Mammy's Front Porch

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T11:33:00.001-05:00

Happy Father's Day and Pappy's Day to this Dad and Pappy....

And to this Dad....

And to this Dad...

and to this Dad...

Four of the best men I have ever known!!

Happy Father's Day to you all!

Perspective

2011-06-07T23:05:00.002-05:00

Sometimes God sends me a wake-up call. It's not the kind that's really loud and obnoxious - you know - the kind you want to slap! It's the still, soft call that leaves you down on your face covered in humility wake-up call. That's what I got tonight.

Robin told me about a stop he had to make today at work. He had to go to a client's home on the far side of Houston to check on a job that his company is completing. This man - Robin said - is about our age. (late 50's - but not really really late!) When Robin went in to talk with the man he saw the man's wife laying in a hospital bed in the living room. The man told Robin that she was in the last stages of brain cancer and hospice was there....along with several other family members. Robin told him how sorry he was about his wife. The man said, "yes it's sad". Then he told Robin that their 39th wedding anniversary was coming up in August. Robin then told the man, "that's funny (not the ha!ha! kind of funny) but my wife and I just celebrated our 39th this past week." I thought it was strange that the man was having some rotten siding replaced on the exterior of his home and a few trees pruned (since hurricane season is upon us). I told Robin how strange that this man was having this work done while his wife was in her last few days. Robin said, "well, I guess life just has to move on". He's right. The day we're dying - our loved ones will still need to make sure the grass gets mowed, groceries get bought, put gas in the car, and just keep on keeping on!

But the thing that hit me was how often I complain. Example - I complain about apt living issues, job issues, checkbook balance issues, getting old issues, weather issues, kid issues, and lots of other no-big-deal issues. But funny thing (not the ha!ha! kind of funny), I've never once complained about cancer issues. Because I've never had cancer. You know - the big "C" as some people refer to it. The issue that could cause you to die and will definitely cause you significant pain - even if you live. I know my piddly little issues are nothing in the big picture. Yes, God got my attention....again. We (me & God) have to play this Perspective Game a lot! Today I'm thankful for my apt living issues, job issues, checkbook balance issues, getting old issues, weather issues, kid issues, and lots of other no-big-deal issues! I'm thankful that I've never had the "C" issue. Thank you God for perspective.

Be Still, Toodling, and Other Interesting Facts!!

2011-06-05T23:28:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you don't know what you've been missing until you have it again and you realize how very much you missed it!! Robin and I haven't taken a "vacation" in several years now. (Thank you Mr. Economy!!) Now I'm truly not feeling too sorry for myself because I know that many people never get to indulge in a little R&R. However, one of mine and Robin's favorite things to do has always been to "get away from it all" and regroup. I know it's been at least 2 years, perhaps longer since we've had any time to get away for some Peace and Tranquility.

Robin's sister and her husband (Nancy & Al) have a cute little beach house in Surfside, Tx.

It's not very big and they bought it in it's original 1960 charm. But Nancy is super creative and has made it into a precious one room beach cottage they they have named "Be Still" from the scripture “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 Robin has spent some time down in Surfside within the past few years doing work on the beach house as well. And because of this, we realized we have NEVER visited when he hasn't been working on it. But this weekend we were able to get away for a quick little trip. Seriously we have been trying to get away since early April. We have literally had something every weekend since April which prevented our little trip.

As you may know (from my previous post), this past Thursday was our 39th wedding anniversary. We really had not planned it this way, but it just so happened that this was the first weekend we had open to be able to slip away.

I wasn't super-excited about our little journey - since neither of us are beach lovers. But hey, when it's free and available - you take what you can get!! Robin picked me up from work at 5pm on Friday. We quickly stopped at the Walmarts to pick up some little snackie food and drinks for the weekend. Robin truly can't go more than 48 hours without his addiction of Lime Flavored Doritoes. We finally made it to Surfside around 8pm. We were starving by then and headed straight to the Red Snapper Inn - which may be the only "fancy" restaurant in Surfside. And please note - I use the word "fancy" very loosely.

I absolutely LOVE oysters and have really had a craving lately. So, only appropriate, I ordered fried oysters and shrimp. YUM! Robin and I were too hungry to pay much attention to the other guests but we're pretty sure the couple behind us were on their first date. They obviously were older than the typical version of "first date teens"! It was so much fun to eavesdrop on their conversation of their first date! They talked about everything from their kids, their religion (he told her he read his bible everyday!!) and their house remodels. They both had stained concrete in their houses. He was very quick to tell her that he had raised both his boys all on his own with NO help!! I just love to people watch - or in this case "people-hear"!! My back was to them so I could do was "listen"!!

We finally made it to the sweet little cottagy beach house, Be Still after inhaling our dinner! We had yet to Be Still but we were certainly looking forward to it. While at the Walmarts we picked up some Redbox movies (the greatest invention in movie rental since VHS!!) We started watching a comedy with Jennifer Aniston which we realized fairly quickly that it wasn't really funny! We were both so tired it didn't take us long to start snoozing during the movie! That's never unusual for the hubs - but my body is still adjusting to employment hours so with a tummy full of oysters and shrimp - my eyelids were struggling too!

Now the only thing about this precious, adorable, quaint cottagy beach house that it's not....well, how can I say this gently....comfortable....with the sleeping arrangements. Since it is only one big room with a sort-of alcove to one side....all there is for sleeping is a fold-out couch, a cot (but cute cot) in the living area and in the little alcove there is a daybed. It's got a great comfy mattress but it tends to be warm in there since the window unit doesn't seem to want to cool that nook too much. The couch bed feels just like Aunt Ethel's 50 yr old sofa bed with the bar stabbing you right in the back. And this sofa is the only bed that you could possibly snuggle with another person on, but in reality it's more like squeezing - not snuggling. Because you always roll to the middle and end up squeezing the person to death! So needless to say, with our full bellies, very sleepy bodies, we just crawled into two separate sleeping locations....Robin was on the not-pulled-out-couch and I was on the daybed in the rather warm alcove/nook. But there was a box fan to keep me a "warm" version of cool. Don't you just love to sleep to the sound of a box fan. I seriously am considering getting one for our bedroom and just turning it on everyday facing the wall. It's amazing how the constant hum will lull you to sleep.

We truly didn't have any plans for the weekend except to follow the directions of the beach house and "Be Still". We found out quickly one of our most favorite things to do was to "toodle" around the sleepy village of Surfside on Nancy and Al's golf cart. It is so cute!! The decor theme that Nancy has used throughout the beach house is black and white polka-dots. She has so creatively added big black dots to the white golf cart which makes it truly unique. We had sooooo much fun on that cart. We didn't get all crazy or anything but it was just breezy fun riding along waving at all the people hanging out on their decks or heading to the beach! Robin's brother Scott and his wife Carol have also just bought a beach house right next to Nancy and Al and are in the process of fixing it all up. They were not there this weekend but we were able to sneak a peak inside the windows!! His other sister, Polly and her husband Jeff, are also buying a beach house a few streets away!! We checked out their's too! We finally stopped at a little local Surfboard shop/cafe named Bingo's and ate omelets for breakfast!! The owner of the cafe is the town mayor and also is a preacher. As we were paying for our breakfast - we heard an entire sermon from the very nice man. Didn't make us feel so bad about missing church on Sunday!!

We finally "toodled" back to the beach house on our polka-dot golf cart and cleaned up a little. Our bodies, not the house! Ashley and a group of about 15 girlfriends were having their 2nd Annual Girls Without Kids weekend at the beach. This year one of the girl's mom's good friend offered to let the girls use their beach house for free! Ashley had asked that if we were heading towards Galveston for anything - would we please come by and take a group picture of them. So we punched in the correct address of this beach home in our GPS and after driving through some very impressive million dollar homes and a elaborate tropical golf course we found the ~~mansion~~ house. Needless to say, this house was just a little bigger than our 500 sq ft beach shack!!

The ~~Mansion~~ Beach House

And it was beautiful! It had a palm-tree lined driveway and everything else you could ever want or imagine. (even an elevator!) And yes, the decor was amazing!! When we arrived the girls were all in the pool on their floats just sunning and talking. I so wish when I was younger - all my girlfriends and myself could have bonded during a weekend away from all the "mommy" things! We were given a tour of the ~~mansion~~ house. We took a few quick pictures then left to head to The Strand for a little tourist sight-seeing!

