...Kevin's 30th Birthday Party...

Kevin's baby picture on the cover of a Jones Soda Bottle as a party favor for our guests :)

Kari, Ty, Dad, Resh, Sim, Mom & Kev

A birthday gift from the Troxell's...Coco's very own Cardinals jersey!

Ken, Nancy, Kev, Resh, Kelly & Aaron

Sim & Kevin

Resh & Heather

Kevin & his Dad...Ken gave a great toast!!

The Birthday Boy

...Thank you to all our family and dear friends for being there to celebrate Kevin's 30th...

...30...

my sweet husband is 30 today.

i am IN LOVE with him.

madly.

i ADORE him.

deeply.

i am GRATEFUL for him.

constantly.

happy birthday my love.

My India Blog...

I've started another blog because you can never have too many blogs, right? No...just kidding...you CAN have too many blogs...like, for example, I think 2 is too many :) I'm going on a mission trip to India in the fall of 2009 and wanted to create a way to communicate my progress as I prepare for this ministry opportunity. My plan is to maintain this new blog for the months leading up to the trip and then share about the trip when I get home and maybe even post a few updates while I'm there. We'll see... You may see some information duplicated from this blog since I just did those few posts about what I've learned about my Indian culture...I will try not to over do it though :) Here's the link...I hope you enjoy...thank you for your prayers... http://abandonedrescued.blogspot.com/

twenty-nine...

Today I am 29. In this past year I have been on a path to learning as much as I can about my Indian roots, although, its more than knowledge that I sought. I want to be living my life according to the Lord's plan and not my own. I've had this burning desire to learn about India and to be obedient to the Lord by ministering and sharing my testimony. It's taken quite some time for me to stop long enough to really listen and obey...I'll be filing the non-listening portion of the past year under "things I regret" ;) All of that to say...I've been invited to go on a mission trip to India in September of this year and, after much prayer and consideration, I've decided to go. I am SO excited and nervous and scared and emotional... Many of you know that I made my first trip back to India, where I was born, in 1999. When I go again in September it will be almost exactly 10 years since I was last there. I am certain the Lord has blessed me with this incredible testimony because He wants me to use it to bring Glory to His name and to spread His word and that is my mission. I'm so blessed to have a loving and supportive husband who is backing me completely. While we both have some worries about this trip we have made this decision together and feel extremely confident this is where the Lord is leading me. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I am overcome. I will post more details about this decision and about the trip itself in the near future. I appreciate your prayers in advance. ...r...

...3...

Three years ago today I married Kevin and have literally been living happily ever after since :) He is the most remarkable person I've ever known and I am madly inlove with him. MADLY. Happy Anniversary Kevin. I love you. ...r...

Meet Coco...

This is the newest addition to our family!! Her full name is Coconut June Maude McClintock. We wanted to incorporate both our mothers middle names...I don't think they'll be bugging us for a grand baby anytime soon ;) Most of the time she is called Coco, except when she's in trouble...then she is sternly called Coconut!! The same way that I am Resh when I'm good and Reshma when I'm bad :)

Coco is an American Eskimo and was given to us by a lovely family at church. She's only 7 weeks old. She is already kennel trained and we're still working on the potty issue. There have been a few "accidents" but she's learning. Here are some things we've found out about her breed:

• Notoriously Healthy
• Only shed twice a year
• Very easy to train
• Gentle and loving with children
• Hypo-allergenic
• Extremely loyal

Could we have gotten a more perfect puppy? We are in love. She's a doll and we're crazy about her. She fits perfectly in our family although...I think she's still confused about why her mommy is brown but she'll figure it out the same way I did ;)

...r...

Finally...Merry Christmas...

The original Perry C. Lewis Family ;) Anderson & Cooper

Baby Andy...Love that face!!

Auntie Karen & Baby Andy

My parents :)

Last weekend, we were finally able to celebrate Christmas, 2008. We're praising the Lord because my mom's health was good enough so she and my dad were able to come up and celebrate!! On Saturday, we had a brunch with the entire Lewis Family. It was such a blessing. I absolutely LOVE my family. We were really able to enjoy each other's company. Later in the evening we had our own family Christmas at Tyler & Kari's. We got to exchange gifts and spend long overdue time together.

Family...Are we not the most blessed? We certainly are. Thank you for taking time to spend together...it's so important and it was just lovely. I love you all. ...R...

fifty two...

That's how many days its been since my last post...how many days its been since my blogging came to a screeching halt. I decided it was time...time to post a quick recap and a photo :) Kevin and I have been really well. Christmas was different this year but lovely, just the same. My family still hasn't celebrated together but we will get that opportunity this weekend. We will finally put this Christmas season to rest on January 24th ;) Below is our Christmas card for 2008...I still haven't given them all out...starting out this year a little behind!!

Thanksgiving...

I love Thanksgiving. We spent this Thanksgiving with my parents in Brookings. It was a very full house. Mom, Dad, Tyler, Kari, Dominick, Brianna, Isaac, Simeon, Wong, Sandra, Hector, Kevin and I. We had 3 international students that we introduced to Thanksgiving. My parents are such fantastic hosts...my mom cooks the best food and my dad serves and serves and serves...asking every five minutes "who needs a soda?". They are so generous. Kevin assisted my mom with Thanksgiving dinner and they make the best culinary team :) We were able to rest and relax and enjoy each others company. It was an extremely blessed time. I'm so grateful for my family. For each member. I'm so grateful for all that the Lord has blessed us with. I pray your Thanksgiving was as remarkable as mine. ...R...

Family Pride...

Family pride is what you feel when your big brothers soccer team makes it to the state play-offs and when your cousin's team does the same :) Love those coaches!! ...r...