Nothing to say...

Well, I'm trying to think of something to say on this silly blog, but nothing will flow.  I started a couple of ideas and erased them all because I can't get into their story.  So this will seriously be random. You know what I like to with my blog?  I like to look at the stats and see how many views I've had and from where.  Like today, someone in Alaska read my blog.  I don't know anyone in Alaska.  There are several in European countries.  I only know a few people there.  I just think it's funny that people have time and interest to read about someone they don't even know - I guess I better always be nice then.  I wouldn't want to give anyone the idea that I'm a meanie!  

Next random note....  So at our new house, we have no front lawn, but rather a basketball court.  So we are trying to add some color and items that will add some warmth to the house.  We found this great bench and a cute little bistro set to start with.  The cushions came with it, but may have to be upgraded to something more colorful.  The plan is to put some colorful plants on each side of the bench and at the small inset.  So we are working on it.  

Another random note....  So tomorrow is our 23rd Anniversary!  And today we purchased our first ever complete bedroom suite.  I know - what have we done until now?!  We really do have very nice antique bedroom furniture from Rick's grandmother, but it is time for us to have our own.  It's being delivered next week, so I'll post a pic when we have it set up.  Now to find the bedding.  Can't seem to find what I want.  Probably because I don't know what I want.

So here I go - I am so tempted to erase all this.  This is seriously more information than you even care to know, and yet you still read, so I still write.

Until the next post,

Tori

Fun Friday

Just a fun little note for Friday!

Friday, Friday, at the end of the week

into the weekend I want to peek.

Unpacking and organizing stand in my way

of finding a pool and catching a sun ray.

Searching and finding those items thought lost

A box full of stuff that long ago should've been tossed.

Laughing while working with our family of four

What could be better? Could I ask for more?

Smiles and smells make it feel like our place

And God's peace rests on every face.

Enjoy your weekend!

Tori

P.S.  another line from Start, by Jon Acuff - "The second you choose to be more awesome, fear will ask you a question:  "Who are you to do that?"  

May PAD Day 16

Day 16 is what I am reading.  Rick brought this book home from the Catalyst Conference in Dallas a couple of weeks ago and I grabbed it.  The first few chapters are just what I needed to read.  Up until now, I have always seen situations, challenges, and opportunities as, "Oh, great!  I have a long time to figure this out.  Let's start now and see how it goes."  Lately, I've been seeing situations, challenges, and opportunities as, "Oh, great....  I'm too old to start this.  I've had my chance, now it's time for the young ones to move up."  And I'm not even old!!!!  (I keep telling myself that!)  Even aspirations that I have had for a long time seem to be fading because of my focus on doing what is average.  This book told me that it isn't too late to start to live your dream.  There are so many one-liners and nuggets of greatness in these pages, that I don't want to spoil it for you.  But I will share just one that I found at the very beginning of the book that brought this thinking process to my awareness and set my determination to change my stinkin' thinkin'.  "Age is no longer the primary factor that determines where you are on the map.  Life is now less about how old you are and more about when you decide to live."
Tori

May PAD 8-11

So I will be posting days 8-11 on this blog.  Day 8 was a smell you adore.  I can't really say that this is a smell that I ADORE, but growing up in Amarillo, it was a smell that was constantly in the air.  Whenever I would complain, my dad and brother would always say, "Smells like money."  If they loved it, then I loved it.  And as my brother pointed out, it has made him a pretty good living.  Now I wouldn't say it was always "pretty" but something in him just loves the rush of cattle.  I tell Cooper the same phrase when she comments on the smell here in Lubbock.  She just doesn't get it or appreciate it. What to do with her?!

 

Day 9 was something you do everyday.  I love these 2 apps that never let me get too busy to do these most important tasks everyday.  7:14 Prayer sends a reminder at 7:14 am and 7:14 pm everyday.  You don't know how many times this reminder has popped up right at the moment that I know my kids are playing a sport at that time, or taking a test that day, or Rick has a meeting, or we are on the road driving.... something that I know I can pray for specifically.  It is a cool app.  You can set your own prayer list and it will send urgent prayer request for missionaries or other events going on all around the world.  The bible app that keeps me on track and how that verse for the day always know what I need?!

Day 10 was your favorite word - I don't know.  Is it a word I like to say, because of the way it feels and sounds like Trimalchio? (That's the name of a character in all of the Latin stories we read in high school).  Is it a word that I like to write because it has alot of fun loops and curls like yellow?  Is it a word that means something to me when I hear it like peace.  I guess all of the above would have to roll up into one word - Jesus - as my favorite word.

