First Day - a great success

Well, yesterday was the first day back to school for my oldest two. Canyon started the second grade. I told Canyon - as I do believe - 2cnd grade is the BEST! As a kid, the year that stands out for me is Mrs. Peterson and second grade. As well, I taught second grade. It's such a fun year - the kids still love their teacher and want to please yet are independent enough to have responsibilities and seat work when needed. At the end of the day, Canyon said his favorite part was recess and playing football. He said "I scored 3 touchdowns and no one else scored any". Do you think the Lord is continually paving a way for a kid who loves sports! Thank goodness, he's also so bright and he also excels academically. We're a boy though ... we don't place that as a "high for the day".
Dakota started first grade. It is actually so hard to believe. Dakota loves everything about school ... especially friends! Before she left she said she was excited to "play with Lauren, Aubrey and the new friend she would make". That's right ... she already had it in her mind that she would be making new friends and was excited to play with them. Dakota, I love that about you ... I love that you love friends and you love them well!
When we dropped the kids off - and of course, Daddy and I walked them in, Canyon was starting to show signs of "Mom, really ... I'm too cool for this". As you will see in one of the pictures, he walked well in front of us. It was disguised as "I don't want to be late" but as he arrived at his table, he very quickly sat down between his friends and forgot his dear old Mom and Dad.
Dakota, well, she still loves Mommy!
Maliah joined the fun, in her P.J.'s I may add. As Dakota walked off with her class, Maliah began to cry very hard. She said "Koda ... I go to big girl school wiff Koda". My little one's best playmate has left the building folks. Pray for Mommy as I fill that hard to fill role each day!
So, enjoy the pictures!
Maliah says "koda, I go to big girl school wiff Koda"

Dakota, ready for the first grade!

My beautiful babes! All grown up

Canyon and Mrs. McCracken - his awesome teacher!

"AAAH - no more Mommy, really!"

Canyon - too cool for parents!

nObama

You decide for yourself. In light of the democratic convention and all the "heart strings" Michelle tried to pull on her speech tonight, I think it would be best to see what her wonderful husband is really made of:

Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama:
· He voted for partial birth abortion.
· He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get
out-of-state abortions.
· Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government
(quotas)..
· In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing as
being too severe.
· Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum
wage affair.
· Admitted his use of marijuana and cocaine in high school
and in college.
· His religious convictions are very murky.
· He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim
A. Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
· Has said that one of his first goals after being elected
would be to have a conference with all Muslim nations. Why?
· Opposed the Patriot Act.
· First bill he signed that was ever passed was campaign
finance reform.
· Voted to allow law suits against gun manufacturers.
· Supports universal health-care.
· Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo
detainees.
· Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
· Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.
· Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.
· Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in
Social Security.
· Wants to make the minimum wage a 'living wage'

· Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.

(241votes Demo, 10 votes Republican)
· Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.
· Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and
instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid into
Soc. Sec. (Tax Increase).
· He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax which
now hits middle income brackets. (Tax Increase).
· He voted No on repealing the 'Death' Tax. (Tax Increase).
· He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax. (Tax Increase)
· Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not
succeeded...which is not true.
· He is ranked as the most liberal Senator in the Senate
today and that takes some doing.

So, educate yourself on the issues ... not the family story. I don't care where he went to school, how he met his wife, how much money he had growing up or how hard he worked. I care only about his voting record, where he stands on issues and how that will ultimately effect MY STORY!

My portion, my lot

Inheritance, THE topic of the Beth Moore conference I attended this weekend. If you have never seen Beth Moore in person, you should take the next opportunity you have to see her speak. She is wonderful, a truly gifted woman of the Word who does an amazing job in sharing his message with woman all over.
This past weekend, my sweet Mom and I made our way downtown for the night. Today, the 25th, is my Mom's 58th birthday and this year it was my treat to give her tickets to the conference and a night stay on the River Walk Westin with her favorite daughter. HAHA. It was delightful!

... let's get back to this INHERITANCE topic.
Did you know, the bible mentions and talks of our inheritance 310 times. Each time, there are 3 consistent elements.
1.) Presence - The Lord Himself - Genesis 26:23; Joshua 1:9 - we will have HIM with us.
2.) People - Genesis 12:3, Genesis 22 - 17 and 18, Deuteronomy 4:20, Psalm 16:3, Revelations 7:9 - yes, we will have our "peeps" as Beth so humorously put it. We will have relationships with people!
3.) Property - Numbers 26:52, Mathew 25:34 - We will have property - our LOT.

