The Arizona Experience {2015}

Thanks to everyone who prayed for us while were in Arizona this summer.  It was an amazing trip for our group and for the Navajos we visited.  Below is what our family shared with our church about our time there.  You can listen to the entire Arizona Experience here {07/12/15}:

Bill - 00:00, 08:47, 21:14, 47:43, 1:01:52

Espy - 08:02

Gianna - 20:14

Grace - 52:17

Otis - 58:32

ESPY

Good morning.

My name is Espy Manning, and I’m 11 years old. 

I have been on this trip for 3 years. 

I first would like to thank you for your love and support. 

My favorite part of Arizona had to be the VBS.
Even when I had to switch to K5-1st, it was still amazing.

Now I think that if I didn’t switch, I wouldn’t have met those wonderful kids in that class.

What I did not like was when I saw the kids being rude, and that brings me to what I learned.

I learned a lot about patience. 

I had to be patient with my sister.

I had to be patient with the kids.

But more importantly, I had to patient with God.

Now that I’m home, I think God wants me to do exactly what I did there:

Love Everyone.

GIANNA

My name is Gianna Manning, and I’m 9 years old.

This is my first year going to Arizona. 

I learned that Navajo kids and adults don’t have everyting that we have
so it’s nice to treat them with respect and kindness.

My favorite part of the trip was VBS and playing with the kids.

Thank you for all your help and prayers.

GRACE

Good morning, church - my name is Grace, but I'm actually going to be sharing some thoughts from Regan Mosely.  We're so thankful that she was able to go on this trip with us even after her recent move to Louisiana.  So, from Regan:

"I've been going on this trip since I was 12 years old, and this was by far the hardest year. I had no idea what I was expecting to learn this time. I feel like God really showed me how selfish I am, and how amazing he can be. Dropping kids off at a different house every night bc they couldn't go home to their parents was heartbreaking and eye opening. I have been so focused on myself lately, and feeling like my world has fallen apart when really I have it so good. I think I have such a hard life, and then I see children going through things so much worse. I have an amazing family and wonderful friends, and I have a God who is always there for me. I want the Navajos to know this God too, and every year that I go I feel like they are a little more open. Thank you so much for your prayers & support. I could not have gone on this trip without your help."

Good morning, church.  My name is Grace Manning, and this is my 4th year going to Arizona.  I was fortunate enough to go on the short Christmas trip this past December, and the last summer trip I was a part of was in 2004.  I firmly believe that God wanted me to go on this trip.  He answered lots of prayers.  The finances were generously given for the four of us to go.  Someone graciously assumed my work responsibilities.  Loving friends & family took care of our Isabella & Evangeline while we were away.  He provided a way for me to attend my cousin Joel’s memorial service in Atlanta & Otis’s sister Belinda kindly picked me up in Phoenix late Friday night and drove me three hours to the Reservation that same evening.  He also gave me the physical & emotional stamina to be “almost normal” for the duration of the trip.  He is good.

Currently, we are going through a rough patch in life.  Our close friends have had to deal with some major life changes, broken relationships, and unexpected loss.  Our family has been processing the deaths of two special people whom we love very much.  Bill has shared with you how he has been dealing with depression.  In light of these things, my heart has been broken and my faith has been worn.

However, being on the Reservation reminded me of the Truths that I have known in my mind but have had a hard time believing fully with my heart…

*God made us.  God knows us.  God loves us.  God forgives us, and God is with us. 

*He made each one of us here.  He made each one of our Navajo friends.  He made us exactly how he wanted us to be: no mistakes, no accidents.

*God knows everything about us: the good, the bad, and the ugly…

*and, He loves us.  He loves me.  He loves Bill.  He loves our girls.  He loves our family & our friends.  He loves the beautiful Navajos that we love so very much.  He loves them much more than we ever could.  He’s loved us all from before the beginning & His love is indestructible.

*God forgives us over and over and over again.

*And, He is always with us.  When life is good, He is with us.  Where there is loss - where there is darkness - where there is heartache, He is with us.  On the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, He is with us all. 

So despite my selfishness & self-focus, He is still God.  Still true.  Still my rock & the only thing I can count on.

Now I ask all of you to continue to pray for our Navajo friends: that they would know God & know these truths, that relationships would continue to deepen & that friendships would continue to grow.  Please pray for our group – that we would remember what it’s like to love fully & freely, to not be selfish & distracted, to continue despite our mistakes & our failures, to keep God’s love & purpose as our focus.

Thanks again to God & to you, church, for allowing me to be a part of this experience.  Your children are amazing.  They are capable young people who stepped up when necessary and were willing to help out whenever we asked (or asked again).  They are hilarious & ridiculously fun to be around.  I’m thankful for the example your children are for me & the example they set for mine.  We’ve known some of them for many, many years, and it’s really been a privilege to watch them grow.  They truly personified Jesus’s love during this trip: through piggyback rides, Gatorade sips, shared meals, water balloon fights, endless hugs, and on & on.

