Not-another-thing-to-remember

The heavens declare You are God and the mountains rejoice!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:04:00 +0000

There's a particular Christian song that I absolutely love to sing and I often wonder what it must look like for the mountains to rejoice, but then I see something like this and think to myself, "they look as if they are rejoicing!" The chorus says:

The heavens declare You are God
And the mountains rejoice
The oceans cry "Alleluia"
As we worship You Lord
For this is our song of love.

I miss singing this song with my dear friends from our praise team at our former church, but I also love where God has brought us. There's just nothing quite like this in Texas! On Sunday afternoon, after walking outside of the chapel to a gorgeous day, the kids and I went sightseeing and played in the snow. These are some of the pictures we took while out enjoying God's magnificent creation.

It's a NEW year!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:22:00 +0000

...and with it comes new opportunities, new adventures, new friends, new challenges, new _____________(you fill in the blank)! I'm still thinking it should be 2007, that it doesn't seem possible that 365 days flew by. It made its mark on my life, but I still can't believe its gone! The biggest/most challenging (yet rewarding) changes would be that my husband became a Chaplain in the Army after being pastor for seven years of a church we helped start, moving far away from friends and family, and our son joined the Air Force. Most of my journaling on those topics can be found at www.militarychaplainswife.blogspot.com. I'm not sure what 2008 holds in store for me and my family, but I look forward to whatever the Lord wills. I know there will be change and times when life seems difficult...because that's just the way life is...but I still live in anticipation of a new year and all that it has to offer.

I give God praise for all that He has done in our lives in 2007. I could never have imagined it would turn out the way it did, but as I flipped the calendar on January 1st I quickly looked back over 2007 and felt blessed. God has been good! He IS good...all the time!

Wow!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 06:13:00 +0000

It's the strangest thing to go back and read about the beginning of the journey we are on now. It's not always easy, but I never doubt that this is what the Lord's will is for our lives. I'm grateful the Lord has brought us here. Why? Because He has a plan and a purpose and that's what matters most. I haven't journaled here in a long, long time. It's fun to go back and read old journal entries. It did my heart good to read some of the things I had written so long ago.

Postings HERE are few and far between!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:21:00 +0000

I don't really post here very often anymore. I guess because most of what I am about these days seems to have a lot to do with where the Lord is taking us and falls more under my blog: militarychaplainswife.blogspot.com. I don't want to forsake the other things that happen in my life, but I see how so much of what is happening, and has been for months now, is to prepare me for the years ahead.

A few Sundays before Kevin left for training, a friend at church said it really hit her one day about the reason God must have given us twins. These two boys will always have each other no matter where we go. They've always been best of friends. Isn't it awesome to take a look back and think about the many ways God works to take care of his children, to prepare us for what he desires for our lives?

If you stumble upon this blog, just know it may be a while before I post on this site...but feel free to check out the other. I'm usually posting on that one!

All grown up!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 26 May 2007 05:05:00 +0000

Today we had a wonderful graduation party for our daughter. She will walk across the stage tomorrow, even though she actually completed high school early and has been in college. I am so proud of her and the wonderful young lady she has become. I feel very blessed to be her mom!

How do you see God?

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 23 May 2007 19:21:00 +0000

This precious little girl standing in front of my husband at his commissioning service, giving him a card, thinks he is God. Her mother used to tell me what she would say, but then we started to hear it for ourselves. She's never been able to convince her otherwise...

Here's a few of the things she has said that keep us all laughing...it's so cute!

One Sunday she and her mom were walking past "Pastor Kevin" (that's what she keeps telling her daughter) when she told her mom she was going to say hi to God. My husband, not hearing her say that, asked her, "How are you this morning, little girl?" (as he patted her on the head). She ran back to her mom and said, "God talked to me!"

A week or so later I was walking by, with my husband a few steps behind me, and heard her tell her mom she was going to say hi to God. I just giggled and watched as her eyes brightened as she approached him. This time we filled my husband in on the news that she thought he was God, to which he replied, with a laugh, "I wondered why she always looks up at me that way!"

Still, no matter how much anyone tries to tell her he's not God it doesn't work.

A few weeks ago, her older sister came back in after church had dismissed and wanted to know more about what it meant to be a Christian and asked Jesus into her heart. I was out in the hall packing away some things when someone asked her where her older sister was. To which she replied, "Talking to God!" It was so matter of fact...

