SUNSHINE...

makes us happy! It has been so beautiful the past two weeks. Our poor white skin has been in shock, thank goodness for SPF 80.

Have you ever seen such a small sandbox? There is this one part of the yard that was just a hole of dirt, so Marc cleaned it out and bought some play sand and there you go! The girls have never been happier.

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Last Friday my parents took the girls so Marc and I could run some errands alone. We have a list of things we wanted to get to crate back to Wales and for some reason I find it hard to concentrate with three little girls in tow. We got a lot done so we used a gift card we had for Salt Grass Steakhouse. Anna, these pictures are for you...

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Marc was happy with his red-meat intake and all was right in the world.

Saturday afternoon we bought the girls bikes at Academy, so we spent most of the day breaking them in.

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Bailey and her forced smile, as usual. She was really nervous about it but did just fine of course. She was extremely happy about the T-shirt I got her at Old Navy for $1.50 that said "Give Peeps A Chance!" Like father, like daughter with those nasty peeps!

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The other night I had planned poorly for dinner and we were out running errands when I saw Freebirds and remembered that I had heard a lot about it. Perfect! It was pretty yummy. Marc was impressed and if you know Marc then you know that it's unusual for him to eat anything like this. But of course the fact that you can "build your own" burrito helped him out.

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This morning we rode our bikes to "our" park and had a great time. When we got home Marc found Addison sitting next to her stroller sucking on her paci. I had left it clipped to the strap and she was desperate. I was thinking back to Bailey's baby stage and I took her paci away at 12 months, that sounds so mean. My plan here with Addison's paci is to get to other side of the ocean before I even think about taking it away!

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I also wanted to share that I've been running consistently, three times a week and it's making a huge difference! It was so stinking hard to get started. I realized if I don't get up in the mornings and do it then it's either too hot or I find other things that need to be done. Running my 3 miles in the morning before the day gets started in full swing really helps me. I started with the Couch to 5K plan and I'm happy to share that I'm almost there! Several weeks ago I could not even run to the end of our street for being out of breath, so the plan really helps you improve!

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Cerys had her surgery. She just had her post-op check up and everything was fine! The two moles that were removed were not anything serious thankfully. Now it's Bailey's turn! She will be having her THIRD set of ear tubes and this time her adenoids will be removed in hopes that this will clear up her ear troubles. Bless her heart. She continues to have so much fluid on her ears that she's having trouble hearing. Sometimes I think it's just her being 3, but our doctor appointment this week proved me wrong again- she's got another infection and fluid on both ears! May 21st will be her surgery. I also had a mole removed today at the dermatologist- a mole that has been there my whole life and it feels strange not to have it, but I'm so happy about it! I now need to get my eyes checked and then I think we will all be ready to go!

Maybe our next stateside will not be filled with doctor appointment after doctor appointment!

If this post seems confusing and all over the place, it's because it is. Have a good week!

Atlanta 2010

Last week we loaded up in our sweet rental van and started the long drive to Atlanta, GA! Seriously, this was a sweet ride. I will just tell you that the day we had to return this van and get back into The Merk was a sad day. Kudos to Avis Rental Cars for blessing us- no, it was a total God thing- Avis was just the agent used. This was a brand new Chrysler Town and Country van. The Avis guy was taking the factory tape off it when we arrived! The girls had tons of space, 2 built-in DVD players and all the bells and whistles. It really made our drive much better! Thank you Lord.

Oh, the reason we went to Atlanta was to visit Marc's family. His Grandmamma, Aunt (Nana Kay), and Uncle and cousins. I had not seen his family in about 8 years since we first moved overseas, so it was long overdue! We had a wonderful time. Thanks Nana Kay and Uncle Jim for letting us take over your beautiful home!

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I just wanted you to see that I captured this rare moment of Addison sleeping. She does not like to be confined in her car seat so that made the 13 hour drive kind of miserable at times. The girl has some lungs! Poor Nana Kay got to experience the screaming several times.

