State High School Rodeo Finals

Well we have arrived in Abilene,TX for the State high school Rodeo Finals. There are 900 contestants and we are packed in here all together. I can not imagine the amount of money sitting around this place in pick ups,trailers and horses. It is great to see all these familys here spending time together. This is one sport where they still  help each other out and are proud for the opponent to do good. These kids will learn some real life lessons this week and not even realize it. It is the beginning of a long and short week. LOL I guess really it is the beginning of a long start to the Rodeo summer. We are so very blessed to be able to go as a family and run our business from where ever we are.We will build many memories. Ok, now I am rambeling so I will finish up. I will post pics from the kids around here this week and update as much as possible.Good luck to all the kids competing!

Super Sunday

Today was a great day! Our small group and another one in the area combined today to make a new Church. This is something that we have been working towards for a couple of years. It is so neat to see what God is doing with this group of people.Today we gave ourselves a new name and became a bonafide church.Today, I became the pastors wife. It seems so wierd to me. My husband has been preaching to our small group for awhile now,but today it was "official" he and a former pastor of ours are co-pastoring this church. I know that it is a good thing and that we will inevitably be in the"glass house" but we are a willing family. We will serve the Lord and press on toward the goal!! If you are the praying type,and are reading this, please cover us in prayer. Rejoice with us and come back often to see what and how God is moving here.

?????

Well, It has been a long time since I blogged. Where have I been? I wish I had an exciting story to tell you but I don't. We have just been trying to finish up school work and get ready for the crazy summer rodeo schedule. It seems we will be on the road alot this summer. I will start keeping up again. On another front, I have a friend that it seems is at the end of his life, thankfully,he knows the Lord. Say a prayer for the Fowlers, still lots to deal with. Another friend is getting married today. He has waited a good while to start this new life and we are so excited for him. Endings and beginnings,guess that is what life is all about.

Champ

Congrats to my oldest son and his partner,Skeete. The won Region X Team Roping. Now they get to go to State and hopefully Nationals. We are really proud of them, they are both becoming great young gentlemen.
Sterlin was also chosen to compete in the olympics for Region X and Skeete was chosen to compete in the truck pull for Region X. We are making some great memories.Can't wait till June to post more pics.

Karate

Just wanted to say congrats to my youngest son TJ. He went this past Saturday to the dojo and tested for his yellow belt.We did not know what to expect since this was our first test,but I was pleasantly surprised. There were many there and it is such a family event.It was great to see the kids being encouraged and lifting each other up. It is not a competition between the kids but an individual one that everyone wants you to do well on. I wish we could have stayed longer to see some of the higher belt test but we had to get back to the roping. I will try to post some pictures later.

Good Job TJ !

NO I DON'T WANT TO

I have had a severe case of the I don't want to's lately. Maybe it's spring fever or lazy days , I just don't know. I just want to hang out. It will all still be there when I get ready right? Well you know it will but it will be bigger and require even more work,so I am trying to get motivated. What do you do to get motivated when you have days like this? Come on share, I need to get over it!

Spring

Spring has come. The weather is warming up and flowers are blooming.The wind is blowing but at least we have had enough rain that the sand is not blowing around with the wind. There are some around here that gripe about the wind , they don't even have a clue. I can remember the sand blowing so hard that it would be blackout conditions where you could not even see anything. The first time my husband saw it, he thought it was the end of the world.LOL Anyway, lets enjoy this time, get outside and enjoy all the new things sprouting.Enjoy what God has given us.

Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and it was a good one. I chose not to do any work yesterday,so after the boys were through with school, I took the rest of the day off. Then last night my mom and I went to town and ate at Applebees then went to the local community theater. "Steel Magnolias" was playing. I have never been to a small community play before but it was a treat. They did a really good job and we really enjoyed it. I love that my mom and dad are so close we can do things together. My dad was in the roping pen with Tommy and the boys when we left. Wish we got to see my brother more but at least we keep intouch. Family is such a blessing!!

Guilt

Does this Mommy thing ever get easier? I don't like to disappoint my kids but sometimes you just can't help it. Now I am not talking about buying them everything they want and giving in to all their whims. My youngest just found out that he is getting to test for his yellow belt in April, well you know it falls on the one weekend that we already have to many things planned. Now I can get him there, and he can test, I just can't be there. His father also can't be there, but we have a very willing set of Grandparents. He however wants his mommy! I am afraid that I will just have to disappoint him this time and I know he will be fine. This is the first of many belt test, he will have another one in a couple of months. But it will be on my mind and I will fell guilty for not being there. He knows he is loved.

