Oh Charleston, you are so lovely...

WELL.

The trip with my gal pals to Charleston was a success. If you call eating your way through a town a success that is. We had such a fun time. When we arrived, we had no plan AT ALL. It was so great. D had been there before so we weren't totally lost, but really all we wanted to do was eat, sleep, see stuff and shop. So we started with the eating. Actually, we did check in to the hotel first and visited for an HOUR with the concierge. He was from Pennsylvania, talked really fast and kept commenting on my accent. What? I have never had anyone mention an accent. He also commented that he can always tell when women are from Texas.

1. They are good looking.

2. They are friendly. (He means loud.)

3. They are McCain fans.

Interesting. Anyway, we then took a penny taxi (ie college student pulling three women in a cart by bike through the city streets while dressed in a cat-in-the-hat costume. We laughed so hard we couldn't see straight). We had a lovely Italian dinner and finished it off with Polenta cake. Never have had that and I will never forget it. Wish I had the recipe! We did ask the waiter to get it for us and even gave them my email address. I won't hold my breath! That night we took a REGULAR taxi back to the hotel and went to bed early. Get this. We slept 12 hours. I think the last time I slept that long was 1985. It was great.

The next day we hit the farmers market(such fun) and decided to rate Charleston's bakeries and have a cupcake challenge. So we walked hither and yon to sample their finest cupcakes. The bakery "Sugar" won. If you are ever there, check it out! We walked down King Street, ate at a great lunch place and then we went on the ride of our life. We had booked a tour the day before with a Charleston treasure. She is an 83 year old tour guide who drives a van through the city while telling untold tales of history and gossip, all the while side swiping everything in site. And she has the dents to prove it. If you are a history buff this is your girl. Only problem is I am not. It was 2 hours of my life I will never get back. Overload is an understatement. We were throwing $20's at her to make her stop! No really, it was informative, we are just shallow.

We then caught our breath and headed over to Henry's for she-crab soup, and shrimp and grits. They did not disappoint! It was to die for! The joke of the night was that I was so full that I felt like I had a food baby. Judging from their reactions (wetting themselves) they had never heard that before.

The next day we walked the city. When I say walked the city, I mean the WHOLE city. It is so stinkin lovely. We had brunch at High Cotton (love me some salmon omelets! Really!) Met a talented modern artist at her gallery, toured beautiful homes and just basically soaked up all of the local charm. It was great. That night we ended up eating great pizza at a college hang out on King Street. That took us back. WAY back!

Monday, we finished up our trip on King Street shopping, touching and trying things on. It was great.

Thank you Charleston for showing some Texas girls a great time. Thank you to my husband for being Mr. Mom and handling things beautifully. Thank you to God for good friends.

The Once a Monther

I am now calling this blog the once a monther because it seems that is how often I have been blogging. I think of things all the time and say, "I need to blog about that" and then the moment passes.

Anyway.

Fun weekend we had last weekend, E had a flag football game, then on to our church's fall festival. Then on Sunday, it was our 35th anniversary at Cypress Bible church. What a great service/party. It was all about where God has taken us, where He will take us and all about grace. Timely words were spoken! Then that afternoon we had ANOTHER football game. Oh and did I mention that all of these events were outside in the hot blazing sun of H town?

Oh and did I mention I was sick through all of this. That's right, congestion, sneezing, coughing, the works. Not a pretty sight. Getting hot during all of that did not help matters. I feel like I have been run over by a truck today. I have to get better soon because....

I am leaving for Charleston, SC on Friday for a girls weekend! I lived in ole' SC for two full years and never made it to Charleston so I am so excited. I love my friends that I am going with and we always have a great time together. But ya'll, I can NOT go sick. Please pray for me that I will have a healing of the body by then. There is so much to do before I go. I have to get 5 people organized, clean, cook food for them, wash everyone's clothes, pack...you get the picture. It takes a wonder woman to go out of town these days! I am so blessed to get to go, the trip is almost free because of points/frequent flyer miles and such. It will be a blast.

I can't wait to tell ya'll the tales of SC. Until then!

Hopefully it won't take me another month to post!

Blessings,
Dana

After Ike

Things I am thankful for...

The safety of our family, no trees fell on our house!

My younger two slept through Ike.

Not having electricity (lots of fun times around candlelight).

Having electricity! (and water).

Being able to go to Ft. Worth and visit family, including my two 90ish Grandmothers.

Going in to a grocery store and having the means to replace the contents of our refrigerator.