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We drove to Tuscaloosa, Alabama that first day and decided to spend the night and drive the rest of the trip after some much needed rest. We arrived in ATL Wednesday, right at lunch time. On Thursday we got to meet up with a very special girl, Jesslyn. She spent last fall with us in Wales doing the gap year program and she is one of a kind! She happened to be in ATL for the day so we met up at The Varsity and hung out all afternoon with her! Her and Cerys were fast friends last year and Cerys was more than surprised to see Jesslyn. We had kept it a secret just in case it did not work out.

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Addison eats anything and everything- except pickles. So she loved her "naked dog" from The Varsity. (Naked Dog- a plain hot dog. Naked Dog Walking- a plain hot dog to go!) If you have not been to The Varisty, you need to go. It's just a huge part of ATL's history and a fun place to go. It's not healthy, but it's kind of fun. And the Frosted Orange is yummy!

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We walked over to Olympic Park and played in the water rings. I have a picture somewhere of me and Marc when we were engaged one Christmas standing in the middle of these rings. That was the first time I had met Marc's family! Marc's Grandmamma is probably one of the sweetest people. I remember two things about her. One thing was that week that we stayed with her she gave me my first Krispy Kreme doughnut. I had never heard of them! And every morning when I woke up she would cup her hands on my face and ask "Did you sleep honey"

Part of our trip this time was to visit her, she is declining in health and it was tough to see. I got very emotional while we introduced her to the girls. She probably did not know we were there, but she said 2 things VERY clearly that made be bawl. She looked at Bailey and said "Well aren't you a pretty little thing!" (in her southern accent!) and then she just looked around and said "I love you." I was so proud of Marc going to visit her, I knew it would be tough and it was.

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God truly does know each of personally and where we are in life! We didn't know until we arrived at Nana Kay's house that Brother Jim Henry would be preaching at her church that Sunday! Marc grew up at First Baptist Orlando where he was pastor and they always furloughed there. Brother Jim is one of Marc's heroes and it was just so neat to see him and get to visit with him. The title of his sermon was "When your back is against the wall" and it was just exactly what we needed at this time in our lives. I was just in tears as I felt God speak to us and just to know that God had planned this for us! All of the weekends to be there, He knew!

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Sunday lunch- all of the family gathered for spaghetti. Here are the girls enjoying lunch!

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After lunch we went down to this nature reserve in Peachtree City and let the kids play in the creek and mud. Our girls are cautious about stuff like this, but their second cousin Isabele was not! She was picking up frogs and tadpoles! They had a blast though and we spent a good part of the afternoon out there.

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Marc's cousin's wife- Jennifer (Isabele's mom) makes the cutest clothes! She has her own Etsy store and she blessed us with some cute skirts for the girls and a pair of pants (trousers) for Cerys. She also gave me 2 precious pacifier clips. She is so talented.

On the way home we got caught in some Talladega Superspeedway traffic. That was a hoot. We saw so many cars with "Dega or bust" or "Dega bound." Marc wanted me to take a picture of the race track as we were driving by- how about that timing?

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Oh, this is better-

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We drove the whole 13 hours back home in one day because the rental had to be returned. We got late Monday night and got up at 8am to return the van. Addison screamed a good part of that time again, the girls watched movies and colored and I tried to keep my sanity so I had my ipod in trying to drown out the crying. Marc drove us all the way home, what a trooper!

The best part of that day was stopping at Cracker Barrell somewhere in Texas for dinner. However, did you know that they no longer have Banana Pudding? It was almost enough to make me start screaming.

A Big Week!

Addison has had a big week. She decided she wanted to feed herself with her spoon one night at dinner! Not much got in her mouth but it was so cute seeing her try!

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She also took her FIRST STEPS! I was not really worried but wondering when she would even attempt! For so long she was content to crawl and boy is she fast! A few days ago we were at my parent's house and she was playing happily on the floor. About a minute later I needed to run upstairs to get something and guess where Miss Addison was? Upstairs doing her own thing! I did not even see her climb them or hear her. I snatched her up and hugged and kissed her and told her never to do that again! Then I got on to myself for not making sure the baby gate was up. Anyway, she is taking about 5 or 6 steps on her own before crashing but she thinks it's so fun. She falls then laughs and then claps her hands. I cried when she took her first steps and Marc laughed at me. Just one more milestone for my "baby". I could eat her up!

