Spring Break

This was taken at my parents in central Texas for spring break. Let's see, it took....10 minutes to get on the Gator once we arrived. Drew loves anything that is John Deere. He is a walking advertisement. Drew and Frofee (previously named Sofie, but now renamed by Drew) ride with Pops to check the Beefmaster cows, "Meefmasters" as Drew calls them.

Kade licking the brownie bowl at Mom's. When Kade was sick he lost down a few pounds...well he found them at Mom and Dad's.

Easter Picture- I promise they were happy! Picture taking with two boys...not fun!
This is Ronnie's pedal tractor from the 70's. He remodeled it a few years back for Drew. The boys love to watch the wheels turn...can you see an Engineering Degree from Texas A&M in their future? Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2027 and 2029...Whoop!
The famous Gator...worth it's weight in gold. Uncle Chad, Nana, and Pops bought this for the boys for Christmas. Drew puts it in high gear and I have to jog behind them to keep up...it's a great work out.
Drew feeding the goats, donkey, and miniature horse next door...He loads up hay in the back of the Gator and takes it to them every day. The animals start running as soon as they see him. His favorite is the horse...he wants to ride that horse so bad!
Kade goes and sits in the wagon when he is ready for Drew to take him for a ride...it is so stinkin' cute!
Kaders loves his thumb just likes his big bro. Do you think the boys will be mad at me one day when they see the high airplane socks I made them wear?
Kade, Drew, and Gracie at Mom's in Paige. Mom and Dad kept the boys for two days while Ronnie and I enjoyed some peace and quiet in Aggieland. Ronnie had a workshop on Tuesday, so I sacrificed for the team and went shopping. It is hard work but someone has to do it!

The dirt pile Mom had hauled down to the yard for the boys. They loved it!
Dad taking the boys and the dog for a Gator ride to check the cows. I am so proud of my dad. He was hurt in an electrical accident at work in 1979. He lost his arm and leg and it didn't keep him from being Super Pops to my boys this weekend. Nothing makes me, as a parent, love anyone more than for them to love my boys. My day does. He fed them, took them outside, rocked Kade, etc.!!! Love you Dad!
Kade loved on my Mom's dog Gracie all weekend...he even said her name. He would just go up to her, grab her face, and kiss her. What a sweet pair!


Check it out...I started a new Bible Study by Vicki Courtney called, "Get a Life". It is about debunking six myths to Christianity. The first scripture we looked up was Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." This scripture inspired me to take a deep breath and think..."God created me, Dawn, to be HIS masterpiece...to do the good things He planned before I was in my mother's womb." It just convicted me once again that as a woman I need to quit comparing myself to other women and just love myself for who/what I am. I am so grateful that my God is like Beth Moore said, "knowable." He is my joygiver!

Please pray for me as I am giving my Fourth Day talk in O'Donnell April 15th...

Funny things Drew is saying now,

1. "Mama, I got a mission...I am a Baby Einstein."
2. "Mama I got an idea!"(He then proceeded to use his tractor as a stepping stool to turn the light down.)
3. "Mama, where is Daddy?" I respond, "Well, Drew, Daddy is at work making money." Drew says, "He making money so we can buy (chicken) nuggets and gum...gum, I love it."
4. "Ah, Kade, I love you."
5. "Mama, where is Haydn (a friend of ours)...is he at home sleeping with the snake?"

If I Die Before You Wake - Sung by OUR Troops

If you ever take the time to look at videos, I implore you to take the time to honor our soldiers and watch this video. I am so overcome with pride for our women and men in the armed forces that I just cried when I saw this. To all our troops overseas and their families back at home in the states - My family and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

ABC's of Me

A-Attached or Single? Attached…Married almost 5 years, 10 months
B-Best Friend(s): Ronnie, my mom, Charla, Niki (long time friend from back home), Nicole (Friend from Waller, Texas), Sunny (friend from Seminole) and my girls in Levelland. I am so blessed with these godly women in my life: Holly, Amanda, Aimee, Stephanie, Brandy, Haylee, Shannon
C-Cake or Pie: CAKE…my favorite is any type of chocolate cake...it has to be super moist...I am not a big fan of icing though!
D-Drink of Choice: Water and diet cherry limeades
E-Essential Item: My Bible...I have to have it every day. My contacts...can't see the hand in front of my face without them and a good firm bed and fluffy pillow!
F-Favorite Color(s): Reds and Brown
G-Gummi Bears or Worms? BEARS…the worms freak me out!
H-Hometown: Paige, Texas - Population 80! I went to school in Giddings, 15 miles from Paige!
I-Indulgence: Fresh from the oven, hot, soft, sugar cookies...
K-Kids: Drew- 3 1/2 and Kade - 14 months
L-Life is incomplete without: A personal relationship with God, a good marriage, my babies, and good girl friends
M-Marriage Date: May 18, 2002
N-Number of Siblings: 1 younger brother, Chad (25)
O-Oranges or Apples? Apples- Pink Lady
P-Phobias/Fears: Big Spiders really make my skin crawl, dark wholes I can't see in (like the drain and garbage disposal) and snakes.
Q-Favorite Quote: “For every minute you are upset you lose sixty seconds of happiness." Author Unknown
R-Reasons to smile: My Salvation, great husband, security, our country, family, health, wonderful friends in Levelland, and Aggie football season is only 5 months away...Whoop!
S-Season: The Summer time because I love being outside and getting sun, tending to my flowers, walking/playing with the boys. Plus this summer I am hoping to have my 10 year reunion, go to a wedding in Houston, go to Lake Whitney for our family reunion, and take the boys to Sea World- talk about reasons to smile and get in shape!
T-Tattoo’s?: No- if I did get one, which I probably won't because I would rather spend money on clothes, would be a tatoo on my toe...like a permanent toe ring!
U-Unknown Facts About Me: I love to receive parcels in the mail...my mom is always sending us something. I have to have sleep (at least 8 hours if not 9)...Ronnie says a happy Dawn is a rested Dawn. I am the VBS director this year for the 3, 4, and 5 year-olds and I am thinking I might have bitten off more than I can chew. I love to play 42, Texas Hold-Em, and other games. I love to camp. Ronnie and I haven't been since we've had the boys but I love to get outside, pitch a tent, fish, make some burgers and get away from it all.
V –Vegetable you love: I love vegtables...I crave them and I wish I knew how to prepare/cook them in different ways. I think my favorites are cabbage, brocolli, carrots, water chesnuts, cucumber...
W-Worst Habit: Picking at my fingernails and not thinking before I speak
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds? Ultrasounds... when I was pregnant. I will never forget seeing the little arms and legs inside of me.
Y-Your Favorite Foods: Chinese and Mexican
Z- Zodiac - Taures

