September Silliness

Hey y'all,
    OR should we say Hey you's guys!!!!! haha That's right, everyone, we are heading to North Dakota in just a matter of days now. Thank God for the wonderful men coming to pack us up and ship our stuff off for the great north. So all we have to worry with is packing a few things and our fur babies. We are certainly excited for this next chapter in our adventure book. For now, I will update you on our past few adventures.
    Labor Day weekend we spent with our family at our Aunt Mary and Uncle A.C.'s place. We had a great time with the whole family coming from all over to wish us off. Sam got to visit his best buddy, Nuba, while we were gone. Some of our best times while there were getting to have home church with everyone there. Being able to have time worshiping our Lord and Savior together with our family is so sweet and precious and I know we will treasure that time for a long time. So after that weekend we continued our whirlwind of a month.
     The next weekend my Aunt Ranee and Uncle John came down to visit us here in Shreveport. We took them to some of our favorite spots including George's Grill and historic district. We also checked out the Horseshoe Casino for the first time since we moved here. It was huge and very fancy. We are all pretty sure the toilets are gold haha. It was a very fun weekend and a nice visit. Our month was still yet to come to a conclusion.

   The next weekend was what I had been planning for months and then planned some more: Ricky's 25th birthday celebration. Friday we took off for Dallas where we stayed at a great hotel with a gorgeous view. The next day we started out early for a small air show in Terrell, TX called Flights of our Fathers. First thing we took a hot air balloon ride which was very fun even if it was a little chili. After that we walked around looking at the static displays and enjoy the sights. Then we met a WWII Pacific Theater vet named R.V. Burgins, who is the author of "Islands of the Damned". We talked to him for several minutes, enjoying getting to speak with a hero such as himself. He was very humble and sweet. It was a true honor to get to meet with him and get a copy of his book. That was truly a great adventure!

   Before we knew it, the big day we were looking forward to was finally here. GRADUATION DAY!!!! Ricky had worked very hard throughout these past nine months and it finally was coming to an end or as the general put it an end of the beginning. Ricky's parents, grandmother, and brother all made it out for the big day! Ricky's name finally was called and he went up to receive his leather bomber jacket, which he looks very handsome in. We were all very proud of him. Then God proceeded to poor out his favor as they announced that Ricky received the Academic Award and Distinguished Graduate for his class. It was so great to see him rewarded for all his hard work and dedication. After that we spent the weekend showing the Pope's around town. We checked out the Air Force Museum and of course played pinochle. It was a really great weekend. 

 And a midst all of that awesome craziness we were able to plan a fantastic garage sale for the following weekend! Our friends, the Laminacks, Antones, and Mastracchios, all contributed to help our total come out to just under $1000! Boy was it cold but totally worth it since we got to hang out with our awesome friends and make some extra cash. The next day we took off for the beach!

    After dropping Sam off at Ricky's parent's house, we took off for Corpus Christi! We stayed on North Padre Island where the Hart family so graciously let us stay for a few days. It was absolutely gorgeous and the most perfect weather for beach bumming. Of course we don't really bum anywhere, we stayed busy going to the U.S.S. Lexington and the aquarium that is in Corpus Christi. It was really a great vacation before heading up to the cold of North Dakota. We spent the rest of the week visiting all the family and friends we could squeeze in and boy did we have to squeeze! It was great though even if some of our meetings were just for a minute or two. 

     So now after the very long six hour drive back home we are now spending this week getting ready for North Dakota where we will be for the next 3 to 4 years. Stocking up on sweaters, jackets and hot chocolate! haha And gearing up for another great adventure!

Post again soon!

AF Popes

Psalms 90:17

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

HI HO HI HO It's off to refurbish we go!

