texan to tennesseean

Dragon Boat Race

2008-10-05T15:48:00.005-04:00

Each year the local hospital holds the Dragon Boat Festival, a fundraiser for the future children's hospital. This is a HUGE event in Johnson City. I didn't realize how big until I saw it this year. Well, Boys to Men had a boat in the race this year and we WON!! May not seem like a big deal, but this was the first year we have done this and we beat out 60 other teams. This was my first time ever to be in a "rowing" race and I LOVED it. It was a ton of fun and great publicity for our work at BTM!

The final race...we're boat #2. It was an exciting and close race. We won by a tenth of a second!

That's Hope and I in the water after we won the final race. We got so excited we just had to jump in!

The winning team! Yeah!!!!

(You can see more pics from the day right here.)

a little behind on life...

2008-10-05T15:46:00.001-04:00

life is crazy and busy right now. i've gotten a little behind on the blog....here come a few posts to try and play catch up.....

i wish....

2008-08-05T22:35:00.002-04:00

....i could afford a great lawyer to get custody of three amazing kids

....the system wasn't broken

....DCS would actually do something to protect children

....people who had children understood what it means to have children before they make the decision to do so

....i was married so i could adopt those three amazing kids

....the judicial system took child abuse and neglect as seriously as they do meth abuse

....all the kids i work with will understand God's incredible love for them

....i could wish all their troubles away.....

but, instead of wishing, i should pray. pray long and hard for these things to be truth and not just wishes.

summer fun

2008-07-15T21:57:00.005-04:00

well, the summer has been BUSY! a lot of fun and a lot of difficult work. God has been so gracious in giving me fun adventures to help ease some of the pain that i've been dealing with concerning some really hard circumstances with several of our families. i have really enjoyed some great time at the beach, well several beaches. had some fun visits with friends and family. here are a few pics from some of my adventures....you can see the rest at Kelly's Shots. i am excited to say that i have one more fun trip coming up this weekend before reality really sets in with the start of the school year. if you will, please pray for one of our families. i'll call them the T family for the sake of confidentiality. the five children of this family have endured horrible circumstances this summer and DCS can't seem to see the need to get these children in a safe environment. please pray for God's gracious hand to protect their precious lives and to move on their behalf.

A visit to Miami and the Keys....

beautiful bougainvillea....i love this stuff!!

enjoying a fun visit in Key West with Jewels...thanks for a great trip, girl!

leslie and i enjoying the beautiful waters and incredible life under the sea on a snorkeling adventure

Only 90 Miles from Cuba!

On to Garden City Beach, SC....

some of our Girlfriends enjoying the beach for the first time!

sailboats

On to Savannah for fun with the family!

mom, debbie, paula deen and sharon

Mom and I enjoying Savannah

tornado

2008-05-27T20:55:00.003-04:00

the last couple of weeks have been like a tornado. i feel like i have been standing still while a tornado has been spinning madly about me. all of our students have finished the school year, so there have been lots of end of the year activites and we just returned from a trip to Washington DC with our junior high and high school girls. it was such a neat opportunity to see these girls experience Washington DC for the first time. we had a great trip! i am definitely exhausted, but it was well worth it. we were blessed with AMAZING weather and some fun experiences. we got to see the Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride, which was really cool. AND i got to go up into the Washington Monument for the first time out of all my many trips to DC.

our crew outside the national archives

kierra (my mentee) and i outside the capitol

me, isis, leslie and francis waitng to get tickets for the monument at 7am

the world war II memorial at night....it's my new favorite spot in DC

where's the whoop?

2008-05-06T20:54:00.003-04:00

ok, so i've said it before, but i've been attending either a baby shower, wedding shower or a wedding every weekend for past couple of months. kind of crazy, i know, but so fun to celebrate these blessed times in friend's lives. so, being the aggie that i am, i can't help but notice the very clear absence of the celebratory "WHOOP" when the preacher announces, "You may now kiss your bride". for the first time in my life i have experienced this phenonmenon living outside of the usual aggie realm and i must say that it's just not the same without that "WHOOP". so, this weekend at tracey's wedding, i gave a good whoop when the groom kissed the bride and it was great and totally appropriate for tracey! i feel better! a few pics from the wedding...

me and tracey

kierra, tracey, latonya, latesha

several of the ladies from work

on another note, i would like to introduce you to my wednesday group. i spend each wednesday afternoon at northside elementary school with a beautiful group of girls. i must say that they are my most energetic group and i never know what i'm going to get each week! i absolutely love it! i love this school, this group of girls and the time i get to spend with them. i know you're not supposed to have favorites, but this group, without a doubt will be greatly missed from my summer as we take a break from school!

emani, tytiania, mashanda

courtney & tenecia

my wonderful wednesdays!

a glimpse into my work...

2008-04-28T20:46:00.003-04:00

i spend my days working with kiddos and facilitating ways for volunteers to do the same. a.k.a. mentoring. we have many volunteer mentors who are sharing Christ with many children who are in need of His love and grace in their lives! i personally mentor one-on-one, but mostly in group settings. each day of the week i work with a different group of students. on thursdays, i travel up to mountain city to work with a group of girl's from mountain city elementary. last week we had our princess and manner's celebration at this fabulous restaurant, Suba's. they absolutely, without question, have the BEST desserts that i've ever put in my mouth! our Girlfriend's group received what i thought was the best compliment they could have received....our server told them that they behaved better and had better manners than the high school students who dine there for prom in their fancy dresses and tuxes. i love this group of girls and am thankful for God allowing me this season in their lives. here are a few pics of our crew....

beth, haley, ms. paula, destiny, brandy, & katie

keiley, samantha, alisha, eden & kirsty

Ms. Paula & I, my mtn. city partner in crime

spring fever

2008-04-21T21:38:00.003-04:00

I have Spring fever! All I want to do these days is play outside, sleep late and eat popsicles! For one summer, I wish that I could revert back to childhood. I would love for that to happen this summer. You know, when you stay outside all day....sleep in, watch cartoons, eat a popsicle, play outside, eat a popsicle, swim, eat a popsicle, play on the swing set, eat a popsicle, chase your pets around the yard, eat a popsicle, help your mom pick veggies from the garden, eat a pospsicle, play outside some more, eat a popsicle, hope you don't have to go inside to eat dinner and take a bath. You finally give into your mom's urging you to get in the house to eat dinner and take a bath. So, you drag in and eat dinner. Ask if you can have popsicle so you can prolong not taking a bath. Then finally you get in the bath tub and then you don't want to get out because you know you'll have to go to bed. Maybe you can manage one more popsicle before bed time. If only I could have a summer like that!! That will probably never happen again in my life, but a girl can dream can't she? For now, I will settle for as many trips to the beach that I can get and a diet full of popsicles :)

it's back...

