Good times.

I love NOLA homes.

.......And swamp touring with friends.

.......And I love great friends.

I love raw oysters, good food and beignets. Good times were found in NOLA.

New Orleans Again

This trip would not be possible without the volunteerism of my parents who are keeping my children and our wonderful and co-foster parent friends, Wayne and Lindsey. They already have 4 kids in their home and added our 2 to the mix this weekend. THANK YOU!! Someone told me last week, it takes a village to raise my family. I don't like this saying because it makes me think of Hillary Clinton, but I like it because it's so true in my extended "network". I have the best "Village". So many people who love me, pray for us and HELP us. THANK YOU.

This is our hotel- the Prytania Oak Hotel. It is very lovely. Hardwood floors, high ceilings, 4-poster bed. Very sweet.

We got here Thursday night. We found a nice restaurant, Houston's. Its a chain, but it was close and it was SO GOOD! Eric and I had ribs, Bradley had Prime Rib, and Kerri had rotisserie chicken. We went and let Bradley and Kerri experience Bourban street after dinner.

Friday started with breakfast at Elizabeth's and praline bacon. Yummy. Look at Kerri's stuffed French toast. We came to NOLA to eat, Elizabeth's did not fail. It was sssooo good. I'm being adventurous this weekend. I had fried chicken livers with pepper jelly. Not a fan of chicken livers, but it was good with the pepper jelly.

It was then off to the Quarter for people watching and shopping. There is soooo much to look at and sometimes participate in......

Bradley and Eric got to participate in a manic show yesterday. We are still trying to figure out how he did that?????

So much fun......we're eating, being merry, walking off calories and eating again. Lots of fun!

Life just got busier....

What was I thinking? Am I insane? Didn't I have the "already busy life" with two already busy little girls?!?!

So almost two years ago, God started preparing us to become foster parents. At first we said "there is this one child we want". God said no. Then we said "we just want to be relief parents. Help out those foster patents that are working so hard.". God said no. "we want all this paperwork and classes over with. Why can't DHS get their stuff together and get us open??". God said "not yet". Until about two weeks ago. And O MY. What were we thinking??

God didn't send us one child or two children. He sent us TWO babies. TWO! SIBLINGS. What was their mom thinking! That's just it she wasn't, but I digress.
This challenge from God has sent my world into a crazy topsy turvey whirl-spin. Not only did foster children/babies come into our life, we have had crazy work schedules, sickness and just plain ole life that was already going on. I think the devil likes to stir the pot, too, when your doing God's work.

I made this cake for Leah's birthday. With extra kids in my house.
Am I wore out? Am I looking a little ruff around the edges? Am I crazy? Crazier? YES. But does God ask us to do easy? Sometimes, but not always. Sometimes the things we need to do are very hard, but as Isaiah 55:8 says "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways,". Many times this last two weeks I have asked, my friends and family have asked "what are you thinking?". I'm trying not to think. I'm trying to rely on God.

What a good couple of weekend........

What a beautiful and productive weekend. We have really had some beautiful weather the past few weekends.

We have been "doing" weddings, cooking, birthday partying, and spending time with family. This last weekend was VERY busy....well last weekend was too!

It's not that bad, Tucker!! We've survived!

Granny got a new horse. It's on hospice care. He's about 18 years old and our friend Penny gave him to us. He's blind in one eye and kind of cantankerous. But he will make a good riding horse for the girls

I planted some pansies to kill this weekend. That's just the way I roll.

This is what Eric and his brother have been working on. My new deer stand. They have also built one with John's name on it.

This is Tucker and Granny. During church. Yes, I took a picture during church. It was too cute to miss the moment. Tucker was very intent on learning about stickers.

This is our family today. This week it may grow. Almost two years ago we began a process of becoming foster parents because Eric and I felt that was what God was leading us to do. Our home is officially open. Our home is open because they, DHS, wants to place kids/babies in our home. God wants to place children in our care. It may not be what we want, but sometimes He ask us to do things we are uncomfortable with. I am definitely gonna be uncomfortable this week. Pray for us.

God is good and life is good.

Do unto others......

My parents have been gone for over a week. Eric's dad and step-mom have also been gone. So last weekend was a grand-parent free weekend/ week. Eric's parents are gone to New York to visit Sherley's aunt. Mom and Dad, as most of you know, are heading home today from Romania. I can't wait to hear the stories.

