A Few Pics

Here are just a few pics from my phone. I took additional ones with my camera but I haven't uploaded them yet to share so here are a few we took to send to Wayne b/c he is in Prosper. These two are pics of Kelsie showing her awards. We took these after bath time to send to Wayne but I thought I would share them with you.

Also today we took the day off and went to the Fort Worth Zoo. We didn't completely skip school, we did some work last night and then this morning so we could spend the day out doing something fun. We got there around 11:30, just about the time the field trip kids were pulling out their sack lunches and getting ready to leave. The entrance was crowded when we got there but not for long and later in the day we felt like we had the place to ourselves. The weather was perfect and we had the time to leisurely watch the animals. We had such a great day being together. I will share more pics and stories later - especially the bee story. Afterward we went by and picked up Morgan to come over and play. The girls rode bikes and then played outside, we had a good day. As I mentioned, Wayne has been in Prosper this week - busy meeting with people and getting things set up still both in his office and at the house we will stay in on Saturday nights. We look forward to him coming home tomorrow afternoon. Keep praying for us as we are in transition - there are many details that we are waiting on the Lord to reveal.

Kelsie with her A Honor Roll certificate and Principal's Honor Roll ribbon.

Kelsie and her Character Award for Excellence certificate and medal. So proud of her!

A picture of Kelsie that was taken at the zoo today in front of the Hill Country waterfall.

Bragging on Kelsie

We found out today that Kelsie received some awards this year for her work at school. There was a Saturday morning Awards ceremony this last weekend but we had no idea that Kelsie was getting any awards and since we had Byron Nelson tickets, we decided to skip the ceremony. Anyway, Kelsie apparently did receive some awards and she got them today. She got an A Honor Roll award and ribbon and then a character award for excellence with a medal. We are so proud of the hard work she has done this year and that she has been an A student all year. I know she loves to help her teacher and is a great kid (even though she is a little spunky)! We are blessed to have Kelsie as our daughter.

Updates

I have several updates to share with you so here goes:

1. The house - we had a showing on Saturday afternoon. The feedback was both good and bad. The good was that the potential buyers liked the house, the realtor commented that it was a great floorplan and was very clean and organized, that it showed well. The bad was that her clients did not like the location, they want to have easier access to I-20 for their commute to work. So, there is nothing we can do about that - we take the positive feedback from the 2 showings that we had and just know that we have done everything we can do to this point and now it's a matter of just the right buyer wanting it. So, we covet your prayers in two ways - one that the house would sell and two that we would wait on the Lord in the mean time and trust His sovereignty.

2. The Byron Nelson - we went on Saturday morning. We got to the course (after riding the shuttle from Texas Stadium) around 10 a.m. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. We walked around a bit and then found a great spot on #17. It's a par 3 so we sat at the green but could watch the tee box too especially with our binoculars. I wish I had pics but no cell phones and no cameras were allowed. The course was beautiful and we had a wonderful day. We did go to the Kids Zone at the end and played a game of putt-putt with Kelsie and we had fun doing that - I had two holes in one and so therefore beat both of the golfers in the family and I am not a golfer at all - beginners luck.

3. The clock inscription - The sad inscription on the back of the clock says From Your "last choir" Wedgwood Baptist Church and then the dates we were there. It's sad b/c it's a reference Wayne made in rehearsal - he told the choir they would always be so special to him b/c they were likely the last choir we would have. But, while that is sad enough - what is really behind that is the fact that we weren't just a choir that meets once a week to sing together. We are a family! We still think of the choir, band, media, etc as that - our Wedgworship Family. We love you and always will - remember that.

