My Baba's Visit

On Friday, October 19 (which is my baby sister's birthday) my Baba flew into Dallas where I was waiting at the baggage claim. I was so excited for her to come and visit me and see my life out here in Texas.  My lovely roommate: Leigh Ann drove with me up to Dallas. We grabbed Baba and her luggage and headed for the truck. A quick stop for dinner at a place called Cheddar's so we could all eat and Baba could have her glass of wine. A few hours later we rolled up into my driveway.

Baba insisted on a tour of my house even though it was 1145 p.m. After a tour of the house we all went to bed to wake up early the next morning to have coffee and watch the horses in the backyard. Keep in mind these are not my horses but the property behind me has horses!!

On Saturday, I took Baba sight seeing, showed her Lake Tyler, where I lived before I bought my house, and just the city. This particular weekend happened to be the Annual Rose Festival in Tyler. A huge event for the City and Nationally known. Here is a few pictures of the extent of this festival.

Baba in front of some of the Roses

More Roses

The Festival within the Rose Garden Acres

Cheese

The Duchess of the Festival

After we enjoyed seeing all the beautiful dresses, costumes and walking through the museum, Baba and I grabbed a bite to eat and hit Walmart to get some food for the week. I requested some of my favorite dishes. Baba taught me how to make them.

My Baba teaching me how to cook my favorite chicken

Every night we enjoyed our wine, talking about whatever came to mind. That Sunday we had a busy day with church activities: church, lunch with friends, life group and family dinner at the Runyan's.

At family dinner we carved pumpkins and as usual Baba did a great job with the camera and it was a digital camera!! 

Carving our little hearts away

Everyone is so serious!

My finished Pumpkin

All our pumpkins

Cheese!

Monday we just chilled around the house. That night we got hooked into the seventh game of the National League Championships to watch the Giants advance to the world series and went to MNF at the Runyan's. Tuesday was another relaxing day and I worked that night. I had recorded the last Presidential Debate for my Baba to watch while I was at work. Came home Wednesday morning to have breakfast with Baba then head to bed for a few hours. Woke up to go wine tasting at the local winery: Kiepersol. 

Kiepersol Winery- Tyler, Texas

We love Wine

Beautiful Vineyards

We bought some wine to take home with us. I made dinner, had some more wine and watched a movie. Thursday morning I had a meeting with my Administration Team for the church at a place called Egg and I then Baba and I embarked on a mini road trip into Shreveport, Louisiana to shop. 

Shreveport, Louisiana

The Boardwalk Shops

Downtown- Shreveport, Louisiana

Another view of Downtown

Shopping was a blast. Baba loved going to Louisiana. We got home before dinner to heat up some leftovers and of course had some wine. We chilled for the rest of the night because we needed to get up early to head into Dallas for her to catch her flight back to Cali. A huge storm came in that morning but I planned on enough time to get through the storm and to Dallas. The storm got better after a good half and hour towards Dallas. Baba made it with plenty of time to spare. I hugged and kissed her bye and prayed for a safe flight home. She told me next year she is staying longer than a week! :-) 

On my journey back to Tyler I reflected on the time I had with my Baba. I am truly blessed to have a grandmother who has not only been apart of every aspect of my life but at the age 85 is willing to jump on a plane to see me and spend time with me. I am so thankful for my Baba and the time we had together that week. A true gift from God.

A Year Later

 A year ago today I arrived in Tyler, Texas. My truck was packed with clothes, scrapbooking goods and a stethoscope. A few weeks after arriving my nursing license was transferred and the orientation began. Learning the ropes as not only a new nurse but also in a different culture had its times of difficulty but would not have changed it for the world. Beyond thankful for the open door to work at ETMC and getting the opportunity to love of the people of East Texas. I love the people I work with and enjoy learning the ways of being a “Texan.”

Loving my job.

            Throughout the year the biggest thing I have learned is really how important my family and friends truly are and when they were so close and convenient I often took for granite how accessible they were until I moved 1,522 miles away. I am so thankful for technology today that allows me to FaceTime, Skype and even talk on the phone to friends and family all over the states.

