better get a glass of water and use the restroom now, this is a long one

Richard had a nice 4-day weekend this past week so we did the only logical thing and loaded up the minivan and took off. It all started last Thursday, it was a dark and stormy day . . . no - it wasn't - it was a bright and sunny day - yea, that is right. It was gorgeous! The kind of day that just makes you want to sing, "my God how great thou art!" So on Feb 22nd (emphasis on FEBRUARY), we went to Georgetown Lake (or Lake Georgetown, I don't really know which way it is named) and took our jetski for a test drive! That is right - jetskiing in FEB! The water was cold, but not terrible, just enough that you knew you didn't want to do anything to get thrown off the jetski into the water. bbbrrr that would have been cold! We had to test it out and make sure that everything was working on it after the move. Plus it was fun - don't get me wrong, we weren't just totally obliged and had to sacrafice part of a beautiful day to spend at the lake. :)

After we got done horsing around at the lake - we took off and went to visit Richard's (and my) Grandma ("Momma J" to us and "Oma" to Nathan) in west TX. She lives on a ranch just outside of Loraine (try finding that on a map!) We had such a good visit! On Friday we went riding around the ranch.

Nathan really enjoyed the whole idea - he loved looking at the cows, he like walking outside, he really like pretending to drive the truck which was COMPLETELY STOPPED AND IN PARK for that picture. This next picture is pretty hard to see, but if you look toward the middle of the picture you can see a brown lump looking round spot - it is an armadillo! I love those things!! They look SO awesome when they walk / waddle. We saw two of them together, but they were running away when we tried to take the picture, so I can understand that you think I am a little goofy for thinking that brown circle looks cool - really, it is WAY better in person!

If you don't believe me, you should google a picture of an armadillo - they are really very interesting to look at. God must have been thinking of ways to make us smily when He put them together. They look so funny when they run, and they are pretty quick - but don't be fooled, I guess they can be pretty mean and have huge sharp claws. Only silly looking from a safe distance.

Richard's parents were able to meet us there on Saturday afternoon and stay until Sunday. It was really nice to spend the time all together - 4 generations all together for the weekend - that is something special! Richard and his dad had to go cyote hunting on Sat night (b/c they will kill the cows - i think - well, they are just really bad to have around - and Momma J said there have been a lot lately). So I went along - we didn't see any, but it was pretty exciting for me! I had never heard a cyote howl before, and let me tell you, the first time you hear it - outside, in the dark, in the middle of a pasture, with no street lights or anything - it is a little bit scary! (ok, more than a little, it was medium scary) After the first time, it just was kinda exciting. Well, we never did see any though. Maybe next time. They did teach me how to shoot a rifle though!

I could barely believe it myself, but I'll tell you, that white box had no where to run from me!! (look off in the distance and you can see it in the picture from behind me) I hit it 2 of my 3 shots (the others were from Richard and his dad.) I'm just a little practice away from being Annie Oakley (ok - really a far cry, and if you call me that, it just might not be very pretty)

I nearly forgot to mention - I also saw my first dust / sand storm. That was crazy. On Saturday it was VERY windy during the day, and the ground is SO dry . . . well, just look at the pictures. This was in the middle of the day.

Everything was covered in dust. If you went outside, you had to rinse the grit out of your mouth when you came back in, after just a second out there. (EWWWW)

Well, I am proud of you for sticking through and reading (or at least skimming) this whole long thing! You must be a good friend!

Maybe next time, I will be able to trim down my entry - but this weekend was such a blessing - shared with family, out in nature - time just to relax, and love eachother, and reflect on how awesome God is in creating such a wonderful world just for us. For us to care for, and work, and enjoy, and to give Him glory each and every day.

balance of work and play

First came the "play." Richard's mom came into town and stayed with us for the weekend. We had a lot of fun. Visiting and shopping and visiting . . . I think I may have said that already. We spent sometime with our (Richard's and my) Aunt Carol as she also had visitors from out of town. It was really a great time. Nathan enjoyed seeing his 'gran' - I can tell. A mom knows these things.

Then came the work. I started my new job today. It was actually just orientation - *yawn* sorry, I am still recovering from that mess. I will be spending the next few work days (mon and weds) orienting in the different areas that I will work. (one out-patient site and with the home health team)

Nathan had a VERY fun day playing with Mike and Chrisi and Amanda and Kaleb today while mommy was at work and daddy was sleeping. He was so pooped out that he went to bed at 6:10pm!! So tough being a baby - I tell ya!

Just a little weather update - it was 75 today and is supposed to be mid-high 70s until Mon at least. (I only tell you that b/c if you are in the north and reading this, it means that we love you and want you to come VISIT!)

my turn

I decided, last Saturday, that since Nathan had no choice but to sit in his high chair and be subject to his mom and her scissors, that it was only fair for him to give me a haircut. So I gave him a pair of scissors . . . NO I didn't - what are you thinking?? Me - give a ten month old scissors! ha! Not a pig-flyin chance! I did however get my haircut by a wonderful lady from our church. Here are the before and afters, like I furnished for Nathan's haircut story. If you look really close you can tell where she cut.


I had been tossing the idea of getting a cut around for a while, and just decided to go for it. I donated the hair to "locks of love" to help children with cancer. (for wigs)
Today is Tuesday, and after Bible study this morning - I had lunch with a wonderful woman I met there. She graciously had Nathan and I over and made grilled cheese sandwiches for us. (you know that is a favorite of any Wisconsin girl!!!) We had a great time visiting and watching our sons play together. I have been praying to meet new friends here, to help me settle in and it to start to feel more like home. To have people near by to laugh with and confide in and to grow together and serve the Lord together. Today was a huge answer to prayer for me. (thanks Kim!)