4. FBC Prosper - Today was our first day with Wayne being the "Celebration Pastor" at FBC. Wayne did not lead worship today, he spent the morning observing things like greeters, rehearsal, sound during the services, etc. The church honored Dr. Toney (the music interim) for the job he has done filling in - he really has a sweet spirit and has done a great job keeping the team together and moving forward. Kelsie and I only made it to the second service b/c we had to drive this a.m. but they were working on the house today so we could stay there next week and won't have to drive on Sunday mornings. Kelsie found a few of her little friends and they sat together while Wayne and I sat more toward the back together. After church, they had a taco lunch youth fundraiser so we went to that and had a good time visiting with different people. Also, they auctioned off desserts and some went for $200 to which Kelsie was shocked. She thought that was overpriced for a pie or cake until I explained it to her. I'm sure she was sitting there thinking at these prices she was never going to get brownies, cake or pie ever again! After lunch, we went to Ikea to get Wayne a bookshelf and some chairs for his office. We found a book shelf that would work and took it back to the church to be put together at a later date. We had to rush out of there after that b/c the Apple store in Plano closed at 6 and Wayne needed to pick up his computers after they have transferred files this last week. Hopefully we can get his iphone up and running tomorrow and he will be fully functional with computer and phone.

That's the latest. I will keep you posted on the house. Keep praying for us during this transition - it's been a difficult one in many ways. Also, as I mentioned before, just that God would protect our hearts from doubt and weariness and that He would continue giving us the strength to finish strong here - Kelsie's school and my job. More later.

Tomorrow's Showing

Tomorrow, as I mentioned, we are going to the Byron Nelson - we are excited to take Kelsie to her first pro tournament. We also have a showing tomorrow from 4 to 5, I don't want to get my hopes up but at least it's some traffic. I will keep you posted about the Byron...looking forward to the beautiful weather.

The Chiming Clock and lots of Golf

So, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the Wedgworship Family presented us on Sunday night with a beautiful mantle clock. The inscription is too sad so I won't write it here. Anyway, I bought batteries for it and got it all set up and incidentally figured out how to make it not chime during the night. It is perched proudly on my mantle and the first few times it chimed it made me cry. I'm past that part now and on to the enjoying it part. I really love it - the Westminster chime along with the single chime for each hour. Thank you for the lovely gift!

Golf - Wayne loves his new golf club (also given to him by the Wedgworship family on Sunday). He and Kelsie played with Mr. Tom on Monday and Wayne said the new club made him play at a whole new level (whatever that means). Anyway, his next game is tomorrow with another wedgie, Garner. Rain, rain stay away. On Saturday we are going (all 3 of us) to the Byron Nelson tournament compliments of free tickets from a church member in Prosper. We are looking forward to the day - it will be Kelsie's first time to see a pro tournament like that. I think she will love it.

Wayne did go to Prosper this week. His first week was mostly filled with moving boxes, setting up his new office and getting his computer fixed up. He did purchase his iphone today but it won't be operational until early next week b/c his new mac is still at the apple store in Plano getting all of the files from his PC moved to his new computer (apple care ROCKS!). So, we are hoping that by Tuesday he will be completely up and running with his new phone and new computer. He did attend rehearsal on Wednesday night and said it was sweet and they had a good prayer time. He did drive back in the lightning storm on Wednesday night, it was pretty impressive. He is not leading worship this week at Prosper but we will all be there to worship with them. After church, we are headed to IKEA to get office furniture and hopefully finish setting up his office. So, we are still in limbo world a little bit but hopefully we will slowly get back into fitting in somewhere. Pray for us - our house has been on the market for 3 weeks now and we have only had one showing. I am not in panic mode yet but we definitely need more traffic if the house has a chance of selling. We are still counting down school being out - can't wait - only 4 more weeks and then we get to spend our days at the pool. YAY Summer.

