Lovin' North Carolina

Sunset and storm clouds on the lake.

Rich and Aaron at Grandfather Mountain.

Richard and I at Grandfather Mountain with the mile high swinging bridge...a little scary to cross, but not to bad.

a view of Short-Off Mountain from the lake

Aaron at the lake.

Andrew, Jonathan(my nephew), Jarrett (my cousin) and Aaron at Mt Mitchell State Park

Andrew with his souvenir from gem mining in the mountains

Richard helping Aaron mining for gems in the mountains.

Our dog, Zoey, cooling her belly after a hike in the mountains to a beautiful waterfall.

my niece Ashton, Andrew, Aaron and Levi climbing to the bottom of the falls.

I know I haven't been on here in a great while, but I'm back. I just wanted to update you all on the goings on of "Me and My Gang." Well, where to start...

My husband is getting ready to go back to Iraq for a 2nd tour with the National Guard. This time it's the Texas Nat'l Guard. I am very proud of him that he serves his country the way he does. Not that I want him to go back, but I am proud that he's a soldier and serves his country in any compacity. To make a long story short, since he's going to Iraq, I opted to return to North Carolina for the year he's gone. I wanted to be surrounded by my loving family that is my support system, not to mention the boys really miss their grandparents.

We left Texas on Aug 2nd and it took us two days to get to North Carolina. My husband will be with us until August 26th when he returns to TX to finish work and start preparing for his tour in Iraq. Since we've been home, we've been having a great time. We've been spending lots of time in the mountains and on the beautiful lake (thankyou Daddy for buying a boat!).

We've Moved!

Yes we finally moved out of the two bedroom apartment into a nice, open, spacious, bright, and roomy house. The boys each have their own bedrooms and we don't feel like we're on top of one another all the time. I kinda miss the apartment, I guess because we lived there for over a year and things were comfortable there. I knew where everything was, there was a place for everthing, and even though it was crowded, it was home. In this house, things are a little more spread out and I still haven't found everything from the move. But I'm not complaining, I'm just saying I wish I knew where everything was. Like the Q-tips! Where in the heck are the q-tips? You'd think I would have packed them with the bathroom stuff, but guess what? They are not with the bathroom stuff. So now I'm wondering if we were out and I threw the box away and forgot, or have I totally lost my mind and put them some place weird like the kitchen. Who knows, I'll find them eventually, I hope. But anywhoo, that's just an example.


And like any move to a new place this one is no different. It has had a few kinks to work out, but so far nothing we can't handle. Not too mention a few surprises....like the cat who was left behind by the previous residents. She's very sweet and the boys have fallen in love with her and named her Snowball because she is solid white. She was very skinny when she first appeared at our door, obviously from being abandoned. So being the cat person I am, I immediately started feeding her. She is putting on weight, but I don't think its because I'm over-feeding. I think she may be pregnant. She has been very good about staying outside, but the last couple of days she's more adamant about coming in the house. I'm assuming she's ready to find a nice nesting place for the babies. Oh dear, What will we do. Richard thinks I should take her to a local shelter, which I kind of agree with. But on the other hand, having kittens would be such a good experience for the kids.

Aaron and Snowball blowing bubbles.

Snowball taking a nap.

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Earlier this week, Andrew celebrated his 10th birthday. In his words, "I'm no longer a kid. I'm a pre-teen." YIKES!!! Richard and I decided that the 10th birthday should be a special day so Richard planned a very special outing for Andrew. Andrew shares his fathers passion for airplanes but has never been able to fly.....until now. Richard went to the local flight school and scheduled an hour flight for Drew's first flight lesson. Needless to say, the kid, I mean pre-teen, was thrilled and had a great time. I didn't go for fear of how Aaron would react to not getting to fly, but Richard took some great pictures.

Here they are with the plane. I'm kinda glad I didn't go up in this little plane. Rich said it was samll enough that the pilot was able to turn it around by hand.

This is the view from Andrew's side of the plane (Richard was in the back seat taking pictures). The pilot actually let Andrew take control of the plane and fly it. He was so excited. He danced around the house all evening singing, "I flew an airplane! I flew an airplane!"

