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!!

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a49314e5459354d44413d0d0a&blogview=true

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.   


http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a45324e5467354d544d3d0d0a&blogview=true

Our Wedding

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a45324e5459324e54453d0d0a&blogview=true

Pampered Weekend

I must confess that after a weekend of pampering and luxury, I have had a hard time coming back to reality.   Cleaning, cooking, t-ball, soccer etc...  While all of those things are fun and necessary, escaping from that reality is needed every now and then.  
For the first time in months, David and I had a weekend of no kids or work.  We usually have one or the other and sometimes both.   He wisked me away to the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, NC where we were truly pampered.   Fine dining, a day at the spa, golf and shopping...what more could we want?

Golf was not on the agenda, but the course was so pretty and the golfers were few so we decided to enjoy it.   Love our clothes??  How many golfers go out in their jeans and sandals?  Once I got over the clothing issue, I really did have a good time! 

David loves to golf and enjoyed his time on the course.   It was a plush course and he quickly learned that the green was fast unlike the courses we play around Roanoke.  

 I am so thankful for the opportunity to get away and enjoy time together!

God's blessings

My life as a Cook, has been an adventure so far! I have endured many changes and challenges. The most current change being employment. David's job has given me the opportunity to cut back my hours and for now...staying at home. I have now entered my third week at home and I am loving it. I have accomplished so many things that I have not been able to keep up with for years. Painting, empty laundry baskets, cooking on a regular basis (my favorite) and spending more time with the kids!! My first week off was Spring break for the kids, it was great to be able to go away and not worry about "things at work". We took the kids and friends to Gatlinburg, rented a large cabin and had a relaxing, yet full of adventure time.

For several years now I have sat out of serving in any area of ministry. During this time, I was searching for a church for the family as well as sitting back and being fed. I am happy to report that we have found the church we feel God would like for us to attend and areas of ministry that He would like for us to serve.   This is an amazing feeling as it has been a long time coming!!!  I am looking forward to digging my hands (as well as David's hands) in the childrens ministry at Crossroads Church and helping it become an inviting place for kids to come and learn about the love of Jesus!   Crossroads in a new ministry of TRBC and we are excited to be a part of a growing church where people who enter the doors know they are loved and welcome and the Doctrine is sound!

God is truly blessing us, but be in prayer for the challenges that face us as we try to blend our families.   I am happy to report that my kids are happy, healthy and doing well with all the changes!   I am enjoying the adult relationship that I am now able to have with Brooke and Brittani, Kyleigh is at a tough age (middle school) but fun and full of life!   Jordon...lets just say that he is spoiled to mommy and I love it!!  :-)   While I have not been able to build a relationship with David's children, I love each of them and look forward to the day that I am able to spend time with them.

So...I am a little slow at this blogging thing.   I am still trying to figure out how to fit it into my busy schedule.   The last 2 weeks have been challenging as I continue to work full time and try to be the best mommy and wife I can possibly be.   We have had asthma attacks, upper respiratory infections, strep, ankle injury and many sleepless nights that were work related.     All that being said, I am thankful that we have survived it all and see brighter days ahead! :-)    (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Jordon is playing t-ball now and let me just say...he is way to active for this slow sport!   He has more fun watching the other kids than he does watching the ball that might come his way!   It is still fun to watch him learn new things and reach new milestones!!!   God has truly blessed me with each of my kids and I am so proud of their accomplishments.

So for those of you who know me, know that I love paula Dean and of course her recipes.   While I may never be as good of a cook  as she is, I vow to be the best Mrs. Cook that I can possibly be!  

Life has proven to be full of changes for me.   While I am one to embrace change, some have been harder to deal with than others.  Career changes, church changes, changes in the family dynamic, new home, etc...The list goes on and on.   One thing that has remained my source of strength is my Faith in God.   He promised to never leave me nor forsake me and even when I pulled away, He was always there!!  

One month ago I married the man of my dreams, David Cook.   A man who accepts me for who I am, failures and all!  We are looking forward to what God has in store for us as a married couple and know that He will us to impact many!   We heard a message last night (thank you Crossroads church for hosting Youthquest) and the main point was God has you right where you are for a reason!!   It amazes me how He can use one little phrase to impact you in a major way...I know I went through the things in my past because God had a plan!   While I may not understand it now, I know that one day it will be revealed in a mighty way.  
So, as the changes continue to take place in our lives, we will remember that God has us right where we are for a reason... What a comforting thought!