Hey y'all,
   What a fun ride we have had these past few months! Ricky and I have started a new hobby, restoring furniture. I have to say we are pretty addicted. We take old furniture that we find either on the side of the road or in a thrift shop and give it a new life. It is so fun to watch these items form into what we have planned for it. It is also just a great reminder how God is constantly working on both of us refurbishing us into the beautiful creations He has planned.
    One of our favorite finds are the antiques like our record player and singer sewing machine in the cabinet! What awesome finds that we got to add to our collection with just a little clean up :D Now we rock out to some of our favorite forties and fifties bands like Bing Crosby and Chubby Checker. That is Ricky checking out our record player for the first time. Sorry for the low quality of the photo our old camera was on its way out :(

  This is the 1949 Singer sewing machine in the original cabinet that we found on the side of the road. That's right for free! Cleaned it up and yes it works. Now it is nicely displayed like a museum piece in our farmhouse dining room. So excited to see it with our new table and chairs :D

    Our latest project has been a dresser and shelf for our bedroom. Eventually we will have nightstands, and headboard to match. This coming weekend we are building our dining room table and chairs. Ricky does the building and fixing and I do the decorating. This is our new shelf for our bedroom. We used an old chair that we found on the side of the road. The bottom half is now a stool. Yay refurbishing!

     Meanwhile, Ricky has been doing really well in his training, which is finally finishing up in September. It is truly amazing the different techniques and skills he is learning everyday. It has been very busy but we know it will be rewarding. God continues to show us how much He is in control and how much we can trust Him.
     My latest project that I have discovered a new love for is canning! That is right I am now canning my own  jam! It is so much easier than I thought and opens up a world of opportunity. I am looking forward to all the different yummy foods! Strawberry Honey Jam is so delicious and was my first experiment. I used honey instead of sugar which gave it a better taste than store bought. Ricky already finished one of the jars so I am pretty sure it is a winner. I also already started gifting them so beware you will probably get some of my canned yumminess eventually lol.

    On top of finishing all of these new projects, we are also gathering up our dust collecting items for a garage sale and move to Minot soon. The closer it gets the more we are preparing and getting excited for this next place in our great adventure. So for now we are off to refurbish some more needy furniture.
Until next time,
Ricky and Lauren

Revelation 21:4 ESV / 7 helpful votes

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Birds, Crafts, and Trips

Hey Y'all!
   It has been quite a while since I've posted anything which I am very sorry about but life has been so super busy! Just the way we like it around here lol. So much has happened in just the past few months that I will have to just recap for you guys.
   We finally got our assignment and we are moving to Minot, North Dakota, aye. lol So looks like we will be the odd balls who say y'all. It is looking like we will be there for a few years which we are looking forward too. We have both been learning as much as we can about how to live in the cold weather state which will be a huge change from our blazing hot Texas and Louisiana but there are so many thing to do in the snow! We know that God will be with us no matter where we go. This is a great adventure with God in the driver seat.
    Since we will be living further away from our beloved Texas than just an hours drive we have been trying to spend as much time with our families as possible. At least one weekend out of each month we have met Ricky's family at his Aunt's lake house where we have the best time :D Then on Memorial Day weekend, we finally were able to make it down to Austin. We saw my family and enjoyed getting to set up my grandparent's new computer for them. God certainly provided in that situation as He always does. Sam has tagged along as usual, he just loves his car rides.
     We have also spent lots of weekends playing the weekend warriors of S. Gate Road lol. Since discovering pinterest I have kept Ricky and myself pretty busy building and creating fun things we can take to add to our next home. Our latest project was a pair of hammock swings that are now hanging from a tree in our backyard thanks to Ricky's ingenuity. It seems that if it is crafty, I am drawn to it and so as usual I am putting my nose to the grindstone and cranking out crafty item after crafty item. I love it and I'm pretty sure Ricky does too ;P
     Exercising has also now become a daily endeavor for both of us. It is a challenge but we both know it is best to keep our selves healthy and working. My goal is to run a 5k and Ricky wants to get hundreds across the board at his next physical fitness test. We both have lots to do but it is all worth it.
     We have also been busy with a new little addition to our backyard! Sam found a little baby bird a few days ago, which he has been obsessed with, that is now on its way to learning to fly. When I came across this little guy I immediately put him in an old shoe box, trying very hard not to touch him, and put him up on a table so that the momma could find him. It still just amazes me how God created every living creature to take care of its young. Even though it was not in the nest with its siblings the momma bird made an extra trip to make sure that little one was fed. She made sure to let us know when we were too close to her little one. Ricky and I sat in our new hammocks to watch them and we were fascinated. Well the little one is on its way to flying and has Sam on his toes lol I look forward to seeing that little guy fly around our backyard.
      This next weekend we will be celebrating Adrian, our cousin Cody's fiancee, coming into our family! We are so happy and excited for both of them starting this great adventure of their own. It truly is a blessing to have someone to experience all of God's wonders and experiences with. It reminds me how blessed I am to share that with an amazing man of God. I already know I will tear up with joy for them and knowing the long wait to the alter is finally at an end. We wish them the very best and look forward to seeing all God has for them.
       Also keep us in your prayers because I will be flying by myself for the first time to California in two weeks! I am so excited to get to spend time with Ricky's family at Dinky Creek. I will unfortunately be going by myself because Ricky is still in training, which I am sad that he will not be able to go too, but I will be proudly representing our little family. Anyway, our three year anniversary celebration will be the weekend I get back so lots to look forward too.
       I will keep you all posted, hopefully sooner than a few months lol. Praying lots of love and blessings over all of you! God is truly always faithful and good. Will post soon!

