I went to a Beth Moore conference in Jacksonville with some of the ladies from church. It was a lot of fun. I wish I had felt a little better so I could have enjoyed it more. Taylor and I drove over to Jacksonville on Friday. The conference was Friday night and Saturday morning. I have enjoyed doing a few Bible studies from Beth Moore so it was really enjoyable to get to see her in person.
After the Friday night sessions all the ladies headed back to the hotel room. We went over to Colleen, Gloria, and Jen's room for some late night snacking and talking. It was good to get to spend some time with all the ladies. We laughed almost the whole time. We Lou, Lori and I headed back to our room a little before midnight, too late for the pregnant lady here but it was worth it.
We woke up much too early for a Saturday morning at 5:45, or at least that is what me and Taylor thought. ;o) Beth Moore has some of the most amazing singers for her worship band. I would pay just to go see them. They play such a wide variety of music and they do it so well. Worship music always gets me in the mood for learning about God and His Word. My two favorite song they sung were Shackles (praise You) and The Solid Rock. It was very powerful. Shari, Linda, Taylor and Lori rode home with me. We stopped at Subway for lunch and then drove home. I really had a great time with these ladies and was very renewed by the conference. The more I go to Christian conferences the more I love them. The power I feel from so many all worshiping and learning about God is amazing. I bet God loves conferences too. Seeing all those people gathered together sharing in His love and wisdom.
When I got home my sweet husband surprised me by organizing part of our room so that the baby's bassinet can be in there. I have been trying be motivated enough to do it for a while but sometime else always seems more pressing. He also organized the storage in the play room. It was very nice to come home too. I am very blessed to have a guy who works so hard to make me happy.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Camping in Mantee Springs
Josh and I decided to go camping for some relaxation and time together. We decided to go to Manatee Springs in Chiefland, Fl. My brother had gone camping there in November and recommenced it, plus this time of year the manatees are still in the springs. We headed out Tuesday and stayed until Friday. It was absolutely wonderful. We had such a great time! The weather was perfect except at night it was a little colder than you may want but we loved the trip.
We arrived at the camp site in time to set up camp and get dinner ready just before dark. Josh sat down after everything was dinner was cleaned up and started playing his guitar. I sat back and enjoyed the music. One of our next door neighbors, Jeff, came over and ask if he could join Josh is some music. It was pretty neat listening to them play together.
We had many visitors during our stay at our campsite. Our first and the funniest, was a cardinal and his mate. They were a very talkative couple. The male cardinal has apparently had luck getting into peoples cars for a tasty treat. He decided that our car MUST have something yummy in it for him and his little girlfriend. He would fly over to our car and peck at every window trying to get in. It was quite funny watching him. His mate would just sit up in a tree above the car and chatter to him. He couldn't figure out if she was telling him he was crazy or how he needed to be doing it better.
His girlfriend getting a drink
He finally gave up.
A lizard visiting our water tap.
Another visitor that was not quite as funny but just as persistent as the raccoon. He must have checked us out the first night and decided we were worth coming back to. We saw him in the tree right before bed. We have a huge cooler and since it was in the 40-50s at night were left the cooler out side under the picnic table. Well, once we had laid down in bed we head the little bandit knock over the small cooler, which was on top of the big cooler and try to get in to the bigger cooler. He must have really wanted to get in because even when Josh and I ran out making all kinds of noise he tried very hard to hide behind the trees so he could get another go at it. We decided that it might be safe to lug the cooler to the car and store it in there. So the first night we left the cooler out with no problems but the other nights the cooler went into the car. One of our most common visitors were the squirrels. They were all over the place.
My favorite visitor was the deer. The first night we were there I think the males were fighting over a female and butting head. I woke up to a lot of scuffling outside our tent. I unzipped our back window and we saw at 2 male deer and I think one female deer jump away. The next night a huge doe came right up behind our tent. I was about 5 feet away. You can't see her too well in the picture because it was so dark. It was really neat being that close to her. The last night we were there another female doe came up behind our tent. She was about half the size of the doe the previous night. She was also not quite as comfortable with us watching her. There must have been a lot of deer visiting out last night because whenever I woke up I could hear them munching.
