Women of Faith 2011

What is better than going to my most favorite place? Oh, going with my wonderful aunt and attending Women of Faith while we are there.  San Antonio has always been a special place for me (and my husband).  Unfortunately for him, he wasn't invited this time.  Girls only!

I was most looking forward to listening to three certain people - Andy Andrews, Lisa Welchel, and Amy Grant.  And they did not disappoint.

Andy Andrews is so fun - and sometimes hard to keep up with.  He has written several great books.  I loved The Noticer and The Heart Mender.  If you ever get a chance, read them.  One thing he said on Friday was "Everything you do matters."  I love that - whether good or bad, everything matters.

Next was Amy Grant.  I have loved Amy and her music since I was much younger.  I remember going to a friends house in elementary school and listening to Amy Grant cassette tapes in her room (and singing along loudly).  I was so excited to see her in person and listen to her sing and play guitar.  Makes me want to pull out all the old tapes and listen (and sing) again.

Another favorite from "back in the day" was Blair.  Lisa Welchel played a snotty rich girl on TV but she is so down to earth.  Loved listening to her.  She talked about how it was hard to be on screen during some important times in her life.  Friendships for her were hard - she learned several things that she shared with us about being a friend.  Sometimes, you just need to be there for a friend - you don't have to say anything, just be there.  You also don't have to be perfect in those friendships.  The imperfections help you to connect - they make you real.

I love my time away.  Thanks, Booksneeze, for allowing me to attend WOF again this year.

Can't wait for next time!

Thank you, Book Sneeze!

What do you get when you put together wonderful Christian speakers, musical artists, and thousands of women in one arena?  Women of Faith!  And I am so looking forward to my weekend with them all.

Last year I was blessed by a wonderful friend who sent me two tickets to Women of Faith in San Antonio.  I took my aunt and we had a great time.  I had only heard of WOF a few times before and we were very interested to see what it was all about.  There was singing and praying, crying and laughing.  Everything you could imagine.

Then this summer, Book Sneeze, sent out an email about blogging about a WOF experience (and getting two tickets for an event).  I already blog fairly frequently so I thought I would put my name in the hat to see if I was chosen.  Lo and behold, I was.  This Friday and Saturday I will be attending my second WOF event.  I am excited.

Here is a short video about what goes on at a Women of Faith event.  You can also look at the website to find an event close to you.  If you ever get a chance to go, do it!  And thank you, Book Sneeze, for allowing me the opportunity to go again this year.

Random Pictures That Don't Fit Anywhere Else

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel

A very cool place!  A vacation attraction as well as hotel.  We spent the whole day there just walking around and taking pictures.  I need to go to the Gaylord Texan next.  Loved all the fun things to take pictures of.  Enjoy!

Our Nashville Trip

Can you tell today is catch up on blogging day?  Well, since this is Wednesday, the next few will follow the rules of "Wordless Wednesday" - aren't you glad?!?

Robert and I went to Nashville at the beginning of August - mainly for my MOPS Convention but also for a fun vacation on the side.  We stayed with a good friend of ours, Requelle, whose house was flooded last year and Robert led a group to fix it up (rebuild) it last July.  She is great and was a wonderful hostess while we were there.

Ok, that's way more words than I planned so here are the pictures.  If you want to know about some of them, just ask.  :)

I will add a short note here - because this is my future house.  Love it!

Loved Nashville and Franklin.  I WILL go back someday.  :)

Reagan's First Day of School

I am so lucky to have two girls who love school - and have schools (read that teachers) that love them.  Not too long after Lindsey started school, Reagan got to join in the fun.  She started in the 3's class at Young Children's World just after Labor Day.  She has three wonderful teachers - Ms. Julie, Ms. Karen, and Ms. Cindy.  She is having a blast at school and loves to play "school" at home either with me or her animals.  So fun to see her enthusiasm.  

By the front door, of course.

With her huge backpack.  And I promise I fixed her hair that morning - she just has all those little fly away hairs that go everywhere.

 While she was very excited to be there, she wasn't quite ready to have her picture taken with her teachers.  But we took a lovely picture by her cubby and lunchbox.  :)

My Papa is 99!

Back in August my Papa turned 99.  I am so glad that he did too.  We had a great time all together celebrating him at my aunt's house.  We started the day with pictures outside.  They have a great tree that provided lots of shade and "cool" for the pictures.

Here is my family ... my Papa in the middle, his two daughters on either side of his shoulders and then their families around.

Here is Papa with his 6 great-grandchildren (ages 8 months to 6 years)

Papa with his four grandchildren and their spouses.

My mom's side of the family - my parents, my brother and his family, and me and mine.

The kiddos had lots of time to play together - which is great because we are usually not all together at the same time.  Here is Reagan playing with Anna (Heather's youngest).

Here are Andrew (my brother's oldest), Emily (Heather's oldest) and Lindsey (my oldest) playing the piano.

I love this picture because apparently Blake was left in charge of all 6 kids at one time.  Didn't know that happened - we were all in the other room talking and having fun.  Sorry, Blake!

And to end with, I love this picture of Reagan, my mom, and Papa.  They were all happy about something.  :)

Love you, Papa!