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Cerys has also had a big week. She had surgery on Monday but is doing fantastic now! We've know she was needing this surgery for a while but we've never been here long enough to get it done. She (and I) was so nervous on the day, but she did so great and one of the first things she said after she woke up was "God was watching over me" and then I cried again! He sure was baby girl!

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Bailey has had a big week too- or shall I say a big fit? Wow. We had a Bailey fit of epic proportions last night. Marc was at the store and missed it all. All her screaming and carrying on scared Addison and then Cerys got upset. It was quite a show here at our house last night. Marc got home right as they were all finally in bed and I was in tears. Man, being a parent is so tough.

And as you may have noticed in the picture, I got 3-4 inches chopped off my head yesterday and it feels great! It's pretty short but I think I'm going to like it. I wish I could have long beautiful flowing layers but my hair is just too fine and it ends up looking stringy and nasty.

Marc and I are speaking at a GA Lock-In tonight so I better get off here and figure out what I'm going to say!

Heart

Thank you for praying for my heart- I'm much better physically and emotionally! My doctor called this morning and everything was normal on my sonogram and it's just one of those random things we suppose. Also, about Wales, my heart is softening and God is working. Thank you. I'm sure most people don't expect people to say they don't feel like returning to their M field, but there you go. I'm just being honest and sharing my struggles between my flesh and what I know God has called us to do at this time in our life.

Last night at church God spoke so clearly to me through Milfred Minatrea. He will be speaking for the next few Wednesday nights at FBC McKinney. I've really been struggling with what are my gifts and "I have no talent" kind of thing for years. Yes, years. God continues to use Marc to speak to me and I just believe he is so wise. Marc has been telling me how much it means to the students that we work with to open up our home and have them over all the time. I love to cook for them and I enjoy having people in our home and just hanging out. I just kept telling him that that was not really a talent, etc. Marc also kept reminding me how random women at the girls' school would share personal things with me and not even really know me. I was just baffled by this. I would always come home with crazy stories.

As I look towards our return to Wales I kept wondering what was next, where was God asking me to "go and be?" The girls' school came to my mind and I realized how much I am missing chatting with the mums on the school yard before and after school. I'm still baffled that they share things with me- some deep things- and I always come away wondering why they open up to me, an American among them? Please, please know that I'm not "tooting my own horn" here. I'm so insecure it's not funny so I would never knowingly brag about myself. Gross. I'm just sharing how God has worked in my heart the last few weeks.

So while Milfred was teaching last night he asked us to stand so he could pray over those of us wanting to reach our neighborhood. I immediately thought about the girls' school and continuing to open our home to students. And how I have enjoyed having other mums over for coffee. I just started crying and the words he spoke where exactly what I needed to hear! He prayed for us to have the gift of hospitality and for people to be drawn to us in our area and for them to want what we have (Jesus). I was floored. I knew God was speaking to me. I knew it was Wales we would return to for this next season. Sometimes it takes me a while to come around, but I'm so thankful that God speaks so personally to me and you.

I find relief and peace in my heart today.

Easter 2010

This was last Easter on our 2 week trip to Texas. Addison was 6 weeks old and fat.

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This was yesterday. 13 months old and a stinker!

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Friday night we went to a Good Friday service at FBC McKinney. It was very interesting because they did "scenes from the cross" and it was just a beautiful time of worship. We decided to take Cerys to the service with us and send Bailey and Addison to the nursery. It was a good choice because Cerys is very interested in the cross and the life of Jesus so she's been asking many questions. It was so precious to see her Daddy on his knees, eye to eye with her explaining each scene. She took it all in and asked great questions. She was concerned at one point where there was a tomb with what looked like Jesus wrapped in linen. It was actually very real looking and when I walked up to it I teared up. I was just overcome with emotion of what He did for me and to imagine me there at the time, my Savior, dead in a tomb...it would have been so hard to live I have no doubt. It was beautiful this morning at the service because Cerys asked to see the tomb again and of course it was EMPTY! Praise you Jesus!

