First Days! :)

Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder....

Today is the first day of a new chapter in our life. My heart is so incredibly sad this morning as I hand over my military ID for the last time. Tears are literally streaming down my face as I type this post.

It is so symbolic. As I hand over my ID, it is as if I am handing over or closing a chapter that has been such an important part of my life. Unless you have lived it, I can't begin to describe the adventure that has been the past seven and a half years.

There have been hard parts.....all the TDY's, all the goodbyes...but I feel nothing but honor and pride to have stood beside my airman as he served his country.

I will never forget moments like watching Brent hand over flags to families of fallen airmen or watching our amazing Air Force band and drill team perform at the bottom of the capital steps. I will never forget the precious moments of having one baby born in Albuquerque and one in DC. I will never forget watching Savannah meet the men that the movie "Band of Brothers" was written about. I will never forget the amazing friends we have met along the way. I will never forget seeing my brother's face the first time he watched Brent be saluted at the gate. I will never forget the Albuquerque sunsets, walks along the Hudson river looking at the capital building, or seeing Savannah's face the first time she met Mickey Mouse. I will never forget "Captain Money," or the countless other memories we have made. But, most importantly, I will NEVER EVER forget how to pack a box! :)

Now, off to make new memories and see what the next chapter in our life has to offer!!

Cheers, Air Force! You will be greatly missed....

Our life is like a Roller Coaster Baby!

So, I was laying in bed thinking about how busy our life is about to be. I couldn't help but think about a roller coaster. You get on and latch in. You generally start going up the incline fairly slowly. With every inch, the chains clank, clank, clank as you anxiously get closer to the top. You wait, it feels like an eternity, you reach the top, and then.....THERE YOU GO! Fast as lightning!

Since our Ireland trip, we have had VERY little going on. It has been one of the most quiet six weeks I can remember us having. That is great, but it also makes the anticipation of our upcoming adventure feel like it is a hundred years away. So, as I am laying in bed today, I was thinking....we have been in the "incline" phase of the roller coaster, hearing the nerve racking clank, clank, clank with every day that we approach the "top", or beginning of the wild ride that is about to be the next two months of our lives. Now, three days away from it all, we are SO close to the summit of the ride, almost to that point where you can see the crazy drop in front of you....you know, where it slows down to an almost stop, before it releases you and you hold on for dear life?

On Wednesday, we will start that downhill adventure and be going a million miles a minute. Will it be scary, fun, a little of both? Sure! Aren't roller coasters terrifying, exhilarating, nerve racking, and completely amazing all at the same time?!

I am very excited to see how this ride is going to be!

Enjoy the video to bring my point home....your heart will skip a little beat picturing yourself on the ride. Now you get a glimpse into the way we are feeling :)

Click here for the Video: ROLLER COASTER RIDE

Home School Week 2--Time and Money

Well, even though this "week" took us two weeks to complete, I do believe Savannah really learned a lot! We started an incentive jar, where she gets to deposit either a dime or nickle for certain chores that she helps with around the house. I was able to incorporate the money unit and savings using this jar. I took her on a couple of "field trips" to the bank and the grocery store, where she learned about depositing money into an account, and how to pay for things using coins (at the store).

We also learned about time and how to read the hour hand on a clock. It was a fun week. It does get hard, though, to stay disciplined. I am hoping I will be more disciplined once real school starts and we have less distractions.

Here are some of the pictures from this unit:

Home school-Week One

Well, our first week of school has come and gone, and I will have to say it was a success. We had a lot of fun with this unit-Outer Space. Luckily, and one of the reasons that I started our units so early, we had some great "space" themed opportunities the week that Atlantis took her final flight. Savannah seemed to enjoy the unit and picked up on quite a bit of the information. We also worked on writing, spelling, reading and math. Even though we finished a little "late," I would give us both a gold star ;)

Lesson Plans

All of Savannah's Assignments-I thought it would be motivational for her to be proud to display her work. It worked! :) Plus, she used it as a reference when she needed help spelling.

"Field Trip" to watch Atlantis launch

Field Trip to Kennedy Space Center

And if Our God is for us, then who Could Ever Stop us

Roughly six weeks ago, we got news that we were eligible for a bonus that would allow us to get out of the military this summer (one year early), with a nice bonus check. All the documents gave us a sense that this was a fairly done deal. We were to pick a date we wanted to get out of the Air Force, and send in our application.

