Mexico

Today was a quiet, lazy day.  Woke up and Mom wasn't feeling well so we got pastries in the lobby instead of going to breakfast and rescheduled our massage.  We mostly hung around the pool lying on lounge chairs on our patio.  We had lunch and a snack at the grill that is so close to us.  

When Mom got rested up, we went back to the beach.  On the way, we saw a monkey in a tree!

At the beach I played in the waves a long time then we read and relaxed in the cool breeze.

What a beach babe huh?

Dinner tonight was at a buffet called Flavours.  I had carne asada and dessert, of course.

Then because it was early, even though we were super tired, we took a taxi over to Playa Del Carmen about 20 minutes away.

I bought a new table runner and spent quite a bit of time in Forever 21.  The taxi driver brought his 8year old daughter when he picked us up.  

I don't know why we are so tired when all we do is relax in the sun:).  This is a nice vaca.

More room pics.

Spring Break Mexico

Woke up before Mama and had quiet time on the patio. Our room opens right onto the pool which winds around between the buildings through the entire resort.  Our room is wonderful, a suite with two bathrooms, a jacuzzi tub, and sliding doors to the patio.  

Mama got up and we settled into the room more then walked to breakfast nearby.  Half the restaurants are on our end of the resort and half are on the other end near the ocean.  

This morning we ate at a Bistro with a buffet.  Mom had a grilled cheesy ham sandwich, fresh fruit, fresh orange juice and coffee.  I had juice, coffee, bacon and yummy oatmeal made with milk, raisins and sugar.  

After breakfast we got mom a wheelchair to use here and asked to have a bed sent to the room for me.

Walked down a long, winding walkway to the ocean on the far end of the resort.

We played in the waves, relaxed in the sun then ordered our traditional daiqueries and Mai tai.  When I got back from the bar, mama was talking to two young nice looking gentlemen.  They took our pictures for us.  

We walked back to the room and spent the rest of the afternoon lying on our patio, getting into the pool, and lunching at a poolside grill also very close to our room.

Partway through the afternoon, I went to the spa to get my nails done.  I got a French Polish on my fingers

And beachy pink toes.

We cleaned up, walked down a different walkway alongside flowers and had dinner at a nice place called Sea Olive.  We both had beef tenderloin, grilled veggies. Potato au gratin and dessert, mine chocolate and moms butterscotch.  

After dinner we sat by the ocean and just listened to the waves.  Then we went back to he room and slept slept slept.

Spring Break to Mexico

Day one.

I have been worried about my health for the trip since I've had this bronchitis and sinus junk for 5weeks.  I feel about 90percent.  Got mostly packed Thursday night then after a but more than half day at work Friday, took care of last minute stuff then rested, went to the gum and Chipotle with the boys and got to bed around 10:15.  

Slep well and woke up at 7 ish this morning.  Got ready without waking anyone and left for Leavenworth abou 8:30.

Got to Leavenworth and knew the best part of the day would be greeting my excited Mama.  She was at her computer.  

We giggled as we realized that we matched!  

Left for the airport about 10:30.

Had time to stop for a quick burger in Platter City.

  Long wait at the airport.  Long day of travel.  Still feeling sinus icky.  No problems with our flights and able to bypass customs with mom in a wheelchair.

Arrived at our resort.  We always are so tired and overwhelmed and hungry that it is impossible to feel positive so you just have to unpack and go to bed.  It was even harder for me to feel positive in that my pull out bed is horrible!  It squeaks and has springs poking up everywhere.  To top it off I was freezing!  I got up several time to mess with the air conditioner and then pulled the bedding over and slept on the couch.  Not ideal but doable.

Childhoods

The other day I was thinking about all the wonderful opportunities that our kids had growing up and the special people in their lives who helped them become the amazing people they've become.

Eight grandparents!

One home their whole lives

In home childcare

A daddy who was able to be with them every other day full time

St Lukes Lutheran Preschool

Eugene Field Elementary, such a special place

Mary Stamey, Principal

First grade Betty Rae Wallace, such a fabulous woman of God!

Bible Story Club

Lina guebert, Lisa Pankratz, Tony Haddock, Joe Gelroth, Roger Gibson, terry Healy, Susanna Parker, marti Meek...these are just some of the high quality teachers my kids benefitted from.

Amazing art teachers

Multi age classrooms

The opera at Theodore Roosevelt

The orchestra and band

The Gold Orchestra!  Playing outside each year at dr. Littrel's, rock springs ranch, Dallas, New York and Carnegie Hall!