2008-04-14T20:46:00.003-04:00

winter has reared it's head again. i hope not for long. it's been cold and rainy/snowy for the past two days. i hope that it doesn't kill all these beautiful spring flowers God has given us to enjoy. i've been thinking these last two days how this quick return of winter is a great physical representation of how quickly Satan can come in and rip away the beauty that God has restored in our lives. the past couple of weeks i've been struggling to stand in His grace and in the beauty that He has put in me. the enemy is trying to snatch that away and some days i feel like i'm barely hanging on. but, each day His grace is sufficient and I must place my faith in this truth! the enemy will not take what my Jesus has given me!!!

a few pics from the last week:

leslie and i at the Well banquet

myself, tracey and debbie at tracey's bridal shower

Emma Kate Priban. Born 4-8-2008. She is too precious!!! There's a lot of celebrating going on these days. Especially with the arrival of this little one.

spring has sprung, well kinda...

2008-04-07T20:42:00.006-04:00

we have been so blessed the past two days with glorious weather! upper 60's, low 70's with bright blue, sunny skies! those kind of days that make you feel like a kid again and dread the sun going down. on sunday, i thoroughly enjoyed my flowers that are blooming (i'll so you a few pictures so you can enjoy them, too), which i planted back in october, planting some herbs...cilantro, rosmary and lavendar to be exact; took lex for a long walk, washed the car; and had some great time with Jesus while enjoying the beauty He had blessed me with. if only i didn't have to get back to reality today....

it was the stereotypical monday, which, by the way i've never really gotten this whole "monday's are horrible" thing, but today, I GOT IT!!! nothing would work right. my computer wouldn't do anything i needed and that just put my whole day in a spin. at one point, i thought i might become a member of "The Christian Women's Cussing Club". I refrained, but i was FRUSTRATED!!! oh, well, monday work day is nearly over and i get to watch Kansas beat the mess out of memphis...let's hope :)

seems like i've been showering a lot these days....baby, wedding, anticipating the arrival of these babies and celebrating the gift of marriage at weddings....

my sweet friend Ashley who is expecting her first child. a few friends gathered to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Emma Kate.

tracey and i enjoying ourselves at hope and joe's wedding....

kajanae, thoroughly enjoying some yummy strawberries at the reception.

i'm hoping that when i get to the office tomorrow my computer will have magically fixed itself, and that the weathermen are seriously mistaken by the fact that is supposed to SNOW this weekend on into the beginning of next week. yes, that's right, i said SNOW. WHY???

return to blogger land

2008-03-31T20:15:00.004-04:00

ok, so i've done this before. gone awol from the blog and decided to come back. well, let's just say i failed at that, but this time i'm really going to try! so, here goes. monday has been set as my official day to blog. so, get excited to add something to your calendars on Monday!

last week i went into the gym and it was cold and the sun was shining and when i came out, i was only in there for 1 hour, this is what i saw. i was so reminded of how creative God is and how truly glorious He is in all things! i am typically annoyed by the snow and cold weather here in east tn (what can i say, i'm a texan and i love the muggy, texas heat!), but this time I was in awe of what I saw and was filled with joy! so i took a few pics and thought i would share them with you!

"I'll Be Somewhere Down in Texas....

2007-12-27T09:34:00.000-05:00

...if you're looking for me." Home sweet home for awhile.....beautiful sky, lots of stars, I can see forever, BLUE BELL, my family, all the shopping a girl could want, I can actually watch the Aggies and the Cowboys on tv, and not so cold weather......I LOVE the Lone Star State.

"i had a vacation.?.?.?."

2007-11-01T20:54:00.000-04:00

......this is what I have been thinking in the back of mind for the last two weeks. A friend and I went away to Charleston, SC and the beach for a little r&r for a few days. It was a wonderful time....we camped beneath the stars, ate lots of smores, layed out on the beach, enjoyed the southern charm of Charleston and my taste buds were greatly entertained with a variety of crab! But, today, as I calculated my hours for this past month on my time sheet, I was thinking "when did I take vacation?".....work has been nuts!!! Melissa warned me that after she took her camping trip last fall that it was the calm before the storm...oh, how true that has been for me. If you think about it, you can pray that I will learn to delegate, not be a perfectionist, and truly have God's wisdom for what He desires for me to do each day. For now, I will reflect on the blessing of the time away and pray that I will lean on Him to get me through until the next little break at Thanksgiving.

A few pics from the trip...see the rest here.

the coolest

2007-10-20T11:23:00.000-04:00

it's official, Laura Stiller, is the coolest blog reader. not only did she read and respond to my ridiculous questions and knew the quote from my favorite game show, but she herself, has a super-cool blog! check it out sometime, she's a great writer!!! love ya, girl!

"and the survey says...."

2007-10-18T12:05:00.000-04:00

you get extra cool points if you know where that quote came from!

I'm taking a poll....

Would you rather....

Hillary or Obama?

Beach or Mountains?

Go without a shower for 3 days or go without food for 3 days?

let me know what you think!

the adventures of summer...

2007-10-09T20:57:00.000-04:00

Like I said before, there's a lot to catch up on....so here's a few highlights....

the summer was busy and full of adventure....

Took Leslie, my roomie, to her first rodeo...that was fun....I do LOVE a good rodeo!

then began the rennovation of Boys to Men new facility "the Refuge"....this was such an incredible week....to see the body of Christ come together and work so hard for kids and families they don't know and may never know! God has done some amazing things in the provision of this building....so much time, money, and stuff has been donated....it's been incredible!! There will be more on this later.

We spent several weeks with kids at various camps.....KAA, U KNOW!

Then, it was off to Texas for a visit with friends and family and a dear friend's, julie weber's, wedding.

a beautiful Texas sunset....a treasure....it's flat, no mountains!

Off to Atlanta for my birthday treat from my sweet roomie, Leslie. An Astro's game....that went into way too many extra innings, and the 'Stros came out on top, some great shopping and an overnight stay in the shadiest motel I've ever stayed in....what an adventure!

My family made the LONG drive from Texas to visit east tennessee for a week. It was such a blessing to have them here. I really enjoyed spending time with them in what is now my "home" and having them see what I do and where I work meant a lot to me.

Then it was time to move to our new facility. That has been a process...but a great one! It has been such a blessing to have our own facility for our students and an office and desk to work at!!

We are getting more and more settled each day and I'm adjusting to a different work schedule and am learning a lot about appropriate boundaries!

I'll leave you with that for now.

you can check out other pics from the summer at Kelly's Shots.

