Adventures in Texas!

Mom and Dad’a trip to Houston was refreshing and full of joy. It was filled with learning at the Truth in Love conference, but also with relaxation. It was so wonderful to just attend an event and not to be in charge of anything for a few days. 

On Friday we had the day free before the conference started in the evening. Curtis suggested a trip to Waco to see Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Silos property from the television show, Fixer Upper. It was nothing we had looked up doing before but we decided to take the adventure and go on a spur of the moment. The Silos were a good 2 hour and 45 minute drive. The drive gave us plenty of talk time and we enjoyed seeing the Texas countryside. 

While in Waco we made a stop at the Magnolia Table restaurant. It was a good hour wait, so we decided to go to the Silos and see them before eating lunch. We ended up cancelling our reservation and just eating from a food truck at the Silo grounds. It was a fun little place with many shops to visit full of Joanna and Chip’s decorating style. The items were out of our price range but they were beautiful to look at. We did enjoy our specialty hot dogs and a speciality coffee from Magnolia Press while there. Plus some good people watching! What a fun little place!

We made it back in time to relax a bit before heading to the conference. We had a wonderful evening listening to and Owen Strachan. John MacArthur was scheduled to speak but  he was unable. Dr. Strachan was excellent and we looked forward to hearing more from him on Sunday. 

The whole conference was a treat and filled with strong teaching. It was such an encouragement to be reminded of how much the Lord cares for us through His Word and His people. We were so refreshed! 

Unexpected News

On Sunday, January 17th we got the news that Mom’s Aunt Marilyn passed away suddenly of a heart attack. It was unexpected and there had been no sign of her being ill. We made plans to attend her visitation on Wednesday evening. We left after lunch and made a four hour drive to Hampton, IA, and then returned home late that evening. Thankfully we got to spend a few hours with Grandma and Grandpa at their hotel with some pizza. Though it wasn’t ideal, we were pleased that we could make the trip to honor her and attend the visitation. Our week became very full with this added trip, as Mom and Dad had a flight to catch on Thursday evening out of Chicago to Houston, TX for a conference. The Lord put all the details together and made it all work. Mom and Dad got packed and made their flight, and the kids rode the waves of a busy week well. They were excited to spend the weekend at Pop and Grandma’s.  

 

Serving at Church

On Sunday, Cade and Mom served in the nursery. We started serving together when we headed back to church after the quarantine, and many workers decided not to serve. Cade has been such a help and does so well caring for the kids and playing with them. Joel just can’t wait to serve in the nursery sometime soon,  and comes to visit us often on the Sundays we are serving (and probably every Sunday!). 

We have also been back to having care group on Sunday evenings. Our kids attend the childcare, and even though Cade would be old enough to stay home, he goes and helps. It is such a blessing and we love seeing his heart grow to love others and love Christ. All three of the kids do a great job helping when we are at church. We are so blessed. 

More Ice Fishing!

On Saturday, January 18th, we enjoyed more time on Miss Dawn’s pond ice fishing. Callie and Joel wore their ice skates but didn’t skate much. The ice had a crystal layer between it and the snow which made it a bit rougher to skate. We needed a zamboni! 

We had great success fishing! Callie had a BIG bass on her line but right before it got to the surface it broke the line! The boys had a big gasp when it got away that echoed at the pond. Then Dad had a BIG bass on his line, and fought it for a good two minutes, slowly bringing it up to the surface. Thankfully this dude didn’t break the line and Dad pulled him out. He was huge!! Probably a good 18 inches!! Dad’s laugh was great and Cade gave a big “yeah” when the caught was completed! It was definitely a successful day at the pond! 

First Week Back

The first week back at school went well! Definitely an adjustment for us all as we navigate a more full schedule and get our minds engaged again. Mom had a big week starting teaching the kindergarten class. It went well and the weather was nice for a winter’s day, so Mom could take them outside to play in the snow. Dad was a big help at home with picking up the kitchen and helping with meals. It is definitely an adjustment for us all when Mom is working all day, but everyone steps up to make it happen. Mom is thankful for everyone’s help. 

During one of our evenings during the week, we had some fun comparing feet sizes! Callie and Joel have some catching up to do with Cade! 

Callie started making paper snowflakes in first grade this week, and brought them home to share with us. We started putting them up on our kitchen windows. They look so pretty! She and Joel have also enjoyed playing with the little Plus Plus puzzle piece building blocks. They have made many creations this week from people to designs to a duck.

Friday after school, Callie and Mom enjoyed an adventure to The Closet! It was our day and our bag was filled with treasures just for us girls. We found some jeans and winter coveralls for Callie, and she came home with a pair of Heely’s (shoe skates!). She was so excited and spent the whole weekend with them on her feet. It just a few days she learned and was skating all around the house where she could! What a fun treasure, and they were just a dollar! 

Throughout the end of the week we had a slow drain in our basement for our washing machine and by the end of the week it was completely clogged. We had been able to do a load about every other day with it draining in between, but by Friday there was not this option. We had a plumber friend come by to help but after a few hours of work he had not solved the problem either. We had to get some laundry done, so on Saturday we set up a system for the machine to drain into a garbage can and then we sump pumped the water out a hose through the basement door. We completed 10 loads of laundry over the weekend! And were thankful that the plumber came back Monday and got the clog flushed. It definitely took some work. 

Errand Running!

On Friday, January 8th the kids and Mom ran some errands together. Cade needed new contacts from Walmart and while we were there, Joel found something to spend his Christmas money (from Grandma and Grandpa) on. A stuffed Baby Yoda came home with us! It was just the right price and the perfect cuddle companion for him. He was so thrilled with his purchase. We also stopped by The Closet in hopes to find a bargain. We found some nice sweatshirts and shirts for Dad and Cade, but discovered the selection of toys was very minimal. They had reorganized the store over the Christmas break and seemed to thin things out. We did find two nice Star Wars books for Joel. He was thrilled, again! 

Cade spent his Christmas money from Grandma and Grandpa on our way home from Iowa on a new Iowa State Cyclone Stocking Hat. He was excited about his new purchase! 

Christmas in Iowa!

Our trip to Iowa was delayed for a few weeks but we got to make it happen. Our Christmas break from school was extended a week which gave us time to go. We were so thankful! We made it in on Monday, January 4th and enjoyed a time of opening gifts with Grandma and Grandpa that evening. Cade was so excited to get an Iowa State sweatshirt to show off his favorite team. Joel got some new Star Wars! His favorite being a towel! Callie got some new clothes and some books. 

On Tuesday, we spent the day together preparing for our evening out at Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Katie’s home. Cade and Grandma baked together during the day, making both a chocolate cake and a Twinkie cake. Cade claimed the chocolate cake. We also enjoyed playing The Farming Game with Grandpa Bill. We finished the game on Wednesday morning and Joel and Grandpa were the winners! 

We had a nice evening out with cousins at their home. The kids played inside and outside. Cousins had a HUGE piñata everyone got to hit. It has been a tradition to have a Christmas piñata. Something Grandma Glenna started years ago with the Sparks Christmas. We also enjoyed decorating finery bread houses together. The kids worked in teams of two. There were many happy creations. Cade was a trooper and took the house that you had to put together with frosting. It was very difficult to keep together. He had a great attitude and kept attempting to work with his partner Zeb and have fun. Callie worked with Corbin, and Joel worked with Serenity. It was a very pleasant time together.