There were still about 6 manatees in the springs that had not headed out yet. It looked like there were 2 younger manatees and the rest were full sized adults. An interesting fact I found out while we were there, is that manatees have almost no body fat. I always thought they were mostly fat. Manatees are such relaxing animals. Watching them just makes you want to sit down and relax or take a nap. They are very peaceful. Here are a few pictures I was able to get of them.
Lots of mullet fish
Josh and I did some fishing too while we were their. The first day was unsuccessful. Josh caught two catfish that both broke the line before he could get them up. While we were out there we saw vultures fighting. I guess 2 of the vultures were mad at another one. The rest of the group join them and started taking sides. The next day, Josh, with some help from me, caught a beautiful brim fish. He was a pretty good size too. We cooked him up and had him for dinner. Boy, that was some of the best tasting fish! I forgot how much I love fresh caught freshwater fish! While Josh was cooking out yummy dinner I started the camp fire. After dinner we sat by the fire enjoyed talking talking and made the yummiest smores. My belly was very happy that night!
Vultures fighting
The group taking sides
Our fresh dinner
The warm campfire which helped keep the mosquitos away and make a yummy dessert
We arrived at the camp site in time to set up camp and get dinner ready just before dark. Josh sat down after everything was dinner was cleaned up and started playing his guitar. I sat back and enjoyed the music. One of our next door neighbors, Jeff, came over and ask if he could join Josh is some music. It was pretty neat listening to them play together.
We had many visitors during our stay at our campsite. Our first and the funniest, was a cardinal and his mate. They were a very talkative couple. The male cardinal has apparently had luck getting into peoples cars for a tasty treat. He decided that our car MUST have something yummy in it for him and his little girlfriend. He would fly over to our car and peck at every window trying to get in. It was quite funny watching him. His mate would just sit up in a tree above the car and chatter to him. He couldn't figure out if she was telling him he was crazy or how he needed to be doing it better.
His girlfriend getting a drink
He finally gave up.
A lizard visiting our water tap.
Another visitor that was not quite as funny but just as persistent as the raccoon. He must have checked us out the first night and decided we were worth coming back to. We saw him in the tree right before bed. We have a huge cooler and since it was in the 40-50s at night were left the cooler out side under the picnic table. Well, once we had laid down in bed we head the little bandit knock over the small cooler, which was on top of the big cooler and try to get in to the bigger cooler. He must have really wanted to get in because even when Josh and I ran out making all kinds of noise he tried very hard to hide behind the trees so he could get another go at it. We decided that it might be safe to lug the cooler to the car and store it in there. So the first night we left the cooler out with no problems but the other nights the cooler went into the car. One of our most common visitors were the squirrels. They were all over the place.
My favorite visitor was the deer. The first night we were there I think the males were fighting over a female and butting head. I woke up to a lot of scuffling outside our tent. I unzipped our back window and we saw at 2 male deer and I think one female deer jump away. The next night a huge doe came right up behind our tent. I was about 5 feet away. You can't see her too well in the picture because it was so dark. It was really neat being that close to her. The last night we were there another female doe came up behind our tent. She was about half the size of the doe the previous night. She was also not quite as comfortable with us watching her. There must have been a lot of deer visiting out last night because whenever I woke up I could hear them munching.
There were still about 6 manatees in the springs that had not headed out yet. It looked like there were 2 younger manatees and the rest were full sized adults. An interesting fact I found out while we were there, is that manatees have almost no body fat. I always thought they were mostly fat. Manatees are such relaxing animals. Watching them just makes you want to sit down and relax or take a nap. They are very peaceful. Here are a few pictures I was able to get of them.
Lots of mullet fish
Josh and I did some fishing too while we were their. The first day was unsuccessful. Josh caught two catfish that both broke the line before he could get them up. While we were out there we saw vultures fighting. I guess 2 of the vultures were mad at another one. The rest of the group join them and started taking sides. The next day, Josh, with some help from me, caught a beautiful brim fish. He was a pretty good size too. We cooked him up and had him for dinner. Boy, that was some of the best tasting fish! I forgot how much I love fresh caught freshwater fish! While Josh was cooking out yummy dinner I started the camp fire. After dinner we sat by the fire enjoyed talking talking and made the yummiest smores. My belly was very happy that night!