This picture the pilot took of Andrew while they were in the air, as you can tell.





I think this years gift will be hard to top next year. But hopefully he understands that it was a special thing and not the norm. Who knows, maybe Richard will start taking him every year for a flight on his birthday. How cool would that be?

Happy Birthday, Baby, I love you!!!

"It's not my fault"

Conversations with Aaron

Today I wasn't feeling well. I had a headache, woke up grouchy and just didn't feel like dealing with the usual crap that life throws at you. Richard was off and neither of us felt like doing a whole lot so we decided to take the kids to the movies. While I was getting ready Aaron came into the bathroom and said, "I love you, Mommy. You look fabulous." How precious is that? My first thought was "what do you want?" but then I realized he was sincere.

Sometimes its our sweet children that bring the simple joys back into light. I hugged Aaron up and told him "Thanks" for making me feel better.

Just want to Thank God for my wonderful boys...I love you guys!

Play Ball!

Well, we finally finished up basketball and now we're on to baseball. Andrew's basketball team didn't have such a great season. We are hoping that baseball will be better. The assistant coach used to be a professional baseball player in Mexico and seems to really know his stuff. The only problem is he only speaks Spanish. Fortunately, The head coach is there to translate (and we always have Richard on the sidelines during practice translating for Drew). Last weekend he had a double-header. Figures first two games would be back-to-back. Unfortunately, the lost both games, but the second game they only lost by one point. I think they were just warming up during the first game. We'll keep you posted on the rest of the season.

My, My, My

As many of you know, Aaron is quite a character. He's an entertainer and always has something to say and do. Here's just a few things he's been up to lately.

Usually about five minutes after we leave the apartment, he'll say, "Mommy, I miss Zoey. Do you miss her?" He loves this dog but I think she only tolerates him.
What's funnier is the other day he added another thought to the mix. He asked me, "Mommy, Am I hungry or do I miss Zoey?" How do you answer that?
My Sis-n-law over at Buggycrew inspired this one, although Aaron did it all by himself. I didn't give him the camera to see what he would come up with, he woke up first the other morning and found a fun way to entertain himself.
If you're wondering what the photos are, this first one is of the t-shirt he was wearing. It's a Star Wars shirt with Yoda on it.

This one is a close up of his stuffed animals. As you can see one is a tiger, another is a zebra.

Here's my handsome prince. Doesn't he just look like a blast!

I have saved the best for last....MY, MY, MY!!! He was helping me fold clothes. What can I say? I have a picture of his brother doing the exact same thing at about the same age. This was unprompted i might add. We are so proud!

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

I'm working on 100 things about me, but I'm coming up short. So feel free to help me fill in the last oh 40 or so things....please!!!!