The Strand was the same-ole, same-ole. Just t-shirts, sundresses, bistros, and postcards. Didn't buy a thing except some Mexican food! We decided to leave the strand and head back to Surfside!

After the 45 minute drive, we were both feeling the urge for an afternoon nap! So we did just that! Because we could. And because we wanted to do what the beachy, cottagy, retreat was telling us to do...."Be Still". We both shut our eyes for just a few minutes (closer to 2 hrs!!!) and woke up feeling totally refreshed. It was getting close to my favorite time of day. Dusk! I just love dusk! There is usually a breeze blowing and there is a twilight glow on everything (you know....not too daylight, not too dark.) We decided to do what we did best.....toodle around on the polka-dot golf cart! We had so much fun toodling! I guess it doesn't take much to excite two 50+ year olds!!!

When we got back to "Be Still" we decided to run down to the local diner named The Purple Cow and grab a few po-boys to bring back and watch another movie. We both ordered oyster po-boys ( told you I was craving oysters!!). After a minute or so, the first-day-on-the-job waitress at The Purple Cow came back to inform us that oysters were out-of-season and Miss Ktty (the owner of The Purple Cow) had said we were out-of-luck!! Well, we did what any Surfside tourist would do, we decided to head out and find our oyster po-boys. Another seasoned waitress informed us that over the bridge there was a little honky-tonk named Pier 30 that had great oyster po-boys!! Well, we just didn't think we wanted to drive over the bridge so we went to two more little diners in the big city of Surfside (basically we hit ALL the Surfside cafe's!!) The last place I went in was Preacher's Place. (forgot to tell you Preacher's name is Bingo! I didn't ask why!!) Bingo told me that he didn't have oysters either and I was crazy to eat oysters right now! They were completely out of season and would POISON you if you ate them right now! He said you should only eat oysters in months that have and "R" in the month!! I told him I had just eaten some the night before at the Red Snapper and he gave me this "shocked" look like I may fall over any moment from poisoning!! He had previously told me and Robin that he had seen 2 people raised from the dead so I wasn't too worried. I figured if I went into some poisoning coma right then - he could bring me back to life!!

So by then it was 9pm and.....to make a long story even longer....we decided to trek over the bridge and visit Pier 30. There was a band playing rock music so we felt right at home (if we had been 18 yrs old in 1970!!) I ordered my longed-for oyster po-boy however Robin shocked me by ordering the shrimp po-boy!! I looked at him and said, "You're a chicken aren't you??? You are scared to eat oysters cause you are scared you may DIE!!!!" Needless, to say, the po-boys were delicious, along with the rock band. The band brought back memories of going to watch garage bands practice during our high school years or dancing at the CYO dances at the Catholic church every Saturday night!! So we came back to "Be Still" and watched another movie!

On Sunday morning, we decided to do what we did best.....go toodling again! We were totally addicted this polk-dot entertainment! We saw ships coming and going through the channel and checked out all the marshes! In a very weak moment, I told Robin that if he brought the kayaks next time, that I would go kayaking with him through the marshes! I tell you it was the polka-dot golf cart that was making me say things that I didn't even mean!!! We finally decided to take our usual hike down the jetty and watch everyone fishing. This is a whole different experience all by itself. These fisherman are very serious about their fishing. They have rigs all set up that can haul their fishing rods, ice chests, boom boxes, and other various much-needed fishing equipment. Now I really do try to be politically correct at all times, but out of the 50-60 people out on this mile long pier fishing...I only counted 3 Caucasian men. The rest were Vietnamese, Hispanic, or African-American. What is it about those three races that attract them to fishing??? Please forgive me....for I DO NOT want to offend my Vietnamese, Hispanic or African-American readers but my inquiring mind just wants to know!!!! And ALL the times that Robin and I have made this mile-long journey down the pier, I have NEVER seen anyone catch a fish over 5 or 6 inches long. Seriously, I just don't think I would have the patience to sit there fishing just for a 5 inch fish! But no matter the how many they haul in, it's still fun to watch!!

So after our morning toodle, and mile long jaunt down the pier, we decided to do something really different....watch our last movie that Mr. Redbox had given us! I fell asleep during the movie probably because it was a shoot-em-up. We both took another little nap (Be Still). Robin woke me up and told me we needed to probably start cleaning up and head back towards Houston! I wasn't too happy about that and told him so :) But like a good little wifey - I got up and helped. We loaded up the car and crossed the big bridge! Pier 30 was calling our name again so we stopped for a late lunch. And you'll never guess what I ordered.....yep, Oysters!!! Yum-Yum-Yum!! Robin got the biggest mushroom/swiss burger that I think I have ever seen! Full......again......we headed back to Houston all excited about returning the rat race!! NOT! I snoozed to try to make the 2 hr trek a little less painful!

Few facts I learned this weekend.....I DID NOT die from oyster poisoning after eating them at 3 different meals and you know that thing about oysters being a natural aphrodisiac ??? Well, it just ain't true!! Or maybe it was just Aunt Matilda's sofa bed!

Thank you BE STILL for a great relaxing weekend full of peace and tranquility and lots of polka-dot toodling!

39 & 10 = Blessed!

2011-06-02T00:15:00.001-05:00

June 2 marks a very significant day for two couples within our immediate family!

June 2, 1972 - I married the love of my life. I didn't know he was truly the love of my life because who can really know this just a few weeks after they turn 18???!!!! But because we chose to follow Jesus early in our marriage (a LONG 1 1/2 years later) - and ONLY because of turning our hearts towards God - can I even say I married the love of my life 39 years ago today! Without God as the center of our life and marriage - I truly doubt that we would still be married today and we would NOT have had the 3 children we had which would NOT have begat our 8 (almost 9) grandchildren!!! Whew! But God gave us the desires of our heart when we asked Him to spare our marriage and make it new again! Robin is my best friend, the person I can tell all my fears, secrets, longings, insecurities, and hopes to .... and he doesn't laugh. He's always loved me - in spite of my totally imperfect self! No one could be more opposite than the two of us - but we fit together like a puzzle piece. Where I'm weak - he is strong (and visa-versa!!) Thank you sweet Jesus for changing our lives so many years ago. Without you I would not be writing this post! Happy 39th Anniversary to the man I adore! I pray for 39 more!

June 2, 2011 - 29 years after our wedding on June 2, 1972 - our oldest son Brandon, and his gorgeous wife, Sharla said "I DO" on our special day - which became their special day as well. Happy 10th Anniversary Brandon and Sharla! I pray that your marriage will be as incredible as your parent's (both Windsor's and Marler's)! There will always be lots of valley's and mountaintops but may your love for each other and with God remain steadfast! We love you much!!

June 2, 1972

June 2, 2001

Hi Ho! Hi Ho!

2011-05-30T14:36:00.000-05:00

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go!! Yep, after 4 months that seemed more like I year, my job hunt finally comes to an end! I had my first day back to work at a typical 8-5 job last Monday, May 23. I haven't clocked in anywhere since August 2005 - so leisure life as I knew it - came to an end! I made a very bold statement several years ago, that I would NEVER go back to work - however if I were forced to - I would NEVER go back to sitting behind a desk! ha! The joke was on me! Never say NEVER! So here I am - back to work and sitting behind a desk with not one - but TWO computers in front of me! And I love it!

When the economy tanked several years ago I knew it was inevitable that I needed to bring in some income. I tried real estate for 2 1/2 years giving it all that I knew how. God showed me very distinctly around the end of 2010 that I needed to get out of the very unreliable real estate industry and find a "real job"! I started looking around the middle of January never thinking that the economy had also taken it's toll on the job market. What once took me about 2-3 weeks to find - this time took me 4 months to find! But God is faithful!

I won't lie and say I was totally resting in God's peace while my search continued! After a while - I asked God why He wasn't "blessing" me with a new job. He knew our need, He knew our desire, He knew everything (and more!!) than we knew! So - why the wait....why the "hold-out"???? Even though I wasn't resting, I can honestly say I wasn't worried. I did find my self saying a few times..."Well, God if you are not going to provide for us this way, I guess you'll do it another way, cause we sure can't do it!!" And He always did!!

