Familia-Others may change, but we always return to family

For mother's day we gathered the troops for a professional photo shoot just before Matt and I leave the Midwest and start a new season in the NorthEast.  We had a wonderful experience spending time with family. I even got some one on one time with mom while the rest of the fam picked up lunch.  I am so grateful that we got some great shots to take with us and enjoy in our new home!

The bodyguards

 

The three amigos-friends come and go, but you can never hide from your sister!


 

I can't wait to get this one framed and hang in our new home!

I am an aunt!

I will let Ginger fill you in on the details at her blog but I will tell you that as of today, May 11th a new Skillen came  into the world!!!  FYI Ginger's B-day is May 13th! She received an early birthday gift!

Thank you for all you prayed for Ginger and Joe and their new baby GbIoryL- guess you have to go to Ginger's site to find out what they had! :)

Niece or Nephew should enter the world in the next 12 hrs

Just received a text that my sis-in-law is in labor and the water is broken, which means in less than 12 hrs a new Skillen will be in this world-of course I hope that baby Spanky arrives sooner than later!

Please pray that G is safe during labor, delivery, and that baby Spanky enters this world healthy and safe!

THANKS!

Baseball means SUMMER is almost here!

Monday evening we enjoyed a K-State Baseball game! Matt gets in free because he is a student and my ticket was $7- that's cheaper than a movie ticket!  I really enjoy going to baseball games- it seems like every summer vacation includes a trip to a baseball game with soda, a hot dog, and nachos with jalapenos! 

One childhood memory I have in Wichita was during spring turkey season.  My dad was hunting and my mom took my sisters and me to a WSU shocker double hitter. It started getting cold and the stadium ran out of hot chocolate (we were early teen/preteen so no coffee for us). After the first game we went home got our camping sleeping bags (that we never used for camping), stopped by McDonald's got lunch and of course hot chocolate, and then enjoyed the second game in the warmth of our sleeping bags!  

Matt and I didn't need sleeping bags, but we did wear our K-State hoodies and I had our K-State blanket in tow!

 

 

Powercat BASEBALL!
 

For some reason baseball stadium lights remind me of summer!
 

We met up with a friend-during a lag time they had to check their messages!

 

Isn't the bat boy cute!
 

And K-State wins!!! (after the 10th inning)

Real Sex...the naked truth about Chastity

A week or so ago I wrote about Lauren Winner.  I finished the book Realsex-the naked truth about chastity while on our family fishing trip.

I feel like this is a book that I will read at least once per year: and that is saying something.  I tend to read a book and then put it on the shelf- an accomplishment per say, "I have read this and this and this...."  Lauren Winner writes well and the book is an enjoyable read.  She has given me a deeper understanding of why I choose to live my life the way I do and not just as a list of do's and don'ts. 

It may be thought that this book is intended for singles (male and female) who are wanting to live chastity before marriage. And I feel that every mother, father, and community should read this book and educate our youth, singles, and couples.  But, I will tell you from personal experience as a wife of 7 years that this book re-affirms and educated me on Realsex! This book discusses the lies that our society tells us, along with lies the church tells, and digs into what pornography, the "M" word, and premarital sex.  L. Winner is honest, encouraging, and loving as she writes to the community that will read this book.  

Thank you Lauren Winner for using your gifts.  

Speechless...

Words, anyone? Can anyone top this?

Happy 9th Birthday Kiker!

Kiker came to our home in July 2003. At this time Kiker was 3 yrs and the only pet in our home. She is the queen of the pets and knows it. Kiker loves to sit in the sun or roll on the warm cement. She has been gracious in not getting back at us when we brought a second cat and a puppy dog into the home. Our vet in Wichita said whenever she tried to bring a second cat home, her first cat would void on the vet's bed! Kiker has never done this- thank goodness! Within 48 hrs of bringing home NeoTech, Kiker and NeoTech were able to be free roam in the house! Now they are inseparable! When we board the kittens we have to board them together or else they cry at the staff!- Happy 9th Birthday Kiker!