We chose Aug. 1, and moved on with our plans. Because the economy is in the tank and the real estate market is pretty awful, we decided that we better go ahead and put the house on the market, because we assumed it would take many many months for it to sell. We also thought that if the bonus was not approved, we could take it off the market and just stay put.

Well, the application to get out continued to filter through all the hands and be signed off on. It finally made it to the "head dudes" for final approval.

In the meantime, our house sold.......in TWO weeks....for a full price offer....

We thought, what a BLESSING it is to have this house sold and one thing off the check list. Of course, like most people, we are upside down on the mortgage, and had to take out a loan for the difference. This, too, didn't seem too bad because the bonus check was going to be within a few hundred dollars of what we owe on the house. We assumed that God had given us the perfect amount of money so that we would not be in financial despair.

We started packing, because we were to move out very very quickly because the buyer was ready for the house. We found a rental and spent many hours planning out the logistics of the summer and planning for a career conference and to start a job come August.

Everything was falling into place. We thought, this is just how God wanted this all to work out.

Then.....we get an email last night.......

The two bullets of the email that could change it all for us read:

*Mandatory separation Oct.1 (two months after we planned)

This isn't a HUGE deal. We would still get the money to pay off our debt, but would be fairly irritating to change plane tickets and rentals, etc since we thought it would be Aug.

*The secretary of the Air Force has concurred that we will now only have LIMITED approvals for the bonus. (Based on a list of reasons)

NONE of this was discussed with us the first go round. We may now get NO bonus and have to live here in Florida for another year. This is where it gets fairly unnerving. Not only would we have to be here longer, but now we would not get any money to help pay for this outrageous debt. And, the minimum payment on the loan is close to a mortgage payment itself. It is going to put us in a MAJOR bind financially if this is the route the Air Force takes.

I woke up this morning, fully intending on having a good freak out moment over it all. We have a Uhaul truck pulling into our driveway this Saturday to start loading up our house for crying out loud.....AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE CONTENTS OF THE TRUCK WILL GO!!

The Air Force is supposed to let us know this week, what the decision might be. Our two options:

1. Leave Oct. 1

2. Leave May/June of 2012

My heart is kinda at war with itself, I think. My emotional side wants me to be a wreck over this, but Jesus is definitely in there keeping me strong and reminding me that this too is part of His plan. There is a reason for this, whether it be a blessing or a lesson learned, it will be revealed to us. How can I go all crazy when I know that God has His hand on us to guide us through? How can I feel out of control when we have been under His control all along? I trust in Jesus....He is my deliverer! And if He is for us, then who can ever stop us? How can Satan get me down when God is right there fighting for me?

I am in awe of how God has worked in my life these past seven years. Because, people, I can guarantee you that if this had happened back then, I would be a crazy person. I would have been inconsolable. I have always had a problem with wanting to have too much control over my life. If I make a plan, it should happen....but God has taught me these past seven years that I am not in control, He is.....and even when my plans have been completely thrown out the window, His were revealed and we were blessed beyond measure!

I can confidently say that no matter what happens, no matter the burden or circumstance, God will be there, holding us, guiding us, and getting us through.

Praise God! He is greater, He is stronger, He is higher than any other.....and there is NO stopping us because He is for us!!

Blessed

The word blessed is defined, in the Webster dictionary, very simply, as "of or enjoying happiness".

HOWEVER, I believe that word is so much more meaningful than Webster gives it credit for.

To say, "I am blessed," is an understatement. Am I enjoying happiness? Sure! But is that it? No way! God has given me a family and a set of friends who have challenged me, cried with me, laughed with me, picked me up when I have fallen, danced with me when I am exuberant, and loved me unconditionally. God has even allowed tests to be placed in front of me to challenge and grow my faith in Him.

Tonight, I was flipping through old songs. My heart and mind were flooded with memories of how truly blessed I am. Each song that I flipped through brought me back to a moment, even a brief one, where God was glorified through our singing.

For example, one of my fondest memories was back in college, when a group of us went camping for a long weekend down in Manatee Springs, FL. After a long day of fun, we gathered around a campfire and just started singing. There is something so spiritual about singing out in the wilderness, underneath the stars, surrounded by the wild wonders of God's universe. We just sang. It was beautiful. I do love instruments, but there is nothing more beautiful than listening to raw talented voices praise Jesus without anything else but their voice. We sang and my heart was filled with joy.