So very quickly things began to unfold. I got a call on Wednesday asking if I wanted to come in for an interview (and that was a silly question!!). Went in on Thursday for the interview, got the call telling me "I" had been chosen on Friday, and went to work on Monday! It all happened very fast - once the timing was right!

And let me just say...."God did not fail me"! This company is truly amazing. I had no clue about this in the beginning. In fact, I had never heard of the company. It's called Strike Construction and is a pipeline construction company. My first day there, a sweet young girl from HR helped me with all my paper work. (I found out later that she was a former staff member at FOTW) I found out that the owner went to Fellowship of The Woodlands which is where my son-in-law is on staff. I also found out they have an optional devotional time every Monday morning. Then while I was meeting with my new manager, I saw where he had a screen saver on his computer about a Study of the book of Luke. I told him how much I liked his screen saver. He told me he was a former pastor that went to work in the business industry so his wife could be a stay-at-home mom! I finally found out the owner's name was Steve Pate. At lunch, I called Ashley and asked her if she or Conn knew a Steve Pate from FOTW. She said, "of course mom, he's been here forever!" Even though we had gone to FOTW for 13 years - I had not ever met him.

Well, then I find out that the fridge in our dept is loaded with drinks (provided by the company). The company has lunch catered every Wednesday for the entire staff! And get this......they have an ice machine that makes....are you ready for this.....Sonic ice!!! Yep!

After a day, a man was walking through our department and introduced himself to me as "Steve Pate". The minute I saw him I recognized him immediately! I never knew his name but certainly knew who he was!! We had a great talk and I told him I was Conn's mother-in-law! So of course, now we are now bff's!! :)

And last but not least...in two weeks all the ladies at the company was going all day Friday/Saturday to the company ranch in Buffalo!! It's supposed to be a great place to have a great time! He's taking all the guys the next weekend!!

So needless to say, God provided an amazing job - just in His timing! It was very difficult to wait on Him. But I can honestly say - NOT jumping ahead of God is the only reason I got this job! I could have easily manipulated a few opportunities and each time I clearly heard God saying, "Just wait on me"! I'm so thankful my headstrong, stubbornness listened this time! Thank you God!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, unto him be GLORY in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Ephesians 3:20 & 21

Happy Eleventh!

2011-05-20T14:19:00.001-05:00

Happy Happy 11th Anniversary to our daughter and son-in-law, Ashley and Conn! I won't re-tell the glorious event because I did that here. It was an exhausting, glorious, fun, blessed day. EVERY May 20th I always notice the weather and it has NOT rained one time on that day since that May 20, 2000!!

Now you are expecting Baby #4 and we couldn't be happier. I know that God has TONS of blessings ahead for your family! Thank you both for always having a happy marriage and for loving each other with a very happy love! We love you both and all your 3 1/2 children!!!!

May 20, 2000

With Baby #1 - 2004

With 2 girls - 2007

With 3 kids - 2010

Evidence # 4 on it's way! - 2011

Expecting another boy in Sept 2011

Happy 11th Anniversary Conn & Ashley!!!

Happy Birthday Dustin!!!

2011-05-11T11:10:00.000-05:00

May has always been a very "festive" season at our house! Not only do you have Mother's Day, Graduations, and the beginning of the wedding season...but our family has been blessed with 2 birthdays - just 1 day apart!! You see, I went into labor ON MY 23rd BIRTHDAY with child #2! I vividly remember driving around (I think to get ice cream?!?) with my dear friend Kathy. Our husband's both worked nights and we did fun things together to pass those lonely evenings. We both had 2 yr olds and Kathy also had a 9 month old. And I was 9 months pregnant! I knew the pains were coming - but it was my birthday and I was trying to celebrate with ice cream! So I remember going back to my house and trying to time the contractions. I have no idea where the kids were. I guess Kathy knew. She finally called Robin and told him we thought it was "time"! He said, "Well call me back when you really think it's TIME!" Yes, he did. Can you believe the audacity!!! So I guess Kathy or myself called him back eventually telling him it was TIME! He reluctantly came home from work to take his wife to the hospital! When we got to the nice Catholic hospital the little nuns just smiled and told me it would be awhile. Then my water broke and the little nuns thought there may be a problem. They upped the pitocin dripping thru my IV and Dustin was born 45 minutes later at 12:43am....just 43 minutes AFTER my birthday!! My dad always said if it had not been Daylight Savings Time than Dustin would have been born on my birthday!! So for the last 34 years, Dustin's birthday has always come 43 minutes after my birthday!! Don't you just love a good Birth Story!

Anyway...back to Dustin! Happy 34th birthday to YOU! Dustin was always our crazy child. You know...the one that when he and all his friends found a dead frog and put it in my microwave. But everyone else was too chicken to push the Start button. But not Dustin! He was never skeered of nothin'! Or the time that he casually let loose about 1000 golf balls in the halls of the high school between classes. He always explained that it was the end of his Senior Year and he had to do something crazy! And he never got caught! And I worked at the high school and knew immediately who "done it" when I heard!! (he worked at a golf range!). But I never told! :) Or the time when he and Ashley were in a wreck in Dustin's yellow jeep. It could have been very very very bad! But God so lovingly spared both of their lives! And the love for them from all their friends showed when about 200 kids showed up at the hospital ER!

But as only God does, He took all this crazy energy of this boy and molded and pruned and shaped Dustin into a man after God's own heart! He gave him a beautiful, sweet wife that loves him dearly and two amazing fantastic brilliant (and not near as crazy as him) boys! Yep, God did this. And we are so very proud of who Dustin is now and who he is still becoming! Happy Birthday Dustin!! We love you!!!

Dustin and his beautiful wife Kelly!!!

He still gets a little crazy!!

Well maybe a LOT crazy!!

Barbie and Ken!!

Dustin's amazing family!!

Yep, they are his pride & joy!

Dustin gettin' down at Garner!!!

He still knows how to boogie!!

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T23:28:00.002-05:00

I feel like I've been a mom almost my whole life! I truly don't remember a life w/o kids! I don't remember ever NOT wanting to be a mom! I know I wanted babies as soon as we could afford them. Ha! We still wouldn't have any if that were true!! So I was the ripe old age of 20 when Brandon made me a mom! I have a great picture of me and Brandon on my 1st Mother's Day - but all my pictures are packed away in a box stored safely in a storage building so guess I'll have to save those for another year!

My mom had extreme emotional issues while I was growing up and we never truly had a mother/daughter relationship. I didn't know what a loving mother was supposed to be like, but I always knew I wanted one. And as I got older, I knew I wanted to be one. I promised God that if He ever gave me children I would do everything possible to be the best mom my kids could ever have and to NOT allow them to have a childhood like I had. I wanted them to have fun memories and know that they were always #1 to me!

I thank God for allowing me to me a mom to 3 great children. They are all grown up now and have babies of their own! I'm so thankful for a loving God that allows the "cycle of destruction" to be broken! Mine and Robin's greatest joy comes from watching our grandkids and knowing that the Legacy of Love that God allowed us to start with our kid's generation will prayerfully continue for generations to come!!

MY BABIES!

My firstborn with his firstborn!

My cutie-pie in the middle!

My baby girl expecting a baby boy! (her 4th baby!!)

But now my babies have all married and left the nest. They are all raising babies of their own! And these are the Mom's I am most proud of now!!!

This beautiful lady gave us our first grandbabies!

This pretty girl gave us our first grandgirl !!

(and a few more!!)!!

And our beautiful baby girl has given us the most babies!!! 3 and another boy in Sept!!

I love all three of my favorite Mom's!

Thank you for continuing the Legacy we prayed for!

Gators, Garters, and Gangsters!