Vultures fighting
The group taking sides
Our fresh dinner
The warm campfire which helped keep the mosquitos away and make a yummy dessert
Friday, March 21, 2008
Baby Belly Bumps
Here are a few pictures of the little Baby belly bump and it growing over the weeks. I have several pants I can't fit in too now, or not very well. I have been wearing the jean shorts that Ashley, Katie and Jen have let me borrow. I love having such wonderful friends! Thanks everyone for all the donations and borrowing of things.
At 3 weeks
at 8 weeks
at 12 weeks
At 3 weeks
at 8 weeks
at 12 weeks
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Whats been up
I really need to get better at this posting on a regular basis thing.
It has been so nice to have Josh home and back safely from his trip to Thailand and China. Many of you know but Josh came home 3 days early. It was an awesome surprise and much needed. He called me at 3:30 telling me he couldn't sleep (12 hour time difference). I had walked in the door from grocery shopping about 10 mins earlier. Jessica had come home right after me. While I was talking to Josh I heard something in the backyard. I ask Jessica if she had a friend with her. I told Josh to hold on because it seemed like someone was in the backyard. As I was getting up to check the backyard with Jessica Josh walks in. I was so shocked. All I could think of was that I was just talking to him in Thailand 5 seconds ago. I was so happy and pregnant so I started crying. Although the trip was not one I want Josh making anytime again in many years, time away always makes me realize how much Josh means to me and appreciate all his does for me.
Since Josh has been home we have pretty busy. We went to another appointment to see Dr. Marichal. We, espically Josh, was thrilled that he did another ultrasound. Don't ask why he did another one because I really don't know. We though we were just going to hear the heart beat. We were both so thrilled about the ultrasound that we forgot to ask why we were having it done. It was so amazing. As soon as we could see our little guys face he/she start touch its face with the little hands. He/she was is a active mood at the time because the baby was kicking and wiggling. It is still sometimes hard to believe that there is a little baby growing inside of me.
Here are the pictures that Dr. Marichal took of the baby.
Josh and I went on our Valentine's date, since we missed it while he was gone. It was so nice to go out together. First we went out and did our registry at Target and Wal-Mart. It was so weird looking at baby stuff for our baby. A lot of big items needed for the baby have been given to us by friends. Thanks Mike, Vernine, and Toni! We are very blessed. A few other things we bought very inexpensively basically brand new from a friend of my brother's. She had doubles of a lot of things and is low on fund especially since she is moving. So we both greatly benefited from the switch. We went to dinner at Miraku Japanese Steak and Sushi. It is one of Josh and mine favorite place to eat. It is normally not too busy and the people who work there are always very nice. We ate sushi, don't worry I only ate the pregnancy safe sushi.
After a yummy dinner!
Josh helped out with Gator nationals to help raise money for the youth group. After directing people to park anyone who helped out can use their vest for free admission. It is a pretty good deal considering you can pay well over a $100 for a ticket. I was able to benefit from it because the next day after the Youth groups did the parking Josh took me along with the vest that the youth group needed to turn in. We only stayed for a little while because I started not feeling well. The heat and noise combined with being pregnant doesn't mix well for long periods. It was fun while we were there though. I love concession stand food so my belly was happy. It is too bad concession stand food its exactly health food.
Josh and I also have been doing some shopping and refinishing. We are giving our living room an update. I have to work pretty slow because I have been fighting with throwing up. Unfortunately, it seems as if I am having early second trimester sickness instead of first trimester. Along with the throwing up I have also been having migraines that last for 2-3 days. They really knock me out. When I am not feeling like crap, I have been working on the living room. I am refinishing the tables. We bought slip covers for the couch and love seat. Hopefully we are able to finish the living room sooner than later. Right now it would not be the best place to have company over. My brother has some great photo editing program so we kinda can see what we are working towards. He has done all the color changes with just a click of a button. It is nice to see what everything will look like before we dive into it.
Josh has been working on the Thailand mission work. He has been putting together brochures and displays. He is presenting a little bit about his China trip at our church in Gainesville the last Sunday in March. He also has been working at getting started again the pond maintenance job he had going before. He had to stop before because He had switched at Petsmart from the pet care to grooming. Grooming was more time demanding and made good money. Plus he was getting too many jobs for just him to do part time. Now with him doing the mission work and having Mark, a long time friend, live in Gainesville he is hoping to be able to make it more successful. If any of you in the Gainesville area know of someone who would like a pond built or maintained or someone with an aquarium needing to be maintained, let us know.
