Our Week Long "Lay Over"

As most of you know, Dave and I have been in Tennessee for the past 3 weeks. After spending a week in Memphis, Dave was able to make enough money to get us home and out to Colorado. While we were in Nashville, we bought a really nice 1996 Chrysler Town and Country. It sounds old but really the interior is really nice! The outside has its fair share of bumps and dents, but it's comfortable, fuel efficient and gets us from A to Z. Oh and the best par is that we paid $900. We are planning on buying teo nearly new vehicles in the future, but we decided to wait until we are more settled.

For the next week, we will be repacking and spending some time with our kids and the rest of our family. Last night after dinner, we took the kids for a long walk and hunted salamanders. We found a black one with yellow spots and a black on with red stripes! I was surprised we found them because it's freeezing cold here! We just romped through the woods with Molly and let the kids use their "outside" voice. Then we went to my mom's for a while, came home and had popcorn and cider. Jaxon, Amelia and Dave sat on the kitchen floor and had a tea party where Amelia insisted that they "climk" their glasses over and over. Then, Jaxon, being the typical boy he is, put his popcorn in his cider and drove his Thomas trains all over the tea party. We haven't had the kids for a month, but Jaxon is already growing huge! He weighs about as much as Amelia and he is only two. Nana "soup" (as the kids call her) or Nana Sue, Dave's mom, said that Jaxon is a little "teddy bear" like Dave was at his age. I thought that was cute :) I am so glad we have been able to spend even a week here in Michigan during the fall season.

Our plans are to leave Sunday for Colorado early in the afternoon. We are going to drop the kids off with their mom and be on our way! Since our van is so comfortable, we decided to just sleep in the van when we get tired. The drive is about 20 hrs, but I am sure our excitement will either make it seem longer or shorter! Once we get there, we move into our house and Dave starts working right away. I am so excited to finally have a place to make my own. I am dying to decorate and start cooking! It's just nice to have your own space. Since we have been married we haven't really had a place to call our own. After being on the road and doing sales, Dave said he is "ready for a 9 to 5".

Keep us in your prayer as we travel and make plans!

Liz

On The Road Again

For the past three weeks Dave and I have been in Tennessee with his equipment company. We figured we would visit my sister and make some money while we were here. So, I have been spending lots of time with my sister and Arabella. My niece is growing so fast and she is just the cutest! Depending upon sales, it looks like Dave will be in Memphis for the next week. If he does well there we will head home. If sales don't go as planned, we will be headed to Alabama for a week or two. Thought it's fun visiting my sister and I do love Alabama, I really want to settle. Bad. I want to have a kitchen and a bedroom. The kids have been with their mom for 3 weeks, but she is sick of them already. Somewhere in the mix we will have to go pick them up. All the details are still being worked out.
Over the past few weeks I have been reading several very interesting book, which I will be writing more about on my own blog. Currently I am reading At First Sight By Nicholas Sparks, To Hell With All That (loving and loathing your inner housewife) and The Essential Mediterranean Cookbook.

Also, I have been doing some research on University of Colorado. Where we are moving, Kit Carsen, is a town/village of 200 people. There isn't even a community college for like 3hrs...at least from what I've gathered. I am thinking about taking online courses. If I am unable to have children, I would like to finish getting my degree in Elementary Education. I would really like to be involved in my community and several organizations if Dave and I don't have children of our own. Though U of C is $40k a year, I know that Dave and I are more than qualified for financial aid. There's a lot to be worked out, but I always have to have a back up plan.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and ultimately make it to Kit Carsen. Sometimes during stagnant times in life such as this one, it is easy to get discouraged.

Check out my other blog in a few days to see my book summations. Going to be interesting!
Arabella, Victoria, Reuben and I are going to watch Frosty the Snowman...lol...

Elizabeth

Pressing Toward the Mark

As most of you know, the Lord has called Dave and I to minister in Kit Carson, Colorado. Over the past 3 weeks, Dave and I have been selling nearly all of our things. Our taurus is going to be full, and we are not leaving much behind at all. We are on the second week of a massive garage sale. We have tons of furniture, clothes, a fridge and worst of all...our truck. We have been praying HARD that the right person will comes along and buy it. We have had several people come along and look at it or ask about it.

