Team DeAx

     This morning the boys and I wore pink to church to support our friend, Miss Trish in her battle with cancer. We love Miss Trish so much!

The Thing About Chili's

     Last Sunday we ate lunch at Chili's. I had received a coupon in my email for a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree. The coupon was good for last Sunday only. I like Chili's. I love the chicken crispers and their soup choices. Joshua doesn't really like it and for good reason. Every time he goes with us the service is slow or they get his order wrong. Every. Time.

     This time they were out of chicken fried steak, and they were incredibly slow even though they weren't that busy. We've tried different locations, but it's the same result. On the plus side, Mom is making chicken fried steak for Joshua this week.

Hawaiian Falls

     We went to Hawaiian falls today. It was crazy, busy, and there were a couple of large groups there. I have been telling the boys that we would go and get season passes. Every time I had planned for us to go, I had to go into work or it rained or we had trouble with Joshua's car. Today it finally happened. The boys are totally excited that we can back whenever we want.

God's Faithfulness

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT)

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. (Psalms 57:10 NLT)

He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever. (Psalms 136:23 NLT)

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. (Hebrews 6:18 NLT)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. (Hebrews 6:19 NLT)

For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. (Lamentations 3:31, 32 NLT)

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:21-24 NLT)

Wordless Wednesday

When You Are Scared or Facing Troubles

"I cried out, 'I am slipping!' but Your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.

When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer."

Psalm 94:18-19 (NLT)

"But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You."

Psalm 56:3 (NLT)

"but He called out to them, 'Don't be afraid. I am here!'"

John 6:20 (NLT) 

"Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles."

Psalm 119:50 (NLT) 

"The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
Psalm 9:9 (NLT)

"In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; 
He saved me from all my troubles."
Psalm 34:6 (NLT)

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. 
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 (NLT)

"So be strong and courgeous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.
For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you.
 He will neither fail you nor abandon you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

Celebrating 8 Years

     Today we celebrated eight years of marriage. After I took my dad to his doctor appointment, and we took care of getting Joshua's car fixed (which it still isn't), we celebrated by eating dinner at Abuelo's and having dessert at Cheesecake Factory. It was a nice to eat a meal without taking little boys to the restroom multiple times. 

     We've been through a lot of good and a lot of bad. This past year has been one of the hardest because we lost our sweet baby. But even the loss of our sweet baby has unified us and strengthen our marriage. We have changed so much over the last eight years, but we have changed and grown together. We have loved and supported each other when it was easy and even more so when it was hard. There is no one else I would want to do this journey of life with. I love you, Joshua Paul Shaw! I love you more and more each day. Happy Anniversary!

Swim Party Fun

     On Sunday evening, I took Lucas to a birthday party for one of his classmates, Brooklyn. It was his first party invite by himself. He was excited, but also a little nervous because Logan wasn't going with him. It's so fun to watch Lucas when Logan isn't around. He truly is his own little person, and more of it comes out when he's not worried about keeping up with big brother. It had rained all day, so the water at the water park was very cold. Every time Luc came out of the water, he wanted to be wrapped up in his towel because he was shivering. Lucas quickly made a new friend with another little boy at the party. They played together most of the time. Another classmate, Elizabeth showed up later, and she played with them as well. At the end of the party, Brooklyn handed out ring pops. Lucas was so excited about the ring pop. It was so good to spend a little one on one time with my little Luc and watch him play with his friends. 

Wedding Fun

     On Saturday, I attended the wedding of a very precious friend! Heather and her family are so special to me. The service was so beautiful. We worshiped together. They wrote their own vows, and their vows were so sweet. They played a video about how God wrote their love story. Jesus was glorified in their wedding, and I know He'll continue to be gloried in their marriage. 

     I love this beautiful bride so much!!! 

     I also saw my red headed "son", Matthew. He came in for the wedding, and it's always so good to see him. 

     Heather and Brent's wedding was a beautiful reminder of how much God loves us. 

We love each other because He loved us first. (1 John 4:19 NLT)

Fun with Friends!

     This afternoon we were able to swim with Heather, Joel, the boys, Miss Janice, and Miss Vanda at Miss Vanda's. It was a beautiful day-hot enough to swim, but not sweltering like Texas summer days usually are. It felt like old times. It was just what I needed. Today was a good day.

Swimming with JJ

     Yesterday afternoon, we went to Aunt Calli's to swim with JJ. It was our first swim at her house this summer. Calli can't swim so Grammie got in the pool with JJ and the boys.