1. I hate cold weather. Although I have been missing it just a little this year. Luckily though we've had enough days that were 60 degrees or cooler that i haven't missed it that much. I think I've missed the change of the seasons more than the cooler weather.
2. I love Chocolate. Hot chocolate, melted chocolate, chocolate pie, chocolate cake, do I need to go on. I feel like Bubba from "Forrest Gump". Chocolate fondue, chocolate covered pretzels, dark chocolate, white chocolate...
3. My favorite scripture is the 23rd Psalms. It comforts me no matter what I'm going through, whether good or bad, it applies to life.
4. My favorite musical/vocal performer is Bette Midler. She's the greatest and although I love to watch her perform and love to hear her sing, I don't think I would ever want to meet her. I have this image of her and I want to keep it that way.
5. I was a chorus geek in high school. Enough said. I do miss singing though. which leads to number 6...
6. I would love to be a member of a Praise and Worship band. Performing solo terrifies me, but to be with other people on stage is okay.
7. "Phantom of the Opera" is my favorite musical. But you really have to see it performed live to appreciate it.
8. I always wanted 3 boys. And while I only have 2 sons, I still have 3 boys: Andrew, Aaron, and their dad, Richard.
9. My second and third toes on each foot are webbed, or connected. A friend from high school always called me "webby".
10. You would think that with "webbed" feet I would be an excellent swimmer, but I'm not. Anyway, God made me special and He loves me very much!
11. I love all of God's creatures but my Favorite is the Cat. Any kind of cat, except the hairless. Those I don't care about so much.
12. My favorite sport is basketball and my favorite team is of course, the North Carolina Tarheels!!
13. I love to cook, not so much baking, but cooking I love. I like trying new recipes and experimenting with new flavors. I never really had time to grow this passion of mine. But now that I'm a stay at home mom I have more time to cook for my family.
14. I love scrapbooking, but Lack the place to do it. I've discovered to be really efficient at it and get caught up on all the years I'm behind, one would benefit from leaving the supplies and scrapbooking stuff set up all the time. But I'm limited on space. Maybe someday I'll be blessed with an extra room in the house so that i have the luxury of leaving my stuff out all the time. Then maybe I'll get caught up.
15. My Favorite place to visit and vacation is Key West. Not because it's Jimmy Buffett's favorite place, but because it's so romantic, and laid back. There are truly no worries in Key West.
16. I'm a Parrothead!!! and proud of it. I love Jimmy!!! what else is there to say...except i'm still looking for my lost shaker of salt!
17. I also love the beach. To me, it's probably one of the most spectacular of God's creations. I feel very close to Him when I'm there. I could sit for hours and just marvel at God's creation.
18. I'm not a reader. As a matter of fact, i used to hate to read. To help me with reading assignments such as "The Grapes of Wrath"my mom would read the books aloud while recording them so that all i had to do was to listen while i was in my room or in the car. Thanks again for that, Mom. But the older i get, the more i like to read. I love anything by Nicholas Sparks. I always cry when i read his books.
19. I collect Santa's. Mostly ornaments. On day I hope to have a Christmas tree with nothing but Santa on it. Last time i counted i had over 90 Santa ornaments. Wow!
20. I like to watch movies. Love stories, and thrillers.
21. My favorite color has always been green, but now i like to mix it up and add a little blue and yellow to the mix.
22. I hate having to think of 100 random things about myself.
23. This summer i will have been married for 15 years. 15! can you believe it.
24. My favorite TV show is Criminal Minds, but i watch it in the summer when they're showing it as repeats. MY favorite used to be CSI, but not so much anymore. I also became some what addicted to HBO"s True Blood. Is anyone else out there missing it? I can't wait till this summer to see what happens next.
25. Even though my favorite place to be is the beach or Key West, I do love the mountains, especially the ones in western NC. That is my home, you know. I love the changing of the leaves and the beauty there is to see. If only it didn't get so cold after the leaves change.
26. I love the rain, a warm summer rain. I love to listen to it.
27. I love thunderstorms too. As long as they are in the distance and especially at night. I love to watch the lightning and listen to the thunder as I'm drifting off to sleep.
28.One of my favorite movies is "Devine Secrets of the YA-YA Sisterhood".
29. Another favorite that I watch is Sweet Home Alabama with Reese Witherspoon
30. I also watch and re-watch Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock
31. i love babies. Like puppies, why can't they stay little?
32. Even though I hate cold weather, I love to watch the snow falling.
33. I love warm weather. I would much rather be warm than cold. I hate being cold.
34. i love Italian food. Chicken Parmesan is my favorite.
35. Although Cats are my favorite of God's creatures, i also have a place in my heart for dogs, especially my dog, Zoey.
36. I hate spiders. Hate, hate, hate them. The only good spider is a dead spider.
37. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love decorating and making the house feel really homey.
38. Sprite is my drink of choice. I use to love Mt Dew, but now the caffeine gives me headaches so i stick to Sprite.
39. I am from the south, so i do love sweet tea, too, even though i can't drink it now.
40. I love music. Most any kind except the really hard, alternative stuff, but mostly i listen to contemporary Christian. my fave groups are Casting Crowns and MercyMe.
41. My favorite Disney movie would have to be Beauty and the Beast. I love the Music
42. and my second favorite would be The Little Mermaid
43. I love Disney World. I had to go there 3 times before I ever got my Picture taken with Mickey Mouse.
44. Another favorite theme park of mine would be Busch Gardens in Virginia. I went there a few years ago with my oldest and my nephew and we had a blast.
45. My absolute favorite theme park is Sea World and my favorite thing there is Dolphin Cove where you might get lucky enough to pet a dolphin.
46. Although i live in Texas now, home will always be North Carolina.
47. My favorite Christmas carol is O Holy night.
48. My favorite hymn is How great thou art.
49. Aside from Key West, one of my favorite places to visit is Savannah, GA.
50. I'm finally half way through this silly challenge.
51. another favorite place to visit is Charleston, SC
52. I love pedicures. I've only had one or two (so few i can't remember). They are heavenly.
53. I've also only ever had one full body massage, but it was truly wonderful. I wish i could get one at least once a month.
54. When i was pregnant with Aaron I craved Watermelon and Tomatoes. Weird, huh?
55. Richard and i dated 1 year before we became engaged and were engaged for 7 months before getting married.
56. I have seen both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean although i haven't swam in both
57. I have been to and stayed in not just passed through 17 of the 50 states. want me to list them individually? that would take me to number 74. maybe I should!
58. I'm a procrastinator. As if you couldn't tell by how long it took me to post this 100th post.
59. I love diamonds. what girls doesn't?
60. either the Pearl or the Alexandrite is my birthstone, depends on what list you look at.
61. my favorite stone, besides diamonds, is the emerald
62. I have 3 nieces and 3 nephews
63. I have a cousin who was Ms. Delaware
64. I'm getting desperate.
65. My favorite candy bar is a Butterfinger but any chocolate bar will do
66.

