All the way to the top!

This week we went to our local activity center.  (Boy, local is relative isn't it!)  We had not ever been there, but heard from lots of friends that it was very fun.  We did the batting cages...yes, we.  I got in there too!  And much to my son's surprise (and mine!) I made contact with a lot of them!  SweetTate was too cute!  SweetHeart got in their with him to help, but it wasn't long before he was ready for his solo shot and in one cycle he hit 5 out of 10!  Way to go little slugger! 

SweetDoll hit 9 out of 10 when she got her rhythm going.  SweetBoy was getting some really solid hits!  I am excited for the season to start!

Here is my honey!

Then we went to the rock climbing wall.  I have always wanted to repell, but never had an opportunity to do it.  SweetTate was not excited about getting his feet that far off the ground, so he didn't try it.  Surprisingly, SweetHeart did!  He is not one for heights either. 

SweetDoll said, "I'm going higher than you!"  And she did go higher than SweetBoy and her dad.  But not higher than Mom--I made it all the way to the top!  No picture proof because I left my phone on the ground, but I made it!  I don't know how people do that for long periods of time.  I have got to get in better shape!

It is a great facility.  We will definitely have to go back and bowl and play some more!  Fun day!

God Stop at the Grand Canyon

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.  And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything.  Rather, He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.... God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us."

Acts 17:24-25, 27

God often gets my attention with nature and teaches me something.  So when we went to the Grand Canyon, I totally expected to meet Him there.  As we were sitting at the Grand Canyon watching the sunset, we had been there all day and I really hadn't slowed down enough to think about it.  But He had been working on it all day!

When we watched the IMAX movie about the Canyon, it told the story of people who had come to the Canyon way back in history.  There were native people living there long ago.  Then explorers came who couldn't find a way across it.  Eventually some fellas on a log raft decided to float down the river through the Canyon looking for gold.  (Do you have the picture of logs tied together, kind of like a Huck Finn contraption on the Mississippi?  Good.)  One guy asked the other, "Is this the right river?" wondering if they were in the right place for treasure.  Then they heard the roar of the rapids, and despite their attempts to avoid them, the first crest and fall of the white water smashed their raft to pieces.  The man decided, "This is not the right river."

Several years later, another expedition team made their way down the river.  There were three boats with three men in each one.  They made it through the first set of rapids...barely.  The next set cost them a boat and a man.  The next set they decided to take it cautiously and walk around it as best as they could.  When they came to the next white water, three men decided they were done and walked away.  They liked their odds in the wilderness of the Canyon rather than the raging river.  They were never heard from again.  The rest of the team went on through the rapids--the last set they encountered. 

The movie showed modern vacationers riding rubber rafts on the rapids with screams of excitement.  I have been on a rafting trip in Colorado and it is very fun!  But I can imagine how not being in right equipment, not knowing the river and terrain, and not having a guide would be terrifying!

Now let's switch perspectives to the rim.  On our Ranger Guided Tour she pointed out some "green tufts" on the Canyon floor.  "How tall do you think they are?" she asked.  (In the top half of this photo.)

They are 80-foot Cottonwood trees that look like something an ant would crawl right over and never blink!

At one point we could see part of the river and the rapids.  They looked like no big deal from here.  But if that tree is that size, they were probably pretty significant when you are in the middle of them!

Here is another thing.  I don't know if you can tell from these pictures or not, but there is a pattern in the Canyon to some degree.  The way the river winds through the Canyon might look random from the Canyon floor, but from the top you can see how the curves and jut outs make the same formations.  There is a Designer who has a plan.

So what is the point?  When I'm in the middle of the raging water of life, I feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me...I wonder if I'm on the right river...I feel unequipped...I want to bail and abandon the original plan...I feel alone.  But the truth of it is, I am more than just a minuscule part of creation.  God knows my name!  He knows exactly the situation I am in.  He is with me!  He knows what is around the bend.  To Him the future is history!  He has given me exactly what I need so I am equipped.  He has a plan for me and no matter what happens, He will work it out for my good and His glory if I will cooperate.  When I set my heart, mind, and eyes on God, He will give me His perspective. 

These are some of my memory verses that I have been working on this year that also came to mind as I was thinking about this.