Knowing we are leaving soon, the mom has tried so hard to help her understand that he is not God and a new pastor will be coming in soon. All of us hope she will soon understand so she doesn't think God is leaving her...what a terrible thing that would be!!

Last story I have. This Sunday she saw my husband, Army uniform and all, and asked him "How did you get here?" He replied, "in my truck!" With her eyes as wide as could be and an expression that would melt your heart, she replied, "YOU have a truck?"

She is so cute and I only wish you could see her face in this picture. As you can see, she melts his heart!

Way to go, Karl!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:43:00 +0000

Yesterday my son passed his physical entry test into pararescue. Now all we are waiting on is the MEPS eye doctor to get back and look at his eye and, hopefully, he will be accepted into the Air Force on June 7. He's so excited and training hard every day. As his mom, it's exciting to see the determination he has. I know he will be a great soldier and make our country proud!

He and his dad are training together every day. It makes me smile and cry all at the same time. They are great, godly men and I just can't help but think about all the people they will impact in the years to come. Though it makes me extremely sad to be losing them in some sense (now I have to share them a little more), I am happy to see God at work in all our lives. He's sending us on a great adventure for HIM and HIS glory. How can I argue with that?!

This is a picture of my husband (middle), his brother (left) and Karl (right).

It was taken at our farewell party last week.

Treasured Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sun, 13 May 2007 23:32:00 +0000

I'm sitting here with my oldest son's head on my shoulder. I love that he's never been too old to love on his mom. Yesterday we were at my in laws and we were relaxing on the back porch when he crawled up in my chair and laid his head down on me and just sat there for about 30 minutes. I cherish those moments...especially now that I know it can't be that way forever. He's my first-born and I've loved every minute of the last nineteen years of raising him. I couldn't feel more blessed that God chose me to raise him!

In just a few short months he will serving in the Air Force. I'm so proud of him! I know this is something he feels very strongly that the Lord would have him do with his life and I admire him for making the choice to follow wherever the Lord leads. His home-made card to me thanked me for supporting him and all I could think was no, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to love on and support you. He's such an awesome young man and I don't for one moment take for granted the relationship I have with him.

I will miss him more than words could ever express!

Karl, thank you for being such a wonderful son. For being such a joy to raise! You make me so proud and I love you more than you will ever know! I know you will have a HUGE impact on those you come into contact with in the military. Thank you for being a willing instrument to be used in God's hands. I pray He will guard your life and bring you joy and happiness in your new adventure.

Go to my new Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 12 May 2007 13:25:00 +0000

www.militarychaplainswife.blogspot.com. I posted this morning!

Too much going on to write...

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 08 May 2007 21:43:00 +0000

When I think about writing there is just too much to write about and my mind is mush! So, I'm sorry, but I won't be writing much today either. My daughter told me I need to be writing more, but I think it will just have to wait. I'd like to create a new blog soon to journal more on the new experience of being a chaplain's wife so once I get to that I will get the word out.

UPDATE on "A special bond"

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:14:00 +0000

Praise God! Today my twins came home both having received Commended Performance on their taks tests!!!! If you read the first story you'll know why it means so much to us!

Praying for my oldest son

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:22:00 +0000

My oldest son has decided to go in to the Air Force. He would really like to be a Pararescueman, and is taking it very seriously. He has already begun to train even though it may be months away from testing. I've never seen him so determined and excited, and, because of that, I will support him 100%.

Sure, it's never easy to let our children go, but knowing this is what he really feels he's supposed to do with his life makes me feel good. In fact, I'm completely at peace about it...something I never imagined I would be. I'm very close to my kids and though I hate the day is coming soon where we will live far apart, I'm so happy they are happy.

Because he will have to perform so many difficult tasks that have to do with swimming, I've made it my goal to get up early in the morning before work and go swim and pray for him as I'm swimming. I love the fact that we can communicate with the Lord even while exercising. It really makes me pray very specifically for him and his endurance as I'm struggling to swim harder and faster than my body wants to go.

I'm so proud of you, son. Keep up the good work and the tough training!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 06:18:00 +0000

It's a little after 1:00 in the morning and I'm sitting outside by the fire at my parent's house on the lake. I'm here because my mom is having a ladies retreat this weekend. Tonight was really good and I've been very blessed by being here. It feels good. I was so worn out that I almost didn't come, but I'm so glad I did.