....and the blog goes on!

2007-10-09T13:13:00.000-04:00

I shall get back on track with the blogging world....I must admit that I am kind of excited about getting back with it. I am bit surprised that anyone still looks at this due to my long absence from posting anything. I am thankful that you guys still care enough to look into my little part of the world....thanks for that! There is so much to share, I don't know where to begin. I shall think on this and post some fun news from the summer a little later this evening...bye for now.

Question???

2007-10-06T20:43:00.000-04:00

OK, so I have obviously had a long absence from the blog. Does anyone still read this or want to read this?? This is the question I need you to answer. I like blogging and sharing about what God is doing in the part of the world He's placed me in....but it takes time. So, if people read it and can hear of what God's doing, I'll get back with it....if not, it's going bye-bye. So, let me know :)

THANK YOU

2007-05-27T12:36:00.000-04:00

A special thanks to the men, women and families who are serving in our nation's military! Your sacrifice and faithfulness bless me daily.....I sometimes lose sight of this and take it all for granted, but today, I will say THANK YOU!!!!

"Softly Call the Muster...."

2007-05-15T20:52:00.000-04:00

"....let comrade answere 'Here'. Their spirits hover 'round us, as if to bring us cheer."

A few weekends ago, on April 21st, I headed down to Colombia, SC to visit Laura & Danny and joined with them and about 20 other Aggies at Aggie Muster. This was my first Muster away from campus, so it was different, but truly encouraging and a great reminder of the "school we hold so dear". We met a gentleman, Mr. Robert Wells '40, who was a Marine fighter pilot in WWII and a remarkable man. He's in the picture with Danny, Laura and I....I think I may have a new penpal :) He shared the stories of his life with us and I was reminded of so the many ways that God has blessed my life through my Aggie Family! It was a truly delightful weekend! Lots of fun with Laura & Danny....sleeping, shopping, running, great conversation, eating and even a little bull riding.
Laura and I at the carnival.....anxiously awaiting Danny's ride...... Danny's proud moment....ahh, the fun!

"blame it on mexico, if you need a reason...."

2007-05-03T20:56:00.000-04:00

yes, it's true, i took a little trip down to Mexico over Spring Break with a few of our kiddos from Boys to Men. We met up with the crew from Texas and had a truly blessed week! Many lives were changed during our time there. You can check out pics here.

change....

2007-05-02T22:39:00.000-04:00

Yes, this theme of change continues in my life as I near a year of life in East Tennessee.....most recently I have acquired a Tennesse Driver's License, of which I have no clue what the number is (more on that later) and a Tennessee License Plate.....I have officially been stripped of any documentation that would declare me a Texan. Sad, I know, but true :)

Just a silly observation, but shouldn't all license plates sport the red, white, and blue....another clear display of the patriotism of Texans!

So, I had a little trauma with this whole get a new driver's license and license plate episode, and yes, it was an episode....a total of 2 trips to the DMV and 3 trips to the county clerk. So, I go to get my new driver's license and asked if I could keep my Texas one for keepsake and I got a look from the sweet man behind the counter that drilled me into the wall behind me and so then I ask if there was any way I could keep the same DL number, since I've known that number for 11 years and got another look that made feel as though I should move back to Texas. After which the sweet man informed me that Texas had one less number than TN so that wouldn't work and then I suggested just adding a zero on either end and well, lets just say that the next look I received quickly shut my mouth. So I wrote the sweet man a check and left with a new license and new number which I shall never learn because there is no more space in my brain for new numbers! Silly, I know, but sometimes it's the little things that get to you. Just another clarification that "Kelly, you're not in Texas any more!"

time is precious.....

2007-05-02T22:38:00.000-04:00

Yikes! Where has the time gone!?! Clearly, my time has gone to any and everything but the blog :) Life is busy right now, but alas, I shall take a few moments to let the outer world know what's going on.....

could it be???

2007-03-21T23:52:00.000-04:00

Hullabaloo Canek, Canek

Yes, it's true, I heard that sweet sound for the first time in Tennessee today! Music to my hears. I was sitting in the office, all by myself (which was fantastic becuase it was quiet and I was getting SO much work accomplished), when I hear from the busy street in front of the office, a friendly car pass by, honking their horn with that beautiful melody.....if you're an Aggie, you know what I'm talking about....if not, you're thinking I'm crazy right now! I heard it and thought "could it be, no i must be crazy, but i thought again, no, it was hullabaloo, no doubt!" My theory is that there is a fellow Aggie somewhere in this east tn town and they saw my little car from texas parked in the street and decided to let me know I'm not alone. or maybe it was mere happenstance, but I think my theory is much better and it brought a little joy to my heart! Thank you, Lord, for Aggies :)

homesick

2007-03-19T20:48:00.000-04:00

Texas

by George Straight

There wouldn’t be no Alamo

No Cowboys in the Super Bowl

No Lonesome Dove, no yellow rose

If it wasn’t for Texas

I wouldn’t be a Willie fan

Nobody’d swim the Rio Grande

I wouldn’t be an American

If it wasn’t for Texas

Fort Worth would never cross my mind

There’d be no Austin city limit sign

No lone star of any kind

If it wasn’t for Texas

I’d never gone to Tennessee

To sing my songs and chase my dreams

Only heaven knows just where I’d be

If it wasn’t for Texas

It made me the man I am

Thank God for my old stompin’ ground

I wouldn’t be standin’ right here right now

If it wasn’t for Texas

My heart's a little homesick right now.....homesick for Texas.....this song about sums up how I feel. I miss my family, my Texas friends, Aggie Baseball, Aggies, bluebonnets, hot weather, flat land and a big sky, Texas Bar-B-Q, Dublin Dr. Pepper, BLUE BELL, Texas thunderstorms, pastures full of cattle, tractors plowing the fields, being within driving distance of so many memories and fantastic cities.....no doubt I am blessed and in His will, my heart's just weary and missing the familiar and the comfortable....what's normal to me :)

tagged....again

2007-02-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

i was tagged by whitney(not so sure about the wisdom part, whit), so here ya go.....

Here are the rules to the game...
1. Grab the book closest to you.
2. Open to page 123, go down to the fourth sentence
3. Post the text of the following three sentences
.4. Name the author and book title.
5. Tag three other people to do the same

First off, let me say, that I am reading this book for work....part of my job is teaching Abstinence classes in public schools....aka....encouraging teens to save sex until marriage.

"Few of the people encouraging young women to establish their careers before getting married consider that this strategy can lead to many years of unrequited sexual desire or to heartbreaking sexual relationships. The advice also takes no account of the best time for a young woman to find a desireable husband and start a family. Men care about looks, and they think women never look better than they do in thier early twenties."

