Snow and ice

This was taken Monday morning, it was really cool because when the wind blew, the branches would make this tinkling sound.

Izzy and Frizzy playing in the snow.

View from the deck

Snow pictures!

The kids were very excited this morning to go out and play in the snow, it may not be much, but they've never seen any, at least that they were old enough to remember. Gideon was crying when I had to take him back in the house. They didn't even have hats or gloves, so I had to improvise. Juliette loves Ray's hunting cap anyway, and I put socks on her hands. Gideon didn't want the socks, but he has his fleece bee suit from Halloween on, with camo sweat pants and the big jacket...very stylish.

Ben and Susie

Ok, this is a lovely picture, I know, I just thought it was very like Ben, so there it is. I shamelessly stole these from Susie's facebook album, so thanks Susie. Thought I would introduce her to everyone.

So this is obviously not Susie, you'll have to scroll down some more. This is one of the foxes Ben saved. He gave one of them CPR. If you know Ben, you should not be shocked. Cute fox.

OK, that's Susie, the girl, not the deer. She will be the newest addition to the family come May 19.





Susie and the rock. Ben just about designed it himself. He found one he liked on the internet, brought it to a friend of the family who is a jeweler (my paw-paw's ex-girlfriend's son, haha) and changed the things he didn't like about it, the guy made a mold, Ben approved, picked out the diamond, and a few days later, it's on Susie's hand! He proposed somewhere in that time. :)


..And it's another picture of Ben and a bloody dead deer. That's a huge smile.

Happy Holidays

I think most of our family has seen these pictures, but I wanted to practice getting stuff off of a website, to the blog, and it works! haha Our friend Kris took these pictures too. Our whole family has come down with a nasty cold and it seems like everyone else is coming down with it too. It seems like all we hear lately are coughs and sneezes and all the other lovely noises that accompany kids and colds. So, if you don't mind, pray that we get over this soon! We're sick and tired of being sick and tired.

What Christmas is Really About

Thanks to troops

A friend of mine forwarded this website, and I think it's great. Xerox is sending "Thank You" postcards to troops overseas. There's not a lot of support for our troops these days and I so appreciate a company taking initiative to honor the military. It's a great opportunity to say thanks for what they do, and it's quick and easy. Just go to: www.letssaythanks.com. You get to choose from several different postcards made by kids around the country. You can select a message or write your own. As Christians, this is a wonderful way to let someone know they are loved and prayed for. I hope you are blessed in blessing others!

I needed to hear this

Even more zoo pics

More zoo pics

We went to the Waco Zoo last weekend. I've been telling our neighborhood girls we would go for a while now, so this was their payment for babysitting! It was really nice not to have to push a stroller and our kids had a lot more fun with them there. They are so good with our kids and we all love them.

Zoo trip

Juliette's Art

Juliette was just drawing, so I thought I would share some pictures. She amazes me. So, when I asked her what the green one was, she said mad. It really does look mad. The purple one is supposed to be me. What a little artist she is!

So, on another note, we've found out some information about our next PCS (permanent change of station), in non-Army terms, that means where we will go in July. There are no spots open for family practitioners in Turkey. God opens and closes doors, and I guess that wasn't meant to be, at least for now. So, our rankings are Europe, Fort Drum in New York, Fort Polk (Louisiana), then and operational position in Europe. I can't remember the rest, Kentucky, Missouri, and Georgia are in there somewhere. Every graduating resident in the army has to put Fort Polk as a choice, and since we have it as third when everyone else probably has it as eighth, seems to mean we're a shoe in to the powers that be. Ray had an interview with the Colonel in charge of placement yesterday, and the whole conversation was him talking about Fort Polk. It seems they have already made up their minds. All we were praying for was God's will in the situation. It will be nice to be near family, especially since we were also informed that Ray will probably be deployed within a year after graduating residency. Ray already knew this, but it seems much more final with a Colonel saying it. God has all of this in control. We have faith that he is good and will work all things for our good and His glory.

We will be back home Thanksgiving week!! It will be great to see everyone!

Family pictures

Our friend Kris took these this weekend at the retreat.

Daddy and Gideon



















Juju riding along on the safari

Fun with Zebras

We had the family practice residency retreat this weekend. We went to a wildlife ranch while we were there. I think Ray and I had more fun than the kids. The zebras were particularly friendly.















I didn't really kiss this zebra.














This one was getting fresh with Ray, but he was more skiddish than me














Good ole Texas Hill Country

Hiking

Juliette's ride
I REALLY didn't like this hill.
Gideon enjoyed being held for a few hours. He's such a mama's boy.

We went hiking today with two of the other residents and their families. It was fun but I'm exhausted!!! The kids enjoyed it. Juliette said that she had fun in the jungle.

It's night night time.

They were supposed to each be in their rooms reading books and getting settled in for bed. That didn't work like I planned it. I'm so glad they have learned to enjoy spending time together.












I gave up and let Juliette "read" to Gideon. They both love books so much. We're just a booky family I guess.

The Daddy Cart

The kids love being hauled around by Dad. His improvised wagon has been an inspiration to Juliette, she has been toting Elmo around in one.














Parked in the "garage" with peanut butter on her face.











As I'm writing this, Juliette is outside and I looked out there and she was giving the dog a drink from her sippy cup...uuuuugh!!

Booth's visions

We were given a copy of the first vision at church a while back (I love my church!), and I thought it was wonderful. Ray found the second a few days ago on the internet. They are very long, so I will just give the web address. Take the time to read them. They are thought provoking and heart wrenching, but I believe you will be greatly blessed.

A Vision of Heaven
http://www.myfaith.com/William-Booths-Vision.htm

A Vision of the Lost
http://www.jesus.org.uk/vault/library/booth_vision_of_the_lost.pdf

General William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army.

Juliette the Photographer

I am once again impressed with my 3-year old's abilities. She's been taking pictures for a while now and getting better at it each time. I guess it's kind of good that we have a camera that isn't fancy enough to let our daughter play with it (even though the pictures are slightly grainy.) It was such a nice day today, overcast and there was a cool wind, it even rained a little tonight. It was so refreshing after months of 105 degree weather and a severe drought. It was nice to be outside and hear all of the families in the neighborhood hanging out for the holiday.


I thought this one was cool. This is Gideon saying cheeeeeese. Juliette also took this one.