2011-05-03T16:47:00.000-05:00

Gators~
We had a rather busy weekend this past week! We have a wonderful small group that we meet with every 2 weeks for fun, food, fellowship, and The Word! Most of the group went up to my son-in-law's family farm that is 13 miles east of Huntsville in a little "blink and you miss it" town named Riverside. We had such a good time together. We cooked out, hiked, rocked, and had a fish fry! We all stayed up late on Friday night just sitting on the back porch listening to the crickets and frogs and laughing over fun stories!!! On Saturday, a few of us hiked to faraway places (seemed like it anyway!) and then Robin fried up a whole mess of fish! A couple of the guys decided later to go check out a few lakes that were not close by. Robin called me all excited to tell me all about his discovery! As they drove up on the 4-wheeler to the lake - there was an 8 ft alligator sunning on the bank! To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever seen a gator at the farm. We went back later to feed him some leftover steak (actually just to see if we could get him moving!!) but he wasn't the least bit interested! We named him "Ol' Beady Eyes"!!! What a fun memory and new story to tell.

Ol' Beady Eyes

Garters~
And before the big weekend was the Big Wedding! I had my DVR all set to record the event but woke up around 5am to go to the bathroom. I thought I would just turn on the TV and see what was happening. Talk about good timing....right as I turned it on, Kate was stepping out of the car with her dad, arriving at the church! Everyone was raving over her obvious beauty and of course the very secretive dress! So I HAD to stay up and watch the entire ceremony. I went back to bed after the royal couple were married and were on their way to the Palace. My sis-in-law said only groupies got up and watched but I will say that I just love history and I knew this was an historical moment. i also love weddings! And Kate DID LOOK GORGEOUS! Loved that I was able to watch it LIVE!!!

The Royal Kiss

(don't you just love the little bridesmaid!!)

Gangsters~
Don't know if the term gangsters truly applies, but it was the only appropriate word I could think of that started with a "G"!!! But Sunday night, after Robin had already gone to bed, I saw on the internet where Osama bin Laden had been killed. I, along with the rest of America, was very shocked. I was so disappointed Robin was already asleep and I didn't have anyone to share the news with! As I said, I LOVE history and I knew immediately that this, too, was a historical moment. I love it when our country seems to be unified, which at times, seems rare. But I saw and felt that sense of unity from all the reports on TV and the internet. I'm sad when anyone dies for sure, but I am thankful that I live in a country that is persistent with protecting us!

God Bless America!!

He is Not Here, He Has Risen!!

2011-04-23T10:42:00.001-05:00

"The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28: 5-6

The Cross!

2011-04-22T14:53:00.003-05:00

"They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the Place of the Skull)"
Mark 15:22

"And they crucified him."
Mark 15:24

Praying in Gethsemane

2011-04-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them,

"Sit here while I go over there and pray." Matthew 26:36

Happy Birthday x 2!!!!

2011-04-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to our sweet granddaughters - Maggie Mae (5 yrs old) and Campbell Britt (4 yrs old)!!! April 19 always brings us Double-Blessing Birthdays!!!! Happy Birthday to these precious girls!!! You both bring such joy to Mammy and Pappy!!!!

April Vacation!!!

2011-04-04T12:35:00.000-05:00

Guess what!!! In a few short weeks the whole family is going to DisneyWorld! Yep, and I think we're even planning on catching the Disney Cruise too!! The girls and I will then be heading up to New York to take in a Broadway show and do some shopping while the boys head to some amazing fly-fishing river to catch a few mountain trout! Then Robin and I are going to catch a flight to Italy for a little R&R (that's stands for Romance and Romance people!!) and we're thinking of stopping by Bora-Bora on the way home to catch some rays and try to re-coup from all that Italian Romance! And that's just our Spring Vacation!!!

Oh, what...you mean it's not April Fool's Day anymore!!??? Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!!

Boring but Blessed!

2011-03-09T00:44:00.001-06:00

Okay - so I know I haven't been blogging much! But I have a really good reason....my life is pretty boring right now! Our few winter months are always our "quiet" time of year. I think we are in partial hibernation. But my hubby told me to write something or my brother would be turning 64 before my blog was updated!!

Seriously people, nothing - nothing! I haven't taken any pictures in several months of my precious grands so I have no new pictures to show off. We haven't gone anywhere fun or exciting - so no stories to tell. We're not even going to the Houston Rodeo!!

I did go get my hair cut and highlighted today.... guess I could blog about that. I've been desperately looking for a job - with no success.....guess I could blog about that. I was dog-sick (if you're from LA you may understand that means really really sick) for about 4 weeks with bronchitis that I just could not shake....guess I could blog about that. We're living temporarily in a 1 bedroom apt which is driving us crazy but I know it could be much worse - like living in a hut in India....guess I could blog about that. American Idol has finally gotten down to the Top 13 and it's about to get "real".....guess I could blog about that. We are awaiting the arrival of Grandbaby #9 in September (and we are very excited to meet him/her)....guess I could blog about that. We are going on our annual Garner trip this summer - like we always do but my best friend and her entire family are going with us and there will be 32 of us in one cabin (and we are very excited about that!) ....guess I could blog about that. Spring is almost officially in Houston cause there is green pollen all over my car....guess I could blog about that.

But all of that seems terribly boring to me. And if it's boring to me - I imagine it would be super-boring to you! So until my life gets a little more exciting I will probably just take a little blog siesta! But I will leave you with a few pics of all that God has blessed me with!! And that - my friends....is never boring!!

Yep.....Very Blessed!!!

Happy Birthday to my Bubba!

2011-02-18T14:04:00.000-06:00

Today my oldest brother, Jimmy, (also known as Bubba, Booger, Boo, Jim, Old Man, etc) turns 63!! He is WAAAYYYYY older than me!! He and his wife, Connie, are both recent retirees and are truly enjoying the "Good Life"! I'm so happy for them and just a tad bit jealous! Here's a little "ditty" that I wrote just for him on his special day!!!

Happy Birthday Bubba!!

Connie & Jimmy

Vatican City

Rome, Italy

Today I turn 63

And yet I stop and wonder

Are my best days behind me?

What happened to all my thunder!!??

Oh to be young again

With lots of energy and vim

It was always so hard

To keep up with Jim!

To jump out of bed

With plans galore

It was never said

“Oh he is such a bore!”

Not all the gray hair

Always fighting weight

Free to do it all

With the kids and the mate!

But what would I do

Without my afternoon treat?

My special coffee time

With my wifey next to me!

All my projects galore

There would be no time

For my plants and more

That I’ve enjoyed in my prime!

Yep, today I’ll just enjoy

The love of my life

Driving down the road

With just my trailer and my wife!

There's So Much To Love About Texas!!!!

2011-02-07T13:03:00.000-06:00

My favorite Super Bowl commercial!!! We do love us some TEXAS!!!

Phone Pics!

2011-01-28T16:09:00.002-06:00

Many of you that own a smart phone (i.e. a phone that does more than dial numbers and talk) knows that most newer phones can do way more than we even use them for. I'm still learning to try to be "up" on all the latest applications of a "intelligent" phone! One of the things I do is take random pictures and literally NEVER do anything with them. Today I was scanning through my cell phone pics that have been on my phone for who knows how long. It's actually sort of fun to look through them and try to remember what in the world made you take "that" picture. Thought I would share a few with you!!

Robin's famous cinnamon rolls.
Mine are much more famous and much more delectable!

Lily, Cash, Maggie. My 3 grands from my offspring Ashley and her hubby Conn.
Sitting on top of the coffee table in their pj's.
Doesn't everyone allow their kids to sit on their coffee table???!!

Cash showing his feminine side with his hat and pushing his baby in a buggy!

Don't worry....he's very confidant in his manhood!! - blame it on 2 older sisters :)

Cash riding his sister's pink tricycle inside the house in his pj's!!!
(refer to previous explanation to the "pinkness")!
Pappy looking cool! (like he always does!)

A random door we saw at Warrenton Antiques Market that we loved!!

Very "vintage" right???!!! It would make a really cool pantry door!

Ashley's "new" coffee table that she bought at Warrenton (on the bottom!)

Made out of an old door! Quite a steal!!

Cathedral's wooden arches that I love. Have two of them!!! (pic also at Warrenton!!)

Miss Maggie Mae at a pumpkin patch somewhere - not sure where!!!!!

Carson and Chloe on "Book Parade" day.

Carson's book was Junie B. Jones "Graduation Girl" and Chloe's was Pocahontas!!!

Aren't they adorable!!

