Strike!

We went bowling with Grandma and Grandpa (Justin's parents) today.  It was a fun way to spend time together.

Everyone choosing their bowling balls and getting them situated.

Check out that form!

Noah is so competitive!
He would try his best and then get so mad if he didn't knock down a lot of pins.

Checking the score.

This girl got a few strikes and spares!

We were teasing Deb about her socks.

The Leonard Clan

The kids had a bit of a hard time with gutter balls.  They were so grumpy, so finally Justin asked the guy at the desk to put up the bumpers.   They were electronic and would go up and down depending on which bowler wanted them.  Noah was insulted and refused to use them.  But, it drastically improved morale for Callie and Lucy.  Poor Callie, she was near tears every time she bowled.  But, after we had them put the bumpers up for her she started doing so much better and having a lot more fun.  Of course, Justin skunked us all both times!

Gift Ideas?

Does anyone have any nice gift ideas?  I want to take a little something American back for our friends overseas.  It can't be expensive or breakable and it must be packable.

Any ideas?

Waiting and Hoping

Tonight was our last group speaking event.  I am relieved.  I get so nervous right before it's time to share.  I always tell Justin in the car on the way over, "I don't want to do this!"  But once we start sharing, I get excited about how the Lord has worked in our lives and what He is doing that I don't want to stop sharing.

We've shared about ourselves, our calling, the country we serve in, and several stories from our lives there.  We always try to have lots of time for questions and you never know where that is going to go.  It is my favorite part.

The best thing is the more we talk the more our flame is rekindled.  Sharing about our lives and telling the stories about the people we love renews our calling and gives us passion and excitement to return and share the love of Christ!

The one thing that I have felt the Lord compel me to share over and over is to ask people to commit to pray.  We are asking the Lord to give our friends and neighbors dreams and visions, to heal the ill and broken, and to reveal Himself in undeniable ways.  Sure, I can tell those around me about the saving grace of Jesus until I am blue in the face.  But, unfortunately, often times their heart are hardened.   We know that if our friends meet Jesus personally through a power encounter that they will be forever changed.

Will you join us in interceding for our friends and neighbors?

Acquiring

We go home in two weeks.  I have really loved every second that we have gotten to be with family and friends and am so thankful for the many opportunities to share our story.  But, I am so ready to sleep in my own bed, have a routine, and get on with life!

Much to Justin's chagrin, my "take home" pile continues to grow.  You see, I am the family's acquirer and poor Justin is the packer!  It's his job to get this stuff in our allotted suitcase allowance!  Good luck with that!

I though you might be interested in knowing what things I take back...

school shoes, tennis shoes, and waterproof boots for the kids

underwear, socks, and undershirts for each of us

bras for me

backpack for Lucy

pencils, gluesticks, pens, erasers, water bottles, and a few other little school supplies

jackets for Lucy and Callie

coat for Noah

Tabasco sauce for Justin

cheese sauce for Callie

toothpaste

deodorant

stain sticks

spices

makeup and skincare products for me

bandaids, Pepto Bismol, Motrin, and vitamins

calendar

pecans

peanut butter

batteries


See what I mean?!  It's a lot of stuff!!  But, in my defense, these things are so much cheaper here and some of them I just can't get at all over there.  So, it only makes sense to go ahead and try to stock up!

Clyde and Josh

Today we got to visit with Justin's Uncle Clyde and cousin Josh.  It was so fun!!  We haven't seen them since before we moved overseas!  It has been way too long.  We sat at the restaurant for 3 hours!  The kids were starting to go a bit nuts but we still had so much to talk about!  I think we could have sat there all day!

Josh was so sweet and patient with Lucy!

Clyde and Josh are so tall!  They make us look short!

Clyde always has interesting stories to tell.  This time he told us about his job driving the Google Photo-Car.  It was so fascinating- especially because while we were staying with the Walshes, Eric got Noah hooked on Google Earth.  So, it was extra fun to find out that Uncle Clyde had a hand in photographing a bit of the United States.  In fact, a picture of him was even featured on a funny news story that included odd pictures caught by the Google cameras.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to see Clyde and Josh!!

Biker Chick

We've had the hardest time teaching Lucy to ride her bike in our city.  The street is just too busy and there are too many hills and cobblestones.  So I was determined that she learn this summer in the comfort of my parents' quiet cul-de-sac.  I asked them to be on the look out at yard sales for a bike.  They found the most adorable bike in great shape for only $15 at Goodwill.  It was a steal!

Finally today, after lots of trying, Lucy got the hang of riding her bike!  Praise the Lord and Hallelujah, we really didn't think she would ever learn!

The proud bike rider!

Bless Justin's heart, he was so patient and worked with her so much!

Getting started all by herself.

Finding her balance.

Zooming away on her own.

Lucy can finally ride a two-wheeler!

Sunday Sneak Peek

Noah showing off the Old West Lego Town that he built in his room at my parents' house.

