Wow

I was just going back and reading some posts I made over the past year. I'm amazed at how God has carried us through truly hard, confusing times and how He has spoken to me through different people and how my faith has truly been challenged. I was listening to Greg Laurie's radio program this morning and one statement he made really stood out to me: "Faith that cannot be tested is faith that cannot be trusted." While we're still not through with the big things that have happened over the last year, I can say that I believe we can trust our faith. We have definitely been tested. My faith is in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. And I can trust Him.

And in my true blogging form, it's time to mix and match topics. On the subject of running...I planned to get out tonight and run. That didn't happen. (Big surprise there). Tonight ended up being a kid-free night, so Clayton and I went out. I was a little too full still to run. I should be able to fit a run in tomorrow morning after I take him to work and after I get groceries. (His car is in the shop at the moment). Grocery list is already made, so all I have to do is stop somewhere on the way back home and then when I get home put everything away and hit the road. After I run, I'll head to the YMCA for the deep water fitness class I've been taking. I LOVE it! I even want to continue my membership through the winter so I can keep going 3 times a week for it. Now, if I can get my eating back under control, I should be able to get back on the weight loss wagon. I know I gained 4 pounds over the course of 2 months and I'm pretty sure I've put some more on since that last time weighing. After all, I *was* on vacation last week.

Vacation...what a fun week. We drove down to Pensacola, FL on Saturday, June 30. My phone rang just as we were pulling into Newnan, GA for lunch. It was my dad calling to tell me that pork chops were no longer on the menu for supper that night. He and my brother had gone fishing early that morning and caught 13 mullet, so mullet was on the menu. Oh, what a treat. It's been a LONG time since I had fresh-caught-the-same-day-I-ate-it fish and mullet is a must when in Pensacola.

This is a picture my brother (Jason) took of my dad while fishing. 

Sunday was the patriotic service at church. I tear up every year. Every. Year. We also had a cookout in the afternoon. I didn't get any pics of family members who were there.

Monday was the Naval Air Museum. That's another annual event for vacation.

Cousins at the museum.

Monday evening was spent at the beach. It was soooo gorgeous. Jason, Andrew, Kristin, Jacob and I met up with my cousin and her family there. We took pictures and talked. The kids weren't supposed to get wet, but they were soaked by the time we left. 

The "Hot Now" sign was on when we drove past Krispy Kreme, so we stopped for a couple dozen donuts. And coffee. (This was donut stop #1).

Tuesday morning saw Jason, Andrew, and me up at 5 to go back out to the beach to try to get sunrise pictures. We almost missed it.

All of us went back out later in the morning just to enjoy the beauty (and play in the water).

Wednesday was declared a do-nothing day...up until time for the fireworks, that is. However, Clayton and Andrew went back to the museum.

Thursday morning saw us waking before dawn to hit the beach again for the sunrise. This time was 4:30 and it was Jason, Allison, and me that went.

That's about where the pictures end. Of course, I have loads more. Clayton and Andrew went to the USS Alabama during the day and we all went to a baseball game Thursday night. Friday was spent doing pretty much nothing. We were all exhausted, so it was a welcome change. My family of 4 did make it out to the beach one last time Friday night for a seafood supper. We ended up leaving later than planned on Saturday, but made good time coming home. It was great to sleep in our own beds and get back into the regular routine.