Taking Sex Differences Seriously by Steven E. Rhoads

this is actually a very insightful book for the work we do and the battle that is raging in our nation for the sanctity and life of marriage!

I tag......drumroll, please......

Melissa Neal (who has rather fanciful insights on life and all that she reads)

Laura Stiller (who always seems to be reading a good book)

Curtis (let's see if we can get him to return to blogger-land)

who wouldn't love a gorilla for valentine's???

2007-02-25T21:48:00.000-05:00

Yes, I work with this guy, Sam, not the gorilla....he can be quite the jokester. So, some of the other brilliant staff at BTM decided to have a little fun of our own on heart day and blessed Sam with a dancing gorilla.....oh, how great was the laughter! I've decided this is a great way to show friends how much you love them....so, beware, you may be next!

we need a man around here....

2007-02-13T20:40:00.000-05:00

A tale-tale sign that you need a man around your house.....So, Leslie and I encountered a problem recently....we couldn't get the lid off the Pepsi bottle because a male friend, who is to remain annonymous, put the lid on so tight that we couldn't get the stinkin' thing off! So, Leslie, in all her brillaince and resourcefulness, decides to just cut a whole in the side of the bottle and pour it out that way. Hey, it worked. I must admit that I was thinking of which guy we could call to come over and open the bottle for us....I'm so glad I have such a resourceful roomie:)

catch up....

2007-02-11T13:33:00.000-05:00

well, folks....i feel as though i've been playing catch up for quite some time. life is busy and this blog thing just really hasn't been something i've thought much about. it seems i've let a lot slip by without sharing stories or pics....so here goes a slight attempt at catching up! i've put pics in shutterfly to catch up on all the craziness around Christmas....check 'em out if you like!

some of the beautiful ladies from Girlfriends

WINGS N' MORE!!!!!

Yes, I quite enjoyed my fill of good food in Texas during my trip back home!!!!

I had a SWEET visit with Jared and Curtis....I just love these two boys!!!

Got to enjoy some Aggie football with Mo, Ash and Matthew....it was great fun to see a game with other Ags!!

I sure enjoyed hanging out with whit, mackey and mr. paxton.....you're getting so big! I am so blessed with treasured friends!

giving depot

2007-01-14T21:54:00.000-05:00

The Giving Depot....

Grace Fellowship(GFC) does this amazing outreach for the students and families of Boys to Men and Girlfriends. The short of it is that our students earned points for 6 weeks based on behavior, character, grades, respect, etc. Then, they get to go to the Giving Depot and shop for their families for Christmas using the points they earned. GFC provides all the gifts, food, entertainment, etc....everything for this amazing event....the students, families and staff of Boys to Men were so blessed by this event.....

these are a couple of pics of the Giving Depot we did separately for our group of students in Mountain City. It was a truly amazing day and so sweet to have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ supporting the ministry that the Lord has established. I'm not sure my words are giving justice or really even half-way explaining all that was done...but, hopefully you get the gist.

all the volunteers who helped out in Mountain City....THANKS!!!

Ms. Paula, Joe and I with the kiddos from Mtn. City.

return to blogger land

2007-01-14T21:23:00.000-05:00

so it seems that i left blogger land for a good while. life got busy and then i just really didn't think about it....so, i have returned, with much to post and share.....here goes the first of many to catch up.....

tagged

2006-12-10T21:15:00.000-05:00

okay, so i've been tagged by Laura Stiller in some sort of blogger maddness from Living Hope in College Station, Tx. so here goes the game....

Five Things You May Not Know About Me.....

1. I have never in my life responded to something like this....I always hit the delete button or just ignore these types of things. But, what the heck, it never hurts to try something new.

2. I have a somewhat serious addiction to chapstick. My favorite is Natural Ice. I think I probably have somewhere in neighborhood of 10 things of chapstick in my possession. Today has been rough day on the lips, because I can't manage to find any of them. I have this terrible habit of putting them in the pocket of my jeans or hoodie and then I find them in the wash or the next time I wear that hoodie or jacket....it's time to go dig in the closet, because my lips are on fire as we speak.

3. My ideal job would be a stay at home mom....of probably 5 kids....most of which have been adopted and have different skin colors. I definitely want the house that is filled with all the neighborhood kiddos....a safe and fun place for them to hang out and be loved on.

4. I have a goal of never throwing up again for the rest of my life. I have a serious fear of throwing up. I haven't thrown up since the 6th grade, when I lost my hot dog on the White House lawn. I figure why bother throwing up if you can't leave your mark in a really important public place. I also haven't eaten a hot dog since that day.

5. I have never been able to master the art of skating.....ice, roller, skateboard...notta. I think I have some kind of a short in my brain where I totally loose all ability to stay upright when I have some form of wheels or blades attached to my feet. I'm thinking maybe I should try out those cool shoes that have wheels that pop out of the sole....I mean one minute you're walking and the next you're wheelin' all over the place.

So, I've told you 5 things about me....now I get to tag 5 other bloggers....I tag Melissa, Whitney, Jared (blog, already!), Ryan&Sarah, and Curtis .

oh christmas tree, oh christmas tree....

2006-12-06T23:42:00.000-05:00

so, most people who know me, know that i love christmas trees and especially the ornaments. i love to take the little jog down memory lane when putting the ornaments on the tree...they each have meaning and memories attached. this year we got a douglas fir which happens to be my favorite kind of tree (even though carson and the guy at lowes think they're ugly). it could be my favorite kind of tree because of my fond memories of christmas at 1701 Austin Ave and it looks old fashion. anyway, this tree of ours has had a mind of it's own. i came home one night to find in laying on it's side with a few crushed ornaments beneath it. it seems to throw different ornaments off at various times during the day and has a serious drinking problem. i mean really, how much water and sprite can one tree need??

a little crooked, huh?
beautiful lights
our beautiful tree (minus a few ornaments)

beauty in the broken

2006-12-04T21:41:00.000-05:00

i am in a place right now where i am having to make the choice to see beauty in the middle of the broken places in my life. my heart aches. it aches for so many reasons right now. i need your prayers. the prayers of a righteous man availeth much. i am dealing with hurt. watching others hurt those around them. why do we kill? why do we run away from the real issues we are facing? i think we run becuase satan is constantly blinding our eyes to the fact there is great beauty in the broken places of our lives. there is freedom in the Lord! there is victory in Jesus! there is peace in His Spirit! there is a fierce battle in and around my life right now. please ask for wisdom on my behalf. for understanding. for a tame tongue. for a faithful spirit. for a loving heart. for recognition that He is worthy of all my praise and is truly BEAUTIFUL! LORD, may i willingly rest in Your love and find my strength through Your blood!

thankful

2006-11-24T11:42:00.000-05:00

Lord, I am thankful. I pray that my heart would constantly reflect an attitude of thanksgiving. My heart overflows with thankfulness for....

grace fellowship, my new church home

my family, who has supported me through life

leslie, my fun roommate and constant friend

boys-to-men and girlfriends, where my life has found its fit for ministry

friends, old and new whom You have used to help shape my life

carson, my favorite

provision, i stand in awe of all that You have provided and how You have chosen to do so

Your Word, it's truly a light for my path and lamp to my feet

laughter, hugs, smiles, warm pj's, football, thoughtful messages, mountains,

plane tickets to texas, yummy smelling candles, hot chocolate

Thank you, Father, for Your constant Love and Grace.

where has the time gone?