South Texas Weather Report

Just to let those of you who are tired of cold, wintry weather, that is was 99degrees here today in the sunny Rio Grande Valley. YUCK. I like summer-like weather, but to have temperatures that hot in February...Yuck. Can you imagine what summer will be like? Looks like I'm going back to the mountains for summer this year! Just Kidding, although I would love to go to NC for the summer. Anyway, it's supposed to be back to the 80's tomorrow. I guess we'll have to wait and see if weather.com is right.

100th post

After this, I only have 2 more entries to reach my 100th post. I've heard that you are supposed to do something cool for your 100th entry, so i'm looking for some creative ideas. Please help me out. Thanks...

More Cheese, Please!

I told Andrew this story was blog worthy so I guess I should share it.

He is reading a book for school, I'm not even sure what the title is, but in the book the main character was apparently having supper: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli and cheese, and apple salad. So Andrew comes to me and says that sounds good can we have this for supper. "Sure!" I said. I really didn't have anything planned. He likes to help me cook so together we made the meatloaf, peeled and cooked potatoes for mashing, steamed the broccoli, and concocted a cheese sauce out of Borden's American cheese slices and milk (I wasn't sure it would work, but it was actually pretty good). Now, normally when i fix broccoli I only steam it with a little butter so to have cheese was a treat for the boys. Needless to say it was a big hit, I mean what kid doesn't like cheese? They ate all the broccoli we prepared and Andrew even fixed more. The two of them a lot of broccoli that night. Andrew even wanted to take some for lunch the next day but there is no way for him to heat it up to melt the cheese. Anyway, for a mom who is always looking for a way to get her kids to eat more vegetables, you would think I would have thought of cheese sooner. I guess we're never too old to learn.

"Knees to the Earth"

I heard this song this morning and was very uplifted by it so I wanted to share it with all of you. Music has always been an inspirtation for me and I hope it is for you as well. Please scroll on down to the bottom of my blog to the music player, scroll to the bottom of the list of songs click on "knees to the earth" if its not already playing, close your eyes and be lifted. Enjoy. Here are the lyrics:

Wonderful Savior

My heart belongs to Thee

I will remember always the blood You shed for me

Wonderful Savior

My heart will know Your worth

So I will embrace You always as I walk this earth

Chorus:

Be blessed, be loved, be lifted high

Be treasured here

Be glorified

I owe my life to You my Lord

Here I am....

Beautiful Jesus

How may I bless Your heart?