I remembered the hundreds of times in middle and high school that my best friends and I would sit around singing together. It didn't matter what is was or where it was, we were singing. We were so blessed to get to be a part of so many retreats, camps, etc. where we were able to sing and be blessed in those moments. How blessed I am to have been surrounded by such great friends who love the Lord like I do. How blessed I am to continue those friendship even to this day. I am convinced that we have been able to continue those relationships because of our deep bond through Christ.

I remembered the first friend I had after moving far far away from those friends and family who cared for me, to a world of the unknown, insecurity, and adventure. I remembered all the moments that made us the friends we are today. Any time I hear "Shackles" or "My Redeemer," I remember that friend who loved me when I had no other friends or family around to do so.

There have definitely been some rocky roads along my path too: deaths, divorces, disappointments. However, God was still able to bless me in those moments through song. During some very hard parts in my life, I remember laying in bed at night just singing these words from one of my favorite songs, "Lord, give me peace. I'm feeling all alone. Calm my spirit. Still my mind. Fill my heart with peace." I would sing that over and over and over, and you know what? I was filled with peace. Even when I felt disconnected from everyone else, I always had God's hand to hold and carry me through. I remember funerals of friends and family members. I remember singing "It is well" at my grandfather's and cousin's funerals. I remember singing praise and worship songs like "Shout to the Lord" at a friend's funeral who was taken away from us way too early, but we were still able to rejoice because he was in Heaven! Even in those moments, God was able to comfort us with song.

My favorite memory of music blessing me was from our wedding rehearsal dinner. After all the festivities had ended, we all sat around and started singing. It was the MOST beautiful, tender, uplifting moment. How many people can say they spent an hour of their rehearsal dinner praising Jesus in such a tender moment like that? God was in that place. We were so fortunate to get it on video and, even to this day, I sob like a baby listening and remembering how perfect it was. I am so blessed to be married to a man who loves Jesus as much as I do. We sang a lot of songs that night, but, of course, the one I remember most was Glorify Thy Name. Some friends sang it again, the next day, at our wedding. "Father, we love you. We worship and adore you. Glorify thy name in all the Earth. Glorify thy name. Glorify thy name. Glorify thy name in all the Earth."

My precious Lord has blessed me so much more than just "enjoying happiness." He has been present for me during every perfect moment, every mediocre moment, and every terrible moment. Thank you God for filling my life with such beautiful music to remind me of how blessed I have been and continue to be!

Savannah's Fifth (Hard to Believe) Birthday!

In efforts to not go stir crazy waiting for an answer on our future with the Air Force, I have decided to upload pictures from Savannah's party for you few who are not on Facebook :) We had close to 30 kids at the party! It was SOOO much fun and I think everyone had a great time! What a fun day!

Grammy and Grandpa Tom!

Our big FIVE YEAR OLD (almost)

Birthday girl ready to party!

The decorations...

....and party favors...

Hey hey hey

Most of the party....fun shot!

Happy birthday sweet princess

Best friends

If we are moving....

We have about another week before we should hear at least a sliver of what is going to happen with our future. Even in this short time of uncertainty, we have said on numerous occasions, "Well, IF WE ARE MOVING, then....". Here are some examples:

"Gross, we need a new shower curtain." "Well, IF WE ARE MOVING, we should just hold off until we get into the new house."

"Let's hang out with our new friends." "Should we really be making new friends IF WE ARE MOVING?"

"We need to plan family vacation." "Well, until we know IF WE ARE MOVING, we won't know if/when we will be able to."

"A new couple wants to join our small group." "Well, IF WE ARE MOVING, will there even be a small group next year?"

"We need to register Parker for preschool next year." "Well, IF WE ARE MOVING, he will not go to school here."

"Where will Savannah go to kindergarten?" "We are waiting to find out IF WE ARE MOVING, but if we stay here, it will be Quest."

You get my drift? It is always something. However, I am sure that IF WE ARE MOVING, there will be a whole new set of "ifs" to go along with that too :)

I am not stressed out about it, but I will be glad to find out at least a little something. It is unsettling knowing that, in a matter of days, our lives could drastically change.....or maybe they won't change at all!! AGH! ;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!

"Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Little Seeds

Let's imagine, for a moment, a little seed, flying through the air. That seed has no control as to where it lands. As the seeds flies around in the air, it may land, for brief moments, only to be picked back up again to continue on its adventure. If it is lucky, it will land in some rich soil so that it can be nourished and blossom.

