Gulf Shores and More

I know I keep repeating myself....but the last few weeks have been crazy! I spent June 9-15 in Gulf Shores. Then mom and dad were here in Houston June 21-27.

Gulf Shores was so much fun!! It is so nice to have friends that you can not see very often, but when you are with them, you feel like you just saw them yesterday! Our daily routine was quite grueling: sleep late, go to the beach, eat lunch, nap, go to the pool, eat dinner, and talk until bedtime! I hope that we make this a yearly trip even if more babies come. :)

We had a great time with mom and dad here in Houston. We extended our patio while they were here and spent time shopping and touring around Houston.

Hal and I leave on Saturday morning for a week in Tennessee with his family. We are both ready for things to slow down......but are very grateful for the time with family and friends!

Birthday

Seems kind of weird to say I am 26! It feels like 21 was just yesterday. I had such a wonderful birthday yesterday. Thank you so much to all my friends and family who called, emailed, or sent a card. Several of the girls at the bank sent me this beautiful bouquet. Our friends Bill and Mary from here in Houston invited us over after church on Sunday for a birthday lunch. They even had an ice cream cake for me! Yesterday my friend Sarah Donaldson took me to lunch. Last night Hal took me to a fondue restaurant....which was so much fun! It took us over two hours to eat dinner.(a record for us. We are usually done with our meal in 30 minutes or less!) We had the most fabulous chocolate carmel fondue. I would go back just for that! He also surprised me on Saturday with a trip to Tiffany's....I walked out with a beautiful bracelet. (Krissi- don't be mad. I will share it with you.)

I can remember in High School praying for God to bless me with friends. By far the most difficult part of this last year for us has been missing our friendships from Northwest Arkansas. Yesterday as I talked or heard from many of you, I remembered the prayer I prayed so many years ago. I remembered how God had answered that prayer over and over again. I have been truly blessed with wonderful friendships. From my friendship with my mom that started 26 years ago, or my wonderful husband who amazes me each day, or friends that have seen me through different stages in my life, or friends that have come my way in the last few years, each one of you is so very important to me.

The e-Card Hal sent me yesterday helps me describe how I feel. The card was adapted from a chapter in a Max Lucado book. It a little girl standing with her arms wide open and looking upward. Lucado says to picture a giant dump truck full of love and you are standing right behind it. God lifts the bed until it starts to slide. It comes down until you are hidden...buried....covered in His love. I am so thankful that with His children, God is so free with His love. There are many aspects to the love He covers me with. From the mercy He showed me on the cross and shows me each day to the friendships He has given me with you. Each are part of that covering of love! "He...loads me with love and mercy." Psalm 103:4 NCV