Knees to the earth

I bow down to everything You are

Beautiful Jesus

You are my only worth

So let me embrace You always

as I walk this earth

Chorus

Rhuematoid Arthritis Update

I had a routine follow-up appointment today and my RA is still in remission! Yeah!! God is so good! Just wanted to let everyone know...

Yeah!!! WE WON!!!

WOOHOOO!!!!! You should've seen it. The Bulls were on fire tonight! The Celtics, not so much. The little fellas just played their hearts out and it payed off. Andrew even drew a foul and had to make foul shots. He's tried so hard to avoid getting fouled because he's not that great at the free-throws, however, he went to the line, planted his feet and tried his hardest. He stilled missed both shots but he was very close to making them. I think it helped his ego a little that he came as close as he did, not to mention what the win did for the entire team. Thanks again for saying prayers for them.

Happy Valentine's Day

He loves me...he loves me not...HE LOVES ME!!!

I hope everyone had a great and happy Valentine's day. It's been pretty uneventful in the way of romantic things (we've been busy with basketball and Richard had to work today), but my husband did get me an awesome display of flowers. My two favorite flowers are white Roses and Rubrim or Day Lilies and that exactly what the arrangement is made up of! Those are the two flowers that made up my wedding bouquet, unbeknownst to him. Of course he said he had planned it, but I think he's lying. Now let me tell you a little about this wonderful arrangement. It is the tallest one I've ever received. It stands 36 inches from bottom to top of the tallest rose. The vase itself is 16 inches tall. WOW! It is beautiful. Nonetheless, I was very excited to wake up to such a wonderful and thoughtful gift. He does love me and I do love him.

The boys received Valentine's from a number of people, including their grandparents. Mamo (Richard's Mom) included a red ballon in each card. I was happy to blow them up and tie them off for each kid and then Andrew started decorateing his. Well, you know what ever big brother does, little brother has to do as well. So, Andrew and I both helped Aaron decorate his balloon. They have been playing with them all day. Who would've known a little red balloon could make two little boys so very happy. Thank you, Mamo!

...and the Suns win it in Overtime!

Yep, yep, yep. The Suns beat the Bulls in Overtime. Wow, what a game!!! With the tension of the game and the cheering coming from the crowd, one would have thought we were at the Dean Dome in an overtime game between the Tarheels and the Blue Devils (that's University of NC and Duke University. BTW, did anyone happen to see the Tarheels BEAT the Blue Devils last night? I DID!!! Thank God for ESPN!)! The score was in double digits...10 to 10 and the game clocked ended sending us into overtime! The Bulls played theire little hearts out and tried every chance they had to make the basket, but it all came down to a lucky shot for the Suns. The crowd went wild, for the other team, that is. The Bulls sideline sat down with an, "AWWWW." The final score...10 to 12. I just wanted to thank everyone for saying a little prayer for our Bulls. They are really starting to come together as a team and it's starting to show. Keep your fingers crossed that next Tuesday's game will be the winning game for them.

Bulls VS. Spurs

I know there are at least some grandparents out there that want to see Andrew play basketball. This is the game he had on 2/10 against the Spurs. His team is the Bulls!!! He's number 6, and of course one of the only anglo kids on the team. We haven't won a game yet, but it's not about winning at this point. The kids are still learning the basic foundations for the game. However, it would boost them greatly to win at least one game so please say a little prayer that tomorrow's game will go well. The game tomorrow is at 8:00 central time. In the meantime, enjoy the video clips of the Bulls and the Spurs in action.

Be Encouraged

I've been trying to bring you words of encouragement from Women of Faith, but today I found encouragement in the music Ministers corner of the church bulletin. Here's what he had to say:

Have you ever wondered why we "enter His gates with thanksgiving" when we come together to worship? Probably not, but it's an interesting question. Why start with thanksgiving? Why not start with praise (affirming the characteristics of God), or with confession, or petition? Why thanksgiving? I believe it's because God meets us where we are. To begin worship with praise would assume we all come into worship with an awareness of God's presence, His characteristics, etc. But the truth is, many times we're running on fumes, not particularly tuned to God's channel. Thanksgiving is "earthy". It is God meeting us where we are. It generally centers around physical provision... the ways God cares for us in this world. To me, it's like God is saying, "So, you're not aware of Me in your life right now? Your eyes are on the bills, food, shelter, the kids, your to-do lists? That's okay. We'll start there. See me in the midst of your physical needs. See that I am with you through it all." God meets us where we are in thanksgiving and as we become aware of Him, we move naturally into praise, confession, petition, and true adoration. As you come into worship..., look at your life and see God there...and thank Him.

