Spring Break 2017

Its so crazy that my kids are old enough to drive to Texas without me to go visit family!!!

Thats what they did! Karlee and Kyle took turns driving my car to go visit their dad and grandparents.  I was super nervous about the whole driving thing, not so much with them driving but the other drivers out on the road.

But as you can see they made it safely there.  So proud of them, they ended up with a flat on the way, about an hour away from El Paso.  They stopped and Kyle changed the tire and off they went continuing down the road at a very slow pace.

They enjoyed time with their dad....

They got to spend time with their grandparents too....

Visit to Fort Davis!

Of course had to go to the best all natural spring fed pool in Balmorhea TX!

Back in El Paso....

Chaparral NM

They returned home safely.  I ended up with glasses!  I love them what do you think?

I missed my kids while they were gone but they had a great trip and they spent time together and got along and bonded.  That right there is worth a ton!  Makes my heart happy!

My Seventeen Year Old

Kyle turned 17 on the 23rd of February!  Crazy how much he has grown and changed!  Thursday we went out to dinner for his birthday at Buffalo Wild Wings.  His girlfriend Misty and his good friend Brandon joined us.

Karlee dared him to take a bite of the hottest, most spicy sauce on a blazin hot wing.....

Poor guy he looks like he is in pain....

He held his composure quite well but drank a ton of ice cold water waiting for the sting of the wing to subside.

This is Kyle with his girlfriend Misty.  She is very sweet and good to my boy.

Sara and her big brother!

We all had a great time celebrating Kyle's birthday!

Journals - My stories

The black covered journal was my last journal and I picked it with purpose.  I felt it was appropriate with all the changes that were going on in my life, with leaving Micah, starting over on my own, new job, grieving the loss of my dad.  I needed the Lord's strength in all that.  I have discovered that the last couple of journals I have written in have ended having a theme, like a chapter continued in my story.  It wasn't planned....at least by me but worked out that way.

This journal with the pink cover speaks volumes of where I'm at in my life right now and the best thing is that a very dear friend gave it to me.  She may have picked it with purpose or the Lord lead her to give me that journal as a Christmas gift but either way it was and is the next theme, or chapter in my life.  I don't know what is in store for myself and my family.  I know what I think needs to happen or would like to happen but really the Lord has the plan and really that is a blessing.

I haven't written here on my blog in awhile or in my journal for a while now.  I'm beginning to see that it is a sign of me trying to do life on my own instead of with Him and through His strength.  This week I'm going to be more intentional on sitting still in the presence of the Lord with his word in my hand and praying for his steps for my feet to take will be clear in each day with each moment. 

Old Friends & New recipes

Recently I have started to talk to an old friend. The one on the right, with glasses is Stephaine and we used to be best friends!  Her sister is on the left, Heather.  Heather is the one who has reconnected Steph and I.  Its been great getting to know Steph again.  Her life is so different than mine running a farm and all but I'm realizing we are still alike in some ways and we are mom's who loves our kids a ton!

A couple of weeks ago I decided to try to make some meals that we like eating out.  If I can fix them at home we don't have to pay the price of them when we treat ourselves out.  So I made Spicy Thai bowls and it was so good!  It was super easy and a hit with all of my kids!!  So I will put this on the repeat list of things to make for dinner.

It's been a while

Its been a long time since my last post.  I seem to just stay in my head when I have things going on that I'm dealing with or when I just get in not so exciting routine of life.  I'm trying to think of what all has been going......

I had failed the insurance test for the 3rd time.

I've been worried and stressed about money.

I've been listening to Satan's lies!!!!  Man he has done a number on me too!!!  I recognize it and I'm trying to battle against him but there for a while, a few weeks I sort of gave up and cave into going with the flow of lies in my head.  I had myself set up for defeat with that test before I even started taking it again.

I'm working hard at believing that I can and will pass this time.  I have some awesome friends around me supporting me and encouraging me.

But lately I still just feel so overwhelmed and tired.  Tired on all levels possible.....

Recently a friend of mine emailed me a devotional.  It was perfect!  It as as if I sat down and wrote it!

The main thing that stuck out and has been something I have been saying to myself lately is:
DO THE NEXT THING

Do it immediately;

Do it with prayer;

Do it reliantly,

casting all care;

Do it with reverence,

Tracing His Hand,

Who placed it before thee with

Earnest command.

Stayed on Omnipotence,

Safe 'neath His wing,

Leave all resultings,

DO THE NEXT THING.

That is a quote from an old Saxon poem written by Elisabeth Elliot.

I love it and I plan printing it out and hanging it somewhere in my home.

Test Date, Snow & Life

Yesterday I scheduled my next testing date to take the Property and Causality Insurance for the third time.  Yep third time hopefully will be a charm.  Its set for Saturday Jan 28th at 9:00 am!  We shall see how it goes.  I've studied as I should and I've built up a block.  I want to do well and I want to pass so I don't see the problem.  I will suck it up and push things aside over this next week and study hard until the test.

Snow....and snow....its suppose to hit hard these next couple of days.

Karlee has settled back in.  I know she will leave again at some point but I'm really really happy she is back at home.  She jumped right on it with looking for a job and submitting applications.  I've asked her to light a fire under her brother's behind!  Having her around is great with the other two, they communicate in a way that I can't being a mom and all.  She is like a manager!  A manager in my home :)   It's just really nice she is home.  I'm proud of my daughter.  She has grown through her latest experience away from home.

A friend of mine said "Katrina I'm just going to be blunt!  Micah was a mistake.  He was not the one that was going to lead you spiritually as you thought, he was not going to be the one.....He doesn't see anything wrong with him, its others, its everyone else to blame......."  He said more but my mind trailed off after his simple statement that Micah was a mistake and that he is a lost soul and that he is narcissist and selfish.  With all that my perspective was influenced but I think in a good way "sort of like wrapping things up and really moving on kind of thing"  Micah is lost and until he looks inward and to God then he will continue to be as he is in this moment.  Its quite sad actually.

It's take some time to let go of thinking I can't do life without him and settling that he provided a roof over my head and some security when the truth is I can't do life with God and he is the one that has and will continue to provide a roof over my head and life can be and will be lived with only God!

Moving on to a new thought.......

I started this post this post the other day... Today is Monday Jan. 23rd snow day with the kids.

Karlee's car, Kyle is on the other side digging out his truck.

Sara's big toe print and then her feet....miss long toes :)

Yesterday patches of Sun shining through

A blanket of white.  Very pretty

The New Year

Its been a while since I've posted anything.  I think instead of rewinding and trying to figure out what all has gone on since Christmas its best to look in my phone and find the latest pictures to catch up on.

The Lord continues to refresh and restore my soul daily as I lean on him.

The day after New Years Day we did this!  Bought Karlee a 2003 Saturn LS200 

The weather was super nice!  This was taken while I was waiting outside the Verizon store in Phoenix across from the Fashion Square Mal.  I enjoyed waiting on the girls sitting outside enjoying the nice weather and people watching.

My apartment is full again!!!  My heart is happy and full, all my babies are back in the nest.

Its crazy to think I was in Phoenix after New Years Day and enjoyed a fun weekend with my daughter living with a friend and being a nanny to the next weekend of moving her back home!  Its a little crazy and a long story but just know it was a good decision for her at this point.  Now we will see what her next step will be like.

This picture makes my heart dance with joy!

My son never takes many selfies especially not with me!!!  But randomly the other night he did......