Psalm 34:4

I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  (NIV)

Philippians 4:19

And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NET)

Isaiah 26:3

People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit.  Depend on God and keep at it because in the LORD God you have a sure thing. (The Message)

Judges 5:21b

March on, my soul; be strong! (NIV)

Father,
Thank You so much that You are a big God!  Huge!  You work on the majestic, grand scale and the human scale.  You know me and love me any way.  I am blown away by a glimpse of Your love!  Thanks for meeting me here, and reminding me that no matter what may happen, You are still in control.  Help me to keep my mind set on You and keep going.  Thank You that when we seek You, You promise that we will find You.  I love that about You!  Thanks for a great day with my family and with You.  In Jesus' Name...Amen.

Spring Break

Long time, no post!  Sorry about that.  I'm finding that 1) there are not many news worthy things going on and 2) my creative writing has other outlets at the moment--facebook (it was inevitable, right fb friends?) and the Mom and Loving It blog.  Have you checked it out lately?  But this week I have a couple of things to share.  We'll see if I actually get them done!

We had talked about going somewhere for spring break, but we didn't decide on anything.  Until about 3 weeks before hand, we decided to go to Arizona!  I had been through there on my trip with my grandparents when I was younger and I was excited to show my kids the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert/Petrified Forest.  And a certain favorite baseball team has their spring training facility out there!  So we planned our route and itenerary, booked hotels, bought tickets, and we were off!  (I usually say, "We are off like a herd of turtles!"  But SweetTate has added his own twist..."We're off like monster turtles!")

Part of our itenerary was planned time at the hotel for the kids to swim.  Problem...the hotel that we had planned the most time to do that in their indoor pool, the pool was being painted.  SNAP!  But when we arrived in Phoenix it was warm enough outside that we could use their outdoor pool.  Perfect!  We were at the hotel for 2.5 minutes and the kids already had their suits on and waiting on us to go.  Oh.My.Word. That water was so cold!  I can not describe it!  Yes, I can say that from experience because I jumped in the take-your-breath-away icy waters.  We seriously wondered if it qualified us for the polar bear club, but we didn't think they had sign ups for that in Phoenix.  The kids loved it, and life is good.

 Her lips turned a few more shades of blue before we decided it was time to get out!

Our first adventure was the Rangers game. 

A friend who had been there a few weeks before said they would sign autographs before and after the game, so that was our main souvenir objective.  Each of the kids had a ball, I had  my scorebook, we all had sharpies--we were ready!  We waited...and waited....no one was signing before the game.  Snap!  So we went to our seats that were amazing!  Right behind the Rangers dugout!  And had a delicious ballpark hotdog!  Yum!  I think they are better than the ones in Arlington.  We enjoyed the game.

Josh Hamilton hit a home run, Neftali Feliz had a good start pitching, and the Rangers won!  And we actually saw most of the game!  It wasn't so stinking hot that we were drinking so much to stay cool which brings potty breaks every inning with kids!  By the end of the game, most of the star players had already left and signed autographs as they left, and where our seats were, amazing as they were, we were not in the right place.  But after the game, David Murphy stood at the corner of the dugout signing.  SweetBoy grabbed his ball and went to get his signature.  I really didn't think he would because there was such a crowd. 

Before I could really hope that he got one, SweetBoy was back beaming showing us his signed baseball!

Awesome!  Then SweetDoll and SweetTate took off, and they got their baseballs signed also!  I seriously need to send David Murphy a thank you for totally making our day!  And yes, he is our favorite player now!  (I'm reading over this and noticed how many !!! I have used.  Sorry, but if I were talking to you in person, I would be that excited.  We had a great day!)

The next day was a full day at the Grand Canyon.  SweetHeart had been there before too and what he remembered was watching the IMAX film.  We found that and really enjoyed the views it showed.  (And it was much cheaper than the helicopter ride to get that loose your stomach feeling as you plunge over the side!)  Then we made it to the Canyon.  The vast, majestic views were beautiful, and it was amazing how it looked a little different through the day as the sun went down. 

I wanted to stay for the sunset, so we took a picnic supper to eat at just the right spot to watch it.  One of the highlights of the day happened as we sat there.  Earlier in the day we went to a Park Ranger presentation on the big birds of the Canyon.  We learned about four different birds and how to recognize them.  We saw lots of ravens, and then we saw one of the rare ones--a California Condor soared above us!  They are terribly ugly vulture-type when they are sitting, but in flight, they are very graceful and beautiful!  I am so glad we planned a time to sit and enjoy or we would have missed that.  The sunset was not that different than ones we have here, but I don't often sit down and enjoy one so it was special.