~Pastor Mark Richardson

I hope you are encoraged by this as I was. I pray that each of you have a blessed week.

The One-Socked Bandit Strikes Again

For some unknown reason, Aaron likes to wear one sock, and one sock only. I haven't quite figured out why yet, but he is usually running around the house with no pants (underwear and t-shirt a must) and one sock. Why one sock? To his long list of nicknames, we've added "The One-socked Bandit!" Sounds scary and quite fierce, huh? He is harmless, you know. Well, until he strikes again, TA-TA for now!

My How Time Flies

I keep meaning to get on here and post something, but time just seems to get away from me. This new year has brought many new things for me to try to juggle, but more importantly, balance between Richard's ever changing schedule and the kids.
Last week was the first week of the new Beth Moore Bible study on "Esther: It's tough being a woman"(Ain't that the truth) that I started. Plus, I was asked to be a small group leader at MOPS this semester,plus basketball started for Andrew (more on that later) so practices are on Wednesday evenings and games are on Tuesday's and Thursday's, and Richard and I signed up to take Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University study at church. Needless, to say Wednesday's are gonna be very busy for me and we didn't make it to Financial Peace U tonight due to basketball practice and homework. Whew! I'm tired! I feel like God wanted me to be busy so I'll thank Him for all of it and trust that he'll get me through. I really don't know how some of you moms do it with more than 2 kids, but just know that you are an encouragement to me!

Be Encouraged by

Real Friendship

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

Friendship is a wonderful thing. I cannot imagine a day going by without talking with my friends...Ralph Waldo Emerson asserted that there are two cornerstones to friendship. One is truth, the other is tenderness. I agree. To love someone, we must know they are truthful with us. Love is built on respect and respect on trust. Truth and tenderness must go hand in hand because if they try to stand alone, one will be too hard and the other too soft.

I would add a third element that is essential to friendship-freedom. We can love others tenderly, be completely truthful with them, but unwittingly want them as our own. We find ourselves hurt if they do things with other people and we're not included. If we don't encourage them too be free (even of us), there is no real friendship. When we hold on to anything too tightly, it dies.

Luci Swindoll, I married Adventure

I'm From Nebo, North Carolina

How many of you out there have heard of or discovered FACEBOOK? Well, I have and it's allowed me to re-connect with friends from elementary all the way through high school. One of my friends had this posted on his FACEBOOK page and I just had to share it with you. Now, how many of you know there is a Nebo, NC? Doesn't everyone know there's a Nebo, NC? Apparently not. Watch the first video in the video bar to the right of the screen. The first part of the video is the host, Zach, doing stand-up or something from a public bus. You can skip that part, or just let it play so you don't miss the interview with Danny De Vito. It starts immediately after the bus part of the clip. This is really just too funny. LOL. After the Danny De Vito interview you can close it and stop watching. Enjoy!!!

Oh yeah, just in case you can't get the video to work, here's a link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOiqG-dQVnE

Be Encouraged by the 23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd = that's Relationship!
I shall not want. = that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. = that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside still waters. = that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul. = that's Healing!
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness = that's Guidance!
For His name sake. = that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = that's Testing!
I will fear no evil = That's protection!
For Thou art with me. = that's faithfulness!
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. = that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. = that's Hope!
Thou anointest my head with oil. = that's Consecration!
My cup runneth over. = that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = that's Security!
Forever. = that's Eternity!

