Pictures are worth a thousand words!

We started out for our Indiana trip and spent the first night in Sikeston Missouri. We ALWAYS stop at Lambert's (for obvious reasons) for yummy throwed rolls and home style cookin! An evening view at the farm I think it was almost 10:00PM

I was on a mission to find this hydrangea and bring it back to Texas. Have you ever seen such beautiful blooms? It's an Anabella... I brought one back with me. we'll see how she does in the heat.

I thought Lambert was going to bring this jewel home for his next rat rod project... he didn't... thank you Lord!

I love the fresh markets and beautiful flowers that seem to be EVERYWHERE!

We made our annual trip to the fair. This year Hoot wasn't afraid to touch the animals. he held baby chicks and a baby duckling... so cute. We wouldn't miss the derby. You know I was rooting for the wagon!

Lambert was done!!

I love this picture. Hoot was so afraid of the big slide, but papa held his hand all the way down and by the time they reached the bottom he was begging to go up again... so they did. what a great papa!

Dad sported his Whale Wars T-shirt while we canoed the Eel river... just in case we spotted any Japanese whalers!! Lambert, Dad and Hoot are ate up with Whale Wars on Animal Planet. They even rammed our canoe a couple of times! Dad and Lambert have the shirts and Hoot is begging for one now... maybe for his birthday.

Hoot loves the farm and has asked if we could all live there together forever. He put his farm puzzle together today and said here is our farm, just like papa and Granna's.

Papa hung this AMAZING tire swing for Hoot and I'll let the pictures tell you if he liked it...

Papa Truman was an excellent pitcher. We really enjoyed just hanging at the farm.

Doesn't it look relaxing?? It was really hard to go back to work Monday.

You know I took the camera and expected some great shots...well...

He's growing up... :(

This is how he felt about photos by day three... he was done!!

You're not supposed to photograph the Amish out of respect for their culture. I thought I was going to be sneaky and get a shot when they turned the corner, this little toot turned around and caught me. They gave Hoot a ride on their buggy. He loved it!! We learned that the Amish believe a part of their soul is lost when they are photographed... This could be hogwash, but that's what we were told on this trip. I didn't take anymore photos, but I really wanted to! they are so dang cute.

We planned on taking a tour of Lake Webster via the Dixie, but she was out of commission for repairs and maintenance. We still had dinner at the pier and Hoot caught some perch.

It seems we always spend the last night making s'mores and this year was no different. We had a nice breeze and Hoot had a ball roasting all the marshmallows for us.

We made a stop in Memphis on the way home. I had never been to Beale Street. We had some good barbecue and then found a hotel with an indoor pool so Hoot could swim... he truly is a fish!

It was another awesome trip to the farm. We miss it and I still feel a little depressed when I think how fast it went by. This past work week was the longest EVER! I am so glad that Nanna Lambert joined us this year. I think she had a great time and loved the beauty of Indiana. Until next time...

Home Study Mailed to USCIS

Our Home study was officially sent via Fed Ex to USCIS today!! PRAISE THE LORD for he is good!!!! We are waiting on our fingerprinting appointment!!

Psalm 89:8O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

We're Back

We are back and we are so tired!!! We got home late last night and have spent all day cleaning, unpacking and washing. I have so much to post, but I am too tired. I did want to share with you are little souvenir that we brought home... she is so cute. her name is Dixie. Hoot named her after the Dixie paddle boat we ride in Indiana each year. We thought it was cute so that's her name. We've debated for several months about getting a new dog. We lost Bernie, our beloved, cocker spaniel after 12 years about 2 months ago. He was the best dog ever. We didn't feel he could be replaced and weren't sure we were ready for a puppy. I think we've all had time to mourn and miss having a pup in our home.

Indiana or Bust

We are headed out EARLY in the morning... do you think I've packed one thing??? NO... we went to the movies to see Despicable Me instead of packing.. it was great. Now... I blog... next I'll pack... clothes are clean and laid out... kinda... it will be fine. that's how I roll... (i despise that phrase, but it works) really. Speaking of roll... talk to ya when we get back.

Home Study Update Complete

Our prayers were answered. We were certain it was going to be quite a while before our home study update was complete. We have prayed and prayed and the Lord has heard our cries and answered. We received the e-mail today that our case worker completed the study update and our agency approved it. Copies are being printed and our I-800A is (hopefully) going to be sent via Fed Ex to USCIS early next week. PRAISE THE LORD!! We are thrilled with this news. Every step brings us closer to our girl.

He is THE MAN!!

Nothing could make me more attracted to this man (except when he's teaching Jr. High Sunday School) than when he's taking care of business at the casa! A few weeks ago I posted (i think) that our nanny spotted a LARGE BROWN SNAKE in our garage.... I DETEST snakes and have a serious phobia issue with them. I really don't even like to type the word. It stems from my dad. He has the same issue and passed it on to me. (Hoot has it too) So she spotted it and got the heck out of the garage. She wouldn't go back in the garage for a long time... I immediately started researching s---- traps... My big strong hubby ordered this contraption for me and said it would do the job... we waited... and waited (like Noah) No snake... until TODAY. We were outside throwing water balloons after dinner and I decided to get my pruners from the garage when I noticed... a tail... in the box. I called for my man... and he came running (kinda) It was a family affair... we all wanted to see Daddy chop off the s----'s head. Sorry s----- friends... He pulled the box from the wall, opened it up and slayed the serpent!!!! I am so proud to be married to this man that protects our family. Hoot was proud too.
Go Daddy....

You know what's in this box... We thought it was a gimmick, it wasn't!!

IT WAS LARGE...

BYE BYE S----- Hello Daddy!

... he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Gen 3:15

Happy Fourth of July

Thank you to all the men and women who have served or our serving our country today. We are thankful for the freedom they fight for. We are also so thankful for the ultimate freedom that can only come from a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ! Our Sunday service was awesome yesterday. It was a reminder of what freedom costs. Freedom did not come without bloodshed for our country and it did not come with out bloodshed for our eternal freedom. It was a good reminder. it was also a HUGE day for Hoot... It was a day of firsts.... We spent the day with friends swimming and enjoying grilled burgers, hot dogs steaks etc... Hoot is TERRIFIED of fireworks. He starts building up when he sees the fireworks stands opening. He wants to know just when they are going to start blowing up and wants to be certain we are at home! He hates them so much that he said he NEVER wanted to go back to Disney World because the display them every night. We would head back to our hotel and watch them from INSIDE our room with the door closed and he still hid in fear. He detests the noise and the lights... So last night his little friend talked him into going to our local park to watch the show... Hoot talked a good talk and said he was not afraid anymore. Mom knew better... We told him we would go and that if he was scared we would just watch them from the truck. I even packed his sunglasses and his ear muffs (we use for the monster truck show). As soon as we pulled into the park he asked for the muffs... (i'll have pics later I forgot the camera) He watched the entire show from the bed of the truck with is sunglasses and ear muffs. Towards the end of the show he took them off! He was so proud of himself and we were too. He also ate watermelon for the first time. He liked it! It was a great day and I'm thankful I have the day off with my family today. We're off to Waterworks Vacation Bible School!