As we made our way back this direction, we planned to stop and see the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest.  It is amazing to me that there is something so different and interesting just off the highway, but you have to get off the highway to see it!  We walked around the Crystal Forest and marveled at how these huge trees used to live in this place that doesn't have a tree in sight now!  And what makes the hillsides purple? 

It is one of those places that makes me think that my God is so creative!  The kids did the Junior Park Ranger program and were sworn in.  That was a highlight for them.

In our travels, we noticed several things that looked like they were the inspiration for the Disney movie Cars.  These sandstone formations look like the car profiles they had in their hills.

Then on the way to the Painted Desert, we drove through Holbrook and saw Sally's Cozy Cone!

When we stopped for lunch the lady there told us they have a tow truck parked there that people stop and take pictures with.  We drove back by and it was Mater!  We just had to stop!  That was too fun!

We had so much fun and enjoyed our time together.  I realized that our kids are at really good ages to do stuff like this.  And I'm so glad we are at a place where we can.

I heart technology...sort of

My kids get on to me for always being on the computer these days.  I don't think I am, but then I thought about it...my life is on the computer! 

Journal on the computer.
Correspondence is email on the computer.
My part-time job is done almost entirely on the computer.
News and weather on the computer.
Friends on facebook on the computer.
Pictures organized on the computer.
Scrapbooking digital books on the computer.
Valentines--no construction paper here! Just print them off!
(Seriously I might get the construction paper out for this one, if I can find it!)
My grocery list is on the computer!
(I used to feel like a real nerd about that one, but how many of you have a grocery store app on your phone?  My point exactly!)

I'm feeling more attached, like a ball and chain at times, to technology.  I wonder why!  However, it sure does come in handy at times which is the point to my story.

Several years ago I heard that if you let your driver's license expire, then you have to retake the test.  Ugh!  I don't remember how many feet you are supposed to follow the car in front of you!  I just know when I feel like some people are too close!  Anyway, we have moved enough that I never really had to worry about it.  Well, this year mine was expiring and I sure didn't want to go past the deadline.  I thought, "No big deal.  I live in a small town.  I'll just run up there and it won't take long."  But I didn't plan on snow.  Then I forgot the fact that it is only open one morning a week.  Of course I remembered that the evening after it was open.  So I jump on the ol' Internet to see how far I would have to drive in the snow to get this taken care of before I had to take the test again.  I found two very important facts. 

1) You don't have to test again unless it is expired for 2 years.  Whew!
2) You can renew it online if you qualify.  Cross your fingers... yes!

To make a long story short, it wasn't quite as easy as it should have been.  (The system had a glitch in the payment, but it is finally on the way.)  And to top it off, I liked my last picture, so I guess it will be the one on my new one!  Bonus!

Tip: If you would like to also take advantage of this technology, start earlier than the week before.  OK days before!  I had good intentions, but I'm a recovering procrastinator and sometimes it just happens that way.  Thank goodness for technology bailing me out on this one!

Fort Worth Stock Show

Well, our tour of our great state continues!  And the stock show season comes to an end for us.  Going to The Fort Worth Stock Show was our "big" show this year.  When I say big, I mean BIG!  There were over 1200 lambs, 800 of those were the type of lamb SweetBoy showed, all with the Grand Champion prize in their sites.  Pretty stiff competition!

SweetHeart, SweetBoy, and our ag teacher went down Thursday to get Lightnin entered.  Friday SweetDoll, SweetTate, and I made the trek.  (SweetDoll has a thing about perfect attendance, and there wasn't much reason not to wait.)  When SweetBoy was packing, he cracked me up!  He said, "Mom, I want to look professional.  Like I totally know what I'm doing and have been here before."  During some of their down time Thursday, he got his boots shined...because he wanted to look professional.  :)  Gotta love my boy!

When we went to the show Saturday, of course SweetDoll and SweetTate had to get theirs done too!  They looked like twins sitting up there on the shine stand.  The gentleman said he would do it for $5, but I don't think he scrimped on any part of it!  (It couldn't have been that people were stopping and taking pictures.  He was getting attention for his business!  That's fine with me--he did a good job!)

