A Little Quality Time

Q & I got to spend some quality time together in Little Rock yesterday....he had to go to Camp Robinson for some military stuff and Mal happened to have a volleyball game there last night as well, so we made a day of it. This picture is a self portrait taken outside T.G.I.Friday's...we stopped there for a late lunch. It was a great day just hangin' out and talking without the kiddos.

I missed last week's edition of Thankful Thursday...got distracted by life. I think we all have reason to be thankful and rejoice in our blessings, if we just take a break from our life, for just a few moments, and think on these things. Don't forget to check out Iris' blog at www.eph2810.com for more Thankful Thursday posts.

This week I am thankful for;

*cooler weather....finally feels like fall in Arkansas!

*Saturday date with hubby...it's been a very long time since we've had a date, just us, 14 months

*God's patience with me...I am such a slacker at times, yet God loves me anyway

*Vision...without a vision the people perish..God has been showing Q and I what His plans are for us, slowly, and as I can, I will share them with my blogworld

*my oil painting from Ur...it just makes my heart smile :)

What are you thankful for? Has God done anything in your life this week? I'm sure He has. Take time to notice and then give thanks to God for it. Have a great day!

Gifts From Ur

Quentin had an incredible opportunity while deployed to Iraq and was able to tour the city of Ur, the place where Abraham was born and raised. He walked on the paths where Abraham walked, visited the house he grew up in, and climbed to the top of the ziggaret (not sure about that spelling). This is my favorite thing he brought back from this land...an oil painting on a rolled canvas. I'm going to have it framed and a nameplate put under it that tells where it came from and that it was purchased while Q was in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Another purchase from the City of Ur, was a hand-woven wool rug. Many of the locals make their living by selling their wares to the tourist and they are truly gifted at their trade. And it fit perfectly in my hallway. I don't know if you can see all of the colors, but it's just beautiful. I just think it's so amazing that Q had the opportunity to visit this area so rich with biblical history...this is where it all began.....where the fathers of our faith walked and talked. I'll try to share more pix later, but these two I am so proud of and just had to share with you all....truly gifts that I will treasure for a lifetime.

No Gourmet Chef....

...but, I'm trying! I have to admit, that while hubby was away in Iraq, my cooking...let's just say it was all but non-existent. So, I'm desperately trying to regain my skills and coax my family back into healthy eating and get in some family time as well. Here's tonight's meal...Grilled Chicken, Rotini Pasta, Steamed Summer Veggies (green beans, squash, carrots, peppers, onion), complete with some Iced Lemonade. The box in the middle is something I discovered a few months ago, "Food For Talk" by Julienne Smith, and the kids and I have been doing over our McDonalds meals. It's cards that have a question to prompt conversation. It has been a great way to interact with each other and learn more about what my kids really think. Now, that dad's home, it's even more special. Well, I'm off to church...but I have some pix to share with you all of a few things Q brought home from Iraq when he traveled to Ur, so I'll try to post again tonight...but you know how that goes...may be tomorrow...lol!

Monday Mayhem

Another Monday....I wish I had some earth shattering news...or at least something blog worthy..but it's relatively a boring day around here. Our typical basketball practice for Blake, volleyball game for Mallorye, squeeze in dinner and grocery shopping, work, a little housekeeping, and ready to crash. It's a busy week and I'm sure it will not be without some challenges, so I'm sure I'll have something of interest to blog about later this week. Until then.

My Soldier

I just love this picture of Q! I told you he looked good!

Homecoming Pictures

These are some pix of our family as soon as Q got off the bus...I love the one of us walking away holding hands! My cropping ability on these wasn't too great, I'm used to just plopping in my SD card...but I obviously I didn't take any pix that day...I was a little preoccupied!