Emily's 11th Birthday!

This past week was another exciting week!  We celebrated Emily's 11th Birthday on Thursday and again on Friday.  Wednesday evening I went into town to pick up her gift at Academy.  She requested a new bike for her birthday.  Phil had picked out the bike, but was unable to load it in his car.  So, that was my quest on Wednesday evening, along with a few other stops to prepare for her celebration.  While I was in town, Phil and the kids had gone to Tractor Supply for dog food.  This is where it all began!  If you are not familiar with Tractor Supply or a small town then you don't know that this time of year they carry baby chicks, yes, live chirping baby chicks .  Of course our sweet animal lover, Emily would really like to have one.  She says to her daddy, "I just want a live something for my birthday."  Enough said.
I get home from my in town outing, to Phil asking the question "what do you think about a flying squirrel for Emily's birthday?"  You can imagine the shock I was in.  "A what?!"  "Really?"  He has found some place in New Braunfels that has them available.  We discuss this idea awhile before remembering that some friends of ours indeed had a flying squirrel as a pet at one time.  We call them up to inquire.  Our friend, Ben explains that they are fast and busy...remember, it is a squirrel.  If she is wanting something to hold, this would not be a good pet.  Ben, then goes on to share that he had a hedgehog in college and that was a fun pet to have.
I'm thinking...what is wrong with just the bike?  Phil is wanting to make her wish of having a live something come true.  So, we set out on the next day to locate a hedgehog.  As you can imagine, we found one!  So, on her birthday we drove into town for supper at one of her favorite place's, Chili's.  It was just the kids and I for supper.  Phil was working when we came in, and he headed across town to pick up the hedgehog.  It all worked out great, the kids and I had to help a friend of ours out with transporting one of their kids from baseball to basketball, which gave Phil time to get home and set up her new bike, along with the hedgehog home with the hedgehog.  I wish you could have seen and heard the excitement of her gifts.  She was and is one happy 11 year old.

After this past week of holding her hedgehog daily and letting him get to know his surroundings, he has become really sweet with Emily.  This week we have turned him loose in her bathroom to run around freely.  She thinks that is the greatest thing.  Yesterday, she took him to her bathroom to let him have some free time and he climbed up in her lap and fell asleep.  He really is sweet.

This week has been exciting too.  I will write about that at the end of this week.  So stay tuned!
We love and miss you all.
Shalom,
Vicki

New Beginnings!

This past Sunday was a unique and unforgettable time.  We started our Sunday just as usual by going to church at the Emerald Rainbow Family Fun Center, a place that we have been having church in for years.  Prior to this location we were in a middle school just across the way from the (ER) Emerald Rainbow.  When our time expired from the school.  We earnestly prayed for our next location.  We even signed up for around the clock prayer.  Our prayer team kept getting "rainbow" and "backyard".  Our pastor even stepped into his own backyard and pondered the thought and would ask...what does that mean?  The Lord continued to move and our prayer team and church family continued to pray for His direction.  The building group sought out land options, building options, etc...and nothing.  One young lady in our community has a friend, and that friend and her husband had just opened up a family fun place and were planning to be closed on Sundays.  They had discussed if they should host a church on Sundays instead of being open for business. The young lady from our community informed her that it may just be our church, Riverside.  So, right behind (in the backyard) of the middle school where we were, was the Emerald Rainbow Family Fun Center.  G-d is so faithful in all things.  So, we were able to move worship into the Emerald Rainbow Family Fun Center (ER) for several years before finding the new location.  (The new location is part 2 of this story, but we will have to share that at another time)  Leaving the Emerald Rainbow and heading to the new location we were escorted by police.

During our time of prayer and seeking, our church members were asked to take a note card and spend sometime with the Lord.  Some wrote scripture, some drew pictures, some wrote a prayer.  Each one was G-d inspired.  They placed several of them in frames.  Mine and Emily's were on the same poster board.  So special.

Emily's 

Then we entered the new worship space.

The stone wall was inspired by the Western Wall in Israel.

From this unforgettable moment we took off to head downtown to see the Blue Man Group at the Majestic Theatre.  Phil and I enjoyed the show so much for our anniversary that he purchased tickets for us to take the kids.  

We again had the same great seats in the Starlight Suite.  With our tickets we were able to enter into the Starlight Lounge, a private lounge.  Where we were able to walk out on the Starlight Terrace for a unique view of downtown.

We were able to sit and enjoy the setting of the private lounge before the show.

The kids were so excited and felt so honored to be able to enjoy this privilege.  Then off to our seats!  Unfortunately it's prohibited to take photo's inside the Theatre.  The kids enjoyed the show and Caleb kept asking throughout the show if it were over yet and then when he was told "not yet', he would say "good, I don't want it to be over yet."  When it all did come to an end the kids wanted a souvenir from the show.  As we were waiting in line the Blue Man Group came out for fans to see them.  Emily wanted an autograph.  When she approached one of them, he just stood there and looked at her and wiped his thumb across the top of his head to put his blue print on her Playbill. 

