A Year in Review

Once again I have to admit that my blogging slipped!   I had every intention of keeping this up daily and then it was weekly and then monthly...maybe I will succeed at annually! :-)

In just a few days (February 11), David and I will have been married for 1 year!!   Yes, I said it...one year.   We were discussing this at the dinner table last night with a couple of the children and Jordon said... "It's been a long year...time sure does go by fast."   Contradicting statement, I know, but  I have thought about it since he said it and I have to agree.   A lot has happened this past year and that makes it seem LONG, but at the same time, it seems like the wedding was yesterday.  

Over the past year, we have been blessed by God in ways we could never have imagined.   We have accomplished many of our "Somedays" that we thought would be a long way off!   It started with the wedding and just got better from there! 
~ David was promoted to  General Manager of Tharp Funeral Homes allowing him to be able to work one job instead of 2 as well as giving me the opportunity to stay home.   I cannot begin to tell you how much that was needed for our health (emotional and physical).  
~Shortly after the wedding, we found our church home, Crossroads Church - TRBC church plant!  We had been church hunting for a while, all the while taking the time to heal and be spiritually filled!
When we decided to attend Crossroads one Sunday (because we were late to the one we planned to attend), it was immediately obvious to us that this was where we needed to be!  We now know why...we have had many opportunities to serve the community of Roanoke as well as I have become a  member of the Crossroads Staff!   This opportunity is one I have been looking for as it allows me to work part-time with flexibility as well as it gives me the opportunity to minister to children and their parents!
~ Of course, we can not forget the blessing of our chidlren, I will list them oldest to youngest!
      **Jaime - It is great to have her and her family back in the states so that frequent visits can be       made.  She, Jed,Simeon and Titus (baby on the way) have made their home in PA.  Jed was able to find a great job, giving Jaime the opportunity to stay home and homeschool the boys.  All are doing well.
     **Abbey - Justin and Abbey are still in Winchester and doing well.   The big excitement of their year was the birth of baby Isaiah...a true gift from God.   Justins job is going well and Abbey is enjoying her first year of motherhood.
     **Brittani - Britt has been blessed with a good job as a Dental Hygenist with Coots, Ward, Cross.   She is dating A.J. who is an amazing young man that hopefully soon we can officially "welcome to the family"!!  (hint, hint)
     **Brooke - Continuing her education at  Libery Univeristy (online) while working full time at Catawba Hospital as an activities therapist.  The load is heavy at times, but she will be finished soon!
She too is dating a great guy, Jesse, who is also continuing his education in hope to become a Dr. one day.  One day we hope to "welcome him to the family" as well!
     **Rachel - Rachel is continuing to be homeschooled and is doing well.   She will be getting her learners permit soon so time spent with her is spent in parking lots learning to drive!   David truly enjoys this time with her!! 
     **Kyleigh - Ky is in 7th grade at Andrew Lewis.   She is still active in Soccer  and basketball but has added Volleyball this year.   She stays active and has little time for rest.   So proud of her and her dertermination!
     **Jordon - J-man is in first grade and a very active little fellow!  He has played t-ball, basketball and football this past year and I have to say he is quite the basketball player.   He has a natural ability to handle the ball and loves it!   He is enjoying school but is challenged by the big jump from Kindgergarten work to first grade.  We have found the "singing" a book makes it more fun to read...he loves music!! 

Well, if you took the time to count you realize there are 7 kids and 3 grandchildren (soon to be 4)!   Let's just say that we are blessed beyond measure and enjoy each and every moment that we can spend with them.   Someday, we hope to have them all together at the same time...oh the joy that will bring to David and I!

God is good.   While this year was challenging at times, I could go on and on about little blessings we received along the way...looking forward to what the future hold as we know He has a plan for us!!

Someday

Create a photo album This is a small glimpse of our weekend away.   David worked 16 out of 18 days before we went on this trip.   It was spontaneous and could not have been more perfect.   The goal was to relax and truly put "life" aside for a while.  A time to talk, reflect, plan and spend quality time together!!   I am happy to say that each of those goals were accomplished.   David and I have a favorite saying and that is "someday".   We use it often when we talk about things we want to do, lifes goals, our dreams and our desire for our families to come together.   This time to relax, reflect and plan was a "someday" and now, we have many more "somedays" to look forward to.   We have had to sit and be patient for some of our "somedays" but God's timing is perfect and we know if we continue to pray and follow His guidance, He will continue to allow those somedays to come to pass.  While reflecting on all of this, I am reminded of I Chronicles 5:20.   The last part of this verse reads...He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.

vacation Pictures

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More pictures from our Texas vacation

Family

We recently spent time with my family in Texas.   What an adventure it was...we chose to drive and as long as it was, we have good stories to tell and wonderful memories were made.   The week was full of fun things, from Seaworld... waterparks...One Direction concert...Texas Rangers ballgame..stockyards...four wheelin' and downtown Dallas.  Time with family is priceless!!!

I promise to post more pictures soon!!

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Grandchildren are a gift from God

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This photoalbum created on smilebox are pictures from David's recent visit with his daughter Abbey, son-in-law Justin and their newborn child   Isaiah Thomas!   Looking forward to more time with them in the future!

Update

So this staying at home thing has proved to be busier than I thought.   Somehow I thought that I was going to have extra time in my day to keep up with blogging.   Time seems to be against me, even while staying at home.  Hopefully this post will bring everyone up to speed and from here on, I will be able to keep up

Since my last post, I have spent time in the hospital with Brittani, Jordon and Kyleigh have finished school, Brooke and Brittani have started new jobs and we have been to Texas!   While I am enjoying this time off, I am keeping myself very busy with cleaning, cooking, entertaining the kids and trying to re-organize our lives!  I am volunteering in the office at Crossroads Church and helping them orgainze their kids ministry.   David and I feel so blessed to be a part of this new ministry and are excited to watch it grow and develop!!  

We don't know how long this season will last, I may have to go back to work in the near future, but it was very clear to David and I that the break was needed and after much prayer, God made it clear He would provide and so far,, so good! 

Camping Fun

We had an excellent time camping with the family this weekend.  It was David's first time to tent camp and   Kyleigh, Jordon and I were determined to set up camp before he arrived.  We took off early, unloaded the vehicle (the lady at the next sight asked...are you going to take a kitchen sink out of there?) and began our adventure ...Let me just say, Thank you A.J. and Brittani for showing up to help!  :-) Kids were hot and tired so they were rewarded with time at the pool and water slides.
Brooke and Jesse arrived and we had an amazing supper, fun on the golf cart (I do believe Ky will live in her car once she gets her license), played volleyball and had campfire conversation while roasting marshmallows and biscuits.  

Saturday morning came to early and it was off to t-ball and then back to the campsite for more fun...fishing (snakes included), pool, putt-putt, more good food, wagon ride with Yogi, dancing and karaoke. 

David's first experience was great and we will be going back for Jordon's birthday celebration in 2 weeks!!   The quality time you have while the kids are away from friends and technology is amazing!   I enjoyed every moment and welcome more of this time in the future.

Here is a link to share in some of our fun.   


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