Hill Country Lovin'

This past weekend our little family spent the most magical weekend in the Texas Hill Country.  It couldn't have come at a better time, as mental health breaks are a definite need this year :) 

Each year the sponsor church for Jimmy's parents' ministry takes a retreat into Hunt, Texas.  We met the church members as well as Jimmy's mom, sister, niece, and nephew at the camp. We headed through many small towns to the middle of nowhere.  Jimmy and I mostly entertained ourselves by singing 90s songs- and I showed him my ability to hit high notes, Mariah Carey style (kidding).

Jude got to have yet another birthday celebration when we got there where he got some amazing cupcakes, as well as a Ninja Turtle.  My favorite is that Mimi recorded a prayer in the hand.  It is such a blessing to hear that little prayer being said over and over from his bedroom.  And I love just the thought of the Spirit filling his bedroom each time he presses it.

 

 

Of course camp included the usual things such as marshmallows, fishing- Jude caught his first fish!, canoeing, and lots of time with new friends and cousins.  We were right on the Guadalupe River, so it made for a lot of fun and was just overall beautiful.  Jimmy and I decided we need to make getaways a regular part of our life.  It is just so good to be able to sit surrounded by nature and pray, read your Bible, and visit with family.

 

 

 

 



This fishing pole was actually Jude's birthday request.  He was adamant about taking his new fishing pole with us, and even more adamant about using it.  So excited that he was able to catch one!  Love that he is such a little wilderness boy.

On Saturday, we drove out to Lost Maples State Park.  This has always been on my 'Texas to do list' because my parents had mentioned how you can see brilliant fall colors out there.  Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten cold enough yet to see many of the colors.  It was still beautiful to be able to walk through the woods.  There were lots of springs and small wading pools from the river to relax at.  It's such a great park, and would be fun in all seasons.  We really need to go back!

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday evening we had a great time visiting with the church members over barbecue.  My personal favorite was the fireside sing along with "Ole Blue", the hymnal.  Jude and I actually have a copy of Ole Blue which I bought at Denton Thrift; we sing from it nightly.  I am 80 at heart, and just think there is such great richness in the old hymns.  Jude's favorite hymn is Standing On The Promises- which we sang.  He is still talking about how awesome it was to sing that at the camp.  In general it was just magical for me to get to sing those old forgotten songs like 'Farther Along'. 

Unfortunately, in the midst of the singing, I got dive bombed by a bee.  Which I then brushed off hastily.  Which then landed on and stung my leg.  I haven't had a bee sting since I was 7 years old.  I had NO idea they hurt so bad!  Luckily, I had my oils.  I used lavender oil, Gentle Baby, and Pan Away routinely every 20 minutes for an hour, and then a few times at night if I woke up and thought about it.  I also kept ice on it.  It swelled up some and hurt like CRAZY that night.  I reapplied the oils a few times that morning.  But I kid you not- I have not had any swelling or pain since lunchtime on Sunday.  You could see the sting on my leg and some swelling, but it didn't hurt.  And you know what is even more amazing- by Sunday night it wasn't noticeable.  AND it never itched- I was told over and over/read over and over about how badly bee stings itch.  Well it's Thursday night and it hasn't hurt since Sunday afternoon and has Never itched!!!!!!  It really helped my body recuperate.  I love my oils!

Anyway, that Sunday after lunch, we all headed home, quite reluctantly.  It is so good to get away.  I need to do that more often.  I just really really love the peaceful sounds of quiet rivers and trees rustling in the wind.  The scamper of squirrels and acorns hitting the ground.  The sunshine through tree tops and children laughing.  The fresh air filling my lungs.  Singing hymns with my family around a fire.  Perfect fall evening.  Take me back.

Thankful

I'm thankful for this guy

I'm totally cheating and combining my camping trip with my thankful post.  But I figure I learned a lot of good stuff that night, and what worth more thankfulness than that?  Have I ever mentioned that being a single parent since Jude was 6 mos old makes life weird?  It does.  I feel like I've lost touch with the girl I was in all of the life experiences I've had.  So many things broke me that year with getting divorced.  Every 6 mos or so I realize I'm coming more and more back to myself.  And yet I still have so far to go.  Some days I worry that the carefree, spunky side of me is lost forever.  Somedays I wonder if it isn't such a bad thing since I'm certainly more gracious now than I was when I was younger.  But there's just a general sadness for the girl I used to be.  In some ways, I think this is true of all moms, but even more so when you're a single mom.  You aren't with anyone who even remembers 'the old you'.  You know?  The thing about nights without my kiddo, is that I almost maybe remember and see glimpses of and kinda feel like the girl I grew up being.  And then in a flash they are gone again.  I hope as time goes on I grow more into myself and can find a balance between girl who let life happen and girl who's afraid of getting hurt again. 

