Super Sunday!

What a wonderful day it has been...we started out early this morning because I had to teach Sunday School and Larry was involved with the parking ministry. Stacey decided to get up and go with us, so I got to share Lydia with my kindergarteners! I was really surprised because she followed directions and quietly listened to the Bible story. Then we all went out for our worship time and she really liked seeing the puppets...she even waved a palm leaf while we sang!

After our Bible Time, we went to the library and then went for a ride in the cart Larry drives for the HOST ministry. It was unusually cool and windy this morning so it was a short ride!




We went out for brunch at the Magnolia House, where they have literally "The Best" pancakes in the world, then returned home where Lydia took a four hour nap. when she woke up, we got out the playdough and a modeling kit and everyone got involved...even Larry!

Saturday Afternoon...

Wow...it's been a full day of "Adventures In Toddlerland"! Everyday, I let her discover a few more toys...it's fun to pull out new things and watch her explore them. She loves the playhouse, especially if I role play with her.

After her nap, I decided to do an Easter Egg Hunt, not knowing if she would even understand what it was. I only hid a few eggs filled with fruit snacks as well as some "Playdough Bunny Eggs", but she definately loved every minute of it!

Larry barbequed again tonight, since Stacey has missed that living on her own. After dinner, Stacey and I took her to my school to play on the playground. We have a fabulous preschool area that's even covered for protection from the sun and she had a ball!

Saturday Morning...

It was such a beautiful day today that we decided to take Lydia to the San Antonio Zoo. We hadn't had a chance to visit ourselves so we were anxious to find out how it compared to other zoos we have visited. Although it isn't as large as the zoo in Chicago, it was a great zoo...beautifully kept with lots of attractions. We all enjoyed watching Lydia, especially in the petting zoo, where they had brushes as well as food to let the children care for the animals. She seemed to really have a good time.

Day Two...

It was really hard for me to go to school today and know that Stacey and Lydia were at home with Larry today, but because it was "Fun Friday", once I got there, I didn't have much time to think about it! Now I've got the next five days to play with my girls...

We started out the weekend by going to "Incredible Pizza" and having a great dinner...LOTS of choices! Lydia enjoyed the fruit more than anything, but what was really fun was exploring all the games and rides. She rode the merry-go-round, and a few others but what was funny was how much she likes to watch people...I mean she doesn't miss a thing!

After we got home, it was still really warm so we went to the park again and then home for bath, story and bedtime. I can't wait for tomorrow when we get to take her to the zoo!

















Larry and Stacey hung a gate at the top of our stairs, so hopefully we can have a safe and fun week!

Day One...Arrival!

The day we've been waiting for is finally here...Stacey and Lydia arrived this evening and we are SO happy to have them both here! Their flight was right on time and Stacey said Lydia did great on the plane, which is answered prayer. She did seem a little confused when she got to our house, but as soon as I showed her the toy box, she seemed right at home. In fact, she was a bit overwhelmed by all we had here for her, but that's OK because she's got a week to explore! She loved the freedom of being able to go outside whenever she felt like it, and she loved looking at the flowers (just like her Mommy!). After a wonderful dinner of barbequed flank steak, Stacey and I went for a walk down to the park where we let her play for a while. We stopped and showed her the pool, and she started taking her clothes off to go swimming. She was a little bit frusterated when we told her no, so we went home and let her take a bath in Grandma's big bathtub...she loved that! She was so exhausted after her big day, that I put her right to bed and read her a story. She was asleep before I even finished!

Anticipation...

Wow...this has been a busy week! We spent all weekend getting ready for Lydia. Shannon and Josh are going away for a few days so Stacey will have Lydia while they're gone and it just happens to be while I'm on Spring Break, so they're going to spend the week enjoying the good weather in San Antonio. They don't arrive for another week, but Larry and I spent last weekend getting ready! We pulled out old toys and even hit a few yard sales...you can tell we're a LITTLE excited!

On Monday, we got some good news from Shannon and Josh...they're expecting a baby BOY! After three daughters AND a grandaughter, we're all very excited! I've already hit a couple of sales and bought some outfits in baby blue...and I'm sure I'll be doing lots more shopping before July.

I spent today at the Bexar (pronounced "Bear") County Courthouse because I was called for Jury Duty...I think it's the 15th time for me! Every time we move, I get my letter in the first year. I did get put on a rape case, but was finally dismissed late in the day. (I think it's because I said I didn't drink alcohol and have been a member of "Mothers Against Drunk Driving", and this case involved alcohol.) I was glad to leave because it was such a depressing case. It made me thankful for the life God has blessed me with!

