Merry Christmas to you and yours......

May the Almighty King richly bless you during this Christmas Season. Peace and Love to all my family and friends.

Remembering the reason.....

Christ is Alive!

Have a Blessed Day in the LORD!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my family and friends.

I love you and God Bless you!

The Reason for the Season

Jesus is Better than Santa
Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks..
And then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is
"Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did.
Not only does He know our name,
He knows our address too.
He knows our history and future and He
even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me
for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts,
repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season.
May the Lord Bless and Watch over you and
your loved ones this Christmas 2008
And may He prosper and bless the work
of your hands in the New Year.

pains, turkey and some football......

Well our week started out on Sunday getting ready to go to Church, planning for a blessed time. Chris has been having a messed up stomach for about 3.5 weeks and then a horrible pain hit. Trying to get him to the car to go to the hospital, he hit the floor and could not get up. A little freaked out by all that was happening and knowing he needed to get to the hospital. Not sure if the pain was a result of his stomach being messed up or if something else was going on. I called 911.

Turns out he was trying to pass a kidney stone. I have never had one and don't care too now after seeing the pain he was in. Dr said it was probably a result of be dehydrated the last few weeks. It was a wild ride for the next day till that little booger came out. It was only 2mm. big but it sure caused alot of pain.

With a short week at school and work I was ready to get into the holiday. Thanksgiving is always good eating. I love all the fixings that go along with the Turkey. We had a house full of people at the In-laws. Very Thankful for our family.

And with the end of the week here it is time for football again. Dustin has been treating his ankle all week with big hopes he will get to start tonight. This is our biggest and toughest game yet this season. It will be a good one.

We are going early to insure a seat since most of all our 2400 pop. town will be there, along with others from nearby communities. I have been praying this week for all the players health and for a victory.
This is the Quarter finals, next week is Semi finals and the following week will be the State Championship. I am so excited for my son, our football team, cheerleaders, and our town.

GO CATS!

Gustav is Gone.

Not knowing exactly where the Hurricane was going to make landfall we decided to evacuate Saturday afternoon. It is always hard to leave your house behind, but we had each other. It was a blessing to be able to come home this time and Gustav missing us. He came ashore in Louisiana and headed west. We got up Monday morning to head home before the rain bands started. After a long and tiring weekend I am Blessed to be home and to get things back to running order around my house. The called off School on Saturday til Thursday, so the kids are enjoying an extended holiday weekend. But soon it will be back to normal around my house. With 3 more storms to watch this week I will be keeping an eye on them. Although I am not at all ready to up and leave again.
We are getting alot of rain from it and we did get some winds last night (40mph). But still praising the Lord for no devastation.
Pray for all those effected by Gustav. They have alot of cleaning up to do.
I have some pictures from our time away this weekend I will try to get loaded tonight.

Battle Cry......

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson

about a battle that goes on inside people.

He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all....

One is Evil.

It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt,

resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good.

It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy,

generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

"The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one that you feed."

author: Douglas McClain Sr.

Galatians 5:16-23

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. Against such things there is no Law.

July 4th Fun

R & R in the Texas Sun

I am so glad the 4th is finally here. We are spending it with family on the river at our camp. Food, Fun, Fellowship, Fireworks, Swimming and the hot Texas sun. We are gearing up to go down there in the morning, well Lauren and I are anyway. The guys are going this evening. Camping in the tent tonight. I like to camp but in a trailer with air. The camp isn't to far from home so Lauren and I will go first thing in the morning. It has been a few years since we were all down there for the 4th and quite frankly I need the R & R. Praying all of my blogging buddies have a blessed holiday. Hope to share some stories or at least some pictures soon of our holiday fun.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the Men in my life!

