Brooks and I and the boys made a QUICK trip to Houston to see some friends, visit our home church, do a little shopping (I'm so over paying shipping for stuff), and for an appointment we had scheduled weeks ago.
We left Lake Charles early Sunday morning and drove straight to church. We dropped Gavin off at Pee Wee's and I noticed all the kids were lining up. Okay, no big deal, they have something planned. Brooks and I walked to the auditorium and I saw it.... bleachers up on stage and here come the Pee Wee kids ready to sing their annual Christmas program they do every year. Oooops. My heart sank- I felt horrible for Gavin. He didn't know any of the songs or the people, and hasn't been to our church since March so nothing looked familiar to him in the sanctuary. However, to our surprise, our little guy did great. He stood front and center and never shed a tear- way to go bud! He looked around at all the kids, attempted to find us in the crowd of parents who were taking pictures and video taping, and basically just stood there. They sang a few songs then were escorted off the stage. When we picked him up he told us he didn't like signing.
Can you see him in the pictures?
Brooks and I LOVED being at our home church and miss Clear Creek Community Church so much. What a great feeling to walk into a building, gathered with so many others in community to worship-- it was awesome!
After church we went with our small group people to lunch at one of our favorite BBQ restaurants. Everyone was there, except for the Acord's, but we see them here in Saudi. It was a great afternoon of laughing and visiting. Things have changed in everyone's lives and it was wonderful to catch up! Babies have been born, more are coming, new jobs have been made, new small groups were formed from our small group, and everyone seemed to be blessed in some way! We miss these people so much. They were a huge part of our lives and we only hope and pray that some day we'll be back surrounded with them on a daily basis!
After lunch, we went to our friends, The Southard's house and put the boys down for a nap. We got to visit with Nathan and Sarah and catch up on more life happenings. I snuck out to visit a friend and former teacher colleague, Larissa and saw her sweet family for a little while. Gosh, I really miss being with all our friends from Houston!
Of course, we met up with our friends The Carpenter's. Brooks hadn't seen them since his visit to the states in March and I didn't bring Gavin to them this summer so it had been a long time between visits for everyone. We had dinner at Pappasito's together and enjoyed seeing one another. Gavin was all into Addi; they kept each other occupied. I miss Susie and getting to see and talk to her everyday like we use to so it was refreshing just to be with her. Brooks and Darrell got to have some great talks and really caught up on things.
After dinner we went back to their house to exchange Christmas presents and spend some more quality time together. This was Gavin's first time being at their house since our visit back in early April. We all knew the day would come when Gavin would have to "see" Cade's house without Cade being there... something that was tough for all of us to handle, but we all agreed it had to be done at some point. Cade has been on our hearts a lot lately and we've spent a lot of time talking about Cade to Gavin. He remembers him, which we're so thankful for and I am continuously praying that images and memories Gavin has with Cade will forever be etched in his mind and on his heart.
Being with Susie and Darrell is such a sweet and tender thing to us. We don't get to experience every day life with them anymore, right now, and we hate that we haven't been apart of their lives during this season (in person). They are extremely special people to us and we are constantly in awe of their faith and strength.. they've been a huge inspiration to us. It really puts things into perspective when I want to complain about not being in the USA for Christmas-- there are so many more important things in life!
Okay, back to our visit, sorry. The kids opened presents and played around together while us adults got to catch up some more. Susie saved a bunch of Addi's clothes for me to go through and we left with a HUGE stash of clothes for Brooklyn. Can't wait for her to wear all the CUTE outfits! Our visit seemed incredibly short--there's never enough time with everybody, but I'm glad we could at least be together some!
Susie, I miss you and love you dearly. Your friendship is so very special to me and I hope you know that I pray for you daily and am encouraged every time we talk with how much you trust our Heavenly Father to provide everything for you and Darrell. We're praying and believing for little Addi to get a miracle and know that she has an angel looking down on her (and us).
The next day, we attended an appointment we had, then ran a few errands around town. We met my child hood friend and college roommate, Mary Beth, at a restaurant near the Galleria and we both got to meet each other's babies. Miles is 11 months and Noah is 6 months. They were mesmerized with each other. Mary Beth and I have known each other since the 3rd grade and we always try to see each other when we're in the states. We got to catch up over lunch- talk families, life, kids, etc. Such a breath of fresh air to be with her. Mary Beth has always had a calmness to her that I've admired! So glad she was able to work out her schedule to spend some time with us.
After lunch, Brooks and I and the boys ran to the galleria to pick up a few things before heading back to Lake Charles to pack for Arkansas. Again, I say it. Houston was a quick trip and never enough time with everyone, but we'll take what we can get!
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