I’m proud to call this group our family.

Thanks again for your love & support - we certainly could not have done it without your encouragement & your prayers.

Good In The Chaos

The house is a mess.

The laundry is piling up.

I should probably clean these glass doors that have more than a smudge or two on them.

Our bedroom: atrocious.

The floors need a good cleaning.

Switching out the girls' seasonal clothes has been going on longer than I'd like to admit.

As the girls are getting older, they're getting involved more with friends, school, and activities.  Bill has been busy with different aspects of work.  I oftentimes feel torn between what I need to and what I want to do.

Those of you who know me personally know how much I love my husband.  It's kind of ridiculous.  Yet this same man that I love completely is the same man who can drive me the most crazy.  That's fun.  I would say that this season of our lives have been the hardest (even more difficult than having a newborn!) - just even in these last couple of months.  

It's a struggle at the moment to find the time to communicate and spend time with each other.  When we're both running on empty, our patience is less than stellar for each other and our girls.  At the same time, amazing things are happening with friends and family - and God is working.  Bill and I are in a fantastic place to see life stories change, and we're excited to be along for the ride.

Instead of focusing on all the things that I should or could be doing,

today I will be thankful.

Life cannot be taken too seriously when your favorite dresses like this:

And despite the everyday struggles, there are these fantastic little people that forgive their mother's imperfections time and time again:

Despite all of the pull my hair out moments, there is happiness.

In the midst of the daily chaos, there is good.

Through the bickering, there is laughter.

I am thankful for the Love that carries me day in and day out.

The Things He Says

all dolled up for Joel & Becky's wedding (Dec 2012)

I've mentioned more than once that Bill and I are complete opposites.

He's thoughtful, sincere, and pretty open about how he feels about me - and everything else for that matter.  I often say things before I even think them through.  However, when I'm upset - I'd rather clean angrily than have a thoughtful conversation.

He has an even personality and is extremely easygoing.  This very much contradicts my up and down demeanor.  Pair that with my intense emotions with regards to whatever I'm passionate about at the moment, and Bill is often in for quite the ride.

Because we are so different, I am typically the recipient of the romantic gestures in our relationship.  On Valentine's Day, Bill put notes in each of the rooms of our home thanking me for this and that.  One of the notes read:

LIVING ROOM

You do it all in here: pay the bills, make grocery lists, plan the calendar, watch kids, play with our girls, teach them piano, relax with me, chat with your girlfriends, and clean up 2000 toys every day.  You are a very talented and gifted woman!

Love you,

Bill

So sweet, right?  However, along with that charm comes blatant honesty.  In response, I usually laugh - but in actuality, Bill really wants me to take him seriously.  Here are some of my favorites:

On hair:

Please don't ever cut your hair short again.

-as I observe and point out cute haircuts when we're out and about.

On social media:

I don't want to be on Instagram (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

-as my hand (on phone) gets ready to take a picture, post a status, or send a tweet.

On humor:

Your "your mom" jokes aren't funny.

-as I bless him with my hilarity during our alone time together.

For the record, I think they're fantastic.

On bodily functions:

Grace, please don't fart on our date.  Seriously.

-wait.  What?

On morning activities:

Roll over, honey.

I want to hold you, but I don't want to smell your breath.

-as I scoot over for cuddle time before getting out of bed for the day.

Here's to always cultivating the love and the candor in all of our relationships.

There's definitely a lot of both in ours.

Eleven Years

Happy Anniversary to my most favorite one of all!

He knows my highs, and he knows my lows - and yet he still loves me more than anyone else on the planet.  He deserves way more than I could give him, but he chose me for this journey.

For eleven years, we've trudged on loving each other the best we know how.  I have moments where I'm fantastic at being his wife.  At other times (most times), he's ridiculously good at being my husband.  When we're on the same page, it's nearly perfect.

Just a few footprints along the way...

2001 - And So It Begins

2001 - Road Trip (PA/WV)

March 24, 2002

2002 - Wedding Kisses

2003 - Teaching/Coaching Days

2004 - Two Become Three

2004 - Christmas at NeNe's

2005 - Espy Turns One

2006 - Three Become Four

2006 - Merry Christmas!

2007 - California Trip

2007 - Token Family Picture

2008 - Four Become Five

2008 - Christmas

2009 - Thanksgiving

2010 - Thanksgiving

2010 - Five Become Six

2011 - Dodgeball Tourney

2012 - Date Night

2012 - Handforth/Esperanza Wedding

2012

2012

2012

Looking forward to the rest of CrazyTown with you by my side, Babe - I love you forever.

