My Kids

The best part of homecoming weekend at LCU is getting to see all our kids, including our blonde son and his lovely wife.  We were able to worship together at Sunset Church of Christ and then headed over for some Mexican food for lunch. 

My mom heart is so grateful that Caleb and Richard have spent their undergraduate time together at LCU. Their personalities are different; they have different career goals; but their faith in God and desire to serve Him with all their heart is the same.  It's been a true blessing knowing they are doing this part of their lives together. 

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

Glamour Shots

What a fun time in life! Prom is right around the corner so my cleat wearing, softball catching girl and I went looking at dresses.  So many of the dresses were so pretentious and fun to try on.  

She can absolutely carry off the glamorous look but my favorite picture is the one of her eating the chili cheese fries outside of the dress shop! I hope Josiah knows what he's getting himself in to!  

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4

Christmas Chili

We usually enjoy tamales with chili for dinner on Christmas Eve.  But yesterday I noticed we were out of homemade chili!  So what's a girl to do but fire up the InstantPots and cook up sixteen quarts of homemade spicy goodness! 

I went to my favorite chili recipe and with a little help chopping onions, peppers, and tomatoes while I cooked up the meat we are back in business.  Tamales will be served tomorrow night as planned! Whew! 

Better is a dry morsel with quiet

    than a house full of feasting with strife.  Proverbs 17:1

Power Couple

I try to refrain from publishing about the kids and who they are dating.  But every once in while I just have to because, well grandparents like to see those things and they are just so cute! 

Abigail and Josiah celebrated Christmas together at the George W. Bush Presidential Library.  At Christmas they have a beautiful display of replicas of White House trees decorated by various First Ladies.  Definitely a 'must see' when you are in Dallas! 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

Happy Thanksgiving

The boy got in from Lubbock yesterday, and while we waited for his arrival the girls and I got busy baking.  With it just being the five of us we were able to keep it simple but delicious.  

I know the days of having all three 'babies' home are numbered but I'm so happy to have our little family together.  For family and friends who stop by our little blog, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Blessings to all! 

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,

    for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul,  and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Psalm 107:8-9

Sawyer Brown Concert

With the girl in D.C., the boy in Lubbock, and the oldest with a friend, that means Jon and I have a date night!  I've been looking forward to the for months!  Sawyer Brown in concert in our town!  Sawyer Brown was one of the first concert Jon and I went to.  Back in 1995 Sawyer Brown was the headliner with Rick Trevino and Toby Keith as the opening acts in Tulsa.  

Later we saw Sawyer Brown in 2005 at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth!  They are absolutely my favorite!  Their songs are high energy, generally appropriate for all ages and just happy!  

Tonight they played with Restless Heart as their opening act at the Veterans Celebration.  So many great songs and fun memories. I won passes for us to go back stage and meet both Restless Heart and Sawyer Brown.  My inner high school self was beyond ecstatic!  At the end of the concert the local VFW set off a beautiful fireworks display.  Best date night ever! 

"Well I ain't first class

But I ain't white trash

I'm wild and a little crazy too

Some girls don't like boys like me

Aw but some girls do" 

Election Day

This post might best be captioned with, 'you might be a home schooler if . . ." your mom signs you up to work a polling place on election day! Abigail and I showed up at our polling location at 5:30 this morning to help set up.  We worked until it was time to close down.  

Denton county had huge increases in voter turn out!  On the first day of early voting Denton county had more voters than in the entirety of the previous presidential election!   The lines stayed about a thirty minute wait all day and a little longer after five o'clock.  It's a great experience for my sweet political science major! 

I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  I Timothy 2:1-2

Pumpkin Projects

In preschool this week we are learning about Fall, including leaves, weather and all things pumpkin.  I brought in a store bought pie for all the kids to try a bite and some pumpkin cookies.  They cookies were a big hit.

In our art center we painted beautiful fall leaves.  At the end of the day we moved on to several pumpkin experiments.  This is my favorite part because the kids get to guess what they think will happen and they are always very enthusiastic! 

First up, I cut open a pumpkin and let them look, smell and feel the pumpkin insides.  Next up we took two white pumpkins and turned them into volcanoes!  Next up was my giant pumpkin!  It seemed like the perfect container to create elephant toothpaste.   Elephant toothpaste is a super thick foam created using yeast, warm water and hydrogen peroxide found at beauty supply shops.  It was a very exciting day! 

