A Little More Softball!

If you were thirteen years old and had spent eight hours playing softball on the previous day, what would you do today?  My thirteen year old chose to play softball this afternoon!  

Bless all his skills, Lord,

    and be pleased with the work of his hands.

Deuteronomy 33:11

Grand Prairie Softball Tournament

This weekend Abigail and her team are playing ball in Grand Prairie.  The team progressed through three games and advance to one more game tomorrow.  What a crazy way to spend a Texas summer day, nine hours in the sun!  But, the girls smiled and had a great time.  The baby girl will sleep well tonight! 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters  Colossians 3:23

Date Night with My Honey

Most of my dates with my honey have been to the theater.  Lots of shows, musicals, orchestras, symphonies, and operas.  Tonight we headed to the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch for Hello, Dolly! 

Our first stop was at the Twisted Root Burger Co. that was within walking distances of the theater.   The atmosphere is a garage, drive-in setting.  The food is awesome, I'm talking onion strings, fried pickles, sweet potato fries, oh my!  The place has a great vibe, fun atmosphere and different flavors of root beer!!

We walked off some of the fried goodness on our way to the theater.  Tonight's performance starred one of my high school friends, David, as Cornelius Hackl.  David was in my church youth group and we attended the same college.  I don't think I had seen him since college, but I've been able to reconnect through Facebook.  David is one of those crazy talented artistic souls.  His voice and art are both first rate. He and his brother even did work on the recently released of Free Birds movie.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, David's high school daughter was also in the show as Minnie Fay and rocked it. 

It was a great evening with my honey and fun watching a great show and seeing a child hood friend pursue his passion! Life is good! 

encourage one another and build each other up

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Roy's Birthday at Grandma's House

Happy Birthday, Roy!  Abigail and Roy have been best buddies since they were very little.  The kids are both home schooled, we attend church together, and our families hang out a lot together.  When it comes to Roy's birthday celebration, many have been spent at the grandparents’ home in Paris, TX. 

The kids camp out and play on the lake.  They have been known to literally climb the walls at the encouragement of loving grandparents.  The boys camp out in the pop up trailer and Abigail, as the token girl, gets to sleep in the air conditioning inside.  

This year’s adventure included chasing and shooting each other with air soft guns.  Abigail always returns with great stories and tales of yummy baked goodness prepared by Roy's grandma! 

This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate  Exodus 12:14

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalepenos

OK, I know, I don't post very many recipes.  There are very few things that I cook that I actually even use a recipe.  In most cases, I find a great recipe on Pinterest, read through it and then wing it.  The recipe gives me an idea of the ingredients and I usually modify it to fit what I have on hand or our particular tastes.  

This recipe is one I found on Pinterest for Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos.  My Jalapeno plant is covered in fresh peppers, just beautiful.  After washing and seeding the peppers, I mixed up the filling: 8 oz cream cheese; 1/2 cup Colby cheese, and a sprinkle of garlic powder.  Next wrap it up in 1/2 slice of uncooked bacon! Bake at 375 on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes with the filling side down.  Turn the peppers over and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.  YUM!!   

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.

Genesis 1:29

The Fourth of July at Granny's House

The fourth of July means a Kirkwood trip to Granny's house.  All of Jon's family, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. all get together at Granny and Donnie's home for a cook out and fireworks show.  

Donnie is a retired Tulsa firefighter and always makes sure there is a safe set up for the festivities.  

Unfortunately, Caleb had to work on the holiday weekend, but it was great to see Jess, BJ, Frankie and Abigail together!  Granny's babies aren't so small anymore!  

please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you.  Joshua 2:12

Lazy Summer Days

Summer is going by too quickly, the new school year will be here in no time.  The kids and I spent the morning at Metro Relief serving in the food pantry.  The kid were joined by a group of kids from our local rec center that are participating in a summer work camp.  

The kids worked on the community garden, volunteers put in an irrigation system last summer and the garden looks wonderful.  I don't have a green thumb and I have a real appreciation for the volunteers who plant and grow vegetables in the garden.  People really would starve if they depended on what I'm able to grow.

This afternoon each of the kids had their own activities, so it was just Jon and I in the house.  I was working on my laptop on Bible Bowl lesson and you know that uncomfortable feeling you get that someone is watching you?  Well, I had that feeling, when I looked you, this was my view.  Apparently Padme' wanted my attention!  

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.  Proverbs 8:34

Hawaiian Falls Employee Appreciation Event

This evening Hawaiian Falls hosted a special employee appreciation event.  The employees could bring friends and family and participate in activities, drawings for prizes, etc.  Since Caleb worked most of today, he just ran back up for the event with Abigail.  The kids enjoyed some pizza from Sharky's and a snow cone or two.  

The entertainment for the evening was the No Regrets band performance.  No Regrets is a four man praise and worship band at Horizon's Church and two of the members, Che and Jason are part of our Metro Relief family.  Che runs the Overcomer's Meetings at Metro and Jason is over the Outreach/Bus Ministry.  How fun is that!  

Summer Time!!

For our anniversary gift this year Jon and I purchased season tickets for the four of us.  Frankie can't stand Caleb being at work every day, she misses her brother terribly.  With season passes, we can visit the park, say hello to Caleb and give Frankie a little peace of mind! 

Today the girls and I enjoyed the rides, I'm a huge fan of the lazy river!! Our favorite cotton candy maker was working the Snow Cone Shack today, so of course we had to have some banana snow cones!

Do you see the big smile on Frankie's face?  It was a good day!   

Everyone helps his neighbor

    and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

Isaiah 41:6

Caleb's 17th Birthday

My 'little man' turned seventeen today!  The reflective mom side of me would like to offer some profound words on the passage of time.  But words fail me.  What I do know is I have been incredibly blessed to be his mom. 

As our family tradition has been, we began the day with breakfast in bed with the birthday boy.  His breakfast of choice: chocolate donuts and Dr. Pepper.  The day continued with a little Captain America, a visit to the Lego store, and Barnes & Noble.  One stop was the Disney Store, when the clerks discovered it was Caleb's birthday they put his name on their screen and the entire store sang to him!

His day finished up with an evening with friends.  All in all, what a great day for a great kid! 

For you, O Lord, are my hope,

    my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

6 

Upon you I have leaned from before my birth;

    you are he who took me from my mother's womb.

My praise is continually of you.

Proverbs 71:5-6