Random pictures of faces I love.

I took all these pictures on our trip this summer and have never gotten around to posting them. But when I look at them...they make me smile. Enjoy.

A thankful heart...

I wonder if every mom feels as if all is right with the world when all of your children are together under one roof...no matter their age. When the Prince comes home, I feel that way, even though he may be having trouble adjusting from dorm life to family life and seeing his sister as a pest who's annoying him rather than the lil'sis who adores him. Or tuning me out so he can listen to his tunes and FB with his friends. But just being here....at my house...making his boy noises, hugging his mom, laughing, etc...makes my heart smile.

But that's only one reason.

Another one is that we have such wonderful friends. God has truly blessed us through the years to be able to make friends and keep them. Time stretches between us but we still love each other and would do whatever was needed at the moment of need. You know what I mean?

One group of friends, took the time and energy required to mail us the fixin's for a Thanksgiving dinner again this year. We invited over many people, but most are working (and not necessarily willing to take the day off and lose the pay) so we ended up with about 20 people at our house. My camera wasn't working and I was busy being the hostess, but several took pictures and I'll post a few in a few days when I get them. Anyway, half of us were Americans and the other have nationals but ALL enjoyed the food and fellowship. All I did was cook the food, but EVERYONE was so thankful for as close to a traditional Thanksgiving meal as possible. Our national friends love learning more about our culture and we love sharing the good things God has done and is doing in our lives.

We are thankful that our dossier is complete. We had hoped to have it finished in early November, but God's timing is not ours. Now...we wait for a referral on children/babies and will keep you posted on the process.

Grace is the word for me these days.

I've been pondering anew....Amazing Grace...His Grace is sufficient...let your words be full of grace...whose turn to say "Grace?"...and so on.

I see it in places I hadn't noticed before.

I understand a depth I never needed before.

I can offer it in levels I never possessed before.

I need it like I never have before.

What about you?

Blessing to you and yours from me and mine because of Him and His.

Where's Waldo?

Meet Willy Wonka...

School Carnival Mascot

"They'll always be walking in our shoes..."

The Princess stepped into her brother's shoes and I snapped a couple of pictures with my camera. These were taken back in late summer but since we've been visiting the Prince and I've watched my children together, I've been pondering anew.

She can hardly wait to be like him. She can hardly wait to be WITH him. She literally counts down the days until we see him again. I've told him often that SHE is the reason he is a big brother. HE is responsible for his actions towards her and within her sight and knowledge. SHE is watching and listening to everything he says and does. That ought to spur him on to greater things, just knowing that she's imitating everything she can about him.

To HER, he is a hero.

To HER, he is all that she wants to be.

To HER, he can do no wrong.

To HER, he has an obligation to be the best big brother he can be. By doing that, he is not only honoring her, but more importantly, honoring the Lord.

Hmmm...

Can you do this? It's harder than it looks.

How about a giant fish made of flip flops?
This is made of jade? Why?
Obama Chia pet! Wonder if he would be offended. At lease it's Eco-friendly.
Transformers are FOR REAL! We saw one. Well, it was a mini...but still.
Noodles, anyone?
Huh? What do they sell here?
Barf bag anyone?
A day in the life.

Ode to the cat.

Just call me Weird Al...only a true Texan will recognize this song!

"Texas," our "Texas," we love you, silly cat.

"Texas," our "Texas," someday you will be fat!

Softest and sweetest, you play hard then you rest,

Oh kitten, who purrs loudly, you took over our Nest!

God bless you "Texas," and keep you growing strong,

That you may grow roots in our heart to last our whole life long.

Second Stanza

...just kidding.

I ADORE my husband!

What follows should be in the dictionary defining "good sport." Not only does he make me laugh, but he doesn't mind being a toy for the kids.

This event happened after a family game night where we had some college kids join us. The Prince started it...I think!

Notice the sticky tack...
LOVE his face. I wonder what he's thinking with six people crowded around him with game pieces, sticky tack and cameras!

I think he's thinking, "I'm going to see this on my wife's blog soon...no way around it. Wonder if I could bribe her NOT to post..."

...apparently not. :)

Luv ya Babe!

What's not to love?

There were a few rules associated with our being able to keep the cat.

1. We call him "Tex."

2. A clean litter box.

3. Group ownership.

4. He sleeps with the Princess.

This picture was after the first night of sleeping with the Princess...or not. I was at a Bible Study and when I came home...the King was kitten sitting. Tex apparently doesn't agree with the Princess' bedtime.

We found this boot while out walking and made him a collar. The only thing more perfect would be a small charm of the state of Texas. :)
I was listening to a podcast and he crawled up in my lap and made himself at home. He leaned his head over on my wrist and promptly went to sleep. He is a cuddler. He likes to be with people and even better...in someone's lap. Recently we had some young people over. One of them is not a cat person and whose lap did Tex crawl into to sleep? Yep. Hers. She took it well and even decided she liked THIS cat.
Check out his sweet paws. Yep...I'm smitten.

The Cuddler

She loves to be hugged. He loves to hug. Perfect for both.

Ready or not here she comes.

Can't leave dad out.

Meet "Tex"

This is our newest family member. His name is Texas. He was nicknamed Tiger...then Rascal...then we decided that he is the exact colors of the Texas Longhorns (sorry Aggie fans) so we call him Tex. He was found by a friend of ours and we passed him from family to family until the King said we could keep him. The other families all committed to help us care for him when we need to be gone. So, he has group ownership...I guess that makes his name Tiger Rascal Texas.

He gives me FUZZ THERAPY and I love it! He's all kitten. He plays with all he has and then falls asleep...literally...falls over. He makes me laugh and every time I pick him up he purrs...not to mention that he likes to cuddle.

The Princess and I have really missed our cat and are so excited to have this little one that we joyfully scoop poop daily. :)