Highlights

....from my life

1. This last week has been filled with blessings. In between job searching and an interview God has placed some incredible opportunities to maintain a sense of gratitude and hope. I've spent time with family, friends and accomplished quite a bit at home. It's been a recurring theme that seems be sinking in finally. Control is not possible. It's my job to reflect my character, my faith and selflessness regardless of the circumstances.

2. After reading the Shack, I've been praying mostly about relationship with God and other people. That most important relationship makes everything else fade. Unconditionally loving and finding commonality with who ever God brings to me has become more of a priority. With in each choice and decision we make. As soon as I get the book back from my SIL Shawna in ID I' share the noted I wrote in the book as I read.

3. A talk on fairness had me remembering there is no such thing as true fairness and justice in the world. It also reminded me I am glad there isn't fairness. If there was, why would God want to be friends with someone as messed up as I am? Why would He want me to spend eternity with me? My good will never be good enough.

4. Reminder that a balance between logic and emotion is always required to face what ever circumstances that come along. I've always agreed with the heart of the statement to use my head when dealing with me and my heart when dealing with others. Love and acceptance are universal needs in every human being. I strive for a sense of community around me while maintaining my own sense of individuality.

5. Finding strength to truly have no ghosts from the past. To not waste energy on something as irreversible as the past. A powerful reminder to give the benefit of the doubt, because no one is won over to Christ by smug superior name-calling, finger pointing or judgements of 'poor choices' Prayers with genuine concern, acceptance along side truth knowing only God's love and salvation is what brings people to Christ. Nothing is beyond God's forgiveness. A fellow believer is family and we don't air dirty laundry in front of others. Be an example of unity by loving each other regardless of the nuiance of differences.

6. My ring tone that reminds me every time the phone rings to count my blessings. There are no updates to share on the adoption front. We are still waiting for the parenting class, so we can be matched. The same girl who unwrapped her gifts early and rewrapped them before Christmas is definitelt being taught patience with peace.

7. A thick skin has some benefits and drawbacks. My own opinion, I'd rather have a thinner skin because then I allow myself to be touched, moved and inspired by my circumstances. While a thick skin might be easier on my heart hurt wise, it also closes the door on inspiration, kindness and generosity.

My current project is giving when ever I can, glorifying God in everything I do, allowing God to mature my character and NOT my husband, I promise :-)

Now what?

This morning I took Billy's car to get the oil changed, talked to both of my parents, started laundry and put dinner in the crock pot. It's not a vacation, since also on my to do list for today is to update my resume. I, like 200,000 other people, have been layed off. I was the 5th person Friday and I don't know how many after me in that office. I was a last one in, first one out case scenario. I had my first job for ten years. I've always seen myself as a loyal, hard working liked employee. This doesn't change that, just frustrating to be back in the job seeking pool so soon. I'm definitely not alone and we know God will provide as He is doing so abundantly for so many others.

Idaho 2009-- The Scenery

No words necessary, just enjoy....



























**happy sigh**

Idaho 2009-- The Events

I can't start talking about our vacation until I say a little something about my sweet 9 year-old niece Erin. I have great talks and so much fun with this sweet girl.We sat together for most events by her request which is sooo sweet. I just want to put her in my pocket, she's so adorable!! I love all of my nieces to pieces :-)

Despite Eric's best efforts such as running away:
or throwing snow balls when he saw my camera, I still managed to nab a few of this cute guy.

With his dad too :-)

I started off our travels with a wonderful book I can't say enough about. If you're a reader in the slightest, read "The Shack". Then email or facebook me about it, because I'll talk to anyone about it :-) I didn't get a picture of my return home book, but it's book 3 in the Love Comes Softly Series"Love's Long Journey". Since I had a couple gluten issues in the last week (not being at home has a wee drawback) I also read book 2 of the Redemption book series by Karen Kingsbury and Gary Smalley called "Remember".

Where was I before my book infomercial? Oh,... so we get in to Idaho late Thursday night, get up Friday morning and drive 2 hours north to the cutest little town named McCall. That weekend they were having their Winter Carnival. They had ice sculptures all over town for the event!


Booths to buy stuff. I bought a winter cap (not the one I have on in this pic)
That night we all went ice skating. I really enjoyed remembering how to, I haven't in years.
Also, while we were in Idaho, the Special Olympics World Winter Games was going on. I really enjoyed watching the evening news for all the beautiful stories I heard.
Playing in the snow :-)



Here's a first for this Texas girl. Snow sledding! I screamed like a 4 year-old initially and then did it about 7 more times. Poor Erin, I was concerned after we went down the first time that I might have choked her a bit. I held on very tightly. No worries, she said she was okay
About the third time, the bumps popped us out and we were parted from our sled. I'm laughing pretty hard there.
Shawna, Erin and I went walking around. We started getting frustrated when every other step was up to our knees.
So... someone sprang out there snow shoes. also a first for me. I have to admit when someone first suggested them, I kept picturing headlines of survival stories in my head. It was very fun, the scenery was gorgeous! That's Shawna, Erin, her friends Aspen, Preston and Matthew. I was enchanted with Matthew and his brother Joshua already and even more so when I found out they were adopted from the Ukraine... soooo precious!!
The camp we stayed out was so accommodating, gracious and knowledgeable about my food issue. I just had to take a picture it was so good. I want to try to recreate this dish here at home.
There was a basement with a game room, pool table, Foosball, air hockey, table tennis, cards, books and games. Something for everyone! This is Preston and Erin playing pool. I know I posted this one last time, but they are soo cute!!
In McCall we also took a tour of the town via wagon, saw more ice sculptures, snow and tress. You know a town is small when the town's name is in most of the businesses :-)
Erin and Aspen on one of the Candy Land bridges.
A blurry firework picture to end the Winter Carnival.
We left McCall and the camp to head back to Boise to spend a few more days with family at their house. We went skiing Monday. Although the weather conditions were not ideal with low visibility and high winds, we had a great time. I had an even better time after the first "green" hill. The last time I went two years ago was spent on the bunny hill so that was quite a jump up for me. Once I got on the back trails I started remembering everything I had learned.
Tuesday was a blur for me, spent sleeping mostly from the gluten. I shoo'd Billy on as there was nothing he could do for me except wake me up to make sure I got food which he did and then I'd go back to sleep. I vaguely heard the Billy, Shawna & Tony having fun in other parts of the house they came and went through out the day. So, that brings us to Wednesday.

Shawna, Billy and I went to see "New in Town" which I laughed quite a bit at. I also found out my little brother was going to have surgery on his back. He did have it Friday and is pain free for the first time in 12 years :-))
After the kids got out of school, we all went to the Y. Erin had swim team practice, Shawna worked out, Billy and Eric played in the other pool. I was still recovering a bit so I watched and took pics.
Monday through Thursday, if we were in the house and not eating or sleeping, we were playing on the game systems as a family. The house was filled with much laughter as we played Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, wii golf, bowling, sing it.

Thursday the 12th in the morning we dropped Erin off at school saying goodbye (we had to be at the airport before she got home) then Shawna off at work. We had the car for the morning since it was our Anniversary. The rest of the family was at work/ school as well.
We had breakfast at this cute place we don't have down in Dallas. Then we went shopping for my travel home books.
Billy made me a card and gave me a new watch for our Anniversary.
We played more wii, hehe and then headed home.
It was a great excuse to get away, spend time with each other as well as our family in Idaho we don't see nearly as often as we wish.