Marv and his fine china

Okay there are only 11 cups here...I think one is in the dish washer...and I am having trouble getting my pics to sit up straight!!! UGH :)


My man cracks me up! He is so obsessed with everything country, and has been probably since he was born, but went through a time when he seemed to be content with the good ole concrete city life...about 3 years ago Marv started voicing a need, want, dream, and big desire to move back to the country with horses, land, tractors, ATVs, fish ponds, barns, and even stickers!!! He misses the experiences that he had growing up raising all kinds of animals. Most people don't realize what a true country boy he is. I remember when we first meet comparing how we each grew up out in the boons and although thankful didn't really think that we would end up there again. Well as they say you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy. When Marv got his pick up truck he started itchin' for a horse trailer to pull behind it (ever heard of the book if you give a mouse a cookie?). Well we don't have the trailer yet, or even the horse to put in it, but we are praying hard about that!!! SOMEDAY!!!!

Marv's other favorite thing in life other than God, family, and his truck is BBQ! And not just any BBQ, but CHEAP BBQ at Dickie's!!! He LOVES LOVES LOVES the "fine china" (a.k.a. big, free, yellow cups) that we collect from each Sunday meal that we have there. He pointed out to me just yesterday that we now officially have a whole set of 12 of HIS fine china. He was seriously overjoyed by this!!! I'm so thankful it doesn't take much to make this man of mine happy.

I love you babe and I know that God will reveal his plan for our future in the country!!! Until then we will just keep on watching old westerns and dreaming of the day our dreams will come true! wink wink

Great Weekend

Well we are finishing off a wonderful three day weekend! The kids had off today I guess for a teacher's work day, or something....I'm not sure, but who cares.....we got the day off! Saturday we all got up fairly early and had cinnamon rolls before the boys headed off to work in some yards to help Jeffrey raise money for the youth mission trip to New York this summer. Julia and I stayed home in our pj's and caught up on dancing with the stars, and american idol...we like them all, but hope Blake will win even though Jordin is getting big votes from the Keller Williams group since her parents are KW agents. Julia and I then got done up to go and sign up for my correspondence classes through the Champions real estate school! I'm so excited to finally have the time and dough to get these classes done....once I finish the five courses then all that's left is to take the state exam! I'm already all most done with one of the classes after just getting started Saturday night! The classes that I have been taking at Marv's office the past 5 weeks have really taught me so much and will help greatly with these classes! I will be able to do this and still be the momma that I want so I can't wait to get started. It will be so much fun to help my friends, family, and clients find the home of their dreams!

The boys came home after stopping off at Lowe's to get some supplies to fix a towel rack, stopped up tub, and toilet paper holder and watched some rented John Wayne movies....the girls were super happy to have something better to do and not have to get in on that one! Julia and I went to see K'lee McKinney's dance recital....fun and man are they good! We had fun singing Hannah Montana and stopping off for a bite at our all time favorite...Sonic!

Sunday was a wonderful day of worship and family time. Jacob and Julia had their choir musical..KINGDOM QUEST. It was a musical about putting on the full armor of God. Jacob had two solos and Julia was on the dance team. They both did super and really enjoyed the choir this year. We came home and caught up on some planet earth on tv...if you haven't seen this on discovery channel...check it out....God's creation IS so amazing!!!

Monday...today....we slept till all most the crack of noon when our eyeballs were just about poppin' out of our head and our tummies and backs were hurting from all the deep breathing! It was good to catch up on much needed rest! Daddy made us awesome waffles which we drown in peanut butter and syrup! We then caught up on laundry and watched Flicka...makes us want horses soooo bad! Someday! Kids still had piano, guitar, and dance lessons so from 3:30 on it felt like a normal Monday. Marv just got home from trying out a BSF bible study...he is gonna start next fall and try and do all 7 years...I may just have to join him....sounds really great!

Casting all my Cares

I have been really down lately and have been really good at trying to cover it up...except for the few in my innermost circle who I truly feel safe to share with. Today I have received a blessing from the Lord through my best girlfriend, Kim, and then through a sermon by Jack Graham on the radio this afternoon. I don't know why it still surprises me that God cares enough to answer my cries and pleas to him when I feel like I am in the dessert and wilderness, but I'm so thankful for his faithfulness and unconditional love for me.