2006-11-12T16:47:00.000-05:00

this fall is flying by as quickly as the leaves are falling off the trees. i was shocked as i looked on the calendar and saw that next week is thanksgiving!! yikes!! the past several weeks have been jam packed with "fallish" events. we took our group of students from mtn. city to a corn maze. we got lost in the maze, played in a haystack and took a couple of hayrides. lots of fun in the beautiful mountains of east tennessee! then there was the barn dance @ wiseman's farm with the Well. i got to drive a john deere tractor, pet some beautiful horses, and square danced to my heart's content....what a fun day! of course there has been a whole lot of football watchin' going on....come on Ags....no more 1-point losses. then, this past friday night, we had a lock-in for our mtn. city kiddos....it was a lot of fun! i am so blessed to work with such a great group of students. minus the lack of sleep, it was a great time for all!! here are a few photos to enjoy, you can see the rest at Kelly's Shots.

Hangin' out on the haystack...

yes, that's me drivin' the tractor....

drew, me, leslie, and seth so excited about the barn dance!

BYOP Tennessee Style

2006-10-23T19:45:00.000-04:00

so, in honor of a fun tradition started by friends back in good ol' College Station, we decided to continue the tradition of BYOP (for those of you who are wondering what in the world BYOP is, "bring your own pumpkin"...pinson, you should be proud). a fun time was had by all! it's really fun just to be a kid again and discover what you can create with your hands. there were some pretty fantastic pumpkins carved, if i do say so myself! we ate lots of snacks, scraped out lots of pumpkin guts, watched "The Great Pumpkin", and enjoyed lots of laughter with some great friends! Enjoy the pics below....

Shauna working on her masterpiece...
Melissa, Leslie, and Dusty hanging out...
many amazing pumpkins...

Melissa trying out some pumpkin guts...
Ashley and Jara with his masterpiece (pretty good for a first time pumpkin carver!)

me and Carson enjoying some yummy caramel apples...
Carson modeling he and Silas' masterpiece

Sneaky, McSneakerson

2006-10-22T17:58:00.000-04:00

Lex's antics continue....

So, on Friday, Leslie came home to find that Lex had helped himself to a bag of candy corn and taken a couple of bags of caramels off the kitchen table. So, she picked up the mess and scolded him, as usual. Later on, she was straightening up the pillows on the chase lounge and found in his secret hiding place a bag of marshmallows. That's right, no bones, but a bag of Jett-Puff Marshmallows....

The stash!
Lex guarding his treasure....sneaky little guy!

off with the old, in with the new do....

2006-10-22T17:47:00.000-04:00

So, this past Friday, was the big day that I cut my hair off for Locks of Love. It seems like I've been growing my hair out for FOREVER and Friday was the day that it went bye-bye. It's REALLY short now, and that's okay....it will grow back soon. But, for now, it's nice to have a change! Here are some pics....

fall fun

2006-10-13T18:36:00.000-04:00

Fall has undoubtedly fallen upon east tennessee this past week. So, to celebrate the cool weather and magnificently colored trees, participation in some outdoor activities was in store! First, I went with roomie, Leslie, to an East Carolina football game and we tailgated with her family. I think I may make attending college football games at various colleges a new hobby :) Fun times were had by all....

Then, on Tuesday, I headed down the Creeper Trail in Virginia with a few of our awesome girls from Girlfriends (it was fall break this past week). It was soooo much fun!! What a blessing to enjoy the splendor of fall and the majesty of Dad's creation for an afternoon. A few pics are posted below....you can view all by clicking on Kelly's Shots....

I think he may be a real pirate...too cute!!!

Purple Pirates...AAAAAARGH!

That's right, we went to Lizard Lick, NC....don't you wanna go?Isis, Francis, and Selena excited about a 17 mile ride!
can someone tell me who said bike helments don't make you look like a dork?
AAAHHHHH!!!!

thank you, Lord....

2006-10-12T10:49:00.000-04:00

for falling autumn leaves

for friends old and new

for mistakes covered by your grace

for discovery of new things

for honesty in a world of deceit

for the giggles of little children

for hugs and kisses

for the prayers of the saints

for late night talks with roommates

for innocence

for squirrely teenagers

for excitement in new relationships

for Your abundant, incomprehensible love

can you say oxymoron???

2006-10-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

mountain city

2006-10-02T23:46:00.000-04:00

Thought I would share a little bit of what I've been doing with myself. Each Thursday, I travel to Mountain City, TN (which is about an hour from Johnson City....it's a beautiful drive), with my partner in crime, Joe Diaz. In the AM, we educate 5th and 6th grade students at various schools in Johnson County, on safety and sexual harassment, which is a starting ground for abstinence education. In the PM, we have afterschool groups at Mountain City Elementary school with 4th-6th grade kiddos. This past Friday we took this group to the Homecoming Game, parade and we tail-gated for a bit. It was a lot of fun, exhausting, but fun!!! The kids had a great time!! Mtn. City is a tiny place....the kind where everyone in the county was at the game and homecoming festivities!! A lot of fun!!!! Here a few pics from the festivities....please be praying for this group and Joe and I as we travel to and from Mtn. City each Thursday. On a side note....it was quite an experience to watch a high school football game nestled in the mountains in COLD weather in Sept! Quite a change for this Texas girl whose used to hot, humid weather through Nov.