I feel like that little seed right now. The wind that blows us around has never been as unpredictable as it is at this time in our life. We could be facing some major major changes over the coming weeks, and with each major direction, there are two or three more minor avenues that have to be considered. Some of the major changes will be decided for us, some we will have some input in, and some we will make for ourselves. We keep playing out all of these scenarios in our conversations. "Well, if this changes happens, then we will do a) b) and c). However, if this other thing happens, then we could do this a) b) or c). It is so time consuming imagining all of the "futures" we could have after a few little decisions are made.

We are placing full faith in God to provide for us. Although our journey thus far hasn't always been easy, we have been able to find blessings even in the rough spots. We have also been so richly blessed through the experiences and relationships along our journey. God knows what He is doing. I believe that the majority of people would be FREAKING OUT right now if they were faced with the same uncertainty as we are. However, our past has proven to us that God is there with us for every step. How can we worry about tomorrow when God has given us more than we can imagine to bless us today? We know the outcome we would like. We know the outcome that others would like on our behalf, but that doesn't mean it is the outcome God has in store for us, and we have to be ok with that!

So, again, I can't help but think of our little family as a seed waiting to find out where we will plant ourselves, where we are supposed to be to bloom and grow. The winds are changing, and we are ready!

I will leave you with this thought:

If you could journey with a seed, where do you think it would take you? How do you think you would be used once you landed?

Potty Training

Savannah was trying to help me motivate Parker to pee pee in the potty. Here is a sketch of "Parker" pee peeing in the potty. He is standing over the potty (the circle with the green "pee" in it). The picture is also anatomically correct. I asked Savannah what was happening and she said the pee (all of the green in the picture) was coming out of Parker's bottom and going into the potty. I asked again to clarify, "So Savannah, where is that pee pee coming from?" She said very innocently, "Oh, just his bottom."

If I could Cha-a-a-nge The World (think...Eric Clapton)

So, my post has nothing to do with Eric Clapton, but when I began to write, his song is what popped into my head!

Last August, I was blessed to attend the MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) National Convention in Orlando. I went to a class called, "Serving the World with A Toddler on Your Hip," by Hayley DiMarco. I really wasn't sure what to expect, but I figured it had something to do with service. I long to serve. It is a passion of mine, but has fallen to the wayside since we moved to Florida. I have looked into a few things, but nothing seems to work out....or what I should say is, I haven't worked hard enough to get them worked out.

Haley told us about her story. She was a writer and her husband was a successful business man. They had a heart for service, but like many parents, felt as though they could only do so much with the toddler to tow. However, they challenged themselves, moved out of their big Nashville home, bought an RV, and lived on the road. Their mission: visit homeless shelters all over the country, recording men reading the Bible. They, then, took these readings and composed an audio Bible, which they later used in future missions, including Hungry Planet.

She had several major points which stood out to me. I had forgotten about this class, until today. I started thinking about where we will be next year. Will we make lots of money? Very little money? Have a nice house? Live in an apartment? There are so many uncertainties about our future, but today, I was imagining that we made lots of money, and how, when we do, I will hire a personal masseuse to come to my home once a week. Then, I stopped in my tracks, and was reminded of this class I had attended.

So often we focus so much of our energy on money and what we will do with it, if/when we have any. One of the major things that I took from this class was about this very thing. She asked us the question (worded from memory, so it's not exactly the same), "How many of your luxuries are indirectly causing someone else to miss out on their needs." BAM! Slap in the face. Now, clearly, you purchasing a new Porsche does not mean someone's food is being taken away from them. Or does it? We could go crazy with this, but let's look at a few examples....and I will use myself, because I do not want make you think I've got it all together. One of my "luxuries" is that I can go to Chick Fil A pretty much whenever I want. What if I took all the money I spend at Chick Fil A and, instead, saved it up and sent it to Africa. They could probably feed 10 starving children for what my one meal cost. Another example: What if I traded my Odyssey in for a car, that would be safe, but was not as new or as nice....then I could use that extra money on a child's education expenses in Russia, or even in here, in our own back yards!

There are so many ways that we could live without our luxuries so that we may give more to the less fortunate. Matthew 25:40 even says, "The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of min, you did for me. "

I am going to challenge myself and YOU to find at least one luxury you could do without, and find a place to give. Bear in mind, that a great luxury you "own" is the ability to do with you time what you choose. What if you took some time out of your day to help someone in need, serve at a local mission, etc. That is also a great luxury to give up!