It was another Petty weekend. Eric and Nathan worked on deer-stands Friday and Saturday. Nathan's family came after lunch on Saturday. It was truly a redneck day at the Petty house- the kids and men shot guns, fished at the pond, played in the barn, tormented the animals, ect.... We had deer chili for supper and watched the razorback game.

Sunday Grandma Barnes and I had to fend for ourselves - TRAVESTY! Actually we did pretty good with a mexican casserole, cabbage/vegi slaw, and squash casserole. Yummy.

I got the pleasure of getting to see after Penny's animals starting Sunday, until she gets home from Romania. We love going to the farm. It's so clean and shady and peaceful.

Isn't Pepper beautiful??!!?

HEY! What about me???

I don't usually like cats, but this one is ok. Well it's really a good cat cause it leaves me alone. And has a lion face. And it stays at the barn. I like it.

Busy weekend and week

What a busy weekend I had last week. Yeah- I know it's Thursday. I'm just now righting this because the busy weekend spilled over to a busy week. Don't judge!

It was so cool last week we slept with our windows open all week. We didn't turn the air on again till Sunday. I found Leah in the dryer one morning- she said she was cold and trying to warm up. I told her "GET OUT OF THERE!.......Right after I take your picture."

I had a shower to help put together last weekend. The bride is having a fall theme wedding and my friend carol said she wanted some fall leaves with the date and initial stamped on. Well it was too expensive to order, so we improvised and this is what I made. Cute huh? And, o look, they have the same initial as me!! Think I'll be spreading some of these on my buffet table!

Saturday we (the girls and I) went to a quilt show in Pine Bluff. A pt a saw way back in the spring had told me about this quilt show and it sounded like it would be real interesting. The girls were not excited at all, but I tricked them into going because it was at the Delta Timberland Museum. They got to see real snakes, frogs, gators and bald eagles and I got to see beautiful quilts.

After that we went to Prattsville to help clean the house of the hostess. Most of the work was already done, so that didn't take long. THEN we went to see my dear friend Penny. The girls love going there, because they can usually swindle Penny into letting them ride horses. This time Penny, her husband and step daughter were already riding horses, so the girls didn't have to do any swindling.

I hope you have noticed our red shirts. Woo pig soooiiii. After some time at Penny's we went back home to watch the Razorback game.

Sunday was church day, then the fabulous shower. Silly me didn't get any pictures, but it was a fabulous shower with great food and drinks. She got lots of presents and about 45 ladies showed up.

Monday was busy back at work, then tons of new homework. One of Bradley and Keri's dear friend died over the weekend, and the funeral was on Tuesday. I had the pleasure of getting to keep Tucker, until they could get back.

.....no she really doesn't smile very often, but she is so adorably cute and precious! And so good- didn't cry the entire time!! Then it was off to Parent/Teacher conferences and then a PTO meeting. Busy, Busy, Busy.
Wednesday was church with a bonus of 1-I had a lesson to teach and 2- I had snacks to serve. Whew!

Elizabeth's group at the PTO meeting, singing.

Leah's group singing.

Today I had the day off. And so did Eric. It was a perfect sunny and cool day! We ran errands together, ate lunch together then took a nap before picking up the girls from school. Not much accomplished today. Maybe tomorrow.

Crafty week

This began it all. A simple invitation. Eric's second cousin is getting married and a mutual friend of mine and her's is throwing her a shower. My camera doesn't do any justice, but a blog is little without pics.

I bought some cheap paper from Walmart, added a ribbon and sparkly leaf, and it just turned out so cute , if I say so myself. By the way- she's having a fall theme wedding.

All that said- it sparked my crafty bone this weekend. Charles and Sherly kept the girls Friday night so I got started. I have TONS of scrap paper I have gathered over the years. While in Hobby Lobby this week, I found a cute magazine that had lots of ideas to make cards. So card making I began -

I had a few people in mind to give these to, but then I read a blog by a fellow foster parent. She was challenging her readers to send notes to friend, relatives, ect - just an encouraging word. So more cards I made.

I've got to get some more stamps Tuesday. It was lots of fun using my creative brain this weekend. Now I've got to clean up my creative kitchen table. ):