Backyard Happenings

I realize I haven't blogged in forever.

We have been ridiculously busy and overwhelmed since Irma.

I try not to say her name. 

Because of HER, it got us to thinking about how to be better prepared,

just incase we ever have another hurricane. 
Let's just say "h" word.

First we decided to raise the sea wall.

Everything dominoed. 

The dock was damaged, so we dismantled part of it.

Building the sea wall higher,

required bringing in dirt.

Bringing in dirt meant new plants.

Thankfully, I had help from this missy.

That made us realize the pool deck wasn't going to work. 

We tore it down.

We built a new one.

Can you see the light at the end of that tunnel.

We chose cable fencing around the deck and pool 

which I am in love with.

We finally ordered grass.

Can you say a prayer that it'll grow?

Can't believe that I am hoping for rain.

All in all,

Mark & I love big projects.

It has been fun.

The dock still needs work but it should be soon.

Another prayer please.

We know we are so blessed and we know Who is in control.

I have this sign in my kitchen to remind me when I need reminding.

I am glad to be back at documenting our lives.

So many have switched to Instagram but I apparently have the need to talk so this works for me.

Hope you are all doing well.

Have a Great Weekend!

Is Anyone Hot?

 Happy Friday everyone!

Hope you have big plans for the weekend or better yet, 

plans to relax and enjoy the weekend.

It has been in the 90's here in North Florida.

Whew!

I don't know how people did it years back without central air.

Can you imagine sleeping in your sweat?

yuck

and no thank you

and count me out.

I have been mowing today.

It's a push mower.

Don't feel sorry for me.

I stop often enough.

It is a little embarrassing. 

I found a boat on a virtual yardsale sight that I follow.

Mark was out of town.

For some reason, I am able to shop when he is away.

It was a bargain but now I need a motor.

How was I supposed to know what motors cost?

I am a woman on a mission.

Looking is half the fun.

I will keep you posted.

I got Eli to stop long enough to get a picture.

He goes a mile a minute.

Oh for that energy.

I really do hope you have a great weekend!

This Is The Week!

We are in the middle of selling our home and buying a new one.

Woohoo!

Somewhere in the last 3 months,

we had the notion that it would be nice to live on the river.

We started checking out houses on Zillow.

We called a realtor and the rest is history.

We close on our new (to us, but a real fixer-upper) house this week.

Aaaahhhh!

Look at my dock!

All it's missing is the boat.

I see many hours fishing in the near future.

I am looking forward to many shrimp dinners.

The house also comes with this pool.

Somebody slap me!

I am so blessed.

The house is going to be perfect when I'm done with it.

It was built in the 50's and has paneling and a bomb shelter.

Isn't that funny?!

We aren't sure what to do with it.

Any suggestions?

My boxes are packed.

Just waiting to sign on the dotted line.

I will take pictures after I get the popcorn off the ceilings

and slap some paint on that paneling.

Hope you are having a great day!

If you live near me,

come see me!

Back Home

It's been forever!

I missed you!

I have lots of good excuses!

Actually, I don't know where to begin.

It has been a whirlwind since we pulled out of the driveway in Olathe, Kansas

to move back home in Florida.

It's good to be home.

My soul feels content.

There is no place like home.

The hard part is my honey has to work in Kansas 

until Thanksgiving.

Part of me is missing until we are both living under the same roof.

That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.

Do we really need to be stronger?

Cliche statements are annoying.

I have been crazy busy and I'll have to share in a segment of posts. 

Mark usually has The Apple. 

I only enjoy blogging on The Apple.

I have the phone ap which allows blogging. 

I even have the iPad.

I can do it but I don't enjoy it like when I'm using The Apple.

I am used to it. It's comfortable for me.

This ole dog doesn't want to learn new tricks.

Cliche statements are annoying.

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

September!

Hard to believe!

Come on Fall! 

My Heart Is Home

How many vehicles does it take to carry all my belongings?

Two U-Haul trucks, 1 U-Haul trailer and a Toyota truck.

We (Mark, Daniel, Josh, my dad and myself)

pulled out Saturday morning. 

It was bittersweet but mostly sweet.

We had 1 tire blow out about 6 hours into the trip.

It was fixed relatively quick.

I can't describe my joy as we pulled into our home in Florida.

After 3 years of being gone,

it was pure joy that flooded my soul.

Danielle was in the house with the kids.

I had no idea they were hiding around the corner.

Balloons, banners and dinner all ready for our homecoming.

Mom was here with her famous spaghetti and it did not disappoint.

Delores and Marks dad came for our arrival.

Neighbors and friends stopped by with cookies, goodies and well wishes.

Blessed is all I can say. I am truly blessed.

I laid in bed that first night and just thanked the Lord.

Three days later, I'm still unpacking boxes. 

The ole gray mare ain't what she used to be. 

It seems to take so much longer than it should.

Either that or I just own WAY too much stuff.

I'm trying to downsize.

Say a prayer for me. I really want to be more frugal.

I was thinking about it today as Mark 

and I were plundering through Lowe's.

I love Lowe's.

Everything is so pretty.

I'm like Eve in the garden of Eden. 

