Sips N Strokes

Sips 'N' Strokes is a new thing that has become very successful over the past year or so.  Basically you go in to one of their locations, pay them, and then they supply you with everything you need to create a fun painting!  They even have an instructor to walk you through the painting step by step.  It's called Sips N Strokes because they let you bring in drinks to sip on while you are there.  

I went with Autumn this past week.  Her sister won a gift card from work so we were able to enjoy it for a great price!  Here are a few pics!

The class.  Each night is one specific painting, but you can modify it and make it your own.  Or you can just do exactly how they teach you to do it.

Me and Autumn

Our semi coordinating paintings

Our Group

Revelation

I had a revelation this past weekend.  Basically I realized I have been living in a bit of a bubble these past few years.  I've often referred to it as a "time in the desert."  Basically I have felt for a while that God took me to a place in my life where I was completely focused on Him.  A place that I was not comfortable with.  It was a place that was very unfamiliar.  

For a while I thought it was all about location that created this desert.  However, in the matter of 3 1/2 years, I moved back and forth from five locations.  The "desert" I felt like I was in, never went away.  I know now that it was a spiritual desert.  I needed to be there for a reason, and I needed to be away from everything I had always known in order for God to get my full attention.

He definitely got it.

I've learned so much these past few years.  I know I have talked about it a lot, but I'm still learning every day.  

This weekend I just realized that when you're in the desert, there will be a time  you will be taken out.  I'm thinking/hoping that's my time right now.  It isn't an instant thing, it's still a process that takes time.  

One thing I didn't appreciate or even understand about being in the desert is that while I was in it, God was teaching me but also protecting me.  That was why I referred to it as a bubble.  There were certain temptations and things that I just never had to deal with.  But when you aren't in the desert anymore, you aren't in that bubble either.  

Those desert moments are so bittersweet.

So that's my revelation.

Ladies Dinner

Sunday night all of the guys in our ministry surprised us and had a night where they fixed dinner for the girls and they served us.  It was waayyy more than any of us expected!  They majorly out did themselves!  It looked like a little Italian resturant when we walked in.  I wish my pictures would post in the right order!

Me and my friend Autumn

These are some of the girls after we ate.  There is a lot of talent in our ministry!

All of the guys made homemade lasagna and spaghetti.

Our menus for the evening

Behind the scenes.  I sent my camera back with one of the guys.

Some of the boys

I think these are all of my post for now.  I told y'all I had a lot of them!

May Saturday Pictures

Sunday we had our May Saturday lunch.  After lunch we went to the mall so Kaley could ride the carousel.  She told me "I think this is kinda fun.  Yep I surely do."

Sis and Kaley dancing in the parking lot after lunch.  My Grammy doesn't really approve of this type of behavior. ha!  People probably think are family is nuts!  But I'm ok with that..... because we kind of are!

Me and Trey

Cassie and Trey

Me and Sis

Me, Trey, Sis (Kristen), Candace, Cassie, Kaley, and Grammy---- Logan was sick and didn't get to join us.

Two Peas in a Pod!

My Sister's last Sports Banquet

This past Thursday night was Cassie's sports banquet.  She went with her friend Nathan.  She looked gorgeous!  I can't believe it's her last one!  

I need some kids of my own..... one day!

I babysat Kaley, Logan, and one of my best friend's little girl a few weeks ago.  I thought I would be the fun one and let them make cookies.  I didn't really think it through enough though.  Those little ball sprinkles are from the devil!  They went everywhere!  Here are some pics that are in random order:

Logan and Addi eating their cookies.

He's taking here on a date.  She doesn't look too impressed!

Addi trying to share a cookie with Logan

This boy melts my heart!

I took Kaley's shirt off to avoid ruining it with blue icing, only to find that she was wearing a bra.  She is obsessed with bras.  She tried to get me to take a picture of just her in her bra, but her pose was a little too provocative! ha!  I told her "girls don't do that."

Look at Logan's smile!

I always put Addi's hair in pigtails when I have her!  I can't resist!  She is so cute!

These next two are her "modeling pics."

He helped himself to some cereal.

Baking/eating the cookies.

Check out Addi's Cowgirl boots!