Fort Worth Zoo

To make our last day in Texas...and our last day with Calynn special, we decided to take a trip to the ZOO!!!

It was the perfect day too! We had so much fun...

Calynn is obsessed with birds right now. Every time she sees one she yells, "birdy" and sometimes adds a "tweet, tweet". So of course we had to see some birds. She even got brave at the end and tried to pet a few...

Next we were off to see a personal favorite of mine...PENGUINS!! Turns out Calynn likes penguins as much as I do. 

Calynn also got super excited about the fish!!

And wanted to hang out with the kangaroos for a bit...

My favorite picture of all though is this precious one with Uncle Cory!

We had such a great day with Calynn and we already miss her! 

What I really wanted before we left was for her to say my  name. I was a little offended at first, because it only took her a few minutes before she was saying our dog's name, "Olibur". Then came "Uncle Cordy". Just as I was beginning to lose hope, she finally called out for "Aunt Ashes" one evening. Made my whole week! :) God has given us such an amazing blessing in such a little girl. Cory and I both got perfect pictures with her and as soon as we get home, please believe they're going to be framed!

I am so thankful that God gave us the time in Texas that we had. I am so heartbroken to leave though. I'm leaving behind the most precious little girl...EVER, my best friend, and a great brother-in-law. Our time in Texas went by extremely fast, but the memories we made while we were there we will cherish forever. 

Now it's off on our greatest adventure yet...

Next stop: New Mexico

Easter Blessings

Cory, Oliver and I arrived at my sister and her husband's house Friday evening. Saturday we enjoyed lunch at Nicky D's. They have the most delicious burgers and fries! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Needless to say our diet has been put on hold for a while. After lunch we went to a birthday party. The party was at a bounce house.

Calynn had way too much fun...

and cake...

Cory and I at the party

After the party, I attended my very first baseball game! The Texas Rangers vs The Kansas City Royals! We root, root, rooted for the home team...and they WON!!

Go Rangers!

This was a very special evening...not only because it was my first baseball game, but more importantly I captured the most precious picture of me and my niece Calynn.

Mommy, Daddy, and Calynn

My verdict: Baseball is a good time! I really didn't pay a whole lot of attention to the game, but family + hot dogs + cotton candy + peanuts + cheering loudly + nachos = a win in my book!! A huge 'thank you' to Jamie and JR for taking us!! This was the perfect way to spend our last weekend in Texas!

Today we all got dressed up and headed to church for Easter Sunday!

Cory and Oliver

What cuties! I'm one blessed girl!

There is nothing better than worshiping our risen Savior with your loved ones next to you! Praise God! We had a tremendous service! What an amazing God we serve! I don't have any children yet, but I couldn't imagine giving my niece up for anything...let alone giving my only child up for a bunch of sinners!

What have we given up? What have we done?

I was reminded that even Jesus' own disciples abandoned him. Can you imagine how alone he must have felt? His own Father couldn't even look at him! Can you imagine the shame he felt? We turn our backs so easily when faced with situations that may embarrass us or make us feel uncomfortable.

I praise the Lord that the cross is not about what we have\haven't done!!

It's about a sacrifice so big. A love so strong. A power so great.

He arose. He conquered death...so we may live! Come awake ye Christians!

Matthew 28:6  "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said! Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

The Big Move

In exactly 16 days we will be making the 13 day trip to Alaska! First, we will be staying with my sister Jamie and her family. I'm looking forward to spending as much time as I can with my adorable niece Calynn. I think there will be a lot of spoiling going on!!

After our time with Jamie, we will be making the following stops:

Albuquerque, NM

Flagstaff, AZ

Salt Lake City, UT

Boise, ID

Seattle, WA

Bellingham, WA

Haines, AK

Tok, AK

Anchorage, AK

We already have a house in Alaska. Praise God!!! With a hot tub!!  Right now I feel like the children of Israel...always traveling and moving from place to place. It will be nice to finally be settled...for a few years anyways. The Lord has really looked out for us. I can feel him leading\guiding us along the way. It really makes me look forward to all he has in store for us in Alaska...jobs, church, friends, possibly starting a family. There is so much to look forward to and we definitely have hope and a future. This verse has become so very close to me these past 2 years:

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

***By the way, we just got a new addition to our family.

Meet Oliver everyone!!

 He loves to snuggle.