A Great Weekend!

We have had the most outstanding weekend with Ken and Melody! The weather has been great, we've enjoyed lots of outstanding food and the conversation has been continuous. Saturday started out a little cloudy, but after breakfast at The Guenther House, and showing off HEB's Headquarters, it began to clear up and turned into a beautiful day. We headed up to Boerne, to go to an antique show and see the shops on Main Street, then went to the evening service at Oak Hills. After church we had a great meal at La Hacienda, dining out on the patio and listening to guitar music.

Today, after I came home from teaching Sunday School, we headed up north to a little old western town called Gruene. We had a fabulous lunch at The Gristmill, then the guys visited while Melody and I walked through the shops. They spent their time sitting on the porches watching all the motorcyles that were in town for the day...and there were a lot of them!

Thanks Ken and Melody, for visiting..but mostly for your friendship!

Forever Friends...

This is a really special weekend because our good friends from up north are here for a visit. Actually, they now live in Florida and work for Wycliff, but we both lived up north until this last year. Ken and Melody Ruge have been some of our closest friends for years and it has been SO good having them here. We spent the day visiting Larry's plant and then headed down to the Riverwalk and La Villita. It was a gorgeous day for walking around the city. We spent this evening enjoying dinner at home and playing Mexican Train Dominoes. God must have really known I needed good friends here because I just found out our Women's Retreat is going on this weekend in Illinois and it's difficult knowing I can no longer be a part of that...especially since Shannon and Shelley are both involved in that this year.

Welcome Spring!

I know it's still snowing up in the midwest, so I feel kind of guilty posting this, but today was a beautiful spring day here in San Antonio! After church this morning, we went and bought our new spring plants for around our trees in front, then Larry spent the afternoon getting our yard in shape. We still have a lot to do, but it sure was a nice way to spend a Sunday!

Rodeo Finals!

Well, today we got to go to the San Antonio Rodeo for the second time and it was even better than the first time! Since today was the last official day, they had the Extreme Bull Riding event...it was great! Our seats were a little better than last time, but we've already picked out our seats for next year, so that will be even better. Jason Aldean was the country star that performed after the rodeo today, and he was OK, but we actually enjoyed Alan Jackson more. I guess now that we've lived here almost eight months, we can now be called official "Texans"!

3:16 ...Live!

Tonight was the big event in San Antonio promoting Max's newest book, "3:16". The event was held at the Alamodome along with the National Women of Faith Conference. Although I didn't attend the entire three days, Max arranged special seating for members of Oak Hills just for the Friday Night Event. The seats were great...located right behind where Max and all of the entertainers were sitting. They had unbelievable talent there including Sandi Patty, Travis Cottrell, and Nicole Johnson. (Mark Schultz was also there, but we didn't get to see him perform.) Max, as usual, touched hearts and brought us all face to face with the awesome God we serve, but the highlight of my night was getting to see Michael W. Smith perform. He is an amazing entertainer, but more than that he has a true heart for our Lord. He spoke about being at the White House a couple of days ago and how the president thanked him for being a prayer warrior. He said Bush had actually got choked up a bit before moving the conversation in a different direction. Knowing how much Stacey loves Michael W. Smith, I tried calling her and putting her on speaker phone, but it just wasn't the same as being there!

San Antonio Rodeo!

Today was the first weekend of the Rodeo here in San Antonio. The entire city is tranformed into an authentic "Cowboy town"...everywhere you go you see people in western wear, as well as displays in stores, etc. Even at school, this week is our Cowboy Breakfast for dads, and various western themed events.

I had ordered our rodeo tickets online last month, so today we got to see it for ourselves. The rodeo was great, although I didn't see much difference in this and the Denver rodeo which we used to go to in Colorado (except for the fact that they opened up the rodeo with prayer...REAL prayer to our heavenly Father!). What was different, though, was everything else that went along with it here. After the rodeo was over, we got to see Alan Jackson perform in a concert, which was great! Then we went out to the grounds to explore...there was so much to see! There were lots of areas with displays that reminded me of a county fair, as well as every kind of food you could imagine. Larry and I ate at one of the many barbeque tents, and the food was great!


The picture to the left shows one of the kids areas where they were teaching roping as well as other things. There was also a huge carnival, bird show, petting zoos and a craft fair. I'm sure this will become a new Texas tradition!