed!! We were able to quickly run background checks and get those in, so now all documents are in and we should have final approval for our visas in 14 days!

3) NGO Status! We have submitted our application to the proper people and are now just waiting their approval.

4) Housing! Blu met a missionary who lives in the area we are moving to and they are going on furlough in December. They are looking for someone to rent our house--US! Blu said it is a very nice house, with wireless internet, and will be completely furnished! When they get back after a year, they will be selling some of their furnishings, hopefully to us! Security wise, there is a huge wall around it with 4 feet of electric fence at the top! YAY!! I am so relieved to have a place to stay with the kids and feel safe while Blu is out in the bush building!

5) Land! Ok, we thought we had 130 acres of land, but it turns out there is just 40. That's ok! 40 acres is plenty and less overwhelming! Blu said the land looks great and has already been all cleared for us.

6) Electricity! Blu met with the electric company and we have to submit to them architectural plans pretty detailed so that they can see how much power they will need to get out to the land. Estimates are that we will have power by next July and should roughly cost $15,000.

7) Other things! We have a cell phone and a p.o. box. That means when we get into the country (roughly Jan 21), we will have a car to drive, a house to live in, and a way to contact our families back home. God is so good!!

That's all I know for now--I'll update more later! Thanks for praying!

Trip to College Station

This past weekend, we drove down to College Station to speak at Parkway Baptist Church. When we got married, we lived in the apartments across the street from the church, so after being married 8 days, we walked over. We loved the small atmosphere and the friendliness of the people. We soon plugged in and got involved with the youth group and music ministry. It was at Parkway that God really begin to call us into a life of obedience to Him. Our kids misbehaved ALL weekend long, but we still had a good trip!
We drove halfway on Friday night to Mom and Dad's. Mama Dee and Caedmon enjoyed some reading time together!

Just because she's cute.. :)

Blu, making a strange face, and Baby Case

We got to visit with the Duncans, our good friends who had Baby #5 four days prior!! Their backyard was a kids' paradise!

My friend Amanda

The Three Stooges - Blu with Pastor Chris and Bro. Bob

The Vacation Bible School raised $1,500 for the orphanage in June!

Our sweet friends, Tom and Ann Foster

So innocent looking.. ha.

Amazing Blu..

From bunkbeds to porch swings, if it's made out of wood, Blu can build it!! :)

First Day!!

Today was Caedmon and Cambree's first day of Mother's Day Out at FBC Brownwood! With new backpacks, lunch boxes, nap mats, and blankets they were ready to finally start this day that we had been talking about for so long! I was surprised when we got there that 4 year old Caedmon was the one who freaked out and cried and clung to me! Cambree marched into her classroom like she owned the place!! They both had a great day though and Caedmon even came home with a library book he had checked out that we all read together! I sure am gonna love Tuesdays and Thursdays! :)

Trip to West Texas

We have officially begun our speaking assignments at churches! Our first church was Second Baptist Church in Lamesa, TX, so we got to spend the weekend with some of our closest friends, the Phipps Family, and also Blu's great-aunt and uncle! It was a whirlwind weekend but we had tons of fun!
Plains, Texas is known for its delicious watermelon--Cambree could eat a whole watermelon all by herself!

The kids got to go to the farm and ride Uncle Jim's tractor!

This December is 20 years that me and Whit have been "together." :) I love this pic of her and Matt!

Had to stop for ice cream on the way home...

Baby Cason has discovered Dairy Queen!

So precious :)

Caedmon and Hannah playing dress up

9 months old!

The highlight of Cason's weekend was his ride on Andrew's belly!

We had an amazing time and God really blessed the orphanage through Second Baptist in Lamesa! Can't wait to see what next weekend holds for us!

High Tech World...

Blu has a tradition where each night he tells the kids an elaborate bedtime story. They help him come up with the story, and it usually involves dinosaurs, BB & Joanna, a key, a tent, a rope, a rocketship, and bodily functions. The other night, Blu had started his story and 4 year old Caedmon realized that he didn't have his blanket. He ran out of the room yelling "I forgot my blanket!! Pause it, Daddy!!!"

COLORADO!

When Big Maw said she wanted to keep all of her grandkids at the same time for a week this summer, it wasn't hard for the rest of us to figure out that this would be a great time for a sibling vacation! So me and Blu, Cloud and Samantha, and Shade and Caity took a road trip to Breckenridge, Colorado! We laughed so much and all bonded in more ways than we thought possible ;) Here's some pics from our trip...
The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs (my 3rd time to visit this--I refuse to go ever again!! :) No, really it was neat because Shade was in the Air Force so it was cool to see things from his point of view. He was shocked when the recruiter told him that at age 26, he's "too old" to enter the Academy!)

We had a VERY nice meal at the Blue River Bistro

Proof that Blu does know how to do the dishes!! Each couple cooked one night for everyone else! We had homemade pizza, grilled chicken, and green enchiladas!

