Branson

We just got back from our trip to Branson tonight. We had a wonderful time! Nana and Papa Avila gave us half of their timeshare (Tues-Fri) and bought us Silver Dollar City tickets and Ride the Ducks!! What a HUGE blessing! We had a blast--it was quite an experience for Vince and I to ride roller coasters for the first time with our kiddos. I rode with Lila, Vince rode with Haley, and Alex had to ride by herself. Lila enjoyed it (she didn't scream, but her eyes were WIDE open the whole time and she kept telling me to stop screaming), Haley (our dramamine-dependant girl) didn't say anything afterwards except "I don't want to talk about it" and Alex thought it was SO AWESOME!!! I can't believe I get to enjoy this with my kids--what a moment for Vince and I. The girls didn't complain one bit, and we spent hours, two days in a row, on our feet. This morning, at 7 a.m. we got a call from the front desk, asking if we had a daughter named Lila. I said yes, and the lady proceeded to tell me that our daughter had been wandering in the parking lot and knocked on the other complex's door just crying and they've been calling everyone trying to find out who her parents were. I was MORTIFIED and yelled to Vince, "Lila is missing!!!! And maintenance is bringing her up here!". I hung up and ran out to the living room and there was Lila sitting up in bed with her other sisters watching TV. What?!! So anyways, they bring up this two year old girl, Analise, who we had hung out with the night before at the pool. She kept saying my daughter's name all last night. Well she picked out her parents' van in the parking lot and when they called their room, they said "No, our daughter is missing, but her name isn't Lila." So they didn't realize the mistake for another hour. I mean "HELLO???!!!!" What are the odds that TWO children would be wandering around this condo complex, and they didn't even call the front desk to alert them that their child was missing, or ask questions to see if it was there girl. Crazy, but man was I wide awake!!! They kept asking the little girl (who had very curly hair and big eyes like Lila) where she lived and she said "In a pink umbrella". She was so cute. I just had to share though---what a crazy morning! So aside from that it was a great week away from work and everything else that distracts us from family. We don't have any pictures, because I am not with it and forgot to pack the camera.

Our 9th Anniversary

May 21, 2009

So 9 years ago, Vince and I got married at LMH after the birth our our beautiful daughter Alexis. Pastor Bill came an married us, and even though we only have 3 pics of our wedding, we have the whole ceremony on tape. I remember watching it late one night, Vince was asleep, head on my lap, and I just weeped, saying our vows over again in my head. Oh what I didn't know then, and how much I know now. The prayer that Bill prayed, just seemed like God answered specifically. I knew that night, that God WAS there and WAS faithful to bless us, in spite of our selfishness and sin. Man, marriage can be tough, but it is the biggest gift God has EVER given me. I have the man of my dreams, an amazing father for my children. I am more in love with him every year that goes by. I was walking home from church last night, just gazing up at the sky, PRAISING God for my life. God is the Great Redeemer and I am amazed when I look at our life, 9 years together, 3 daughters, and a son half-way across the world. If I could have seen into the future, I would have never believed it, but God exceeds our wildest expectations. I pray that we will never lose our playfulness, our laughter, and tenderness towards eachother and I pray the same for all those who are married. We will probably go to the Plaza on Sunday night and grab a chocolate bag and McCormick and Shmidts, and do some other stuff. We'll see!

Alex's 9th Birthday!

May 19, 2008

Our baby Alex turned 9! I feel so old. It has truly been such a blessing to have 9 wonderful years with our daughter--she is so thoughtful and caring and helps me out when I am spread thin! She got Digital Army Camo (hat, jacket, and pants), Lego/Star Wars Wii game, books, clothes, LEGOS!!!!, Nancy Drew DVD and much more. She will be going to a hotel with 2 friends along with Haley and one of her friends for a combined birthday celebration in June. They can't wait! It will be crazy--6 girls and Vince and I holding down the fort! Here are some pics of our baby!

Swaziland

Check out www.sethbarnes.com. It is a great blog, covering so many different subjects.