Oh Abilene..........

We got to the wonderful town of Abilene Friday the 11th. We spent the weekend at Matt's youngest sisters house. My sister stayed there too, so it was a lot of fun. There is something wonderful that just comes over me when we go 'home' to Abilene. There is just a peace that I feel. I love all the memories that Abilene holds. Saturday was a special day. When Matt and I were about to get married we took a semester long premarital course at Highland church. They assign you to a mentor couple that you spend the semester with. It was a wonderful experience, and we were so blessed by the couple we were assigned too. Saturday Matt and I went over to their house and took the kids. It was so much fun catching up and letting them meet our newest additions. Hudson loved Ray, and it took only seconds for them to become buddies. Harper crawled all over the place. Ray and Trish are that couple that if there was ever a time we needed advice, guidance, or prayers that we could count on them. We later had lunch with Lauren, Tyson, and Suz at Abuelos. I have been to MANY different Abuelo's since Abilene, and NONE compares to the A-town one. SOOO GOOD!!! Then the girls went shopping at Lauren's favorite places, grabbed a cake at McKay's for Hudman, and went home to rest. Sat. evening we went to Chuck E. Cheese for Hud's bday party. He was SO excited. It was so funny and so cute. He ate pizza, played games, opened MORE gifts, and just had a blast. It was a great day and we were so happy to have spent it with Lauren, Tyson, and Suz. We missed Mav and Unk tho!!! Sadly, we were all busy watching the bday boy that I never got a group picture taken.

Sunday morning (Hud's real Bday) we got up and went to Highland to worship. It was food for the soul! Definitely a highlight for us last week. Again, it just felt good to be 'home'. We saw a lot of familiar faces and got to catch up with some old friends. It was great. The crew went to Cracker Barrel for lunch then Tyson and Lauren were off to their counselor duties. We later checked into the dorm and were getting all ready for the week. Matt and I were FIRED up!!! We were assigned to 11th and 12th graders and they were AMAZING. Matt and I became so invested in these teenagers lives and grew to love them so much just after a few days. They were sooo goofy and so much fun, but yet they had such a deep, serious side to them as well. The Bible studies we had were so intense and really stretched us all. The theme of the week was GRACE, and to actually stop and study God's Grace for an entire week was life-changing. We did the math and this was my 11th summer to go to Abilene for these camps. From being a camper, counselor, and now a volunteer group leader. I am passionate about these camps!!! One of the best parts of the week was being back with 8 people that I was a summer counselor with years ago. It was wonderful to catch up and worship again with these people who mean so much to me. What a blessing it is to be a part of this year after year. It is awesome too spending the week leading with Matt. It always blesses our marriage so much to stop from our daily routine, and be immersed the Word, pray together, attend service projects, and worship daily for an entire week. It changes us. I pray that the door is always open for us to continue to return year after year.

Hudson and Harper had a great week too. They were cared for by the camp counselors for the week. They were loved on so much and had a blast. I came home with 2 exhausted kiddos, but I am so thankful that they got to spend a week there with us. Their Lala took great care of them too, and we are so thankful that she was there....Tyson too!! They were amazing help!!

Hudson's highlight of the week was definitely Willy the Wildcat. Hudson LOVED Willy. Each day Willy would be getting ready to go be with the little kids camp and Hud would RUN to Willy with his arms opened wide. He would spend about 10-20 minutes each morning playing with Willy the Wildcat. It was so cute, and Hudson was in heaven!!!

Harper started taking more and more steps while we were in Abilene. We are up to 9. She also spent the week teething. Her top mollers broke thru, and her bottom gums look like they are about to explode they are so swollen. I have no idea how she 'faked' being such a happy girl, but she was. She is my trooper. She goes with the flow better than anyone I know!!

Overall, it was a FANTASTIC week. The 4 of us had so much fun, but we are so glad to be home too. Nothing beats coming home to your own bed!! I take both kids on Thursday for the 1 year and 3 year check-up. Yeah, pray for me. HA! 2 kids, 2 appointments, 1 mom....YIKES! I'm mostly excited to see about Hud because the boy is a growin'!! Luckily he doesn't get any shots at 3 yrs, and now they are yearly check-ups so that's great too!! Now little luv bug on the other hand is going to get poked and poked!! I'll be sure and write in with their new stats!!!


Hud sooo excited to meet Chuck!

Nana and Hudman dancing!

The one and only....Chuck E. Cheese!

Daddy and Hud playing games.

Playing in Hud's new costume.

Yeah, I guess you had to be there to think it was funny.

Hudman in his latest costume.

Blowing out his candles.

Harper loving Mommy dressed as spiderman.

He went sooo FAST down the slide in this silky thing.

Driving with Chuck!

Harp 'talking' on the phone.

Hud with Willy.

My group 14!!! This was the first day and they were attempting the impossible knot.

Hud and WILLY!

This was day 5 with his old pal Willy. They were super tight by now.

Me and my baby sis!!!

My crazy, fun, sweet group!!! I miss them all already!!

The princess of the week!!

Hanging out in the good ol' van!


A few from my ACU CAMP family.
From the right: Jan, Kat, Matt, Steve, Sara, Jeremy, Me, Bob, Chelsie, Melanie, and Amanda!! What a great week it was to share it with all of you!!!