They know how to hang those pretty "apples" everywhere 

and I want them, all of them. 

Pretty pillows for the lawn chairs, 

lovely candles for the bugs, new paint.....

etc. You know what I mean. 

I think shopping takes real restraint.

Anyways, it is wonderful to be home. 

I'm a little delirious from all the packing and unpacking but it'll get there eventually. 

I hope.

I will fill you in more later.

Wait till you hear about the couch God gave me.

He loves me.

There's no place like home.

Hope you are having an amazingly wonderful day!

Exciting News!

We found out a few weeks ago that we are moving back 

to north Florida.

Aaaaahhhhh!

When we found out 3 years ago that Mark was getting transferred,

we hoped it would be for 3 years.

You never know what can happen.

He got a promotion and we moved to another city.

We heard through the grapevine that a possible opening 

in Miami would happen.

At least that would be closer to my family.

Actually, I was born and bred in Miami so I thought it would be ok.

That rumor never panned out.

When we got the official call 

we were ecstatic!

The dates aren't official yet 

but I have boxes and I'm packing.

It has been a gift to travel and live in 

different parts of this beautiful country.

It has been a gift to be a part of other churches and see

God alive and working throughout.

Experiencing new cultures, food and different life styles

has been a treat, but......

this girl is ready to go home.

Fun In Florida

We spent last week in Florida.

It took 3 full days for my body to thaw out.

Has this been the coldest winter ever?

I think so.

It was wonderful to spend time with our parents.

They spoiled us rotten!

We are so blessed.

They realize that good seafood is hard to come by in Kansas.

One evening,

Marks parents served us huge scrumptious crab legs. 

Is that one word or two?

I don't feel like looking it up. 

It seems like it's one word but my computer 

keeps changing it so I'm going to give in and leave it.

Back to the meal...

to die for!

My parents,

unaware of our crab-leg fortune,

prepared us a lobster dinner that would make you 

wanna slap someone.

It was in heaven!

I was able to spend some precious moments with D, D & my amazing grandkids.

We read books, rode horses, played ball, colored, sang songs and played games.

I can't remember the name of this game but the person wearing the card has to ask "yes, no or maybe" questions 

and try to guess the character the card reveals.

Entertaining doesn't begin to describe the laughter 

shared during this game!

It was so fun and the best laughs were provided by the youngest of participants.

Abi & I had fun playing at the park one morning 

while the big kids were in school.

The weather warmed up enough to give the horses a bath

before the big show this weekend.

I must share one more picture with you.

It's one of those memories that needs to be documented.

Abi asked her 5 year old sister to give her a haircut.

In a few weeks,

we will have bangs.

I hope you are having a great day!

We are hitting the road tonight

to head to San Antonio, TX.

It's my baby girls birthday

& I have presents!!

Gonna be a great weekend!

Fun In Florida

I had to come home to get some rest 

from my two jam-packed weeks in Florida.

I had the privilege of keeping the kids

while Danielle finished up her school year.

I now have the Shark Tale movie memorized. 

 Good times!

We enjoyed lots of backyard fun.

From flying kites,

riding 4-wheelers,

golfing

& swinging for hours.

Dani has just figured out the art of swinging.

She has the sweetest personality and is so persistent.

She says, "If you move your legs back and forth,

you'll go higher.

& if you lightly touch your feet to the ground,

 you will stop."

Oh how I enjoyed how pleased she was to learn this art.

We went to the beach 

on what had to be the most perfect day ever.

(unless you are a surfer)

The water was so clear.

We found starfish.

Each day was filled with go, go, go.

Eli turned 6 and celebrated with a Lego Party.

That's a blog for another day.

We celebrated my mother-in-laws birthday.

Mark & I played cards almost every night with my parents.

I can't tell you how much fun we had.

Between being a little delirious from lack of sleep and playing till the wee hours,

We laughed till we cried.

We did some home projects for different family members because that is truly what thrills us.

We spent a day floating down Ichetucknee Springs.

Have you been there?

You need to go.

Freezing clear water to lazily float down for hours.

The time flew by so quickly and I had to board the plane to come home.

I am overwhelmed how blessed I am.

I truly believe that God delights in blessing Wendy.

I flew home first class on that Delta jet

because I got bumped up because the

"Powers That Be" love me.

I looked out that window at this great big world

and was thankful.

Thankful that He knows my name.

Thankful that He cares for me.

Thankful that He sent His Son.

Overwhelmingly blessed!

I hope you are having a wonderful day

& I truly hope you know my sweet Jesus.

He loves You dearly.   

Enjoying The Sunshine State

Thank the Lord, on the 8th Day, 
He created air conditioning

 and swimming pools.

I arrived in Florida a couple days ago 
and I'm having a blast.

"MiMi, Can I spend the night?"
Of course!

Birthday parties.

Beach.

Late night cards with my parents.

Poolside.

Golf.

BBQ's.

I just can't tell you how happy my heart 
is to be spending time with my 
precious family and friends.


I plan to give more detail soon but for now...
hope you are near a pool
with a cool beverage.

March Madness

I had a dream that we lost by 4.

Whew! I was glad when I woke up to find we hadn't played yet. 

Go Gators!!