After everyone went to bed I felt drawn out here to sit and pray and think, and later on went in to get my computer to sit and write out my thoughts.

This is a very different time in my life. It's exciting, scary, emotional, tiring...all sorts of things...but one thing I keep hearing over and over is "Do you have faith in me even in the tough things...are you going to trust me?" And I respond, "yes, Lord!" I truly do trust him - I just wonder what it is all going to look like! In 6 months what is my life going to look like? What's it going to be like for our children that we are leaving behind in college? We are so close and I just can't imagine not having them close by! Lord, this is going to be tough. I know it! But, I TRUST YOU.

Over and over again I think about these things.

Tonight we talked about laying down idols; anything that could take the place of God in our lives. I don't want anything to do that. I want to be in the center of God's will and following His plans for my life. I want to trust him and allow him to be in control of my life. More than anything I want God to be number one...to hold that special place in my heart, and to love Him like nothing else. Sometimes that's hard!

It's hard when I feel like I might be abandoning my kids...
It's hard when I don't know what it's going to look like...
It's hard when I feel scared...
It's hard when I feel sad that I am moving so far away...

BUT...

I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength! He is my God, my King, my Savior, my everything, and, even though I don't know where this path is going to take us and what the future holds. I am going to trust Him and not make any idols for myself...not my husband or kids or anything. I want the Lord to have first place in my life and I will let Him lead.

You two make me...

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 14:23:00 +0000

Smile!Proud to be your mom!

Laugh!

Miss you!

And wish I would have been on this crazy road trip with you!

Will you respond like the soldier?

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 14:42:00 +0000

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah."
One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down," he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:33-39)

My prayer today is that anyone who has not believed in Jesus, who doesn't understand that He is the Son of God, would realize that he truly is and place their faith in Him.

Jesus, thank you for dieing on the cross for our sins, for giving your life so that I can experience eternal life. I look forward to the day when I will see you face to face. My life is forever changed because of your love - the love that took you to the cross when you didn't deserve it.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believe in Him is not condemned...
(John 3:16-18a)

Chaplain Burton's Wife

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 03:13:00 +0000

Today Kevin was officially sworn in to the United States Army. (On May 20th there will also be a commissioning service and swearing in at our church.) I thought it was so sweet when he called to ask me if I was certain I was willing to do this. He said he just wanted to be sure I hadn't changed my mind because there was no turning back once he was sworn in. How could I change my mind? It wasn't my will to change! I will follow you to the ends of the earth, my love! You follow the Father wherever He leads and I'll be there right by your side!

Last night we were watching a war movie, and I've gotten to the point where it's a little difficult to watch them because I know one day he very likely will be in a similar situation and I just can't wrap my mind around it. Then I think about all the soldiers who need to know Jesus, or need encouragement as they walk this path of faith, and I allow my own feelings to take a back seat. This new journey is so NOT about ME, or even Kevin for that matter...it IS so about GOD and what HE wants for our lives.

Almost every day I wonder what this new life will look like...what will it be like to be a Chaplain's wife. I pray God fills my heart and mind with dreams and plans that bring glory to His name. I pray for wisdom and strength to be the wife and mother He called me to be. I know it will look a bit different then it does right now. I work a full-time job, apart from my ministries at the church, and my husband has taken on a lot of responsibilities here at home for the last three years, but I know being there for my boys will be very important in the months and years to come so I am asking God to show me more of His will and prepare me for what lies ahead. I have visions of ministering to other women and children who are in the same boat. I pray for opportunities to continue to use the gifts God has given me or for Him to replace those passions with others. Whatever He desires for my life...

God, whatever you desire for my life I'm willing to do. You are my Rock and my Provider and I trust You with my husband, children and my own life. Thank you for leading us in a new direction. Thank you for filling our hearts with new dreams and the opportunity to serve You!

A special bond

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:37:00 +0000

Two little twin boys - one worried about his TAKS test tomorrow, the other wanting to see his twin brother succeed...

We were driving back from the store tonight when Darby and Dillon began to talk about the TAKS test being tomorrow. Darby shared his concerns, and Dillon talked about what a mess it would make of the summer for him if he didn't pass - thinking that would motivate him!