Caleb was good at viewing them from a distance.

From our great time downtown, then we were off for a friends 40th birthday!  It was great to be apart of such a fun filled, unforgettable day!
The fun doesn't stop here!  This week we will be celebrating Emily's 11th birthday!  So, more good times to come!  We will update again soon.
Shalom,
Vicki

20 Year Wedding Anniversary

20 years ago yesterday, Phil and I were married.  It's hard to believe that it's been 20 years.  We have seen our share of heart ache and rejoiced in good times.  All of that to say that G-d can and will restore our lives.  It all begins with a conversation with Him.  Phil and I are living proof!
Our celebration began with Phil sending me beautiful roses.

 He left work early to come by and pick me up for our date.  Our sweet Liz came early to care for the kids so that I could get myself together before my handsome date arrived.  As I'm putting on the final touch with my make up, Emily comes running in to tell me that my date, Daddy, is pulling in the front drive!  She was so cute and so excited.  She did a count down until the door bell rang.  Then she asked if I should get the door or if she should answer it.  I asked if she would, since I wasn't ready yet.  So she ran to answer the door.  Phil didn't come back to our room where I was still finishing up on getting myself together for our big night.  I thought it was a little strange, since that wasn't the norm.  When I completed my look, I walked into the family room where Phil was sitting, waiting patiently for me to make my entrance.  There he was with a single long stem rose, as if it were our first date.  How sweet and romantic.

We went outside where the kids were playing basketball with Liz to kiss them good-bye.  We made our way back to the front drive where Phil escorting me to his car.  He kept our destination a surprise.  It's kind of fun not knowing where you are headed.  We ended up at Bohanan's, a very nice restaurant.  Texas Monthly listed this restaurant as The Best Steak House in Texas.  Along with many other awards.  Very fancy place.  The bathroom had rose petals in the sink.  Yes, that's right...rose petals in the sink.

Such a unique way to make us girls feel special!

After a nice romantic dinner for two, we walked right across the street to the Majestic Theatre where we were entertained by The Blue Man Group.  If you have never seen them perform, it's worth looking into.  They were funny and put on a very unique and good show.  We sat in the Starlight Suite, which allows you access to a private parlor/lounge.  So nice!  It's great for the bathroom breaks for us girls, that means NO long lines!  The whole evening made me feel so special.  Not because of all the places we were able to go, but because Phil put so much thought in preparing such a memorable time for us.  Phil is gifted with making me feel like a princess.  I think most of the time I forget whose I am.  I'm a child of the Most High King!  Phil does an amazing job of reminding me of that.  I have been told that you can see the love the Phil and I share for one another.  To me that is the biggest compliment we could ever imagine.  What a blessing.
I wish I could have taken some pictures of the Blue Man Group, but the Majestic does not allow photographs to be taken.  Such an extraordinary and memorable 20 year celebration.

Until next time!
Shalom,
Vicki

Big Week

This week has been a big week for us all!  Our excitement started on Valentine's Day.  Phil took us to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo for the rodeo event and for the concert that followed.  The band in concert was Tenth Avenue North.  If you have never heard of them or their music, they are a must to check into.  Wow!  These guys are anointed and really took time to invest into all who were there.  The lead singer ended up on our row with us.  Spoke directly into lives all around us.  Such a great experience.

The next big evening was the Father Daughter Dance for Phil and Emily.  Friday, our sweet Liz came over, by Emily's request, to french braid Emily's hair for her big date with her daddy.  Phil came home a little bit early to get dressed up for his big date with Emily.  So much fun to help Emily get all dressed up for her big night.  Phil is the perfect date!  He leaves from the garage to drive around to the front to come to the front door and pick her up appropriately.  Emily anticipates his arrival by waiting up stairs for the doorbell to ring.  The excitement rises as the time gets closer.  Phil arrives, rings the doorbell and has flowers in hand for his lovely date, Emily.  She glows!  What a sweet moment.  He walks her to the car, where he opens her door and sees that she is in and buckled up.  Phil took her to a fancy restaurant in Bulverde, Mikes in the Village.  Mike was named one of the top ten chef's in San Antonio.  Amazing food and beautiful atmosphere.  Then off to the dance at the historical location of Anhalt Hall.

Phil and Emily had a great time at the Father Daughter Dance and enjoy that time together.  We are so blessed to be apart of such a unique community.