Look at Psalm 16 with me - this is from the English Standard Version -
vs. 5,6: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful INHERITANCE!

Inheritance,! You gain an inheritance when someone dies ... yes! This time, it was Christ himself. He is our redeemer and we are his CO-HEIRS! Do you know how that translates, if we are the Lord's heirs then we are "Co-heirs" with Christ himself. (Romans 8)

Beth showed us how the topic of inheritance is the same, distinct and consistent from Genesis to Revelations.
I am going to give you a few scriptures that we looked at that spoke of inheritance. I challenge you to take a look today or during your next quiet moment and see for yourself.
Genesis 22:17-18.
Galations 3:8
Exodus 32:13
Revelations 21 - the last mention of inheritance. "He who overcomes will inherit all of this - the new heaven and the new earth"

Now, I am going to move forward and give you a few points that Beth Moore made during her talk. I am definitely NO Beth and I could never write what she delivered in two entire days of teaching . I just wanted to share, however, the key scripture and points as I have no doubt that the Lord himself is the best teacher!

You may be asking yourself, who is the one who "overcomes"? I cannot assume that everyone who has joined me here in this reading is a follower of Christ. You may be wondering what it means to be saved or even how I can be assured myself of that salvation. Before I move forward, I would like to share a little with you so that perhaps you can decide for yourself where to place your trust. It's so easy ... really .... and yet that one decision it gives you a life of eternity and freedom!

I believe and my faith has taken me to a place to receive that the scriptures and bible are truth! Every word is an inspired word of God, given to us as an instruction book for life. I place my trust in those scriptures and I work to live my life by them. But, yes, I fail daily as I am a sinner! I sin daily in some way or another. Why you ask? Because when Eve ate from the tree of knowledge she disobeyed the Lord and introduced "sin" into the world. She, tempted by the enemy serpent himself, also convinced Adam to the do the same. Because of that first sin, I too am a sinner - without perfection - left to my own hands would forever be separated from my maker.

Grace and redemption came, however, when God sent Jesus, his son to pay the price for those sins. He was born of a virgin and was the Messiah. Jesus, was always perfect and without sin. It was through Jesus himself that Grace was given. We describe that to our own children as "something for nothing". That's right - he paid the price for ME and YOU!
Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross and his blood was shed for my sins and yours - past, present and future. He became the fulfillment of the law, the final atonement and sacrifice. Because of God's grace, his death and his blood, my sins too were washed clean. My sins were nailed to the cross that day by Jesus.

Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave. He stayed here with the disciples for a time, giving them instructions on how to proclaim his name and "re-present" himself and then he ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God himself.
I believe that these scriptures were true then and true now. I have believed that in my heart and confessed that with my mouth therefore, I am saved.
That is a big word - salvation - but it is a concept that even my young children have grasped. Salvation is offered to you too.
Salvation is - believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is who he was, and did what he did for you and me.
You may ask what happens if I am not saved? The bible is also clear on that. On judgement day, the Lord will separate those from the left and from the right.

Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. ....(13) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved".

So, having that faith and that salvation ... There are 8 points made by Beth Moore that can be found in the scriptures. I thought today, I'd share them with you.