We got the groceries put away and I began to straighten up the house when I heard Dillon giving Darby tips and helping him to prepare for the TAKS. It was one of the sweetest expressions of love I've ever seen between the two of them! I was so proud of Dillon for wanting to help Darby succeed. They are more than brothers, they are friends! They have a special bond and I feel blessed to be their mom and watch them grow and mature.

God gives us so much more than we ever deserve, and I thank Him for the blessing of raising four beautiful, loving children. I couldn't go to sleep tonight without telling this story of these two special boys.

Bless them as they take their tests tomorrow, Lord. You are our strength and we give you all the glory!

Old Journal Entries

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 03:50:00 +0000

9:00 AM Tuesday, October 17, 2006:

We're at a chaplain and wife's retreat. The BGCT invited us, even though we are just exploring what we feel the Lord is speaking to us. I have about three hours to myself while Kevin is being certified in a marriage counseling class, so I'm about to head out to this little pond that has a gazebo in the middle of it and spend time with the Lord. It's so peaceful and sits just about 30 steps outside our hotel room.

We are having a really good time. We met a couple that is going into the army in January. They are really nice and it's been good to get to talk to others who feel the same type of calling on their lives. I can't help but wonder if we will end up on the same base some day...

Last night was totally a God-thing. The man who was going to speak didn't show up! It was so funny...he had it on his calendar for next Monday and Tuesday. After we all laughed about it for a good while, one of the men in charge said, "Well...does anyone have this burning desire to preach, or share what God has been doing in your life?" To which, one chaplain replied, "I just came back from Iraq and would love to share about that - I even have pictures!" I told Bobby, the one who has been working so closely with us, that it wasn't an accident that the preacher didn't show up - God had something else he wanted us to hear!

Before leaving for the worship service, I laid down on the bed in our hotel room and began to pray, asking the Lord to show us more of his plan, to lead and guide and reveal more of himself and his plan to us. As the man spoke and showed us pictures of how he ministered to the men in his camp, picture after picture of him sharing the gospel with them and baptizing them, and pictures of their chapel -which was an old train on the outside but benches full of men on the inside, and pictures of outside chapels in the middle of the night because that was the only time these men could have church, I was completely overwhelmed by God's still small voice that said so softly to me, "This is what it's all about."

Then other men shared of their experiences, one in which I will never forget. He told of a Muslim family (a mom and her daughter and her baby boy) that had been shot and how he was in the hospital ministering to people when this family came in. He said the mother couldn't hold the baby, who was fine, because she was injured, and the sister couldn't because she had been injured, but all he could think was he needed to pick up this crying baby. So, he motioned to the mom, asking her if he could pick him up, and she motioned back yes, so he walked around the hospital, bouncing the baby on his shoulder til he fell asleep, and then continued to minister to other people with this baby asleep on his shoulder. He said he just couldn't put him down. He said it hit him that here he was, an American, Christian chaplain, holding a baby from a Muslim family, wondering if one day that child would know that when he was a baby his family was injured in a war and an American, Christian chaplain picked him up and cared for him. We never know the impact we could be having on others - just by showing love to them...Christ's love which compels us to do things that we would never think about doing ourselves. Touching people in the midst of their pain...in ways that we cannot do if we aren't faithful to do whatever it is God calls us to do.

I am in awe of God's power this morning. I know that no matter what...if he calls us to go this route, or if he tells us to stay, we are going to be faithful to whatever HE leads us to do. I don't know what the future holds for us, but I am excited about the possibilities! We've seen growth at New Life, and we've experienced wonderful things with this body of believers, and whatever God's will is for us is okay. I felt God had begun to bend our hearts to this crazy idea, but I also told Kevin it's not about where we go or what we are doing because it's not about US, it's about HIM (God)! He agreed!

God is good and I just praise Him for this opportunity to experience Him in a new way this week.

4:30 PM Tuesday, Tuesday, October 17, 2006

God has a real sense of humor! When I was spending time with him, out at the pond this morning, I ended up in 2 Corinthians and I just laughed out loud when I read 2 Corinthians 5:13 where Paul said, "If we are out of our minds, it's for the sake of God..." I told Kevin later about it and said "I'm going to make that my motto for this whole adventure!" When someone doesn't understand why in the world we would do this, I can just reply with scripture!

