Easter Weekend 2011

Wow, what a blessed weekend we had! Zach's parents came into town and we got to spend the day with them Friday, while the kids made up a snow day at school. Zach and his dad got a round of golf in, while Mom and I did some Easter Dinner shopping, and then waited for the kids to come home. They were thrilled  to come home to their Farmor (Swedish for father's mother, and what they call Zach's mom), and were also happy that I suggested Shaved Ice for an afternoon snack. (This was such a hug hit, Farmor and I repeated the trip Saturday afternoon after stopping at HEB for some dinner groceries)

Saturday Farmor, with the help of Branden, made plattar, small thin Swedish Pancakes.  They were delicious, and I perfected my ability to flip the pancakes... These particular ones are quite tricky!  Then we ventured to downtown Abilene.

The first stop was the Grace Museum... The children's section was a huge success!

The kids got in touch with the Fine Arts!

Kristyn definitely has a flare for the dramatic... I have no idea where she gets that from (wink, wink)

Branden enjoyed playing this fun musical instrument... He wanted to play it all on his own! After The Grace we enjoyed some terrific art at the NCCIL, walked through the 12th Armored Division Museum and tried to take a look at Relics, but it was closed for the Easter weekend.

After walking around downtown we enjoyed lunch at Cypress Street Station.

Saturday night we enjoyed dinner at home and terrific company. Then rested up to celebrate our risen Savior at church Sunday morning.  Zach woke up extra early to help out for breakfast at our church. After a great service we headed home and took a few family photos.

After our photo shoot we had an Easter egg hunt in the backyard.

They were very eager to find the eggs... Zach hid them really well.

And of course you know this South Texas girl has to keep the tradition of cascarones going with her own kiddos!

We even got the Georgia boy in on our fun! :)

I'm pretty sure I was finding confetti in my hair Monday morning!

After the "egg"citement (sorry I couldn't resist) we finished preparing our Easter dinner and: Leg of Lamb, Au Gratin Potatoes (They were extra cheesy), Pineapple Casserole, Spinach and Strawberry Salad, Cherry Pie & Strawberry Pie with homemade whipped cream. It was a delicious feast! After our dinner we watched as the clouds rolled in. We were a bit skeptical, since we have seen the clouds and lightning, and heard the thunder, but have not seen rain in quite a long time... In fact, we have probably seen snow more recently than we have seen rain.  It did indeed rain however, and it didn't stop there. We were treated to a hail storm. We watched, entertained from the safety of our kitchen window as the golf ball sized hail fell onto the trampoline and bounced really high... But you know what they say about hail, "it's all fun and games until someone loses a back windshield." Well, I don't think it's really a saying, but it is now in the Fulton house! :)

It's better than one of our house windows, and no one was hurt. Praise the Lord for the much needed rain.

After dinner, the weather excitement and bath time the kids treated us to a puppet show.

All in all we had an amazing Easter weekend. We were so grateful and blessed to have our family here to celebrate with us!

Rejoice, rejoice oh Christians lift up your voice and sing

Eternal Hallelujah to Jesus Christ the King

The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find

None other is so loving, so good and kind

He lives!

He lives!

Christ Jesus lives today!...

You ask me how I know He lives

He lives within my heart!

Home Sweet Home

If home is really where the heart is, then as corny as it sounds.... We're finally home!!!  Zach, the kids, and I have basically been nomads according to the above cliche, since we have had to live apart. We have moved into our home in Abilene, Texas!  Zach will be flying C-130Js at Dyess AFB with the 40th ALS. I am excited to be settled and start getting involved. And we have started full speed ahead.

Branden started football this week (more on that later), Kristyn's first gymnastics class is this afternoon, I am finding places to get plugged in while church shopping and with the squadron wives, and of course Zach got assigned to the shop that has a ton to do. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

The summer has been jam packed with moving, honeymoons, and a few "staycays" as we have been making up for lost memories!  We can't wait to share them with you all. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. God is good, and has blessed our family!

Light at the end of the tunnel

Yesterday we finally had our final hearing.... We received the outcome we have been praying for. God is an amazing and faithful God.
To recap, Zach and I got married last May and bought a house in Arkansas. I applied, interviewed for and received a job at Cabot High School. The day before the kids were returning from spending their summertime with their dad I was served with a restraining order restricting us from allowing the kids to change residence out of Nueces County. Zach and I have since been through three different hearings, The second one was held in August and the judge ruled temporarily in favor of the children's father, but left the door open for Zach to try and get stationed in Texas. If he was to be stationed in Texas the judge was willing to consider letting us move with him.
During this time Zach has been living in our home in Cabot, AR while the kids and I have held residence at my parents' house in Petronila, TX. During the holiday season Zach received a letter of intent from the USAF informing us that Zach would be given orders to Dyess AFB in Abilene, Texas as long as the judge would allow his family to move with him. Once we receieved that letter we had a final hearing date set.
The judge ruled that once Zach receieved orders to Texas and had secured a residence for the children then they would be allowed to move with him and I. Praise God!!! Our family has been living apart for nearly nine months, and by the time a move takes place it will be a year or more. This has not been an easy road, and I cannot thank God enough for carrying me so much of the way.
Soon, Zach and I will no longer have to be a commuter couple, the kids will have their own rooms, a backyard that is "their's"... I cannot contain my joy with this decision. For the first time in a very long time I slept the entire night. The uncerntainty was lifted from the air and through it all God stayed true to his Word, He never left my side!

I have also been humbled by the outpouring of support, love and prayers that have been shown to me through my friends. I have learned a lot about myself and one thing is I have incredible friends. Old ones, new ones, intimate ones, and acquaintances have all been so kind and loving. I have thanked God numerous times for the support and friendship I have received.

Life in Limbo

So as most of you know Zach and I are not living together. Earlier this summer we were served with a restraining order forcing us to keep the kids' residence within Nueces County. This has left us living our "honeymoon" period as a commuter couple. We have invested much time (and money) making sure we see each other as often as possible. Regardless this has been a trying time on our new family.
The hardest time of day is definitely at night for me. I get the kids in bed, curl up on the couch with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, and yearn to be curled up next to my husband watching whatever is on T.V. that night, or even lying in bed reading our books. I have cried many tears asking, "Why is this happening to us?"
To be honest back in May when I found my job in Cabot, AR, and we found our house and things sort of just fell into place, I couldn't imagine that things would come crumbling around us as they have. Zach and I however have been strong for each other. Our relationship continues to grow and strengthen in spite of the distance and stress thrust upon us.
We also have been blessed with a ton of moral support from friends. Prayers are greatly appreciated. God is teaching me through all of this that I am stronger than I imagined, but only because of Him. God is leading Zach and I to turn to Him more than we would've. I pray every night that God will lead us to the end, and allow our family to live together soon. And I will continue to pray for this. I also thank him daily (multiple times a day) for Zach and his strength. It is wonderful to have a partner that stands beside me and sometimes holds me up when I feel like lying down and drowning in self pity.
I don't have many answers, but I have faith that God does and He will reveal them in His time. And when He does I have to believe that it is going to be greater than anything I could have imagined or planned myself.
Please continue to pray for our family. And for continued strength and wisdom during this trial in our lives.