The Silos

We are huge Magnolia Farms fans and have watched Chip and Joanna grow their business.  It has been inspiring.  Our kids never look a house the same way now.  They look at all the possibilities instead.

So on one of our trips to Texas, we made the effort to drive 2 hours away from campus to visit the famed Silos.

Of course, we had to try the bakery!  Cupcakes and cookies for the win!  They were delicious and a real treat.  The bakery was done to perfection too!  It looked like a classic Joanna Gaines design!

We walked through the property admiring the window boxes, garden displays and the beautiful designs displaying all of the Magnolia named products.  It was exciting to talk about the elements of each with one another.

This old church was brought onto the property and just looks like it always belonged here.  It is a testament to the Faith of the Gaines and the real reason for their success!  Putting God first...

Yes, it was November but it was a warm day that lent itself to the moment!  Everyone donned short sleeves and took advantage of the warm weather.

                                                                   Isn't it beautiful??

 Such a wonderful day!  We did attempt a meal at their restaurant but the long wait and the tired kiddos made us decide to head back to campus and grab something along the way.  Perhaps next time we will visit Magnolia table. 

Michael in Florida

Michael had an opportunity to travel with his dad to sunny Florida!  Look at that amazing sunset!  He had a great time with dad exploring the area.  It was a sweet time of fellowship! 

 

A Weekend Away

It is no surprise I love the beach!  When Darrell was sent to work in Florida for 2 weeks-we joked about me visiting him while there.  I had never been to the Gulf Coast beaches and was wanting to jump in the beautiful water!  Just to say, I had never joined Darrell on a trip!  I have always stayed home with the kids.  So when we joked...it was just a joke!  Little did I know....

Well, this joke became a reality and I flew down by myself (lots of quiet to read) and Darrell picked me up.  We ate at amazing restaurants, visited Honeymoon Island (yes, its real name) and walked around the city.  It was beautiful!

I loved sticking my toes in the water and seeing the many small fish in the surf!  It was much warmer than our New England beaches! 

We even met an adventurous family who had just sold their home and were hitting the road with their 2 kids to travel the country.  We encouraged them in home schooling and saw them several more times before we left.  This was a God appointment for sure! 
 

Texas

I love that my sons are always up for an adventure!  Brandon and Ben headed off to Basic Training at the International Alert Academy in Texas in the fall one year.  Both sons are very competitive and it really came out in this training but it also bonded both of them together.  It has been a beautiful thing!

The photo above was taken on the 24 hour hike.  They hiked 57 miles with many adventures to tell.  I was so proud of them! 

At Alert, they not only learn to rescue you from any situation-high angle, fires, underwater-they also learn sawyering, first aid and discipline.  I always joke that they can save you from anything but the most important training is that they can also rescue your soul!  They also went through intensive Bible training in this program!  It is a beautiful thing for our young men to learn.

This photo was from R night!  It is the first official photo of this Unit --when they have their street clothes on and all of their hair!  It would all change after this photo.

On this particular trip, Darrell drove Brandon and Benjamin down.  He took Sara and Michael as extra drivers.  Sara and Michael visited the Tiger Park in near by Tyler with Darrell.

This photo was taken on arrival to campus.  Ben and Brandon had let their hair grow because they knew what was ahead-a total shave in a few days.

                                 The unit marched together wherever they went...it is a sight to behold!

                                                                                Ben's smiling face!

                 As their journey goes on, you can see the precision they learn as they march together. 

Here they are memorizing scripture.  Each recruit must memorize 1 Peter-the entire book!  It take about 11 minutes for them to recite on stage.  So cool! 

                               Mud, rain, sore feet all help to build these young men into warriors for Christ! 

We love Alert and all it has done for our sons.