Just keep waiting

Hey Everyone,
     Since we are just a few weeks away from holding Evolet, we figured that we would go ahead and update all of you on the past few amazing, crazy months because we both know that all we will be able to talk about is our little one once she is here.
     To start our adventure off I got celebrated on Mother's day! It was amazing to finally be able to participate in this awesome day. Ricky did a great job grilling all my favorite veggies and meats and making me feel super pampered. I also received a hand carved cross for my collection from my super sweet mother-in-law, as well as, lots of cards from my family and friends. Boy did I feel loved!No more celebrating female teacher appreciation day for me! As apart of Ricky's mothers day plans, he also planned a getaway weekend. So we went on our babymoon the next weekend. For  all of you who are not familiar with this term, a babymoon is a getaway that an expecting couple make usually a few months before the baby is born. It is a time to just be a couple before baby gets here. It was wonderful! We went down to Bismarck where we had a spa day including a massage, facial (a steam bath for Ricky), a delicious lunch, a pedicure and manicure. It was so relaxing just to spend time with each other getting pampered. The next day we spent doing some shopping, seeing Iron Man 3 and Star Trek 2. It was awesome! We also went out for a fancy dinner where I enjoyed a delicious asparagus soup and baked ravioli. The weekend was a four day weekend so coming home on Sunday was like having our getaway extended home. We both loved getting to just be us without a schedule or demands. It was great to spend so much time together before the next week.
    So the next week was TGE, aka The Great Escape! This is a week that my mother in law, Nana, and sisters all get together for a little mini vacation from kids and husbands. I had longed to get invited to this awesome event and this year I got the invite! So I got on a plane and flew out to California for a wonderful week of visiting family including a very special high school graduation of Rick's cousins Weslie and Chelsea. Then it was off to a beautiful cabin near Nevada City. We laughed, cried (sometimes at the same time) and just a a wonderful time just being women together. I was the only one who could not leave my child at home but I don't think anyone minded that at all lol. The belly got lots of love from all the aunts, Abi and great grandma. It was a great time but just like Vegas, what happens at TGE stays at TGE ;P. The trip home was long but uneventful and I was very happy to see my boys again!
     The Thursday after I got home from TGE, Ryan (Ricky's big little brother) came to stay with us for a week. It was busy and fun getting to see him! Then the boys went camping at Mt. Rushmore. What a great adventure they had on their own little mini TGE! They went hiking, fishing and lots of s'more eating! Next year hopefully I'll get to go to Rushmore as well :D
      After sending Ryan off on his way home and hitting some garage sales, we documented our amazing journey through this pregnancy with a wonderful woman and photographer, Amy Smith (Allender). It was such a fun experience! Sam even got in on the fun! We captured some precious and hilarious moments which made out photo shoot perfect.
      So now it was Ricky's turn to be celebrated as a father! After having a wonderful lunch with our friends we spent the afternoon piddling around the house. Then for dinner we had Ricky's favorite tritip, parsley potatoes and salad. Pretty sure though his favorite part of the evening was receiving his gift. I had worked for many days to make coordinating superhero capes for my superman and his supergirl. It was great to see his eyes light up as he opened them up. I can hardly wait for them to play dress up together!
     Now we are at 36 weeks with only four weeks left! We are just waiting now with a few things to get done, like our birthing class :P. Our excitement is hard to stifle at this point but we will just have to be patient while we make last minute preparations to welcome our daughter home! The next post probably won't be until after Evolet makes her debut. Keep us in your prayers!
    Patiently waiting,
  Ricky and Lauren

Ephesians 4:1-2

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,

Girls, Girls and more Girls!!!!!