Those handsome Tidwell boys :)

Our cabin was supernice, except that the hot tub was broken. :( It was at 11,000 feet and we all had trouble breathing after a game of ping pong or walking up the stairs!

Air Force Academy Chapel

Cloud and Sammy at Blue River Bistro

Fishing at the Reservoir - we were skeptical as to whether or not there were really fish in there!

The view from our cabin's balcony

My Blu :)

This hike was completely straight down, and me and Sammy had on flip-flops!

Post-hike..we were laughing so hard!

Cloud and Sammy bought us all massages at this spa in Breckenridge!

Shade and Caity (expecting baby #2!)

A random snowman..

"The Bangs House"

Well, our journey to Zambia is underway, in a sense. We completed our last Sunday as youth pastor at our home church and spent the last week moving and getting our "new" house in order. We are living in an old house in Bangs, Texas built in the 1930s that Blu's dad has been renovating. It is such a cute house with lots of character...I had to share some pics!!
The Gingerbread House

My Coca-Cola Bedroom




Living Room


Apple Kitchen


Cute entryway from living room into dining room

Dining room

Cambree's girly room



Boys' Room


My Texas bathroom



The house also has an upstairs carpeted space with low ceilings and dormer windows--too cute!! God has definitely blessed us by providing us with this neat home to live in while we prepare to head overseas!

Prayer Card Pics by Leighanne!!

Cute Pics I Couldn't Resist!

Summer Fun!

New Haircut!

Shade (Blu's brother) and Caity

Paw and Caedmon in the pool playing "washing machine"

Blu and Cambree hanging out in the pool

The look on Cason's face is hilarious!


Our nephew Brenden (Cloud and Samantha's son)

The kids are finding lots of new "toys" as we pack up the house!

Our niece Andie Lyn (Shade and Caity's daughter)

The kids (not sure why they're naked??) doing pilates with me!

All These Things...

Well, Blu resigned from his job as youth pastor this past Sunday. I guess that it was Step One in our move to Zambia. My stomach was in knots all week long as the day approached. Of course, part of it was the fact that we have been here 3 1/2 years and LOVE our church family and will miss them greatly. This is home to us. But there was something else, and I brought it up to Blu Saturday night as we lay in bed. I said, "There's no turning back after tomorrow...this is it." It hit me that we could talk about moving to Zambia all we want, but the process was going to start the next day, and it felt like there was no turning back. No changing our minds--the uprooting would begin the next day. Blu asked how I was feeling and I told him I was sad. Not for us, but for our kids....what they'll be missing. He assured me as always that our kids will have more opportunities than children that live in America and have a "normal" life. I sighed, thinking that he didn't really get my point, and went to sleep.

The next morning was a normal day of worship. You know how between songs when the music minister starts talking and you sometimes tune out? Well, the man leading music suddenly quoted Matthew 6:33. Since I have been in high school, I have quoted that as my favorite verse. Not sure why, just always one that I have liked. When Jimmy read "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." It's like I heard God say in my heart, "You are seeking my kingdom, and I will add "these things" to your life more than you can ever imagine." Now, I don't know what "these things" are, but I know that they far exceed Little League baseball, dance class, and even time with extended family. Jimmy then sang an old song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus." It was surreal to sit there and hear a scripture I had heard for years and hear a song I knew by heart but to hear them speak to ME about our move. Peace just completely fell onto me at that moment.

Blu then came home and we both shared together how that verse and song spoke to us both. God is so good. Little League baseball? Pshh...I'd rather have Jesus.

From the mouth of babes...

Conversations I've had with my kids the past few days:

Caedmon: I'm gonna marry Brookie!
Cambree: I'm gonna marry Daddy!
Caedmon: You can't marry Daddy, Cambree.
Cambree: Why not?
Caedmon: Because he doesn't have a crown.


(playing with Barbies)
Caedmon: Mama, can you put these clothes and shoes on Ken?
Me: Sure sweetie.
(Mama absentmindedly throws clothes and shoes on Ken and gives back to Caedmon)
(Caedmon sighs with pleasure)
Caedmon: There. Now all he needs is his head.
(Sure enough...I hadn't even noticed but Ken's head is nowhere to be found!)


(after a devotional on Jonathan and David, best friends in the Bible)
Me: Caedmon, do you have a best friend?
Caedmon: Yes, it's Megan. Megan and Tatum and Wyatt.
Me: Cambree, do you have a best friend?
(Cambree throws her arm over Caedmon's neck)
Cambree: My best friend is Taedmon.
Caedmon: Best friends aren't mean to each other. They love each other.
Cambree (in a soft voice, looking adoringly up at her big brother): I love Taedmon always....

Dance Recital!

Yesterday was Cambree's first dance recital! She was pretty precious! The two dances her class did was the hokey pokey, and how much is that doggie in the window. As they danced, I was watching from the wings so I couldn't see Cambree's face, but I noticed that the audience kept laughing. I asked Blu later what they were laughing at and he said that Cambree was making very intense faces as she danced!! :) Enjoy the pics from her big day!