Old Journal Entries (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 03:15:00 +0000

November 16, 2006:

God is good! Here's a few of the ways He worked in Kevin's life today:

1. When they measured Kevin, he said he stood as tall as he possibly could, and he measured one inch taller than he's ever been before, which made his max weight 205. When he got on the scales he weighed 201...which would have made him one pound over had he measured at exactly 6 ft...the same height he's been since high school.

2. He was concerned about his blood pressure being high, like it is every time he goes to the doctor since he gets anxious about it. He said this sweet little old lady was taking his blood pressure and the first time it was too high (so he told them all about how he's been tested a few times before and this always happens, and then when he relaxes it goes back down), so she came back in and asked him what he was going in to the military as, to which he replied, "a chaplain" and she said, "well honey, then just pray about it!" So, of course, he did...and the second time it was still a little high so she said, "well, we just won't count that one", and tried again...this time it was perfect!

3. His hearing has been bad for a long time, but today it was perfectly fine...a miracle for sure!

4. He was the only one in his room that passed...and all the other guys were 18 years old (but terribly unfit). He said there were two buses full of 17/18 year old boys that pulled up and he was standing in line talking to them, until they asked him what he was in for, and then they escorted him to another part of the room, that had nice chairs -- unlike the plastic chairs for the enlisted people, and to the front of the officer's line. He said that made him feel bad. I imagine many will appreciate that about him when in the field...not pulling rank.

He was encouraged by a guy that was there re-enlisting as an officer, who asked him what he was going back in for, and when Kevin replied he told him how much it always meant to all the guys when chaplains were with them in the field.

We are very excited, and looking forward to February, when he the board will decide whether to allow him in to the military! I knew God would perform miracles in Kevin's life today, and we are just praising Him for hearing our prayers, and for just being God and working out His will in our lives.

Life is changing...

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:50:00 +0000

It's not every day that someone in their late 30's would tell you they are going in to the military, but that's exactly what my husband will be doing! After much prayer and seeking the Lord's will for our lives, my husband responded to the call to be a Chaplain in the United States Army. He will attending a three month Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course in South Carolina, and then we will move to Fort Lewis, Washington State. I think we are still a bit in shock that this is really happening!

Sunday was one of the hardest days of our lives as we informed our church, where he has been pastoring for almost seven years. It was very sad, but we knew God was with us and the love and support from our congregation was tremendous! We have a very loving fellowship and will miss them so much. We are ALL walking this path by faith and trusting God to work out His perfect will for all our lives.

Some days it doesn't seem real that we are packing up and selling our home, leaving our two college age kids, leaving our families, church, my friends at work and moving far, far away. ONLY God could get us to do that, trust me! So many thoughts and emotions flood my heart and mind. I often wonder what it will be like, then other times I am pinching myself to see if I am awake!

I am tired. We've been working hard to put our house up for sale. We put the sign in the yard last night so I guess it's official. We've worked late into the evening every night, but tonight we are taking a break since I'm taking the day off tomorrow to work on the house. My friends at work took it pretty hard, as do I when I think about leaving them. I thank the Lord that I want to cry when I think about it...some people would jump for joy to leave their company, but I count it a blessing that I have had such a wonderful experience working for an awesome company. I pray I can continue to work remotely in some capacity.

We feel very blessed to be serving the Lord in this capacity, and ask for your prayers as we step out in a new direction.

Please pray

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:37:00 +0000

A friend of ours will be having a brain tumor removed on Thursday, and we are praying for the miraculous. On Wednesday they will do one more MRI to mark where they will go in and so forth. Pray with us that the tumor is GONE when they look. It would TRULY be a miracle. It's rather large and will be a very difficult surgery. Through research on the internet, he was convinced his symptoms were from a brain tumor. Praise God, the doctor listened (a little) and, to make him feel better, did a MRI and found it was truly a tumor. Several doctors said they wouldn't touch it, but the doctors at MD Anderson gave them hope.

We've already seen many answered prayers throughout the last few months. One being, we prayed the exact day they wanted the surgery to be on - March 8 - would be the date and God answered their prayers. We will be leaving on Wednesday to be there for the surgery on Thursday. I would appreciate if everyone who reads this would be in prayer for him every day this week. His name is Sean.

