A Slice of Paradise - Pender Harbour 2010

Our annual family time at the Rawlston's in Pender Harbour, BC was phenomenal, to say the least. I never imagined that I'd feel so rested and at ease on vacation with a 2 and 4-year old. But it was wonderful - Phil and I were even able to have a picture taken of the two of us - thanks Emma!

David and Hazel saw eachother after months apart and said, "Hi, baby." Hazel is officially David's baby. He talks about her all the time, particularly about how his baby is bye-bye. Makes a mama want to cry.

Lily is a little fish (and a bird, apparently). She put my floatation device dependent little ones to shame. That's right, shame. Granted, she's older, but nontheless...shame.
A moment of respite. Looks like a good conversation (?)

Sisters. Emma (8 1/2) and Alli (12 1/2) are great hiking partners.

One of the amazing highlights of Pender is on-site access to the inlet and a whole slew of boats to choose from. This particular outing lasted all of 4 minutes and 22 seconds when Teya decided she likes the boat with the motor better. Taylor took Teya and Emma out on that boat to see some seals on a nearby island, which they loved. The following day, Popsey took a group out to see the seals, the engine died and they had to row back.
Evie Rawlston has created an amazing prayer garden above the complex, complete with little resting places, ponds and waterfalls, paths, and a prayer walk, based on the book My Heart, Christ's Home, by Robert Boyd Munger. I didn't get much farther than taking this picture, but one day when the little guys aren't so eager for my return, I hope to follow the story she's incorporated into the prayer garden.

The two Hazels

Uno Mas

On the road again....

Stop #1 Greenville, South Carolina and our cousins Will and Kennerly Jordan, and sweet baby Sam!

Stop #2 Greenville, South Carolina and our college friends Charlie and Elizabeth Hall with their three, Charlie, Ella and Matthew (protesting group activities, I believe, and therefore not pictured). Aside from a brief stint at the emergency room for Teya (Daddy really knows how to bounce kids on the trampoline!), our stay with these sweet friends was just that....sweet. I never imagined that Elizabeth and I would have kids the same age and same gender. Teya is fine - a long wait, lots of gummy bears and x-rays later, they confirmed our suspiscion, nursemaid's elbow. No big deal, but pretty traumatic for a little girl away from home.

Stop #3 Charlotte, North Carolina and a comfy hotel and swimming pool for me and the kids, while Daddy spent some less comfortable time but important and productive time with some folks across the street at the Coca-Cola headquarters. Much to David's delight, Daddy was able to join us in the pool the next morning.

Welcome to the family...

....to the new John Deere tractor. My dad has needed one of these puppies for the past 20 years to deal with his ever-expanding territory of grass. Of course, the term "need" is relative, and a guy who basically built his estate out of scrap wood and re-purposed nails, all with a circular saw, finds ways around immenent "needs." That is, until he is desperate. And Teya is quite pleased with desperation as she has become direct beneficiary of tractor rides.

Here we are at the end of things....

I really enjoyed reading the Lord of the Rings triology for the first time as an adult. Thankfully I got to it before the movies came out. Anyway, for some strange reason, this funny little line from the movie has lingered in my memory, which is unusual because nothing lingers in my memory anymore! Sam and Frodo are on top of Mt. Doom and from all they can see, they've reached the end of their long, painful journey, their own lives dangling in the balance. They hang on tight to each other and one says to the other something like, "well, here we are at the end of all things..." Somehow, I remember this as poignient. And anytime something ends in my life or we face another transition, this little line pops back into my head - sort of a sweet bookend, a little reminder to stop and look around.

Ultimately, I guess what was great about the little hobbits' (I can't believe I'm writing about this) situation is that they knew they'd accomplished their task and for all they could see, that was the end. But what they couldn't see was the amazing future that lay ahead. They had no idea that they'd enjoy the fruit of their labor. So as were are here at the end of one of "our things," Student Venture at Baylor, feeling like this chapter is closing, I'm eager to see what's ahead. I'm eager to see how the seeds God's planted in lives will be watered and grow. I'm eager to experience what God has ahead for us and for the students we've come to know and love.

Jocelyn sketched this fairy for Teya in 3 minutes, flat, with instructions that Teya must add color. The poor fairy now has a red face.
Kristal, Zach, Jocelyn shooting the breeze. Jocelyn can often be seen around campus wearing hot pink massive headphones. Don't know what she's listening to, but she does it with style!

Parker, the ninja master....oh no, he just reminded me of that Beverly Hills Ninja. Never a dull moment with Forrest...really NEVER a dull moment.


They're playing a game, thankfully, and would probably be horrified to know that I posted this picture.

Remembering the lost. A few weeks ago, the seniors lost a classmate in a fatal car accident. Yellow SRB (her initials) are painted on cars all over Chattanooga. We've prayed that this tragedy would be a catalyst for spiritual growth in students in Chattanooga.

Kaitlin and Kristal. How could you not love these girls!

Evidence of the Teya and David distraction/fun factor.

Farewell, good friends. Would you like some "dum?"

Richmond Weekend

This past weekend, we hopped in the car for a road trip to Richmond, Virginia. Dual purposes took us there - a support-raising event and a sweet visit with family. Davison and Ann were so wonderful to host us, and we loved getting to know their sweet little girl, Emily.
Lunch and playground with cousins Margaret, Brad and their three boys, Carter, Jackson and Brooks.

Not the greatest group shot, but at least you catch a glimpse of Davison's pride and joy: no, not Emily...the handlebar mustache. Poor Ann simply sighs and says she misses his lips. She has not seen them for 2 years. That's a long, long time to miss someone's lips (I hope you're reading this Davison).

Davison and Philip were roommates in college, and we have missed living nearby, so it was a fantastic time to reconnect and enjoy some amazing family, who are also great friends. They sacrificed sleep and sanity to have us, so thanks, D. Longs!

THE REAL THING! Teya spent the past month inviting our neighborhood friends to her birthday, so we decided to follow through and ask the neighborhood to a little cupcake party on her actual birthday, May 19. Seventeen cupcakes and many little cups of lemonade later, we were pleased to have had a great time with friends and to have thoroughly celebrated the arrival of Teya into our life 4 years ago!

Like Daddy, like daughter.....What a pleased little girl with her first bike! Surprise, surprise, she dragged it all the way to Phil's bike jumps in the woods, insisting that it was time to ride "the hills."

We love you, Teya, and are so thankful for the flood of sunshine you bring into our life every day!

Feliz Cumplianos, Teya! We had a "girls only" party for Teya's fourth on the Saturday before her actual birthday. Let's just say we learned our lesson. Party before birthday leads to a season of birthday. Teya, Tessa, Jade and Haley (not in the picture :-( )
Pin-the-tail on Snoopy resurrected from our childhood birthday parties

Somewhat reminiscent of the old commercials for asthma meds...just...can't...blow...out...the...can...dles....

Teya and cousin Haley. Good buddies.

Sugar yet to be consumed. Oh my.

What a celebration Teya's birthday was. And what an incredible blessing Teya has been to us for the past four years! We love you, Tey!