Well that is just a little update on some of the things we have been up to. Sorry if any of my sentences don't make sense I have a bad case of pregnancy brain.
It has been so nice to have Josh home and back safely from his trip to Thailand and China. Many of you know but Josh came home 3 days early. It was an awesome surprise and much needed. He called me at 3:30 telling me he couldn't sleep (12 hour time difference). I had walked in the door from grocery shopping about 10 mins earlier. Jessica had come home right after me. While I was talking to Josh I heard something in the backyard. I ask Jessica if she had a friend with her. I told Josh to hold on because it seemed like someone was in the backyard. As I was getting up to check the backyard with Jessica Josh walks in. I was so shocked. All I could think of was that I was just talking to him in Thailand 5 seconds ago. I was so happy and pregnant so I started crying. Although the trip was not one I want Josh making anytime again in many years, time away always makes me realize how much Josh means to me and appreciate all his does for me.
Since Josh has been home we have pretty busy. We went to another appointment to see Dr. Marichal. We, espically Josh, was thrilled that he did another ultrasound. Don't ask why he did another one because I really don't know. We though we were just going to hear the heart beat. We were both so thrilled about the ultrasound that we forgot to ask why we were having it done. It was so amazing. As soon as we could see our little guys face he/she start touch its face with the little hands. He/she was is a active mood at the time because the baby was kicking and wiggling. It is still sometimes hard to believe that there is a little baby growing inside of me.
Here are the pictures that Dr. Marichal took of the baby.
Josh and I went on our Valentine's date, since we missed it while he was gone. It was so nice to go out together. First we went out and did our registry at Target and Wal-Mart. It was so weird looking at baby stuff for our baby. A lot of big items needed for the baby have been given to us by friends. Thanks Mike, Vernine, and Toni! We are very blessed. A few other things we bought very inexpensively basically brand new from a friend of my brother's. She had doubles of a lot of things and is low on fund especially since she is moving. So we both greatly benefited from the switch. We went to dinner at Miraku Japanese Steak and Sushi. It is one of Josh and mine favorite place to eat. It is normally not too busy and the people who work there are always very nice. We ate sushi, don't worry I only ate the pregnancy safe sushi.
After a yummy dinner!
Josh helped out with Gator nationals to help raise money for the youth group. After directing people to park anyone who helped out can use their vest for free admission. It is a pretty good deal considering you can pay well over a $100 for a ticket. I was able to benefit from it because the next day after the Youth groups did the parking Josh took me along with the vest that the youth group needed to turn in. We only stayed for a little while because I started not feeling well. The heat and noise combined with being pregnant doesn't mix well for long periods. It was fun while we were there though. I love concession stand food so my belly was happy. It is too bad concession stand food its exactly health food.
Josh and I also have been doing some shopping and refinishing. We are giving our living room an update. I have to work pretty slow because I have been fighting with throwing up. Unfortunately, it seems as if I am having early second trimester sickness instead of first trimester. Along with the throwing up I have also been having migraines that last for 2-3 days. They really knock me out. When I am not feeling like crap, I have been working on the living room. I am refinishing the tables. We bought slip covers for the couch and love seat. Hopefully we are able to finish the living room sooner than later. Right now it would not be the best place to have company over. My brother has some great photo editing program so we kinda can see what we are working towards. He has done all the color changes with just a click of a button. It is nice to see what everything will look like before we dive into it.
Josh has been working on the Thailand mission work. He has been putting together brochures and displays. He is presenting a little bit about his China trip at our church in Gainesville the last Sunday in March. He also has been working at getting started again the pond maintenance job he had going before. He had to stop before because He had switched at Petsmart from the pet care to grooming. Grooming was more time demanding and made good money. Plus he was getting too many jobs for just him to do part time. Now with him doing the mission work and having Mark, a long time friend, live in Gainesville he is hoping to be able to make it more successful. If any of you in the Gainesville area know of someone who would like a pond built or maintained or someone with an aquarium needing to be maintained, let us know.