Untitled

I don't really even know what to title this one. I can just say that leaving Wedgwood on Sunday was so difficult, but even more is the day after. The realization that this part of your life is over and you are moving on, like it or not. So, yesterday after going to a printer demonstration for work yesterday in Hurst, I went to North East Mall on my way home for some retail therapy. It was nice to walk the mall and leisurely shop without someone saying "hey, mom look at this" or "can I have....?" I took my time and went into a few stores at my own pace, ate lunch at the food court (by myself - shocking I know) and enjoyed being "away" a little. Last night at home we worked on a project Kelsie had to turn in today for school and just grilled out and had dinner together as a family. Wayne went last night and loaded up all his boxes in his office to take to Prosper today. He said he turned in all his keys (more finality) and the only thing he has left to do is transfer his computer files and turn in his computer which he will do sometime this week at the Apple store (he got a Mac Book Pro - lucky). Today I am having lunch with Barb and Genny and working from home. I still haven't been able to read all the letters yet - Wayne has read every one and relayed a few funny ones to me. Kelsie wanted me to see the notes she got from the kids in choir - they were sweet. I know we will still be "around" for a while but not "a part" of you anymore- that makes me sad. I am counting on "once a wedgie, always a wedgie" being true and clinging to "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way. Though he may fall, he is not utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him in His hand" Psalm 37:23-24.

What a Day

What a day at Wedgwood. We had a sweet time with our Wedgwood family as this was our last Sunday to lead worship there. It started with the service this morning which was the Lord's Supper. It was hard singing in choir for the last time but as always, our choir family was there and ready to worship together. We will REALLY miss you guys and your heart for authentic worship. Tonight, as the schedule would have it, was the "green team" (the praise team I sing with) and we sang Gateway's "Overtaken." A great song (thank goodness it was upbeat), but the song is all about God taking over and us letting everything go. It was appropriate for me tonight. Worship was sweet tonight including YCAM singing. Wayne told me later that he was ready to say a prayer of blessing over the kids tonight after rehearsal but instead they ended up gathering around him to pray for him. How sweet and I know that was really special to his heart. After the service was over, Bro. Al called Kelsie up on stage along with us and Ms. Sharon presented us with gifts from the choir. Wayne got a golf club (you will have to ask him about that as I have no clue) and they gave our family a beautiful mantle clock along with a gift card to Best Buy and most special was a book of photos and cards/letters. We would not have needed these things as reminders of our time at Wedgwood b/c it will always be special to us but we will think of Wedgwood often as we see these reminders of your love for us and our time with you. In addition, on behalf of the church, Bro. Al presented us with a 4 day cruise to Cozumel. WOW! We were in total SHOCK and really appreciate their generosity. After that portion of the cry fest, we went to the CLC for a reception. Everyone was so sweet to come by and tell us a personal story or a word of encouragement. We appreciate so much every word.

So, now we are at home. We are looking at photos and reading letters. God definitely answered my prayer that today would be a sweet time at Wedgwood. Thank you God for wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ that have a heart of worship toward YOU! We have been so blessed.

Stuff

Please pray for us as we make this transition. Sunday is approaching and I feel all messed up.

1. Pray for our house to sell - we have had it on the market only 2 weeks but I guess the discouraging thing is that we have only had one showing. The realtor that showed it gave us good feedback and mentioned that it was a "lovely home" but that his buyer was looking for a little larger house that was a true 4 bedroom (our 4th is up front more like a study/playroom). So, while it was good to get the positive feedback, at this rate of showings it may be a while. We are hoping things will pick up. Right now, we are not necessarily in a huge hurry b/c Kelsie is still in school but I know it is going to get old driving back and forth to Prosper well into the summer.

2. Pray that Sunday will be a sweet time as we exit at Wedgwood.

3. Pray for Wayne's safety as he travels back and forth to Prosper beginning next Tuesday.

4. Pray that God will make it clear where Kelsie is to go to school next year and a part-time job for me.

5. Pray that God will give Wayne discernment and wisdom as he begins to build a team at Prosper. That he will be able to see those who are God focused and desire authentic, vulnerable and God-focused worship. Pray that God would continue to draw people to Himself through the body of Christ there in Prosper. Pray our worship is pleasing to God and that His name is lifted high!

