Parties and People

One of the things we have loved and wanted to be very intentional about since we moved here was investing in our neighbors. We barely knew our neighbors in the house in Plano, mostly because they were all 70 plus and rarely came out of their homes. I still felt a lose that we lived in a house for five years and hadn't invested anytime in the people. We have really gotten to know a number of our neighbors here, which I love. One of the main benefits in having community in such close proximity is they can just pop over and have fun spontaneously. The not so spontaneous is a blast as well, like the lightning bug party my neighbor throw.

The Host

Caleb and Jack inspecting their find.

Cuties

Can you see them?

Daddy getting in on the action

Makaylee watching daddy catch the bugs

Caleb ticked because he didn't win the contest

The winner of the contest

and his sister

and his brother

Thankful for neighbor buddies

Another benefit of getting to know our neighbors is hearing stories that remind and encourage me, good or bad we are always impacting people. A final benefit is the awesome opportunity we have to help each other. This past winter we had the most snow fall on record and hence learned we had a neighbor who was dying of cancer. We were able to get to know this family and be a friend through this difficult time. We've also learned the direct impact this difficult economic time is having on people just down the street. While, I was handing out invitations to help with the bug party, I saw a termination notice on a neighbors window. It reminded me of a challenging financial time in my life. Thankfully, we never got behind on our bills, but it was a rough season.  I 'm just thankful that my sweet friend Kris and her family saw a need and helped me when I didn't have the financial means to fix the problem myself.  It was humbling to take a handout, but it was also a great motivator. It reminded me that when we see a need and have the means to meet it, we should. Maybe then our government wouldn't have to be giving money out to people who aren't using it appropriately.  What an opportunity we have to help and impact those around us when we pray for and are intentional with these opportunities.

Great time and The Great Dalmuti

We are approaching the 11 month mark from when we moved up here and although I really like it there is one aspect that is still really hard. That is missing my dear friends. When you become a parent the dynamic of parenting differences in friendship is introduced. This for me has been challenging. How do you deal with parenting difference? I'm sure as the kids get older this issue will probably become more complicated, but right now it has me craving my like minded friends in the big D. However, as much as I crave the comfort of those relationships that were built over the years I am excited about the amazing neighbors I've been blessed with. I really believe God placed us in the perfect home. To me it is just awesome that there are young kids all around us and that we have 2 neighbors in particular that not only love Jesus, have little kids around the same age as ours, but they are a blast to hang out with. We had them over for fun play time and pizza and then they put their kids down at our house and we broke out the Great Dalmuti. A fun game some friends of ours in Texas (thanks Ben and Ebeth) introduced us to. As you will see from the pictures this game is not the Ruiz's strong point. We still had an awesome time and I so look forward to getting to know them better and watching our boys and girls grow up together.

Just in case I didn't communicate it effectively I wasn't referencing these couples and their parenting. I really don't know their particular parenting styles yet, but their kids are all amazing. We had 3 boys 4 and under and 2 girls under 2 all go down without any trouble. I have to say this might not be a big deal to some, but it was like Christmas morning to me.

Greater Peon 4x

One

Two, yes hide your head in shame.

Three, your DISGUSTING!!

Leslie looking so cute in the pink Peon hat.

Jack crashed out in Caleb's chair.

Jeremy was the Greater Peon 3x

Yes, that is super embarrassing.

And, four!!

The Dunbar's rocked at this game. Carrie was only the Peon the last hand of the night. Other than that they dominated. As you may notice I was never pictured, because even though I came in second to last I was never the Great Peon. Terry was the GREAT DALMUTI!!

Jack extra comfy in the chair.

Landon sacked out with his moose, Bull. I would have taken pictures of all 5 of our precious ones cuddled up for the night, but my camera died at a very inopportune time.