Man Child

My oldest son turned 15 this week. I  can not believe he is that big already. He got his permit so he can drive now too....I don't know if I will ever be ready to turn him loose alone with a car. (ok maybe even without it LOL) How did our parents do it ? They grow up so quick. I went to wake him up the other morning and I stopped in my tracks..He has turned into a grown up overnight. My sweet little chubby baby now has hair all over his legs and pits and the mustache is begining to show. Oh what a wake up call ....Who is this MAN/CHILD ? I thanks the Lord everyday for allowing us to be his parents and he is growing up to be a wonderful young man.

Sickness

Since we started homeschooling, we have not been sick as much. I guess we aren't as exposed to as much sickness now. But this week, it has hit us hard. I woke up Tuesday with a sore throat and headache and then yesterday, my oldest woke up with it. His throat looked so bad, I took him in to see the dr. I was hoping for antibiotics but they said it is viral so we will just have to wait it out. I hope it doesn't last too long. I don't like to be sick. I am far from an all natural organic freak but I have discovered that Vitamin C in large doses right when it starts really helps and seems to cut it shorter. I also use garlic as a natural antibiotic. My kids really don't like the big Vitamin C tabs but they have seen the results so now they are asking for them. Yes there have been studies that large doses might be dangerous but I believe in it and now so does my family. How about you all out there....do you use any natural remedies?

Weekend

This was the beginning of the day. Father and the oldest son before the rodeo started today. This was the third one of the weekend so we were getting tired but we still enjoyed it. We truly enjoy it.We have been so blessed with friends and family to rodeo with. I love to see them all compete together .When we go, we leave everything else behind and just have fun.  We had a decent weekend, Sterlin was 2nd in one Rodeo and 3rd in the next jackpot. TJ missed his but still had a good time. Then the High School Rodeo was not so good for us this weekend but we are still 2nd over all so we just have to keep trying.                                                    

 

 

 

 

This is after we got in from the rodeos and got everything put back in lots and fed.One tired boy.LOL When he is not roping, he plays so hard.They just grow up too quick.  I think we all were in the same frame of mind, it just didn't take TJ as long as the rest of us to get there.  Hope you all had a great weekend.                                                                     

                                                                                                   

Drama

Do you ever have those days that you just think "Drama" all day long? Well this one has been one. I am ready to wake up to a new day!

We had a mild meltdown this morning during school time with the youngest. He is good at the drama.lol.  As I was trying to teach him something, I accidentally grazed him with the penci,you could not even see where. He began to whine that I stabbed him. Then I guess I was already frustrated too because I (the Adult?)  began to stab myself with the pencil over and over to show him that it did not hurt. Ok I may be mental but it did prove a point.Well at least we all ended up laughing.

Then we went outside to do chores and the 4wheeler would not start.Of course Tommy was gone so we just had to forget about that chore. That meant they had to ride horses longer. You would think that would be fun but the youngest was tiiiirrrrreeeeddd,so it was more work. It the end he always has fun, it is just getting him started.

Then I tried to install new software on his Ipod and it crashed while on backup. Now all is lost. Major drama for him. I am sure we can get it fixed and all will be well but for the moment it is the end of the world.

What makes some kids so full of drama and others just roll with it all? My oldest just takes everything in stride so I know it can be different. I guess we just have to keep working on it. Really I think we all work at it all the time, we just may not outwardly show it.

Table Talk Cont.

So I ask my family the question I pose to you all earlier this week. Their responses were : we communicate really well, we have lots of fun together and we know what real love is.  I am glad to know my kids can see these things in us. We are together all the time since we homeschool and run our business out of our house. Sometimes we all need a break but for the most part we all  just get closer. Right after I started homeschooling, people use to ask me if I got tired of my kids, the truth of it is no. The kids do not pick up all the attitudes that they picked up at school before and they don't have the pressure to be a part of something they are not sure of or not mature  enough to decide upon yet. It seems there is more and more today to take our time away from the family;so lets all make an effort to stay connected as families .