6. Pray for the ability to finish strong in our jobs and school - we are a little weary. 5 more weeks of school!!! YAY! I am ssssooooo ready. My last day at my job is May 29th. That is also very sad for me b/c they are so good to me and I like what I do and I love the people I work with.

Okay - I know this is a very selfish list of prayer requests. In 2 years, all of this transition stuff that I'm stressed over will be a memory. I just know that God tells us to ask and also to lift each other up. So, I ask you to stand in the gap for us against attacks like discouragement, weariness, doubt, etc. We know God has called us and we just want to be obedient with a heart of joy and gratitude for what God is doing. Also - let us keep praying for you! Bless us by keeping us posted about your ministries and your families.

A Hail of a Storm

Wow! Tonight we had a big storm. I do know that the storm on our side of town was not near as severe as other parts of town who got golf ball to baseball size hail. We went to eat with the praise teams and band one last time tonight at Cousin's BBQ. Once we got there around 6:30, it started getting dark and windy. We ate a pretty quick dinner and had a little time to visit but once we saw that things were deteriorating we decided to cut things a little short and head home. Once we got home, it was really dark and the wind was blowing - the girls were getting a little scared (Morgan was with us) and we could hear the sirens from downtown. So, they made a little nest in the bathroom closet with blankets and pillows, got flashlights and were ready to go in the closet at a moment's notice. Then the hail began. We only had pea sized hail but we had a lot of it and it looked like snow had gathered around our curbs when it was over. The storm was really loud so the girls just got in the closet with books and flashlights and stayed there until it was over. Spring weather in Texas! I do have pics but they are not downloaded from my camera to my computer yet. So I will share later.

On another note, this week we have had a great time just visiting with different people during out last week at Wedgwood. Tuesday night we had dinner at Pappasitos with the creativity team. Of course, we stayed too long in the restaurant and laughed alot. We had a good time. Wednesday night's rehearsal was a good one, it was good to be with our choir family one last time and tonight out with the praise teams. We have enjoyed sharing these years with you. We love you all and will miss you. Sunday is our last day at Wedgwood and while we are excited about the journey God has us on, it will be bittersweet. We will miss Wedgwood and will always have such fond memories of you - what a great season of ministry for our family. Can't wait to worship with you on Sunday!

More Baseball

Sunday afternoon after church at Wedgwood, we headed north for Prosper night at the Rough Riders game at Dr. Pepper ballpark in Frisco. What a great afternoon. The weather was sunny and while it was really windy inside the ballpark, the wind was blocked a little and it was just a little crisp but not too cold. The girls got their faces painted and free balloons as well as the standard hotdog at the ballpark. Unfortunately the Rough Riders lost by one run but at the very end of the game, the kids get to run the bases on the field. So fun and Kelsie has a blast doing that. We had a great time visiting with several different people and just having a relaxing Sunday afternoon at the ballpark. .

Also Monday night we had a great time taking Ms. Sharon (Thompson) out to dinner at The Keg to settle the bet Wayne made with her 3+ years ago. Even though we were settling a bet, we were also thanking her for the fabulous job she has done caring for things in the Music Ministry at Wedgwood. Wayne couldn't do what he does every week without her! I know you guys are in good hands as we leave b/c Ms. Sharon really takes care of so many things behind the scenes. I know she will continue to do so in love and a calling to Worship Ministry at Wedgwood. She also gave Wayne the coolest gift. It was a framed picture of the words to Dennis Jernigan's blessing song, personalized and signed by Dennis. Very thoughtful, Wayne will think of Wedgwood often when he looks at that in his new office.

Enjoy the baseball pics.....

Kelsie's face design.

Kelsie, Sara and Morgan posing after running the bases.

Kelsie and Morgan hanging out to watch the game.

Morgan, Kelsie and Kinzy

Kelsie and Morgan waiting to go in the gate.

Wow! It's windy out here.