Love,
   Ricky and Lauren

Deuteronomy 31:8 "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Finally home!

Hey, y'all!

Wow! Talk about a great adventure, the past two months have flown by! Christmas, moving to a new state, finding a house, and  unpacking everything has been a whirlwind and God has been with us through it all. Finally though we have settled into our wonderful home and new life.

Christmas was awesome! We got to see all of our friends and family in one cram packed busy week but its always worth it. Our week started out with  helping my grandmother's Christmas tree up and decorated. Then we went to Salado for Ricky's grandparent's anniversary. It was full of laughs and great memories. I got to hang out with Adrian, my soon to be fellow out-law :D Congrats to the awesome couple! It was great getting to see his family since we were going to spend Christmas with my family. Christmas Eve we went to see my dad's side of the family which is always fun. Yummy Mexican food with good times equals awesome! I could barely believe how big my cousins have gotten. It was a great time. Christmas we spread lots of Christmas cheer  visiting with my mom's family. We all went to the nursing home to visit my great grandmother with our spunky little Sam. As expected Sam was the talk of the home in his Christmas candy cane sweater. Everyone was loving on him and he was a perfect little trooper! By the time we left all the nurses knew Sam by name which was too funny. Sam could melt the hardest of hearts :D So after the perfect storm we just hung out for the next few days with Ricky's parents. We certainly have been blessed with an awesome family.

      Our trip home was a little strange due to the fact that we would be moving in two weeks! So a packing we would go. We packed and cleaned like never before but the excitement of a new adventure kept us going. A quick trip to Shreveport to find our new home and back was a nice change of pace from packing.
Good-bye is always hard. Our church family gave us a very warm send off as well as our friends back at Sheppard. We certainly miss all of you! Finally, moving day was upon us. Ricky's cousin, Cody ( the one getting married :D), and our friend Jared came and helped us pack up the U-haul. Everything found a place in one of our vehicles, including ourselves lol. And we were off like a herd of speeding turtles! The journey to Shreveport was long but uneventful. God watched over us every step of the way.

     After the long trip we arrived at our new home. We opened the door and went to turn the light switch on and found that we had no electricity! So after a cold, dark night in our new house we set to work with our family to unpack and begin to get settled in. Our house became a home with each box that was unpacked. And yes, we finally got electricity!

   We are now completely settled in to our new home. This year holds so many exciting new adventures for us. We have made new friends and are loving our Buff community :D Ricky starts B-52 training tomorrow and our routine will finally start pacing out. Now the last thing on our list is to find the church for us. We know God is leading us to the right church for us. So keep praying for us!

    We love you guys! Post again soon!
    Ricky and Lauren

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.