Table Talk

I was reading one of the blogs that I follow this morning and she was talking about discussions at the dinner table. I am an advocate of eating together as a family. I think we learn alot when we sit down together and give our children time to talk. Anyway, this family has a jar that they keep questions and topics in so they can draw one every night to discuss. While I think sometimes it might a little much, sometimes it could be lots of fun. I might just have to try this. The main point is have a conversation with the family. Talk about things and include everyone.This helps us to stay close and I think it helps our kids to know they could talk to us about anything.So here is my challenge to you: do this one night this week. I'll even give you the first topic to start with: What do you like most about our family ? I will try to post again later on how this discussion went and you feel free to come back and do so as well. I look forward to hearing the responses. I know our kids always surprise us.

Chores

We are changing up the chores around our house this month. The boys have chores they have to do around the house, but this month, we added a couple of extra ones. This has been a great source of entertainment for me this week. My oldest son is now doing the laundry for he and his brother.He started out doing it the first day and when the first load was done, his brother said are you folding them too? To which he replied yes that is part of it. lol Then he promptly told him that he needed to put his own clothes up,NOW!! Well, here we are a couple of weeks into this thing and I have not seen a load in the washer for awhile,I am wondering when they are going to run out of clothes .Guess I will wait and see if they start the smell test....Hope this one doesn't backfire on me.

Now the youngest ones new chore is to keep the entryway and bathroom clean. The entryway in itself is a job because that seems to be where everyone drops whatever they are carrying when they come in the back door. It seems odd now that there is nothing to trip over in the floor there. I think he may have been the main culprit,as his bedroom floor now is a little more cluttered.At least I can close that door.The bathroom is another story all together . He has done a good job cleaning it,and then trying not to use it. His brother on the otherhand is not cooperating. After cleaning it this week, then seeing the next morning that his brother did not rinse the sink out after brushing his teeth,he had a mild meltdown. I might have enjoyed this a little too much. He promptly marched in the gameroom and told his brother that he had just cleaned that room and he needed to clean up after himself!  I think they have a  whole new understanding for housekeeping.

"Life ain't Fair"

 We have a saying around here that "life ain't fair". Anytime someone complains we say you know what ...Life ain't fair. It may sound harsh but I want my kids to be able to deal with things. Things are not always fair but you have to pick up and go on. Well I tell you it seems lately I am having one of those...uhhhggg,I don't want to...why me times. Everytime I turn around life is throwing something else at me. I am onen of those people that hates for anyone to know something is bothering me so I hide everything. Well I can't anymore... I don't like it ......I don't want to be a grown up anymore..... WHinnnnnnnne,noodle legs(picture it). Ok, deep breath. I will get up off the pity pot ,flush and remind my self that life ain't fair. I know there are lots of people hurting in the world and I really have a wonderful life. I just needed a little melt down.

Thanks for helping me stay sane.

Karate Class Lessons

My youngest son started Karate a few weeks back. It is a neat little program and he is so excited. Just thought I would share a few pics and thoughts about it.

 This is a picture of the kids shoes all outside the door of the room they practice in.

This one is of the kids after they get inside the room and start stretching. 

I know my mind can be a little warped sometimes but I thought it was a little funny that the shoes were all sitting there and around the corner,all their owners were also sitting on the floor. In just a short hour, the shoes would be there waiting for the kids to reclaim and the kids would be there waiting on the parents to claim them. I thought about how as Christians we sometimes leave(fall away) for a time but the Lord is always there waiting to claim us. There is comfort in that. No matter what happens, we will always have someone who wants us. What and AWESOME God we have!!

Mom and Dad Time

I had someone ask me a question this week: do you and your husband do anything for fun besides haul the kids around?  Well if you know us very well, you know that most weekend we are gone with the kids to a rodeo somewhere.We have always said its just what we do. We really enjoy all the rodeos and the fellowship. We do however like to do a few things alone. Now when we sit down to try and think of something to do, it might still revolve around roping somehow.HA HA. Sometimes we just go out to eat or to a movie or play Marioon the wii. After nearly 20 years,Tommy is still my best friend. We do know what each other is thinking and can say words without speaking. We still have lots of fun together. What about my friends out there,what do you and your spouse do together for fun? You must keep it up or when the kids are grown and gone, you will wonder who this person is that you are living with.