Proud of our Troops

Isn't it funny how our liberal media never releases pictures like this...John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed.The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.He is a real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do.

I am proud of our troops, and the success they have had with the Surge. I urge all of my readers to investigate the facts behind each one of the candidates running in the primaries March 4th.

Five Things

I was tagged by my friend Stephanie...
Five things you might not know about me!
1. I was in a terrible wreck when I was 18. It was one of those Ford Explorer/Firestone wrecks. I was airlifted to Austin where I was treated for lacerations on my head. I lost a bunch of hair, but praise God, I am no worse for the wear!
2. My dream job would be for me to become a Children's Minister at a church. My degree is in business, but I got my alternative certification to teach early childhood through fourth grade after I graduated from Texas A&M. Yes I am an Aggie, class of 2002 - Whoop! I taught for 4 years combined and loved it. I don't know what God has planned for me when I go back to work in a few years?????We'll wait and see!
3. I grew up showing pigs, heifers, and steers. My first steer ended up being my last steer because I hated letting him go. I loved showing heifers. My parents took us all over Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana to shows. The friends I made showing will always have a special place in my heart. Showing helped me so much in life: it taught me to be responsible, it helped me realized there was life outside the small town I grew-up in, and I spent all my free time with my family. I can't wait to share the same with Drew and Kade.
4. My brother Chad works in Houston, Texas, for Ryan Company. He is a tax consultant for major grocery stores and a few dirt company's. He is turning 25 in June and is currently single. Please send applications by email...ha ha!!! The people he works with are all young and single so they travel all over. I am so proud of him because he is such an incredibly hard worker. I am praying daily for my future sister-in-law...I think when the right girl comes along Chad has the potential to be a wonderful husband. I miss him so much!
5. Ronnie and I are huge budgeters. My husband is a loan manager so he does a wonderful job keeping us on track for the future. We are saving for our next move. God willing we will move in the next five years closer to home and be able to buy land, cattle, and build a house. Every time I think I want to buy some new furniture or an expensive decoration for the house, I think of the house I want for my boys. I want to build a house that the boys will be able to enjoy and use to entertain their friends. Having a houseful of boys can be daunting, but if they are with me I will always know where they are and what they are doing.

One extra - Ronnie's family has land in the Panhandle near Wellington, Texas. Ronnie's granddad's mother was a Goodnight before she became a Cummings. Goodnight, yea....like the Goodnight-Loving Trail. How cool!

Did you see this?

Bobbie Cutts, Jr. was given 57 years this week for murdering his girlfriend, Jessie Davis, and unborn daughter. At his sentencing trial the victim's family was allowed to speak. The testimonies were heart wrenching. I ached for the sisters who spoke about Jessie's son, Blake, wondering where his mommy was. The victims were angry and struggling with unforgiveness. Then Jessie's mom got up to speak. She told Cutts she knew her daughter was with the Lord. She told him she served a big God...one who heals and restores. Not wanting to let her life be filled with anger/hatred and because she desired to raise Blake to love his daddy, Jessie's mother said she forgave Bobbie. She said she prayed he would come to know the Lord and then she dropped a bomb shell. She actually asked the judge for leniency.
I just started crying when I heard her words. Talk about sharing the Gospel. I thought of the song, "This Little Light of Mine...I am gonna let it shine...won't let Satan blow it out...I am going to let it shine." On national TV, Jessie's mother was a shining light of God's love for the whole world. The whole world!!! Romans 8:28 says God can make all things for good for those who love Him. Even though Jessie is with our heavenly father...I just wonder how many people came to know Jesus because her mother was willing to let Jesus shine through her?

Question to you: Could you have forgiven Bobbie Cutts?