Holiday weekend fun

Well here we are again, it is Friday. What a fast week and not too bad. Memorial Weekend is here and we have a full weekend planned. Tonight is Wes's last baseball game of this season. Oh did I mention that the team is undefeated. Good Job Boys! Saturday is a day of fun in the sun at the camp on the river. We are so looking forward to just relaxing with the family and some friends. With Sunday comes a busy day.... 7:30 am we load the bus with our baseball team and families to head to Houston for the Astros game. Youth Baseball Parade ~ This popular parade features hundreds of kids and their coaches from area youth baseball and softball leagues. All kids and coaches in uniform (and with game tickets) may participate by lining up at the right field gate no later than 11:00 a.m. Our Boys are so excited. Game time is at 1:05pm and then the long 2 1/2 hour ride home. I am sure there will be alot of tired parents and kiddos on the bus coming home. I am charging my camera for some good pictures this weekend. Monday we are off for the holiday, Praise God! Chris is taking the boys fishing at a friend's house while I take Lauren shopping for her 8th grade graduation outfit. Oh my baby girl is going to high school....Then we will return home for me to get a perm in my hair and cook out on the grill.

I would like to take a few moments and tell you that times are hard for alot of people right now and if you would, please pray for all those that lost a family member this week. I personally know of 3 that passed away here in my town and then I also learned of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter being involved in a tragic accident. Things happen at times that leave us devastated and grieving deeply. Things that are total out of our control. Death perhaps being the hardest to deal with. But there is a God that knows all things, loves at all times and has a purpose for every detail in our life. Please lift up these families this weekend and the weeks to come.

" The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all"
~ Psalms 34:18-19

Birthdays, Baseball and a Plane ride

So the weekend is almost over and we had a full one. Friday night we had ball games. Wes and Dustin both played. Our Softball girls won a huge game. Saturday morning Chris went on a plane ride with one of our friends. He has never been on a plane and he went up in a four passenger plane. He had a blast. Here are some pictures of his 30 min ride.

This is the plane he rode in.

This is our property from 2500 feet up. The kids and I were actually out in the front yard waving at him but you can't tell in the picture.

This is the High School Ball Fields

After his "Joy Ride" was over we did things around the house to get ready for Dustin's 16Th birthday party. Sorry no pictures of that though. We had about 20 kids here. They all behaved and had a good time. 5 of the boys spent the night and we were up til about 2 am so I did not make it to church today.

Chris got up this morning and went to pick up Gypsy, his new baby. She is so cute and is still adjusting being away from her momma and puppies. We had some friends come over to BBQ and hung out. The kids played around outside.

Poor thing is already so spoiled. We have been visiting her several times a week since she was born. So she already knows us but she has been handled so much that she cries to be held.

Early day tomorrow, Dustin has to be at school at 6:30 am for Work outs and I have been called for Jury Duty. I am a little anxious because I have never done it before. Kinda hoping I don't get picked. I have too much going on this week.

Got Mud?

What a beautiful weekend we had here. The weather was so nice. I did something Saturday that I have not done in a long time. I spend some recreational time with my husband. We went on a mud ride with some friends. It has been 7 years since either of has been out there. We were there when Chris's cousin's Uncle Joe died. It was a freak accident but since we were standing just feet away from the truck when it happened, Chris just got away from big mudding trucks all together. But that is a whole another story. We went had a good time, got muddy and came home safely.

Chris had to work Sunday (12 hours) and I had to go get Dustin from his dad's. I made sure the Easter Bunny stopped by the house before I left. Lauren, Wes and Lane went to SIL's house. The other inlaws came up for a day with the grandkids, cooking out and egg hunt. We usually every year do Easter over there. They came home with plenty of eggs and candy. More than we need at the house.

Hope everyone had a Blessed Easter.

My trip to Austin was very long. There was tons of traffic, and it took 1hr 45 min longer than it usually takes me. Dustin had a good time on his skiing trip. He came home in one piece, Praise the Lord!

Celebrate Life with Jesus!