A few of the boys enjoying a little football....maybe not so much football....they were quite entertained by the cheerleaders....
A few of the parents at the cookout....
The girls trying to get warm....it was COLD!!!!
A few of the Girlfriends hangin' on the playground....
Carson and Joe trying to get the grill fired up....
Being silly.

p.s. if you are one of those "no leave comment" blog lookers....try to change your ways and drop a line :)

krelly andf tercvhnology dfon't mix

2006-09-24T23:39:00.000-04:00

vcan you eradf wha I'm weritin? so dfare this month, my vcrell phonre has blown up, thre VCDF player in my cvaer stopprefd woreking, anfd now ther kreyboarefd on my laptop has dercvifderdf to typer srecveral letters at onvcre. nothing is woerking!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! what's a gierl to dfo? revrey timer I hit ther "T" krey, thre seaercvh mrenu with thre littlre dfog oprens.....somreoner HERLP!!!!

my super-talented sister

2006-09-21T22:13:00.000-04:00

Thought I would take a second to brag on my super-talented, cake making/decorating sister! Doesn't this cake look fabulous? Not only do her cakes look beautiful, they taste scrupciously-delumcious!! Hopefully all will be as lucky as I and get to eat one of her cakes someday :)

P.S. the cake was for a baby shower.....too cute!

things that make you go hmmmm....

2006-09-19T18:46:00.000-04:00

fall is in the air

2006-09-16T17:23:00.000-04:00

Yep, fall is on its way!! When I woke up this morning @ 9am, it was 55 outside, lovely! I have seen a few trees whose leaves are starting to change and of course what would fall be without college football Saturday. As I write this, I'm watching Notre Dame being brutalized by Michigan. I LOVE fall. It's definitely my favorite season, and I am so excited to be able to experience a true fall with beautiful leaves and all!!! I just need to get out some decorations and buy a few pumpkins and I'll be set! On to more important things....

As I was spending some time with the Lord today, I read a few journal entries from the past several months and my heart was so encouraged to see all that the Lord has done. So many of my cries before the Lord have been answered. I think this fall is especially exciting to me because of the new season that lay ahead. Here are so things that I was reminded of as I reflected today:

What I claim as my life verse, which the Lord gave my freshman year at A&M.....
"Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary."

.....those who truly wait and hope in the Lord, will not be disappointed! Psalm 33 even further expresses that "the eye of the Lord is on those who hope for His lovingkindness". I have walked out of a long season of waiting and I am so thankful that I waited. That I didn't give up when there were so many times that it seemed that was the best option. That I didn't run away when I was given the chance. But, that through the power of the sustaining Holy Spirit, I was able to endure and wait and place my hope in the Lord. I wish I could say that I always did this well and with complete contentment and peace.....I didn't. But, His grace is sufficient and I am so thankful!!!!! I know there are so many more things I will learn from this past season, but right now, I am going rejoice in thanksgiving for a season of waiting and for the blessed time that lay ahead! If you are waiting, keep on. You WILL be blessed in the end of that waiting and you will be so thankful you waited. May we endure until Christ's return!

sea of orange

2006-09-14T20:53:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of going to my first UT (tennessee that is) football game. Thanks to the Marions; myself, Joe, AJ and Zack enjoyed an exciting game! Even though it wasn't Kyle Field, I still had a whole lot of fun! There was a HUGE crowd there and I definitely sang "Rocky Top" loud and proud as Troy Freeman advised me! I don't think I've ever heard one song played so many times at a single game, but I definitely know the chorus now. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure....

the "T"

Joe, AJ and Zack enjoying some football.

Joe and I and the sea of orange (I think we look super-imposed, but it's legit)

A few similarities between UT football and Aggie football....

1. The Block T....although I must say the Noble Men of Kyle look better in my opinion

2. Loyal fans

3. A dog for a Mascot (Smokey and Rev)

remembering

2006-09-11T21:01:00.000-04:00

I'm sure today has been a day filled with sorrow for many Americans. Those who lost loved ones 5 years ago today, those who have lost loved ones in the war that followed and those who presently live with the abscence of a loved one who is serving this great nation in a far away land. I believe that we must all continue to remember. Remember to say a genuine "Thank You" to those who wear a military uniform, remember to pray for those who are overseas and their families who are back home, remember to pray for their protection, remember to thank God for the protection he has given this country. I read an article today that really made me think....whether or not you agree with the war, we all have the duty to pray for these families...."the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much"....for these men and women have sacrificed more than most of us could imagine for so many people they don't know. I have been blessed with friends who have chosen to sacrifice and serve this country. Some have lost their lives, some have sacrificed their bodies, and some continue to choose the more difficult road each day they serve.

Here are a few of those names that you can remember to thank God for and pray for:

Jim McBrayer
Aaron May
Bret White
Dalen Bunch
Chris Stearns
Andy Sole
Clint Weber
Joseph Weber
Blake Sawyer
Clif Kennedy
Carson Weeks
David Silva
Luke Reynard
Mike Berry

Thanks to all you men for serving. For giving so much, to so many you will never know. I believe our nation is blessed because of men like you!

mentoring marathon

2006-09-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

Boys to Men 2nd Annual Mentoring Marathon was a success!! Lots of kids completed their goals and had a great time doing so!! I think the most laps completed, other than Coach Marion (who did a full marathon), was 28, which is 14 miles. Here are a few pictures from the festivities....

Me and Leslie with a few girls from Girlfriends.....
this is Amber who completed her goal and won an IPOD.....YEAH AMBER!!!!
this is AJ and his mentor Silas.....
this is Coach Marion who did a full marathon
Me and Amber on the bungee run.

a feast fit for a king

2006-09-04T14:14:00.000-04:00

I came home on Friday and look what I found....Lex had a four-course meal (at least) out of the garbage. We forgot to take the trash out and Lex had some lasagna, salad, chips and any other leftovers that had found their way to the trash.

Lex with a little guilt-ridden look on his face,

along with some cheese and crumbs from his feast.

a sight to behold

2006-09-03T22:46:00.000-04:00

While driving along Gap Creek Rd (which from this point on will be known by me as Gap Crack Rd) some friends and I beheld a sight none should ever behold....a large man with a mullet, exposing a little more of his backside than he should. At first I was disappointed that I wasn't able to get a clearer picture, but I think we're all better of without the full effect, but you get the general idea...gotta love the south!

Roan Mountain State Park

2006-09-03T14:44:00.000-04:00

Some friends and I went on a little hike in Roan Mountain and enjoyed the scenery and played in the river. It's so fun to be in a place where you can drive just a few minutes and play in God's awesome creation!! It's beautiful here.....I can't wait until fall!!

what was i thinking?

2006-08-30T17:49:00.000-04:00

so, it has occured to me over the course of this past week that i had a HUGE brain fart! why in the world did i think i could handle 4 jobs? i definitely am not working at bath & body....nothing against them, i had no time. i really am finding it extremely challenging to work at 3 jobs. i really hope that by cutting my hours at starbucks and by getting better adjusted over the next couple of weeks that things will calm down. it's hard when everything is totally new and you have to prepare for things for the first time, all the time. don't get me wrong, it's hard, but i LOVE IT here!!!!! there are so many things i have wanted to post on this blog, but this is the first free moment i've had to even sit down and think. so, i hope there will be more to come in the next few days ahead....so, stay tuned......

whew!