Our 12' Christmas Tree in the foyer of our church!

Yep, I decorated it!!!

The inside of our sanctuary on Christmas Eve all decked out in a Christmas Woodlands theme!!

Yep, I decorated it! *Blush*

Ashley, Maggie and Conn at Maggie's Pre-School Christmas Performance.

Her Nanny bought Maggie that precious dress with Santa Claus smocked on it!

I used to smock in a former life!!!

"The Dennis" on New Years Eve all decked out in his new Elmo attire!!

Da-Da-Da-Da!! Da-Da-Da-Da! It's Elmo's World!

(you must sing this to not feel stupid!)

A few weeks ago in Austin, TX!! Notice the State Capital at the end of Congress St!!

Also notice the rain on the windshield.

Yes it rained the whole time we were there!

Since I'm now the "official" decorator/designer at our church....I'm always looking for new ideas!

This is the latest stage design at Bethie (known to some of her not-so-close friends as Beth Moore*wink*)

All this is made out of styrofoam! Cool, huh?!!??!

And yes, this is from my seat on the 2nd row!

She gives her best friends seats up front :)

Not really - we have to get here super early to get these seats!

Thank you Connie McWhorter for your sprint each week!

And this is Bethie herself. Taken from my seat on the 2nd row!

She's about to wave at me! (not!)

Picture of Ashley on her 32nd birthday during lunch at Macaroni Grill.

Her friend, Shannon has a much better pic that Ashley has posted on her blog.

Scroll down to her last picture on her post!

Campbell, Chloe, Carson at a local park a few days ago.

We were keeping these kiddos for the weekend while Brandon and Sharla went for a little R&R.

It turned out to be a beautiful unusual winter day!! We were all shedding our coats by noon!

Little Miss Chloe Grace gettin' her groove on!! Yes, she dressed like this in January.

I had to MAKE her put the tights on her legs!!! What a little PRISS!

(notice the Hoarder's Garage in the background!!! Sharla is gong to KILL me! ha! Just keepin' it real!

And last - but not least.....Robin's been working on a living room update!!!

He built the entertainment/flat screen cabinet/storage cabinets and

also put the stacked stone/ hearth around the fireplace!!

Isn't it beautful!!!?!!! Way to go Lace! You're going to love it!

Well, that's about all the Phone Pics I have.....now I can erase them all! Have a fun weekend!!

It's 90% chance of rain in Houston tomorrow!!

OH HAPPY DAY!

Happy Birthdays to YOU-ALL!

2011-01-17T13:50:00.004-06:00

January is always a fun-filled birthday month for The Marler Family! So to try and make this gray, yucky, rainy-filled month full of joy and happiness - several of us decided to bless the earth with January babies!

First up.....Cole Patton Marler - January 16

Cole finally passed into the "double digit" age! He is now a whopping 10 yrs old! Cole is simply amazing! Truly, he is. He is the "baby" of Dustin (my son) and Kelly Marler and little bro of Cade Marler. Cole is extremely smart, loves athletics and is very very tenacious in all that he attempts. He LOVES baseball, skateboarding, school (Math!!), his family, God, his cousins and TEXAS! All the girls love him as well as all of his teachers! He has a "killer" smile and used to have a lot of hair (he just got it ALL cut off!) Happy Birthday Cole! We love you so very very much!

On January 18th - Brandon Marler (our oldest son) turns 36!!!

I truly have no idea who his mother is because I'm way too young to have a child that is 36!!!
Brandon is a wonderful husband to Sharla and amazing dad to Carson, Chloe, and Campbell! He is a true Aggie, loves music, serves God in a mighty way, and has a big heart for his family! Brandon was one of those kids that always lived life to the fullest and still does that as an adult! I guess you would call him passionate. And I think being passionate is a very very good thing today! Happy Birthday Brandon!

And January 19th........

And because we just wanted to add more chaos to January - we decided to add another birth on January 19th (4 short years later with another baby in-between!!) Ashley Marler McWhorter will be 32 the day after Brandon's birthday! Ashley was our "surprise" baby! Later on we called her our "blessing" baby. The fact that this mama (me!) had a baby girl after two boys was such a blessing! I loved having all the pink around amidst the baseball gloves and trucks! Ashley always wanted to be a teacher and she accomplished that goal! Now she loves being a mama to Lily, Maggie and Cash full-time! Ashley is married to Conn, a pastor and that can be a challenge at times - with lots of fun perks. Ashley loves her babies (with #4 on the way!), loves her husband, and is a great pastor's wife!! She loves to decorate, give parties, do bible studies with her friends, and blog. Happy Birthday baby girl!

Happy Birthday Cole, Brandon and Ashley!!! We love you!!!

Mammy & Pappy

Favorites!

2011-01-13T11:36:00.003-06:00

As you can probably see...I'm at a loss for blog posts ideas! My blogging has been somewhat absent and probably boring. So I am trying to figure out a new idea to boost my popularity! Not really, I know my 2 faithful readers will always be loyal to me *grin*

So since I'm trying to improve my posts, I made up this little quiz. (No sarcasm Ashley....) I'll just have to see how many of you participate!

I'm calling this new little game Favorites. I have compiled 20 of my Favorites. You can either give your answers on my comments or if you have a blog then you can copy and paste your answers on your blog. (make sure you leave your blog link in my comments) Isn't this just so much fun on this dreary winter day!!??!!

FAVORITES

Where is your most favorite place to eat?? Taste of Texas (best ever steaks and salad bar!)

Where is your most favorite place you have ever traveled? Italy for sure...no wait, maybe Israel!

What is your favorite color? Usually it is pink. Changes with the season! Winter - prob rusty red.

What is your most favorite "Perfect" day? Wearing pj bottoms and fuzzy warm socks around all day with a fire going and good soup on the stove and all my kids and grandkids running around me!!

What is your most favorite game? Well, since my hubs is NOT a game player I haven't been able to use my amazing game expertise for years. But I think it would have to be Scrabble! Or UNO with my grandkids!

What is your most favorite time of day?? I think mine is usually 8pm. Most of the busyness of the day has wound down and it's time for a little relaxing!

What is your most favorite technical devise? Mine would have to be the computer. I love my phone but I can no longer live w/o my computer!!!

What is your most favorite drink of choice? Unfortunately mine would have to be Diet Coke. I have tried many, many times to break this bad habit - but alas...it has me hooked! I do drink it less than I ever have!

What is your most favorite child's quote? NOTE: This is NOT to be confused with "Most Favorite Child"!!! ha! Mine would be one of Brandon's when he was about 2. He got a new flashlight in his Easter basket and was shining the light all over his new Easter shoes. He told me, "Look mama, I'm shining my shoes!" :) But another one would have to be when Ashley told us that Conn was going to "blow a casket" (instead of blow a gasket!!) and she wasn't exactly a child when she said this!! Once when we were working at Boys Country as houseparents, Dustin asked us, "Am I ever going to have to go live at a Boys Country??" Now this one broke our hearts!!

What is your favorite day of the week? Mine would have to be Friday! Just love the beginning of the weekend!

What is your most favorite thing to do with your hubby? (remember this is a "family" blog!!) Mine would have to be going on vacations and while we are on the vacation - going to flea markets! Yep, as long as I let him go flyfishing he'll go anywhere with me!!

What is your most favorite hobby? Mine would have to be going to flea markets and decorating. (those go hand-in-hand!)

What is your most favorite store to shop at? Mine would probably be Hobby Lobby! I'm not really much of a shopper!

What is your most favorite bible verse? Even though I have many, my most favorite would probably be, "Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

What is your most favorite meal to cook? Soup of any kind! I just love throwing things into a pot and watching the "magic" happen!!

What is your most favorite holiday? Thanksgiving!! I LOVE the colors of Thanksgiving and I love that there are NO gifts involved (but lots of yummy food!)

What is your most favorite bible study you have done? Mine would have to be Beth Moore's "Patriarch's"! I loved the bible history and studying about our biblical forefather's!! However, a close 2nd would be Beth Moore's "Wising Up" series!

What is your most favorite month? Definitely late November and early December. That's our Fall here in Texas!

What is your most favorite dream car? Lexus SUV (emphasis on "dream!") ha!

