My blessed weekend!

This weekend was a great one! We started out with dinner and a movie with our friends Robert and Heather on Friday...then Greased Pumpkin with the youth on Saturday (picture). Greased Pumpkin is a game Mike played as a youth and has ALWAYS

 wanted to play with youth groups but has never gotten the chance to play.  It is Ultimate Frisbee that you play with pumpkins covered in Crisco! Lots of fun!

I got to talk to my mom and sister this afternoon on the webcam and was so happy! I've talked to my mom a few times but this time I got to talk to my sister too!! I love the bond my mom, sister, and I have. Talking to them together face-to-face made my weekend! 

I also got to catch up with Angela! I love this pic!  It was taken at the State Fair last month, which reminds me...I need to post those pics! I was excited to chat with her and find out what is new in her life.  Our schedules don't cooperate right now so I cherish the times we get to chat. 

The BBB (Bryant Bed and Breakfast) is filling up fast!! We have reservations for December, January, February, and even March!! We have folks from as far away as Bogotá, Colombia making reservations!

Okay, so other than my Colombian friend Andrea, everyone else is from West Texas but still, it sounds good! I’m very excited about Andrea’s visit but there are a lot of details to work out. She’s coming to visit West Texas for a month but I won’t be able to go there while she’s there. She is planning on visiting me on her way out of the country though, which excites me!

My other visitors include my sister! My dad! Mike’s parents! Kate and Bonnie (and hopefully a few of the girls!)!! and I’m sure my mom will make a visit or two during those months!!

HAPPY HARVEST EVERYONE!!
       

                    

Mike and I signing our papers!!

               

SOLD!!!

         

Our "fireplace" before my mom's visit

         

and after!!

           

Another after pic!

Our guestroom

and guess what...we finally got a new car!! It was something we had talked about but hadn't really planned until it happened!  Anyway, we are now the proud owners of a 2009 Nissan Murano!! 

I love this picture...

After much anticipation (and procrastination!), here are the pictures of us at the beach! I finally put them on the computer to be able to put them on the blog for all to see. 

These pictures are from my birthday...that was a GREAT day! We traveled to Port Aransas, ate lunch, and then headed to the beach for Mike to see it for the first time!!  The weather was a little chilly but really nice.  There was a breeze and the water was kind of warm.  Hope you enjoy the pics!

WE ARE HOMEOWNERS!!!

We have joined the group of adults in this world that are in debt for the next 30 years!

I hope get pictures up next week sometime...I need time to get a few things set up, cleaned up, and put up before I showcase our home on the blog. I promise you'll get to see it soon!

I wanted to keep my posts in chronilogical order but I haven't had a chance to post a few and want to give everyone an update!

We aren't homeowners yet but we get to start living in our house today!! The loan is taking longer to get approved due to it being an USDA loan. The USDA requires a lot more info and hasn't approved the loan yet but the bank has...so once it is approved, we're set to go!! We are so thankful that we can start living there today! Our stuff was moved into the house last week and we've been staying in a travel trailor (not as bad as it sounds) but I start work Monday and we're ready to start getting things settled!

We are really enjoying the town! We went to a football game last week and got to meet a lot of people. It is so weird for people to know who we are but we don't know them! A couple came up to us at Chili's today and introduced themselves. She said, "we know you are the new youth minister and wanted to introduce ourselves." I had told Mike that we needed to be on our best behavior because people will know who we are when we don't know they are looking. I thought I'd educate him on the small town aspect of things!

I hope everything is going GREAT in West Texas and elsewhere...Miss y'all!!

We loaded up the U-haul Monday morning and headed out to Barksdale...aka Mike’s grandparents’ house. We had a great but short visit with them. We always enjoy going to their house to visit. Things are so calm and relaxing.  Mike likes to get up early and see the deer catching breakfast in the front yard..I enjoy it too but only when I wake up on my own!

                         

       

                    


        

                            


                       

**Sorry for the format on this blog...I wanted to get it posted and don't have the patience right now to make it pretty!!**

The goodbyes were a bit harder and a bit easier this time around!  We got to spend a year getting reacquainted with those we had lost touch with and also gained a few new friends, which made it hard to say goodbye! It is always hard to goodbye but there was so much to look forward to and so many friends expressed a desire to visit us...I hope that happens because we love houseguests!! and...we want our West Texas friends to ALWAYS be a part of our lives.  

I got several pictures of our goodbyes witth different people. Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures with everyone so please don’t feel left out!  That just means we have to see each other again to get a picture!

I’m on the airplane to Dallas to meet my sister for our weekend together and I’m FINALLY getting a chance to type a blog! I decided to go ahead and type it up, then transfer it online...that seems to be the only way I can get it done these days. 