2006-08-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

Lets just say I've been a little busy! I've really hit the ground running this week....training at Starbucks, start-up with Boys to Men & Girlfriends, and orientation at Bath & Body Works, all the while trying to set up and complete presentations for Arbonne. That's right, I essentially have four jobs right now. Not sure what I was thinking....but hopefully it will level out soon!

I feel so BLESSED to be here! Working with Boys to Men and Girlfriends is just where the Lord has me!! It's fantastic!!!!! I am honestly amazed at how much this already feels like home and exactly where I am supposed to be!

Funny for the day:

While making and sampling frappuccinos at Starbucks today, I ran across an interesting concoction called the Green Tea Frappuccino....YUCK!!!!!!!!! It's a mushed baby pee green color and it tastes about like it's color.....stear clear of that one!! I don't quite have the talent of applying whipped cream to beverages....so, if you got a lop-sided whipped cream at Starbucks today, it may have come from me....I'll try to do better next time :)

barista!

2006-08-12T01:41:00.000-04:00

I am now an employee of Starbucks! That's right, I'll be making coffee or the drink of choice to the highly addicted of Johnson City, TN. You might be wondering what in the world I am doing working at Starbucks, there are many reasons, some of which I'm sure are unknown at this time. Here are a few to start....flexible hours, a super-fun atmosphere to work in, not sitting at a desk, benefits, and all the coffee I could ever begin to drink (I'm just thankful I'm not working at Marble Slab, or I would weigh 500lbs....I seem to have my amount of coffee/frappuccino consumption under control for now). So, if you're ever in town, come by and see me at Starbucks...I'll whip you up somethin' you could only dream of, well, that is when I learn how.

NASCAR

2006-08-08T23:12:00.000-04:00

It had to come up sooner or later.....NASCAR in TN is like football in TX.....it's the craze among many people, not everyone, but much more than in TX. I really don't understand it, I've never understood what's fun about cars going around in circles really fast and crashing into one another. But, clearly, according to some I've met in TN, I am missing out on some entertainment that many enjoy.

There is a house here in Johnson City that is a sort of shrine to NASCAR. This is an actual car in a glass box in the yard......

...and the mural on the outside of the house.....the yard is also decorated with checkered flags, a smaller replica of a race car, and of course, checkered yard timbers.

I'm contemplating going to a race to see what all the craze is about.....or maybe I should hold out for the 'Stros to come smash the Braves in Atlanta :)

dropout nation

2006-08-01T20:15:00.000-04:00

A few thoughts....this is a long one!

I read about and saw this special that TIME magazine and Oprah teamed up on, entitled "Droupout Nation". It was an interesting and somewhat enlightening study....you should check it out at http://www.time.com. Really, if you have time, check it out and pray about what you can do to help improve this situation (there are some good articles minus Oprah's bias).

Having spent the past 5 years around students of all shapes, sizes, genders, and economic backgrounds, I agree with what they presented as factual evidence of the state that our public schools are in, specifically schools in large cities or in high poverty areas. They are a wreck....droupout rates are incredibly high, students are frightened to be in school because of violence, many kids don't function in school because they are coming from a violent environment at home or on the streets and entering into a school environment that often times isn't any safer or more stimulating, kids are hungry, fighting for survival, taking care of brothers and sisters, taking drugs to mask hunger and other pains of life.

One of the main problems posed on Oprah's show was the vast difference between educational tools and opportunities in schools across the US. They compared two schools in the Chicago area....one in "inner city" Chicago and another in suburbia....yes, they were very different. Honestly it was a shocking diffence. The kids at the suburban school had state of the art computers and a work out center that put most public gyms that we pay for each month to shame. The kids in inner city had a gym that had a leaky ceiling that was falling to the ground and locker rooms without functioning plumming.

There are many answers to the problems in our public schools. But I want to challenge the answer posed on Oprah's show....so, here's the question....is this a display of inequality brought on by personal lifestyle choices or discrimination brought on by the government? My answer to this question and hers were very different....surprising huh?

As subtly as she could, Oprah no doubt was pushing an agenda for governmental discrimination, which was undoubtedly spurned by the great Rev. Jesse Jackson as she indicated on her show. Maybe Oprah should think twice about affiliating herself with one of the most known nut cases for propagating discrimination in America.

Back to the problem at hand.....yes, we have schools that are dramatically inadequate and other schools that have way more than any child could possibly need. But, I believe the problem is parents who have made choices which have sacrificed opportunities for their children. Where are all these schools with great technology and opportunities? Mostly in suburbia....where there are moderate to wealthy taxpayers. What about the poor schools....some of which don't even have functioning plumming.....that's right, they are in poorer areas. The "inner city", where governemtnal and HUD housing is common and honestly a high popluation of people who don't pay taxes, who are living off of government subsidies...or they are in rural America, where there isn't a lot of tax money to pay for schools because populations are lower.

Unfortunately, I believe, we as individuals segregate ourselves. We choose where we want to live, who we want to spend our time with, and what we want to do with our time. To work or not to work. Yes, our choices are influenced by our family history, schooling, background, etc. But, ultimately, we as individuals make our own choices, each and every day! I don't think our government is holding us into patterns of discrimination or purposely keeping one group of people from certain educational opportunities. Quite honestly, it isn't the governemnt's responsibility to educate and raise our children. It's our own. If you see a child who doesn't have parents...whether the parents are physically present or not, then do something to help....don't sit around and think, "I pay taxes, so I shouldn't have to do anything else". I think we can all see where that attitude has gotten us.

Now, what's the solution? Not sure, but here's my thought for something all of us can do. Find out what's going on in schools in your area. If you find inadequacy....stand up, fight for it to be changed. Because here's the reality....if we don't invest in students now and attempt to give them a good start at becoming functioning adults in society, we will spend that time and money many times over as they live on government subsidies, wind up in prison, etc, etc. Take time to care about a child, invest in your local schools and students. Become a mentor. Volunteer in the public schools. It's not only a right you have as a tax payer, but I believe our duty.

If you know me, you know I love students. Especially students who seem to have no future, no opportunity, no one who cares. But, here's the thing, they have a hope and an opportunity; it needs to be shown to them; and most importantly, they need to see that there are people who care, not just people who talk about caring.

Ultimately, I believe that we will see the demise of our nation if we continue to ask our government to educate, raise and give us everything we are "entitled" to, and we, as individuals will be held responsible for the choices we made.