Day 11 is kitchen.  Well my kitchen is bare.  Here is a pic of my empty cabinets with only paper plates remaining, my favorite appliance (love me some coffee), and a plate that I made with Cooper and some friends at Clay Cafe for our new kitchen.  Cooper said that you can sure tell it didn't come from a store.  How rude!  I know it's not pretty, but it was fun making it.  So someone please come eat coffee and cookies at my new house so I can use my new plate.  Speaking of....  I need to get busy packing, so I'm off.  Tori

May 7 PAD - Someone Who Inspires You

Day 7 - Someone Who Inspires You - That's easy!  I could never find enough pictures for all of the families who have inspired me with their service as both foreign and home missionaries.  This picture just represents a few ladies who are particularly special to me.  Mindy, Audra, Angela, Laurie, and Vanessa, (and many more....) through physical illnesses, national uprisings, catastrophic weather events, KIDNAPPING, and much more, have persevered physically, maintained mentally, and soared spiritually.  They are true inspiration to me.  A reminder that although I am not joining them on their mission field, I never forget them or cease to pray for them.  I ADMIRE their tenacity and determination to "make it work" for their marriage, for their kids, for the families and friends that wait here, and for their ministry.  So here is a huge shout out to all of these ladies!  Send this on to your missionary friends and families.  Let them all know how they inspire you.
Tori

May PAD 5-6

Ok - I missed the bird yesterday.  Today's assignment was "you."  So here is me on my drive from Shallowater to work.  The sun was so beautiful this morning.  I guess this look is my "how am I supposed to leave town for 3 days and leave Rick to get Cooper to her choir concert, Samuel to his Ag banquet, attend the Awaken Graduation Celebration all on Tuesday night?"  And that is just the first day.  Oh and there is that little thing about finishing up the house before we move next week.  He really is a super-human sometimes.  Well, not much time to blog tonight but I will try to stay up to date with the pictures while I am away.  Oh, I have been informed that this "May Photo A Day" thing is only for teenage girls.  Sorry, but it has been a booster to my blog :).

May PAD 3 and 4

So I spend day 3 packing some of the house and did not have a chance to take a picture or post a blog.  You wouldn't want to see what I was wearing anyway:).  So day 4 is something fun.  Well, Rick, Cooper, and I spent today shopping for the new house.  It looks like we will be tackling Cooper's room first and it was so much FUN shopping for her.  She has decided on the black damask theme with turquois walls and accent colors of yellows and blues. New black comforter and we are on the hunt for colorful throw pillows. (so the pic doesn't do real justice to the vision).  It is going to be so cute.  If you have seen her room in facebook pics from a few years ago, you know that she designed the entire room herself.  She is an awesome designer!  So this is where Rick had his genius idea today.  She wanted damask wallpaper on one wall.  Now, Rick and I have painted MANY rooms, but never really worked with wallpaper before.  So we found some curtains with the same pattern and he proposed to use the curtains on that wall to add deminsion and then put a decal in between the panels.  See? Genius!  Cheaper and easier!!!

 Final pics to come!

Now please don't think we have forgotten about Samuel.  He doesn't want anything different for his room.  I think he is bargaining for the game room instead!

I'll keep you updated.

Tori



May PAD - Skyline

Day 2 of Photo A Day is a Skyline.  Well, this is one of the most beautiful skylines that I have ever seen.  From this little hill in the village, you can see the houses and the beautiful ocean and mountains in the background.  This is taken at one of the villages that we work with when we visit the Mission of Hope in Haiti.  The top picture is from the summer of 2011.  As you can see, there was no foliage.  We spent time chopping weeds and thorny bushes with machetes and shovels.  It was very hard work. But as you can tell in just one year, how much growth had taken place.  The bottom picture is from one year later.  It was so amazing to see!  They were all growing their own fruits and vegetables - even ones that they didn't know what were.  There were happy to experiment with them.  This village was established for those who were displaced after the earthquake.  The have completed houses, a church, and a water source for this village.  This village ministers specifically to the deaf population in this community.   I can't wait to see what God has done in the past year.  Heading there June 15!!!   For more amazing stories you can visit mohhaiti.org.

May Photo A Day

So I am going to try a photo a day for May.  Todays assignment is Peace - well you can't get much more peaceful than this!  So I thought I would jot a few notes about what brings me peace.
P - Play, I love to play.  I love to watch my kids play.  The laughter and memories brought about by play, help me through the down time.
E - Experience, Whether good or bad, just knowing that I have been through something before and I am still here to tell about it, brings me peace.
A - Attitude, My attitude can definitely determine if I am going to embrace peace about a situation or give into fear and doubt.  This has to be my conscious decision.
C - Coffee, seriously.  I know it sounds hokey, but coffee really will settle my mind when it's racing.  I love me some good coffee!!!
E - another E?  hmmm......  Eyes, My eyes closing every night at a decent time keeps me peaceful.  Alot of people make fun of us because we go to bed so early.  It was just a practice we got into when our kids were little and we have carried it on.  Sleep is very good for the body and the mind and I NEED MINE!
I hope you can find some peace today.  Be on the lookout for a trigger for your peace and let me know about it!
Tori