Around the House

Yesterday was not a good day for Aaron. First, he was very hard to get out of bed, then he cried when I told him he had to go to school. He said, and I quote, "I want to play with friends that don't speak Spanish." LOL! Kids are so honest, aren't they. SoI felt bad for him and let him stay home. Then, Richard and I drug him all over McAllen why we ran some errands, then we went home and started some chores. While I was cooking, he went to his room to watch cartoons. I went to get him for supper and he was sound asleep. It was only 6:30. YIKES! I decided to just let him sleep and see how it went. I was afraid he'd never go back to bed on time if I woke him up then. Around 10:30 he woke up and asked for something to drink and went back to bed and didn't get up again until 7:00 this morning. Poor Baby was tard (tired for those of you not familiar with the southern version of it).

Then there's Petey. My very stealthy, Pro-athletic, hunting, descendant of a lion who thinks he's hiding. I never said he was smart.

And last, but not least, there's sweet, precious, should've-been-a-moma-dog, Zoey, who loves her stuffed chipmunk that she got for Christmas. She carries it everywhere, from room to room. She really is very gentle. She even grooms the silly animal much like a moma-dog would do to puppies. not so much the licking, but the nipping at fleas motion.

So that's all for now. Have a blessed day.

Be Encouraged

On of my favorite songs growing up was "Consider the Lilies". I used to sing it in church with the preachers daughter, Kim. I never really listened to the words until a few years ago when Richard and I were taking the Crown Financial Bible Study. We learned that not only will God provide for your every need, but as long as you have the faith that he will, you shouldn't worry about whether or not he will. But worry applies to more than just your financial situation. For me worry encompasses so much more. Matthew 6:25-34 Tells us not to worry, so don't. I know, easier said than done. Trust me, I'm living proof, I'm a worrier. But this is something I am having to learn to do less of. So be encouraged by God's word, and don't worry, Be Happy.


Matthew 6:25-34
Do Not Worry

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Austin City Limits

Austin is BEAUTIFUL! It has rolling hills and TREES!!!!! I miss trees. Well, trees that are taller than my car. Anyhoo, We had a great weekend. I ended up not going to the breifings with Richard because there were none for me, but that's okay. Igot a little much needed down time for me! I hung out in the hotel room, which was downtown and about two blocks from the Capitol building, and then did some sight-seeing.

Here's the hotel we stayed in, The Sheraton, very NICE, compliments of the TX Army National Guard.

Here's the view from our room. We were on the 10th floor and couldn't get a good picture until I went for a walk. Apparently Austin has done a River-Walk thing down town kinda like San Antonio and although I never saw anything about it, I think this was part of it.

This is an old church I saw while walking to the Capital building. I 'm fascinated how old buildings and churches like this are right in the middle of a modern city. They look so out of place, but I think it adds to the beauty of the structure itself. I really love old churches anyway, especially ones with architecture like this one.

This is inside the Capitol building. When you look up into the dome, you'll see this spiral staircase. I was intrigued by it. I was way up at the top way above where the public can go. How cool is it though?

This is what you see when you look straight up into the dome. I had to zoom in on a zoomed in picture to see the letters around the star. Very cool and breath-taking.

This is the floor in the middle of the building. You obviously have to go up a few floors to get a picture. If you stand on the star in the middle and look up you'll be looking at the interior of the dome. The entire building was awesome. Richard and I were just taken aback by the architecture and the thought of the history that has happened there. The staircases were massive and the windows were huge. You just really have to see it with your own eyes to appreciate it.

Before Richard and I went to the Capitol building, I went to the visitors center while i was walking to get information of tours and things. Even the Visitors Center was a historical building. It was 30 years older than the capitol. I didn't get a picture of it, unfortunately. This is the view of the capitol from the visitors center.

What an awesome weekend getaway. I wish we had a little more time to see more of the city. maybe next time.