Springtime is among us and with that, we think of Easter. Many celebrate this day hunting Easter eggs, trading baskets and having BBQ cook outs with family. Fighting the crowds at the local mall to have their child’s picture taken with the over sized, fuzzy, floppy eared bunny. Dress up in their Sunday’s best to go to one of the only church service they will attend for the year. Some people all over go to church only 2 times a year, Easter Sunday and Christmas. However, it is not about just those “traditions”. Over 2000 years ago, a young man walked the earth spreading the love of God, Healing, teaching and performing miracles. He was shunned, cursed, beaten, hated and was followed and loved by few. His name is Jesus Christ. He was beaten and hung on a cross to die for you and I. To die, for the world to live, throughout eternity. Jesus died for the righteous and the unrighteous. John 3:16 says ”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Eternal Life through the Birth, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords. God, our heavenly Father loved us that much. Romans 5:8 states that “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Three days after he shed his precious blood on the cross for all humankind, he rose from the dead to ascend to Heaven to sit next to the Father. He is alive today in Heaven with Father God. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…” as stated in 1Peter 3:18.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Through his death and resurrection, He is our only way to eternal life with our Heavenly Father. In Acts 2:21 Jesus says that, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
You can have a living relationship with your creator right now, today. All you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was sent to earth to die for your sins, Past, Present and Future. Confess it with your mouth, Believe it in your heart, and repent from your sins. Romans 10:8-10: 8 “But what does it say?”The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
How about spending Easter this year celebrated “Life”, The Life of Christ Jesus in You!

making pops proud

Here are the pictures I promised from Mississippi. They are of my cousin Jennifer, my kids and our cousins.

Pop and Lane Man on the Golf cart.

Pop and his granddaughter Jennifer

Jennifer and Julian, she wanted to take a picture with handcuffs on. Making her momma and daddy proud!

Jennifer with Wes, Alden and Lane.
As you can see the sun was right in their eyes.
Lane loved turning on the lights and sirens. He always talks about police mans, as he would say it. Now I pray that that was the only time that he will see the inside of a police unit.

gypsy and Tahoe

Well Dustin made it to Lake Tahoe with his dad. This was his first plane ride ever. Here are a couple of pictures he sent to me from the plane.

They will be on their skiing trip there until Saturday.

Chris sent me a picture of Gypsy Bell, his puppy, this evening. She is 1 week old today. He has been bonding with her these last few days. I think she is already spoiled.

We are heading out of Mississippi in the morning sometime. Not sure what time we are leaving because the weather is going to get bad in the middle of the night. Being that I am in the truck going home with twice the stuff I came with, I need to wait until most of the rain is past. Hopefully it will be early and we can get on the road before lunch. We have had a nice visit. The kids got to play alot with their cousins here. Today was a busy day for the boys. Waffle House Breakfast, Library, Bowling (twice), Golfing, and baseball practice. I didn't even leave the house the house today. I should be rested enough to spend the day in the truck tomorrow.
Texas here we come.

Happy Valentine's Day

enjoying family time

I had a really good weekend with my Husband and the boys. We went Friday night after work and met Chris's cousin Shaun and his wife Candace out to eat. Then we went to their house and spent the night. The boys played the PlayStation and the guys hung out by a fire. We got up the next morning to Candace cooking us a nice breakfast. After we ate and got ready for the day we headed out side to their pond to shoot skeet. We spent the whole day out there. It was alot of fun and the boys had a really good time. We cooked out and built a fire. I even shot some skeet and Chris was happy. I don't really care to shoot but that made his day. We left that evening to head back home. I went to bed early to be sure I woke up in time for Sunday School. And I did. I truly enjoyed the lesson. It really made me think about how I want to be remembered when I do part from this life. The worship service and sermon was wonderful too. Again I was pondering on things in my life and the Lord laid somethings on me. A great day at church! After I got home I didn't do much of anything but rest. I did make some Chicken and Dumplings for dinner, washed a few loads of clothes but that was about it. I have been so busy lately I just needed some down time. Tonight we are going to bring in the New Year at BIL house with friends and family. Fireworks and a bonfire, food and fun.

Here are some pictures from this weekend:

Christmas pictures

Pictures From Christmas Eve and Day

This Video is of Dustin and Colton in a Sing off, sorry it is so dark.

We had a really full 4 days. It was fun, lots of food, playing, watching the kids, enjoying one another. This was a blessed Christmas.

I don't have many pictures. I tried to video as much as I could.