Lubbock!

This past weekend we traveled to Lubbock! 

Most of our trips to Lubbock center around family and the University (Wreck 'em Tech!) 

We went to the baseball game on Saturday, it was the first time I had been to Dan Law Field since we were students and I was so excited to see the improvements and renovations! 

The bleachers all have backs now (gasp!)! Little things like this make all the difference to me in enjoying the game! The new awnings over the upper seats made it possible for us to have Cora out there in the sun for the whole game. 

Something I love about Lubbock is it still gets Texas hot, but their 100 degrees is so much more bearable because it's so dry and those Lubbock Winds keep you cool! I'd take a 100 degree day in Lubbock over a 90 degree day in Dallas any day!

For dinner Saturday night we went somewhere I had never been before, but if you're in Lubbock you should check it out, Bryan's Steaks! 

The prices are great! You aren't getting the best cut of meat, the steaks are sirloin, but the meat is tender and full of delicious flavor! {just an FYI, they don't take debit/credit cards so be prepared with cash/check!}

You can't miss the restaurant as you drive up and see this ginormous bull in the front. 

(Cora was less than impressed, John thought she was going to pet it??)

After you order your steak in a buffet line of sorts, you're given a plate and access to the salad bar! Then your steak & baked potato comes out, all the other sides are on the salad bar.

Lubbock in general is really family friendly, Bryan's Steaks certainly fits in that category. You can feed a family of five steaks for under $60 (? or really close to this, my Aunt picked up the bill so I'm getting this number from my sketchy math skills & my distracted memories of steak prices as I was focused on Cora). 

I'm linking up with Crystal and Amanda for Texas Tuesday!

Weekend Recap - Lubbock!

This past weekend we took Cora for her first trip to Raider Land! 

Miss Cora and me at the Tech v. West Virginia Baseball game!

Anytime we visit Lubbock we of course stay with my Great Aunt M and Uncle B that I lived with through college. They loved having Miss Coralie with them and showing her off during church on Sunday. 

It was also an exciting weekend for other reasons. We got 3 (three!!!!) letters from Joshua at MCRD and my brother Jacob and his girlfriend Stephanie got engaged!! 

I can't wait to welcome this sweet lady into our family & I'm pretty excited about wedding festivities!!

How was your weekend? We loved our trip & I will share more tomorrow for Texas Tuesday, you should join us!

Finish This! (19)

 

1. A lesson I learned from my mom … to have a servant heart. My parents taught us to serve others in any way we can. It started simple enough, we would show up early for events at church and set up chairs, or stay late and break things down. Later it evolved into middle of the night projects at the church because the staff knew they could call on our family. Some of my best memories of "family time" are at the church (usually late at night) serving the congregation in some way, big or small. Through all of the various ways we served I learned more specific things from my Mom, how to teach childrens choir (something I still do today), how to cook for large huge groups (She would prepare Wednesday night dinners for the church and we would help). There are many more lessons, but those are the ones that come to mind.

2. To burn calories, I … breast feed. Does that count?? I really need to get back in the gym, I've sucked it up and bought a membership but we haven't quite worked out when I can actually go to the gym as there isn't childcare there and it's rare that John can watch Cora and I can get out and go.
I take Cora on walks for exercise (to get me out of the house and keep me sane!) on days when I'm home with her. She naps well in the stroller and decent length naps have become a struggle so starting tomorrow I plan to take nice long walks at about nap time. We will see if that plan works or if I end up pushing a screaming 6 month old through the neighborhood.

3. My best hair day was … My best hair days in general are when I've just had my hair cut and styled... which happens like twice a year. Generally my hair is towel dried and brushed out. However it dries is how I wear it. Depending on the day (aka humidity levels) it is wavy and somewhat curly, other days it is straight as a board and I fight frizz.

4. I am grateful for …  my family! I really don't know where I would be without them! I'm grateful for a God who loves me enough to let his Son die for my sins. Now that I'm a mom I think I'm beginning to grasp what a sacrifice that was and it makes me even more appreciative of my Salvation.

A big thanks to the hosts of Finish This!
Linking up with Nicole (Three 31) Lisa (The Costal Chicster), Jen (The Arizona Russums) and Becky (The Java Mama) for this weekly series, Finish This!

Lake Texoma - Eisenhower State Park

For Mothers Day weekend we took Cora on her first camping trip!

John grew up going to Eisenhower State Park with his Dad for swimming and hiking. It was so special to get to go somewhere he frequented as a kid and see him share those memories with Coralie! 

 Cora loved the sand! It was quite a task keeping her from eating it!

By the time we took this picture, Cora was "over" the lake. It was cold and she wanted to go to sleep!

Hiking in the park was great! Lake Texoma is a man-made lake, but it's a very mature lake. The terrain around the lake is great with hills and big beautiful trees! 

Hubby sleeping in...

I'm linking up with Crystal and Amanda for Texas Tuesday!

My First Mothers Day

Via

When my mom was diagnosed with cancer I was 18 years old. We knew that in her case it was a death sentance, it was simply a matter of when the Lord would call her Home. This quote really stuck with me during that time and I feel like now that I'm a mother, it is coming full circle.

