Proverbs 24:3-6

This is something that I wanted to be sure and record because I want our kids to be able to go back and see these pictures in the blog book that I print for many years to come!

Proverbs 24:3-6
"By wisdom a house is built and through understanding it's walls are established.  Through knowledge it's rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."
From the day we bought our lot of land to build our future house on, through all of the planning stages and design, and now during the actual framing of the structure, we have put our trust in the Lord and His perfect will and plan.  He has opened doors and continues to guide us through this process.
As the bones of our house are formed, we give Him the glory and want the very foundation of this house to reflect Him.
On Saturday morning, James and I went over to our house armed with verses from the Bible that we thoughtfully claimed for each room and wrote them on the beams.  Long after they are covered with more wood, sheetrock, etc…we will know and remember the truths we claimed for that room.  My prayer is that the workers who show up Monday morning will read these verses and be forever changed!

James on a ladder writing a verse on a casing.

The kitchen

The laundry room

Homework room

The pantry

The dining room

Guest bedroom

Front entry

James's office

A doorway

Entrance to garage

My desk area

A quote from Jim Austin (James's dad) that James grew up hearing!  ;)

James's office

I will post more as the second story comes into fruition.

We are waiting on a main bean to go up with the family room…Deuteronomy 6:5-8 will be written there, love this verse...

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Pagosa Springs, CO trip

A couple of weeks ago, we took off to Pagosa Springs with James's parents and Luke's family to enjoy some cool mountain air!  I'm not going to lie, I was skeptical.  It's summer, I love the heat and I'm not really fond of having to put a fleece on when mentally I'm supposed to be hot.  I'm weird, I love hot weather, send me to the beach any day.  Well, we got there and the beauty overtook me!  I couldn't get over it.  We rented a gorgeous house on the Weminuche Valley Ranch that was nestled at the base of the mountains.  There was a river running through and enough land that even two little boys couldn't come close to conquering!  It was perfect and relaxing.
I even found a new hobby while there, fly fishing!  It was so much fun and such a peaceful activity, I had a hard time leaving…and it wasn't even that "cold" in my book! ;)

In the plane and ready to roll!

Parker couldn't stop watching the cockpit,  What little boy could resist?

Taking off!

On the tarmac unloading while Sydney kept Friday entertained.

(Friday is Luke's dog who came with us in the plane.  She is sick and couldn't be left behind).

Luke's family had been in Yellowstone, so they just met us there.

Day 1: Off to fly fish with the boys!

I mean, how cute is this mountain/fly fishing gear anyway?  The river was FREEZING but my feet never felt it.  My awesome water socks/boots kept them dry.

Psalm 65:6

"You formed the mountains by Your power and armed Yourself with mighty strength".

Learning the art of fly fishing on dry ground first.

Our guide, Scott, was so good and SO patient!

James and Luke

By day two I had the hang of it.

Success!

Another one!

Sweet little Adelynn became quite the fisher too!

We drove into the town of Pagosa Springs one day and floated the (FREEZING) river.  Notice how my body looks like a flat board going across my tube…there was no way I wanted my hiney in that frigid water.  It's a shame that right after that pic we hit some rapids and I was completely soaked and trying to catch my breath because of shock. ;)

Miss Priss stayed with Nana and Geefather, no tubing for her yet but she did get to sit in one!

Katherine wore a pink cowboy hat that said "birthday girl" on it.  We always knew where she was on the river!

Lunch at a fun place after floating the river.

There was also lots of horse back riding.

This was a quick ride, notice the storm rolling in.

These two had a TON of fun.  They would sit still long enough to watch the hummingbirds on the porch!

See the hummingbird?

 Beautiful in more ways than one!

I spy two little boys in the forest!

(They called that their hunting home.  That day they were hunting bison.)

Imagination at its best!

One day we just played in the river.

Sydney got very into throwing mud!

Hottie

The girls perched on a rock watching the action in the river.

Our last night was spent laughing and making smores around the campfire!

Flying home!

Summer happenings

Well, here we are about two weeks away from school starting.  It is sad in more ways than one because first…my baby boy is starting kindergarten, and second, summer itself (my favorite time of year) is coming to an end.  It amazes me how fast a summer can go, I think it's because of all the constant activity!  Here is what we've been up to…

4th of July with the whole Austin crew!

There were lots of smiling little kids everywhere having the time of their lives!

Daddy's girl

Sydney and Faith

Of course there were lots of sparklers and fireworks!

Sweet morning snuggles.

Next up: a visit to see Uncle Steve!  No tears from P this time.

These boys love to swim together...

and eat snow cones too!

Family time at the pool

In mid July, I took the kids down to Dallas for a week long visit.

The Arboretum never disappoints!

 Aunt Lindsey joined in on the fun!

Swimming with Aunt Lindsey

I even snagged this handsome guy for a date at Starbucks one morning.

Sydney could swing all day at Neesie and Grandad's

A night out with my Sista!

I asked Parker what is the one thing he wanted to do while in Dallas and he said "go bowling".

And bowling we went!

James flew down that weekend so we could get away for our anniversary while the kids stayed behind. To say it was relaxing would be an understatement!!

We've had a lot of fun with friends at the ranch!

Wyatt and Parker scaling the sand cliffs.

S'mores in the creek bed.

You just can't beat a warm summer night

 (at least in Amarillo, Tx where it cools off at night)!!