SWINGING

Maybe this is one way I can get a good picture of them together and smiling despite the blur.

Proud Carlee

These outside times are the sweetest times of the day especially when the temperature outside is below 80. My kids spend hours on these swings and guess who pushes them.... Me!!! Our day is not complete until we have swung. I love it! I push them both at the same time (it's my arm workout) and make it fun by singing songs, counting, looking at airplanes flying by or squirrels jumping from tree to tree, or by throwing beach balls in front of their feet for them to kick (this is the latest fav). Well, today Carlee showed me how she can get started on the swing and how she can push herself by pumping her legs, go high and keep going. WOW!! I was amazed! My child has grown up. She insisted that she could do it all by herself and she did! I not once helped or pushed. In a way I was sad that my girl is growing up and she is needing me less (I'm in tears) and in a way I was excited to see her mature and experience the true thrill it is to do something all by herself.

I can remember when my best friend Diana and I swung on my swing set when we were little- singing songs and talking. We would kick our shoes off and try to get them as far as possible. Sometimes, they would go over the fence. I remember my sister and I making up countless routines on our swing set to Kids Praise songs. Those were the days! Being a child is so much fun! Good times are ahead of us!

Amazing

I love God's creation. This evening Greg was looking at our butterfly plant (Milkweed) and noticing how all the leaves were starting to get holes in them. As he looked closer he saw about 10 caterpillars on it. Wow!! Carlee was thrilled! We had to call grandpa and let him know the plant was doing it's job. I can't wait to see 10 butterflies flying around it soon.
This picture was taken the other day before our trip. The butterfly hung out for awhile. Long enough for me to go inside get my camera, change the batteries and snap a few shots. SO COOL!! I guess this butterfly has found it's home. We get to see her (she is a beautiful Monarch) all the time now.

Thanks again dad for blessing us we these plants. We are overjoyed right now! I love the simple things!

Too Bad Vacations Don't Last Forever...

Actually we were ready to get back and see our kids again. I started to really miss them two days into our trip. We thank both our parents for loving on our children and caring for them while we were gone. We feel very blessed to have our family to help out.

Thankfully we only got pulled over once on the trip home and left with a warning. I'm so thankful for God's traveling mercies. We spent most of our drive home reading (well, me reading out loud to Greg) a book called, "The Heavenly Man." We're still not even half way through with it, but it has inspired us to press on in Christ.

Wholy Fit on the Beach

Greg and I ran on the beach barefoot a couple of times. It was very difficult, but a whole lot of fun. When Greg would stop to look for shells, I would do some of my Wholy Fit stretches (http://www.wholyfit.org/). The greatest thing about being on the beach at this time of day and at this time of year, is that no one was there. It was like having our own private beach. We were able to recharge and relax and come back feeling refreshed.

How We Spent Our Time

Boogie boarding and having fun lounging on the beach listening to my ipod and reading. We loved the boogie boards and wore ourselves out. The water was pretty rough. Here is a picture of Greg riding in.
Dining outside for breakfast at Tacky Jacks

Shopping in Pensacola on the boardwalk and in Foley at the outlet mallStrolling along the pier looking at the fancy yachts and strolling along the beach

Watching the sunset, watching the NBA playoffs, playing some Wii

Dressing up and going out for a night on the town

We spent a lot of time eating out. We spent one evening dining at a nice restaurant in Pensacola called Hemingway's. Greg and I spilt our entire meal. We had lobster bisque soup, a ham, tomato, artichoke pesto flat bread and Mahi Mahi with rice and broccoli. It was delicious! I would have that meal all over again if I could. It was nice to have time to talk and not worry about feeding other little ones when eating together. We also loved eating at a place called Lillian's, a very yummy pizza place in Perdido and The Shrimp Basket (can't go wrong with a bottomless basket of fried shrimp). We loved Tacky Jacks as well. We ate there before heading home and had a wonderful breakfast. Greg's pancake was bigger than the plate, it was probably a 12 in. diameter. HUGE and GOOD!

We also spent some time in Alabama shopping at the Foley outlet mall. We found some great deals and shopped til the stores closed. The best part for Greg was probably drinking his smoothie while watching me look for clothes. haha.... However, he did find some shoes.

When two paths collide

The woman walks seeking to find God's best....
The man walks seeking after the Lord, knowing He has the best....

In God's timing, the two meet.....

They fall in love, yet are completely satisfied in the Lord....

The two become one and serve Him together.....

the rest is history....
I know this is cheesy, but I am truly thankful Greg and I crossed paths 9 years ago when training for the Houston Marathon. I'm so glad God knew exactly who I needed in my life to beautify me and purify me. I know I have said this before, but Greg sharpens me and draws me closer to Jesus every day. I know the same is true for him as well. What a blessing it is to share this life with him and enjoy loving Jesus more and more each day. I know it will only get better!!

Perdido Beach

Elita and I at her house in Mobile, Alabama.
Me being a goober on the beach. This stick made for all kinds of funny photo's.Greg would have loved to bring this stick home. It had Mose written all over it. haha

Good-looking couple....

Me and the beach bird (probably a crane)

My photo shoot

This vacation was so much fun. Greg and I drove to Florida and made a couple of unexpected stops along the way. We left after Greg got off work on Thursday around 5 pm and traveled east. Knowing we would arrive very late to our destination, we made a stop in New Orleans to sleep at a friends house (Laurie's). We literally called her 3 hours before arriving and asked if we could spend the night. She is so hospitable and had the guest room ready for visitors. What a blessing it was to be there and talk a little. Thank you again Laurie for opening your home up for us!! On Friday morning we left and I remembered I had friends in Mobile (my friend Elita), who I called and arranged to meet her and and her family for lunch. It was so great to see her beautiful home and family. We loved being able to catch up and talk over some lunch. Then we were off to our final destination... Perdido Beach, Florida. We stayed at Greg's co-workers condo free of charge. It was a great location. That night we strolled on the beach and took lots of funny pictures (as you can see). There's more to come....