The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; no stone was to be seen.  I Kings 6:18

Happy Francis Marie Day!

Today our sweet Frankie celebrated the anniversary of her adoption date.  Each year we start off celebrating the day with breakfast in bed and presents. 

Frankie's favorite place to celebrate her anniversary is Olive Garden.  This is a big day for our family we waited over three years for the state of Oklahoma's foster care system to finalize Frankie's adoption!  It was an agonizing wait to finalize what we already knew which was we were meant to be her family! 

The day we got the news she was finally legally our baby girl was a day of much celebration!  Today was a great reminder of the joy of that very special day! 

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

. . . a time to embrace! 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-5

Texas State Fair 2018

Today the kids headed to the Texas State Fair together.  It's become a tradition since Caleb took off to LCU that they enjoy the fair together over LCU's Fall Break.  Last year Caleb missed out because he was in Spain so we did our best to have fun with out him.  But I'm pretty sure the girls were thrilled to have him home this year.  

Between Fletcher's Corn Dogs, the rides, the animals, bands, and carnival games they had a good day.  I worked at preschool today but my phone kept buzzing with their fun pictures. 

Children are a heritage from the Lord,

    offspring a reward from Him.

Psalm 127:3

Book Signing with Kevin Henkes

What an enjoyable evening with friends at Barnes and Noble Bookstore.  We went for a book reading and signing by Kevin Henkes who is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. Henkes told the story that he thought he would be an artist until his junior year of high school, when one of his teachers encouraged him in his writing efforts. He discovered that children's books combined both his literary and artistic interests.  To date he's written and illustrated some 50 books!

Frankie and I went to the event with one of my sweet friends from church and her precious girls.  It was a delightful evening.  The kids in the audience giggled in delight at his stories and drawings! 

The living, the living—they praise you,

    as I am doing today;

parents tell their children

    about your faithfulness.

Isaiah 38:19

Family Fun

Caleb came home from LCU for the weekend.  I planned a fun guys day for the boys, provided the girls and I could follow them along.  Our first stop of was Axe Throwing!  Yep, you read that right.  Who knew there was such a thing.  I got an email ad a month ago for a Escape Room that also offers Axe Throwing.  Apparently on Saturday nights they even have an league that competes.

The instructor shows you how to throw the axe, first two handed and then on handed.  There are different rules in scoring but basically it's scored like bowling. Both of the guys threw really well, in fact the instructor said they had throwers competing the night before who didn't score as high as they did in their first round! 

Later in the day we headed over to the kids favorite archery range to shoot.  Caleb said he's missed having his bow at school and wanted to hit the range.  He can't have any kid of weapon on the campus. Frankie and Abigail also shot a few rounds today.  After all that fun we rounded off the day with dinner at Abuelo's.   

The Lord reproves him whom he loves,

    as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12

Texas Instruments SMART Scholarship

In the spring Abigail applied for the SMART Endowed Scholarship at Collin College.  The scholarship:  SMART, Science Mathematics Advanced Research and Technology, scholarship is offered through an endowment from Texas Instruments for students at Collin College who are majoring in science, math, computer science, engineering or pre-engineering.

About a month ago Abigail was notified that she was one of the recipients of the award.  The college held an awards banquet for all the scholarship recipients.  There were dozens of various scholarships awarded tonight. 

The man and woman in the photo with Abigail were at her table representing Texas Instruments who sponsored the scholarship. She had a grand time at the big event and really enjoyed getting to know the business woman from TI.

I'm so proud of her hard work and accomplishments!  

I will praise you with an upright heart,

    when I learn your righteous rules.

Psalm 119:7

First Day of School

Today was the first day of dual credit classes for Abigail at Collin College.  This semester she's taking Business & Technical Writing; Introduction to Humanities; and Introduction to Political Science.  She's stacked her classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  

This morning Frankie and I were planning to head out for haircuts and a fun girls day when Frankie realized that Abigail left her lunch in the fridge.  We ran up to the school and Frankie made sure the little girl wouldn't starve today! 