King Solomon Bible Camp

Sunday school teachers and Westview

The Hulberts, our loving, giving neighbors

Tim Dayton, Jim , Courtney Markle, soccer coaches and Melegares Cross Country, and don't forget Dad!  

Bethel College, USC, UW.

I am unbelievably grateful.  This isn't an exhaustive list, just the things that popped out when I thought about this the other day.  

The Kids Are Home!

Hannah and Kent arrived Wednesday night from Wyoming!  They got here about 9:30.  Kent brought his huskie, Sierra, so we let the dogs hang out and get used to each other while we chatted.  

Scott and I worked Thursday so sometime after we got home, Kent and Hannah and I went to the gym for spin class.  There weren't enough bikes and I had to sit in the instructor chair!  It was embarrassing but I survived.  When we got home, I made Khmer fried rice. We played games and laughed and laughed.

Friday we ran some errands, got Hannah some running shoes, I booked my trip to Mexico over Spring Break (with my Mama!).  When Scott got home, we took the dogs for a hike on a trail I hadn't been on at the Top of The World.  It was awesome!  The weather was amazing!

Leah and David then arrived!  All three of my kids!  Five!  We ate at Chipotle, of course.  Loved it!

When we came home, we played a new game that Leah and Joel made for us for Christmas!  It is called Chalkaholic and involves everyone drawing random things based on categories at the same time on a chalkboard.  It was a bunch of fun.  Lots of laughter.

Today the girls and I went shopping at the mall.  We then went to Rock Star and Rogers and I found a jacket and some boots that I've been wanting for a fraction of the cost.  And cheap sunglasses for my trip!  Hannah and Kent went to the kstate basketball game and Leah and David, Joel and I ate Jimmie Johns and watched the game at home.  

Tonight we have Josh Burmeister over and we played some fun games he brought and made pizzas and ate.  The kids have now dragged Rock Band out of the attic and are playing it!

I love having my kids home!  David and Kent join right in the laughter and fun and ridiculousness that is us.  We are waiting for Scott to get home from his soccer tournament.

And yesterday, Scott was offered and accepted the position as Director of Emergency Management for Geary County School district!  A perfect job for him!  He is so qualified for it and will enjoy the challenge!  I'm so happy for him!

God is so good!  

Doing The Christian Thing

I admit, I have trouble doing the Christian thing.  Sometimes when going through the motions at church or listening to klove,  I have doubts.  What if this is all something we've made up?  

But then every day when I spend time with God, He becomes very real to me.  He reminds me of all the things He's done for me and ways He's answered my prayers that can't be explained any other way.  I know deep inside myself that He's real.  

I have a hard time exploding this to others.  I have a hard time just telling others about why they should accept Him and it sounds so trite.  He means so much to me in such a personal way that I can't really put into words for others.  So I just pray for people who don't know Him like I do.  I pray that He shows Himself to them like He has to me.  His promises are real.  

My verse today is Exodus 19:4 You yourselves have seen what I did in Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. 

 He has carried me so many times.  He brought me to Himself.  He works in me and through me every day.  He works miracles in my life and in the lives of others around me.  He accepts me and loves me even though He knows things about me that no one else knows.  He keeps His promises, promises to give me strength and hope and courage and joy.  

It isn't anything to do with going through the Christian things like going to church or listening to Christian music.  It's a personal relationship with a very real God.  

Christmas 2014

Christmas Eve day, yesterday, we drove to Topeka to pick up Julie, then on to Aberdeen to visit Dad.  We had brunch in the dining room then geek a nap and watched Family Feud with Dad then drove home.  Leah and David arrived shortly after.  We ate pizza and cheesecake and played Pandemic.

This morning unlike many Christmas mornings, we took our time getting up and around.  Leah and Julie and I had coffee and orange Danish, a family tradition and took our showers.  We got the boys up and opened presents, practical gifts this year.  Leah and David got a crock pot and socks.  Joel got a watch, a tile to help him find his wallet, copies of his car keys and a magnetic box for his keys.  Scott got an electric toothbrush.  The dogs got new collars.

The rest of the day was spent playing games, resting, preparing a feast, and relaxing, oh, and eating, a Christmas must.  

I made some new recipes for Christmas dinner and they turned out ok.  Smoked brisket, twice baked mashed potatoes, spinach, apple and cranberry salad with creamy poppyseed dressing, crescent rolls, and cherry crunch dessert.