Utah Baby!!

The fall is flying by. Don't I say that about every season these days?? 

Life is SO busy with these 5 kids, their schooling, outside activities, and church life. 

My head is so often spinning, and I'm finding it harder and harder 

to exert any creative energy .... with this blog, my home, or my kids. :( 

I KNOW that this is such a good practice though .... journaling our life,

and I am NOT going to give up. 

This past month, in particular, has been quite challenging for our family,

on many fronts. I've felt the strain of ministry like I've never felt it before. 

God has been SO gracious, though, and He has sustained us. 

One of the ways that He has done so, has been through a recent family trip to Utah. 

Yes, it indeed happened during this crazy time!! And I sometimes can't believe it did. 

The Lord knew how much we all needed it. 

Time away to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL country, sweet sweet fellowship with

other families in ministry, and much need encouragement and 

"refueling" for me, in particular.... 

We took this same trip, two years ago, and it was indeed a 

taste of Heaven then, as it was this time!! 

The same 6 families converged in Utah.... 1 from Mckinny, TX, 1 from Billings, MT,

1 from San Diego, CA, and 3 from Seattle, WA. 

12 adults, 23 kids. 

The pastor and I have know all of these couples since

before they had children!! The men all went to seminary together in

CA and then interned together there. 

Now our children get to enjoy each other. 

SO COOL!! 

If you are inclined, you can click here, here, here, here, and here

to check out how we all looked 2 years ago. 

That's a lot of "heres".... obviously I had more time and patience 

with blogging then. I'm SO very thankful I have it documented. 

Same place, same people, though 2 more babies were added this time! 

Like I said, not much patience for many blog posts this go-around,

so be warned: LOTS of pictures..... 

Some or our activities included: 

:: canoeing :: 

:: fishing :: 

:: horse watching/petting :: 

:: flag football ::

:: quiet walks, taking lots of pictures :: 

:: sitting in the warm jacuzzi :: 

:: swimming in the freezing cold pool :: 

:: card playing :: 

:: many, many sweet conversations :: 

:: walks with some of my favorite ladies ::

Kristin, Laura, Julianne, Mary, and Priscilla

I love you!! 

:: scooter/bike rides :: 

:: lots of late night teenage talk! ::

:: skeet shooting :: 

(above and below pictures taken by my friend Priscilla!!) 

:: getting to know the new babies! :: 

:: a talent show, which involved lots of preparation!! ::

(pic above taken by Priscilla!) 

:: Sweet, sweet worship/devotions each evening, 

and our own worship service Sunday morning :: 

:: An Irish dancing performance by the two gals, 

and a card-show by the two boys :: 

(above and below pictures taken by Priscilla!) 

:: lots of craziness ::

..... but O how wonderful it was.