Thankful God is the Great Healer....and that he brought this amazingly gracious guy into my life.

Thankful that he is so much fun to be around and that he makes me laugh....

Thankful that he wears flannel all the time.  Because I like my rustic men.  And that he takes me camping.  And that he likes being outdoors.  And that he's a pretty good fire builder.

Thankful that he wears cowboy boots on the regular.  I know a lot of non-Texans and non-southerners read this blog.  It's cool that you will not understand how unbelievably attractive this is.  But hey, I get it.  I love him for all the things they symbolize- trustworthy, honest, hard working, full of integrity, strong character, godly, leader, loving, gentleman... Boots say a lot to me.

And because I wanted to continue to keep up with my list with Beth and Meg (see my linking page)...

766.  Purchasing with Purpose

767.  Fresh Baked Banana Bread

768.  Words spoken by Jimmy that fill my fearful heart with peace and remind me God holds all things, even my fear.

769.  That in my battles with fear I am my weakest and I can open myself up to God being His strongest.

770.  Jude saying "good job with the banana cake mom"

771.  The way God has been faithful to fill my desire to be loved with Himself

772.  That my life circumstances have allowed me to not become complacent, but realize I need God.

773.  Camping with Jimmy

774.  Laughing as we try to figure out the tent

775.  Perfect camping weather- not too hot during the day, not freezing at night

776.  seeing animal tracks and lizards

777.  mud caked thick and squishy

778.  the lake in sunlight

779.  taking picture by the campfire

780.  laying next to the fire for hours talking

781.  jimmy in flannel and cowboy boots

782.  watching the moon go from overhead to no longer visible.  and debating what makes the moonlight.

783.  i saw 2 shooting stars!

784.  Jude telling me God drank blood! in connection to the last supper in Sunday School

785.  Jude asking me how we love Jesus.  Then telling me we hug him.

786.  Laying in bed while Jude reads his Bible to himself and realizing all my 2 minute bible stories at night have paid off because he KNOWS it.  and being reminded his Bible learning isn't dependent on me to teach him but its what God does with all my little bits of loaves and fish.

787.  Kids in love with multiple meaning words

788.  Gifts from my buddy

789.  Apologies for misbehavior and promises to change.

790.  more multiple meaning word love from my class

791.  puzzling and watching science shows with jimmy

792.  making dinner for people i love

793.  my big bradford pear tree all in bloom

794.  my irises blooming

795.  tea bag from a friend

796.  laughing with colleagues over how my speech has influenced them... right!

797.  Jude's giggles

798.  starting 1 Kings

799.  difficulties which keep me dependent on God alone

800.  butterfly snacks from the sunshine committee

801.  Nathan- hey Micah?  Micah- what's up buddy?  Nathan- can I borrow a sharpener?  Micah- sure I'm always happy to share  :)

Hey Girl

Salutations friends:

remember how I used to blog?  yea that.  I was doing a really great job of enjoying my spring break and then BAM school started.  And Jude's exhausted.  And I'm exhausted.  And I guess basically we are just both ready for summer.  And next weekend is a 3 day weekend.  But mainly- summer is on the horizon and we are ready to sleep in.  You know till 7:30 because that's how we roll around here.

Here are some things to look forward to on the blog:

* Jude and Charlea take the zoo
* The best camping date of all time
* Part 2 of being called to be like God's Son
* My continuing 1000 gifts

Those are my goals anyway.  :)

For now, enjoy this pic of Jude who greatly enjoyed ice cream over spring break.  I think we went to Sonic every day.  Ok maybe every other day.  But for some reason the second warm weather hits, I can't resist ice cream.  I really need to just stock my fridge, but I haven't wanted to 'make that commitment' yet.  My wallet is telling me its time though.  I blame my parents for this compulsive need.  I literally cannot remember a day where my parents have NOT had a minimum of 3 gallons of bluebell (or these days HEB- because seriously, best grocery store ever) in their fridge.  All my childhood evenings are filled with bowls of ice cream and homemade chocolate sauce.  Bliss I tell you!

So ice cream.  It's a family tradition....

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