What is your most favorite ice cream? Any vanilla ice cream mixed with nuts, caramel, and chocolate! Yum!

1-1-11

2011-01-01T02:19:00.000-06:00

Wow! Is it really 1-1-11???!!! How did that happen. Weren't we just all worried about entering the new millennium just yesterday. You remember.....when everyone was freaking out and believing that our computers were all going to crash at the strike of midnight and everyone was running out to buy generators!! And here we are 11 years later (with none of that happening - by-the-way!!)

I remember as a young newlywed and a new believer begging Jesus not to return until I had a baby, and then I begged to Him not to return until I had a 2nd - then a 3rd. And then I started begging Jesus to not rapture all of us until all my babies grew up and had babies of their own....and then the begging cycle just starts over again with the new generation!!! I remember seriously thinking we would never see the turn of the century because Jesus would surely return before then!! Shows how much I know and also shows how little I get right!!!

So now, after our hard, hard, hard 2010, you can hear me praying, "Lord come quickly....or please let 2011 be much much much better than 2010!!! But I know one thing for sure....only He knows His calendar, and only His way is Perfect!!!

But no matter no matter no matter (I like saying things in 3's - can you tell!!??) how hard it's been or how hard it may come....our biggest blessing that trumps all other things are these most wonderful 8 little people that grace our hearts and our lives!! Nothing can buy this type of Blessing!!!

What Are You Doing New Years Eve????

2010-12-31T00:03:00.004-06:00

Love this song!! But really love it by Steve Tyrell best but couldn't find a video of him singing it!

So - just what are you doing New Year's Eve?

Will you be wearing this?

Or these??? (ouch!)

Or maybe you will be celebrating with this????

And blowing these!!

Are you one of those that shoot these????

Or maybe you are really crazy and like to go here....

To watch this drop!!

Do you have a sweetie to do this with as the clock strikes midnight!!???

Or are you a party-pooper and just poop out before midnight!!???

Just what Are You Doing On New Year's Eve??????

Well, us....we'll be keeping this little man and loving every minute of it!!!

But don't let this sweet innocent face fool you.... cause he'll probably be doing

THIS!!!

or THIS!!!

or even this!!!

And we wouldn't have it any other way!

May your 2011 be Blessed!

I'm Sad!

2010-12-29T22:36:00.001-06:00

I'm sad because no one ever comments on my blog :( Well, except for my faithful friend Kathy. She will always be faithful til the end! I know lots of people read it because they tell me.....however, I feel so sad when I see only 1 comment or no comments! Do you love me??!!??

The Marler Christmas Story Book - Circa 2002

2010-12-25T12:55:00.002-06:00

In 2002, Pappy decided he wanted the Marler Family to produce their own version of the Christmas Story to read every Christmas. At the time, we only had two small grands but knew their would be many more to come! So he went out to the Walmart and bought paper, colored pencils, and even little erasers for everyone. Then he wrote down the verses he wanted illustrated and put them in a box. Everyone drew "their" verse they were to illustrate. Once I received everyone's drawings (and it took forever to get ALL to cooperate!) Pappy and I sat down and wrote the Prologue and added the verses to each page. I took it all to Kinko's and had them laminated and bound. Every family got their copy of The Marler Christmas Story that year. Even though none of us were great artists, it is now a very treasured possession of our family and huge tradition to start out our Christmas Day with all the Grands gathered around Pappy (or rather fighting for a seat in his lap!!) to hear Pappy read the Christmas Story. We pray that this tradition continues with this book but especially THIS STORY for many, many Christmases to follow long after we're gone! Thought I would share it with you this Christmas Morning. May Jesus be the center of your Christmas Day and all of your days throughout 2011. Merry Christmas!!!

(you may have to click on pic and enlarge if you want to read each page)

Pappy reading The Marler Christmas Story Book to the Grands on Christmas Morning - 2009!

Merry Christmas from The Marler Family!!

2010-12-23T14:09:00.002-06:00

I have been trying to load our Christmas Letter - but having a little trouble. So for now - it's just some Merry Christmas pictures!

Our "faraway" kids!!! We're so glad they are home - even if it's just for a few days!

This little cutie will keep you laughing! She told me I needed to recycle my envelope pull-off tabs the other day!

Hay bale fun for everyone!

Can't tell you how much we miss these two!!!

This little man did not really want his picture taken!!

This is what....

He wanted to do!

Brandon, Chloe, Campbell, Carson, Sharla

Brandon and Sharla

Cash was trying to attack Cade and Cole with his stick sword!

They finally got him under control!

Dustin and Kelly

All our Little Loves!

This mama loves her boys!

Mammy and Pappy and their blessings!

Conn, Ashley, Lily, Cash, Maggie. Looks at that little man's grin!! (Cash - not Conn!)

My 3 Grandsons!

All my Grand Girls!

Sisters!

Red Rover, Red Rover, let Lily come over!!

See - we love playing Red Rover!!

Aren't these beautiful girls...okay, so I'm a little bit biased! Just sayin'

Now this spunky little thing NEVER.STOPS.TALKING!!! Well she really doesn't talk - she yells conversations! Seriously - to the point her mama had her hearing checked!!!

All the grandbabies like Pappy more than Mammy!!! But I'm okay with it! Really, I am!!

You see I do all the work, buy all the toys, make them their favorite food

- and Pappy always gets the credit!!! I accepted it years ago!

(P.S.) I think it may have something do with he just plays with them while I do all the hard stuff!!

Inside a very very old barn!

From left to right:

Front Row - Maggie, Chloe, Campbell

Back Row - Ashley, Conn, Sharla, Brandon, Cole, Lily, Carson, Cade, Dustin, Kelly, Mammy, Pappy, Cash

Hope your Christmas will be as fun as our's!!

Merry Christmas from Robin and Julie!!!

Happy Birthday to this Sweetie!

2010-12-09T00:15:00.000-06:00

Today is our daughter-in-law's birthday! Kelly is such a sweet and precious part of our family!! She is an amazing mom and wife too! She recently took a job outside of the home so I know she is juggling lots of hats right now! We are so thankful that God brought her into our lives over 12 years ago!

Happy Birthday Kelly! We love you!!!

Kelly and Dustin

Kelly loves to dance with all the nieces!

She loves taking pictures!

All the kids love her stories!

Kelly and her beautiful family!

Beautiful inside and out!

Happy Birthday Kelly!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Cash!!

2010-12-01T00:15:00.001-06:00

"The Dennis" turns 2 years old today! He (along with 7 others) is the joy of our lives! He makes us laugh at all the funny things he does! We shed a little tear when we hear him singing "Jesus Loves Me". He even sometimes can drive you a little crazy at his stubbornness!! We had NO CLUE what a blessing this little man would be when he made a very swift entry into this world two years ago! God is Good! Cash is such a blessing to all of us! We love you Cash!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Cash!

We LOVE you!!!!

I'm Blessed!! I'm Thankful!!

2010-11-24T09:17:00.000-06:00

I'm thankful for all these blessings in my life!!!

And all these too!!

"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD:

“He is good...." Ezra 3:11

Hope you all have a BLESSED Thanksgiving!!!

No More Hiding from God!!! The Story of Jonah!!

2010-11-12T23:33:00.001-06:00

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

So cute! Wish I could say it was My granddaughter! But it's not! But it sure could be with that big bow and smocked dress! (the video is a little long but well worth the watch!!!!)

We can never hide from God!

P.S. This little girl just may be on stage in about 20 years accepting her first Oscar!!

A New Season!

2010-11-03T16:45:00.002-05:00

Days and Days and Days have gone by since I last posted. So many minutes, hours, and days. Sometimes the minutes fly by and then those minutes turn into hours and the hours turn into days and the days turn into years. You get the picture...the seasons change and life goes on!

We are in a different season of life right now. Not sure what season it is but I do know it's different than the last season. I have found through all the seasons of life - God takes you down different paths for different reasons. And I am so thankful that He is in control of it all. Our constant prayer has been that we are staying minute-by-minute in God's perfect will. That's a tough prayer because we all deep-down truly want to choose our own path - do our own thing. But we have learned that our way is tainted - you know, sometimes rocky sometimes good sometimes happy sometimes stormy sometimes content. We are so content right now. Mainly because God has showed Himself to us and we know we are walking in His path.