Well that is just a little update on some of the things we have been up to. Sorry if any of my sentences don't make sense I have a bad case of pregnancy brain.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Finally
Well after 3 days of a fever non-stop, it went away! It went away late Sunday night. I was so excited and relieved. I am slowly getting read of the achey body, congested nose and horrible cough but just knowing I didn't have to worry about my fever was a HUGE relief. I prayed so much this weekend just asking God to watch over my baby and protect him/her from whatever was ailing me. I am so very grateful for this answered prayer. Also for such wonderful friends and family. I really appreciate all the friends who offered to make me food, go shopping for me or even walk Bourbon. It means a lot to me to have friends that are just willing to offer their help. Maybe I should know that I have friends that would offer and do things like that but I am always pleasantly surprised. I also have thanked God many times over for a wonderful sister and brother in law. Jessica was trying to help as much as possible. A lot of moral support with long talks to keep me company as well. This week has been hard, I miss Josh so much. Jon, Josh's oldest younger brother, called to check on me and and coming down this weekend to help me around the house and visit. It feels so great to be so loved by so many!
This coming week will be another hard week on me and Josh. He is going into China and will have very limited internet (which means probably no talking on Skype). Many of the places he will be will not have electricity let alone internet. He is bring his computer just in case they happen to be near a internet cafe, which Bobby has said is a possibility. Once he gets back to Thailand it will only be a matter of days before he gets to pack his things and head home. In the mean time I have to look forward to a four day weekend (hopefully this weekend I will not be sick! Since I have had a cold/ flu every weekend since Josh left), Jon visiting, and Ashley, Matt and Noah visiting.
Thank you again to all the phone calls, emails and prayers! Now tomorrow it is back to work. That doesn't seem that exciting but at least it is only 2 days until the 4 day weekend!
Friday, February 8, 2008
When it rains it pours
Well Josh is in Thailand and China for a month. He returns on the 27th of February. Josh has been doing a great job, before he left, of taking care of things around the house since I have been so tired (making dinner, clean, etc.). Now that he is gone I have to make my own dinner and clean up. Jessica and Mark do their share but there are many things that our Josh and my responsibility.
Since Josh has been gone it seems like all kinda of things have gone wrong. For starters, the night after he left as rat got in my closet. I think for the attic because the door to the attic is not very heavy and it doesn't fit right so one little move and it can teeter so something could fall in. Jessica and I tried catching it for about 10 mins. I was really nervous about getting bitten since I am pregnant. So I called my brother to come to help. After my bedroom was torn up and a hour and a half later they caught the young rat. So my closet and some of my room is still a mess because I don't have enough energy after work to get it straighten out.
Next, a day or two later after the rat ordeal one of the shelves in my closet (the one with all my clothes that need to ironed (of course) pulled out of the wall and fell. So now on top of my already messy closet all the clothes and the shelf are on top of the mess. I just started laughing when I saw it. I didn't know what else to do.
Now last weekend I was sick with a fever and sore throat for a day. Now today and I am sure at least tomorrow I have a fever (a little one), a horrible cough, and my whole body aches. I have been sleeping off and on all day but I have a hard time sleeping.
Work has also been stressful. I think it is just that time of year when everyone is ready for a break and nervous about FCAT. Normally any one of these things or all of them would be fine because I could cuddle up with my hubby and vent to him. Even though I get to talk to him everyday it is just not the same.
The other day when I was dead tired I came home to Bunny being outside somewhere. He gets out every once in a while. He just explores the backyard and comes backs in. I was a little bit more worried this time because Charlotte died. I didn't know if he went to go find her or go die somewhere. Well, I was getting ready for bed at 8:45 and Bunny still had not come back. We never let Bunny stay out over night because we don't want any animals to get to him. I called for him and he did not come. While I was too tired to keep looking and hoped that Bunny would be OK. Well just as I was drifting off Jessica called me. She had come home from work (I think). She was walking up and saw a little brown bunny and was wondering if it could be Bunny. It was! He had gotten in front yard. This had never happened before. So on top of being super tired, I had to go outside and help Jessica try to catch Bunny. Mark heard all the commotion and came to help. The 3 of us tried catching him for about 15 minutes. We were able to get him into the backyard. I put a grid over the hole that I think he got out. Mark went inside because we couldn't get him to come to the porch. Jessica went inside to change out of her work pants. I think Bunny must have not liked everyone else out there because a minute or two after they went in I called him and he came right too me. He hoped back to his little house area. So instead of going to bed at 8:45 ish it was more like 10pm. At least now he is eating well, before he wasn't eating much.