It's so difficult to trust the Lord, especially when we are stuck in these in between times. Speaking of trusting in the Lord...Dave and I had an appointment in Traverse City today with my OB/GYN. Over the past several years, I have suspected that I would have trouble having children. My doctor was quite surprised at what I told him about my health, and that was even more concerning to me. For me, I have felt that my calling in life revolves around Christ and his will. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away...that includes fertility. I have decided that I would like to be very open about my experience. I do not want to seem as if my life is an open book, but rather use our experience on this journey as a testimony to others. I will write more about our experience on my other blog.

Please keep us in your prayers as we press toward the mark on the map! Rocky mountain high Colorado! 

Terrific Twos!....Right?

Last night we celebrated Jaxon's 2nd birthday. Although his birthday isn't until October 4th, due to our custody arrangement with their mom we won't have him then. I feel like I'm in a relationship with a dude named Thomas. I have never seen so many Thomas trains. I don't think a little boy could have a better day! Over the last few weeks, not only has he starting wearing big boy underwear, he has been learning a lot of new words. Here are a few we've been enjoying:

-Screaming "Pinocchio!" in the yard, in his crib when he doesn't want to go to sleep, sometimes for no reason at all.

-Saying "I don't wanna go to bed!" sometimes when he just woke up...it's just when he hears us say 'bed' or 'sleep'

-Since he has been potty trained and wearing "Thomas" underwear, we have been telling him he can't go poop or pee pee in "Tom". So now he has been saying "PEE PEE TOM!"

- Says "Mommy" for "Molly"

-LOVES running around in the nude. (we dress him as soon as we can get our hands on him lol)

-Our little lady has been doing great as well. Lately she has been helping put away laundry, and she knows where all of it goes!

Although we know the twos are going to be rough, I feel like there's going to be just as much fun and excitement! For now, we are packing up the car and taking them back to their mom this morning. Although life has been overbearing and overwhelming the past month, we have survived with minimal damage done. It's all in the way we handle it, and who we turn to for help. :)

Sparks Flying in the Dark

When I was 8 we went to Manton Free Methodist and my parents taught his Sunday School class. His mom taught my sisters Sunday School class. I always had a crush on him and stared a hole into him at church. We left the church after a few years and I didn't think much about David Sparks. A few years later I was homeschooled and had several exhibits in the civic center at the fair. While we were walking around and riding rides, I noticed David. He was with a friend and they both had a girl with them. Neither of them had shirts on and I'll tell you they weren't exactly being appropriate. I gauked at David shamelessly. He had no shirt on, he was totally ripped and tan...and I was so jealous of that girl. My mother noticed my staring and said "Oh my goodness, girls don't look over there! David is making some very poor choices." I didn't see David again until a few years later when we were swimming. I don't remember what park it was at, but he was there. All I remember was him talking to my dad, and he had the biggest smile I've ever seen. He had just been baptized and he was glowing. He was just so handsome and happy. I stared at him from the window of the car, knowing that there was no way I'd ever get him to notice me...I think I was 15 at that point. On the 4th of July this year I decided to add David Sparks to my facebook. Not sure why really. He messaged me back saying "You're gorgeous, do I know you? Cause if not I'd like to." I replied with "Yes my parents taught your Sunday School class in Manton. And thank you." He did not reply after that. Probably embarrassed.

On Monday July 25th, my roomie Amanda and I decided to celebrate her getting a new job, by having steaks and taking a walk. When we got to the lake during our walk, I decided to just jump in! I did and I had to walk home soaking wet. As soon as we got home, I jumped in the shower. While I was in there I recieved a facebook message on my phone from David saying: "Why is your last name Brooks now?' I explained to him that I am divorced due to domestic violence.