Farm Life

When I was growing up, we were city kids (that makes me laugh now that I live in a real city!), but were fortunate enough to come from agricultural families.  We have beautiful farms on both sides of our family.  When I was little, my Aunt Eolyne and Uncle Tommy's farm was one of my favorite places on earth!  I have so many good memories from this farm.

I've said a time or twenty that one of my favorite things to do with my kids is watch them experience things that I used to do as a kid.  Today we took the kids up to my Aunt Eolyne and Uncle Tommy's farm.  I couldn't wait to experience the farm with my kids.

(*Here's a fun side note:  One time my Uncle had to bring his (very big) horse into Marietta to the vet.  This was before they lived out at the farm permanently and for some reason, they could not return to the farm immediately.  Anyhow, they kept the horse in their backyard for a day or two.  I thought it was the most fun thing to to get to ride the horse around their backyard!)

Anyhow...

Justin and I went over to my brother's house bright and early this morning.  The kids spent the night with them because Justin and I had a speaking obligation last night.  It took almost two hours to get out to the farm.  After lots of hellos and hugs we loaded up in the back of the truck to go see the new cabin.

Loadin' up to go see the cabin.

The view from the cabin's front porch

Sitting on the front porch swinging and smiling!

After that we got ready to go tubing.  The farm is bordered on two sides by rivers, and we love to float the river.  Since we've had so much rain the river was up quite a bit.  Uncle Tommy dropped us up river and we finished up at their farm.

I wish I had some pictures, but this summer I am relying on my camera phone, and I certainly didn't want to lose my precious phone in the river!  So, you'll just have to imagine 9 folks floating down the river in old black tire tubes having a good time.

After a few hours of tubing we were starving!  My sweet aunt and uncle had prepared a cookout by the pond.

The swimming/ fishing pond.

The weather was beautiful- sunny and warm but not hot.
It was so pleasant!

We roasted hot dogs and finished lunch off with s'mores.

Justin and Noah went exploring in the Gator.

The kids had fun in the canoe and rowboat.
At one point the girls were out in the canoe.  Callie had a spider crawling on her and freaked out.  The canoe tipped and they all fell out.  Lucy almost drowned because she was freaking out.  The other kids told her that there were alligators in the pond and she was scared to death that the gators were coming for her!

Aunt Eolyne and Uncle Tommy

My sweet nephew Tayne.

Aunt Eolyne helping Lucy put a marshmallow on her stick.

My brother's family had to leave a bit early because my nephew had a birthday party to go to.  So we hung around to help clean up and put things away.  Then we just sat out on the front porch in rocking chairs chatting.  It could not have been a more perfect day.  If I could buy that farm and retire there I would!

Shop till you Drop...Online

Today over at Kelly's Korner girls are linking up their favorite online shops.  Three sites immediately popped into my mind...

The first one is Zappos.  I have huge feet- size 12.  As a matter of fact, they don't even make shoes my size in the country we live in.  Like, unless I want mens' shoes, I cannot buy shoes.  Whenever anyone is coming over to visit us, if I need shoes of any type, I simply get on Zappos, and click, click.  My new shoes arrive at our future guest's home the next day!

The next day!

Not only that, there is no shipping fee!  Free shipping!!  Their prices are compatible and their customer service can't be beat.  The shoes arrive lightning fast and returns are always completely free!  You just can't beat it!

I go on the sidebar, click my size and the type of shoe that I need.  In a second I've got tons of choices right before my eyes!

Not bad for the girl whose mom used to have to take her to the drag queen store in downtown Atlanta to buy shoes!

Another favorite is Lands End.  I have had such good luck with their clothes.  I know they can be a bit pricey, but my kids get TONS of wear out of the things I have bought.  Their bathing suits, for women and kids, are top notch- modest, comfortable, and they last and last!

Noah has worn the coat that I bought from Lands End for 3 years!  It had a hidden seam inside the sleeve that you can let out and it adds another 1 1/2 to the sleeve length!  Brilliant!!

Also, my mom bought the girls' swim shirts to protect their lilly white skin from the sun last year on sale for $4.  The girls have worn those things every. single. time. we go to the pool or beach for two years!  And they are good as new!  Not a sunburn in sight!

I rarely buy clothes from Lands End because we jut don't have that kind of money.  But, if I could I would!  It is so had to find modest, cute, comfortable clothing for girls.  Clothes these days are way to prissy and/or mature!  Lands End has the best cotton separates in adorable styles and patterns, and they carry girls' plus sizes which fit my Callie like a dream!

Click on their sale tab for extra great deals!

Finally, the good old trusted Amazon.  I know everyone on the planet already knows about Amazon, but I couldn't not mention them.  Like the shoes, anyone who is coming to visit us can expect a box from Amazon to arrive on their doorstep shortly before they come our way!  I just love how easy everything is with Amazon.  You can buy ANYTHING through them.  It's fantastic!