Art

We are in Houston visiting family for the next few days. If you didn't know it, several of the museums here are free on thursdays. I decided this would be a good little feildtrip. We headed over to the fine arts museum as it is just a few blocks from us. It is huge! You go through one building and cross a tunnel under the street into another one. There is so much to look at. My youngest was well, not too impressed,fine arts is lost on him. He was a little embarrased that there were so many naked statues and pictures.There a few exhibits that were pretty different that made his mind work. I think his favorite was the piece made out of metal bowls,measuring cups,sifters and other various kitchen things. I enjoyed the all the different styles of paintings and lots of photographs.You just never know what migh jump start someones mind.I bet in a few years TJ would have a whole different outlook on some of the things in there. Then again for those of you who know him, he might not....

Weather

I used to live in west Texas. The weather there can change in the blink of an eye. It can literally snow,rain and burn you out all in one day. Oh yeah the wind blows a little too...like rocks rolling across the road. I will never forget the time the sand blew so bad we had a blackout condition,scared my husband to death. He had never seen anything like it. It is something. I feel like that weather is slowly moving towards us. It seems to change so much and the wind blows lot more here than I remember it blowing years ago.Somedays I feel like my life is like that too,ever changing minute by minute. I know God is the ultimate planner and knows what he is doing. I think he is trying to teach me to be a little more laid back and ready for whatever he wants...not my controlled scheduled. I am not sure I really like it ,but I guess I am learning. I think as the days go on, we will continue to see the craziness and confusion in the world these days. We are being prepared to deal with it no matter what.At least that is what I am thinking and it seems to calm me and help me let go. Although I am leaving a few scratches in the dirt along the way.==================================

Blogs

If you are new to blogs or just looking for a few to mess around in, Here is a link to the ones nominated for awards this year. Just keep scrolling to the right.

http://2010.bloggies.com/

Women and Tears

Well we all know most women cry lots easier than men. Why? Because we are tender hearted,more emotional, I really don't know,but I know we just need it sometimes. In todays world, we seem to get hardened to things and it takes more and more to wake us up. We are so use to seeing destruction ,it is just like a tv show and really does not effect us.Sometimes I think we do not even realize we need to be brought back around to the tender heart God created in us. I came to this conclusion yesterday after reading another blog that a friend sent me. I got teary eyed as I read about a man losing his wife a few days after she gave birth to their daughter. I can not imagine. He has amazing faith.You know as a mother this really hit home with me and opened my heart up. I also realized that the few tears shed seem to cleanse my soul and help reground me. Maybe it was the combination of the tears,the faith and the message in the story,but I really needed it. God seems to know exactly what we need,when we need it,and how we need it. Lets all try not to let the world harden us but to let God keep our faith strong and tender ready to serve!

Weekly Menu

I am trying to get organized for the year. I always seem to start out the year doing really good and staying on track then about half way through the year it begins to fall apart. I am going to try to do a little better this year. This week I am working on the weekly menu planner.It helps to have this kind of list, it seems to cut down on my grocery tips and expense.It also makes me stay home. If I plan a meal,I am not as likely to say can we just run to town and get something.LOL It is not far to town but it is not just around the corner either and we all know how expensive it is to eat out not to mention the effects on our body. It seems we are always roping or having company and my schedule gets all messed up,but I am going to give it more effort. How about any of you,do you plan meals weekly or even monthly? What is your quick go to meal in a pinch? Any suggestions....

Weekends

Yea, the weekend is finally here. This week seems to have dragged on. I think it is me dragging,I just can't seem to get back into a routine. I think this weekend will help. We have three rodeos and that is what we are use to. We have been off for the holidays and then weather canceled some of them too so it has been awhile. It seems to me that when we get into the habit of staying around here and hanging out, I get lazy.It seems to carry on through the week as well and when I am in a lazt mood, so are the kids and that is not good for homeschool kids. So I am thankful to be back on track and headed out to Rodeo.I look forward to seeing the faces we haven't seen in awhile and spending time with them. I hope this jumps starts me back into our normal routine. What about you what gets you motivated ?

A boy and A dog

This is Sterlin and Sam,they are really good friends.Sam can do many tricks and loves to run and play.

This is TJ and Sam, they are good friends too. I think Sam is telling TJ who is the boss.

Here is Tommy and Sam. Sam loves everyone...unconditionally.

I know we are suppose to love unconditionally just like the Lord loves us. Man, I really have trouble with that one sometimes. I also know that if we could do that, the world would be so much better. I am going to really work on that. I know you have heard it before but lets see if we can be the person our dog thinks we are..lol... but most importantly, the person God knows we are.

