Sister, Sister

This is our early birthday celebration with Frankie!  We met for lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse with Frankie's three biological sisters. The girls are all still in Oklahoma and don't get to see each other as often as I'd like, but when they are together they really have a good time. 

There is no doubt that these ladies have the same DNA! The family resemblance is remarkable.  And even their mannerisms and speech patterns are similar.  I got tickled when they all order the same drinks, entree, salad and salad dressing! 

My mom heart is full watching the joy the girls share knowing that they all turned out ok, despite a rough start in life.  I will forever be grateful to these ladies for the spot they fill in my baby girl's heart! 

Rescue the poor who cry for help, and the fatherless who have none to assist them.

Job 29:12

Dreams Do Come True

What a day to celebrate the wedding of Hannah and Reece at the Noah's Event Venue in Tulsa!  Hannah is the sweet daughter of Kimmie and Tim Pyles our former pulpit minister at McDermott.  We love their sweet family and miss them dearly but rejoice that they are now with our Broken Arrow Church of Christ family.  That is the congregation I grew up in.  

Hannah and Ms. Kim were absolutely stunning.  It was a delight to see Hannah so poised and elegant yet there were glimpse of that sweet young girl in my 7th grade Bible class! 

It's hard to describe the joy that filled the room today.  I think is was probably summed up by Tim as he performed the ceremony he said, 'If anyone has reason why these two should not be married. . . you are crazy!'  That is high praise from a Daddy marring off his only girl! 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

Ephesians 5:25

Going Home

Trips to Tulsa will always include a stop at the cemetery.  It's a odd reality that so many of our relatives, both Jon's family and mine are there.  I think it is a blessing for the kids that both sides of the family are at the same cemetery.  My mom's twin, my grandparents, Jon's dad, my dad, Mimi's parents, and Jon's aunts and uncles are all together.  It is the first place we stop when we come to town to pay our respects and to pass favorite stories down to the kids of each of the lives represented in bronze. 

For today, our next stop was out to Mom and Bob's house.  It is the house I grew up in and it is always good to be home.  One of my favorite things to do when I'm home is to cook with my mom.  I know it is a lot for her to prepare meals for all of us.  I grew up in the kitchen cooking because my mom was a working mom.  Our meals would be our time to sit down together when Mom and Dad got home for work.  

There is a comfort knowing the salt shaker, pots and pans are all in the same place they have been for the last forty plus years! Some things have changed like the microwave above the stove and all of its fancy buttons, just ask my Mom! The table is still set; the dishes and glasses all match; the roll warmer is still the same one from my childhood; and we like it that way!  

In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so,

I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2 

Earning Brownie Points with Mom

This is the first day of classes for the boys as they begin their second year at LCU.  I told them they would earn serious 'brownie points' if they took a First Day of School photo! 

So, as promised the guys took a picture in front of the bronze chap, the school mascot, before chapel.  This afternoon the girls and I stuck a box of brownies in the mail to them along with a home made card. 

I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for the guys this year!  

How much better to get wisdom than gold!

    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 16:16

Sunday Selfie

On the way to church I text Caleb our 'Sunday Selfie' and he texts back.  Today one of the kids posted a picture of all the kids back at the Sunset Church of Christ's Cross Campus class and I was able to spot Caleb because of the red shirt he was wearing in his selfie. 

Caleb and Richard attend church together.  There are four churches of Christ in the area, but they are settled in at Sunset.  

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11

Back to Blue

Yesterday we drove up to Lubbock to deliver the boy to school.  Most of his stuff fit into his Jeep but we but the futon, refrigerator and TV in my van.  The upper class men began check in around nine this morning and by eleven Caleb was all set up and ready for another school year. 

Caleb has a private room this year, between Greek, Hermeneutics, and his honors class he may need the privacy.  Usually at least once a week Caleb and some of the guys from Kyodai, his club, get together for a movie in one of the dorm rooms.  Caleb is pleased to have a room set up for hosting their movie night. 

Richard is an RA this year and has a private room too, in fact JJ and Levi also have private rooms.  JJ is next to Caleb and Levi and Richard have rooms next to each other.  All of the guys have big loads this year and are active leaders on campus, so I'm pretty sure they will need all the rest they can get, when they can get it. 

His room looks great, he is beyond thrilled to be back on campus and this little momma is at peace! 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

Brotherly Love

Having a first rate water park just a couple of miles from our home has its benefits.  Having a family member who works at the aforementioned water park has even more benefits, like family and friend gift passes.  

We used the last four of Caleb's passes to hang out at Hawaiian Falls today. With the hundred plus degree weather we've been having, today's overcast skies were a welcomed sight.  With my back issues and silly eye injury, I was content to sit in the cabana and read a little John Grisham.  

The kids were able to ride all the rides multiple times because the park was fairly empty because of the impending rain.  There are no people in the background of my pictures today because Caleb's manager let us in a little early. The girls are sure going to miss having Caleb home!   

How good and pleasant it is

    when brothers live in unity!

Psalm 133:1 

Suspicious Behavior

Over the years the kids have talked up their love for Hitchcock movies to their friend Hannah.  They made plans to have a Hitchcock movie marathon today.  Armed with great snacks, pizza, cheesecake and comfortable seating we were ready! 

First up was Frankie's favorite, Rear Window with Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly.  My favorite part of this movie, besides the suspense is that the bad guy is Raymond Burr, aka Perry Mason! 

Next up was the Hitchcock action thriller North by Northwest with Cary Grant. This one is another must see and probably one of Hitchcock's finest movies.  

Our final selection for the evening was To Catch a Thief, another Hitchcock classic staring Cary Grant with Grace Kelly as the leading lady.  

We may need to schedule another party because there are still so many great Hitchcock movies to see!  Fun times! 

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 

“How long will you keep us in suspense? 

If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:24

Moving On

This was Caleb's last day at Hawaiian Falls for the summer.  It's been a great summer job for a teen to work at the water park.  Caleb has enjoyed working in the offices this summer as opposed to the two summers he spent out in the heat working cotton candy.   His manager had a few going away 'thank you' gifts for him and a special award for his customer service skills and promised him a job anytime he wanted to return.  

While Caleb was finishing up his summer employment, Abigail hung out with her select league, Rage, at tryouts for new players for the organizations 14U team.  That's my girl behind the plate and loving every minute of it even in all that gear at a hundred plus degree weather! 

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Titus 3:15

Window to the Soul

So remember I posted about power washing the fence?  It was quite a job and I did the outside and the inside of the the fence.   The water being forcibly pushed through the sprayer did a fantastic job of stripping the old seal and varnish off of the fence.  It also created a steady spray back  during the process.  I was coated in water and dirt! 

Somewhere in this process two days ago some debris forcibly embedded in my eye.  Last night at the kids dance my eye kept getting redder and more painful.  Today I headed to an after hours clinic, my right eye is scratched and bruised but with ten days of antibiotic/steroid drops it should get better quickly. Next time I think I'll wear googles!

How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. Luke 6:42