So, there you go- my favorite online shops!  I do about 90% of my shopping online and it is such a blessing to be able to easily and quickly choose and send gifts to our loved ones around the world!

So, tell me, what other shops should I check out?

The Way Back

In the car today...

Lucy: "Mom, have you seen Jesus?"

Me: "Not yet."

Lucy: "Will I see Jesus when I die?"

Me: "If you believe in Him you will get to be in Heaven with Him."

Lucy: "Ok.  Well, I bet Gamma saw Jesus when he was here.  Like, cause she's real old and He was here way, way back.  Like in the 1980s and stuff."

Callie: "Lucy!  Jesus wasn't here in the 80s!  Here was here in, like, 1 or something!  That was 2,000 years ago and Gamma's only 70."

Resting!!

Today was the first day in several weeks that we have not had an appointment and/or speaking engagement!  Most days in Kentucky we had at least 2 and as many as 4!!

Don't hate me when I tell you this...  Today I didn't even get out of bed until almost 10:00!!

Praise the Lord for sleeping in!!

I'm pretty sure it is my favorite thing on earth!  This entire summer I have been spoiled by my mother-in-law, my husband, and now my mom.  I don't think I have had to get up and make the kids' breakfast one time!  I love to wake up on my own terms!  It is such a luxury!!

We just piddled about today.  We did a bit of shopping to start getting the things on my "Take Back" list.  After dinner mom and I took the kids to the pool.

YAY for relaxation!!!

Lake Awesomeness

Justin's parents were so gracious to watch our travel weary and very grumpy children while we spoke yesterday morning.  Once we were done, we hurried over to get them and headed to my parents' house to get ready for a day at the lake.  Our dear family friends had miraculously found a date where almost everyone could get together at their beautiful home for some major fun!

Just before we left my parents' house it started to rain.  The kids freaked out!!  They had been looking forward to our day at the lake and were devastated at the thought of it being cancelled!  The entire drive to the lake it poured rain.  But, just as we were arriving it started letting up.  And, praise the Lord, by the time everyone had arrived and we were ready to head down to the dock, the rain had stopped!!  It turned out to be the perfect day.  The weather ran everyone else away, so we had the lake to ourselves (unheard of for a Sunday afternoon in August).  It was amazing!

Lucy and Caroline kicked off the tubin' fun!

While the boat was out with tubers, Aydin was leading a paddleboard excursion.

Lucy and Kaitlin

Uncle Sonny would bring the boat in every so often to change everyone up.
There was no shortage of kids wanting to tube and ski!

Noah preparing to jump off the top deck of the dock.

Flying through the air.

SPLOOSH!!!
He slipped right out of his lifejacket!

Next it was Lucy's turn!
She is quite the little daredevil!

Mid-air

After every jump she would come bobbing up hooting and hollering,
"That was awesome!!!"

This is my Uncle Sonny.
He is one of my favorite people on the planet!

12 precious Dasher/Fortney children.
We only lacked the oldest and the youngest- Rebekah and Cam.

We all sat out on the huge deck and had a low country boil feast!  I'm pretty sure that my brother ate 50 shrimp all by himself!    It was such a special day with generations of precious friends.  We are so extremely blessed with people who love us and that we love so dearly! 

We are giving a presentation at the church we grew up in tonight!  I am so nervous!  

Sunday Sneak Peek

Justin and I were fooling around in the church lobby while we were waiting for our friend.  Today we had the privilege of sharing our story with her Sunday School class!

Wilson Fun!

When our dear friends, the Wilsons, invited us to visit them in West Virginia we knew it was an offer we couldn't refuse.  It was worth a bit of extra travel to see them!  We've been friends for 16 years.  They lived across the street from us in Married Student Housing at Asbury, and were our first couple friends.  It was so fun to spend some time with them and catch up.  As always, the only bad part was that our time together was way too short!

Here comes trouble!

Elias, Isabella, Noah, Lucy, and Callie

Josh, Jennifer, me, and Justin

 Then, once again, it was time to jump back in the car and hit the highway!

Noah was packed like a sardine into the back.

Callie got to ride shotgun for this leg of the journey.

We arrived at my parents house around 7:30 pm.  Just in time eat, sleep, and then get up tomorrow morning and head down to South Georgia for a family reunion!!  It really is good to see so many friends and family, but all this travel can be brutal!  The good thing is that things will start to slow down a bit soon.

Almost Heaven, West Virginia

Well, at least John Denver thought so.  But if you ask me, my beloved and beautiful Kentucky is almost heaven.  Alas, we've had to leave our precious Walsh family and the hallowed Bluegrass State.

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Kentucky.com

We may not be on to greener pastures because I'm not sure there is such a thing.  Especially, after all the rain Kentucky has gotten.  Maybe they are greener because the pastures in Kentucky are so green they are actually blue.  Regardless, we are on to hillier pastures.  

Hello, West Virginia, Mountain Mama!

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Our 7th state in 3 weeks!