Chiang, our little black and white kitten, had surgery to be neutered on Wednesday. While Jessica and I parking for my appointment I got a call from the vet. Chiang has a heart murmur and they were not sure if it was safe to operate on him so they recommend a ECG. That was an extra $50 but I was hoping that it would give me some piece of mind. Right as I was being called into see my doctor I received another call. I wait until after the appointment and listened to the message. The cardiologist looked at Chiang's ECG and said he could not say for certain that he was OK for surgery. He want to get an ultrasound of Chiang's heart before he OK the surgery. The vet recommend instead of paying $150-350 for the ultrasound that we put off the surgery for a month and a half in hope that he will grow out of it. Kittens tend to grown out of heart murmurs but not always. So even though for now he is OK I am still worried about him. If his heart murmur does not go away it mean Chiang will not ever be able to have surgery and he could have a shortened life span.
To many things worst Josh is really sick in Thailand. He went to the emergency room to get some medication which has not done much yet. The doctor thinks it is just a stomach flu. He is so sick he was talking to be during his day time and he fell asleep while we were talking. Without going into to much detail Josh has to run to the bathroom almost every hour even during the night. So we are both miserable right now and miss each other and are on different sides of the world.
Josh and I have always said difficult times can split us apart or pull us a lot close together. I can't wait for the closer together part. I sure miss his hugs and snuggling up next to him every night.
I am not the only one who misses Josh. Reesie, our little fluffy cat, keeps walking around crying. She normally stops if I call her but since Josh has been gone she hasn't. She has also been acting weird. Bourbon, the dog, has also been acting weird. I think he is missing his buddy too.
So like the saying goes, when it rains it pours. I just hope there are some clear skies in the near future.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
BABY!
As many of you already know, I am pregnant!! I had my first ultrasound today. It was so amazing! Jessica came with me since Josh is still in Thailand until Feb. 27th. I was really glad that Jessica was able to come with me. We got to see our little one's heart beat. God sure has made an awesome creation! Both the baby and I are very healthy. The Doctor said I am size right so if I did I would be able to have a 10 pound baby! I told him that that I would be okay with having a 10 pound baby!!! I showed Josh the picture of our little one as soon as I got home on Sykpe and emailed him the pictures. He was thrilled to see the pictures! It is almost unreal to have this happening to us. It still doesn't feel like it is me who is pregnant. My next appointment is the first week on March so Josh will be able to come and hear the heartbeat.
Here is the little one!!!!
Here is the little one!!!!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
New Years/ Josh's Birthday and Youth events
Sorry about the delay in posting. I have been so busy and tired that I got behind.
New Years
We spent New Years/ Josh's birthday with some of our friends from town and from Iowa. Matt, Ashley and Noah came down to Florida for the holidays. It was great to see them again! Jimmy and Katie, Brandi and Brian, Matt and Ashley came over to our house to celebrate. Christine and her boyfriend, Bruce, also stopped in to wish Josh a Happy Birthday. We all had a great time, eating and playing games. Here are a few pictures. Most of them are from Noah's view who was helping me take some pictures.
Noah's foot
Noah looking for the cats
A picture of a picture of a picture being taken.
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Josh!!!
Exploding Christmas Tree
As many of you know Josh and I try to help out with the youth events as much as possible. After New Years the youth were having an event called the exploding Christmas Tree. Yes, they really do explode a Christmas tree. Our Pastor Charlie and Our youth leader Brian took their dead real Christmas trees and loaded them up with fireworks, woods, and igniter fluid and let it go. It was pretty amazing. Definitely something you have to be there to see! The pictures don't do it justise. Afterwards the kids played Manhunt, the Wii and/or watched movies. I had a lot of fun. It was nice to because Brandi, the youth pastor wife and a friend of mine, and I were able to spend sometime together talking.