I’m hoping to post several blogs this weekend so make sure you read all of them!

We have had quite a time the last 3 weeks...Mike performed 2 weddings, we saw LOTS of friends and moved! We were able to unload our belongings into our future home but because we haven’t closed yet, we can’t unpack or live there!  We are staying in a very nice travel trailor unti we are able to close, which should be Wednesday!!  That’s the over-all update...now for some details and pictures!!

I was so excited that Mike was able to perform a wedding ceremony for my friend Leslie and her now

 husband Cody!!  This was thrown together so fast so that Mike could officiate before we moved but it was intimate, personal, and BEAUTIFUL!!  Leslie and Cody--we were so blessed to be a part of your day! We pray you have a wonderful life together!!

The following weekend Mike had the honor of marrying my sister’s friend (and mine!) Robbie and Jage. This one was planned for a while and was what helped keep us in West Texas a little longer!!  Jage and Robbie had a a great ceremony--despite the wind--and we enjoyed celebrating with them afterwards! We didn’t get a picture while we were all dressed up but glad we got a picture.  Jage and Robbie--thank you both so much for letting us be a part of y’alls day and for all the encouragement! We are excited for you! 

I know this sounds cheesy we bought a webcam yesterday! lol... Our mac computer is kind of old so it doesn't have the camera installed like the new ones, and my mom and his dad have new macs so we wanted to be able to chat with them LIVE once we move!!

We set up the camera last night and visited with Randy and Linda (Mike's dad and step-mom) last night and it was so much fun! I think they were really surprised at how much better it was than even talking on the phone! I'm so excited about being able to SEE them while we talk! I think it will help a lot with helping me not be as homesick. So, anyone who has ichat using aim, or I think you can with regular aim, let me know! We can chat LIVE too!

I'm beginning to prepare to move in a nesting type of way! lol...I hope to use birthday money to get a new digital camera (ours is M.I.A.) so I can send lots of pics of our new home and fun experiences (Mike going to the beach for the 1st time) home to everyone! I've also added a digital camcorder to my Christmas wish list so that I'll have it for when we have kids!! I don't usually have anything I want for Christmas so my family will be glad that I have something on my wish list this early!!

In the HOME STRETCH!!

It is not a secret that I haven't enjoyed living in our apartment from Day One...and guess what! The feeling has not changed! lol...we will finish up our packing tonight (or maybe tomorrow right before the movers show up) and I'm not really sad AT ALL! I've shed an inner tear when we left other places we've lived because they've had some effect on me but not apartment 242...Good riddance!

Have you ever been glad to see the end of something...the end of a job? the end of a relationship? the end of a residence? Please share...

Well, the time has finally come for us to know for sure if Mike will be a full-time youth pastor...

...with an almost unanimous vote, Mike was hired as the new youth pastor at First Baptist Church in Beeville!! We had such a great weekend and met some wonderful people. Although we are always sad about leaving our friends and family in West Texas, we are super excited about this part of our journey!

Mike's first official day will be October 16 (my birthday!) so we will be leaving Midland Monday, October 13...that gives us 3 full weeks here to say goodbye! We are moving out of our apartment this weekend and will be staying with our AMAZING friends, the Swanson family until we leave on the 13th. We have SO much to do this week to get out of our apartment but are hoping to have a little free time once October starts.

We are getting close to knowing where we'll live and I'll share that once it is more official. We REALLY want to have TONS of visitors so PLEASE let us know if you want to come visit!! We have a spare room and would love to see ya!

On a "how's Mike" note, he is doing so well in regards to his pancreas! He hasn't had any problems and will go back October 2 for his stint to be removed and for them to check out his pancreas. Unfortunately, he did get sick with bronchitis last week and was sick this weekend...but he did great speaking with everyone and sharing his testimony in church! He's been to the doctor and is on his way to being better!

So, I'm sitting here waiting on Mike to pick me up...I never thought this week would end!! It's about time! We are headed to Beeville for things to become official...the church will vote Sunday morning on hiring Mike so when we head home, we'll know if we are moving in a few weeks.

We'll be doing several things while we are there...looking at a possible rent house to live in until we can buy our FIRST HOUSE and meeting with a potential future employer for me!! YEA!

It is so crazy how things get built up in our heads...we are filled with anticipation, aren't we? When I read Molly's blog, she reminds me of the anticipation of getting married. MAN! That was such a great time of anticipation! and Kate...she was getting ready to make a move across town for the 1st time in 8 years! I haven't lived in one place much longer than 8 months since I moved out of my dad's house! lol...

