Family Vacation

We recently returned from a family vacation to Creede, CO.  This was our first family vacation that included all of Torie's family, and it was much needed and very special.  You see, Torie's parents have surrendered to be overseas missionaries and will be gone by April 2013.  So thanks to the generosity of Eddie Tom and Marinita Lakey, we, along with Torie's folks and her brother and his family, made the trek from Southwest Oklahoma to stay in the Lakey's cabin in Creede, CO.  This also was our boys, Joshua and Braeden, first trip to the mountains.  We had a great time: 4-wheeler rides, picnics at mountain lakes, hikes up the mountain, and good ol' fashioned fellowship.  We were so blessed and it was a sweet special time! Thank you Lord for your provision!!!

The Cabin

The View

The Picnic Spot

The Bear Patrol

The Hike

The Lord's Bow

The Most Precious Niece

The Fear

(Ashley, Torie w/fear, baby Lydia, Momma Shirley)

Somehow, I never got any pics of my kids or Brother-in-law Timothy on my DSLR :(
May have to upload some from my iPhone

Joshua's First Violin Recital

Joshua (8) has only been playing for 2 1/2 months...this was his first recital. Torie and I are so proud of him!!!

Hey Javy, I joined the Snake Kings

If you have seen the movie Courageous, then you are aware of the scene where Javier Martinez (Javy) is explaining how he started a gang called "Snake Kings".  As a member, he and his brothers would go around riding the neighborhood of snakes.  My wife is terrified of snakes, so wouldn't you know we had one in our yard as she was going to our garage.  Of course, she came running back in the house screaming frantically.  Being the manly guardian that I am, I went to my gun safe and pulled out my Remington 12 gauge shotgun, and proceeded to take out the snake:

Headless Snake and divot

Remains of the head about 8 feet away from the body on the driveway

Needless to say I am a hero at our home.  My wife's adrenaline is now lowering, and we have one less snake to terrorize her...all in a days work as I serve and protect my family.

Here's the "Snake Kings" scene from the movie Courageous in case you have never seen it:

Braeden's First Piano Recital

"Lost Little Kitty"

Braeden (7) had his first piano recital tonight.  His mother and I are so proud of him!  He has only been learning for 3 months and knocked his first song out of the park!

A Puritan Prayer

A Puritan Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I believe thee,

I accept thy Word,

I submit to thy will,

I rely on thy promises,

I trust thy providence.

Thy providence has set the bounds of my habitation,

and wisely administers all my affairs.

Help me to see your providence in all that concerns me,

And may I ever give you thanks.

Amen.*

*Adapted from Arthur Bennett, The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1975), 296.

Taken from Barbara Rainey, Growing Together in Gratitude: Character Sotries for Families (Little Rock, AR: Family Life Publishing, 2010), 20.

Hayes House: The Gourmet 5 Course Meal

As I mentioned in the April: A Whirlwind, my wife and I has the privilege of staying at the historic Hayes House B&B.  One of the greatest features, and something I won't soon forget, was the gourmet 5 course meal our host Jim prepared for us.  It was the most amazing meal I have ever eaten!!!

Here's the breakdown:

The Appetizer

 Lovely shrimp cocktail

The Salad

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Citrus Poppyseed Vinaigrette and edible flower garnish

The Palette Cleanser

Grape Chamboury Ice 

The Main Course

Chateau Brianne with Green Peppercorn Sauce, Carrot Souffle, Fried Green Beans and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 

The Dessert

White Chocolate Cour Ala Creme set in Brandied Apricot Sauce with Raspberries, Strawberries, and Caramel Sauce

***UPDATED***

Forgot to put what Torie had:

Chicken Breast Wrapped in Phyllo with Dijon Mustard Sauce, Carrot Souffle, Fried Green Beans and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

It was absolutely amazing!!!

April: A Whirlwind

It was a whirlwind of an April for us, both figuratively and literally (see tornadic weather).  I am finally sitting down to write about it.

New Addition:

 We had a new addition to our family...meet "Bodie" our new blue merle Australian Shepherd.  We all have fallen in love with him, and who can blame us, look how cute he is:

Anniversary:

Torie and I celebrated 13 years on April 10th.  We were extremely blessed to get to have a 3 day get away (something fairly rare with young children) thanks to some generous people.  My mom's friend, Joy, knew a guy who ran a B&B in Muskogee, OK - The Historic Hayes House.   She got us in touch with Jim, who allowed us a nights stay at no charge, and Joy paid for us to receive the 5 course gourmet meal (more on that in a moment).  Then my mom and dad wanted it to be special for us and paid for an additional night, what a blessing!  Not to mention that mom drove from the Dallas area to our small part of Oklahoma to watch the boys for us.  So the day before we were to head to Muskogee, we stayed a night in OKC, to spend some more time together and cut down the length of the drive to Muskogee.  We had a wonderful evening, eating at one of our favorite Italian restaurants and then went to see The Hunger Games.  The next day we arrived at the Hayes House:

Frontage Picture

Backyard (included Koi Pond, Tree Swing, Deck, Pool, etc.)

My B-E-A-utiful Bride on the swing

Jim, our host, was very friendly and welcoming and a very good cook.  I mentioned the 5 course gourmet meal, but want to do it justice so I am going to do a separate post concerning the most amazing meal I have ever eaten in my life.

Upon returning from Muskogee, my wife immediately left the next day for OKC again to attend  the Women of Joy Conference.  The boys and I, thinking we would have a fun guys weekend, got to endure tornadic weather through which we spent an adventurous 3 hours in our storm shelter.  The day after Torie returned home, we left for a week long trip in Dallas....wheeww...

Baby Gets Older:

Braeden, our youngest son, turned 7 on April 15.  With my sister's 31st birthday being the 16th, we made a trip to Dallas to have a dual birthday celebration (which means my sister gets a little boys birthday party, but she doesn't mind). Braeden is BIG into pirates and requested a "pirate treasure" birthday cake, to which "Gammaw" was happy to oblige:

The Cake

The Boy

Did I mention he likes pirates - LEGO Black Pearl

Odds and Ends:

Well, those were some of the major things that kept us busy.  The boys continue to excel in their music lesson, Braeden (piano) and Joshua (violin), and we have also changed our Homeschool Curriculum to My Father's World, which Torie and the boys are loving!!!  Other than that, I continue to be blessed as, through the Lord's strength, I preach and lead our church.  What a blessed busy life I have, thank you Lord!!!