Golf 2013

All of the kids, with the exception of Codey, took golf lessons this Fall. I wasn't to sure how Rylen would do since it is a very quiet and slow moving and requires quite a bit of attention but he really enjoyed it. And, even though he was the youngest of the group, he won 2 out of 4 in the contests that they had to see who could hit the farthest. Christian won one and another boy won one. They all want to continue in the Spring so that is a pretty good sign :)

Dean is the golf pro at Raven's Nest. I'm sure there were times he wondered what he had gotten himself into!  He was great with the kids and even printed them up certificates for their last lesson. 

Joshua is the main reason we started golf. While I don't have any pictures of him (you know, I wouldn't want to cramp his style or anything) I have to say that he has improved a ton over the last few months. He is excited about the Spring when he can do a few tournaments. 

Soccer Mom

Soccer is in full swing and Codey has pleaded with me to NOT turn into a soccer mom but it seems that I may not have much control over that. We have always been a baseball family up until now but the littles are living and loving the world-wide game of futball!  

They have all had their first games and they are loving it!

After Brogan's first tournament we went to Jump Sky High and the kiddos had a blast!  They didn't win but she played her heart out and had some awesome plays!

Christian and Rylen had their first games and both of them won. They were super excited and both scored multiple times!

The season is just now getting underway and we are living and loving life on the road!  (All except my gas bill!)

Science is fun

Everyone had a blast doing science experiments today!!!  I'll let you guess what they are experimenting :)

Barbarian lunch

This year in History we are studying the Middle Ages. We have been learning about the Roman Empire and how Barbarians tried to take over. Today our lunch was a Barbarian lunch and we even ate with our hands!

A New Year of AHG

This is Brogan's last year as an Explorer in American Heritage Girls. For the first meeting she volunteered to do the flag ceremony in the opening of the meeting. She loves this group!

Awana time

This little guy is not so little anymore (it seems like I keep saying that). He is now a Sparkie and he earned his 1st book and his Awana vest tonight!

He is so proud!!!

Back to school

We had our first official full day of school and it went pretty well. Everyone joyfully started their subjects and got somewhat back into the routine of it all. 

This year we are participating in a few fun Club activities with a local group. Rylen chose Lego club, Brogan is doing needle crafts, and Christian is doing Chess club. 

The kids are also trying out golf this year, everyone except Codey that is. They loved it today and did a pretty good job!

I think we are headed for a great school year :)

Astros Game

Jeremy requested an Astros game when he got home from work this time. They were playing the Rangers and he wanted to see them play. So, like a good little wifey, I made that happen :D and the battle was on...

With a family of 7 we usually get the cheap seats way up high but this time I splurged and got seats right at the bullpen. And when I say right at...

It was really neat and the kids loved watching them. All game Brogan, Christian and Rylen wanted to ask them for a ball but no one could work up the courage to ask. In the 8th inning the bullpen catcher was looking into the stands and Ry shouted "Can I have a ball?" And he couldn't hear and asked "What baby?" And Ry asked again. He threw Ry a ball!!

Rylen was do excited! And the others couldn't believe he asked all by himself. At the end of the game we threw it back down to him and he signed it. Ry was so excited! And Brogan and Christian thought he was cool, too!

It was fireworks night so of course the kids wanted to stay and we did. I think the older boys enjoyed it more than anyone else...

(By the way, Codey's mouth was wide open in amazement until he saw me wanting to take a picture!)

It was a fun family night, even if the Astros didn't win. 

 

Sharing about Rwanda!

 

 

Sunday, August 11 from 6:00-7:00 pm

 

Brogan and I will be sharing about our trip to Rwanda and we hope you will join us!  We will have pictures, stories and share about ways you can help with some ongoing projects.  God is doing great things through One27 Ministries and its partners!  We have invited the other team members to come join as well.  We hope we will come spend your evening with us!

7: Week 1

So, I'm reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker and doing the study that goes along with it and I'm going to blog my way through it.  Should be easy enough, right?  I tried to get Joshua and Codey to do it with me but Codey gave me the "No way.  I'm not doing that you can do it yourself." and Joshua just looked at me and carried on.  So, with that said I'm going solo on this one.  Besides, the last few studies that I have made them do they haven't actually taken to heart so they really didn't get anything out of it.  With that said, at the end of each week I am going to publish my diary for the week.  That way you get to hear all about it after I have finished!

The purpose?  To fast from 7 areas of your life that may have a hold of you in some way.  The seven areas are chosen for you.  I will reveal each one week by week as I go through them.

So, here goes week 1 and the topic is Food.

The challenge is to fast from all foods and drinks with the exception of 7 that you choose.

My 7 foods that I chose were:
Chicken, Apples, Peanut Butter, Wheat Bread, Rice, Carrots and Eggs and I am only drinking water.  I am not using any dressings or seasonings with the exception of butter, olive oil, salt and pepper.


