Farm Fair

Last night we went to The Farm Fair at our church. This is always a lot of fun for the kids!

Our yearly costume photo

A Young Jedi Night a Cowgirl and Football Player

This picture makes me laugh! Looks like her brothers are protecting their sister. You have to get through The Jedi Night and The Football Player to get to her!

When she is older..."The Boys" don't stand a chance with these two as her older brothers. And we are okay with that!

We all had a good time. This was Jared's first year he didn't want to participate in the games. He's growing up too fast.  He still had a good time "helping" or better yet walking around with his bud Andrew.

My handsome redheaded boy! Love his smile.

Talk about growing up...

When did she get so big?!?! :(

Her very first face painting! No little ladybug or a small heart for her...she went all out!

He changes times and seasons...Daniel 2:21

Stress & Success

A friend sent this to me and it made me laugh! This is how Jeff and I feel in our lives right now.  

His job has been so stressful on our family. It has left us wondering if he will be let go, but mostly it has left us wondering if this was what the Lord wanted for our family and if he should look for another job. The Lord is faithful and He answers this every time we wonder.With my health problems, I am learninng how to let things "roll" off of me, as my Mom would say. This has been difficult for me but I am getting there. Trinity is not worth my marriage or my life. We are learning to be more patient and understanding of others, Trinity is just trying to do it's best to fix the million dollar mess up, and yes it's causing my husdand to work 6 twelve hour days, sorry.. nights until Jan. I just keep telling myself, "January...not too much longer".

We have been blessed through all of this though, Jeff has 3 weeks of vacation and 60 sick days. And he is taking all three weeks of vac. before December 31st. God is good! We will be able to have Christmas with our famiilies! The Lord knew we needed to save up during the year.

Speaking of vacation, we are headed to Arkansas this week!! This is the first time we have pulled the kids out of school during the week to go on vacation. We are soooo excited! Don't worry, we called the school to get their work for next week. ;)  When Jared was telling one of his teachers he wouldn't be at school, she asked if everything okay. He said, yes we haven't had a lot of time with my Dad so we are going camping in Arkansas to spend time together! She thought that was a good idea! Personally, we don't really care what the school thinks, they are my children. Lol! But, I thought that was really sweet!!

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.”

Psalm 37:7

"Red"

Not long into the first practice 'Red' became his name with his team mates.

I've loved watching my boy play every weekend.

It's been a lot of fun!

The season is over, and I am happy to announce... I survived his first football season. ;) I loved his Coach and Caden is already looking foward to next year!

We ended the season... 

with a fun football party at Gym Fit!

It was a hit with the kids. What a fun place to go play!

Proud of you Caden!..oh I'm sorry, I mean Red! ;)

Maybe a little too much  fun. Lol! I haven't done a cartwheel in over in over 15 years! :)

This was last night during the Ranger game. After a football game, and two parties he (they) couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. What a fun weekend we all got to spend together!

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.Ephesians 4:29

Sun Flower

Thank you so much for the phone calls; texts and emails over the past few days. Your prayer and encouragement mean so much to Jeff and I. I am feeling a lot better. I did something yesterday that I haven't done in months, I was able to spend a few hours in town with out feeling exhausted or just staying home. Baby steps. Right? 

 We will go back to the Dr on Monday, I say "we" because Jeff has a few questions for my doctor. "Help me, My wife is going crazy!" Ha!! Just kidding!..well, kinda. ;)

A little art lesson on a beautiful Monday afternoon...

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:2

'Poor Old Truck'

I can not believe Jeff was welding for 10 years!..

And, he has had this old work truck for 8! This was the day he drove it home. Look how little Caden was!..sweet little boy, he has always been Daddy's little helper. Wow.. where does the time go?!

Well, the day has come. No. We have not gotten another truck, just yet. That will come soon! We are saying good bye to an era of our lives, a time of our lives that is a little sad to leave, but also a time to celebrate.

No more side work!! Wooohooo! Actually, we have been very blessed, he has not had to do side work for a couple of years now but we are finally making it official by taking all of his machinery out of his truck. Call us lazy, I guess. ;)

We are not going to get rid of the 'poor old truck', were going to give it a little TLC, were going to paint it black, put new tires on it, and Jeff has mentioned a lift kit, (Lord help me) and give it to Jared when he starts to drive. Wow. That will be here before we know it. :(

I am so proud of you Jeff and all your had work over the years and proud that you can retire this part of your life! I love you!!

And you will make a new start, listening obediently to God, keeping all his commandments that I'm commanding you today. God, your God, will outdo himself in making things go well for you: Deuteronomy 30:9

I Will Blog To Remember...

