Where did you guys go???

Where did you guys disappear to?

Well, sorry that anyone has had to ask, we sincerely have been trying to find our way. We promise.

After our 'sabbatical' to the ranch, we headed to the beach house for a couple of days and then to to the gulf coast, through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and then on to Florida. We had a great time catching some Florida waves and hanging out with family.

Of course, we had to take a few pix of the kids crossing the state lines and do the usual tourist stuff... we started the journey in Louisiana in Baton Rouge to stay with Trey's cousin, Jane and Ted. They are so giving and wonderful! We have such favor, even with family! They welcomed us and took us to their favorite haunt and all...we had great Cajun food and stayed up late telling great family stories; DV, you were well represented!

Next stop, the alligator farm. We hopped on an air boat, no problem, four kids aged 1 to 9. Seriously, we dodge major illnesses in foreign countries and such

All hands on deck and we were all six ready to go, as usual. Our tour guide, Smitty, was very thorough and loved having the kids on deck. We threw marshmallows because as they hit the water they drew attention to the alligators and the color 'white' attracts them. Good thing Laney was not in a white onesie! jj We zoomed forward and backward and sideways; the boggy water was our destiny and let me say that the ride was incredible and the babies loved it! Afterward, we got to hold a baby alligator, the kids absolutely loved this part! All in all, the alligator speed boat thing was a little pricey but worth every penny.

So, off to Mississippi. We went off the beaten path (who would have guessed) and look Dauphin Island. It is just like Bolivar, only white sand and no IKE. We moved on and ate some great seafood. Off to our I-10 turn-off, 331.

After the turn-off to 331, you are on the path of white sand beaches and some sort of money pocket that not many 'residents' think is 'weird'. Does that make sense? What I mean is, those that actually live there on the beach, are not aware of the fact that no one else can actually afford to live next door to them. Can you imagine that? If you can, how blessed are you? Run and spread it, we can help you!!!

Anyway, we had a great time, hung out with my dad and his wife and parents. We wish that there weren't so many days that pass in a year. The kids painted a new piece of art with their grandmother for the beach house, a big one, 2x4 at least. They are so talented. We even got to welcome a tropical storm while there and laugh at it as well. We love them and miss them already!

So, on our return to Texas, we headed straight back and stopped only to take a break and get a snack (you parents know that we mean potty breaks every hour or so).

What a whirlwind. We are so blessed in the midst of so much turmoil; health care, octomom, Pensacola murder case, Michael Jackson, Obama health care, etc......

We are absolutely aware that we are not in control of anything except our own actions. Lord, help us, seriously.

So, on our way to Crystal Beach, Texas, we came upon the realization that we would go ahead and move our family to the beach house that we love while we get ready for the next leg of our journey. Please continue to pray for our family and thank you in advance for getting us where HE needs us!

Take care and God bless,

Trey and Connie

Week One back in Texas

Okay, so it has been an entire week since our last blog. We have been quite busy and there is no slowing down anytime soon. We spent a couple of days at the beach house in Crystal Beach. We actually visited the local school here, Crenshaw Elementary, the kids said they want to go to school here. Lord, we need a sign of some sort, please make it so obvious, like a fire in the sky with very specific writing that tells us what to do, is that too much to ask? Anyway, we absolutely loved the school, only 8 fourth graders, and a handful of kindergartners and they even have a program for Parker, our 3-year-old, an ALL DAY PROGRAM, yes, I am so ready to move here. We had some great times at the beach, Anna's friend, Caleigh, and her mom and brother, Connor, came to visit. It was a great time.

Then, we had to head out because a family checked in for the weekend so we headed to San Antonio to Trey's brother's house. It was a great time and a chance for the kids to see their only first first cousin, Owen (although, another cousin is on the way in November). We actually looked at some land and some different areas that we have always been interested in; since we first met, Trey and I have always said that we would end up in the Hill Country of Texas or on a beach somewhere... seriously.

So, one of the rentals that we looked into got rented, when we pulled up to the house, they let us know that they were the new tenants. Another door closed, lets get this show on the road already. We found some awesome tracts of land, some with seasonal creeks, awesome views, you name it, we just are not sure that we should let it ride just yet...

After a full weekend in San Antonio we headed back to the beach house in anticipation of spending a week or two in solace in order to finish a few things that have lingered (ie: garage apt., outdoor speakers, etc.) as well as make some major decisions about where we are going to settle down.

Well, another door closed, the beach house rented for the week (totally awesome mixed blessing) so we had to find somewhere else to go. Goodness, can we get a break? We got into Crystal Beach at midnight and left at 10am that next morning. Where were we going? Good question. We headed to Madisonville, Texas, about 90 miles north of Conroe, our home town. Our very good friends, Brandon and Fawn Creighton have a ranch that they offered up to us; we have such great favor! Well, once again, the kids went crazy for this 'new' place, they want to move here...these kids are so great, what can't they go through and just keep 'keeping on'? How many places can we drag them and have them just say, "can we move here?" God, to be a kid again...I wish we could bottle up their enthusiasm for life. Still not sure where we need to be. It has been a week since we got back from Roatan and we are still very 'shaken', not sure where to plant our roots, but very sure that we have an awesome calling and will go wherever called. Wherever that may be. Man, Henry, He sure does have a way of 'messing with us.'

So, we have ridden the TRex all over this ranch, fished, hunted for cicadas and all sorts of bugs, followed the cattle, pet giant cows, too much to name. It has been quite the journey. One minute we are in Roatan, Honduras (kids ready to move there), next minute we are in Crystal Beach, Tx (kids ready to move there) and then in San Antonio area (kids ready to move there), then on a ranch in Madisonville, Tx (kids ready to move there)...

We are planning to visit my dad in Florida and some very good friends in the Dallas area either before or after, whichever works out best. So, what after that? Good question.

Not sure.

Please pray that we will see that clearly-spelled-out-plan for the Vick family! We need eyes that will see and hearts that will accept, also minds that will agree. We love our family and friends, even those that we have just recently met, thank you for loving us unconditionally, we love you and will forever be grateful.

Take care and God bless!