Pigs and Cows and Rabbits, Oh MY!

(above: Drew and Kade watching the pig show)

On Friday we went to the Lee County Livestock Show in Giddings, Texas (my hometown). My brother, Chad, and I showed pigs, steers, & Beefmaster heifers from 3rd grade until we graduated. I loved showing (mainly I loved the socializing - Ha!), but I am so thankful for the life lessons I learned in 4-H: responsibility, humility, leadership, AND 4-H and Go Texan paid for all four years I was at A&M.

Only four more years until Drew can show...Yea!

The great thing about showing pigs is you are ready to get rid of them come show time. The smell and early morning feedings make that separation really easy..no love lost =)
Drew loved the rabbits...he kept singing, "Here comes Peter Cotton Tail hoppin' down the bunny trail. Hippity, hoppity Easter's on its way..."

Nana Jo (my grandmother) found something to entertain Kade...a ring pop! It was great to see Nana Jo and PawPaw Bill (behind Kade). My PawPaw was extremely ill about a month ago, but God is good, and I think he is feeling better now than he has in 6 months.

The whole crew - Drew, Mom, Kade, Nana Jo, PawPaw Bill, Dad and Chad (my brother in the green shirt)

Drew found a friendly Brahman heifer named Phoebe. She was lovin' all over him!

On Wednesday we went to my friend Nicole's house in Waller. Nicole and I became very close friends my first year teaching in Prairie View (close to Houston). I taught first grade and she taught second grade. Nicole is one of those friends that no matter how long you go between visits or phone calls, you will always be best friends. I know God placed her in my life for a reason. She was a true friend, mentor, shoulder to cry on when I was going through the roughest time in my life. It was so good to see her!

Drew and Katie Lynn. Drew is only 5 months older than Katie Lynn (are arranged marriages legal in the US? Ha!)

Dean and Kade...Dean is only 4 months older than Kade. I think I finally found someone who loves John Deere as much as Drew - that Dean is a cutie and loves tractors!

Playing in the dirt !
Nicole and Darren farm in Hockley county...Her home is BEAUTIFUL, and she is working on a rag quilt for Katie Lynn's fourth B-day (oh, yea did I mention she is super mom=)...when she posts pictures of it on her blog - I will let you know!

The kids were jumpin' the hay bales...I don't think they would've had more fun if they'd been at the zoo! Kade and Dean weren't as big on the jumpin' from hay bale to hay bale as Katie Lynn and Drew.

Ridin' in Nicole's gator!

Dean and Katie Lynn were showin' Drew their garden!

Plenty of Pictures from Paige

We went to Nana and Pop's house this past week. The drive down there was AMAZING. Not one single cry, fight, scream, aggravated grunt, the entire 8 1/2 hours. The boys were perfectly content eating Funyons and watching movies. I listened to two of Karen Kingsbury's books from the Redemption Series. I HIGHLY recommend them! I actually felt refreshed when I got there...like I had spent the entire day reading. Never underestimate the power of prayer!Mom and Dad have about 95 acres in Paige, Texas, where they raise Beefmasters. Paige is on Hwy 290 between Austin and Brenham. They built this house in 2002 and added a "game room"(behind the car port) a few years later! They have been in a three year drought, but finally got some rain a few weeks past.

The boys where fishing in mom and dad's water trough. They keep goldfish in there to fight back the algae.

I love the following pictures...my new camera has a special setting!
He said he was, "Concentrating!"

Drew talking to my mom: "Nana I need me a hook."

Mom: "A hook?"

Drew: "Yea, I need me a hook, and I need a worm to put on my hook so I can catch some fish."

Sofie (the black dog) was a big hit this visit. She is only 2 years old, but she has finally learned how to play without going "over board" with the boys. They played catch, wrestled, raced, etc. Kade would grab her back from behind and just drag her to the ground. Sofie got plenty of hugs and plenty of attention while the boys were visiting.