Hey Y'all,
    So we are still here in the Great White North known as Minot! Boy does it get cold up here! We are not too frost bitten just a bit chilled at times since we mainly stay inside. These past several months have seemed to disappear but the snow has remained. That is right, it is almost April and we have yet to see the grass! We are staying warm and busy though getting ready for our little girl to arrive in July! That is right, I said GIRL!!!! The Pope family curse has finally been broken and our precious Evolet will be here in no time!
 I have to say we were both surprised when the ultrasound technician told us it was a girl  but we were just as excited! It was truly amazing to see her moving around on the screen but it is still surreal. Now we are just getting used to saying "daughter," "girl," and "she" as well as stocking up the nursery with diapers, wipes and all the other things we can fit in there. We also enjoy feeling and watching her move around. 24 weeks and counting! July cannot seem to get here soon enough!
    Needless to say our family is so super excited to welcome her into the world. Ricky's mom came up for a week to visit us for Ricky's ha-birt and our baby shower. It was a very welcome visit! We had so much fun sewing and chatting about everything we could think of! I am certainly a blessed woman to have such an amazing mother-in-law, who loves me like her own. Anyway, so Robin and I had been sneakily planning her visit, but Ricky found out! So we greeted her at the airport with lots of hugs and a nice warm truck to get away in. Unfortunately she did not bring any warm weather with her from Texas. Instead it decided to snow, and snow, and snow some more. We didn't let that get us down though. We just opened the blinds, turned on some music and sewed away! Sam loves his Abi, especially after she shoveled the back porch! Did I mention how blessed we are to have her in our lives? So Friday we went to Sakura, which is a fun fry-in-your-face place here in town, for Ricky's ha-birt. For everyone who doesn't know, we celebrate half birthdays and call them ha-birts. The special person gets half a cake, half a present, and the supposedly half of a celebration but usually its just half a cake and card with a fully celebration. Anyway, we certainly did not do anything half for this ha-birt! We went home stuffed to the brim and with tons of leftovers! Saturday we went to our favorite little bakery, Sweet and Flour then showed Mom around town. We finished Ricky's ha-birt celebration by going to see the new Oz movie. We all enjoyed it, especially the popcorn! Then we went to Joanns for fabric and crafting supplies and patterns. Sunday was my baby shower so we went to church on base so we could be close by and yes, it was still snowing! That afternoon Mom and I got ready to go celebrate our Evolet with some of my wonderful friends up here. My girls Katie, Erin, and Melissa pulled out all the stops to give me a beautiful shower! All my girls absolutely showered me with love and gifts. I certainly oohhed and ahed over all the adorable little things we received. It truly was memorable! So Monday, I knit while Mom worked a bit then we showed her where we go swimming! Don't worry, we are in an indoor swimming pool that is nice and warm year round. Tuesday we hit the ground running on our sewing again. Mom taught me how to read a pattern and sparked my craftiness up again hehe. She also made an adorable dress for Evolet which I know will just be too cute on her. Wednesday came way to soon and we had to say farewell for now. We will definitely be seeing her again very soon! So after all of fun from that weekend we both crashed! Having fun is exhausting haha.
     We are now getting ready to celebrate Easter with our friends! This is such a blessed time for us knowing that our Lord and Savior Jesus died for us. What a reason to celebrate! Ever lasting life just with one choice! Jesus is good! We hope you have someone to celebrate this wonderful time with as well.
      It has certainly been an eventful few months and the next few are not getting any less eventful. We look forward to continuing to settle in here and to seeing the beautiful summers that we have heard so much about! So for now stay warm and God bless!
Love,
Ricky and Lauren

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay." Matthew 28:6

The Great White North and new adventures!

Hey y'all,
   So we have now been up here in the great white north since the end of October! Gosh time has flown by with all the holidays and wonderful activities. We have met so many great new friends, who have certainly kept us busy. Sam has been meeting lots of new friends as well. Of course we are learning to keep warm!
     Our trip was a long four day drive in our normally spacious truck. All of our animals did great on the trip up but boy were they so happy to finally stop in one place. We were very excited to finally get out of the truck for good!

     After the long trip we were so happy to get out and play in the snow for a little while even though we were a bit chilly...brrrr. Sam found a few frozen hash browns which made his day! We of course thought this was really gross but didn't mind it too much :P

   After spending the weekend in a hotel we moved into our house on base and began the wait for our things. Throughout those days several of our neighbors came to greet us to the cul de sac. It was a great welcome! That Friday the movers came with our things. In the snow and cold the movers carefully and efficiently moved everything into our new home. Boy were we happy to sleep in our bed instead of our deflating air mattress!

     The next weekend we experienced our first "blizzard" and received some very exciting news! I had been feeling dizzy off and on for the week and then started to wake up starving in the middle of the night, which was strange because I hardly ever even want breakfast until two or three hours after waking up. We had been trying to get pregnant for almost a year but didn't really think it was going to happen during our move. Ricky suggested we go get a test from the store in the blizzard so I reluctantly agreed thinking it was going to be one more disappointing result. I could not be happier to be wrong! We got our big fat positive which brought lots of shouting, jumping and tears of joy.

      We were so close to Christmas that we decided to keep it a secret from our families until Christmas morning :P So we began the get ready for Thanksgiving and all of our new neighbors to come over for dinner. It was the only thing we could do is to stay busy so we couldn't spill the beans! Thanksgiving was wonderful and we had way more food than anyone could eat. I also started having symptoms of being pregnant like fatigue and morning sickness but I still couldn't help but smile knowing our little one was healthy and growing. Even though I was tired we continued to enjoy our lives here in Minot. Getting involved in Bible studies, finding a church and attending as many social functions as we could still waiting to tell our families. One of the funnest events we went to was the squadron Christmas party which was full of laughter and dancing.

    So Christmas finally came! We were like two little kids as we watched our families open their gifts on Skype. It was so exciting! The reactions were priceless with lots of screaming, and tears of joy. They had been waiting a long time as well!
    Our new year celebration brought a trip to Minneapolis to see Trans Siberian Orchestra which was absolutely wonderful and super fun! We also hit the twelve week mark on new years eve which we brought in with sparkling cider and a Big Bang Theory marathon. We are looking forward to a wonderful new year and a healthy little one in July! God bless you all in this new year!
    Happy New Year!
 Ricky and Lauren

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). Psalm 55:22 (AMP)

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.