1.) I am an heir of God, my life is not left to chance!
2.) I am an heir of God, I am inheriting a Kingdom. Mathew 25:34, Colossians 1:11-12, and Daniel 7:18
3.) I am an heir of God, he is my portion (Psalm 73:25-26.... and I AM HIS! Deuteronomy 4:20, Deuteronomy 32:9
- This one I loved. To think that the Lord considers his own people HIS inheritance. The maker of the heaven and earth
thinks enough of ME to consider me HIS inheritance!
4.) I am an heir of God, the down-payment has been made!
- The word "arrabon" in greek or "deposit" means a pledge; part of the purchase money or property given in advance as a
security for the rest. Romans 8 tells us this ... He gave us his holy spirit as a deposit of what is to come. His spirit lives
in you and me, once we receive him, it is this down payment that we have freedom NOW!
An interesting note, the modern greek translation for "arrabon" is an "engagement" - a promise to come!
5.) I am an heir of God, My boundry lines form a pleasing place. Psalm 16.
- in 2 Samual 23:1, the word for pleasant used for David himself meant "sweet", therefore we could also say "sweet
place.
- This one may seem confusing. The Lord is trying to tell us that our past, our life experiences, our giftings (spiritual
gifts) and our intimacy with God make up who we are. We would not be who we are without our past - good, bad and
ugly. As well, that "lot" was in God's hands. He knew and allowed everything that came to you. Romans 8:18
- Our Life experiences make us the person HE needs us to be. They are on purpose and not one thing is left to chance.
- Giftings - To each of us, the manifestation of the spirit has been give to us. This comes as our spiritual gifts.
1 Corinithians 12:7
6.) I am an heir of God; the will HAS been activated.
- A "will" cannot come into place or be activated until a person dies. This has happened ... Jesus died for you and me!
Jesus Christ himself gave his life. Hebrews 9:15-17 and Galations 4;1
7.) I am an heir of God; I can be SECURE!
- I am an heir of God - my affirmation and my affection should come from him alone. Our depravity comes through Satan
who by his very plan, uses our insecurities. We do not need someone else to affirm us. After all, my sister and brother,
look in the mirror and repeat this .... I AM AN HEIR OF GOD!
8.) I am an heir of God; I have a BEAUTIFUL INHERITANCE!
- Did you know that a "double portion" of land was saved (biblically) for those who were first borns and were the sons
This means, my friend, that you and I will receive double portion. Why do you say? Because our Co-heir, Christ himself,
was the first born son. We are his co-heirs and therefore, we receive this same!
Hebrews 11:16 and 39!

Knowing these things as told in the scriptures, how does that impact the way you see yourself? While the daily grind of doing laundry, changing dirty diapers, playing taxi driver and more seems to take our minds and focus away from the truth, we can always know in our hearts that we are an HEIR of GOD'S! YOU, my precious friend, are a beautiful, wonderful and GLORIOUS inheritance of HIS!

Oh, I love that! Think on these things!

McCain - noBama interview with Rick Warren

If you haven't seen it, you owe it to yourself and our country to go and check out the interview with Obama and McCain and Rick Warren. Rick Warren asked each of the prospective presidents the same questions, separately. You can find their answers on God Tube.
I have put one answer that does my heart well ... I LOVE to know that McCain has a heart for orphans and is himself an adopting Daddy! Kindred Spirits in at least one thing!

You can check it out here - his answer to Rick Warren's question about should we have an emergency plan (from the government) in place for the 148 million orphans of the world.



Educate yourselves! I know my vote and I know WHY I vote that way. Don't follow the crowds - educate yourself on the issues. This is a crucial time in the history of our government and our country. One side would love to see business's penalized and he would love to take from the rich and give to the poor. I say that no to offend any of you readers .. it's truth. Our country was founded on capitalism. It is the pursuit of success that has driven us to be the greatest economical country in the world. The new agenda, however, looks very much like socialism. I for one think those who work for the dollar and earned the dollar ... should keep the dollar. As the bible says "We can give a man a fish or we can teach him to fish". Let's stop just giving to the less fortunate and supply them with opportunities to learn, educate and become .... FREEDOM, CAPITALISM and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS!

All praise to God!

I just wanted to take a minute to praise the Lord! He is definitely faithful and his hand is in everything.
I received a call from my sweet friend, Kim, yesterday to tell me what the total ordered for the Silpada party was and what that translated into for me being able to purchase pieces for the Orphans Ticket Home Gala. I was overwhelmed!
First, let me say thank you to those of you who love Silpada so much and even in the midst of some busy days and one of you - a family loss - that you sat down and shopped and ordered. You know who you are - and I just wanted to say THANK YOU in a HUGE way as you sent the party over the top! SO... on that note, can I tell you that I had $658 to spend for jewelry for the Gala.
With that, I was able to order three complete sets - necklaces, bracelets and earrings. WOW!
Lastly, I had a dear friend and fellow adopting Mommy purchase a necklace and then said she is donating it back to the table. She also followed up to say - she'll bid on it at the Gala and hope it goes for a ton! How cool is she! YOU ARE A BLESSING!

I also got an e-mail from one of my team members who is helping me gather donations for the Auction. He and his family are donating several items including a mesquite wood cross handmade by his dad, a painted China bowl from his Mom. He also has been able to get a golf course to donate a round of golf for four. This family rocks as they are working so hard to help make this night excellent! Gager Klan - you are blessing to me and we cannot wait to see you bring your own Karleigh Mei HOME!