Drew and Kade helped Nana and Pops feed every night. They put out hay two days in a row. The first thirty minutes we were there they had already taken a gator ride, rode the big tractor, put out two bales of hay, fed the cows, and raced Sofie in the gator. We had a great visit - I will post more pictures from the week in Paige later this week.

Kader Tater

Kade's two favorite shirts (above and below). He goes in his closet, grabs the shirt HE wants, and brings it to me to dress him.

I took these pics with my new camera. I am still trying to get the hang of all the "new" gadgets. Kade and Drew are sick in these pictures.

I selected the "vivid green" button on my camera for this pic...does the dump truck look "vibrant" to you?

Kade loving on Daddy when his temp was high all week. The boys had some type of "parot flu" (sp?). We took them to to doctor on Wednesday because they weren't getting better. Kade got steriods; Ronnie and I picked up the cold bug. We were sick until yesterday. Yuck!Kade had an "owie" on his head. He wouldn't quit asking me for a band-aid.

(don't worry - once I got it wet it came off easy!)

Kade's new words:

-Aggie

- Sorry

-help me guys

-Daddy's hat

-Come on guys

-"I like God" (a song on CD)

-candy 'nandy'

-owie

-hot

-Daddy home

The kid is cracking me up...he wants to wear his "day" clothes all the time - no more pajamas. It is like he wants to be ready to go "bye-bye" at any given moment. I had to finally say, "NO!" to wearing his shoes to sleep. (Ha!) He wants to wear his wranglers and some type of hat (usually the football helmet backwards) and he has to have something (usually my phone) in his pocket.

Happiness Is...

I have been wanting to write this post ever since I read Erin's blog a few weeks ago.

To me happiness is...
*Watching Drew and Kade love on each other
*having a clean house
*sitting down with a good book
*a long (uninterrupted shower)
*fresh sheets
*a beautiful West Texas day
*getting something in the mail - I love parcels =)
*a West Texas sunset
*getting my hair done
*buying something new
*Kettle pancakes
*watching our savings account grow
*visiting Aggieland
*going dancing
*going out to eat/shopping with my girlfriends
*being part of authentic worship
*the smell of Johnson's baby lotion
*planning vacations
*seeing Ronnie in a cowboy hat and starched wranglers =)
*cooking out
*Mexican food
*receiving a new revelation from God's Word
*snoozing
*getting out on the lake
*hearing the rain fall
*a good hair day
*long naps on Sundays
*a new episode of the Biggest Loser, Criminal Minds, or Friday Night Lights
*getting pumped about a new idea
*long talks with Ronnie about our dreams (especially moving to the country)
*hugs from the boys
*the smell of a breakfast cooking (not in my kitchen)
*kisses from Ronnie
*listening to the boys laugh and sing
*taking long walks


I have been thinking a lot about happiness lately. In fact the last two verses I have memorized with the LPM Siestas have everything to do with that deep down, ain't nothing shakin' me happiness born-again Christians call - joy.

Happiness comes from our feelings - BUT because we live in a fallen world sometimes our feelings (our lying hearts - Jer 17:9) tell us, "Life STINKS!" I will be honest with you there are days (not as many as I had before I was saved) where I don't feel happy. The dishes seem to never end, toys are all over the house, the kids are fighting, and all I keep thinking is, "I wish there were six more hours in the day!"

BUT - JOY is the peace and the satisfaction that comes from a quieted mind, heart and spirit. Joy comes only from God. He ALONE is our rock, our refuge, our fortress where we will not be shaken. Storms can come, recessions can hit, sickness can knock at our door, BUT JOY IN THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH. Joy is God's ticket to us to get off of the roller coaster of life's emotions. Joy is God's pass to not be a slave to our circumstances anymore! Joy is freedom!

Ephesians 3:17-19 “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

The word "filled" in the last part of that verse in Greek is pleroo (play-ro'-o) which means to fill to the top, to fill to the brim so that nothing shall left wanting.