Don't you just hate posts like this????!!!!! You know, where they just don't make any sense at all. The writer writes in circles and you have no clue what they are talking about. blahblahblah!

So I'll stop that and get straight to my point....We sold our beloved home and signed all the papers last Friday. Moving was .....well, to keep from using inappropriate language....it was not fun! Physically and emotionally draining. But we KNEW that's what we were supposed to do. And the direction that we "thought" God was taking us - changed in a matter of minutes. For lots of different reasons. Red flags were popping up everywhere and we decided if we were going to be in God's will (that we long for) we MUST change directions. So we did. We changed boats in the middle of the stream - or is it change paddles in the middle of the river?? Either way, we immediately changed directions. And we had a "only from God" peace about it. You know that kind of peace where you still don't like it but you know it's the right thing to do.

Robin and I are such visionaries. We see a piece of raw land and can both immediately have a gorgeous home built on it (in our mind) and we'll even both know how it needs to be landscaped. Or we'll see a torn-up trashed-out house and can literally have walls torn down and completely rebuilt in a matter of minutes (in our mind). I can walk in anyone's house and before a conversation has finished - I have it completely redecorated (in my mind). Unfortunately I can even look at a woman and have her totally made over (new clothes, new haircut, new makeup) in a matter of minutes! Yes, it's a curse I say! Our brains just never shut down with visions. Now mind you, it's always an "improved" vision. So that's a good thing. But it never stops - for either of us. Never. Ever. Never.

So we think God decided we needed a "brain" break. We are now living in an apartment where you can't paint a wall, plant a bush, change out a light fixture, and you even have to pay $$$ if you put nail holes in the wall. Seriously, it's like $25 per nail hole if they have to fill a hole when you move out!! Now it's a very nice apartment with a gorgeous pool, gym, indoor basketball court, media room, game room, all the perks. But you still can't paint it. They even have this cool trash pick-up service. All you do is put your little kitchen-type trash can (that they give you) right outside your door and they empty it every night but Saturday. Now that's a cool thing! But you still can't paint it. We signed a year lease so guess our brain will just have to wait for a year to paint a room or envision what's next. But we are thoroughly convinced that God has a plan for us. A plan not to harm us but plans for us to prosper and we KNOW He is our hope and future. Cause He told us so in Jeremiah.

But all visions are not lost....even during this season of life. I'll be decorating our new precious church that we love so much with something fun and festive for Christmas! And I'll be doing something a little creative at church even after Christmas. I'm so thankful God is faithful to us. Aren't you??!!!

Our New Home

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Guess What We're Doing??!!!!??

2010-10-17T23:08:00.000-05:00

Pappy Party!

2010-10-12T07:47:00.052-05:00

Happy Birthday to the man I love! He's a dedicated dad to our 3 amazing kids and their 3 mates, unbelievable Pappy to 8 gorgeous Grands, Man of God, flyfisherman, my soulmate, lover and best friend. The year we met (I was in 10th grade and he was in 11th grade) he was a little on the wild side! He always loves to say that "Julie and Jesus" changed his life! That crazy young boy grew into a Godly Man that captured my heart over 38 years ago!

Happy Birthday Robin!! I love you (along with just a few more!!!)

Happy Birthday Babe, Dad, Pappy!! We love you!!

5 Girls and "The Dennis"

2010-10-11T02:12:00.002-05:00

Well, it was a busy weekend. I started out working at the office all morning on Friday, then showing homes all afternoon, a quick run by Academy and Wal-Mart and then finally home to cook for a birthday party for 14 people! I was moving so fast I felt like Superwoman! Yep, we had chicken enchiladas (made in advance), Pioneer Woman's Cornbread Dressing with Apples and Sausage, (yes, I know enchiladas and cornbread dressing do not go together but if I'm the cook anything can work!), Spanish Rice, and for the kiddos, tacos, macaroni and cheese, and for dessert, Sopapilla Cheesecake (yum and super-easy!)

Then it was birthday presents for Conn (Oct 6) and Robin (Oct 12). We also invited our sweet neighbors Jamie and Cody and little baby Tatum! Of course, we missed Dustin, Kelly, Cade & Cole!! But all the adults had lots of fun laughing while the kids were all upstairs tearing up the gameroom, uh, I mean playing in the gameroom!!! Then the big people (as in parents) all left and we had a super-fun time the rest of the weekend with our 5 granddaughters and "The Dennis" (aka Cash). Yes, you did not misunderstand me.....I said ALL WEEKEND LONG! The girls are always asking me to have a Sleepover and it had been awhile - so we gave in! And if we were going to take all the girls - we might as well throw in "The Dennis" too!

I think we finally got everyone to sleep on Friday night by 1 am. I went upstairs to make sure everyone was covered up around 1:30 a.m. and found Maggie and Campbell (the two youngest girls) still up playing!! And then everyone was up at 7am! After breakfast, we headed to Jones State Forest (right by our subdivision) for a hike through the woods and a picnic! So much fun and two neighborhood kitty-cats joined us! Then back to the house where we made some Christmas t-shirts. Then we headed to our neighborhood park to roast hot dogs and make s'mores! After that it was bathtime and more playtime and finally bedtime. Exhausted. But still another day to go!! I have to admit we didn't even attempt to get them all ready for church. I think God understood. So after breakfast, we painted fingernails/toenails with two different colors and added polka-dots and then Pappy took them to the park while I made lunch. After spaghetti and ice cream it was time for Lily, Maggie, and "The Dennis" (aka Cash) to head home. Carson, Chloe, and Campbell were staying longer so they spent hours doing artwork while Mammy and Pappy attempted to clean the house that was hit by a tornado! After baths and Subway sandwiches, their Mom came and picked them up and Mammy and Pappy did what we love doing best.....pay bills! Ahhhh! What a way to end a super weekend! So much fun with 6 of our 8 Grand's! Only would have been better if Cade and Cole would have been here too!! We forgot to take any pictures of the Friday night birthday party but here's some pics of rest of the weekend!!

On our way to the "Forest" for our hike and picnic!

These two were inseparable all weekend long!!

If you look at Campbell's squinty eyes - you can see why Maggie asked for some sunglasses before we left! Maggie had to take a sack in case she found something she couldn't live w/o in the woods!

Finally on the trail!

The friendly critter whose tag said he was named Bevo!! Must have been a Longhorn cat!!!

Picnic in the Forest!

"The Dennis" was afraid of kitty's before this little walk in the woods! But he just warmed up to Bevo and was petting him before long!

And before long they were best friends! Doesn't every kitty love Cheetos??

And if the kitty didn't want it - Cash would just stick it in his mouth and eat it!

Even Cool Dennis gets thirsty!

Pappy was very popular for this!

"Hey girls! Wait up! My legs aren't as long as your's!!"

"Pappy - I could use a little help up here!!"

This little girl got hot and sweaty!

Cash was hiding from us!!! (or so he thought!)

Time to take a rest!

"The Dennis" was determined to do EVERYTHING the girls did!

We took this same picture last fall!!

Here it is!!

Big sisters take care of their baby brothers!

Pappy and Campbell were waiting on us!

Even " The Dennis" needs Pappy's shoulders sometimes!

Artwork adorned the walls all weekend!

Ready to make Christmas T-Shirts

Hot Dogs at the Park!

YUM!

You know the best thing.....

about eating hotdogs.....

at the park???

You can be.....

as messy as....

You want to be!!!

Cause you can always clean off the dirt and hotdogs in the bathtub!!

Cleaned up and riding the "Chicken"! I have pictures of all the Grands riding on this chicken!!

Cade was the first at about 6 months old - and he's now 11 yrs old!!

Having so much fun at Mammy and Pappy's!

Birth order Carson, Lily, Chloe, Maggie, Campbell, Cash - except Cade and Cole come first! We miss them :(

Only Pappy lets his grandchildren get this close to the water!! (Notice the sign!!!) Mammy was back home cooking lunch!! She would have been right there with them!! Chloe was watching out for Cash though!! (Pappy swears there are no alligators in that water!) Campbell calls them Crocagaters!

