Palo Duro Canyon

Yesterday we decided to go check out the Palo Duro Canyon that we have heard so much about. It's about 35 minutes from our home so not too far for a nice day out!

Here are some pics of our day and what we saw...

We spent an hour on the trails along and down in the canyon. We didn't walk the whole trail but we had a nice time exploring!
I can tell you it was very Texas like. Texas has a unique terrain that's unlike other states I have seen.
It's beautiful! Such a difference from IN where we moved from. G-d's creation has such variety!!

Sacrifice..

Today we met our first homeschooler here in Texas. It was so nice meeting another mama. We met at one of our library branches and I was able to take my 3 littlest ones to the Laugh and Learn story time. I enjoyed it and I "think" my munchkins did too! I am hoping that we can go again! This is something I have wanted to do with my littles for awhile so I am glad that I am finally getting to do it!

So often I feel like I am not a good mama to my kiddos but something that a good friend of mine reminded me of helps me pull my thoughts away from such negativity. It might not seem like a big thing, but she reminded me that I am a good mama and that I have been nursing for 15 years straight! That I continue to nurse my babies even when it's inconvenient and hard. For me, thats huge, because so much of the last 16 yrs of my marriage I have been breastfeeding. And alot of the time it is a sacrifice. I have to give up alot of my wants so that my babies can have what they need to grow into healthy children and then into healthy adults.

 This is true in so many areas of motherhood. We want to go here and we want to do this but instead we take our children to the library for story time or to the park for play time. We want the whole piece of chocolate for ourselves but instead we share it with our teen. We need new clothes but instead we buy our 12 yr. old the new shirts she needs. Motherhood is all about sacrifice. Every day we sacrifice our wants, needs and our time for these little and bigger people the L-rd has given us to raise.

And perhaps by doing this we are teaching them what it truly means to love others more than we love ourselves. Maybe we can lead the next generation away from the "it's all about me" into the "it's all about you" way of living life?!
 
Sure, it's a challenge. It's a SACRIFICE! I don't think we'll be sorry or regret our choice!

We're in TX! YEEHAW!

Well, we are all moved and settled in Texas. We have unpacked, things on the walls and other excess taken to storage.
We have had a chance or two to check out our new city. It's much bigger than anywhere we have lived but with that comes new adventures. They have 5 library branches and we plan to check out each one! So far we have been to one so 4 more to go! :)

My children have been enjoying our BIG yard! Thats a nice change for them. In IN we had a very little yard. We will have room for a garden also which makes mama and daddy happy!

We have started again with homeschooling this week after being on a two week long break while packing and moving. We are doing our first lapbook and loving it! Who knew learning and teaching could be so much fun! :)

Have a few pictures to share..

mama and baby..

Josiah and Morgan-Britney

our new home in Tx..

KianAdley 9 months..

a few pics of our texas home..

 so there we go!!

BLESSINGS!!!

The goodness of G-d!

This past week has been full of so many things. It has flown by as if in a blur..so many good things that the L-rd has done.

Friday morning, Jan. 31st we left for Louisiana. Before we left my dh had another job offer so we decided to head to LA for a job interview and then on to Texas for another one. We were so excited as the job offer in Texas was with a homeschooling Christian father of 5 children. Many the same ages as some of our children.

It was a neat experience for me seeing the south. It was beautiful even in the winter. I was amazed that some of the trees still have their leaves. In LA it was warm enough to go without a coat and wear short sleeves. I loved it! The area was very Cajun and full of history. I wish we would have been able to stay longer so I could have seen all that I wanted too!
The job interview in LA for my dh went well and he was offered the job but before he made a decision he wanted to check out the job in Texas so Sunday morning we left LA and headed for TX 12 hours away.
Monday afternoon he met with the owner of the shop and was given the job.. My dh decided to take it as we felt it was given by Father!
The next day we begin to look at homes. We were waiting to be shown our 2nd home of the day; our first day looking. As we sat in the car my dh and I held hands and prayed. Asking for favor for the first house we had looked at but surrendering ourselves to whatever Yah had for us. Within 5 minutes of that prayer we received a phone call letting us know we had been approved for the house we wanted!! My dh and I sat thanking Father with tears in our eyes!
The next day was spent getting everything hooked up and our new home ready for us and our children. Thursday we headed home. OK was a mess. The bad snow storm had basically rendered Oklahoma City and Tulsa shut down. The city of Tulsa was at a stand still and cars were stranded all over the roads. I was so scared even driving on them at a very slow pace. We stopped over for the night in Miami, OK and then began again the next morning. From Joplin, MO on the roads were pretty clear and our trip was uneventful.  We arrived home early Saturday morning and since then have been packing and going through our things! We are scaling down alot! There is so many things to do to move. We are picking up the moving truck Thursday and leaving Friday morning.

I am excited about beginning our new lives in TX but sad about leaving our church and friends here! Yah has done many things in my life and heart since moving to IN almost 3 yrs ago! I am leaving here a new woman, a different woman, a changed woman!
I am excited about getting involved in ministry in Tx. There are many opportunities that await us! Many ways we can spread Father's love!      

Friday is my 16th wedding anniversary! I will spend it driving to Tx to begin a new phase in our lives! I am rife with excitement and apprehension about the adventures that await us! What does the next 16 yrs of marriage hold for me??  What do the next 16 yrs of my life hold for me?? What are Father's plans for me??

*** L-rd I am yours! As imperfect as I am I give myself to you with anticipation of the work you will do in me and the purpose my life holds in relation to your kingdom! 

Blessings!