Sheep are not the smartest animals that God created, and need some major love and caring for. I remember from my childhood hearing about how the shepherd cares for his sheep. He knows how many sheep are in his flock and can even call them by name. He leads them through the gate to safety, and out to green grass and still waters to give them nourishment and rest. He goes out in front of them to make a safe path for them, and they follow him because they KNOW his voice. When one little sheep wanders off the path towards the greener grass it may think they it is safe to separate from the flock for a little while...I can always go back, or at least it is feeling selfish and wanting all the grass to it's self...non the less after a while it realizes that it has now wandered too far and it can't even hear the shepherd, or see the shepherd and flock from all the darkness.

It's in this darkness that the fear can grip you to the point of depression, and your head just spins not knowing which way is up. How many times have I found myself day after day waking up to another new day just trying to hear my shepherd's voice again. I can tell you dehydration sets in quickly and it feels like you may not make it back. The storms of life surge all around and its just plum scary. The enemy wants me to think that I am the only one experiencing this and that how horrible am I for being in this dark place AGAIN called wilderness.

On the radio today Jack Graham said that some sheep are prone to wander and that the shepherd sometimes HAS to break the sheep's leg in order to MAKE it not wander off. He doesn't leave it broken though...he restores it and allows it to heal hopefully teaching the sheep to stay safe and find peace by the shepard's side. This is where I have found myself....broken....weary....thirsty and hungry for the true peace that can only come from my shepherd.

When the shepherd counts his sheep at nightfall and realizes that one is missing...he will go out and search for that sheep and bring it back to safety. He cares so much for each one. I think we begin to believe the enemies lies that we are that one sheep that he isn't going to come for and that he doesn't really care for....wrong...so wrong! Praise God that he loves us with a love that we will never fully grasp or understand. No matter how far we have wandered, how long we have wandered, or how many times we have wandered....HE WILL NEVER STOP COMING FOR US!!! He will allow something to break us though so that we will have to look up. Jack said something about a sheep being cast down on it's back with all fours sticking up in the air, and the only thing to flip it right side up is the shepard. That's where I have been knocked down and sprawled out, wind knocked out of me, and my precious shepherd has come today to pick me back up.

I have been searching for happiness and understanding, but all I really need to search for is HIS righteousness. Matthew 6:33 has a whole new meaning to me today...Seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. These things being the things that we really need in this life...not the things that we THINK we need or deserve. It is in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS that I will find true peace. 1 Peter 5:6-7 says Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety and cares on him because he cares for you!

I have been not only a sheep prone to wander from my shepard, but also like to put up a good struggle and make things harder than they really have to be when he is trying to save me.

Father forgive me for being such a subborn and hard-headed little sheep. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.....I have been humbled O LORD and I praise you even in the midst of this. Thank you for your daily willingness to restore my soul! I know it is in this struggle that I am being made strong, firm and steadfast.

Happy Birthday Julia Sage

Julia is ocho today!

We have been celebrating pretty much since Friday, and after lunch and doughnuts at school tomorrow we will officially be through with the four days of celebrations! Julia had her first real slumber party last night, and I have to say that all 9 girls got some sleep, got along, and didn't get too sick from all the goodies that are consumed during one of these types of parties! The big presents this year were all the littlest pet shop toys that she got, teacher stuff to play school with, and neat stuffed animals, robe, the whole set of Narnia books from Nana and Papa, and a Hannah Montana cd from the brothers!

Julia's party was done in a simple pink and yellow theme with cupcakes made special from momma (big deal for me!) We had pizza followed by the lighting of the cupcake tree, then birthday song. The girls then decorated a picture frame with stamps (I will send later with picture taken with Julia along with thank you note). The silly string fight never last long, but does take up some time to clean up...I mean....see who can make the biggest silly string ball by picking up all the mess!!! Of course in the end they put all the balls together and made a huge silly string ball for a fun picture! They jumped on trampoline, watched movies, had lot's of snacks, and got to sleep before midnight...I'm pretty sure! The next morning when they woke up and came down for breakfast they all had their party favors waiting for them downstairs in living room...all most like Christmas morning!!! I got a great idea from Julia's teacher to go to Home Depot and cut a dry erase board into smaller sizes...well they each got a pretty good sized board...and you can tell from the pics Julia's board is huge!!! They each had a dry erase marker, eraser, and some candy in the baskets as well. Cheap, fun, and so easy!!!