SweetBoy had to show us around all that he and Dad had already scoped out.  We saw all kinds of animals, including this buffalo and cute animals at the petting zoo!  And we watched a demonstration on milking a dairy cow.

Of course, we had to spend some time in the horse arena.  They weren't doing anything super exciting the days we were there, but we saw some beautiful horses!

Mostly we hung out in the sheep barn. 

Then it was time to get Lightnin ready.  A little exercise.

Bath time!

 The weather was absolutely gorgeous!  So a walk to air dry worked just fine.  SweetBoy needed it as much as the lamb did!  He was soaked!  And of course, SweetTate and SweetDoll were not far behind!

Saturday we watched some of the fine wool competition.  We learned a lot!  The judges and staff made it run so smoothly!  Oh my goodness, that judge has a difficult job distinguishing between some really good lambs!

Sunday it was SweetBoy's turn in the ring.  Meme and Granddad came down to watch with us.  There were about 80 in his class.  They let in 10 at a time and each exhibitor set up their lamb.  The judge came to each one and checked the structure and meat.  Then he either pointed to go to be weighed--you made the cut, or he directed you out to the ally.  My heart was beating so hard for my son!  SweetBoy went to the ally.  Snap.  After all 80 went through, the judge wanted 25, so he went back to those in the ally for a second look and chose a few more but SweetBoy was done.

Then it was time to say good bye to Lightnin and head home.  It was a tearful goodbye.  SweetHeart stayed to go through the process of taking Lightnin "to the truck."  However, they chose Lightnin to be used for the judging competition later in the week.  When SweetHeart asked, "Why this lamb?"  They gentleman said, "He has a good finish on him, and he has a good look.  He is a good type for the kids to judge."  That was encouraging that the my kids had done a good job caring for him.  I'm pretty proud of them! 

One thing I noticed on the roster was how many siblings were listed.  This is a family affair.  I can see that in my family.  Of course, SweetBoy did the bulk of it, but all three kids helped in some way.  The days we have spent going to stock shows have been fun family memories.  I'm sure when the younger two are eligible, they will be right there with SweetBoy in the show ring too.

When I gave my brother the report on how we did, he asked, "Is there a plan for another lamb next year?"  To which I replied, "A plan...have you met your nephew?!  Another lamb...have you talked with him in the last year?!  You bet!"

What we've been up to

Well, the first of January found us at our local Stock Show.  The kids did really well!  SweetBoy won Grand Champion Lamb and Jr. Showmanship!  (The first one is the structure and build of the lamb that reflects the care of the lamb--feed and exercize.  The second is how well SweetBoy showed the lamb.)  We are very proud of him!  His hard work has paid off.  Then SweetDoll and SweetTate had a turn in the pee-wee showmanship competition, and SweetTate won the trophy!  He was so excited!  SweetDoll was a little disappointed, just a little.  She wanted to try the pee-wee showmanship for the pigs.  I was proud of her for trying something new and being brave enough to get in the ring with those really big pigs!  (Thankfully she didn't win, her first time in the ring with a pig, or we would have never heard the end of it!)

I love this picture of the little ones showing with big brother watching close by, just in case they need some help.  We borrowed a friend's lamb for SweetDoll and SweetTate has our lamb.

The next event in January...my Dad, the kids, and I went to San Antonio to celebrate my Grandmother's birthday.  We had a great visit with family that we don't get to see very often. 

While we were there, my kids asked if we could go to the Alamo.  Our plans included lunch on the RiverWalk, and the Alamo is just around the corner, so we did that too.  Visiting the Alamo with a Texas history teacher.  You just can't beat that!

I think we have a picture of my brother and I with our cousins at this spot 20+ years ago.  Here is the next generation!  Out in the woods behind the house or inside, these kiddos had a blast playing together .  What a blessing cousins are!

We have a neat family and enjoy getting together.  All of Grandma and Granddad's children, one grandchild from each family, and six great-grandchildren got to come.  This trip was odd that only one of us was not blood related (for one reason or another the in-laws couldn't come).  We teased that without our type-a counterparts, we would never get anywhere.  But we did just fine, thank you very much!  We did miss everyone else, but we had a sweet time with those who were there!

January has been full of basketball and meetings and gymnastics...we meet ourselves coming and going.  I'm trying to enjoy these days, but I'm looking forward to February!  The end of January finds us at the last Stock Show for the season for us, and Lightnin will be leaving.  When we come home, I'll probably have three teary kids.  (Pray for me!)  I'll check in soon--the mom paparazzi will be on duty!