            During this year the Lord has blessed me in ways I could have never imagined: a wonderful job, a home church, new friends, old friends, a house and adventures beyond my wildest dreams. And it was all because of a little spark of God telling me to move to impact His nation.  It truly amazes me how being obedient even when you question or wonder what the outcome will be that our Father has our best interest in His hands. Amazing Love: There is no greater love. 

            I am excited to see where this next year takes me. The people I meet, the lives I pray God touches through me and the adventures to be embarked on.  Excited for the visitors planned to come and see my life in Texas and meet the amazing people that make up this state. 

Here are some snaps shots of the year:

First Visitors: Mom, Jon and Jenny (not pictured) to help with the move into my house.

Second Visitors: My Aunt Beebes and the boys came to visit Sissy in her new home!! Loved having them over, can't wait for them to come back.

Road trip to Houston with Melissa (Caleb and Myah in back)

Zip lining with Hannah, a new little friend!! 

We fry everything out here: even our turkey's for Thanksgiving!!

T and I being crazy!

Road trip to the east coast for my birthday!!

T and I on a bathroom break.

Driving and still driving: so thankful and blessed for them in my life!

My turn to drive on the road trip and T took over the camera: number one mistake when stuck in a car for too long!!  

In New York City with Jenn, loved seeing her! 

Jailbreak Mudrun!! 

My blessing: a home! 

Harvest Carnival

The past few months I have been working on creating a celebration party for Harvest Church.  The church turned eight this past week and I was in charge of planning the event. After some pondering and considering I got the idea to throw a Carnival/Circus in celebration. We have a lot of kids in the church right now and decided to make the event memorable for them too.

The planning entailed getting a carousel bounce house, a band, dunk tank, face painting, volleyball, bonfire, horse shoes, and a game called washers.  A little bit of energy well spent on my church family and the community.  I made all the desserts: the cake, cupcakes, rice crispy treats and dipped pretzels. 

The fire department filling the dunk tank. So nice of them. 

We are having a Carnival.

Some crazy clowns I found: Melissa and David 

What Pastor do you know that awaits to be dunked in 50 degree weather. PS. I dunked him!!

My Clown Cake. Happy Birthday Harvest.

Celebrating Harvest Circus Style

The table in the church foyer for the Birthday celebration!!

At the end of the event, people left thanking me for a great time and never thought they would stay as long as they did. All worth the effort and energy when it makes an impact in the lives of Harvest. Happy Birthday Harvest!! Cheers to another great year ahead!

The Mud Run- Jailbreak 2012

This past weekend a group of friends took on a big challenge to run a 5 K through a mud obstacle course. It was amazing and fun. A few months back I was asked if I was interested in joining the event and couldn't wait for the date to get here. I really had no idea was I was getting myself into. We drove to Fort Worth, Texas which is about three hours from Tyler. Parked in the Motor Speedway parking lot and was bused to a back woods recreational campus. Checked in and got our runners tag, safety pins and a bag to place all the muddy clothes in after the race. A quick picture moment, bathroom break, pre-run stretching and waiting in the sun then we were off. The we: includes friends Veronica and David Hyde, April and Adam Watters, Leva and myself.

Veronica and David on the bus.

Leva and myself riding the bus 

Cheese we are still clean!

Running Buddies

Its a little bright!!

I am not loosing my shoes in the mud.

The group ready to take on this adventure: David, Veronica, Adam, April, Leva and Me.

We started the run and were quickly trudging through mud, slipping and sliding! We ran though wooded areas, streams of rivers, shot at through a paint ball game, climbed ropes, pretty much any kind of obstacle out there we over came it. It was a blast! A great excuse to get dirty and muddy. It was an event I will never forget and can not wait to do another one. Here is some pics of us all muddy, this was the completion of the race. Next race I want to bring a camera with me.  

All muddy!!

Hey Mud.

We did it!! 

Some what clean heading back to the cars.