//of trips, and projects, and new things, and blessings//

I have the tiniest feeling that this post will be full of random information, therefore

where do I begin?

Last Thursday we left in the early hours of the morning to head to the sunny south to visit my sister and her working man. I only took 2 pictures, but 2 are better than none, right? 

these two always have to venture out on the pond when they're together. Oh and using a duck house as a raft...that's not a problem! 

making lots and lots of pizza for supper

It was a quick trip, arriving on Thursday and returning home on Saturday evening, but I'm glad we took it. We managed to jam-pack it full of things. Thursday my sister took my senior pictures- she did an excellent job and I'm so happy with her work-- not to mention her prices are GREAT!!!! ;) ;) 

this is one picture I requested that she take after seeing a friend do this pose...it's very adventurous...to make it better the map is open to Colorado 

We had church, tried some new thrift stores, had a family from the church over, went to huge flea market, laughed, talked, and ate. These kind of trips are always too short, but definitely full of memories.

Oh did I ever mention every time we get together with family we “exchange” things with each other? You know clothes, and things we pick up or make for each other. It just so happens my sister made me this apron:

by the way I just love the sunlight in this picture...

and also managed to sew this new camera strap for me in a matter of minutes:

Really her creative abilities amaze me. Don't you wish you had a sister like her? I do so enjoy the homemade gifts I receive from her.

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As of Tuesday, March 24^th, I finished my last assignment for school! Hooray!!

I've been working on things for graduation for most of the week and normally my thoughts about “What needs done” always run back to graduation prep.

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I felt a bit of a cold coming on so I decided to try something natural and healthy... if you know me well enough you know this is not normal... Ask my mom, sisters, and even my pastors wife. I'm not against natural and healthy, but I'm not the first to try new things that my family finds-- especially since probably the most talked about, shared about, and used recipe that my mom and family use is something called “fire water”... a mixture of vinegar and spices... just the thought of it makes me quiver...

 Anyway this is a simple recipe just honey and cinnamon mixed together. If you like candy fireballs or red hots you'll more than likely like this- I do.

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I received a blessing this week. 

The Lord continues to provided exceeding abundantly above that which I ask or think. A dear friend of mine that I met last summer while working at BPS sent me a prayer card for her upcoming missions trip this summer. Along with that was a very sweet note attached to a check. She felt the Lord prompting her to give towards my missions trip this summer and hoped to be a blessing. Her words were so dear... really the check could have been made out for $10 {which it was far greater than this} and it would have meant SOOOOOOOOOOO much to me. I am so thankful for her and her being a vessel through which the Lord can flow. I am again reminded of Ephesians 3:20, this wasn't something I was asking for or thinking about, and in all reality something I didn't need.

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I am half tempted to not post about this project since it has to do with 2013, but maybe it will make some of you feel less guilty for starting projects and not finishing them until years down the road.

 In 2013 I decided to keep a memory jar. Just writing down memories that happened throughout the year on little scraps of paper to look over at the end of the year. I decided towards the end of the year that I would make a brown paper bag scrapbook to keep them in. I did everything but one page in the book. I meant to post about it a long time ago, but was waiting til I finished. Time moved on and the book got shoved in an empty place in the top of my closet. It wasn't until I cleaned out my closet for a project in the house that I came across it again. Well, I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but the last page that needed done took all of about 5-20 minutes to do. So here it is. My memory book:

I had more pictures from when I made it, but I must have deleted them thinking I would never finish it!

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New adventures are coming soon...

My family and I are headed to the Lone Star State in about 5 days to go on a missions trip, present our ministry, and spend time with my sister and her mechanic man. I'm not sure how well I will post updates about the trip, but I promise I'll at least post once about it- even if it is a few weeks later :)

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I think I am going to do a photo challenge with my friend in April, and post the pictures on my blog so keep checking back for posts about that!!

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Well, I'm off to do some cooking and try some new recipes. I believe that covers some of the things that have been going on around here! 

{Wyoming trip}

Two Saturdays (the 13th) ago I took a trip out west...

I spent a week with these wonderful folks...my Wyoming family :) I met them in 2011 after going on a mission trip to their church to help with VBS. We've stayed in contact through the years and I finally made it back out to see them again!!! It was a wonderful trip and full of so many good memories!!! 

Though things didn't always go according to our plans, it was still such a blessing to be out there. They made me feel right at home and we had some wonderful, much needed fellowship. 

We went to basketball games. Had a Christmas party. Made lots of food. Played card games. Went shopping. Talked a lot. Rang bells for the Salvation Army and sang. Went on a short trip upstate. Worked. Took lots of pictures. Went Christmas caroling. But mainly we just fellowshipped together. 

It was definitely a fun time and I believe we are all looking forward to seeing each other again soon. Goodbyes are hard, but they don't last forever, and for that I am so thankful....