So, all that to say, we're out hitting the streets and asking business's to donate items for the Auction or be a business sponsor for the event. Our ticket sales will be going "live" soon - oh that makes me nervous and excited!
Please be praying for the Lord to take care of all the details that I know I must be forgetting. Also, praise the Lord for my adopting Mommy's and Daddy's family! They are going to be so excited to see the night come together and know they had a hand in orchestrating HIS night!

Dear Anonymous

This is for my "Anonymous friend".

I find it interesting - your comment on my feelings - on the post "saturday blah's". Thank you for taking the time to comment ... really. As noted in my blog I recognized that I am not perfect and I recognized that while I was bummed about the party not having a huge turn out - I find it humorous to say I was harsh on friends. In actuality, the reason I shared was to be above reproach and to be real - to show others that I am very normal with normal feelings and reactions. And while yes, I pointed out that I was bummed that others didn't show and was disappointed - I also pointed out not only on this post but on the follow up post "heart check" that I very much forgave them that they couldn't come and that the Lord had done great things instead. I didn't and don't hold it against any friend their inability to join us that evening -I thought I made sure that they understood that and I apologize if that wasn't made more clear. As pointed out - I know that everyone leads very busy lives. A sad reality really as that is exactly what the enemy hopes for us. BUSY - Being Under Satan's Yoke

I find it comical, '"anonymous" that you point out that I haven't showed for your functions and that this was my opportunity to "learn how it feels" in your own words. I'm sure it felt good for you to read this post and sort of "stick it to me". I do wish, Anonymous - you would simply be YOU and let me know WHO you are! But instead, you cower being the words "anonymous". How can someone make right a wrong or acknowledge you when you hide. Interesting, very interesting.

I actually debated for a few minutes on whether I'd even post your reply. Maybe a heart check that I would receive such comments. I have chosen to do so, however, because just as I chose to be real and admit when I felt defeated - I'm also big enough to not cower behind your reactions. I am real enough to show others your responses.
I will continue to say, a few Authentic friends is far better than a hundred that can't truly be themselves.
I am a big enough girl to admit my mistakes and failures. I'm also a big enough girl to make public my apologies and admit when I am wrong. If I have indeed been too harsh on my friends, then I'd like to take this time to say I am so sorry publicly. That wasn't my intent at all. My intent was to share my feelings, show how BIG my God is and admit that I am far less than perfect!
My telling of the story had to include the element of disappointment - without that then how could I have possibly shown you that - even through the world's "failure" my Lord showed me once again who HE is and who I am!

Correction - heart check!

First, I want to be sure that I make clear my entry from yesterday and I will do so on my blog today. I was not trying to have a pitty party. I was simply recognizing and making note that we lead such busy lives and our passions - are never someone else's (a fact of life). While yes, I did admit the way it made me felt, I did so because I think it shows and allows others to be real with their own feelings and insecurities. We live in a world that says "I'm fine" and in reality ... we're not all "fine" all the time! We hurt, others hurt --- we are all less than perfect! I absolutely don't think that my friends set out to intentionally hurt me or to not come. They lead busy lives and it just ended up that way. Yes, it disappointed me as I had gone to great strides to prepare my home and some munchies and hoped to see more of them there. I was trying to highlight that the world would see the evening as a failure and in this "Keeping up with the Jone's" society, it may look like the night was too. In fact, the Lord did great things - met my goals financially and giving us something for our Gala AND helped me to get time with one friend - get to know her better and to show me that ALL things GOOD come from HIM! My goal of the entry was to be authentic - something I am striving for - for woman especially to just put aside those false selves and BE who they are! I can only encourage others to do that if I too can be. SO .. in those moments --- that is what I did.
You may wonder why I am making such a clarification and did something take place. Well, not really ... a little heart check and one e-mail from - a friend. It wasn't a negative e-mail - it was one to say she was sorry that I felt such a way. It also was an opportunity for her to share with me how she was hurting. That's a positive step as it better allows me the opportunity to pray for her. In her e-mail, however, I realized that I think she may have misinterpreted what I wrote and thought I was having an opportunity for a pitty party. WELL ... maybe I was .. a little, however, my bigger intent was to share my heart, show you that I am real to the core and show you how the Lord spoke to me - showed me who HE was and allowed me to be blessed by how he makes all things GOOD for his GLORY!