I am very close to his mom, dad and wife and ask that you pray for them as well as the time draws close. They are members of our church and we have been praying diligently about this, and already praise God for the answered prayers. I praise God for their strength and how the power of God is evident in their lives. It has touched everyone at our church, and allowed us to experience God in a new way. We are praying with all our hearts for God to heal him and, if he so chooses to use the doctors and carry them through a different route, we will still praise Him because His will is best. We pray for God to be glorified in Sean's life and those in his family this week.

Thank you for praying!

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:15:00 +0000

Today, my husband and I have been married for 20 years. That's 7300 days. Wow! I still can't believe it's been that long. I thank the Lord for bringing us this far and pray there will be many, many more days to love on each other.

Today my husband needed to work, since we were gone a few days, so the twins and I have made this our day to spend time together. We've been painting for hours, and just enjoying our time talking and encouraging each other. They are both good little artists. I'm impressed! I'm painting a sunset by the beach, and made my husband a special glass box with beach sand and shells we picked up off the beach. I hope to finish the painting before he gets home, and hope it turns out nice.

Well, back to painting...maybe I'll post a picture later...

Random thoughts on South Padre

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 13:41:00 +0000

Sandy beaches with shells EVERYWHERE, picking up shells until the bag is full, searching for one that looks so different, doesn't have to be perfect, the prettiest ones have flaws, I love walking along the shore with the love of my life, I've dreamed of this, talking to the old people who seem to have done this for years, finding jellyfish, they look weird, hearing my husband talk about this wonderful creation from God makes me smile.

Eating great seafood in restaurants near the water, watching the sun go down from the window, watching people scramble to get a picture of it before it goes down, one family didn't make it because their little boy didn't want to, us not caring that we didn't get a picture but just happy to be there watching it.

Sea turtles, hurt, being cared for, something interesting about them, they seem to have personality, the twins would think they are cool.

Fising in the bay, baiting and dropping a line anywhere from 8 to 50 or 60 feet, my husband excited about the new adventure, hoping he catches something, listening to the captain tell stories, too many stories, shouldn't we be quiet so the fish don't hear us, wish he'd just be quiet, sweet old people on the boat all the way from Nebraska, happy husband because we are fishing together, I caught a fish - the only fish, small and pure white, waves are high and I'm praying I don't get sick, dolphins, we see lots of them, wish we could get closer, gotta come back when it's warmer and the fish are bitting, the kids would love this, I miss our kids, I think we both do, we'll have to bring them here in the summer.

Shopping is fun, cute clothes, neat stuff, what do we get the kids, so much to choose from, wow, a shark in a jar, wish we could take liquids on the plane, the twins would love that, shells everywhere, clean not sandy, I like the sandy ones that I can pick up myself, our daughter could really decorate her living room with everything I see, she would love this, and this, and this, our oldest son would go nuts over the tons of board shorts, bathing suits for $7.99, wish I had brought another suitcase!

Beautiful lighthouse, are we going to climb up? I hope not, oh good, not today.

Nice hotel with jacuzzi in the room, lovin' it!! Wireless internet, oh good, I can relax and write, if I had more time I'd really write, it's beautiful here, the company is the best part, love that man!

Husband resting because he can, I'm not going to wake him, though I'd love to go shopping, we'll go again soon, he looks so peaceful, not a care in the world, this is wonderful, relaxing, all I hoped it would be, wish we could stay longer, wish we could just fly the kids here and stay a while, it's good to be away!

Celebrating 20 Years of Marriage in South Padre

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 02:34:00 +0000

My husband and I are having an awesome time celebrating our marriage of 20 years here in South Padre! A cold front came through -- in South Padre that is -- but that's not putting a damper on our fun. Once we got off the small plane (which about freaked me out) we were thrilled to be here, cold weather and all.

We've been praying for warmer weather since we were dieing to grab a blanket and sit out by the gulf and watch the sun go down this evening. We did pick up shells for a while this afternoon and plan to go back tomorrow. It looks like we'll at least be in the 60's tomorrow. Yeah!!!

We went shopping this afternoon (the prices are great before Spring Break...) and had dinner at a restaurant on the water. That was fun!

I still can't believe we are celebrating 20 YEARS!!!! We pray for many. many more...

Thanks, mom and dad, for watching the twins for us! We love you!!

Sweetness

noreply@blogger.com (Laura) — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 19:20:00 +0000

Yesterday, as I was finishing up my bucket of love for my husband, one of our twins sat beside me wanting to add his own thoughts. He insisted that I end with the 100th point being that his dad was a bucket of love.