{Vacation Journal}

Friday,April 25^th,2014...

We left the house around 5o'clock today. Nothing too exciting.

We drove to Tennessee and then stopped at an inn for the night. More traveling tomorrow.

Saturday,April 26^th,2014...

We traveled all day today. Lots of miles to go. We stopped at a rest stop and slept in the truck for a few hours.

Sunday,April 27^th,2014...

We traveled more this morning and finally made it to our destination at around 4 pm. Enough time for us to get cleaned up and ready for church. 

^{Monday,April 28th},2014...

Goodwill and grocery shopping today. 

In the afternoon we started remodeling in the living room- moving the furniture,taking the trim down,etc. Liv,Josiah,and I played instruments for about 2 hours while the others listened,this evening.
Tuesday,April 29^th,2014...
Nothing much going on today. Just staying home. We helped dad move some stuff around so he could hang the drywall.

Wednesday,April 30^th,2014...

We went to a thrift store in the morning. We had prayer meeting in the evening. Just enjoying the Texas sunshine!!

Thursday,May 1^st,2014...

We went to Goodwill in the morning,then we came home and helped dad take the furniture out of the living room so he could paint. Today is Josiah's birthday. He wanted to take a walk in the desert so after supper we all went out and walked. We made him a cake and sang to him.
Friday,May 2^nd,2014...
Not much went on today. This evening we made pizza for supper. After we ate the guys headed to the race track and us girls went to Walmart and then we came home and watched a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.

Saturday,May 3^rd,2014...

Today we left the house in the morning and headed on a trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It was a first time for all of us. It was so neat to see the Lord's creation from under ground.

It was about a one and a half mile hike to the bottom and then some extra walking in the bottom that we did. Then we rode the elevator up.

We ate a picnic lunch on the mountain and then headed to the town. We drove around in the town for a little and then we headed back home. On the way home we stopped at a creek that dad saw from the road on the way up. We had to go over some barbed wire fence,but it was worth it. 

We played around in the water for a little bit,and I believe some enjoyed the water more then others...

We got home around 8o'clock.

Sunday,May 4^th,2014...

We had church in the morning,then we came home and had Sunday dinner. After some rest we went back to church for the services,bringing some visitors along with us-The Jarvis's. After a good church service we went out for some good food and fellowship,at Chipotle, with the Jarvis's.

Monday,May 5^th,2014...

Today we went to Goodwill-it was the last one to go to in town. Nothing too busy going on-some of them went to the store,some of them were in the bus barn working,and I studied for Jr, Church this Sunday. Dad and mom went on a walk -which gave us younger folks time to be loud,laugh,and possibly be obnoxious (ahem Trevor)! We played spoons for a little bit and then watched some movies.

Tuesday,May 6^th,2014...

Today we made a trip to the vet. If you know us,you know that we are not ones to go to the vet-ever,but when your dog has a huge piece of flesh missing from his back and he's not getting better,something has to be done. Another dog on the property got a-hold of him and took a chunk out of his back a few days ago. Something unusual happened today-It rained out here on the desert.

This evening dad and mom went to Walmart so us kids were goofing around. First we played spoons and then we decided to have Trevor pull us around on the trailer attached to the four-wheeler. That was fun (and sandy). We played instruments outside for awhile and then we came in and played spoons and dutch blitz.

Wednesday,May 7^th,2014...

Today the Jarvis's took us out to lunch at a diner called “Bonny's Super Wrap” Walking in was like taking a step back in time.

Their specialty was a 'super wrap'...it was a giant burrito.  

It was over a foot long. Trevor is the only one who ate the whole thing in one sitting. It was a great time of food and fellowship with the Jarvis's. I must admit,the fellowship was more enjoyable then the food- I just can't get enough of the Jarvis's. We went back to the house and just kinda relaxed,then we went to church. After church we met the Jimenez's at Wendy's and spent some more time eating and fellow-shipping. They're another family that I just can't get enough of.

Thursday,May 8^th,2014...

Today we packed our bags,said our goodbyes,and set out on our long trek home. We drove late into the night and stopped at a rest stop to get a couple of hours of sleep.

Friday,May 9^th,2014...

Another day of long travel. We stopped around 7 o'clock to eat at Cracker Barrel in Tennessee. We were only there for about an hour and then back on the road again.

Saturday,May 10^th,2014...

I drove the last leg of the trip early this morning. I pulled the truck in the driveway around 4am. After about 2100 miles in the truck,I think everyone anxiously awaited being able to sleep in a bed instead of the truck. It's been 2 long days since we've slept in a bed.

Later...

Looking back on this vacation brings back many new memories. This journal doesn't even make a dent in all the memories we share-like sitting around talking before bed each night,the family time around the table,etc.  Looking forward to doing it again...only next time I think we'd all agree that flying would be the way to go.