This brings me to my next point....or, I suppose, Hayley's next point. Because we were discussing how to serve the world with a toddler on our hips, she challenged us to think about this: Are you children your idols?

Wait, what??

She actually made a very valid point. God said to put no gods (idols) before Him. Do we use our children as a crutch? Do we idolize our children more than God? Her point was, God should be number one...not the normal things us moms think about--not our children's safety, not their health, not their naps, playgroups, sports, etc. No....GOD! I know for sure that I use my children as a crutch. "Well, Parker and Savannah are too young to be exposed to that." Or, "If we take them on a mission trip, they may get sick or hurt." HOWEVER, we must remember God comes first. Yes, lets be reasonable, but lets not idolize these children. We should never make their needs greater than God's need for us to show His love.

She gave an example of a family of five who moved to Africa to support a mission there. Their families gave them a very hard time because it wasn't safe or sanitary. Yet, they went. While there, their little tot got very sick and died due to the lack of medical care. However, instead of dwelling on the "what if's" or the "how could you have done this to him's", they moved on because they knew God had called them to do this....and God is supreme...even over our children.

Yes, I know....this is a VERY hard concept to grasp. We, especially as mother, are to take care of these children, not putting them in harm's way, etc. So, to be able to accept that their needs and desires, etc. should not be our greatest concern, is no easy task!! It is definitely something I am still trying to wrap my head around.

I truly want to serve as a family. This may not mean going to Africa, but I would love to find a place for us to serve as a family and stop letting the "luxuries" of my life control it.

I ask that you pray for me, because even though I love to serve, I often have a hard time giving up my luxuries and handing over my fears to the Lord.

Take small steps....ease into it...

This is my challenge to myself and to you....

Are you up for it? Are you ready to get off that comfy sofa or soft bed, and go be the light that God calls us to be??

Can I get an Amen?

Well, I turned 29 Thursday. I don't know what I am supposed to think of that. Some people get really unhappy with age, however, for some reason, that depression hasn't taken over....yet ;) Are there things about getting older that I do not like? Of course. Do I wish little wrinkles weren't appearing, things weren't sagging, brain cells weren't frying, fat weren't lingering? Sure. However, I do know that with each day, I strive to grow in wisdom. I have made plenty of mistakes in my 29 years, and I love that the Lord has given me another day to redeem myself and bring Him glory.

I was reading another devotion this morning titled, "Rebuilt."

The writer talked about how she used to have so much self confidence as a teenager/young adult. However, with age and because of some of her circumstances, she had lost a lot of her confidence. It made me think of Savannah and how confident she is. She is about to be five. As far as she is concerned, she is a princess, everyone wants to be her friend, she is smart, etc. I am not looking forward to the day that she comes home asking why someone wouldn't play with her, or when she gets a bad grade on a test. And, Lord help me the first time a boy breaks up with her. So, even though we may gain wisdom, we also lose our innocence.

The writer (of Rebuilt) talked about how moves, failed friendships, finding her place in new churches, etc. had caused her to lose confidence in herself. She went on to say how some things have to be torn down before they can be rebuilt. She asked if it were God's plan to bring these struggles into her life, which she quickly answered "No!" However, God does use the low points in our lives to guide us to a better place.

2 Corinthians 3:4 says, "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God."

Instead of trying to get through life chanting "I can do it!," we should get getting through saying, "He can do it through me."

Philippians 4:13-" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

So, it may be hard to have confidence in ourselves, but remember our confidence should come from Christ.

So, as I reflect on the fact that I am getting older, I want to grow in wisdom and confidence (in Christ) so that when the reality of life catches up with me, I will be ready to take it on!

Where are you?

The other night, I was laying in my bed unable to sleep from the soda AND the chocolate I had for dinner. Since we got rid of cable, I have no tv in my room to help me fall asleep. So, after much tossing and turning, I decided I should give up trying to sleep, and I pulled out my phone. I have just started reading posts from the Proverbs 31 ministry's website. Well, I pulled up a few daily devotions and just started reading them. One of them really stood out to me. It was titled, "weak places, Strong Places."

It starts off with this:

We all have them. Weak places. Places inside that make us wonder if we’ll ever get it together like the “together people.” Places that make us feel less than. Less than victorious. Less than a conqueror. Less than strong.