Day 1:
When I was choosing my foods they came pretty easily as I thought about them with the exception of the last one, eggs.  I really, really, really wanted to pick black beans because I knew if we ever went out to eat there would be a pretty good shot that it would be Mexican and between the chicken, rice and beans I would be set.  Besides that, I could eat black beans and rice pretty much every day and not get sick of it.  Then I thought about breakfast and how toast, plain toast wouldn't be much fun for a week.  So, eggs got the vote.  Besides, this isn't supposed to be "easy" and black beans would be pretty easy. 

Breakfast and lunch went off without a hitch.  Wheat toast with peanut butter and whole wheat bread with chicken breast for lunch.  Then it happened.  The mail came and our order of Nature Box snacks came in.  "No biggy" I thought.  With the exception of 1 item I didn't like what was in last month's order and Jeremy thought the snacks were great.  I couldn't eat most of them anyway because they were nut mixes.  I opened the box and low and behold..no  nut mixes.  Trail mixes but with dried fruit and berries and granola.  And the flavors look and smell yummy!  Yeah!  Great way to start off.  I was good though and immediately put them up in the cabinet.  After seeing and smelling those I was hungry for a snack and settled for a sliced apple with peanut butter.  It did the trick!

Brogan had been planning dinner for a week and I totally forgot.  The kids ate biscuits and gravy, bacon and eggs.  It looked and smelled so good.  I didn't give in.  I had diced grilled chicken breasts, scrambled eggs and 1 slice of wheat toast.  It was actually pretty good and I had enough for left overs for lunch the following day.

Day 2:
Breakfast: 2 slices wheat toast
Lunch: chicken breast on wheat bread (Two days ago I turned my nose up to a sandwich without mayo and mustard on it.  Who in their right mind would eat a dry sandwich!?  And yes, I have gone with only eating chips when camping or at a ball game and the mayo and mustard aren't available.  Boy, can you say spoiled!!!)  Turns out they aren't that bad.  Roll on day 2!
Dinner: Chicken tenders baked in the oven with brown rice.

Day 3:
Skipped breakfast
Lunch: you guessed it--same sandwich as the last two days (man those baked cracked pepper chips look really good right about now!)
Snack: raw carrot
Dinner: I made some chicken breasts with carrots and apples and some salt and pepper in the crockpot.  I forgot about a going away party that we were going to so I put it on low and decided that would make a great lunch for after church tomorrow.  The party had you guessed it: pizza, buffalo wings, fruit and cookies, lots and lots of cookies.  I did find a veggie tray--yeah for carrots!  And they had some chicken strips.  I had 3, and felt guilty the whole time I ate them.  When I chose chicken fried wasn't actually what I had planned.  Besides, I had chicken waiting for me at home.  Why didn't I just wait!?  Oh yeah, this is the point where I am supposed to stop and give it all to Jesus.  Boy did I fail!  But hey, I didn't eat the cookies!  Nope: still failed!

Day 4:
Today is Sunday.  We had planned before I started this to go out to breakfast with some of the girls that graduated high school this morning.  My idea and boy did I fail again.  This time I wasn't even close.  I told myself wheat toast and two scrambled eggs would be what I would order.  I got there and the whole wheat pancakes looked so good and seemed justifiable.  I mean, this breakfast was pre-planned and they were still whole wheat.  So, justifying it, I ordered and I ate.  And by the time I finished I felt sooooo guilty.  I even had syrup.  Jesus, please take the "me" out of me!

Lunch & Dinner: more of the same

Day 5:
I am sooo glad that it is day 5.  Only two more days!  Today is a killer.  I am so tired of toast, apples and peanut butter and especially chicken!  I found a recipe for fried rice and think I might try it tonight.  I want to snack sooo bad!!!!!!

Here is my homemade chicken fried rice. The picture doesn't do it justice. It was yummy!  Joshua even said it was delicious!  (Even if I did have to pick the carrots out of the mixed veggie bag since I could have the peas!)

Day 6:

I'm really not in the mood to eat more if the same. Really praying hard every time I think of how much I don't want to eat the only 7 foods I've been eating all week. Praying for those that don't have anything and for the needs to be met. 

Day 7:

Last day, thank goodness!  Tonight we ate at church and they had burgers and onion rings. I can live without those. But the brownies, well they looked oh so delicious and each of my kiddos let me know how yummy they were and how much I would love them. 

You know this rely hasn't been do bad. I mean I wasn't starving. Just tired of eating the same thing. Poor pitiful me, huh!   Maybe I should that pantry and fridge more. I mean there are over 285 items between the two of them and that doesn't include my full freezer (yes, part of this week was to count gown many food are in your house). I don't want to hear my kids say "I'm hungry" or "there isn't anything to eat" for a long time!

Week 2 coming up!

Chef-ista

Brogan made dinner tonight all by herself. This isn't the first time but somehow today I realized that she didn't need my help for anything. Not one thing!

The menu:

Spaghetti and garlic toast

Garden salad

Chocolate brownies for dessert

School planning 101

Our 2013-2014 school will officially begin in a few weeks for the kids. For me it has already started...

Five kiddos with 5-8 subjects each = a whole lotta lesson planning!

I wouldn't have it any other way though. Thanks, Jeremy, for doing what you do so we can do what we do!  We love you!!