Aaron's First Day of School

Can you believe it? Aaron finally started pre-school today. Yeah! He was so excited he didn't even want to eat breakfast this morning. He's not much of a breakfast eater anyway. But he had a great day . He went right in and sat on the carpet with the other kids and never looked backed. Literally. I tried to tell him goodbye 3 or 4 times and finally his teacher, Ms. Martinez, called on him to tell me goodbye. I thought I would cry, but I didn't. He was so cute this morning getting ready. He brushed his teeth and I combed his hair, then he was ready for his new Bakugan backpack (It was the only one that was his size that didn't have wheels on it. Wheels are not alound for the smaller kids). When I picked him up,Ms. Martinez said he did really well and had a great day. When I asked him what all he did today his reply was, "Spanish." I asked if he learned any spanish words and he just said, "Just spanish." I do believe he'll be speaking a second language before the summer gets here. At dinner he wanted to know how to say Mommy in spanish so I told him "momasita!" so apparently that's what he's thinking of calling me now. we'll see about that!

Road Trip!!!!

Yeah!!! Richard and I are going on a road trip! He's got drill with the National Guard this weekend, but instead of going to a regular drill, he's been invited to attend a conference type event in Austin , TX for potential OCS (Officer Candidate School). I'm so very proud of him. The great thing is, I was invited to go as well. Apparently they are suppposed to have briefings for the spouses as well. So after scrambling to find babysitters, which is a challenge in itself since I only have as many friends here as I do fingers on one hand, we're going on a road trip to Austin. I hear it's a beautiful city so I hope to bring back lots of pictures and stuff to talk about. Wish us safe travel and I'll see ya later...

Be Encouraged by

Falling Forward

"The Lord upholds all who are falling."Psalm 145:14 nrsv

When I was a little girl, my father was just about the best daddy any daughter could have. (Still is.) He gave me a great picture of the heart of God by always coming the moment I called (or at least that's how I remember it). Therefore, I had a deep trust that my daddy always had my best interest at heart. One day, however, he tested this trust. I was up on a low roof and my dad was on the ground when he asked me to jump into his arms. I stood with my toes at the edge of the roof and could feel myself swaying. I was terrified. Then Daddy said, "Sandi, you're gonna fall either way. If you fall backwards, I can't help you. But if you fall forward, I'm going to be able to catch you."
That is exactly the picture I want you to hold in your mind if you are struggling in any area of your life. If you are wounded by circumstance or the betrayal of others, if you are in despair about your marriage or your children or your future, if you are being swayed by temptation, you probably feel like you are falling. Go ahead and fall, but fall into the arms of the one who can save you.

Sandi Patty
Falling Forward
Excerpted from A Grand New Day: A Full Year of Daily Inspiration and Encouragement © 2008 Women of Faith, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scrapbooking Tradgedy Recovery

I guess working on Andrew's project helped get me back in the scrapbooking mood. Yesterday I dusted off the supplies and put pictures down on 34 pages in Richards army/Iraq album. Notice I only said put pictures down. I really can't journal with out him and he didn't want frilly pages. So the pages are, as I have been calling them, "naked", but at least the picts are down and out of the way. now all I have to do is get him to journal with me and put page protectors on, crop the welcome home stuff and i'll be done with project #1. I need to start a list of all the scrapbooking projects I need to start and finish so that I will stay on track. I'm so excited that I'm almost done with Richard's album. I think he is too.

Scrapbooking Tradgedy

You know when you take out your scrapbooking supplies and find them covered in cobwebs and dust that it's been waaaayyy tooooooo looonnggg since you scrabooked! That's what I found today. I brought out my stuff to help Andrew with a scrapbooking school project and realized I need to bring it out more often. I think that's what I'll make my resolution to be this year...to finish some scrapbook projects. "This shall be written for generations to come." Psalms 102:18. I borrowed that from my Creative Memories consultant's page. I love that there is even scripture to support our scrapbooking addictions. Isn't God good? Happy scrapping!!!!

Happy New Year

I hope every one had great New Year celebrations, safe and happy. We had a quiet evening at home watching the ball drop in New York at midnight which was only 11:00PM here. Kinda takes the joy out of watching the ball drop when it doesn't mean the new year for you, huh? Anyhoo, today we went to South Padre Island and spent the afternoon on the beach. What a great way to bring in the new year, reflecting on the year just past and looking ahead to the year at hand. What will the new year bring? We'll have to wait and see.