Can you imagine being so full of God's love that you don't want for anything? True satisfaction, joy, and happiness- the kind that lasts.

It comes only from letting Christ make HIS home in our heart. Revelation 3:20 says He knocks and waits for us to open the door so He can come in. He waits...He is a gentleman; He will never barge in. He loves us too much to take away our freedom to choose. But He wants to come in - not just on Sundays, but Monday-Saturday. He wants to give us life and life abundantly, but we must first open the door and let Him in.

Psalm 16:11 says, "You have made known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence; with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

God promises to fill us with joy if we seek Him. He promises to fill us with so much joy that nothing is left wanting. I know this promise - I got to test it out two weeks ago when I felt myself sliding into a deep pit- a slimy pit full of mud and mire. I was depressed, I felt frumpy, for every one thing I did, the boys undid three, I was exhausted, and even Ronnie breathing in and out seemed to get on my nerves =(

So I had to make a choice!

Stay in the pit or choose to call on God and meditate on His Truth.

I called on His name, I cried out to Him as I walked with the boys in the field behind our house, and He heard me. I took my ticket and hopped off that roller coaster.

The boys were sick Sunday through Friday and then Ronnie and I came down with a cold Friday and ran fever all weekend. Despite being stuck in the house, having cabin fever, listening to crying babies, and canceling Spring Break plans I have just been "bee-boppin" around all weekend full of joy- so full I feel like I am going to explode. God's promises are for real. They are for real and they are for real people like me and you- we just have to open the door and invite Him in!

To me joy is....
Your turn!

My Handsome Boy

Drew sang in the "Tiny Tunes" Choir Sunday night at church. He definitely made an impression with his deep voice and West Texas accent.
Ten Random Thoughts on a Sunday night:

1. I pray Kade's fever will go down (currently we are sitting at 102.5) and the "Croup" will go away. We went to the ER last night...they said it's viral. If he isn't better by morning, we will be going to see Dr. G in Lubbock.

2. I loved getting to catch-up with Lala and Sich (Ronnie's brother and Sister-in-law) this weekend. We cooked burgers, ate oven fries, and watched The Man From Snowy River. After their visit I felt more relaxed and refreshed than when they arrived. How is that?

3. Can't wait to go see Mom and Dad on Friday. The boys are going to LOVE the Austin Livestock Show and Rodeo. Nana promised to take Drew bowling (a.k.a "bawling) with a green ball-his favorite color. Wanting to drive 10 hours in the car with the boys by myself isn't crazy. Is it? =)

4. Ronnie bought me a new camera for my birthday, anniversary, and Mother's Day (all fall in the same week in May). I decided on a a Canon Powershot - 20 optical zoom 10.3 mega pixels. It is suppose to be in before I leave to go to mom's...I CAN'T WAIT!!!

5. I have an amazing hubby. He helped me clean the house twice in three days.

6. Where am I going to plant all of the watermelon, cucumbers, tomato, and pepper plants that are sprouting in our foyer?

7. Our Church is starting an archaeological study on the Holy Lands on Sunday nights...I think it will be cool.

8. Do you know anyone who can make the word "milk" into a four-syllable word? Drew can!

9. Ronnie's mom, dad, and grandmother came to see Drew sing Sunday...I wasn't a great host. I woke them up in the middle of the night with a crying baby and fed them take-out three times in a row. Ha! They didn't mind!

10. Drew wants Ronnie's brother to teach him how to rope. I see many rope burns and falls in my future! Hee Hee!

God's Troop Project

This is the second year our church has put together "care packages" for the troop overseas. Each year I no sooner get my mind around what/where I think God is taking this project, and wham! He starts blazing a trail and it's all I can do to keep up with Him. I love, love, LOVE IT!

