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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Fun pictures of this week and updates from Qatar!

Phew! We have arrived at Thursday and remain busy with a full calendar of events ahead. It has been a wild ride, but I have had so much fun just spending time with friends and family, I haven’t even noticed the passing time.


Between walks with good friends, play time in the pool with little bundles of life, dinners with brothers and family friends, I have been learning how to draw near to God again. I know, most would think “What? I thought you were always close to God?” Yes, it’s true: I am close to God (He lives in me so its hard NOT to be close to him!), but it doesn’t take much for your relationship with Him to feel distant so quickly. Thus, I have been convicted of my sin of distraction and I am seeking to run after Him again, through prayer, the word and memorization.

I am going through the Proverbs this month (and ironically, so is my old church! Ha!). So far, I have learned a lot about God’s desire for how I should be walking through my life and how I should instruct my little one on the way. Once I shift through all my thoughts and recollect them in a comprehensible way, I will share all I have learned. I think it would encourage you, even if you aren’t in the same stage of life as I am currently.

For now, I will share some of my week’s highlights (outside the sports events--those need its own blog posting!):

Dinner with Jane and Lizzy McKinnon

Pool time with sweet Eleanor! 


OH! And Andrew sent me some pictures of his trip so far.

Here's the handsome pilot himself:
Sand storm on the runway! 
A hotel built for an Asian world cup: 150 stories high and the little balcony you see sticking out of the building is actually an outdoor/indoor pool! CRAZY!

Beautiful waters in downtown Doha.

A memorial piece in downtown Doha

CAMELS! Andrew said they rolled in the sand like Eli! Haha!

Bunnies. Yes, they were dyed permanently this way.
Pooooooor bunnies!

AND POOR LITTLE CHICKIES!!
Isn't this culture crazy??

Of course, there is always something crazy about foreign cars. But this one is really crazy!

(Thanks for the pictures babe!)

Thank you everyone who has been praying for Andrew. He has been doing great and really thriving in his career, spiritually and his master's class. He has just a little bit of time left in Qatar before he moves on to another location, but I am so thankful to God for his well being thus far and ask you continue to pray for him as his deployment/missions continue.

Blessings! XOXO

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Aunt Meg's 40th celebration and Roommates Girl's Night Out!

Ok, time to try to catch up!

Other events have proceeded the baby shower: Aunt Meg's 40th and a party with my roomies!
I have been to many sporting events as well, but I wil have to catch you up on those later ;)

Firstly, let's get some pictures of the big 4-0 up here!

Since the party was at a restaurant on the lake, dad took us by boat.
Poor Muffy... She could not come :(
Leaving the house: 

She is OVER THE HILL!!
(But still alive and kickin', right?!)


My cousin's Ryan and Allison. 
Some of Megan's close friends: 


My Aunt Mary giving her sister her birthday cake
(don't worry Megan-- you could have had 40 candles opposed to the candles that just say '40'!)


Dad is enjoying something yummy over there... 
Ohhhh, chocolate cheescake....mmmm....

My Uncle Mike and Grandfather, Jack.

Aunt Megan got her birthday wish: Lemon cheesecake by Grandma!
It was delicious! 

Present opening time! 


The sisters: 
The Miller family 
Uncle Mike and Aunt Debbie 

Aunt Megan got a picture album Grandma and Grandpa made her of her wedding.
Everyone enjoyed that! 






Then, on Saturday night, the guys gave up their wives for a girl's night out!
My roommates and I (all except Julie, who we missed) spent a good amount of time laughing and catching up on life all evening. Dad was kind enough to take us down to Calhoun's for dinner by boat, which was a real treat for all of us!

And no, Muffin was not allowed to go again.
Poor pup! 

Sweet little Eleanor was loving her time with Lorato! 
Bonnie!!! 
Baby Eleanor did great at Calhoun's. She was such a trooper (And quite the party animal!).
We enjoyed having a baby in the mix-- crazy to know how much the dynamics are going to change in our reunions with kids in the picture now!! 

(Looks JUST like her daddy!) 

Our photographer ;) 

Here we are wrapping up a good night of food and fun.
God has blessed me with such wonderful friends that I got to call roommates for a whole year.
I am so blessed to know these girls and I hope our friendship and fellowship continues as the years pass us by.
LOVE YOU GIRLS!
XOXOXO