I have felt pretty good over the past couple of days, and yesterday I was feeling like my old self again. I had truly forgotten how it felt to feel good. Crazy, I know. My blood pressure going up has just been a slow process over the past 6 months that I really didn't know how bad I felt until yesterday, when I felt so wonderful! So good, I thought, I would go without taking my meds. and try to keep my blood pressure down on my own. I should've known better, right?! I woke up this morning feeling dizzy even before I got out of bed. My blood pressure was 160 over 101. Oh my goodness. I will NEVER skip a day of my blood pressure medicine again.

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 -18

Magna-Doodle, Weather & Sports

I adore my children but I'm not one of these mothers who thinks their children are geniuses.

Grace is SO into drawing right now and the other day she drew her self portrait. Silly girl! 

 I know all children have different things they excel at early. She did not get her artistic ability from me. She may not be the smartest kid in her class (or maybe she will) - but she is so musical and artistic and I love that about her.

The BEAUTIFUL sunrise on our way to school on Tuesday morning.

I would not have minded if it had rained all day or even all week. But I'm very thankful for what we did get!

We have also enjoyed watching

the Rangers......

And The Bobcats play! Awesome catch, Caden!

Now... get off of my son! ;)

“...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”Hebrews 12:1

Mom & Me Campout

I can not believe that my boys are now too old for the Cub Scout Mom and Me camp out. One of my very first blog posts were about our fun weekend together. You can click...  here ... and read it if your interested. I can not believe how big they have gotten since then. :( 

They are too old to go and play all day but are encouraged to volunteer and help make it a fun experience for the little cubs and their moms! Next year Caden will also join the scouts ( he could have joined this year but didn't because of football. Not going to be the case for next year. He will just have to miss that game;) And I may just go along to volunteer my time as well. Not just to necessarily be with my boys but just to help out.

With the boys meeting at 6am Jared was up early... really too early, 4:30am.. I guess he didn't want to be late. You see where he ended up..in my bed. It doesn't matter how old they get, I still love it when I hear, "Mom can I lay with you".

Look at how he is standing and tell me he is not a "Cornett" Ha!

We enjoyed our few minutes sitting out side wating on his ride to pick him up.Thank you Diane. Everything looks so different out side at  5:30 in the morning. It is really kinda peaceful.

Caden  woke up at 8 o'clock and he told me," Jared didn't say goodbye."  I said, "Baby he left at 5:45. He didn't want to wake you. Did you want him to though?" As he slowly turns away, he nods yes. This was really sweet and so sad. Caden does love his brother, even though he would never admit it to Jared! Ha :)

Jared came home this afternoon stinky filthy and exhausted. He's already showered and in his pjs. Hehehe! But he is enjoying it and had a good time volunteering at Mom & Me!

And a little update on how I'm doing..

Ugh!...Really? I could be doing better, this is with medication.

But I have this little girl to help take care of me..

I was taking a nap and she brought me a healthy snack in bed. Love her!

Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person. Proverbs 3:27

Western Days

This past Saturday was Western Days and was also Caden's first year to be in the parade as he rode along with his football team!

Love Jeff's face. Why do I know this look so well? A look of "yea that's right I'm a Daddy" Ha!

This was my second time to go to western days since I graduated from High School, over 16 years ago. Wow! How much that little community has grown!! 

 

This was her favorite part of the parade... the candy!

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3

Pre-School

I love that Grace enjoys learning. She loves going to Mothers Day Out but wishes she could go to Kindergarten. :( Every night after tucking her in bed she asks, "Am I going to school tomorrow?" We are enjoying her last year at home together, and with her Daddy's new work schedule he is able to spend more time with her. This is really a blessing, time we can never get back. I am going to miss her so much when she starts school next year.

First time to write her name all by herself!

When did she get sooo big??

Congratulations Jared for making 1st chair trumpet second week in a row!!

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

198 over 103

This week has been full of all sorts of surprises. From Jeff's new work schedule to doctor appointment's, lab work, (twice in one day) to a sonogram and hearing the words a possible hysterectomy. This has not been a fun week for me. But with God I (we) will persevere!!! Next week will in tell yet another doctor appointment and possibly more lab work, and that will be okay, I suppose. I am only blogging this to have this in our family journal. I am so sorry if I have worried anyone this was not my intent at all. The only ones that knew of this were my parents and our neighbors. Our sweet neighbors and I were planning a garage sale and we had to cancel Thursday evening to rush off to the emergency care clinic. The title 198 over 103 was my blood pressure reading on Wednesday at my routine Doctors appointment. Dr. Mauldin and his nurses have been so wonderful and have worked hard to get me in with my regular physician this coming Monday. The sonogram and possible hysterectomy has nothing to do with my blood pressure totally separate complication.

This sweet little boy was worried about me and would push the the button every five minutes on the blood pressure machine until we made him go to bed at 10:30 on Thursday night. This reminds me of the sweet stories I have heard for years about how Jeff would stay up late taking care of his Mother when he was little. 

“Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Romans 12:12