To go or not to go....

This week has been a whirlwind. Sunday night, we got a phone call that a good friend (who we were meeting for the first part of our vacation) is really sick and unable to go so we were going to need to change our plans. Although we were really sad about noit seeing their family, we knew that our plans were fairly flexible and we could rearrange our visit.

However Monday morning, we took our van in to have what we thought would be 1 part replaced and it ended up costing a LOT more than we had planned....because of more problems. I guess that is life with an old vehicle. Sigh.

Then...we get the dreaded phone call that the house we are in the process of buying did not assess for enough to get the mortgage we needed. We wouldn't know for a week or so what would be happening with that and we were originally scheduled to close before July 15th.

Ok Lord...what are you trying to do to us?!?!? haha

I just kept on praying and asking the Lord to make it clear whether He was trying to stop us from leaving or if these were just stumbing blocks that were being placed in our way to keep us from a MUCH needed time away as a family.

The devotional that I read that morning from Proverbs 31 ministries was literally titled "What to do When Life becomes turbulent?"

These are the reflect and respond questions from that devotional:

1. Am I shrinking back in fear and discouragement or am I drawing closer to God’s presence? 
2. Do I really believe God is in control of this situation? 
3. Am I going to worry or trust God — believing He will get me through this? 
4. How can I look for God’s goodness and glory in the midst of my challenge? 

I guess it could not have been better timed because my normally anxious self was very calm throughout the day and I just kept on feeling like we were supposed to go on this vacation.
We hadn't been away from home as a family for over 2 years and just really felt like our kids needed that time away from the chaos with us.

Well....it worked out. We realize whether we are home or not, we cannot control the situation with the house. We need to let God be in control of whether we should be in that home or not.  Our vacation was not going to be expensive in the first place because we are staying with different poeple at their houses for all but 2 nights and I had already gotten great deals on hotel rooms that had been paid for months ago.

So...tomorrow mid morning, we shall head out, Lord willing!

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Fun in the Sun

Ok...I must apologize for the hiatus that was taken over the last few weeks. I have been trying really hard to post consistently but life happens. My kids come first and they were all sick a couple of weeks ago...then the hubby got sick...and then I was getting us all ready to go away.

A friend of ours got married this past weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida. My amazing parents kept all four kids while we went from Thursday night to Monday night. It was the first time we have ever left any of the children for longer than 2 nights so It was an adjustment for sure, especially leaving the baby, but I am so glad that we did. We had a wonderful time together and with friends that have all moved away. We all rented a beach house together for the first two nights and then moved to the hotel where the wedding was for the last night. It was a reunion of sorts and also a great time of celebration for our friends getting married. Here are a few pictures. Yes....I got incredibly sunburned on Saturday (with Sunscreen on!)

Tom and I on our first plane together (We have both been on planes before but not since we have been together...we even drove on our honeymoon!)

With Friends at our Rental near the beach

Tom fixed the Batman pinball machine!

 

The groom with his brothers hanging out!

Some of the guys before the Bachelor Party (which consisted of dinner out and cards at the beach house after)

Cards after the dinner out!

My hubby doesn't need his kids to play in the sand :)

At the beautiful beach!

This was just breathtaking!

Hanging out in the room before the wedding

View from our hotel suite!

Bumped into the guys before the wedding in the Lobby!

 

Sitting at the ceremony

I now think that every wedding should be at the beach so I don't have to wear shoes!

Loved these decorations!

Gettting Married!

Husband and Wife

Cutting the Cake

Photo Booth Fun!

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Keira's 5th Birthday

Keira has been beyond excited to turn 5...not sure what she thought would happen, but nonetheless, she didn't care much about anything other than the fact that she would be 5 years old on May 29th. She has been talking about since the day after she turned 4.

Since we had a family vacation to North Carolina (where my sister, her hubby and their daughter live) during the week of her actual birthday, we decided to do her first "real" kid party on the 18th. 

I am the type who likes a good birthday at home, or something casual at a playground. Some food, some games, some cake...etc. However, through a series of events and for several reasons, she had a kid party at a kids salon near us called "Sweet & Sassy". 13 girls came, had their hair done, nails painted, wore fancy dresses and danced on a runway. It was crazy. But I didn't have to do anything....ok...that's a lie. I made the cake, purchased juice boxes and shelled out the money to have this wonderful shin dig. But I didn't have to set up, clean up or create anything else which was a nice change for this year (and this year only!) Here are some pics. The girls LOVED it!

So excited for the party to start!

Birthday Girls Hair and makeup done!

Keira and Lucy getting their nails done.

My beautiful Niece Allison

Starting a Train!

Princess Cake

All of the beautiful Princesses

cutie pie

Little sister got bored towards the end and started entertaining herself on stage!

The next day, on the 19th, we had a combined family party at my Grandma/Aunt's house where we have many of our Sunday dinners. It was for Keira and my cousin's daughter, Margaret, who just turned 3. I cooked dinner and then promptly had to leave at dinner time to take Libby to urgent care for a UTI.....so I ate quick when I got back and got to see the gifts that Keira had opened. I did make it back in time to sing "Happy Birthday" to them and Libby was doing better by then. 

Keira and Maggie opening gifts

Happy Keira

Janessa....just being cute!

Family watching the fun

Everyone (minus Libby and I!)

My newest adorable nephew, Finneus

yes folks...she even likes clothes!

My Oldest nephew, Kessam modeling the cupcakes. At 6 foot 4 and almost 16 years old, he towers over the rest of the family and keeps us well entertained!

Keira's actual birthday was spent in North Carolina (vacation pictures to come...hopefully). We drove out to the beach for a couple of hours, went to some shops on the Outer Banks and had a nice dinner. On our way back to my sisters house, we stopped at a Frozen Yogurt place where you make your own Sundae (Yum!) and ended the night with a campfire. It was a great day and Keira had a blast!

I still can't believe that it was 5 years ago that this little lady made us parents. She is a true joy to us. Keira is full of compassion for others and truly cares about people. She loves to pray and learn about Jesus and is a huge helper and great big sister (most of the time). As much as I want to keep her little, I am excited to see the path that God has for her. We love you Keira Marie!