This is Only a Test!

Today the younger kids and I joined Abigail's friend at a local school for disaster training.  It involved local police, fire, ambulance, and 911 operators.  

We got to play the part of the victims with really great fake wounds.  I had a gun shot wound through my upper arm complete with entrance and exit wound.  Caleb's gun shot wound went through a main artery in his leg with no exit wound.  And Abigail, well her gunshot wound left bone protruding through the skin!  Frankie did not participate, she wanted nothing to do with our 'fun'!

There was a very unsettling element thinking that our officers have to rehearse for such a horrible event. And the first time I saw them bring Caleb out on a stretcher was surreal! 

It was fascinating to watch the fireman create our wounds.  There was a definite 'art' to his work! I am only posting the pictures after the fact, because I'm pretty sure it would have freaked out a couple of Grandmothers! 

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,

    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:6

Give to Everyone Who Asks

We've spent a lot of time at Metro Relief's pantry this summer, in fact I think we've been there three days a week all summer.  In the past year and half we've made such good friends with other volunteers and the guests.  

The kids love working in the pantry helping our guest shop.  People are usually very gracious and kind as they shop for groceries.  Right now the shelves are very thin, it seems like around Thanksgiving and Christmas a lot of donations come in.  But, by summer the donations almost come to a halt!   I feel bad when it is the same food week after week, but the guests understand the pantry runs primarily on donations.

These days I am usually in the Intake portion of the pantry, meaning I have the privilege of hearing the guests stories and praying with them.  So many incredible stories my heart goes out to each family.  It is also really great to celebrate with a family when they get great medical news, or a much needed job.  Some of these guests will be the families who come back to volunteer when they are back on their feet. 

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you,
 do not demand it back.  Luke 6:30

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Sibling Time

Look who didn't have to work today!!! He actually got to join us for a little summer fun! The girls love the slides, each of them have their favorites.  

Our Oklahoma family aren't familiar with Hawaiian Falls so I've tried to post different pictures so they can appreciate the 'cool factor' of Caleb's first job.   

Caleb had made new friends, especially with his co-workers in the cotton candy shack.  One of the guys is the son of a minister at a local church and the boys have a lot in common.  

Do you see the smile on Frankie's face?  She loves being with 'her' kids!  Love that smile!!! 

“Say of your brothers, ‘My people,’ and of your sisters, ‘My loved one.’  Hosea 2:1 

Oh, Cabana Boy . . .

Here are just a few shots of how Caleb has spent his summer!  Love that kid!  We can't go into Hawaiian Falls without one of the other employees telling me what a great kid he is, or that he is such a hard worker.  It makes my mom heart happy!  Today I snapped a few shots of him working the cotton candy machine, it even looks like he's having fun!  And, if you have ever wondered, there are only 57 calories in a whole bag of cotton candy! I may have eaten a few bags this summer! 

Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  Deuteronomy 15:10

Poor, Puppy!

On Monday, Frankie's service dog, Padme', had emergency surgery Basically, it was an emergency hysterectomy caused by a massive infection.  It was incredibly serious and very scary.  

The baby is still heavily medicated and will be under pain medication and antibiotics for another week and a half before we do a follow up visit, however, today she cautiously walked upstairs to lay in her favorite spot, Frankie's reading room! 

What a blessing to have talented medical staff that understood just how traumatic this was for our family.  They acted quickly and worked hard to treat and heal her! 

She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had,
yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

Mark 5:26 

Glenn Beck’s We Will Not Conform: A Night to Make Common Core History

Tonight was the live airing of Glenn Beck's We Will Not Conform, A Night to Make Common Core History. It was filmed in his Mercury One Theater and broadcast in 600+ theaters across the United States through Fathom Events. 

Caleb was invited to participate as a high school student and I got to be his plus one.  With guests like Michelle Malkin, David Barton and many others discussion centered around real, tangible strategies to wake up our friends and neighbors and make our voices heard against Common Core.  The audience include the delegation from Oklahoma that recently repealed Common Core.  

It was a fascinating evening discussing the political process and effective grass root organization, my political science professor had a great time! 

Hash_Brown_Selfies

If you know my Frankie, you know she’s very photogenic but you know she does not like having her photo taken.  Today the younger kids had activities so Frankie and I had a Mommy/Daughter date.  Frankie loves to take pictures with my camera and she asked how to take pictures with my cell, so we practiced every where we went!    I had no luck getting her to make silly faces, but she looks like she’s having fun!  We also texted our photos back to Jon so he would know where our adventures were leading us! 

And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.  I Corinthians 15:49

The Boys

Coca-Cola has this great ad campaign, "Share a Coke!"  You can buy a coke can or bottle with a friends name and share a coke. 

 

Share a Coke also has mobile units that travel around and can personalize any name that you can't ordinarily find in the pre-printed version.  One of the mobile units spent a Saturday at Hawaiian Falls where Caleb works.  Caleb had personalized cans made for Richard and himself.  At Sunday lunch the boys shared a coke!  Aren't they cute. . . I mean handsome, aren't they handsome!

“Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’”

I Samuel 20:42

Abigail's Cheering Section

Here is the real reason for Granny's visit, she's here to watch the baby play ball.  Granny played basketball through out high school.  And just like Abigail, Granny loves music.  Abigail plays the piano and Granny played the drums.  Abigail sings in musicals and Granny sang with the Sweet Adelines. 

OK, so maybe Granny to came to spend the weekend with all of us, but if you were to ask Abigail she would tell you Granny came here to see her play ball.  Of course, if you asked Frankie, she would tell you Granny came to help her work on a puzzle.  And Caleb would tell you that Granny missed him on the fourth of July and she came to see him!

Puzzles and Snow Cones

If the afternoon involves snow cones and putting together puzzles, then it must mean that Granny is here!  She made the five hour road trip to visit and tomorrow will get to watch her little Carolyn Abigail play ball!   

I love the picture of Granny with the three kids, you can see how much Abigail looks like her namesake with those blue eyes and similar smiles!  

Children’s children are a crown to the aged,

    and parents are the pride of their children.

Proverbs 17:6 

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