We have neighbors, yall!

We have neighbors! Its true.

For the last two years I have had this imaginary neighborhood in my mind and now by an absolute gift from God, we have the REAL deal.

They speak English too, wahoo!

Look at these precious things.



They are only out here temporarily because God has called them to the mission field. I am going to enjoy every last minute of last minute dinners, random stop bys to the pool in our backyard, wonderful talks about the kingdom, babysitting their little girl, late night run bys to get something I don't have (stores around here don't stay open late), but most of all, enjoying this "country" season together when life is a little more quiet and we are tuned into what He wants to say to us.

Speaking of missions, we have some pretty amazing friends who are loading up their four boys and going to the mission field. I encourage you to click here, see how you can get involved, pray and support them as they take the gospel to the beautiful people of Port-au-Prince.

"For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Saturday morning with the Terrys

Saturday mornings...Oh, how I love thee! Let me count the ways...

They usually begin by the kids coming into our bed and we all have extended snuggle time.



Then, Joe enjoys making Saturday morning breakfast.

His favorite: biscuits and gravy.


My favorite: whole wheat french toast.


Then, we take a blanket out to the lawn to have family worship.


Next, we throw on our gear and head out for a little training ride.


By this time, its only 10 a.m. Whew, our kids wake up early :)

Not this Saturday morning though, because our fearless leader headed out for a "sabbatical." How Joe explained it to Isaac is that he was going on a date with Jesus in the woods- Bible in tow.

We took this pic as he was headed out- the "ranch beach" (Isaac name for the Jeep) with his bike strapped to the top and a cooler filled with ice cold water- its hot out there!




Tonight, he let me know he had made it safely by texting me this picture that said, "home sweet home."


I respect and adore every manly, valiant part of you, Joseph Daniel Terry!

New kitchen creation

Okay, so I was wanting something new for dinner last night. I remembered the most delicious thing that Schwan's man used to deliver was Mexican pizza. yum!

I tried to recreate my own version. Joe said it is in his top 3 things I have ever made. Now, that's not saying much but maybe you could help me tweak it for something fabulous.

Pizza Crust:

1 cup of warm water
1 envelope of dry active yeast
1 tsp of sugar

Let sit for 5 minutes until that becomes creamy.

Then add 2 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
2 tbsp of olive oil
1/3 cup of orange juice (it helps with the wheat flour)
1 tsp of salt

Knead, then let it rest for a few minutes.

Dust pizza stone with flour. Roll dough out onto stone and pinch around sides for crust.

In a saucepan, mix tomato paste with half a package of cream cheese. Spread mixture over dough.

Sprinkle with your favorite Mexican seasonings.

Then top with whatever toppings suit your fancy:

- seasoned taco meat
- diced olives
- black beans
- tomatoes
- diced jalapenos

Then cook for 20 minutes on 350.

Warning: Its very filling. Joe, Isaac and I only ate half and we are big eaters.

Have a great weekend!

A New Tradition

On the 4th, we went to a fundraiser for Father's Heart, a home for teen mothers. It is an amazing ministry that has a trained staff to help navigate the difficult and complex decisions that lay ahead while pointing them to the gospel.

They had the fundraiser out on their property with bounce houses, fishing contests, cook out, boutique, puppet show, tours of the home, and fireworks at the end of the night. The entire event was amazing- so next year if you are near East Texas and looking for a night you will never forget, then head to Garden Valley and be blessed by Living Alternatives.


I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend 4th of July.

Exactly.

A friend sent me this :)

This is why I prefer the natural approach, they name things after me.

Mimi and Pops Bible Camp

About two months ago, I got an email from Joe's parents and it went a little something like this:

We would like to invite Isaac to "Mimi and Pops Bible Camp." We will be hosting all our grandchildren over the age of 2 for a week filled with fun activities and Bible lessons January 5-8, 2010.

ARE THEY NOT THE MOST PRECIOUS THINGS EVER!?!!

"A good man leaves an inheritance (of moral stability and goodness) to his children's children." Proverbs 13:22

We drove up Sunday afternoon to drop him off. When we headed out Monday morning, Joe and I (and Elyana) were headed to the car. We were exclaiming our "I love you"s and our "Have fun!"s Pops says, "We got this." Isaac doesn't even shed a tear or a single whine and echoes, "We got this."

I am praying Mimi and Pops have some supernatural strength (they're going to need it ;) and that our little man is a blessing.




I WILL sing of the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation. Psalm 89:1

Night at the Park

My amazing husband has put us on a new budget. One that hits me right where it hurts. Gifts and starbucks. (More on what we're saving and believing for in future posts).

Basically the gist is that we are only purchasing needs right now. What constitutes a need you may ask- I've asked too. I can tell you things that aren't needs:

1. Hair bows- sorry baby girl. I will say that the great bow search of twenty ten landed on these beauties. Even before this I would never pay $24 dollars for a bow. But I did think about it.

2. Starbucks- Let me tell you a Soy Iced Chai can make any day into my personal heaven. Yes, it is a problem.

3. Father's Day Present- let me tell you that being on a gift restricted budget is one of the most difficult things. Not that gifts are my love language- because they're not. I just love to give gifts. Especially to my husband.


With that dilemma in mind, I had to pull out all the stops for Father's Day for being the best dad. Challenge accomplished largely due to our Aunt Lomommy. She hooked us up with some sweet tickets to the Rangers vs. Astros opening night of the fight for the golden boot and there were fireworks after the game. Win, win, win. Did I mention the tickets and parking were free? Oh, my man loved me something fierce.



Now, let me tell you a little something about the Terrys. When I first met Joe, that sweet bachelor ate out at least 2 meals a day. Seriously.

When we lived in Dallas, eating out is a way of life. There are so many fabulous restaurants that tempt you every time you get in your car.

In over four years, we have been working to tame our restaurant beast but it takes re-training your mind (and a whole lot of eating my cooking-yikes!).

All that to say, when we packed up tacos to eat in the car before the game- you have to know we mean business.




If you see this little cutie on Fox Sports now you'll why.



Love this one.




We learned the hard way to wait to tell Isaac about exciting outings. The entire week before the game, a sweet two year old woke me up in the 6 o'clock hour with, "Mama, is today rangers baseball?"



We were sitting along the third base line and you better believe mama bear was praying for safety for wayward foul balls. I have forever been scarred by the guy sitting near us in 2006 who inadvertently caught a foul ball with his face. Isaac brought his glove just in case.

Justin Smoak was up to bat and one popped really high in the air and I immediately knew it was coming for us. I was holding Elyana, shoved her under the chair, and stood over her trying to form a shield. Some old friends were sitting next to us and he leaned over and protected us from the ball. I saw the ball roll at my feet. He picked up the ball and graciously gave it to Isaac.

Every boys dream.





Here he is- the hero of the day. Bless you Mr. Cloud!



After all of that- we didn't make it to the fireworks. We headed home; what a day at the ball field! Thank you again Laura- we had a blasT!