The last of the littles

Today Rylen swam the entire width of the pool to pass the swim test at the city pool. Now he gets to swim with the big kids in the deep end. He was so excited! The lifeguard asked how old he was and when I said 5 he replied "Wow, that's impressive".

It is official.  We have a house full of big kids here at Winston Manor. 

MT: Final Days

Our time in Rwanda has come to an end. For now that is. It was hard to say good-bye to our sweet friends. Tears were shed, gifts and hugs exchanged, as well as promises to return if The Lord wills and provides.  

Brogan with her sweet friend Claudette. They exchanged gifts of a pen and keychain (which B immediately placed on her backpack) and Brogan graciously and without hesitation gave away her new pillow pet with a smile and a sweet voice. I love that girl!

They asked Brogan to stay and said they could loose her passport so she couldn't go home. She said she would have to talk to her Daddy first. Did I say I love that girl!?!  

She did say she was going back next summer, if not sooner!

Wednesday is a 26 hour layover in Brussels, Belgium. We went exploring today. Exchanged money, purchased train and Metro tickets. Ride the train into town and then hopped on the Metro. 

Turns out we hopped on and off a few to many times and ended up going a bit farther along the rail than we intended. No worries though. It was a true adventure and we did finally make it to our intended destinations and back to the hotel. (Thanks to many friendly people!!!)

We ate French baguette sandwiches out on the sidewalk for lunch which were yummy. 

After lunch Brogan and I decided to head out on our own and do some shopping, walking, looking and picture taking. We tasted some delicious chocolate and yes we are bringing some home!  We had a great time just being together the two of us :D

Now we head home on Thursday morning to arrive late at night back home to our loved ones. We are leaving our Rwandan loved ones and heading home to our American loved ones!

Thanks for praying for us along the many many months of this journey. Please continue to pray for our friends in Rwanda!

MT Days 10-15: what words can only say

Being here can not be explained in words. You have to experience it to understand. Pictures, words and videos may bring it to you but until you experience Africa that is all they are. Now Africa has a part of me. Rwanda has a part of my heart. I love my boys but I have not missed them since we have been here. I think of them and the activities they are taking part in. I pray for them daily. But while I am here I am all here. The thought of having my boys back in my arms gives me great joy. The thought of leaving here again makes my heart ache. I am torn. I am in love with two different parts of the world. Here is a little part of this world...

First, Brogan and Ashton have had a great time together and with our driver Ellie. They are all great buddies!

We went to Sunday worship in the village of Murundi. We worshipped on the top of a mountain overlooking the village. The church has no building and puts up a tarp each week for services.  Pure joy!

Children from higher ip the mountain came down to see "mizungus" and listened to the entire service. 

The government is helping the church to build a school up here. They realize the need as there are over 2,000 children that can not get to the closest school for 3 months during the rainy season as this area is cut off from the rest of the village by flood waters. The church will still need to provide the flooring and the roof before the children can attend. Here are a few of the children in front of the start of the school.  AHG TX 1318: this is where your envelopes went and the children were overjoyed!

Today we visited Kabuga. When we came last year the floor of the church was only 1/2 completed. We provided them funds to finish the flooring. Today their floor was complete!  Today we were able to provide funds to start putting in doors or windows and for the women of the church to start a goat project. I am not a crier but the women's joy was overwhelming and, yes, I cried. These people are so giving and thankful.  Brogan and Ashton also presented tshirts, dresses and soccer jerseys to the children of the church. 

We have been handing out the envelopes that everyone sent and the expressions on the children's faces can not be written in words. Most, if not all that have received them, have probably never received a gift much less something that is only for them. One little girl who spoke zero English started crying when we started taking everything out to show her.  This is not a great picture but she is on the right. Your precious gifts and letters have made a difference!

 

The Youth Conference was a blessing to the young adults in attendance. We handed out tshirts that we didn't sell to the men and skirts to the young ladies. Each youth also got a Bible. They were so happy to have this time of training, encouragement and rare fellowship with one another. 

We also gave tshirts to the teachers at the Remera school. They loved them!

School ends around noon here. In the afternoons we went back up to the school to hang out with any children that came over. Most that showed up were street kids and not in school due to the lack of funds. They were all so eager to learn!  Every day they would ask Shannon to give them an examination. She would draw a picture and write the word in English. We could have done this for hours and had to stop after 25. After the examinations were done we would play and love on kiddos. We handed out envelopes to these kiddos also. They were so happy with their small gifts from children in America!

We made it back to Rhenguri this trip as well. We visited the church of Pastor John Rwemera. FSM supports a few of Pastor John's children for their education. These students give out of their own pockets each month to support the education of children here in Rwanda. It was good to see Pastor John again and be able to bring an update back for the students. 

Brogan made a friend one of our first days here. Her and Erizie have been playing futball together. We asked him to bring a few friends and we gave each of them HVYSA soccer uniforms. They were so thrilled!  Here is Brogan and Erizie exchanging email addresses. 

Well, I know I am forgetting something but my phone is on the last leg. More updates when I get home!

How to pray:

-Pray that the work, encouragement and the teachings will continue after we leave. 

-Pray for travel mercies as we start to head home Tuesday evening. 

-Pray for our families back home.

Thanks Y'all!!!  See you soon!