Saturday blah's

Well, no photos today .. for one, my camera is in Colorado with my precious hubby. Let's hope he actually uses it.
Doug is away this weekend on a phenomenal getaway to the Wild at Heart Boot camp through John Eldridge's ministry "Ransomed Heart". He left at 4:00 am Thursday morning for the airport for a 6:00 am flight departure. I'll pick him up at 11:00 pm Sunday night. This weekend it seems I miss him more than usual and with that, I have been urged to pray more for him than ever. I think a part of me knows that the Lord will do amazing things for him through this adventure and a part of me wonders if the Lord is using my longing for him to be in tuned to what he is doing. I also am prompted to think of my own weekend spent back in October - 4 days with the Lord and 4 precious friends at the woman's version "Captivating". Man ... I miss those day - I miss those quiet moments with my maker!

Thursday night I had a Silpada jewelry party in my home. My precious friend, Kim, is the sales rep and along with giving her an opportunity for a show, it gave me an opportunity to earn free jewelry. I chose to, instead of keeping the beautiful jewelry - donate everything I earned in hostess amount to purchasing pieces for the Orphans Ticket Home Gala and Silent Auction I am coordinating. I sent out masses of invites and spent my day cleaning up my home for guests and baking appetizers for my "Girls Night out with a Cause! The evening was, well, not as successful as I had hoped as NO ONE showed! Well, I shouldn't say NO ONE as Granny, Mrs. Culmenares (her friend) and my neighbor, Kimberly are DEFINITELY somebodies - important some bodies at that! I totally get that folks are super busy - believe me I do as I too am super busy! I wasn't as disappointed that no one showed - just more disappointed that very few even bothered to reply and let me know. I totally understand forgetting to RSVP - Hey, I've been guilty myself, but 50 plus woman all busy on the same night and all unable to RSVP? WOW!
I know that the enemy would love to use that to bring me down and honestly, it has worked. I'm not too above myself to say that I went to bed that night in tears and asking the Lord why it had turned out that way. I don't open my home often - I suppose it's too difficult to bear that no one would want to come and too difficult to prepare - as I am a self professed perfectionist.
I wasn't as sad about the hostess gift amount as actually Granny (my mom) and her friend ordered a mass amount. I also had a few orders that came in from woman who couldn't come (taking the time to let us know - yay!) and bought something so in all ... I will end up with at least one complete beautiful set for the event (a necklace, earrings and bracelets).
Some of you might think I'm crazy to even admit that no one showed as it feels and looks as if it's a reflection on me. I have said in the past that I'm on the hunt for Authentic friends and to be honest, that means that I too am on the hunt to being an authentic woman. That would also entail admitting when the enemy takes you down, when others hurt you, when you struggle, when you feel insecure and beaten up. YEP ... I'm admitting it - I feel that today! I know that a majority of those woman would never even know that their absence hurt or that it mattered. I forgive each of them - as I know their lives are busy and I am just another friend with another cause. I just want those of you who are on the same authenticity pursuit to know - it's o.k. to admit the unadmittable.

I did have a praise for the evening. Besides my great set that will sit on the Auction table at my event .. I had some great conversation with Kim. She stayed for several hours after the show ended as my hubby was gone (remember ... in the mountains of Colorado) and my kids stayed over at Granny's. Kim and I had some great, genuine conversations. She admitted some of her insecurities, weaknesses and strong holds and showed me how I can pray better for her to be the Mom and wife she hopes to be. SO hey ... one more Authentic friend to be thankful for!

It's actually humbling to write that no one took the time out for a party in my home or to support a cause I'm so passionate about. I have learned over the past few years that no one will ever be as passionate as you are about something God places on your heart. Though you try to share with others and get them as fired up as you are - it just won't or doesn't happen.

That being said, I'm not going to let the enemy get a foothold on that. The Lord has set me apart and given me a passion for his orphans. He whispered loudly in my ear (during a shower by the way) that I was the one to organize this event. He told me who the speaker would be, the worship team would be and what the night would look like. I can tell you with confidence that he has given me much favor as he has secured THE man I wanted to speak - CEO/founder of Children's Hope Chest, Tom Davis and the most amazing worship team ever - world renowned song writers and artists Billy and Cindy Foote.
He has also sent several calls my way of founders of other non-profit agencies. They've called US asking US how they can help and how they can attend this awesome night. All that said ... that is ALL GOD ... NONE of me! We know that for certain as if left in my hands - as the Silpada clearly showed me - that their would be very little success - Lord could that be the answer I was looking for of "why it would end that way" - to show me that all things GOOD come from YOU!

So keep on praying on!
Picking my chin up and keeping my eyes fixed on HIM!