The big week continues into our weekend!  Emily and I ran our first 5K on Saturday, Street2Feet.  Street2Feet was a vision from a dear friend and college student from our church, and now it is an annual event that the city is involved in.  Such an inspirational story on how it all began.
Emily and I woke at 5:30 a.m. to a rainy day ready to run.  When we arrived downtown and got out of the car it came a down pour.  We were drenched from head to toe.  Phil and Caleb went with us as our personal photographers.  By the time the run began the rain stopped and it was a nice morning.  Emily discovered a friend from church with her mom that was there to run and she ended up running with her most of the way.  I ran with them the first mile and a half until we had to pull over to shed our jackets and the friends mom caught up with us, then her and I ran and walked.  The girls took off ahead of us and would look back to confirm that we could see them and then they would take off again.  Such a blessing to see them and how they would look to confirm that we were still in sight.  It was a fun run.  On the way home Caleb said he wanted to run in the next 5K.  So, we are all signed up for another one in March!  So exciting for our whole family to run together!

This was just the beginning of our day!  After our run we rushed home to get cleaned up to head downtown once more for a cheer competition.  Our niece, Jenay was performing at the Alamo Dome.  Her team did great!  It was so great to see her perform.  She is so energetic.  After her performance we all walked back to their hotel for them to change and then we all walked to the River walk for dinner.  It was so great to have them here in San Antonio, even if it was for only a short time.

That concludes our week and weekend.  I hope that ya'll had a blessed week.  This coming week Phil and I will be celebrating 20 years of marriage.  It's hard to believe that it's already been that long.  I will post more on that at the end of this week.  Blessings to each of you!
Shalom,
Vicki

Guadalupe River State Park

Today has been another great day of family fun!  We went hiking through the Guadalupe State Park just miles down from where we live.  We listened to a CD of Tim Hawkins on our way there.
When we got there we packed our water and snacks and off we went.

We hiked a 3 mile hike through some rough terrain, but some beautiful trails.  We hiked a little off of the trail to see the Guadalupe River and we could hear it moving down stream.  Such a beautiful time soaking in G-d's creation all around us.  We saw some beautiful yellow butterflies and heard lot's of birds.  We on occasion had a nice breeze.  Such a gorgeous day to be outside.

Last night was a fun family night full of laughter.  We attended a comedy show for the whole family.  The kids heard about him at school and it just so happened that he was doing a show in San Antonio.  Now, we purchased tickets back in November for his show in January and gave the tickets to our kids as part of their Christmas.  They were so excited and counted down the days for the event.  Last night was the big night.  They wanted to be the first ones in line for a front row seat to see someone they had only seen on youtube and have belly laughed at for months leading up to this night.  The videos had served as hours of entertainment for them at times.  So, we decided we would get to our destination at 4:30.  The doors opened at 6:00 and the show started at 7:00.  We stopped and purchased our "hot and ready" from Little Caesars pizza and had our sodas and water on ice for our tailgate party.  Well, when we arrived there was a line already beginning to form...so much for the tailgating!  We carried our box of pizza and our soda's to the line and set up camp there.  The family's in front of us had arrived from Bandera at 2:00 and the family behind them came all the way from Corpus Christi.  We were glad we got there at 4:30 and didn't wait till later to arrive.  The line continued to grow at a rapid pace.  We had a friend from school show up right after we did, that worked out great to be able to visit with her.  We were meeting another family that showed up in time to join us at our place in line, which was also a blessing.  We didn't want the people behind us to get upset with folks "cutting" in line.  So thankful it worked out for everyones timing.

Doors opened and 6:00 got our upfront and personal seating and the kids are so excited that the time is finally here!  Tim Hawkins came out and the crowd went wild.  He sang a few songs that he had rearranged words for to get us warmed up and the belly laughter escalated from there!  So amazingly talented.  We visited the merchandise table before the show, good thing we did, all of his items were going so fast after the show.  We purchased the "value pack"; 3 DVDs and 2 CD set.  The kids couldn't wait to get home to watch the DVD, so we plugged it in on our way home.
If you have never heard of Tim Hawkins please search for him on youtube.  So worth the search!
www.timhawkins.net


Don't waste fun today!

Shalom!

Last Day

Hello all. We began our day in a jewish cemetery across from the Eastern gate as the sun rose. We then began to make our way down the street toward the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus and his disciples would have been after the Last Supper. From the garden we prepared ourselves to make the walk through the market streets, the same streets that Jesus would have walked on his way to the crucifixion. The streets were loud, the smells were overwhelming and the walk was very intense. We arrived at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the place where the crucifixion would have taken place and the potential place of the empty tomb of Jesus is located. We ended the day at the Garden Tomb, another potential spot where the empty tomb may have been. It is not about the location but rather the journey. G-d bless and thanks for your prayers and support. It is good to be home!
Shema,
Phil