Always the Good Time....

Well, the last couple of weeks have been good. It's been nice having Randy home from Africa. But the trip definitely made us even more eager to get there and do what we know God has laid on our heart to do.

The itineration trail continues. Last Sunday we were in Buffalo, TX, with Pastor McAdams. We decided since it was less than 3 hours for us to drive down to Buffalo, that we would just drive in on Sunday morning. Dezra's new rule is, unless it's over 3 hours...we are not staying in a hotel! The sleepless nights that hotels provide are just not worth it. Well, unless we have to be at the church at like 6 am or something....then it would be worth it. But otherwise, I'm letting Griffin and Ella sleep in their own beds whenever possible! While I'm discussing itineration rules, Griffin is no longer allowed to drink a 24 oz. lemonade while traveling. This brings me to this last weekend's trip. It was suppose to be 4 hours and 10 minutes according to Mapquest. It took us 6 hours and 15 minutes. Griffin had to stop and use the restroom 6 times. Thanks to the afore mentioned 24 oz. lemonade. Sometime I'll have to post the official "Itineration Rules"...for now I will move on.

So this last weekend we were in Skiatook, OK with Pastor's Vince and Jenny Boone. We enjoyed this weekend a lot because we have been friends with the Boones since college. It was a lot of fun to catch up and laugh over old times. The weekend went too quickly...but we crammed a lot into it! We went to dinner Saturday night and talked and laughed as long as Ella was willing to sit in her highchair. Then we decided to take our party next door to Chick-fil-A, so the kids could play and we could eat ice cream. This is where things took an embarrassing turn. As I looked into the play area I could see a complete stranger taking care of Ella. I went in to see what was going on...being the good mother that I am and all. Sure, some might say my 11 month old didn't have any business being in there, but after riding in the car for over 6 hours, she was not going to sit in a highchair any longer. Not at the restaurant, not at Chick-fil-A, not anywhere. She wanted in the play area, and she wanted to climb up the slide. Even if 10 year olds were flying down the slide and plowing into her....that's where she wanted to be. Besides, she had 3 older siblings in there that could take care of her, right? So why is this non-related, 10 year old girl taking care of Ella? This question was quickly answered by none other than.... Olivia. Apparently, she had told the girl she would pay her if she would babysit. NICE! The girl looked at me a little confused by Olivia's proposition, but insisted she really liked babies, so it was alright. So awkward. I could feel the disapproval of the girl's family. But what was I to do? Ella wanted to be in the play area......and I didn't. Do not judge me. I could see them, we were sitting right by the window, and well, Olivia had made a deal. Anyway.....Sunday was great. The Boones have a wonderful church and it was a pleasure to be there. We are so happy for them and the place where God has put them. As an added bonus, that afternoon Jenny took our pictures! She is a wonderful photographer! Ella did not want to take pictures either, by the way.... The trip home was much less eventful. We kept Griffin's drinking to a minimum, and we traveled during prime Ella napping hours. As always, God is good, and we are blessed. Please keep the prayers coming. We are ready to be in Swaziland!!!