He then said " I like your message about Mr. Perfect. I am looking for Mrs. not sure if i will find her either. Wanna get some coffee sometime?..I like mocha to be honest, but you know what I mean." The reason he said that is because of my "About Me" on facebook stating:

'Sometimes your dreams just aren't what life has planned.-Lady A

I am a country girl with a wild streak just trying to live out my dreams in this big crazy world. I am currently song writing/singing and playing my guitar. Still in pursuit of Mr. Wonderful (if you're out there please message me cause I've been looking for you for years). Currently working and saving for a down payment on a house. If Mr. Perfect never shows, I can be found in a small house with lots of land, 2 horses, 2 dogs and a duck. I will have a large front porch and a garden. These are my simple dreams...but they aren't that easy to get to!" I never thought Mr. Wonderful would actually message me :)

He messaged me and sent his number...from which a few of these super cute texts came:

10:16pm "Country and Hip-hop hold hands. I want to hear your story and maybe we can hold hands." (he's a hip hop artist and rapper btw)

12:38am "I have seen 6 shooting stars tonight, isn't that weird?"

12:57am "I need someone that takes my breath away that I can share the rest of my life with in peace and harmony."

1:02am "Just you be patient darling God has a man for u. He will land in your lap and there will be more passion between you two than you know what to do with!"

1:04am "Im deeper than anyone you have ever met. Im more real than anyone you have ever known. I am straight shooter and I shoot straight from my heart and soul.

I said: "I love your honesty :) Well let's meet up and see how it goes. If nothing else we can def talk music and all that."

1:08am "Agreed. I am not always this forward but with everything you have told me so far I'm extremely intrigued by your honest and soulfullness. Yeah definitely I totally want to get to know you and if nothing else we can be friends."

I said: 1:09am "Oh I know we'll be friends. I've never met a guy anything like me and... you knida got my attention. And I want to meet those babies! I love babies!"

1:11am "If I'm not the guy for you, I hope you find him soon. U deserve it sweetie :) Do you want kids?"

I said 1:12am "Well thanks he's out there somewhere! When we find each other he will be so glad he found me. lol I get made fun of cause I want like 6 kids. Kinda giving up just cause I'm 23 and I thought I'd be started sooner."

1:14am "Aww serious? cause I've always wanted 6 kids. I want 3 boys and 3 girls! I know it sounds cheezywan't time.

I said "I know I thought I'd have at least 2 kids by now! I can't even find a decent guy! It's so lonely and discouraging sometimes. A lot of guys don't like that I want all my babies raised in church and that i want to live decent and not party all the time. I have my wild nights but I want to be done with it."

1:38am

"Wow there's certain things you say and it blows my mind because I'm not used to it. I have not had anyone touch me like you can. You speak to my heart with your words and it throws me way off guard, you just might be a female me!"

I don't want to jump right into something if it happens then it does but I'm not planning on it. If God wants it for me and my children, then it will be. Well if you keep talking to me the way you are, my home is gonna be where your heart is. lol'

I said " LOL you even text like me! People get mad cause I text "novels" i just have a lot to say! and i always say "Agreed".

God is telling me it's time to start a new chapter."

2:01am "I am falling for a girl that i don't even know that i've never been friends with but I feel like you have been my friend my whole life. Is this real life? lol"

2:23am "goodness, where have you been all my life?"

I said 2:25am- "lol in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons. I'm home now and I'm staying in Cadillac for a while, til i find "him"

2:33am "Let's take the kids to the school by my house, there's a huge playground and we can talk in peace." 2:46am "Do you know where Kenwood elementary is? That is where I want to meet if you don't mind. The kids would love it. :)

My Facebook Status 2:56am-"I say, 'Oh, got this feeling that you can't fight' Like this city is on fire tonight. This could really be a good life, a good life."- One Republic

After that we both went to sleep. The next morning (10:52am)I was greeted with "Good morning! I hope you have an amazing day beautiful!" "I like you bff. I enjoyed talking to you so much, I can only express my words on paper so I think I will!"

11:29am

I said "Do it! I already started writing this morning lol we are so good."

he said "lol agreed"

I said 12:42pm "I can't wait to have a family...i hate being so patient lol"

He said "Me too. It's hard being a single daddy. I want someone in my life so bad but good things come to those who wait.so I will ride the storm out! I hope I don't wait much longer cause I want the kids to feel some normality. Im ready to build something with somebody."

