Monday, March 26, 2012

Randol Baby Belly Photos

My Friend Sommer
Baby Four is due this Summer
This is little Micah Ryan's first photo shoot.











The Girls - Momma, Felicity and Caitlin

Love!


Favorite!

Sean is Giving Baby Micah a kiss through her belly button!

Monday, March 5, 2012

To My Iron Maidens

When you agree to join a group - any group of individuals, be it faith-based, hobby-based, like-interest-based - prepare to be challenged.

Challenged because we are all humans and we bring our own junk to the table - we love each other anyway.

Challenged because we all bring different life experiences into the group - and diversity is great.

Challenged because each personality presents it's own unique set of boundaries and quirks - and realize you are not always easy to be with either.

These groups will either grow you or make you tunnel so deep into yourself that you bring a whole new meaning to the word Narcissism!

I joined our book club because I like to read.  Really like to read.  To escape into the pages of a book is my greatest joy.

I joined  because I was no longer working and missed adult conversation.

I joined to meet people.  To know my friends better.

But these ladies are Iron Maidens!

They don't choose touchy-feely, mushy, self-congratulatory books!  They choose books that drive you to your knees!  Books that take 3 months to read!  Books that sometimes I want to throw out the window because they so challenge me where I live.

Each Iron Maiden brings so much to the table -
 
A newly wed, expectant mom with the zeal of life I forgot was  possible - she is our energy;
A mother of almost-four who budgets and plans with the intensity of tornado, pouring into each child
    intensely and each friend with immense grace and quiet solemnity - she is our steady rock;
A mom of two, business partner to her husband, missions worker,  who is adopting two sisters from Africa
   and walking a life of faith - she is our quiet peace;
A wife, and mom who loves us with the zeal of a prophet and tackles each challenge in life as if each
   moment might be her last to love us - she is our cheerleader;
A wife and mom and minister who never thought she'd be leading her own family in a Christian walk
   not to mention a herding a team of workers and volunteers and children- she is our spontaneity!
New to the group is our muse.  This mom of two who works from home always brings a song or story
   to nail a point of God's love.
Another wife, mom of 3 and minster who is constantly thinking, digging, striving, delving for truth - in
   God's word, in each situation, in each book, in each life - she is our Jimny Cricket - our conscience.

I don't know where I fit in.  I'm just honored to know them.  They have enhanced my life so much!  I can text each and everyone of them for prayer at a moment's notice - and they can decipher my texts!   I love their kids!  I love their ministry.  I love that they put up with me and my cynicism (I'm working on it!  I promise!)

This Saturday, our women will meet for a breakfast.  It's been a long time since we've all been together.  I hope there's relationships made so that other Iron Maiden Groups can be made!

I love my Maidens!

... stepped you up from COWS!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Vacation Pictures 2012

We love vacation.  We love Disney.  We love being together.  We love traveling together.  We love the families, the food, the getting there, the water, the rides, the shows, the hotel rooms, the laughter!

Airport at 4:30 in the morning!  Let the laughter begin!!

Bus Stop

Me

Our Room at the Wilderness Lodge

A dear friend, Gina, lives in Florida and joined us for Dinner!

Favorite Roller Coaster

My lovely Ashley

Dad and Sis

The Shows!  Beauty and the Beast - LOVE

The boys and Mickey

Me and My Kids

Delirious Dad on the Bus


Just a small sampling of our great trip.  We are so thankful to God for the job David has; to David for working the job - to provide us time away.

For the Most Part

For the most part - headaches are nuisances I can deal with - but not every hour of a single day.

For the most part - learning disabilities are challenge to be conquered - but not when my child is crying.

For the most part - I look  forward to see my son in a healthy, relationship with a girl - but don't want him to  
                                  have his heart broken.

For the most part - laundry is not so bad - except when it takes over the house.

For the most part - snuggles and joy and warm fuzzies are beautiful - but we just can't rely on feelings.

For the most part - I am quite cynical - only that would require one to never be able to see the trees
                                for the dense forest.

For the most part - quiet is good - but it's my mind that's so busy!!!!

Yeah, not my best day.  But for the most part, it was exceptional!