Tweener Trip

Billy flew me out for a quick "kidnapping in Cali" (basically meaning I dropped everything-Rainbows, events, work, etc) and the trip lasted a total of about 3 1/2 days, but it was WELL WORTH IT!! I got off the plane, rushed to the escalator, to find my man waiting at the bottom with a huge grin on. I walked down the steps as fast as possible, and felt this huge burden just lift as I was able to finally embrace this man I have fallen in love with. It was sweet relief, to say the least. I told him, "I just want to hug you"...(smile). We hadn't even realized how much more at ease, and peaceful our lives are when we're together. We live our life's separately in "autopilot" sometimes it seems, only to find moments like these as gentle reminders of why we both really are "better together".

We tried to spend a good portion of our time with his parents, and younger brother Todd. It was wonderful- no matter how short it seemed, it was really great. I am very blessed to be sharing my future with this family of God fearing, kind, as they say "good people".

The best biscuits and gravy I think I've ever had! Look how huge that thing is!

Billy reached around our necks to "cuddle" for the pic, and "accidentally" jabbed Todd's eye! He looks super happy about it huh?

They made us a delicious French Toast breakfast and we had a pajama party:) (I would show you pics of us in pajamas but we look SOOOO dead tired it would scare your eyes!)

Awwww, brother-lovin'.

*Trees with Fall colors? What are those?* :)

*The beautiful Mount Shasta in all her glory*

Hi Grandma!

Had to share a fun Rainbow's moment.

We're workin' on our Zebra badge and did a silly craft this week....

I told them to say "hi" to the camera....listen to Vincent's translation of that question :)

My little Zebra's

Off to the Race...

This past weekend, we participated in the Race for the Cure. The funds raised benefit the cause for Breast Cancer research. What a great opportunity and a blessing to be a part of.

It didn't even matter that it rained so much, there were still sooooo many people there, and if you looked around you could see a ton of PINK SHIRTS (see below). Those were women who are BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS!
We had a 5th team mate who wasn't able to be there. WE MISSED YOU LINDSAY! But they had St.Lukes towels for us, and it made us feel like YOU WERE WITH US!
I wanted to represent all of the friends and family members I was walking for-the ones who have battled Breast cancer and are still fighting today or the ones we have lost to the battle. Mom's clever hat idea worked out nicely :)

Normally, we make it under an hour for sure, but this year, we took it easy, and this was a record HIGH time for us! LOL. It was all good!

Here's a quick video so you can see all the people and excitement that comes with being apart of a wonderful cause!

Sum Fav's

All we're missin' is an old fashioned milkshake!

We hadn't roller skated for years!

He calls this our "Ministry Pic". One day you'll see it on a brochure...lol.

Check out our sweet skills :)

Taking our best

shot at dancing! :)

"and....spin..."

If he's the Cali Cowboy...can I be the Indian?

Even More Additions

We had more fam came to visit. At one time, we had 15 staying in the "Tharpe Hotel". :)

It was so great getting to see a ton of cousins and an uncle, and meeting my new 2nd cousin Chase! He was born in Australia..and I hadn't been able to visit them since they moved back to the states. He was SUCH A SWEETIE!

Billy came back a few days before everyone showed up *YAY*. So, now he's ALMOST met all my fav's (Ehemmm, one of them still needs to make the Texas trip from UGANDA).

David a.k.a. "Muscle-Man"

A fam tradition of ours is to enjoy some delicioso Ninfa's when we're all together. So we endulged ourselves at the original location in H-town....YUM! We love the green sauce, and queso chihuahua!

(my mouth is watering...)

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Happy Birthday Court!

What better way to celebrate than a nose full of whipped cream?!

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Jeremy and Steph minister to the innercity kids of Miami and we were able to pray over Julia, their adopted daughter, before she started her first semester at Bible College.

With our fam it's always fun times :)

Well, Dang

Rolled into a truck backing up today. They didn't even have a scratch to show for it. Check out the damage on Blanca...poor girl...



WELL, DANG

Short stories with Jamie

Once upon a time, a Rainbows teacher had a Rainbows class that was very entertaining to say the least. Every class time they would have a dramatic experience, that usually left her laughing, reminding her why she loved to teach 3 and 4 years olds.
One night (last night), the class was playing "Spin the teacher"...

the teacher allowed the Rainbows to take turns sitting in the chair, as the rest of the class tried to spin them around and around. The fast runners plowed right over the slower ones who had lost their footing and fallen to the wayside. They all ended up tripping and falling on the floor into a huge dogpile, and their level of energy and excitement turned into screams heard from the other end of the hall...

..during the class story time , the newbie Hailey KEPT trying to get the colors before it was time. The teacher gently said "Wait until Miss Jamie says it's time" and heartbroken over the matter, Hailey cried and cried and cried! It was a serious drama-queen moment! Miss Jamie couldn't help but laugh, and quickly took advantage of a Kodak moment.

Then, she looked around and the whole class was holding their ears! They looked at Hailey- and then back at Miss Jamie- as if to say "Aren't you gonna' shut her up?" Hailey got over the heartbreak quickly (the teacher ignored the drama) and they continued with class-

During craft time...Jenna threw a sudden fit for no reason and tossed her elephant ears on the ground

Sweet Maddy became a photo "poser"

and the elephant trunks suddently tranformed into loud and boisterous horns! The End.