A good trip

This past Thursday we took off on our trip to TN. We stopped at the rest stop at the TX/AR border and everyone got a little energy out - the weather was wonderful and we enjoyed taking a short break from sitting in the car.





















We arrived at my parents' house at about 6:30 p.m. - Dad had picked up Papa John's pizza for dinner and it was a welcome meal to our van full of weary travelers (CKB and I being the weariest :) ). If you recall, we don't have Papa John's close to us right now and it'd probably been a year since we've had PJ pizza - yum!



Friday we enjoyed a relaxing day and then prepared for evening services. We made it just in time after fighting our way through some unexpected traffic delays. My sister and her family got there ahead of us after driving over from East TN that day. Evening services were very good - CKB preached and we were blessed to be in the hearing.

Saturday morning my sister's husband, who is also an elder, preached. We are not all together often and we enjoyed hearing the message God laid on his heart as well.

Saturday evening we enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers a la Dad/Grandpa as he rolled out the grill for one last hurrah this year. Afterward we had a mini-birthday celebration for one of our nieces who just turned 5. To see all of their crew, check out the blog link on the righthand side of this blog for Foothills Valley.

Here are all the cousins minus 2

Here is the missing child from my sister's 3


My brother and his family came over for a short visit before the children went to bed also and everyone enjoyed seeing the youngest cousin for a bit. She seemed to enjoy all the chaos and took it in stride.

And a pic with the youngest cousin (at the moment - our baby is due in January and my brother's family will grow by 1 come April). Miss A was thrilled to hold her baby cousin, Miss N.





All the little girls took awhile to settle down that night - too much excitement :) They finally went to sleep and the grownups headed off to bed as well.

Sunday morning was a wonderful blessing to us all. CKB preached first and spoke on the body and bread. My brother-in-law preached next on the blood and wine. Can you see where we're going here? Elder Camp followed and spoke on the foot washing service. Yes, you are right, the communion service followed. Elder Camp mentioned that he'd never been in a communion service before with so many young children and what a blessing the children are in the church. Amen and Amen. We were indeed blessed in the service.

Later, after a meal together in the lunchroom, we packed up the remaining items and got back on the highway again. My sister and her family headed out shortly afterward - their journey was to be about 7 hours; ours 9. I'm thankful to report that they arrived home safely as did we (at 11:30 p.m.). Our weary bodies were very glad to be back home and ready to fall into our beds to sleep.

It was a good trip...tiring...but worth every moment of tiredness.

CKB went back to work yesterday (Monday) and we rested here, not getting much done. At naptime/quiet time, Mr. A went down for his nap, Miss E went to practice piano, Miss A and Mr. E played quiet games and I laid down for awhile...which ended up being a much needed 3 hour nap. I feel much more rested now, but unfortunately CKB is now under the weather and home from work today (Tuesday). Lord willing, it will be a short lived illness.

It's good to be home.

**Well, I never got around to finishing this yesterday (Tues.), and it's now Wed. CKB went back to work today and feels some better - yay - after fighting the garage door last night after it got off track when I raised and then tried to lower it w/the remote after putting out the garbage bin. Ugh. CKB prevailed and it is fixed. I'm so thankful for a husband who knows how to fix things!

I'll leave you now with some pics of the mini-birthday celebration this past weekend. Oh yes, and my brother-in-law celebrated his bday on Sunday, but with all the hectic-ness of the day, I forgot to wish him a "Happy Birthday" - so "Happy Birthday!!!!"


Here's the bday girl - just recently turned 5!

Miss C



Another Miss C and Mr. E


Mr. A


Mr. C


Miss E and Miss A