Above: Posters the girls made to put around the church =)

What's in the "care packages":

1. Beef Jerky (donated by J&J's at cost this year!)

2. Candy

3. Sunflower seeds (donated by Frito Lay!)

4. Baby Wipes (made by my sweet friend Jenni with 1 John 1:9 on the outside of the baggie)

5. Two magazines

6. Sermons on CD from Trey Morgan, Church of Christ in Childress

and Daphne Delay, Family Harvest Church in Seminole

7. 43 hand written letters from the kids (1st-6th grades)

8. Colored Pictures

9. A DVD of the kids take the troops around Levelland, them singing, introducing themselves, introducing Jesus, and thanking the soldiers

10. A devotional

11. Agape

What's Agape?Each bag of Agape includes the following items an slips of paper:
1. Yellow Ribbon – “Yellow Ribbon so you will know you will always be supported until you come home. ‘Be confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 1:6”
2. Life Saver – “Have a LIFESAVER to remind you that that’s what you are. ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up.’ Galatians 6:9”
3. Gum – “Gum to help your unit stick together. ‘This is my commandment that you love one another even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.’ John 15:13
4. Book of Matches – “A MATCH to light your fire when you are feeling burned out. ‘You light a lamp for me. The Lord my God lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.’ Psalm 18:28-30”
5. Rope – “A piece of ROPE for when you reach the end of yours. This will keep you going a bit longer. ‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’ Deuteronomy 31:8
6. Starburst – “Here’s a STARBURST to give you a burst of energy on days when you don’t have any. ‘The Lord said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9
7. Cotton Ball – “A COTTON BALL to cushion the rough roads. ‘Jesus said, ‘Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ Matthew 11:28-30

The girls and the boxes!

Drew's class coloring pictures for the troops!

The boys being boys =)

The bulletin board the girls designed for our church to promote the project!

The bulletin board's border is made-up of letters we received last year from the soldiers!

Some of the letters had the following quotes:

“I watched your DVD ya’ll made and it was very inspiring. Your singing was great. I started loosing touch with Jesus and God but ya’ll helped me to see the light again.” Devin

“I received your care package today…I really think that its awesome that people take the time to love others and share the Lord’s Word with everybody. You may not know it but what you are doing is just as important if not more important than what I am doing. You really showed me why it is I joined the Marine Corps and defend our great nation…” Timothy

“I cannot begin to describe the appreciation and joy your packages have brought me and other marines. It’s great to get a little taste of home after being away for some time…The marines morale definitely seem uplifted and in high spirits after seeing how much time and effort GA’s have put into this. You all are our hero’s for thinking of us…” Ryan

“It’s not often that we hear back from stateside and get reminded of why we really are over here…Again, thank you for all you sent us. Never forget there is always someone fighting for you…” Micheal

I am sharing all this with you to invite you/encourage you to join in with us privately or with your church in six months. FBC Childress will be putting together the same boxes to send overseas. The men and women of our armed forces are fighting not just a physical war but a spiritual war - it is fight for life and death. They are thirsty for the LIVING WATER. The harvest is plentiful and like 1 John 3:18, “Let’s not merely say we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

This project is anointed by the Spirit of God...no church, no person could do what God is EASILY accomplishing in this ministry. HE is sending 25o soldiers packages full of HIS WORD. We know that the Word of God NEVER falls, NEVER returns void, but always hits the mark. This ministry now stretches across three towns and four churches. JOIN US!

We are also including a prayer ministry to follow the project. When the men and women receive this box is when the REAL prayer needs to start, so the four churches are going to partner in taking a soldiers name and praying for them for three months. The girls are going to make a key chain with each soldiers name on it, and at the end of that time each prayer partner will be given the opportunity to mail the soldier a letter and the key chain they have been praying over. I am so excited to see what God is going to do with this!

Videoing the tour of Levelland - of course we had to catch the John Deere House, Wal-Mart, and a shot of the massive stretch of flat, dry, farmland =)