Opening Day at the Rangers

Tuesday morning, Wayne had a nice surprise phone call asking him if he had afternoon plans. Of course, he had the usual Tuesday meetings to attend but quickly took a half vacation day to attend the opening day at the Ballpark in Arlington. Khris (the pastor at FBC Prosper) said they had been invited to watch the game from a box and Wayne was "all in" with that. He had a great time and got to see several people from our college days at HPU. The Rangers apparently got crushed but he still had a good time being there and visiting with everyone.

Kelsie took SAT's this week at school which meant she got out early on Thursday so as soon as she got out of school we got in the car and came to San Angelo. Friday I taught a class at The Heights on communication and using constant contact, etc. We had a good time even though we were "working." Wayne and Cynthia played Quicksand golf course - played 18 and then another 9, it was a GORGEOUS day. The girls had a great time playing at Grammy's house. They played outside, held the week old baby kittens, made mud pies, built a tent in the living room and played babies. Kelsie and Hailey love to play together. We ended the night with a great meal and a chance for everyone to visit. We travel back tomorrow to be back for church on Sunday after we do a little shopping first! Hope you are having a good weekend. More soon.

Pictures

Monday night was the NCAA basketball final - a very exciting game. We had a yummy dinner with the Kemners at Olive Garden and then Tom came over the watch the game. The game was close and our house was divided - Wayne and Tom going for Memphis and me for the Big 12 team, Kansas. Kansas won - yay! Anyway, we always enjoy dinner with the Kemner family and will miss you guys being able to pop over for the watching of various sporting events (they were our superbowl party this year too).
Okay, here are pics of our weekend getaway to Great Wolf Lodge. It is really just a great little weekend vacation place - we were so close to home but felt like we were off somewhere. The girls also had a great time and so did the adults. On Saturday I got a chance to start reading "Even Now" Karen Kingsbury but haven't had a chance to pick it up since. We all enjoyed the slides and the hot tub, the girls wore themselves out climbing stairs to go on the slides. I think the girls favorites water slide was the tornado. I liked the blue one - we could all ride together and it was fun. A great weekend!

This was when we first got there on Thursday. The girls couldn't wait to swim so we checked in our rooms and let them change clothes to swim - none of us wanted to go to dinner soaking wet but Wayne is one of the kids and couldn't stand it - he put his swim suit on and rode the slides right away with the kids.

After we let the kids (and Wayne) swim for a little while, we went to dinner in one of the restaurants in the hotel. Here is the girls coloring while we wait. The food was not the best feature of the hotel but because the had a "limited buffet" for the full price we got breakfast free the next day.

Outside the restaurant is a HUGE fireplace and seating area. The girls humored us and posed for pics before heading back to the water park after dinner.

Kelsie and Morgan - aren't they so cute?

All 4 girls after the first round of swimming.

This is day 2 - Morgan and Kelsie getting into the wave pool after it started making waves.

Morgan and Kelsie cruising the lazy river.

One of the pools had these lily pads to cross, a floating snake and a basketball area. The girls loved going over the lily pads in between sliding on the slides. I'm sure their arms were tired but they kept going back for more. Joel and Wayne played a basketball game with the girls but it looked pretty competitive between the two guys when we walked by to go to the hot tub.

Morgan crossing the lily pads.

We had a good time!!!

A weekend of surprises

What a great weekend full of surprises! It began with the BIG surprise on Thursday after school. Thursday morning after Kelsie and Wayne left for school and I left for work, I packed and loaded our suitcases so Kelsie wouldn't see them. When Wayne picked her up at school in the afternoon I made a phone call while they were on the way telling Kelsie that we were leaving straight from home when they got home to go and pick up Morgan and Deanna b/c we were going to meet Joel for dinner at a cool place and it's a little while away so we needed to leave early. Once we got to Morgan's house, I distracted the girls by asking to go upstairs and see Morgan's butterflies in the her room. It worked and Deana and Wayne loaded up their luggage and off we went. Morgan was out of school on Friday so they were asking, "can we swim at the Y and spend the night tonight?" Of course, we played it off with the usual "we'll see" response. So, as we drove closer to the Great Wolf Lodge, we told the girls to close their eyes b/c it was a really cool place. When we pulled up to the front doors, they screamed and thought it was cool but still did not realize we were spending the night. We told them to get their bags out of the car b/c we were spending the night and they were so excited and shocked and screaming! Joel and the Shirley's met us there just as we arrived so we got to check in together which meant all 3 rooms side by side - very convenient. We had a GREAT TIME - I will share more details with more pics later, here are just a few, mostly of just the water park area of the lodge.