Ski Trip
Josh and I were youth sponsors on the Ski trip that the youth took to Boone North Carolina. We had a lot of fun. I was the only one that had going skiing before. IT was funny watching everyone try to learn to ski. I am very proud of many of the kids. They toughed it up and worked hard. They did a great job for only skiing/snow boarding 2 days in their entire lives. We only had 2 injuries. The 2 sisters both hurt their legs. One with a twist knee and one with a twisted ankle. Neither were serious.
Many of the kids including the other female sponsor, Kera had never seen snow.
Around town
SUGAR Mountain
The different slopes at Sugar Mountain
On the slopes
In the Van
And we are okay with this crazy guy driving us?
Our hotel rooms were amazing!! Or at least the girls rooms were. Me and my girls had a fire place and a jaccious bath tub in our room. It was so awesome!
The heart shaped tub in the 2nd girls room! At the indoor heated pool.
At night their was a youth conference that we went too. Vickie Beeching was the singer they had for the performances. I don't remember the name of the speaker but he was amazing. He did a great job at touching on some hard core ideas and still keeping the kids interested. I was challenged but much of what he said. It is always great when the speaker at a youth conference gets the kids and the sponsors thinking.
And this is what happens when you put together a crazy youth leader and sponsor that will follow and lack of sleep plus exhaustion from all the exercise.
Brian not playing with his food but with the to go box. I was laughing almost the whole entire meal.
A very sore and tired Kera
Umm, yes they do have whip cream on their faces. Did you know this is how you build leadership! ;o)
Sam is eating off the whip cream and cheese puffs!
New Years
We spent New Years/ Josh's birthday with some of our friends from town and from Iowa. Matt, Ashley and Noah came down to Florida for the holidays. It was great to see them again! Jimmy and Katie, Brandi and Brian, Matt and Ashley came over to our house to celebrate. Christine and her boyfriend, Bruce, also stopped in to wish Josh a Happy Birthday. We all had a great time, eating and playing games. Here are a few pictures. Most of them are from Noah's view who was helping me take some pictures.
Noah's foot
Noah looking for the cats
A picture of a picture of a picture being taken.
Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Josh!!!
Exploding Christmas Tree
As many of you know Josh and I try to help out with the youth events as much as possible. After New Years the youth were having an event called the exploding Christmas Tree. Yes, they really do explode a Christmas tree. Our Pastor Charlie and Our youth leader Brian took their dead real Christmas trees and loaded them up with fireworks, woods, and igniter fluid and let it go. It was pretty amazing. Definitely something you have to be there to see! The pictures don't do it justise. Afterwards the kids played Manhunt, the Wii and/or watched movies. I had a lot of fun. It was nice to because Brandi, the youth pastor wife and a friend of mine, and I were able to spend sometime together talking.
Ski Trip
Josh and I were youth sponsors on the Ski trip that the youth took to Boone North Carolina. We had a lot of fun. I was the only one that had going skiing before. IT was funny watching everyone try to learn to ski. I am very proud of many of the kids. They toughed it up and worked hard. They did a great job for only skiing/snow boarding 2 days in their entire lives. We only had 2 injuries. The 2 sisters both hurt their legs. One with a twist knee and one with a twisted ankle. Neither were serious.
Many of the kids including the other female sponsor, Kera had never seen snow.
Around town
SUGAR Mountain
The different slopes at Sugar Mountain
On the slopes
In the Van
And we are okay with this crazy guy driving us?
Our hotel rooms were amazing!! Or at least the girls rooms were. Me and my girls had a fire place and a jaccious bath tub in our room. It was so awesome!
The heart shaped tub in the 2nd girls room! At the indoor heated pool.
At night their was a youth conference that we went too. Vickie Beeching was the singer they had for the performances. I don't remember the name of the speaker but he was amazing. He did a great job at touching on some hard core ideas and still keeping the kids interested. I was challenged but much of what he said. It is always great when the speaker at a youth conference gets the kids and the sponsors thinking.
And this is what happens when you put together a crazy youth leader and sponsor that will follow and lack of sleep plus exhaustion from all the exercise.
Brian not playing with his food but with the to go box. I was laughing almost the whole entire meal.
A very sore and tired Kera
Umm, yes they do have whip cream on their faces. Did you know this is how you build leadership! ;o)
Sam is eating off the whip cream and cheese puffs!
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