Summer

Tonight I sit writing with a heavy heart. I looked at my mom the other day and I wondered "does she know that when she got pregnant with Summer that she was giving me my best friend for life?" I am close to all my sister's (one of the benefits from being a middle child:) but Summer and I have actually been blessed to get to live near each other the last three years and that has developed our relationship a lot. So back to tonight, I looked at my little sister and she looked so tired. I know she is going through so much and I am beyond proud of her, but tonight I just wanted to hold her and protect her from life. I trust God and I know that He is in control and loves her way MORE than I do, and I am grateful for that. Summer is going through a lot, and I hear some people say 'oh it isn't that big of a deal, a lot of people of to have holes in their hearts patched up' and to those people I say, 'shut it, and when it is your child that is having open heart surgery and eating through tubes then you can decide how not a big deal this is (sorry for the tangit but it makes me mad). My sister has learned and has several times put feeding tubes down her own daughters nose, and in spite of being worn out and tired my sister has continued to pump and feed Lyric the best possible (some woman give up just because it doesn't feel great) but not my sister, my sister had $400.00 (which was money for the surgery time:() stolen from her car Sunday and still found a reason to praise in the midst of everything else, my sister is learning to take every moment as a precious gift not knowing what the road ahead holds. My sister is an amazing woman and Summer when you read this, whenever that might be, know you are doing an awesome job handling more in this short time than God ever entrusts to someone in a lifetime to bring glory to His name. There is no where else I would rather be than to be holding her heart and hand during this time...I love you Summie!

I heard this song (I Will Wait for You There by Phil Whickham) and wanted to dedicate to my sister Summer. Summer give me your hand as we journey on and may we always be able to find hallelujahs in the midst of life....

I will wait for You there

Down on my knees where I met You

Give You all of my cares

Find a grace to hold onto now

I’m calling for You

I will wait for You there

far from the world and it’s violence

It left broken and bare

I need to hear You in the silence now

I’m calling for You

And with outstretched arms I will sing out melodies

And my beating heart Will pour out a symphony

Hallelujah’s in the morning

Hallelujah’s in the night

I will wait for you as long as I have life

I will wait for You there

Down On my knees where I met you

Cause life is a war fought with tears

But You are the strength I hold onto now

I’m calling for you

What a Friend....

At Church on Sunday we sang this song and it is just such a good reminder to remember that God is walking with us through life, no matter how crazy and out of control it feels, He is still the author of our story. Just remember today that no matter what this day, or week, or even the rest of the year holds, to seek after God and His plans for your life. Sometimes I think we think that 'plans for our life' is something that is far away and we often forget to include Him in the daily decisions and actions. So today remember that He is here with you and we are living for His glory.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

My California Post!!

My California post is under my 'on moving' post. I had worked on it a few days ago, so it went under the other one. People have been asking me for pics so I didn't want anyone to miss it!! Thanks

On Moving....

I am home today just packing up boxes and as I am packing up box by box, I am getting a little sentimental, after all this is the house I found out I was pregnant with Kimberlin in, and later brought her home to. This is the house Belle moved from her crib to a big girl bed and potty-trained in, she became a little girl here not a baby. We have had some of the best and biggest christmas trees here in the light of the fireplace, some of the best moments in community here with our friends. We have grown and changed, been challenged and pushed, loved and been loved here in the house. I realize that it is just walls with a roof, but these times will now go in our brains as memories, and not our reality. I am excited, please don't get me wrong, but today, this Monday afternoon I am a little sad:-(
Thank you God for this time here in this house...

California 2010!!

Here are the pics from my trip to Cali, yes i did take a gazillion pictures, I think by the end of the week everyone was sick of my camera, but c'mon it has been and may be another three years before I go to see them again. So if you have some time on your hands and want to...enjoy the pics of my awesome, amazing, wonderful trip!! from start to finish, here we go.

Erin's Daughters made these signs for me, they are the SWEETEST!!!! Thanks Kristi and Karli!!

My rental car:)

First day headed back to see CBU and everyone there!!

First though, I had to get a pedicure from my old nail place:)

They were both talking to me at the same time:) Oh man I love their stories!

we did a LOT of laughing!!

Randi and Maria. Maria was one of the first people I worked with when we moved to California

This is where we keep the linen for parties we catered, but this pic holds a special place in my heart because I would always grab one when I was crying with Pam about life.

Emilie was the very first students to talk to me and we became best friends ever since, I think she started talking to me though because I had a weird accent!!

off to Baker's for Emilie's lunch break!!

Good times, and good conversations!

These curtains are an addition since I left...i think they are funny.

I kept this picture because I love how I have only been there an hour and Erin is laughing at me already:))

Hanging out in my old office:)

I love making her laugh!!!!!

Pamella and Randi:))))

After my day hanging out on campus, Emilie and I went and climbed mount Rubidoux!!!! So Beautiful!!

At the top!!!

Look at that sky!

I will never forget that climb and that night!!

Riverside all lit up!

Summer this is for you:) btw no one gets this story when I re-tell it!

Emilie is my friend that will humor all my crazy ideas, and be right beside me as I pursue them, so she drove up and down one of my favorites streets with me:)))

We ate at all the restaurants that I don't get in Oklahoma and Claim Jumper was one of them:))

My MARIA!!!!

Thursday night is .75 taco night at little green onion, and when we lived there we would go often!! So they took me back:)

After taco night, we went to Pam's softball game but....

we got rained out:(((

Lunch at the cafe!

On Friday Erin and Pamella had both taken the day off so they surprised me with a trip to Glen Ivy Day Spa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I talk to Erin every week on the phone and this picture captures something I often dream of doing...having a 'kid-free' conversation with her at Starbucks!!

after our day relaxing at the spa!

Headed to the spa!!

so excited!!!!!!

This was the mud bath!!

THE FLOATY POOL!!! just for you Erin!

After our day at the spa, we went to MArket Broiler and ate one of my favorite meals!!!!

I saw four rainbows while I was in Cali, I don't think I saw four rainbows the whole time I lived in Riverside.

Random clown, for all you clown lovers:)))

Saturday we went to see a movie!!

My little car:)

These woman mean sooo much to me:)))

Erin at the cheescake factory trying to decide what to eat:)) hahaha

Dinner with Shelby Jean

Man, I love her!!!

Emilie and I even squeezed in our 'late-night-taco-bell-run' that we used to have often adn life seemed to feel better:)

This is a habbit of Emilie's that will always make me smile:)

BEACH DAY!!!!!

This creeper guy was walking by and had this mask thing, so he saw me get my camera out so he posed...weird.

I put this picture up because this is where I know Pamella's love of surfing was birthed!!!

These were the funniest memories EVER!!!!

Erin took the pic while I was talking!!! lol

Erin you make me laugh!!

My first boss at CBU!! EARL!!!

Palm drive, our first apartment in Cali was at the end of Palm Drive!!

about to say goodbye:((

This was where I used to work! I couldn't do that when I worked there:)) lol

My Pamella Ramella

My trip was beyond wonderful and you learn so much about yourself and other's when you get the chance to wander back down memory lane. You get the chance to see who you were and how far you have come, you egt the chance to see how even though you may have not been present in their lives God is still working. Sometimes God blesses you with the ability to be able to cross their paths again, and for a short amount of time you get to be a part of where they are at and where they have come from. The trip was made possible by a lot of people who love me, and I will forever be grateful for that gift, from the moment I embraced Pamella and Erin, the trip was worth it and an amazing gift from God. Thank you!!