Who doesn't feel this way?? One thing I am learning real fast is that even those "together people" do not always have it together. As much as I want to have it all together all of the time, that kind of lifestyle is not nearly as fun :)

It goes on to talk about how we often times wallow in our weakness. Then they say:

Maybe we need to sit still for just a moment or two today. Quietly sit without the weight of condemnation or the swirl of trying to figure things out. Quiet, with nothing but the absolute assurance the Spirit helps us in our weakness.

Well, it was VERY quiet while I was in my bed at 12:30 that morning, so I decided to do just as she said and just be still....just lay there, calm, peaceful...and y'all, let me tell you...that is NO easy task. There are so many things going on in our life to lay and think about. Thoughts constantly rushing in and then right back out. It is often hard to make sense of all the things going on, and feels as though I can never find a good place to start. So....I continue to lay there, trying to "be still" but I kept finding myself thinking about what the best way to "be still" would be ;) So...after I failed at that, I continued to read:

He understands our weak places. He knows what to pray. There is a purpose to this weakness. Though it doesn’t feel good, things will be worked out in a way that good will come from it (Romans 8:28).

Something that I have reminded myself over the past little bit is that even in this weak place, God is working. I cannot really understand what it is that I am supposed to be learning, but I think that is where prayer comes into effect. I think that if we constantly seek Him, His answer will eventually be revealed. There is definitely a purpose to all the weakness, even if it takes time to see God show us that purpose.

So, then I read on:

In that quiet stillness while the Spirit prays for us and we just simply soak in truth, there will be a flicker of light. A slight trickle of hope. A grace so unimaginable, we’ll feel His power overshadowing our weakness.

We aren't weak......

We are dependent.

Dependent on the only One powerful enough to help us. The only One sufficient enough to cover us in grace throughout the process.

Our relationships may not be sufficient. Our circumstances may not be sufficient. Our finances may not be sufficient. Our willpower may not be sufficient. Our confidence may not be sufficient. But He is and has been, and forever will be.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

All I could think to myself after reading this was RIGHT ON!!! Man oh man how powerful that was for me to read in my moment of weakness. I feel as there is NO better way to phrase what I had read. It could not have come at a better moment. Once again, I see God reveal Himself to me and show me that there is purpose in EVERY SINGLE TINY thing that happens to us. Many of these things lack in sufficiency, yet God is sufficient. He is there to cover us with His grace so that we may better conquer all of the insufficiencies in our life. I cannot tell you how powerful this was and how PERFECT it was for me to read in that very moment. This, my friends, was no coincidence...it was GOD!

It finishes up like this:

So instead of wallowing in my weak place, I will let the Spirit reveal the one positive step I can take today. I will wash away the condemnation with the warmth of His grace. I will receive His power. And I will rename the weak place, my strong place. “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10b).

PERFECT! Perfect words, perfect timing....just perfect!

We are made new by His grace EVERY MORNING!!!

I hope this devotion encourages you like it did me.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

I had to privilege to volunteer at the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition house here in our local community. It was a real honor and I loved every minute of it. All of the volunteers were super nice. I helped with the food, which meant I served the volunteers, ran errands between the catering tent and the VIP tent, and ran errands to the house for the workers who were too motivated to stop working long enough to eat :) The food donations were much appreciated and came from some amazing places. The night I was there, we served food from Beef O Bradys and Tropical Smoothie. Later that night, Texas Roadhouse was coming in to grill up a whole bunch of yummy food. We also had a Ben and Jerry's booth where you could go and get ice cream for free!! Lots of local groups have also donated TONS of baked goods. These volunteers are being treated really well. I was shocked to see TWO massage tents when I walked up. They were for the volunteers to come relax if their backs were sore, etc. Like I said, we were treated great!! I am sure hoping to get back down there for the MOVE THAT BUS ceremony Friday, but haven't found a sitter yet, so I am unsure :(

Here is a link to the story about why the family is getting the house done for them:

http://www.extrememakeoverspacecoast.com/the-hurston-family/

Here is a link to a live feed where you can watch the progress:

http://www.extrememakeoverspacecoast.com/live-video-feed/

They aren't sure when it will air, but I heard sometime in February.

Here are a few pictures from when I was down there.

Michael from Extreme Makeover!!

Christmas Morning-Take 5/Mamaw's House

Savannah and Mamaw

Boys will be boys

Uncle Matt and Savannah