This morning we woke up to the traditional number pancake to make it official, and opened a few more gifts....a real live webkin from her Grandma Jolly. She was so surprised to open that gift cause we had been telling her for the last few weeks now that they were all sold out! Grandma was her hero cause she got it well over a month ago not even knowing how hot of an item she had gotten her hands on! Way to go Grandma! I have to say it is a really neat little idea of stuffed animal and technology. Today, April 29, also happens to be their 2nd anniversary! So that was special to Julia to share her birthday with her new little terrier webkin!

I'll never forget the day you were born Julia! I wasn't sure what I was going to do with a little girl, but I have to say you have taught me great things, and it's been a blast! I'm so thankful to have someone to share all the girly things with, and pass on my love for being a mommy to. Thank you for the way you share life with all those around you. I will never be the same because of this deep sisterhood in Christ that I have with you. I love that you have a heart for our Lord. I know that as you seek his word, and continue to be real and transparent with Him..you will grow and be blessed as you bless others through your writing and fearless way of living this life with spunk!

pound pound peace!!!

If Mamma is sick...

Well I finally went to the doc yesterday after feeling just plum rotten since last Thursday evening! It was nice to not have much this weekend so that I could rest, drink major amounts of water, and live on motrin. I was so hoping to just let my body heal itself, but as much as I hate going to the doctor...I finally broke down and was sure that I had some weird, horrible disease that nobody has ever heard of...cause that's how yucky I felt! Turns out it was just a sinus infection. Got a shot in the hiney, and sent off to CVS to get my antibiotic. I'm feeling a little better, but after being shut up in the house for three solid days it was rough doing car pool and our Monday madness of piano, guitar, and dance lessons. Of course daddy who usually meets us at Sonic on Monday nights and takes the boys to music lessons in the middle of all the running was playing in a golf tournament for Rotary yesterday so that meant even more back and forth crazy driving up and down Preston for me. I made it though and am going to get back to real life today!

Boys are doing TAKS test today and tomorrow, so I got up and cooked up a huge breakfast (Leta Mae style-Marv calls it!) for the young uns that for sure will give them all the brain power they need to ace the test! The best thing about TAKS week for the kids and for me is....NO HOMEWORK!!! So that means they can climb that tree, play more songs on piano, trombone, guitar, jump higher on the trampoline, ride bikes, dig in the sand, whatever they feel like doing outdoors! I wonder if I ever did homeschool...how could I be disciplined and make them come down out of the trees to learn? I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing my kiddos up in the tippy top branches of our trees! I'm sure that would get old some day...it's a thought...

Hey Dad, Mom, Michelle, and Amy...I loved our 5 way conversation the other night! We gotta do that more often! I think we were on the phone for like 2 hours! Too fun, and lot's of great deep thoughts!!! Let's all get together soon at the nearest camp ground...I would feel safer having us all around to endure....I mean enjoy the fun together!

Y'all have a super Tuesday, and get those taxes in!!!

WANTED: Comments

I've been blogging since this summer off and on and find it really therapeutic and fun to get to write about my family, fun, and life in general. I was introduced to the world of blogs by my friend Sonya, who had a friend Amanda, who both had their own blogs. I started keeping up with their blogs and realized quickly that I too wanted to get my own blog. I then told my friend Kim, and sisters Michelle and Amy about this new world. They too got their own blogs! How fun it has been to keep up with their everyday adventures, trips, kids, and being able to see pictures and comments on each day, week, or month... just all most making it feel like we aren't really thousands of miles from each other!

Well as I began to read all the other blogs I found links to so many other awesome moms out there. I noticed that some blogs really had lots of comments...meaning lots of readers, family, friends, and fans. While others didn't seem to have hardly any comments, or even ZERO comments. I kinda felt sad for those people cause that meant possibly several things....they don't have many friends, or families, or fans, or readers. Or that maybe what they were saying was BORING and not even worth a comment. OR even worse that no one was actually reading their blog...therefore what a waste of time unless they were just journaling for themselves! I myself never felt compelled to comment on some of these blogs cause well they don't know me....and I kinda felt like a lurking- peeping tom kind of person...peering into their lives...which I find fascinating...kinda a whole new level of people watching...ya know?

