The week of incredible Christina-time!

Lookie! Lookie! At who's in my house!!! It's the one and only 

Christina MaryKatherine McAfee! =) =) =)

My sweet sisters (notice their awesome hoodies!?) enjoying time together. Not only was it great for me getting to have Christina here with me, but I loved, loved, loved getting to see her out here with the people who make my world go 'round! 

What a blessing!

My kiddos loved Christina. We'd already Skyped and talked on the phone and looked at pictures, so they "knew" her. McKenna asked me if she were coming to live here like I do. We would have loved to keep her that long! :) We had Candice come with us to Darren's for 2 days in a row, and we had a BLAST! We cooked, cleaned, did school, played, read books... we "LIVED"!! And it was fantastic!!

On Friday afternoon we went into the 70 acres, climbed up in a treehouse, and continued to read. It was one of the highlights of C's visit~ This girl time, reading good books, knitting, laughing, enjoying the pretty weather. We are homeschoolers for sure!

"Time together is just never quite enough..." 

How does the time fly by so quickly?! 

We were already towards the weekend!

But, we couldn't help but want the weekend to come, because we had plans. BIG plans. Oh. yeah, baby! We went on a girl (and Carter) road trip! ~FUN~FUN~ We all spent the night at Aunt Debbie's, then up early, and towards St. Louis we went with my kiddos and my sisters, the music going, the car full of happy smiles, and many snacks...

Before going to the Arch, which was the reason we were going to St. Louis, we stopped to see the Rutherfords. It was wonderful to be with them again. We enjoyed a couple hours of visiting with them, being out of the car, the kiddos getting to play with Hannah, and a great lunch. 

Christian friends... nothing beats that!

Christina LOVES tall monuments. This is certainly a tall monument! And it was AWESOME! Walking through the park towards it was one of my favorite parts. It reminded me so much of being in DC, which is one of mine and Christina's favorite places. (Doesn't she have SUCH a cutie patotie smile?!)

My incredible traveling companions!! We walked down to the river, we walked all around the Arch... we even went to Illinois! I would go anywhere with these dear girls and Carter!

They are some of my best friends. Some of the people who help me most in life to stay living for God. Some of the sweetest, craziest, funniest people I know!

Inside the "egg"-- the tiny little car to get up to the top of the Arch. What FUN we had during the 8 minutes we were in there... Singing, laughing, watching out the window, and yes. Screaming. For the fun of it. Not because we were scared. McKenna told me at first that she would not go up into the arch because she would be too scared. Well, she went, she loved it, and she wasn't scared. Get up and try new things. If a 5-year-old can, so can you. She pushes me on every day to be the best I can be, I can promise you that!

My Missouri Sisters! All three of us call Missouri HOME. I loved getting to go the the Arch for the first time while Missouri is MY state. This is a dream-come-true. But the best part about this... is that our "dream come true" is Heaven. And the three of us girls are working towards that together, while we call the same place on earth home as well. THAT is the biggest blessing, the best present, the happiest thought about any friends or family I know. When we are Christians and headed towards HOME!

My sweethearts made my day. This was the farthest I've been away from home with them, just me. And it went really well. We learned a lot that day. We laughed a lot. We cuddled. Hearing Carter's voice while I was driving home saying, "Kara, I just want to cuddle with you." ~Sweeeetness itself.~And thankfully, holding his hand was enough since I couldn't do anything more than that while driving...

My ChrisTina. She is just amazing. It was great to have here her. To remember what I LOOOOVE about her. And a few things I don't-- when it come to tickling! hee hee Notice her nice Arch shirt? I loved everything we did. Going out places, being with friends, we had two nights of a gospel meeting, Bible class, Family Fun Night, a homeschool gtg, road trip, worship, luncheon... we were busy!

And I loved that she was able to be with friends she already knew and meet some more! The people at my congregations are what make this place outstanding!!!

Christina had a fun time takin' cool pictures while we were rockin' out to Celine Dion and Spirit in my car! I laugh so much when I have Christina around. She knows me so well. She gets all our jokes. Sisters forever! 

We mentioned it was deer season... Christina told me to take a picture of her with the deer that Darren got while we were in St. Louis. I told you. This girl makes me smile!! 

I wasn't ready to send her home on Monday... especially because she plays the piano so beautifully and I LOVE hearing it in person and not over the phone... But... I am SO very thankful that she was able to come. We all loved it. We're counting down until she come backs... and anyone else who wants to come, 

BRING IT! =)