On Saturday we went to the city of McKinney's big Easter Egg Hunt. It was warm, sunny and absolute mayhem!

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The girls, waiting for the count down to grab some eggs. This was insane, the eggs disappeared in like 5 seconds. I think the girls got 4 or 5 eggs each. There were some serious parents out there, which was very annoying.

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This morning before church

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After church we headed over to my parents for lunch and more egg hunting!

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This melts my heart! Addie and her Papa just enjoying time together!

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He is Risen!

Pigheaded

This past week in my Breaking Free study this question was asked, "Can you recall a situation in which you have acted pigheaded toward God?"

Hmm, let's see. Can I recall a time? Um, which time? You know when you are just suppose to say something and you don't want to but you feel like your heart is going to pound out of your chest if you don't? Well this happened to me on Wednesday and I really did not want to share my answer. I wasn't planning on it and certainly didn't want to. But I knew I had to. So I opened my mouth and spoke and the ugly cry came out. I was trying to tame it but had no success.

I'm currently being pigheaded. Three months into our stateside and I did not want to return to Wales. I was looking for and trying to find any reason or excuse not to go back. I'm comfortable here. I have family 20 minutes away. I have a high school friend who has two little girls that lives 15 minutes away. I have the mall that I can go to to let the girls play and walk around. I have Sonic. I have Target. I know this sounds so shallow and materialistic. But there you go. So I've been pigheaded about it. Telling God all the things we give up to live overseas. Telling God about how happy I would be if only...fill in the blank.... there are so many ways to end that sentence.

But, I have known in my heart that going back to Wales is the right thing. June 23rd will come sooner than I want it to probably. We will cry and say goodbye again to our families, but I will know in my heart that we are where God wants us. And He is worth it!

(On a separate note, I would appreciate your prayers for me as I had some heart palpitations over the past few years, nothing regular but since I've started running again I wanted to have it checked out. I had a sonogram of my heart today and will hear from my doctor probably next week about the results. I'm thinking I'm okay, but it's just that nagging fear in my mind and then it makes me feel like I really am breathing fast, etc. Anyway, thank you in advance!)

E.B. Revealed

Friday afternoon we went to the McKinney Town Square, which was just precious. I felt a little bit at home because 1. we walked and 2. there were cafes and quaint little shops to go in! We found a little place called Mom and PopCORN, it was awesome. I think Marc bought 2 pounds of salt water taffy and he found a Dublin Dr. Pepper so he was happy. Bailey got grape flavored popcorn and Cerys got Cornfetti (cute name!) and I got watermelon. I don't even really like popcorn, but dipped in candy it's pretty darn good. I even ran into my former boss- I babysat her kids and worked for her in her Ebby Halliday office while I was in high school. If you have a trillion dollars and are looking for a home in the area, she's your girl. Ha.

Marc and the girls

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Saturday we had the cousins over for a little Easter Egg Hunt fun. We dyed eggs- which for me and my OCD's issues, this kind of stressed me out. But they had fun!

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Today after church we went a good-bye party for some friends of ours who are moving to Alaska! What they didn't know was that there was a city wide Easter Egg Hunt at the same park at the same time! We pulled up and saw pony rides and the Easter Bunny and I was thinking this is SOME kind of going away party! The girls had a blast playing and running around and waving at the E.B. (Easter Bunny) As we were getting ready to leave, Cerys was going over to say something to the E.B. and he did not hear her. He was apparently leaving the party and as she was chasing after him he walked through some bushes, took his head off and got in his car to drive away.

She found this very amusing and went to tell her Daddy all about how the E.B. is just a man in there!


Stuff (It's a long post- just warning you)

First, let me start by asking is there anything like NASCAR on Sunday afternoon's to make you want to fall asleep on the couch?