There is always anticipation in our lives and I think that's good. I think our lives should change and things should be different but if you aren't able to enjoy your life the way it is...to be content...you shouldn't anticipate something new happening! Have a great weekend!

Well, I'm sure you all thought I'd already forgotten about my blog! Since that seems to happen once things settle...but, things aren't quite settled!

Mike is feeling REALLY WELL and will be venturing to work tomorrow. We are finally sleeping through the night...the first few nights home were rough! I know you are all about Beeville so here's the latest!

We are headed back this weekend (September 20 and 21) for the official "in-view-of-a-call." For those non-Baptists (or Baptist that don't know this lingo), this will be where the church votes on hiring Mike. They will have a meet and greet time on Saturday for the church members to come meet us. On Sunday, Mike will give his testimony during the morning service. Following the service, the church will vote and we will know before we leave church Sunday morning! We are so excited!!

I have a lead on a job but won't say much until I know more. I'm hoping to have an "unofficial" interview this weekend. We'll see!

Just a quick post to let you all know that we are back!!

West Texas here we come!!!

Mike is in the process of being discharged!! We changed our flight to an earlier flight we we'll be home by the time everyone gets off work!

Thank you all for keeping up with us during all of this! He'll have to come back in 3-4 weeks to have the stint they did get inserted taken out but other than that, he is doing great!!

See you all soon!

Also...below is the verse of the day waiting in my email inbox...God continues to be good to us even in situations that may not seem good. We are thankful for every situation God brings us through!

"The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. " Lamentations 3:25

Well, we ended up staying over the weekend so they could monitor Mike a little more...he finally got to eat solid food!!! YEA!! The dr. said his CAT Scan showed the cyst has drained A LOT and he wanted to give the cyst more time to drain. He should be removing the cathedars before we head home which is a HUGE blessing!! Neither of us were excited about having to take care of them!!

My sister came to visit this weekend!!! We didn't have much time together but the time we did have was much needed! We spent time playing cards and beating Mike! lol...fun stuff... Mike couldn't let me take a pic without "waving" to everyone!

As everyone would guess, Mike has been doing his card tricks for all the nurses!! After several days of doing them in his room, we were passing the nurse's desk when a past nurse that didn't get to see the tricks said she heard he did card tricks!! Of course, that opened the door for him to do a few!! They were AMAZED! At one point, he had 4 nurses watching a a doctor watched from far away...his nurse ended up taking his vitals while we were standing there! :) He was pretty pooped after standing for a while to do the card tricks though. That was after we went downstairs to play cards at an open sitting area!

We hope to hear from Dr. T soon! We know everything is looking good...just not sure if they are good enough to get discharged today!

Oh!! AMAZING news on Ryan...he got moved to a regular bed (I think on Friday) and was told he'd get to go home sooner than expected! I don't know any details...with Angela and I both at hospitals, we've been communicating as much as possible through texts but it is tough! PRAISE GOD that Ryan is doing well!!!!

In case you forgot what we looked like...here we are!! Now, keep in mind that we've been away from home 15 days as of today and at the hospital/hospital hotel for 10 of those days!!

It was brought to my attention yesterday that I should explain the cathedars that were inserted into Mike's abdomen. They are not the same cathedars they use for bladder purposes. I took a few pictures to show everyone what they look like. If you have a weak stomach...you may not want to look!! I'll put them at the bottom of the posting.

Good news!! Mike should be getting discharged either today or tomorrow!! We'll spend a night the day he is discharged and then fly home the next day!! He is about to have another CAT Scan done to see how much the cyst has decreased since the cathedars were inserted. Also, Dr. T tried to do a scope to see if his pancreas was damaged and needed to be operated on...things were still too tight with the cyst in there for him to see the pancreas. We will have to come back in 3-6 weeks to have the cathedars removed and he will look at the pancreas then. By that point, the cyst should be drained. Good news though...Dr. T said the fluid that is draining does not look like it is coming from the pancreas which is a good thing!!! If it was coming from the pancreas, that would cause them to have to take out part of the pancreas.

I won't be able to post again today unless we find something out before 4:00 (when the computer lab closes) and it is closed tomorrow so hopefully I'll be posting from Dallas Love Field next!!!

These are the cathedars. This is where they are inserted.

Hello everyone! Mike left about 10 minutes ago (1:20) to have the cathedar inserted into the cyst. There is a 50/50 chance this will work and we have spoken with a surgeon that specializes in the pancreas, should they need to do surgery. He was very good at answering all of our questions...and believe me, we always have a lot!! It shouldn't take very long to put in the cathedar and they should know by this evening if the cathedar is working. That is about all I know for now!!