Crazy Tomatoes

A few posts ago I was talking about the veggies that didn't come through in our garden because it was so dang hot. Well...it cooled off and we had several melons...that some critters took off with. :(

But, we have 55 little plum tomatoes! We picked them off the plants before it froze earlier this week. They are sitting in the sun on our window sill, waiting to turn red and be eaten. One has already turned red and I let Riley eat that first one. "It was GOOD!" he said.

Can't wait to eat some more! Yummy! (Crazy tomatoes!)

Glorified Camper

Yep...that would be me. A glorified camper as my husband would say. I'm not very woodsy and don't do the whole tent thing but a cabin and a real bathroom out in the country...I'm good to go.

So...our staff retreat this past week was good. I heard from the Lord. LOVE THAT.

Even though I prefer the beach and the sun...the woods and the cool breezes were amazing. God reminded me in so many ways to try to remember to see things through his eyes and not my own. Also, that there is a reason for EVERYTHING: every pine cone, every tree, every fallen log, every moment. There is a reason.

I'm very bummed that I decided to take our old camera instead of our new one. I am trying to figure out how to recover some photos off of a seemingly corrupted data card. Ugh...wish me luck! There were so many beautiful nature shots and lots of rose pictures from when Sheila and I stopped in Tyler at the Rose Garden on the way back home.

But...here's a few photos I took during many quiet moments I had the pleasure of spending time alone with our amazing God.

Enjoy!

And...I'm back

I was away at our staff retreat this week. And...I'm back.

Sooooooo good to be home!

My husband is amazing and took such wonderful care of our boys and our home! He's the absolute best.

Thank you, honey! I LOVE YOU!

Trisomy 18

What is Trisomy 18?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 18th chromosome. It is named after John H. Edwards, who first described the syndrome in 1960.[1] It is the most common autosomal trisomy, after Down Syndrome, that carries to term.
Trisomy 18 is caused by the presence of three — as opposed to two — copies of chromosome 18 in a fetus or infant's cells. The incidence of the syndrome is estimated as one in 3,000 pregnancies and approximately one in 6,000 live births. The incidence increases as the mother's age increases. The syndrome has a very low rate of survival, resulting from heart abnormalities, kidney malformations, and other internal organs.

What does this have to do with me or my family? Nothing. I'm not pregnant. Actually, we are DONE having children. I don't know anyone pregnant that has an unborn child with this disorder. I never have personally. But...

I follow some other blogs and quite a few months ago stumbled across a blog then other blogs that were linked to that blog and got caught up reading, and praying fervently for these families. I don't know why but I'm suppose to be praying for all these moms, dads, children, siblings and other family members. I know that there are many disorders, many diseases, many disasters, many people and things that need prayer. I don't know why and don't know if I'll ever understand why I've felt my heart breaking for these families. All I know is that I'm suppose to be praying for these people. If you feel so led...check in and pray for them occasionally too.

They are:

http://thespectacularvernacular.blogspot.com/
http://thestanfieldjourney.blogspot.com/
http://tristanasher.blogspot.com/
http://poppyjoy.blogspot.com/
http://fahmer.blogspot.com/
http://evajanette.blogspot.com/
http://marygracesummons.blogspot.com/
http://jonathanjarededwards.blogspot.com/
http://conorbootheandgirls.blogspot.com/
http://thenaplespaiges.blogspot.com/

Also, the first family on the list will be on Oprah on Tuesday, October 28th. The show is about "Miracle Children".

Thanks for listening.

Happy Birthday Dad/PaPa

Today is my dad's 70th birthday! I can't believe that's right. He can't be that number. Not yet...I can't be 40 - really? Can I? Jeez...

I love that my dad has been married to my mom for 48 years and that he made it through raising 3 girls! Talk about a survivor! He's one amazing man!

Here's a picture of him today at his celebration with his 6 grandkids.

I love you Dad!

It was nice.

Wimberley was nice. Lots of rest and quiet time. I enjoyed it. I really like Fredericksburg more for the shopping but Wimberley was a cute, quiet and friendly little town.