I've been quiet on the blog, but not for lack of things going on around here. After our South Africa trip we were just trying to get back on Texas time and get use to doing parental things like changing diapers and wiping dirty mouths, etc. There is no gentle re-entry to parenting is there? Addison finally warmed back up to us after a few days. She was the biggest grouch and I was trying to find things to blame on it; teething, growth spurt, something...but after a few days she would finally snuggle with me again and wouldn't look at me like I had scarred her for life. So I *think* we are back to normal. Whatever normal is for us right now. I'm not really sure.

Bailey would like to show you here "light-up" shoes.

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She is very proud of them. I have been putting this off as long as I can. I think "light-up" shoes are the most hideous thing you could put on your feet, but she's 3 and when she did a fist pump and shouted "YES!" when I brought them home I knew it really didn't matter what I thought about them. To her they were the best shoes EVER.

This is what we woke up to this morning. About 6 inches of snow. In March. In Texas. It is beautiful and silent as it falls, but I'm over it now and would like to have the next 3 months as warm and sunny as possible. Thank you.

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There are several things swirling around in my head right now and I can't decide which thing to write about. I'm listening to the new Passion 2010 album right now and this song by Christy Nockels is about to make me bawl my eyes out. A Mighty Fortress. "We will keep our eyes on you, we will keep our eyes on you. We can set our hearts on you." I think this has been the cry of my heart since coming back on stateside in December. There is so much screaming for my attention here that it just makes me want to curl up in a ball, put my fingers in my ears and just sing LA LA LA LA LA till it all goes away.

Maybe it's because this is "home" or maybe it's because it's America...I'm not really sure. But it just seems like you are busy here for the sake of being busy. Before we came on our stateside I would dream about going to Target, the mall, eating out, etc every day of my time here and just having a blast. Of course that is so unrealistic in many ways but the grass is greener right? I have been so distracted here that it was getting to me. I was wanting to go shopping every day just because I could. I wanted to buy stuff that I didn't need just because everything was so cute. I wanted to go to Sonic every day at happy hour just because it was easy. I stopped exercising because I "didn't have time." I am also ashamed to admit that I was not seeking God like I needed to be. I was not setting time alone each day to spend with My Father, to ask Him to help me get through the day. To help me be a good wife and husband, to serve my family selflessly.

I think it all caught up with me after our SA trip. We are halfway through our stateside right now and it was time for me to stop and re-evaluate. Get some things sorted as they say in the UK. One week ago today I stopped caffeine cold turkey. I really didn't think I was drinking that much, but since being back in the States I was having way too much. I felt horrible all day Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon I had such a migraine that I vomited three times. I was MISERABLE. It was while I was laying on the bed, feeling about half -dead that God just spoke to my heart. I have been lacking discipline in a lot of areas of my life. Too much Coke, not any exercise and very little time alone with Him to just name a few. It's time to quit letting my physical being be in charge. I can't just eat or drink whatever I feel like having. So, this past week in the grace of God I have stayed off Cokes and caffeine. I have been finding small amounts of time to spend with Him, either reading the Bible or devotional. I'm going through Breaking Free right now, but I didn't consider that my personal study time- I need to be spending time praying and reading the Word apart from that. I also went and got fitted for some new running shoes. I left mine in SA on purpose, it was time to get some new shoes. And no my new ones don't light-up! I have not been running since before I had Addison, so I feel it's time to get back to it. It's not going to be easy.

I want to keep my eyes on Him. To set my heart on Him. If I don't purposefully (is that a word?) set my heart on Him, I will set it on other things. Just as I've done lately.

I think I better leave it at this today. Thanks for reading if you made it this far.

South Africa, Part 3

We flew back to Jo'burg, did some laundry and got ready to drive about 4.5 hours north to Kruger National Park. We stayed in a guest house owned by Mercy Air, it was really neat to learn about their ministry and see some of their planes.

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The landing strip

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We ate dinner at a cool Mediterranean place, the decor was so precious, I was in love. This my brother and sis-in-law and my mother-in-law.

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We got to the park gates at 6am, they opened at 5:30am! It was so beautiful, but very hilly and rough terrain, so it did make it hard to see some animals. Here's a cute little family of warthogs trotting down the side of the path.

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We saw a TON of elephants! This was probably my favorite part, they were just so cute.

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Rhinos!

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