Highs and lows

At the end of each day, Doug's favorite thing to ask us each over dinner is "what was your high" and "what was your low" today? Well, the low for the South Padre trip planning this year was that Hurricane Dolly hit the coast and Padre a few weeks back. This in turn made a mess of a lot of the resorts including the beautiful resort we had booked MONTHS ago. We had planned a second annual trip with some good friends. All that soon changed with the Hurricane chaos. The Jones' ended up canceling all together (a low) and for us - we did find a place to stay as we were not giving up(one high)!

So, last Wednesday we left early for the 5 hour drive. All went well and the kids did great! We got there in time to throw on the suits and hit the beach. We also got there in time for the hotel happy hour. One free drink per adult in the room. YEAH ...a high ... we each had a nice glass of wine and melted away the stress that we had left behind - a high!

Thursday we did Schlitterbaughn. A high ... the park wasn't horribly crowded and we were one of the first ones in! That was a ton of fun and the kids all had a blast. After an entire day in the sun we cleaned up and went out to dinner (at 8:30). Over dinner Canyon said his low was walking on the hot boardwalk from the park to the beach - yep it was HOT and very long. The high --- what was found on the other side was a beautiful and desolate beach area all to ourselves.

The next few days were full of pool and beach fun. Many highs and the few lows would be your typical salt water or sand in the eyes and an occasional argument over sand shovels and toys. Nothing big!

Friday morning of the trip Doug, Canyon and Dakota went out bay fishing with a guide. The high - they caught 16 fish. Cheerleader Dakota kept the score - Canyon 12, Doug 4!
The fish that was caught was cleaned and taken by the guides to a local restaurant where they awaited us for dinner. How fun to sit down to our own fish fry and all caught by the hands of my two favorite men! High - it was delicious. Low - the meal took 1 1/2 hours to arrive at the table. Do you think they lost the fish and had to go out and catch some more. HAHA

Saturday was spent doing more of the same. Mommy actually got a few hours of reading time on the beach when the girls made some friends. A high for us all.

That evening brought the LOW of the trip. I had returned to the room to begin the shower process. As I was showering the kids and Doug began to bang loudly on the room door. I continued showering thinking "you'll have to wait .. you told me 15 minutes and I'm full of soap". Well, the beating and clanging got persistently louder and it was obvious they weren't giving in. I jumped out of the shower and half covered threw open the door to find my Canyon with his arm wrapped up in a towel and obviously full of blood. Immediately Doug said "we've got to go to the ER". UGH ... needless to say, a lot of chaos and a few minutes later we jumped in the car to head to the closest hospital around .. .Brownsville Texas (a 30 minute plus drive).
Canyon had cut his arm on a very sharp tile in the pool. An obvious maintenance oversight on the part of the hotel we were staying in. When we arrived at the hospital we were quickly seen with no wait to speak of (PRAISE). The next hour wasn't a total amount of fun as I held Canyon's hand through some horrible shots and 10 staples getting put in Canyon's arms. UGH!
5 1/2 hours later we finally were back in our room and getting all the sleepy bones in bed ... yep that translates into a two year old getting to bed at oh, 11:30 (today ... that is a LOW as I listen to her tantrum a better part of her perpetual tired self - we're in re-coop mode).
We do have praises for the situation
1.) The accident happened on the last day at the last hour of our swim. At least it wasn't the first as Canyon can't get in the water for 10 long days (less a shower with an arm sticking out)
2.) We had a safe ride to Brownsville and Maliah took a little snooze - she needed it
3.) The ER got us right in
4.) The doctor was quick to see Canyon and Canyon thought his name was hilarious - Dr. GROSS!
5.) The hotel management was quick to respond - they compt us our ENTIRE stay and will be paying ALL of the medical expenses. We are thankful for that!

A great week it's been! A family trip to South Padre Island was a great reprieve from life and the chaos of all the things going on in this home. We could have done without the free room in exchange for one less LOW but we choose to see the bright side ... the Lord looked after Canyon, took good care of him and gave us a blessing in the end.
Enjoy the pics!
Maliah builds her own sand castle!

Me and my girls!

I adore that little guy!

Dakota sporting her new beach hat!

Maliah shows off her sand toys and fun

Sleeping like two puppies curled up in a ball. The funny thing is that 30 minutes prior, they were fighting about staying on each others own side of the bed. Looks like the line got blurred!

Now that's a sand castle! Go team Martine!

The Glory picture!