More VACATION...

Hello Alamo!

The Riverwalk in San Antonio. It sure is charming. We skipped the boat rides at $8.50 a person. We figured we would get as many free boat rides as we would like from Grandpa Neumann when we head to Wisconsin later in the summer:)

We ate Mexican on the Riverwalk. The food was great... but holy cow... the birds are crazy. They didn't bother us while we ate, but the second we were done and got up, they were swarming... It was a little creepy!

Great Granny and Levi...

All of the cousins on the Hintz side of the family.

After we left Roman Nose, we had a 9 hour drive to San Antonio. We rarely stay at hotels because it seems like we are either camping or visiting family. But San Antonio was different. We decided to stay at a hotel right near the riverwalk. It was interesting to say the least to have all 8 of us stay in a hotel room.... 2 pack n plays, 2 queens and a pull out... It was cozy, but really everyone did great!

We were a short walk to the riverwalk... but it was HOT... HOT...HOT! We did our sight seeing and then headed back to the hotel to let the little ones nap and the big ones go swimming. I think the kids would stay in the hotel, just for the chance to swim. They love it!

We only stayed in San Antonio for 2 days and then headed to hot and humid Houston to see family. This was the most time we have gotten to spend with Greg's sister and family in a long time. That was so nice. Grandma took all the ladies out to lunch at our favorite tea room in the same town that Greg and I first lived in after we were married. They actually served Anna her coke in a teapot and cup... She was beaming.

I would have to say that the comic relief on the way home would be me TOTALLY embarrassing myself. When we were gassing up the van, I had to run in and use the bathroom. I couldn't wait any longer. Well when I walked out I walked straight for the big white van right in front of me... the only trouble is when I got there and greeted the man pumping the gas... it wasn't Greg... and when I looked over to where MY VAN was... There were Greg and the big kids all cracking up... Glad I could give them that sweet gift of humor:)

Enjoying Roman Nose...

AHHH.... THE FREEZING COLD WATER OF THE NATURAL SPRINGS....

"GET ME OUT OF HERE... IT IS TOO CHILLY!"

ANNA AND CALEB SPLASHING AROUND IN THE SPRINGS...

IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SETTING... JOJO WAS TAKING IN ALL THAT GOD'S CREATION HAD TO OFFER...

The first 3 days of our vacation were spent at a pastor's retreat at Roman Nose State park a few hours from us.

We were so fortunate to be able to spend this time with the Tiews family. It worked out perfectly. We stayed in a duplex type cabin side by side. We were able to go swimming in the park pool and natural springs ( the water was freezing, or as us northern girls like to call it... refreshing), attend the retreat sessions, and cook our meals together. The first day when we were all getting ready to go swimming the door between the 2 rooms was open... When I came out with my suit on... the kids said, "Boy that is weird, your suit looks just like Mrs. Tiews." Lo and behold we had the exact same swim suit bottoms, and really similar tops. We both ordered them off the overstock on the landsend website... BIZARRE! I think we are starting to think more and more alike on a lot of things:)

When we were first in a small group together 13 years ago in Texas with just one child each, who would have thought another 9 kids later we would end up serving different churches in the same city... That has been such a blessing.

Isn't that just like God to know exactly what you need ahead of time and to provide in ways you would never have imagined? I love that God gave us that special sweet gift for both of our first calls into ministry:)

I CAN'T RESIST....

I couldn't resist posting some of the many expressions of Levi over the past few weeks. Man, this sweet little guy just melts my heart, and keeps me constantly in awe of our Creator God.

He is such a good baby, really easy going for the most part. He traveled great in the car and pretty much is just happy to have someone paying attention to him. And trust me, he gets loads of attention. Just this morning before G and the the 2 older boys left for church at the crack of dawn, I knew Caleb would have to come in and sneak some sugies from Levi. He is heading to camp for 4 days after church. I think he may just miss Levi the most of all while he is away:)

I had to stay home from church today with the four littles. Anna threw up again last night. I am a bit baffled... we had pork ribs, although she had that 2 days ago and was fine... but the last time she was sick a couple of weeks ago, we had pulled pork that night. I don't know it may just come down to the fact that she still sucks her thumb and she is probably picking up germs... but thankfully no one else is showing any signs of feeling bad... time will tell...

Well, I just wanted to share some pictures of the littlest sweetie. I will try to post some pictures from our vacation soon. It was really nice to get away... much needed... but it was nice to get home too:) I can't tell you how much Greg and I love our own bed:)

Anna and Levi

Anna and I have really been enjoying our Mommy/daughter bible time up at church on Saturday mornings... Honestly, she has been almost giddy to the point of having to settle her down. I think she is just that excited.

She is growing up so quickly... will be 9 in the fall. Gone are the days when she seems like a little one... with that comes great joy in my heart... yet there are pains there too.

How can time be passing by me so quickly??

To see her with Levi just melts my heart. She has such a tender heart... but to see her with a little one shows me her mommy heart and I can see God growing that part of her as she helps with Levi. She is the best little helper.

She is about the same exact age I was when my littlest brother Josh was born and I was all over that kid:) She is just the same with Levi... but in a really good way. She is so careful and can hardly wait till he wakes up in the morning.

Boy I love these 2 precious ones...

On the road again:)

We are on a much needed vacation... Oh my... my hubby has worked so hard and really has only taken a couple days off in the last 6 months. He was busy being dad, homemaker, pastor, boo boo kisser etc etc, while I was in the hospital. Then we had sweet Levi and Greg hadn't taken a breath yet, until now...He soooo deserves this time. I will update with some pics from vacation once we get home... but for now we are in Texas enjoying some much needed family time... extended family time... and long time friend time.

I am about to hit the sack but we are so excited to go back to our 1st church as a married couple tomorrow morning. I know it will be like going HOME! Salem is such a special place to us with so many special people who I know have been lifting us up in much prayer over the past couple of years. I can not wait to give these people some hugs in person... It is long over due... and this girl is soooo excited too, to actually sit by my hubby in church and worship together side by side and as a whole family for the first time in a long time.... Tomorrow is going to be a great day, I can feel it:)

But for now I will leave you with a few picture from before we left home...

Look at these 2 knock outs... Are these beads fun or what? They were a gift from a friend and ALL the kids love them:)
These 2 brothers love playing in the water after it rains... and it NEVER seems to happen with out adding a little mud to the mix...

Blessings

Louis took these fun pictures of the great farm eggs we get from a lady at church...

She is so cool... she is Jojo's Sunday School teacher and she and her husband live on a vineyard about 10 minutes from our house.

It is absolutely gorgeous!

Every couple of weeks she rings the door bell and has an abundance of eggs for us.

I never have to buy eggs and it is such a blessing to us...

That has been one of the great perks and bonuses to being a pastor here...

OUR FILL OF FARM FRESH EGGS!

Have I ever told you Caleb is the egg maker in the house?

He, by far, makes the best scrambled eggs I have ever had...

COME ON... REALLY????

This is a picture of a place I pass every time I head into town... We live in the sticks a bit...

But... Come on really?

I honestly can't believe people post signs like this.

At first it sort of made me laugh...

But then it sort of just made me sad... people can be so catty, persnickity (is that even a word??), bitter and mean... I could go on and on....

I don't know... it just strikes me in a not so warm way....

Just had to share it with you all...

I am hoping that NO ONE ever feels that way when they come to our house... I have always said that our house is the Lord's and hopefully we have the doors open to anyone for a warm visit:)