Valentine's This and That

Isabella partied Valentine's-style with her class yesterday since she doesn't have school on Thursdays.  A sweet momma snapped the shot above since Bill and I couldn't be there, and she made these fantastic personalized bins for the class (Thanks, Robyn!).  Isabella and her teachers made the box behind the bin to hold all of their goodies:
 
Yesterday afternoon, I found these on our porch (in a box) with the sweetest message ever inside:

 Bill set these out before everyone woke up.  My favorite is the homemade card and the special message for each of the girls inside:

Mom came by this morning to bring flowers (from her and Dad) and a special treat

for the little ones:

Last year, I made these adorable valentines for the girls to give to their classmates.  This year, I thought we were still in January - and then all of a sudden we weren't.  I bought a box of Angry Birds, Brave, and Lalaloopsy cards for them to pass out to their friends.  They came with cool pencils so I'm hoping that makes up for my lack of creativity.

I still had time to make a little something special that the girls could give to a few people.  Since the program I used for our other valentines is no more, I found an editing tool online (befunky.com) and made these to share with our family and the girls' teachers:

 

We stuck these valentines on big Reese's Hearts for our amazing teachers:

We were allowed to bring treats to Espy's class today (Gianna's class has too many allergies and a no-candy rule at her school, and Isabella already had plenty of goodies at her party) so I tried my hand at some "homemade" goodness.  I'm a big fan of chocolate-covered pretzels.  I've never made them so I was pleasantly surprised at how simple they were to put together.  It probably would have been easier if I wasn't talking on the phone at the same time, but catching up with a friend (love you, Abbey!) was definitely worth the stiff neck I got while dipping, spreading, and sprinkling.

I'm thankful that only a handful of these are left in the house - as is my waistline.

Smooshie Smooshie

Valentine's Day 2013

 I'm not much for flowers, chocolate, and jewelry.  I know - so weird, right?  Despite my insisting on no gifts, Bill is always guilty of spoiling me (and the girls) - on holidays, birthdays, or just because.  What I find more appealing than the thoughtful presents, though, are his loving words

that accompany the goodies.

Upon seeing the flowers and reading the message that Bill had delivered this afternoon -

Gianna exclaimed,

Oh, no!  You and dad aren't going to do the smooshie smooshie on the bed again are you?

Excuse me?  What do you mean, Gianna?

You know - K!  I!  S!  S!

Oh, probably.  Why do you call it smooshie smooshie?

Because - you smoosh your lips like this (smooshes lips) when you kiss.

Girls - I'm sorry I continue to traumatize you with my crazy affection for your daddy.  I just can't get enough of him.  One day I hope you'll understand - many, many, many (many) years from now.

March 2002

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our Favorite

Happy 36th Birthday, Babe - here's to 36 more!

Can't get enough of these five.

 to my most favorite person (ever) on this earth...the man who makes me feel the happiest, the craziest, and the most loved all at the same time...the best dad, husband, and friend a girl could ask for - Happy Birthday to our special guy from all of your girls.

Goodbye Summer

Happy Labor Day!

Funky Monkeys

The Husband took Miss Espy and the big kids to King's Dominion today.

They're having a blast I'm sure.

The rest of us are having an off day of sorts.

The girls (except for Espy) woke up sassy, and I woke up - unsettled.

Because of our funkiness, I cleared the schedule for the day and tossed the ToDo list aside.  The girls

Why Does He Have To Go?

2006

 Why does he have to go?
This is what Gianna repeated over and over again in between tears.

Everybody was a little emotionally rough around the edges yesterday.

The Husband left for a Navajo Reservation in Arizona.  He is taking four leaders and twenty students onto this reservation for ten days to try and show what an amazing Love He has for the Navajo people - for all of us.  Bill has been on this trip since his sophomore year in high school (with a hiatus during college and during the summer of 2008).  It has been amazing to see relationships develop and lives changed over the years - with both the Navajos and our groups.

I know this trip has had a major part in shaping Bill's heart.

I know that it has grown my love for the hurting child the three years I was able to go.

Isabella and Evangeline are too young to want to understand why they go - year after year.  Espy and Gianna are slowly starting to comprehend.  I can see their thoughts rolling around -

contemplating their dad's love

for God

for themselves and their sisters

for the Navajos

 I see them thinking about His love

for me and Bill

for each of them

for the Navajo people

I'm praying they can piece it all together one day.

Until then, we play hard and love on each other until daddy gets back!

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 Matthew 28:19 

Here I am. Send me. 

Isaiah 6:8

Daddy Daughter Date x Four

What's better than Mom getting to go out with some friends without any babies?

Going on a date with Daddy for pizza AND sno cones - without Mommy!