Gettin' summer started

There's always something going on around here, and I thought I'd share some of the more recent events with ya'll! If any of you know Matt at all, you know he's a flipper. Not the kind that jumps around (not that he couldn't if he was excited enough), but the kind that buys things and can sell them for a profit. Recently he bought two diesel pickup trucks, and a house. The trucks were a great buy and he's already sold one, with the other yet to go. As for the house, it's a fixer upper. I think it has potential, and it's situated on a half acre lot. Otherwise, we've gotten a new puppy! Yes, I know it's number four this year, but Matt decided to call it Lucky. Perhaps that'll keep him from dying anytime soon. Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

This is the truck Matt's sold so far, but I liked it the best!

Lucky 

 The kids scared him when we first brought him home, so he hid under the playhouse.

 Paul decided to "help" the puppy by jacking up the house.

 View from the back of the house.

 The yard was overgrown, but there was plenty of surprises growing.

 It fell off the foundation as you can see, but we have a professional fixing that right now. Anyway, believe it or not, the porch roof was put on crooked just like it looks, so the house is not as crooked as it makes it appear!

Jasper Camp!

Since we've moved here, I've been looking forward to being a part of Jasper camp. I felt so blessed to be a part of everything, and help do what I could to help others have a good time. I didn't get to help as much as I  wanted to because of taking care of my kids, but I did what I could. These Brothers and Sisters here at BFT (Believers Fellowship Tabernacle) go all out for this camp, and there's a huge buzz of excitement when it approaches time. They worked very hard, ensuring that everything possible would be done to make all our guests comfortable. It was very exciting to be behind the scenes, and I want all of them to know that I appreciate all the hard work they did! Here's a few pictures I took here and there. At the last minute I found my niche in the youngest children's church class, it seems I'm good with kids! I wonder why....

 We had all the kids hold onto a rope while we walked them down. That was a great idea!

 Some of the sisters put on a puppet show for the kids, and my friend Emily Palmer was the narrator. 

 Marrion with her new friend (left) Haddasah, and from our church, Belia.

 These were blindfolds the kids used to be like blind Bartemeas, we tied them on the way back. It was cute!

 Setting up for the banquet. It was so much fun!

 Good job Charity!

 It was good to see some family there. Trevor and Anna May, looking stylish!

 Tim and Charity

 Pull up the picture and see if you can read the quote.

 Can anyone guess who this lovely young lady is?

 Some of the ladies waiting in line. They looked beautiful!

 The most beautiful one of all, Sis Gail. Oh, and Bro Larry too! ;) She's a real solider for Christ and I just love love love her!

More pics of Galveston

I'm a little late, but I decided to post some pics of our trip before I forget any longer! So much has been going on..... this past week we had a camp meeting here in Jasper, TX, and I have pics to post of things going on around the house. I'll make this short today, so I'll just leave you with some more pics of the beach!

 Our friend, Emily Palmer, came with us to the Moody Garden Aquarium

 This is the Ocean Star rig that I took the kids to tour

 Now this is the way to keep your kids together! A shark cage...

 After the aquarium, we went on a dolphin cruise

 A fishing ship

 Daddy's girl!

 I loved seeing all the boats

 This bridge looked really neat on the way home, it was like two big M's

Galveston, Tx

One thing that I absolutely love about Matt's job, is the opportunity of travel. This week, his company sent him for training in Galveston, TX. They pay for our hotel, and expenses, leaving us to pay for our touring. Yes, I am a tourist. For the first time in my life, I've found myself walking with a camera in one hand, and a beach bag full of goodies and souvenirs in the other. We're staying at the Moody Gardens Hotel, and let me say, if ya'll ever find yourself in Galveston, this is the place to stay. It's so beautiful, not to mention the three pyramids in the back yard! We're touring the aquarium one tomorrow with my friend, Emily Palmer. Yesterday, we spent the morning at the beach, with the kids chasing the waves, and finding sea shells in the sand. We went back this morning, and the weather was perfect! After a break in the hotel room, I took the kids to see the Ocean Star drilling rig museum, to give them an idea of what Matt works on. It was pretty neat, although the kids were more interested in the fish tank on the way out. Anyway, I'll leave you with some pictures, and I'll have more by the time we go home!

 The girls were so excited to make a sand castle!

 Marrion was scared of the waves, if you want to call them that since they were tiny on shore, but she kept running away from them.

 Matt and Paul fishing

 Strolling through the Moody Gardens

This is the view from the floor in our hotel

My School Room

I know, I know, I know! I haven't posted in a couple months, and believe me I have my reasons. Anyway, I was going to do a couple posts and show some pictures of what we've been up to since I last posted, but that'll take up so much time and I have plenty to show you as it is. Maybe I'll slip something in later on. Right now, I wanted to show you my school room! I know most people don't remodel their school room before the school year is over, but we've been getting by since we've moved and I needed something to motivate us. Thus, the new school room! I got some ideas online, and spent forever in Lowe's trying to pick just the right colors (believe me with five kids that's a chore), and three days afterward painting. Tell me what you think! If you have any ideas, feel free to comment!

I made the kids a fort with a hula hoop, some shower curtains, and a sheet. The kids love sitting in there to read!

  I couldn't find a bean bag I liked so I found a pattern and picked out my own material! 

 I bought some chalkboard paint and did the sliding door on my closet.

 This is Paul's desk, and above it is our "Art Wall" where the best pictures of the week are hung.

I didn't think to zoom in, but I taped off a 21" square on the corner of my desktop, and painted it with chalkboard paint. Now when the smaller kids sit here we can practice writing together.

Thinking of Spring

I took a walk around my yard and took some pictures of the flowers that are blooming right now. Honestly, I don't know what they are, so if any of you know, let me know! :) Enjoy!

Just Keeping Busy

Matt was gone for three weeks this past month, and that's my excuse for not keeping ya'll informed on our daily fun. Hopefully he'll get some internet on our home computer before he leaves this time.
Anyway, we've been staying busy working around our new house, trying to get things in shape. I've been working on the school room, trying to make it into a room that the kids love to be in!Paul's been doing pretty well with his school work, he insists still that he can't read very well, but he slips when he thinks I'm not paying attention and he does really good. I've gotten an app on my phone that is a penguin spelling game. He loves this game, and will tell me excitedly that he's on the fourth level! Haha He hasn't figured out yet that it's the same as doing school work, just fun.
So, I've got things to be doing right now, and I'm just going to toss some pictures out there for you.

 Gracie's trying out the chalk at Bro Al's 

 My friend, Emily Sampson. We had a work day out at the church, cleaning up outside.

 Hannah and Emily with my Grace

 They put in some newer equipment! The kids love the pine shavings.

 I haven't a clue what to call this thing, but it was taking down trees like they were toothpicks!

 Me, Hannah, and Grace taking a break

 Bro Neil watering the beds that we worked on

 Doing yard work at our own house

I'm trying to get rid of all these little stones so I can have a flower bed here. Lots of kids come in handy! ;)