There were lots of deer outside of our very secluded cabin. We took lots of pictures...here's just a few. Just seemed crazy how close they were.

We have a hot tub hook up at our house - was there when we bought it - now we want one. It was very relaxing to sit under the stars, listen to music and enjoy each other's company.

While we were out and about in Wimberley we read about and then stopped at the Visitors Center to find out about "Mount Baldy". It is a small climb that when you reach the top you have an amazing panoramic view of the Hill Country. We walked up 220 stone steps. Not a big deal. Beautiful views. Worth the climb. Until the next day when my calves were screaming. What's the deal with that? I walk/jog. Been doing that longer than my sweet husband that joined me in the evenings walking/jogging about 2/3 months ago. He didn't hurt at all. Okay - whatever. It was still worth it. Very pretty.

Oh and my husband did let me shop at my favorite Fresh Produce clothing outlet! Got some new clothes! Yea!

Really glad to be home with my boys though! Love them!

Quiet time

Ron and I are off for 2 days of rest and relaxation!

We're only going about 4 hours away (to Wimberley, Texas). We've never been there so maybe we'll uncover another little gem of a place to go - like Fredericksburg, Texas.

I'll miss my boys but I am loving lots of one on one time alone with my hubby!

See ya'll later!

Happy Birthday Riley! WOW!

10 years ago my sweet second son was born.

He is such an independent person. He's smart, friendly, caring and helpful.

He makes us so proud. Like yesterday - I went to his school for an awards breakfast: WOW Wrangler of the Week. He was the first one awarded that by his teacher for the year from her class. And only 6 from her class get awarded that each year. He's a great student and a funny kid. I love him to pieces - just like his older brother.

Riley, we are so glad you were born to us 10 years ago today to complete our family!
6 weeks old


1 year old


Kindergarten


about 4 weeks ago

Riley and his 4th grade teacher this year - Ms. Stephen.

Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma!

My mom and dad left for her 50th high school reunion before her birthday so we celebrataed a few weekends ago. My oldest sister, Chris, and her family couldn't make it. But, here is a picture of my middle sister's kiddos (Diane) and my kids with my mom celebrating what a wonderful woman she is!



from left to right: Mason, Dylan, Evelyn, Shelby, Riley.

Life is Good and I love Fresh Produce

Silly me...I had just been to Life is Good/Jake's Loft in Southlake so it was on my brain when I posted last. One of the main stores I really want to go to at the outlet mall in San Marcos (when Ron and I go to Wimberly next weekend) is Fresh Produce. Here's a peek at some of their really comfortable clothing.

And speaking of produce. Did anyone else plant a garden and have trouble this year? We didn't get anything but a few cucumbers. A few months ago. Now we have about 10 tomatoes and 3 melons out there. We figure it must be the cooler weather but - October??? What's up with that??? Oh well here's a peek at the yummy home grown tomatoes and our first time melons.

Eat your heart out! Life is good.

On our anniversary, August 18th, Ron and I spent the entire day just doing whatever we wanted. His mom watched the boys and we roamed around with no plan. We ended up in Southlake shopping, eating and watching a movie.

Anyway...a little over a week later I came home from work one day and my sweet, sweet husband informed me that he enjoyed spending time alone with me, with no plan of action, doing whatever we wanted - whenever we wanted so much that he hunted around a little and had booked a cabin in October for us to just get away before the holiday rush. Awwwww....yeah......eat your heart out! He's THE BEST!

So...next weekend: Friday, Saturday and Sunday we are going to Wimberly, Tx to enjoy some alone time. Ron's mom will be coming to stay with the boys again. She's an absolute WONDERFUL MiMi!!!

This is where we will be staying:

Just a cute little one room cabin. 15 minutes from San Marcos outlet stores. Yep...you heard me right. We're gonna shop a little more too! He's so great, isn't he? After some shopping we're just gonna hang out and REST for TWO WHOLE DAYS! I'm sooooo excited.

One of my very favorite stores is Life Is Good. Their athletic wear is great and the logo...LOVE IT. So of course that is one of the stores we'll be hitting among the outlets.

The stick guys name is Jake and...well...life is good!!!