When I was pregnant with Coralie, I had so many emotions going on at once. I was so excited but there is no doubt that I was scared and anxious as well. Everyone I knew that was becoming a mom still had their Mom to help with the transition into motherhood. John and I had several conversations that revolved around "she has her mom...".  I just didn't see how I could do it alone. Mind you I was never alone in my journey of motherhood, I of course had John and other family members, but I wanted my mommy.

With this being my first Mothers Day, I've been reflecting on the journey of motherhood so far and appreciating all my mom taught me during her time here with us. Motherhood hasn't been this giant daunting task that I once believed it to be. It isn't a walk in the park by any means, but I'm able to handle it much better than I expected I would. I'm so grateful that my Mom equipped me for life that I'm now able to stand on my own two feet, leaning optional. While leaning may be unnecessary, I'm able to choose when and who to lean on. This Mothers Day I'm grateful for the shoulder my Dad and John have offered me to lean on. I may not have my Mom here with us, but Cora is so blessed with such an amazing Daddy who loves her so much and such a caring Grandfather who would do anything for her. 

Motherhood doesn't look like what I envisioned it to when I was younger, I can't say it is better because I would love for my daughter to know my mother, but it's a new version of good.

If you too are a Motherless Daughter, I have found comrodery in a couple of other bloggers, check out these posts by Gayle and Terez!

Finish This (Week 18)

 

I feel an adrenaline rush when … I procrastinate. I really, truly think I work better under pressure so I'm pretty bad about procrastinating about stuff. I also get this rush when I have a lot to get done, like right before a deadline (even without procrastinating...).

I feel energized when …I get up & around first thing in the morning (as long as I got a decent nights sleep before). There's just something so energizing about being productive early in the day! I love it when before lunch I've accomplished more than I'll do in a whole day of distractions and sleeping in.

I feel small when … John calls me by my name. I know he's really frustrated with me (likely, rightfully so) when he says "Rebekah...". Without fail, I cry. I know it's a weird thing, but we always call each other pet names or nick names, he usually calls me "Bekah" so I know I'm in trouble if he whips out the "Re" before "Bekah"...

I feel big when … small details are noticed. When I host something, organize events, teach classes etc. I try very hard to give it my all. I'm a detail person, so I will put lots of little details into things that some people don't notice but I feel like makes the difference in the big picture. When someone notices the detail I put into something I feel like they honestly see what I've done and appreciate the work I put in.

I feel indestructible when … I can't think of a particular daily event that I feel indestructible in, but giving birth to my daughter. That was probably the biggest high of my life! The feeling when I had brought her safely into this world was so big and powerful. Absolutely worth the long, intense labor. Before I had Cora, my Doula was talking about her upcoming Surrogacy and I just didn't get the concept of wanting to be pregnant just to be pregnant and have to give birth... now I do. She's said she doesn't want any more kids, just more births. I can totally understand this now!

I feel stupid when … I forget things, loose things, misunderstand, have to ask for clarification more than once...

I feel smart when … I'm able to teach someone something and they have a "light bulb" moment!

Linking up with Nicole (Three 31) Lisa (The Costal Chicster), Jen (The Arizona Russums) and Becky (The Java Mama) for this weekly series, Finish This!

Praying for your Marine through Basic Training (Week 1)

With Joshua off at MCRD for Basic Training, many of my prayers are centering around his safety and well being. I want to share my prayers and verses I've studied with you and hopefully it can be of some help to another Marine family. I have shared these verses and prayers with Joshua in his letters, feel free to do the same!

Processing Week
Day 1
In God I trust and am not afraid, What can mortal man do to me?
- Psalms 56:11

Dear Father, please place your protective hand on our Marines as they begin this journey to honorably serve this great nation and you. During this time of transition and acclimation to their new life at MCRD, I pray you guard their hearts and emotions. As a loved one, I worry about the emotions associated with this change and the process involved in turning these recruits from civilians to Marines.

Day 2
Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 
- Colossians 3:17

Heavenly Father, I pray that this may be a reminder to our Marines that their service is in Your name. As we each have our own mission field in life, theirs is as they serve their country as representatives of the Army of God.

Day 3
Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares for you.

- 1 Peter 5:7

 

Father, I pray that today whatever may be troubling our new Marines, that they faithfully cast their concerns away and trust that you will see them through to the end. 

 

Day 4
 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
- Ephesians 6:10-12


Day 5 
(Black Friday)
 Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
- Joshua 1:9

Father, I pray for our recruits as they meet their Drill Instructors and the men in their assigned platoon. I pray that they find camaraderie and friendship in their platoon assignment and that these relationships are strong and positive ones that last for years to come. 

Day 6
 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:29-31

Heavenly Father, today I plead for strength and endurance for the recruits. I pray that they rely not on their own strength and knowledge, but on you. I pray that in years to come they look back on this time and see it as a season of spiritual growth. 

Day 7
“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
- Hebrews, 11:1

Today I pray for our Marines to continue a faithful walk with you as they are in training. I pray they make other Christian comrades and find solace in worshiping with their Brothers at Arms in Chapel services.