A few thoughts from me....what about you?

roommates

2006-07-26T23:11:00.000-04:00

Thought you might like to meet the roommates....

Me and Leslie with Mr. Bear @ Pigeon Forge....having a roommate again has been a lot of fun....I'm so thankful for our blessed friendship from the good Lord above....

...and Lex...the spoiled ol' professor masked in a dogs body....he's a lot of fun...taking a break from his paper ripping activities....this seems to be one of his favorite things, that and a love for chocolate chip cookies which we discovered when he helped himself to dozen freshly baked cookies...my kind of dog!!

Welcome to Tennessee

2006-07-10T14:07:00.000-04:00

I made it to Tennessee safe and sound!!!! After a VERY LONG drive, over the course of two days, a little rain, a couple of stops at Cracker Barrell, and crossing the Mighty Mississippi; my mom, aunt paula and I made it to Johnson City, TN. It's beautiful here!! Great weather and beautiful mountains and scenery!! My room and the rest of the house are pretty much a disaster area due to all my junk. But, hopefully in the next couple of days I will have all of that stuff sorted out with pictures of the new place.

Crossing the Mighty Mississippi

Aunt Paula, Mom and Me....glad to be here!!

see ya later, alligator....

2006-07-05T23:15:00.000-04:00

Well, time has come to say good-bye to what has become my home town for the past nine years. Can you believe I've been in College Station that long? I can't!! Words really can't express what I'm feeling right now. Moving is hard work, and I'm exhausted and just ready for all this to be done!! What will I miss about good 'ol College Station?? Well, there are the obvious things/people, which I can't really write about right now becuase I can't stand to cry anymore today. So, here's a top ten list of the fun and silly things I will miss in no particular order and a couple of things I won't miss at all....

1. Freebirds

2. The Train

3. Aggie Baseball

4. Blue Baker

5. Gold's Gym

6. Chillin' in my hammock in Kirbyville

7. Kyle Field and the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

8. Shake's

9. Ahh, the humidity....not so much

10. The Bryan Wal-Mart.....NOT!!!!!!!!!

Please pray for safety and our sanity as my aunt, my mom and I make the 18 hour drive to Johnson City, TN the next two days!!

Let Freedom Ring

2006-07-04T23:58:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July!! I am a bit of a patriot, so I love to celebrate on the 4th. I spent the last two nights celebrating with friends and fireworks, one at the Kirby's and then tonight at Bush Library. I am thankful to live in a place that honors the men and women who defend what we celebrate on July 4th....independence and so many blessed freedoms. A BIG thank you to all the men and women who sacrifice for our country each day. Who stand with honor to fight for what they believe and live with integrity among those who fight against them.

Judi Kirby...the Kirby's have become my second family.

I love ya'll and will miss you SOOOO much!!

Cara Kirby

Lisa and Marla....enjoying some fireworks and good fellowship with friends!! Love ya'll!!

funky chair

2006-07-02T18:42:00.000-04:00

This is what I did with my spare time last week....more like 3 days of hard work! Thanks to Ron @ Ron's Upholstery in Paris, Tx, I learned how to reupholster a chair and had a great time doing it!! I must say that I am quite pleased with the work of my hands...well worth the time spent and hopefully it will be the perfect addition to my new home in Johnson City, TN.

unemployed

2006-06-29T13:20:00.000-04:00

My official last day at Central came last week. For some reason I felt surprised. I knew it was coming, but I guess it's just one of those things that doesn't seem real until it's actually happening. Central has been a part of my life for a long time and it's really weird getting up in the morning and not going to the church. I guess I better enjoy this season of unemployment while it lasts, since it won't last long. These are the beautiful (inside and out) ladies that I have been blessed to know as friends and co-workers. I love each of you and will miss you greatly!!

Farewell Tour

2006-05-31T14:47:00.000-04:00

My farewell tour across Texas continued this weekend with a roadtrip to Austin. I got to visit with an old friend from high school. This is Jen and Jerry (not to be mistaken for Ben and Jerry...jen, maybe ya'll should go into the ice cream business??) Cogburn. It was such a blessing to catch up and just be encouraged by all that God has done and is doing in your lives!!

Next stop....Sabinal....to visit my cousin Donna, her husband Jay and their precious kiddos.....this is Miles. He's 5 years old and full of energy! I got to play Tonka with him and hear all about roping calves. Our visit was filled with Donna's good cooking, some antique/junk shopping (what's a visit in our family without going antiquing?) and chasing kiddos around. Thanks for a great weekend!

Meet Audrey (in pink) and Bailey (in green). These are the first twins that I know of in our family. How cute are they? Full of energy, loud squeels, and of course, their favorite word, NO!

I LOVE TEXAS!!

2006-05-31T14:19:00.000-04:00

With this "Welcome" sign, I think Hondo, Tx will become one of the fastest growing towns in the US. Who wouldn't want to live in God's country!?!

Born in the USA

2006-05-25T16:55:00.000-04:00

I've always wanted to visit all 50 states before I die, so far, I've visited 35 states (I can't remember if I've been to Utah, so maybe 36??).....thanks to mom and dad and what I thought were those deadly summer 50-day car trips across the US. Now, I'm really thankful for those trips, because they allowed me to see so may different things....like Mt. Rushmore, Niagra, the Badlands, the petrified forest....and of course we can't forget puking on the White House lawn. Thanks, mom and dad, for all the fun memories!! Next on the list....California!

dancin' machine

2006-05-23T15:26:00.000-04:00

check this out...it's sad to say that i at one time have attempted pretty much all his moves, except maybe the catepillar. what about you??

can't believe i'm doing this.....

2006-05-23T00:56:00.000-04:00

So, it's 12 midnight and I have crazy insomnia for some reason(which for anyone who knows me well, knows that I've normally been asleep for a few hours by now)....so, after trying relentlessly to get myself to sleep by praying, gettin' in the Word, I finally gave up and sat down at the computer. After thinking through to do lists for the upcoming weeks (I'm moving, in case you didn't know) I was still wide awake...so, what to do next....create my own Blog of course! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M DOING THIS!!! I am so not an internet girl, and I never thought in a bagillion years I would do this, but here I am....I think the main reason I think having a Blog is a good idea is to keep up with friends and family as I journey off to Tennessee. I pretty much stink at keepin' in touch these days, so why not get a head start....this my small attempt at keeping in touch with people I won't see for a while, in hopes that those relationships will continue as I head off to Tennessee. So, if you're one of those people, keep in touch as I attempt to do the same....and who knows maybe a little fun and laughter will be brought to you via the Blog :)