Well now that I'm back on line and really want to take my blog seriously...and by this I mean actually write and maybe even get my own mug up there along with links and just some color. I wasn't for sure that anyone was even really reading my blog unless I got an email, or phone call about it. But I then realized how boring my blog must look, or the things I shared where seen as goofy cause I started getting the 0 comments. OUCH...it hurts....can anyone out there relate with me? It becomes this sadistic kind of ritual where each morning you get on to check and see if anyone even cares that you are alive and bloggin'! I've had other friends comment to me on how they too become involved in wanting to share with the masses, and maybe even feeling like their views and life were somewhat important to those out in the world. I think being a stay at home mom is sometimes a lonely place when it comes to needing that adult conversation and approval that your brain is still working and you can think and have conversations on a higher level than the age of your oldest child!

Okay so then I got the site meter thing...way cool! It made me feel a little better...at least I know that my friends and family are at least logging onto my blog and hopefully reading it...along with others in Peru, Germany, Poland, and Canada just to name a few! That makes my brain hurt to think about how far some of my thoughts are going...all around the world! I at that point then realize I have readers who

a. don't know how to comment(a.k.a. not computer savvy)

b. just don't know what to say to my rants and stories, or

c. like to remain lurkers like I did on so many blogs.

I think I will make it a new policy to comment every time I read another blog just so they know that I actually dropped by and peered into their world if only for a moment!

Okay so now if I have no comments on this entry, or on other entries after being so transparent with you all about how important the comments are to us bloggers then I'm gonna just assume you are laughing your head off at my sad little life and want me to have a bloggers complex! : )

P.S. My mom doesn't even know how to use email much less comment so she is forgiven, but now my daddy does have a clue when he isn't too busy with the bluegrass! Love y'all!

Camping Part 3

Well the ending to this story of our 5 day camping trip goes like this...

We get back from our near tragic family bike adventure and scarf down some yummy sandwiches. Ya know anything eaten outside in the warm sun can just taste delightful! Jeffrey was in the tent recooping from a very serious bike wreck...thank you Lord for watching over his hard little head...despite the lack of brain usage on his parents part as well! Jacob and Julia were playing around and Marv was in the hammock watching this huge boat, while I was cleaning up from our lunch. I notice the clouds in the sky seem to be getting closer and the wind started to pick up...yet again!... Now all week long we had clouds roll in and roll out along with the wind that never really produced much rain, so I started to just assume that this would be the same way. Each time it seemed like it would rain for the past four days we had to fold up all the chairs, put food in the cab of the truck, close windows on tents, and take down towels off of clothes line. I asked Marv who was still coveting....I mean....watching the boaters loading up their boats onto the trailer from the water , if he could help me put stuff away cause it really seemed like it might be a for real storm moving in this time. Not 5 minutes after getting the last thing put out of the elements the winds pick up fast and furious....oh don't forget the dog!....chunked her into the tent and batten down the hatches.

Now if you have ever experienced a bad thunderstorm in Oklahoma you would know that a tent is not a place that you would want to take shelter from the winds, rain, and hail. This huge, new tent has an entire ceiling made of mesh for great venilation on a warm summer night. The tarp that goes over the top does come down to keep water from coming in...unless the winds are blowing at 60+ and then it just doesn't quite cut it! It didn't take long for us to realize that we were gonna have to grab our kids and Deeds and make a run for the truck...which we did! We sat in the truck for about 1 1/2 hours waiting for the storm to slow down finally we decided on going to get some diesel to make good use of our time.

When we got back to camp Marv and I went to the tent to survey the damage and found several places where the water dripped in and got our beds, pillows, etc... wet. At one point Marv asks me if we should just pack up and head home...now have you ever had a wet soggy tent, sleeping bags, kitchen gear, etc.? The only thing worse than having to pack up all your camping stuff to go home, is having to pack it all up wet cause then stuff can get mildewed! So we just decided to tough it out. That night was one of the dampest, coldest, and longest nights! We were able to spread everything out the next day to let it dry out before sweeping off all the mud and trying to re-bungy cord everything back into the truck!

What a blast we had now that I'm sitting here in my nice, warm, dry home. I'm so thankful for the time period that we were born in. There is nothing like bonding as a family in the great outdoors though. I'd do it again in a heart beat, but could we consider a trailer hon?