The other big surprise this weekend was that Wayne presented me on Saturday night with an iphone! I couldn't believe it. Wayne's dad had originally wanted to use some hotel stay points to buy me one for Mother's Day but when he called to redeem, they no longer carried the iphone. He decided to give Wayne most of the money toward the purchase of the phone anyway as my Mother's Day gift and since I was about to upgrade to the Blackberry Curve on Saturday, they gave it to me early. I absolutely LOVE the phone. I did have a hard time setting up my e-mail but Apple tech support figured it out and we fixed it. Anyway, I am learning to use it and so far I love it - phone, email, texting, pics, internet, calendar, ipod all in one. A great gadget. Thanks PaPaw! Enjoy the pics - more details about the weekend to come.

The big water fort play area and some of the slides. The water fort had this huge bucket that would fill with water and dump on you - fun!

The stairs to climb for 5 water slides - most of the slides start indoors, go outside and end inside. The yellow and green slides are mostly indoors so here they are. This place is HUGE.

The wave pool from our seating/hang out area.

Part of the lazy river looking toward a couple more slides and fort.

Kelsie and Morgan - this is when we first got to the pool area day 1. This was their re-creating the surprise.

The girls in our hotel room right after we checked in and before we got to the pool. We checked in, put our stuff down and changed as quickly as possible for the pool. They are so excited, they weren't sure what kind of faces to make - so cute!

House for Sale

Our house officially goes on the market first thing this morning. Pray that it will sell in the next 30-60 days. If you know of anyone looking for a house, point them our way. It's listed on the MLS and with Prudential Realty, Don McCall. Thanks for your prayers and support, we love you! Also, today is the big surprise for the girls - will be sure to take pics and share the excitement with you - looking forward to it. On a sad note, it's not such a good day for little Raider. He will be at the vet overnight as he is getting his manhood altered. He goes in this morning and we pick him up tomorrow afternoon - poor baby!

Food and Friends

Have you ever noticed that food tastes better with friends? Monday night is "Wedgwood Missions" night at Palio's Pizza (btw - if you didn't know that through the month of April, Palio's Pizza is giving Wedgwood 25% of your bill to missions so take a break from cooking on Monday nights and go eat their EXCELLENT pizza, be sure to tell them you are from Wedgwood. I do not like pizza but I get "The Molly" with alfredo sauce and it is soooo yummy!) Anyway, we met the McLelland's and the Shirley's there for a quick dinner and we had good conversation and the kids got to sit together and have fun. Tuesday afternoon Morgan came over to play and at the last minute we decided to have bleu cheese burgers (a Shirley Coleman/Stacy Adams creation) and have the McLelland's over to eat with us. The girls played and played with their dolls and tried to do April Fools - they were cute. Food just tastes better with friend! Also, the girls have NO idea about the weekend - I can't wait to surprise them! So fun.

Update on Baby Allie - She had surgery on Monday for her new port. She is puffy but has not lost all her hair and I think is doing well under the circumstances. I know the family is ready to go home - keep praying for strength for them. My sister, brother in law and niece were here on the Saturday while we were in Prosper and they got to see Allie for her birthday - she turned 2 this week. Allie's grandmother stayed at the hospital and they were able to get Rachel (Allie's mom) out for a quick dinner. She never leaves Allie but it was good to get out with family for a short while. Keep praying!!