Ethiopia

Mom is headed back to AFRICA!!!!!! 3 years ago she went with a group from Illinois to Zimbabwe. This year she is going to Ethiopia with Buckner's. So far there are 5 from FBC Spur going and will be involved with an orphanage and VBS. Mom has been through a lot in the last 2 years. She will need many prayers long before she leaves and also while there. I am not sure the dates but I will keep you posted. This picture is of the first time mom was in Africa and it is partly the reason I ended up going. I saw this picture and was drawn to the little boy on the far left. Something about him got to me. Last year I went to Africa so needly to say, I am a little jealous. I wish God was calling me too, but, at the present time, nothing. Romans 12:1-2 were the verses mom used in her testimony of how God called her. --- Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Marshmallow Game #2

At Nia's 6th Birthday party we played a game with marshmallows. The one you saw in the video reel is a different one than this one. You tie a marshmallow to a string, then you put the string in your mouth which would make the marshmallow almost touch the ground, hands behind your back and see who can get to the marshmallow first. Well, the little ones aren't that coordinated, so Emmy, the smartest one of the group shoved it in her mouth - she won. The older kids got the hang of it but I got some really cute pictures.

Marshmallow Game

Nate

Nate Swaringen is almost 1 year old. He is unlike Kevin & Alysia's other 3 kids. He is into everything from dumping a house plant out to pulling out all the tissues from the box to digging in the trash. He is very active. My two kids were both that way and still are. Ian really likes playing with Nate. Between Becky, Kevin, & myself there are 6 girls and 3 boys, so there are bonds between the boys. CUTEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wigs

Mom has been cancer free for almost a year now and her hair is growing fast. During her chemo treatment she wore wigs and we have just had a time with those wigs. The wig in the pictures is one that goes under a hat to make the bottom look like you have hair. We didn't know this when we put it on and this was the result, we had it turned the wrong way. Nia took my picture. We had a ball that night.

Malorie comes to Oklahoma

Malorie Tagle is staying with us this week. She is Hope's (Romeo's sister) 4 year old daughter. She has done a terrific job. I thought she would be homesick being so far from mom but she told me when we FINALLY got home, "This is my home now, I like this place." She stays by my side most of the time. She likes watching me cook dinner. We stopped at Texas Roadhouse in Wichita Falls on the way home and she had decided that she wasn't going to eat. We told her that this is the only thing we will be eating until breakfast the next morning. She decided "ok, I'll eat 1 green bean." So she did. When we got home, of course, she decided she was hungry. We stuck to our ground and made her wait. Breakfast rolls around and SHE IS HUNGRY. She eats all her breakfast and lunch comes around, she told me "I am going to eat all my plate today." We had her favorite - ravioli, mac' n' cheese, and not-no-favorite green beans. She wanted seconds of ravioli but she hadn't touched her green beans. Nia was already on her second round of ravioli and Malorie got a little worried. She said "Nia, are you going to be full?" Nia said "no" so Malorie went crazy on those green beans. And this is way we have gave her a nickname. """"""""CHIPMUNK """"""" Although she stuffed those green beans in her mouth, that's as far as they went. She stored them in her cheeks for a LONG time. I finally told her that she wasn't going to get more ravioli if she didn't swallow. She finally did. We have really enjoyed having her. She obeys very well. No complaining at bed time. No complaining when picking up the toys. She sings a song as she cleans and encourages Nia & Ian to clean too. We always read the Bible to the kids before they go to bed and she wanted to read about the giant. "David & Goliath". We read several stories out of the Bible and then she wanted to read "Are you my mother". It's about a baby bird trying to find it's mom. She apparently has the book at home because she told all the parts of the story before I got to it. It was so cute. Hope, thank you SOOOO much for trusting us with your precious child. She told me just now "I love you, Amy". She is so special to us!!!! THANKS for sharing her with us. Love you, Amy

Mr. & Mrs. Travis Day

Travis and Kaitlyn (sorry for misspelling) finally got married. It was a beautiful ceremony. We are extremely happy for the couple. Travis has been a great friend and cousin all these years and I am so thrilled that Kaitlyn is his wife. She has an extraordinary presence, a beautiful smile and you can certainly see that she is in love with Travis. These two are servants of God and love Him very much. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry you two, I didn't get a clear picture of you)

Maci comes to Oklahoma

Hadley & Becky were brave enough to allow Maci to stay a week with us in Oklahoma. We have lots of plans including the zoo, omniplex, and VBS for 5 nights. We are so excited she is staying with us. Travis Day gets married next weekend so we will be taking her back then. Maci is excited about chores. We have a pretty neat program that I use with the kids that allows them to receive rewards each day for good deeds, chores, and behavior.

Day 1: Helped cook supper (she cooked fried burritos). Her behavior has been superb, a wonderful example of obedience to my children who are 6 and 3. Thanks for sharing her with us, Fletcher's. I know you miss her. She is outside looking at the stars through a telescope with Nia & Ian. I hope to take pictures each day but as for Day 1 this is what she's up to. No need to worry!!!!!!

Day 2, 3, & 4 were all very busy. VBS is the reason for that but we are having a blast. Our theme is Outrigger Island and the songs are great. Maci has been cooking, playing, helping me with the kids and much more. We went walking yesterday but Nia fell right quick and we didn't get to walk very long. We also got snow cones. Maci got a door prize yesterday at VBS, it was a green sea urchin ball.

Day 5: Today we are hoping to go swimming. However, it is REALLY windy outside right now. 2 days of VBS left. Tomorrow we hope to go to the zoo. She is having a great time. And we are enjoying her tons.

Nia turns 6

Happy Birthday Nia! She was born on June 2nd at 11:18 a.m. weighing 7 lbs. She is a pure joy!!!! I told her a while back that when she was a baby she ate the cake with her hands so this time, although not a baby, she decided to try it, except mom was watching and decided to have a little fun by pushing her hand on her face. We all got a kick out of it. GOOD TIMES!