Design Giveaway

My friend, Jenn, at Munchkin Land Designs, is having a design giveaway. She designs for blogs, twitter backgrounds, and Etsy.

Go over and check out the party!

Scripture Memory Catch-Up

I neglected posting my Scriptures while we were on vacation, so here are my verses ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen!

"He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." -John 7:18

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." -Proverbs 31:25-27

"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." -Isaiah 26:4

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -John 16:33

Summer makes it hard to get motivated sometimes, but I just keep writing Scriptures in my spiral. Even if I'm not actively working to memorize right now, I've kept up with adding a new Scripture and read over them often. Just trying to stay consistent.

So, what are you memorizing/meditating on?

Play Area at 313 Food Republic

The boys and I met Andrea and Tori at 313 for some lunch the other day. They have a great play area on the terrace outside. It was a perfect place to play while we waited.

I had only seen one of these things on Ellen's tv show a few years ago. It was great fun trying to punch your colored buttons when they lit up.

I think my posts about our US trip are finished. My camera battery died before we left New Mexico, and my charger was buried someone in one of the many suitcases we left in Texas (which we later retrieved). I didn't get any pictures of the family get-together with my Dad's side of the family. *big, sad face*

Our US Trip, Part Six--Uncle Scott Gets Married

The reason for our June return home (and not some other, cooler, time of year) was to attend the wedding of Justin's youngest brother, Scott.

He married this sweet girl. We love her. Welcome to the family, Grace.

The three brothers, all so cleaned-up and handsome. I love those two boys on either side of Justin as if they were my own flesh-and-blood brothers and am very protective of them.

A rare photo of Mimi, Justin's mom. She looked gorgeous that day (and every other day, too).

And here's what my kids enjoyed doing during the reception...ringing the bells that made Uncle Scott and Aunt Grace kiss. *smile*

Our US Trip, Part Five

On Tuesday, June 22, we flew from Houston to Albuquerque. Then we drove the 2 hours to Justin's hometown. The wide open spaces of New Mexico look slightly different than they do in central Texas, but it felt so good to see this landscape.

And we were so happy to finally see this sign!

And playing in the park and not sweating a single drop! The weather was incredible!

Our US Trip, Part Four

Before we left for New Mexico, we had a gathering of our old Life Group in Houston. It was such a joy to see all these sweet faces again and get to hug them!

Dana and Holly:

Sweet Evelyn:

Aaron with my boys:

Kim and Alicia (the only picture I have of Kim because she refused my later picture-taking opportunity):

All the men outside chatting:

Are You Seeing A Pattern?

I had to interrupt the trip recap because I noticed something while I was going through all the pictures.

This is Levi's new "smile for the camera" face. Nice, huh? I have many more where these came from!

Our US Trip, Part Three

Playing in Grandma and Poppa's backyard was so much fun!

In this picture they are making "stick soup."

Eating popsicles on the porch swing...that's what summer is about!

Our US Trip, Part Two

Driving from my sister's house to my parents' house, these are the scenes. I loved being in the Texas country (we had to explain to Caleb what "country" is. He was concerned that it was so dark outside the car windows at night...no lights!).

Wide open spaces are definitely the thing we miss while living in Singapore!

Our US Trip, Part One

My mom flew to Singapore so she could fly back with us and I wouldn't have to do it alone. Here she is reading to the boys on the airplane.

A wonderful site to see after a year away!

Poppa holding Audrey once we arrived at my sister's house. (See my van in the background?! I was so happy to be able to drive myself places, and the DVD player came in VERY handy with all the traveling we did. I miss my van already.)

On the way to my parents' house, the first of 3 times we'd make the two-and-a half-hour trip from Houston. This picture is so appropriate because my kids don't sleep in the car, and Ava falls asleep once we leave the driveway. :-)

We're "Home"

We're back in Singapore and seriously suffering from jet lag. Caleb slept 50 minutes longer this morning than yesterday, so he was up at 4:20. He was apparently starving because he ate 15 mini pancakes once one of us got out of bed to feed him (not me). Their eating schedules are way off and neither of them ate much at lunch or dinner yesterday. Apparently breakfast is making up for that.

Caleb asked me at 6:45 this morning, "Can we homeschool now?" "RIGHT now?" I said. They are craving structure after being out of a routine for 5 weeks, but I'm exhausted and cannot even think straight. I need some coffee. I did what any good mother would do and told them to watch "Tom & Jerry" and then we'd homeschool when that was over at 7:30am. It's going to be another long day today.

We had a great time visiting our families and friends in the US. It was really hard to come back to Singapore, but we were thankful to get back to our own beds and a routine.

Here are some random pictures from our trip. I'll try to blog about each part later, when my brain is fully functioning. I took hundreds of pictures, so these are just a very small sampling.

Levi with his cousin, Audrey. We met her for the first time on May 29, and Levi loves her!
Us with our friends and mentors in Houston, Bob and Alicia. We love them and miss them terribly!

Our family at Uncle Scott's wedding in New Mexico. Not the best photo, but at least you know we were all there. The theme for the reception was Mardi Gras, hence all the beads the boys are wearing.
Boys with their cousins, Ava and Audrey. I'm pretty sure Audrey is sending a message to us. ;-)
The boys at the airport in Singapore for our 2:25am flight to Texas. A little sleepy.

It's time for Grace Academy Homeschool to open for the day, so I'd better get prepared. I've got two boys who are, amazingly, not as exhausted as their mother and ready to learn!