Friday, December 27, 2013

Catch Up... Part One

This was too funny to pass up because it describes our life in the Houston house! Haha
 For those of you who may have come to the belief that I had dropped of the face of the planet. I am still here!!!!
 This year has been very crazy, as you already know, but this fall/winter has been crazy just in itself. Lots of birthdays (Ten to be exact!), four weddings, about three conferences, the birth of our youngest sibling (by c-section no less), an emergency appendectomy, our church's annual men's retreat, and last but not least Dad and Samuel leave for Uganda this Sunday afternoon. I'm feeling tired just typing this all out! Haha!
 But through all of this we have been given many wonderful blessings! We thank the Lord for a healthy mom and baby, for Anna being cancer free, that God allowed Samuel to go on his missions trip, and for life itself! 
 I pray that, although life may get busy around here, we never take what God has given us for granted and that we honor and glorify Him with all of the outcomes. He is The One who has been faithful through the hard and the good times. Never once during this long year have I felt that God abandoned my family and I. He gave me peace and joy through it all. One thing I am particularly thankful for was that  He gave me the gift of laughter through all! Yes I still had hard days! Everyone does. But His joy comes from an unexplainable source. 
 So a late Happy Birthday to Lydia, Zeke, Julia, Dad, Michael, Abby, Selah, Samuel, and last but not least Tirzah! (Oh and me of course!) ;-)
 I will be doing another post on our Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays so stay tuned in! :-)

I am so thankful for my wonderful family! (Tirzah is present you just can't really see her.)

Our last Sunday night ferry ride back to Seattle.

Happy late Birthday Lydia! I love you!!!!

My little buddy! Matching hair of course!

Does he look a little dazed from the kiss to you?

Our not so little Michael. :-(

Yes he is a ham!

Someone stole my phone again!

My little Trizah. <3


The new big brother. We all had to laugh that this looks like a third generation picture. :-(
Thank you Anna S. for capturing my goofy moment!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Great Quote

"You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me."

~ C. S. Lewis

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Monday, September 16, 2013

Great Quote

"I am not here to serve myself. I am not here to be lauded, petted, admired, or 'affirmed'. I am here to build men, cultures, and kingdoms. When I find myself in the midst of difficulties and pain, will I persevere or will I become a coward and pity myself? We do not have time for self-pity! We need to understand that we are to work to build Christ's kingdom for eternity!"

~Jennie Chancey

Sunday, September 8, 2013

A Sad Goodbye!




On August 18, 2013 we said goodbye to some of our dearest friends the Heinz family. This was a most difficult thing to do as we have come to love them very much over the last three years. Here are some pictures of just a few of the many memories that we made together during those wonderful three years! 


I had to laugh at these pictures of our moms and then us. It looks like us in the future! Haha!!!!



Our last New Year's Eve together! 


Our trip to Astoria and Seaside Oregon.


Our tenth anniversary at Westside.

Duo Partners in Speech and Debate.

Duo Partners in speech and debate club.

My little buddy Christopher! I love you!

Little best friends.


I love this one!

Our last Sunday together before saying goodbye.


Aren't they so ADORABLE!!! 

I love watching these two together! They are two big personalities! 


Camille helping us scrape floors and paint trim.


Not big on getting his picture taken! 

Erich and Iron Will! Kisses to you both!


The Best of Friends! I love you Camille!!!!


We  don't always understand why God allows different things to happen, like having good friends move, but I do know that I can trust the God who does know! May He use you mightily in this new phase of your life! I know that you will touch many new lives with your hospitable spirit and joyful home! 
I love and miss you all!!!

Friday, August 30, 2013

Great Quote

"The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people."
~Louis D. Brandeis

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Swashbuckler

Swashbuckler (SWOSH-buk-ler) noun
A daring and dashing pirate, soldier, or adventurer who is usually good with a sword, such as Robin Hood or Zorro. But in the sixteenth century, a swashbuckler was a loudmouthed swaggering bully.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Great Quote!

"Going to church doesn't make you a christian anymore than going to a garage makes you an automobile."

~Billy Sunday

Friday, July 19, 2013

Creepers Creeping

Creepers keep creeping on my blog,
Their comments have left me quite agog,
I need not your love nor your comments on beauty,
Father showers me with love, and compliments aplenty!

Oh Creeper my warnings must not go unheeded,
Know that your creeping is completely unneeded,
So creepers stop creeping stop one and stop all,
Its not very pleasant not pleasant at all!

~Naomi J. Houston


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Serendipity

Serendipity (sare-en-DIP-ih-tee) noun
the phenomenon of accidentally encountering or receiving something good that you weren't looking for. The Three Princes of Serendip is a Persian fairy tale in which the main characters encounter many happy accidents. 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Our 4th of July!

 We all had a wonderful time on Independence Day! Both our neighbors on the right and on the left were able to join us for an amazing feast. We had many delectable dishes and a variety of beverages. 
But more important than the great food and the fun fellowship, it was a day to remember what the men and women fought for so many years ago. How grateful I am to those who fought for my freedom to worship The One True God! And now I desire to be among my generation of christians to rise up and defend that freedom so precious to us all! As a soldier of Jesus Christ in the army of God. 
 I hope that you all had a wonderful fourth of July! Here are some pictures of the festivities at our home.

Looks like somebody got engaged and decided to tell me by taking a photo! 

Need I tell you who took that out of the pie? 
Yes, this is she who tried my pie whilst I was away!

The feast that God provided!
My baby brothers!!! :-(

Which should I choose?
This one of course!

Just look at her bridal glow! :-)
The merry circle!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie! 
Nope not twins!

My twin that is seven years younger than me.
My sweet Lydster!
I had to sample the filling for the deviled eggs!