Once that was taken care of Frankie and I headed out for her new hair do! She loves her hair short, mission accomplished! 

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

    and call insight your intimate friend. Proverbs 7:4

My Motorcycle Riding Preacher Man

At the end of June when Caleb turned 21 and we asked what he would like for his birthday he said he wanted to know how to drive a motorcycle.  Jon, my Dad, and my Granddad all rode motorcycles and this was a skill Caleb wanted.  He's very much his father's son and if there is something he doesn't know how to do he wants that knowledge. 

Caleb took an online course with the rules of the road for cycles and then took two days of riding lessons at the Harley Davidson store in Dallas.  He had a great time and at the end of the class the owner of the store asked Caleb if he would like a job!  Apparently he was enamored with the idea of a motorcycle riding preacher man! Caleb said the two had several really great conversations!  

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.  Ecclesiastes 11:9

Pooh or Possible?!

This makes me smile!  We decided to take in a movie this morning, after all Caleb and Abigail didn't have to work so we should go play.  There were two movies playing at: Christopher Robin and Mission Impossible.  The girls and I went in our Winnie the Pooh shirts so you would think we were headed to see Christopher Robing, right?! 

We voted and it was 3 to 1 in favor of Mission Impossible.  Who doesn't love Tom Cruise in a good action film and let's face it, Mission Impossible is Tom Cruise at his finest.  We may be back later for Christopher Robin, but I highly recommend Mission Impossible Fallout! 

Nothing will be impossible with God. Luke 1:37

ZZ Top Concert

Tonight we actually went out to celebrate our anniversary with a little more than dinner and a movie. We've tried a couple of times before to see ZZ Top in concert but it hasn't worked out.  They were slated to be the opening act for Jimmy Buffet a couple of years ago but didn't make it. 

Tonight they're playing at the WinStar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma.  The casinos are generally a nice place for concerts because there is no drinking or smoking in the concert hall.  The band consists of bassist and vocalist Dusty Hill, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons, and drummer Frank Beard.  The three have played together since 1970! 

ZZ Top is very recognizable with their long beards.  Guitarists Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill have been wearing the signature look since the late '70s, while the group's drummer, whose name is ironically Frank Beard, prefers to maintain a clean shave. Gibbons recently revealed that he and Hill were once offered $1 million to cut off their facial hair, but they declined!

They put on an amazing show even breaking out the square fur guitars!  

My heart, O God, is steadfast,

    my heart is steadfast;

    I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul!

    Awake, harp and lyre!

    I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 57:7-8

Anniversary Celebration

Jon and I took one of those very elusive date nights. We were celebrating 28 years tonight! We headed to Twisted Root, Jon's favorite burger joint.  It was fun because there is a Jazz Festival going on in the old part of town and we walked through the festivities.   

After dinner we headed to the movies, specifically, Death Wish!  Jon's pick! It's the remake with Bruce Willis and was a fun remake of the 1974 Charles Bronson original.  

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. Proverbs 31:23

Fresh Re-Starts

This week we have had contractors in and out of the house.  It seems the new roof we put on only three years ago leaked with all the recent rain!  This week roofers came and scraped off the roof and re-roofed the entire house and the workshop.  

Today another crew of contractors came in and scraped and replaced the water damage on the inside of the house.  When they began bringing in scaffolding and plastic sheeting for the living room the kids and I took as our cue to take off.  We left Jon and Padme' in charge and we went to see the new Black Panther movie.  

I have to tell you we are getting a little spoiled having a Studio Movie Grill so close to our house and we take advantage of their $5 movie day on Tuesdays so we don't need much of an excuse to see a show!  

By the time we returned home all scaffolding and plastic sheeting was gone and what remained was new shining and fresh! 

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

The Samson Movie

There are several great movies in theaters now. The girls wanted to see the new Samson movie put out by Pure Flix.  It's not the Cecil B. DeMille epic scale but it is leaps and bounds above what Hollywood is putting out as entertainment.  

The movie is the story of the biblical strong man from the Book of Judges.  It's a nice visual reenactment of the familiar story. The movie is a respectful and heartfelt portrayal of a story whose power is undimmed over the millennia. I found some humor that the mother of the man of strength is the Bionic Woman! You've got to love the irony! 

For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Hebrews 11:32-34