Surprise

Got a call from Jamie a week ago. He said he had to go to China, and wondered if I would like to come and visit Beck and the kids while he was gone.  I thought about it, worked some things out, and was on the plane to Virginia, on Saturday.  It was a great flight which made it all that much better, I hate to fly.  The best thing about the trip  was...we didn't tell the kids I was coming.  They thought they were going on an errand to pick up a package, little did they know that package was me.  The look on Gavin's face was priceless!  Wish I would have had my camera ready. 

I had a few hours to visit Jamie the night before he left for China. He and Gavin were putting together a Lego car.

 Little Laynie playing with Rapunzel.  She loves her princess dolls.

Rosy Olivia, the cutest little BEAST ever...who would run the household if she could. Spent many hours holding her on my lap, taking toys out of her mouth, going for potty breaks, disciplining, and saving kiddles from the clutches of her jaws. She is a beautiful puppy.

One day Jesse came to visit us.  She didn't take that hat off the entire day unless Rosy managed to grab it.

 Gavin entertained me with his unique play of building things.

They both loved to text their Papa Rick and Daddy.  I made the mistake of showing them how to do it, and it was a done deal.

                                                                                                                                   

We spent a lot of time at the table.  We did homework(learning activities), painting, reading, and of course eating. 

 We ate at Panera one day...kids loved the Mac and Cheese.  Not a drop left in the bowl.

 
Gav loved to show me his special things.  His airplane, Daddy brought home from work.

 I also gave the kids photograpy lessons with my camera.  Gav took this of his medals from soccer...

and is beloved water bottle collection.

Gav snapped this pic of Laynie and I.  Pretty much sums up the no make up, and pulled up hair in a clip look  the whole week.  Less time on glamour...more time with kiddles, right?

We celebrated Laynie's Birthday while I was there.  Her birthday is on the 13th of February. She picked out a CD player for her room, and another princess doll to add to her collection.  She was thrilled when we      sang.

 

She ate an entire slice plus some of Gavin's. 

SNOW!  First time in 10 long years.  It was great.  We had fun shoveling, but the snow was super heavy!

This sums up how Beck and I felt some days.   I had to take a picture...they were really all asleep.               



So fun to spend time with these two!

Hangin' Out with the Singles

Rick and I have really loved serving the Young Single Adults in our area. Easy Job? Not! The commitment can be intense at times. We have learned to love the YSA and the work involved.  Do I still whine at times? YES!  Then I pull up my big girl panties and deal with it!

Last night we traveled, and I mean right down to the quaint dirt road, down the country lane, to Hockley, Texas.  There we met up with the YSA at the Lemon's Home to enjoy and night of getting to know you and eating around a bonfire.  The sky was filled with stars.  Because of the lights in our area, you only see the brightest stars. The country sky was pleasantly accommodating to let the stars SHINE! 

One of our young singles furnished the wood from a broken fence.  The bed of his truck was full of wood. They got the fire going and the fun began.  I am really disappointed with the pictures, but needed to write down the memory.

The night was a sweater night...very comfortable around the fire.

SIT LONG, TALK MUCH, LAUGH OFTEN....

We have had several new YS, it was fun to get to know them in a more casual environment.

I don't know if the smoke was the menacing factor in my picture taking, or it was because it was dark.

We ate hot dogs, smores, popcorn, and had hot chocolate to drink.

Lot's of fun conversation.

more of the same...

It was a great night.

We had about 30 people there...biggest FHE yet!