Daddy is home!!!

Well during the last week we have been cleaning and finishing some projects so that daddy would
have a nice clean house to return to.


Mother made some nice blue and white curtains for the dining room,

and the kitchen.

We also re-covered and painted the kitchen chairs.


We put some nice flowers around the house and it all looked just lovely.
On Thursday we decided that we wanted to go with Fernando and Alejandra
to pick up the guys as a surprise, because they were arriving at the Atlanta airport.


We left early and stopped at the Tanger outlets in Commerce.


Victoria really enjoyed getting into the little car rides.



We decided to film the meeting to be able to show all you who read my blog.
I am sooooooo glad my dear dad, brother and cousin are back and I thank God for bringing them back safely. I will try to post pictures from the trip soon.

Special pictures

Today we went blueberry picking again, but this time we took Jessica along.


The belly is getting bigger and we all can't wait for the little baby to come.
A cow that was grazing in the shade.


I hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as I did. I am looking forward to making blueberry pie and other sweet things with all those blueberries we picked.

Shooting away

For the past several months Caleb, Haviland and I
have been taking a gun class
at the Greenville Gun Club. I have really enjoyed being able to learn how to use and fire a gun.

We took the rifle qualification class and are trying to get up to the highest
level which is distinguished expert.

Up till now I have reached the sharpshooter level
and am currently working on the sharpshooter bars, of which there are 9,
I have reached bars 1 and 2 and am working on bar 3.

After you complete each level the NRA (National Rifle Association)
Gives you a patch and a certificate and if you want you can also buy the NRA medals.

I have saved most of my targets and keep them in a folder along with the certificates.
I have 23 targets and a few more which, before I had the idea to store them in a folder, I got rid of. I hope to be able to keep moving ahead and will try to keep y'all up to date with my shooting.

A fast and healthy Sunday meal

Seeing that we were very tired from the busy weekend, and lacked the time and energy
to prepare a big, fancy meal, Mother decided to make something fast and healthy.


~Salmon and Salad~
All she did was brush the fish with Olive oil and then season the salmon on one side with
Adobo Goya
Red bay seasoning
and Pepper.
She then baked it in a 425 degree oven.
The amount of time you cook the fish depends on the thickness(About 8-10 min.).
After the fish is finished squeeze on a little lime juice

The salad was just
Lettuce
and Green pepper
Seasoned with
Lime
Olive oil
and Salt.
Then topped with millet.
Serve with a glass of sweet iced tea and enjoy.

a 4th of July picnic

Yesterday we had a 4th of July picnic at our church with plenty of good food and fellowship.

Pastor Vasquez praying for the food.

We had several different games including a potato sack race, a balloon toss, and a water balloon fight. Of course, all the boys played soccer.

Lining up for the race.

GO!!!


Older kids hopping away.

Tossing balloons.

Little kids playing in the tree.
I really enjoyed this time we had to celebrate the liberty that God has granted to
this nation. The only thing missing was my dear daddy, brother and cousin who are still in Ecuador. Please pray for them as they will be returning on Friday.
P.S. Thank you Fernando for taking all the pictures.

Hiking and Sewing

This morning we went to hike with some friends on Paris mountain and I
actually remembered my camera, so here are some pictures from our hike.

In the woods.

Me, reading at the amphitheater.

Crossing a thin, log bridge.

Playing in the creek.

A shrimp Jared found in the creek.

The fattest Caterpillar I have ever seen.
A spider's web.

After we got home I decided to do a project which I had been wanting to do for a LONG time,
but had never gotten around to making. It is impossible to find modest swimsuits at stores, but 2 years ago I ran across a pattern that was modest and yet worked for swimming.
I showed the picture to a lady at our church who made it for me without the pattern.
Well, I outgrew the one she made so she showed me how to cut it out so that I could make it.

The suit comes to my knees and has a pair of detached pants under.
I added the darts to the bodice and put butterfly sleeves instead of the normal kind.
I also made a a suit for Victoria which fits her pretty well.
I hope you all have a blessed 4th of July.