So many things to be thankful for, too many to count. My thoughts continually go to those that are still suffering after Ike. Please pray that God would provide for their needs and for this experience to turn the city to Christ.

School is supposed to start up again on Tuesday. Hope so, the natives are getting restless!

IKES! Here comes Ike!

Because I have not blogged in awhile, I have decided to do a list, so I won't become long winded (no hurricane pun intended). Here goes..

1. Had a great summer, went WAY too fast. Got to enjoy Florida with the youth and our family took a great trip to Lake Travis near Austin...Beautiful!

2. School started and everyone is happy where they are except Brendan. He is home with us this semester and hopes to transfer to Tx State in January.

3. I decided not to go back to work this year, didn't have a peace about it so maybe next year.

4. Participating in 3 Moms in Touch groups this year and leading my 242 girls in Colossians. Also am reading "Dangerous Surrender" with some friends and meeting at night to talk about it. I am excited about what God will do. And just a tad scared of what He will ask me to do.

We are waiting for Ikes appearance and in Texas terms, we are "hunkerin down". Please pray for the Texas Gulf, we need it!

Blessings!
Dana

Oh Baby, part 2

I feel like I have slighted my May child Collin, so as promised, here is his belated tribute....

My second son turned 17 in May.

Yeah, the one with the "great hair" and the deep blue eyes.

I can't believe he is 17. As we start his senior year, I look at him and see the beautiful boy with the curly blond hair and the 400 watt smile. The child who was ALWAYS happy, and was completely low maintenance. But, look again, he is almost a man. He is a deep thinker and a beautiful writer. He reads everything imaginable and loves to have deep and thoughtful conversations over coffee. He loves to help his friends when they are in need by giving them a ride or a listening ear. He is a gifted musician who loves to lead worship. He has a heart for the lost, homeless and hurting. He loves God with his whole heart and isn't afraid to ask questions. He is hungry to learn more about Him.

We like to call him Colley because it sounds good when you say it in a sing song voice!

I love you Collin and I am so proud of you. I can't wait to see where God takes you this year.


Blessings,
Dana

Oh Baby!

Wow it's the end of July and I feel like time is going so fast and yet standing still.

My "baby" turned 9 last week.

Yeah, the one with the long hair and the huge smile.

I can't believe he is 9. He was our "surprise" child but oh what joy he has brought. He has always been shy but has finally started to come out of his shell. He has a great sense of humor and can keep up with all of us at the dinner table. He loves baseball, playing Wii, riding bikes and swimming until his fingers are prunes. He likes to use big words that astound me and questions things that I can't answer. He loves God and asks the big question.

We like to call him "Big E" because he is, well, big!


My precious girl turned 13 on Sunday.

Yeah, the one with the curly red hair and the gorgeous green eyes.

I can't believe she is 13. She was our miracle child because we had her after 2 miscarriages. I didn't think I would be able to have another child and certainly didn't think she would be a girl after having 2 boys. She has an incredible sweet spirit and is so gentle. She has a huge heart for those who are hurting or left out. She loves to serve in our church nursery and the kids adore her. She loves music, hanging out with her girlfriends, and wants a cell phone desperately. (Sorry Megan, not yet);) She loves Jesus with her whole heart and loves to worship Him.

We like to call her our peach because she was born in South Carolina!


My oldest son turns 19 tomorrow.

Yeah, the tall thin one with the piercing on his lip.

I can't believe he is 19. As our first born, it is shocking to see him become a man before our very eyes. As I watched him prepare food at work tonight, I could still see him as our little boy intently working his legos, full of concentration. But he isn't a little boy anymore, he is a man. He is a very quiet and sensitive person. He is a faithful friend that would give anyone anything he has. He is a gifted artist that creates beautiful photographs. He loves music and listens to EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE...even stuff his parents like. He is quick to forgive and doesn't judge others. He loves Jesus and is making his faith his own.

We like to call him our super model because he is so darn thin!

Happy Birthday my three July kiddos. I am in awe at how awesome you all are and you bless me everyday. Thank you God for letting me be their Mom.


Blessings,
Dana

p.s. I will have to write a tribute to my May baby, Collin soon!

Purse Joy

I have been inspired by Jen to show a purse wish on my blog...



I have a purple seatbelt bag and I love it so. I think it needs a friend!

Jen said that a pair of shoes came to live at her house when she posted a picture on her blog of them...I will let you know what happens.

Love,
Dana