Have a blessed day!

New Year ,New Me ?

Well I have put it off long enough, I started exercising again this morning. I use to enjoy it but now ...not so much. I know I am pushing 40 and everything slows down then,it's just some magical number according to the doctors. I really think my body thinks it is already there because it has stopped not just slowed. So I am trying to see if I can jump start it.You see I have a  reunion this year and who doesn't want to look good for that . I should go ahead and post a picture here and maybe that would hold me more accountable. You know, then I would have to post progress pictures and such like. Well I don't think so , I am to vain to show all this ! So here I go,maybe I will keep you updated with pounds or something. If you to have started this journey, please share and we will commiserate together or whine.LOL


Go Have a great Monday!

Snuggies

Snuggies,do you have one? From the time first time my youngest son saw the commercial for these, he has wanted one. I found one and gave it to him for his birthday. It was a regular size one so when he puts it on, it drags the ground and is a little big. This morning I found both the boys laying in the floor under the snuggie.I asked them to come to the table to get started on school and the picture above is what happened. They each had their head in an arm hole. lol. I see a new costume in the works for the next homeschool play. Maybe "Mona Lisa's Brothers" ? LOL.

Moms Vs Dads

Ok, my husband and I always to to present a united front, so whey do the kids act different for him?  It is a universal situation,very common. I can say something and they will eventually get to it ,but if Dad says something,well lets just say the jump to it. I really don't think his voice is all that different and I promise he doesn't beat them. They are not afraid of him,it just seems to be a natural instinct. I can rememeber  doing the same thing with my mom and dad. I know it is just the way God made. How about all of you out there...is it the same at your house?

Brrrrr....It's Cold Out There

Well it seems that we are having a real cold front coming through central texas,bundle up. I kind of like this weather. It gives me a reason to stay in the house and not ever get out of the PJ's. My youngest son said today that when it is cold out he wishes for warm and when it is warm outside, he wishes for cold. He said just what most of us think.lol One of the mother at co-op not too long ago told me he was refreshingly honest. Well that was certainly a nice way to put it wasn't it. That's our TJ,he says exactly what he is thinking.

Cold weather also makes me wish for something warm and filling. Below is a stew recipe my mother in law shared with me. It is quick and easy. I usually make conbread with it.

Southwest Stew
 1 lb hamburger meat (seasoned with Fajita seasoning)

 1 30 oz can of Veg all
 1 15 oz can of Ranch Style Beans
 1 15 oz can of Corn
Brown HB meat,drain and put in crockpot,add rest of ingredients and leave it for the day.(at least 4 hrs) 


Stay Warm!!

  

MICE

Uhhgg! I have mice. I hate mice. They are the one thing that give me the hiba jibas all over. I don't like snakes but I will take them over mice.(Maybe that is cause they eat the mice) We live in the country but I can't seem to get a barn cat to stay around and I don't do litter boxes so I guess I will have to take care of them myself. I know they are tricky little creatures and can get in through the tiniest of spaces. I really thought they were trying to get out of the cold but now that I have done a little research, they can live in a freezer if they wish. Some of them do get in commercial size freezers and thrive. I called about having an exterminator come out but I really did not like their answer of what all they wanted to do so here I am researching mice.lol. Well I now have glue traps and snap traps. I found out that they feel their way with their wiskers so you should put them around the walls where you think they are getting in, if you can't find a hole to plug. Well I think if I haven't caught the culprits by the weekend, I am outling my house in glue traps before we leave for the Rodeo. Beware little mice....I am armed!!!

A New Year

Happy New Year! I can't believe that a new year is here already. I feel like it was just a few weeks ago we did this. I also love Christmas time and can't believe it is over. I know I have control over it but my mood and spirit is so much better at Christmas time. Now it is time to go back to real life and the daily ins and outs. I am so not ready. What have I dont the last few weeks? I thought I would use the break from the boys school work to get a little more organized,well I did not. So I guess I will be moving that to one of the first goals for 2010. I also would like to cook healthier and for my family to eat healthier and enjoy it.lol They are kind of picky so it will be work. I also have decided to take the 90 day bible challenge.If you don't know about it, it is a program for reading through the whole bible in 90 days. I am sure I could make a list  to check off and mabe at a later date, I will but for now, I'll start with these few. How about any of you, do you have any goals for you or your family inthe New Year ?