Christmas Recap

I know January is almost half over and my decorations have been down for almost a week, but I know me...  I'll be scrapbooking in a month or so and look back here to jog my memory and if it is blank I'll be in trouble!  So if you'll bear with me, here is a recap of our Christmas 2010.

It started off with a Mavericks game with the Lastname family.  That was fun.  I had not ever been to a professional basketball game before.  One observation...as a general rule, basketball fans are tall!  This 5 foot nothing chick felt like a shrimp!  I'm just sayin!  The Mavs won and we had a good time--even with the tall people.  :)

Then we had our Christmas celebration with the Lastnames.  We had a choice for lunch of potato or taco soup.  YUM!  Yes, I had both!  The cousins played and had a great time as usual, then we called them in and we all gathered around.  SweetDoll read the Christmas story and did a really good job.  She only stumbled over Aminidab and said "Aminadibble."  haha  I thought it was cute!

After we exchanged gifts, the kids went on playing and the adults continued to visit.  Later I realized that the kids were not so obsessed about the presents before or after--oh they enjoyed them, but it was the being together that made it a special day.  I loved it!  Other special moments were being with Mamaw and carolling with the church group.  I think that is the first time I have ever carolled with a jam box and song books! 

I wasn't feeling well the last evening we were there and missed out on a hot dog roast at my BIL and SIL's house, but everyone enjoyed that too.  Then it was time to go home to wash and pack again! 

But before we left for my family, we had our "just us" gift exchange.  SweetTate had patiently waited for a really long time to see what was in that big box!

SweetDoll made the boys owls for their gifts.  She said, "I hope they don't open it and say, 'I like the bat.'"  SweetTate opened his and the first words out of his mouth were "Thanks for the bat!"  Oh well.  We tried didn't we SweetDoll.

I got just what I wanted--a Rangers shirt! 

And SweetHeart was too funny playing with the boys and SweetTate's new hotwheels Criss-Cross-Crash.  "It zooms!  It goes fast!  It crashes!  It doesn't get better than that!" 

Moon Dough...have you seen and felt that stuff?  It is weird!  But it is pretty cool!  We had a good time playing! There are perks to having kids!

Then it was off to my family, and this is where it gets interesting.  The original plan was to go on Thursday to Granny and Papa's.  Then we would all go to the aunt and uncles' houses down south on Friday and come home on Sunday.  We arrived at Granny and Papa's on Thursday and all was well until my SIL got sick.  Maybe it is just a little tummy bug, no big deal, we'll leave Friday afternoon instead of Friday morning.  Then my brother got it.  OK, maybe we'll go Saturday.  Then they weren't feeling up to going and it was Christmas and we didn't really want to travel on Christmas...but their flight left from that city.  So we decided to just stay at Granny and Papa's until Sunday.  (Papa and SweetHeart got a touch of it, but the rest of us stayed well. Whew!)  By Saturday they were feeling a little better.  The plan down south was to have enchiladas for Christmas dinner, but we were missing Granny's dressing, so we had planned to have it Thursday before we left, but it wasn't thawed out, so we had it for Christmas dinner--since we were still there.  You can see how we made it to plan Z!  Everyone did feel better in time to exchange gifts and that was fun too.  SweetDoll got an American Girl Doll with a horse big enough for her doll to ride!

SweetBoy got spy gear that he wanted.

Then Granny opened an American Girl Doll too!  Those two were too cute playing dolls together.

(I never liked playing with dolls and Barbies too much.  I don't like doll hair.)  Sunday came and we traveled home and they went south to see the rest of the family and catch their plane.  However, it snowed a bunch and their flight was canceled!  So they got a bonus day with family down south!  Everyone eventually made it home safe and sound after a...quirky...Christmas!  Don't get me wrong, we missed seeing our family that we don't get to see very often.  But all things considered, it was a good Christmas.  God had a plan from the beginning--even to the fact that we had dressing for Christmas!  (It would have been great to have enchiladas with the big family, but I'm just sayin!)  And Granny had already taken off work Monday, so it was no big deal when they stayed south until my brother's plane left a day late.  I just love that about my God!  Even when we think we are off schedule, He works it out.

Merry Christmas 2010!