I said 12:49pm "We are speaking the same language babe."

He said "I like your language" "My song about you is coming out real cute." 1:21pm "wow...

yeah when it feels right it feels right." 4:36pm "your song frickin rocks ur gonna love it! its called "agreed".

One week ago today went to my mom's for my weekly "tanning with mom" Since I moved back from Nashville, I have weekly basked in the heat of my parents back deck. For some reason it's just a lot hotter back there and I tan/burn a lot easier! not to mention I get to chat with my mom and listen to Lawrence Welk Blue Hawaii albums. I had been dating and every time I went over there that was the topic. I had been dating like five guys at this point so there was plenty to talk about. Well on this particular day I was supposed to go on a date with a guy I had been talking to for over a week. He was a pretty wealthy guy and we were going to see a movie.

He said at 5:39pm "So it's a movie date you're going on?" I said "yup but it just got cancelled"

He said "aw :( sorry, God must not have wanted you to go." "If you were smart you would ditch him and hang out with me instead. Unless you like getting let down. I always do what I say I'm going to do" I said "David, i have been struggling for the past several years and i want a man to take care of me, i can do my part working and all that, just sick of doing it all alone.I have been moving all over and i want some consistency in my life. To be settled."

He says 6:05pm "Well then stop. I wil be all you ever need. But I don't want to share you"

i said "we need to see each other"

He said "Agreed. Come over tonight and we can talk. I can't do anything over text. Are you gonna date me?" "If I'm gonna put any effort into this I don't want any drama. i have two kids and i don't have time for bs. I wanna get to know you too, but I have been through a lot and i wouldn't be wasting my time if God wasn't telling me to." 6:33pm "well if you want me and my kiddos will come see you when we leave here if you want."

me "At the park? that would be great!"

Around 7:30pm I was all ready to go, hair done cute, jeans and a black shirt. While I waited for him, I sat on the same swings I swung on when I was in elementary. I watched my shadow as it went back and forth. I thanked got for making me who I am, for my personality and ability to love so easily. Around 8pm David's white Ford truck pulled in. I walked up the hill toward the truck. When I got to the truck, David gave me a huge hug and looked straight into my eyes, which was somewhat piercing. he did not look anything like the David I was in love with throughout my childhood. This David was scruffy, with an unshaven face and curly hair that hadn't been cut in several weeks. I didn't really care. I knew he had been through a lot and was a single dad of two. He let Jaxon out of the truck and I immediately offer him my two fingers to hold. For some reason I had some urge to show David that I could be the mother I had always dreamt of being. We walked and talked for what must have been and hour before we returned to the truck. While we played with his son, my brain swirled with the ideas of this actually being in my future...this baby, this scruffy man. I felt more and more convicted by the minute that my life was about to change forever. Everything began to set when he read me the song he wrote me, that basically asked me to marry him. I was astonished. Thank God it wasn't an at down actual proposal, but it was so heart felt and real! We loaded up the baby and decided to go back to Ryan and Amanda's to get Jaxon some water. When we got inside we all sat down and relaxed. David and I began to sort of tell Amanda and Ryan what we were contemplating. The entire time I was with David, I had all 5 of the guys I had been dating, texting me...tempting me to choose them. But David was sitting right there in front of our fridge with two toddlers in his lap, playing with magnets. We agreed to go back to the park. We walked a little more and talked as he rocked his sweet baby to sleep. As our conversation continued, all my doubts and excuses for being with him began to dissolve with every word of his argument. He wanted to love and care for me. To be my very best friend and raise a family with me. I was intrigued and certainly convicted by the Holy Spirit. He asked me to come home with him. I did. I didn't leave for 5 days. I knew this was it. I was in awe with every moment that passed. Wednesday morning he handed me a calendar and said "pick a date for us to be married". My heart skipped so many beats over the next 5 days that I'm certain it could have been a health risk!He made me breakfast (which he named after me), made several meals for me, put a new tire on my car, made me feel like a wife and mother, proudly announced to his family our decision to be married, and all the other things that any perfect father/husband of my dreams would do.