Note: No children were eaten by Alligators during the filming of these pictures!

Just being "The Dennis"!

Don't tell the parents that Pappy let the two oldest go looking for the gator!

See - they made it back just fine!

Now this one....she would have NEVER gone looking for the gator cause she's a chicken!!

She was even scared of the kitty cat in the Forest!!

Whew! It's been a long weekend - I need some diet coke!

What a fun weekend with our cousins!!!

Favorite Fall Things!

2010-09-24T15:35:00.001-05:00

My most favorite time of the year is Fall! I love everything about it! I LOVE fall colors! I LOVE fall smells! I LOVE pumpkins! I LOVE the fact that Fall and Thanksgiving is a very special time of being with family and lots of yummy food and there are NO presents involved!!! ha! I love cooking Fall-ish foods like soups and just-out-of-the-oven warm Fall desserts that just "speak and smell" Fall comfort! Robin and I almost always pick the Fall to take a vacation - usually to a place where the leaves are shouting out their Fall colors and the weather has turned a little chilly! Nothing better than snuggling in front of those fires on those first chilly evenings!

Our first Fall Trip to New England celebrating our 25th anniversary!

We loved Polly's Pancake Parlor in New Hampshire!!

Robin's only request was to eat lobster on a wharf in Maine! The whole lobster was only $10!! He got two!

Our trip to Montana for Robin's 50th birthday on October 12, 2003.

Robin flyfishing on the Gallatin River in Montana

One of the many beautiful fall drives we have taken!! I think this was in Vermont.

Nothing more beautiful than a church steeple peeping up among gorgeous fall colors! We saw this close to Stowe, Vermont on our way to an apple orchard!

Another beautiful church amongst the fall leaves! This was in Asheville, NC.

One of my favorite fall pictures of my family! Seems like so long ago!!

Our trip to see Dustin, Kelly, Cade & Cole last fall.

This was at a pumpkin patch/corn maze right outside of Asheville.

Lily, Maggie and Cash at a pumpkin patch last fall!

Our house on our beautiful lake! Ha! Just kidding! I wish!!!

Robin flyfishing in Tennessee!

The colorful hills of Tennessee!

Our cabin in Tennessee!

A farm in San Juan Island, Washington showing off it's colors!

Robin flyfishing the Skykomish River north of Seattle, Washington

An Eddie Bauer model I saw while we were in the San Juan Islands!!

Naw, just kiddin' with ya! It's just Robin looking all manly!

Another favorite Fall picture!!

Our precious little granddaughter, Campbell, looking up at her very tall daddy!!

And all five of my favorite grandgirls looking all "vintage" in the forest by our house last Fall!

Welcome Fall!

Will you please stay longer than 2 weeks this year??!!!???

Puffy Hair and "The Dennis"!

2010-09-19T22:16:00.002-05:00

Well, I got really tired of looking at that nasty puff fish everytime I opened my blog. I actually do log on to my blog so I can read my friends/families blogs! So I decided I really had to write another post just so that ugly thing could move on down the blog list!

So much going on - but not much going on! You know that feeling!

I started a new bible study with my church ladies last Wednesday. I was rather reluctant to go because they had chosen to do Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself" to study. I guess I was feeling way too high and mighty - thinking....."this is such an OLD study. Why didn't they choose a newer study???" But because I was really wanting to get involved with our Women's Ministry I decided I needed to go watch Beth - her old version of "puffed" hair and all! Well, was I ever surprised!! (aren't I always when I get to feeling uppity!!!???) It was amazing! To begin with...Beth looked gorgeous as always! Her hair wasn't even puffy! But the Word that she brought brought me to my knees (as usual).

Lately, I've been feeling a little sorry for myself. You know....why does "it" have to be so hard....why doesn't God understand.....God don't you see us trying so hard. All the usual "pity party" questions and feelings. One comment that Beth made was, "In Christ we can do what we can't!". She also reinforced truths that I have known but tend to forget sometimes. "Your calling will cost you." She reminded me that if we are not walking through some challenges then we may not be walking with God. The whole purpose of challenges is so that God can....well, be God. Beth writes:
1. My purpose is beyond me.
2. My seasonal circumstances are often beyond me.
3. My unrelenting daily demands are beyond me.

Yep, once again God showed me how he speaks to me even when I think an "old" bible study is too "old" to mess with. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever!!!

So then we ended the week with The Boy! Most of you probably know that we have two amazing grandsons that live way too far away. They fill us with joy!! And then God blessed us with 5 amazing grandgirls. Stair steps in age! No two the same age!! They shower us with love! And then God sent.....The Boy! Or as Robin refers to him "The Dennis"!!

We had Cash all weekend while his mom, dad, and sisters went to the lake with their small group from church. Mr. Cash is now 21 months old and full of spitfire! If he is awake he is never still. He's always good (well, almost always) but he can outrun most adults and is not afraid of climbing on anything! And he is the delight of our lives! He LOVES to sing - all the time! And the boy knows quite a few songs! He can actually hit a ball with a bat and has a mean arm (lefty - we think!). And he sleeps for 12-13 solid hrs every night with a 3 hr nap everyday! Amen! What a fun weekend we had!

Thank you God for an amazing week where You showed up in spite of myself and for blessing us with a fun loving "Dennis"!!

Out-Of-Sorts!

2010-09-13T13:36:00.002-05:00

It's just one of those days! Nothing really wrong! But you know....you've surely been there! You know one of those days you just feel out-of-sorts (does anyone really know where this saying came from???!!!!) That's what kind of day I'm having. You know what I'm talking about....feeling sort of puffy and blah! Probably too much good food over the weekend! This picture sort of describes how I'm feeling today!! Do you have those days too??!!

I thinking tomorrow will be better! Have a good week!!
Mammy

Bring The Rain!

2010-09-07T13:42:00.000-05:00

It is POURING DOWN outside and has been all day long. I will be leaving in about 2 hrs and driving across Houston in this rain to attend this! Praying for safety for all the thousands of women driving to this event!

So Worth It!

Oh the Joy of Family Gatherings!

2010-09-06T21:40:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, we did what lots of American families do on holidays....we had a family get-together! Mama does most of the cooking, the grandkids all come to play with their cousins, and the adults just sit around and talk and laugh and share funny stories. And that's just what we did yesterday with family.

The adults at the "round table"!

Mammy made brisket, baked-potato casserole, homemade mac-n-cheese for the youngins', corn-on-the-cob cooked on the grill, salad with nuts and cranberries, peach-n-blueberry cobbler and chocolate molten lava cake. Yum! Since we moved into our current home, we now have two seating areas! One for all the grands and a huge round table for the adults. I've always wanted a round table so you can all look at each other while you're eating! So all the adults were stuffing themselves around the round table and the kiddos were in the kitchen eating away (or mostly playing). All of a sudden we heard this blood-curdling scream! Everyone jumped up to see who had cut their finger off (we forgot the kids didn't have knives) or who had fallen off the bench and cut their head open! It was Lily Belle! She was hysterical! Just screaming and the look of terror on her face!! When her daddy finally got her all settled down she told him that Carson Beth (cousin) had been insisting that Dora the Explorer was real! Then she told her daddy thru shaking and tears, "But if daddy, if Dora is real that means Swiper is real too and that really scares me!!" Well, it took everything within us all to keep for laughing our heads off. Then Carson started crying cause she thought she was in real trouble for making Lily cry. She then proceeded to tell us all that Dora is real cause they saw her walking around a mall or someplace! (person dressed up like Dora) Oh the joy of family gatherings!

The Screamer!

Then later the kids were playing away up in the playroom and the adults were just hanging in the living room. Cash was running around playing in water and cokes and we all just laughed and he thought he was cool and funny. He won't understand the next time he does this and his mama gets on to him!! We were telling different stories and Ashley started telling us of an event that happened while they were recently on a cruise! They had been frolicking on the beach and she had come back to the ship with a bite behind her ear. She said it hurt quite a bit and she applied neosporin. But after about 3 days of hurting - it had grown into quite a huge bubble. She said it hurt like heck to lay on that side of her head with that "thing" behind her ear. Finally a few day's later she could take it no more and went in the bathroom and poked it with a pin! She hollered for Conn to come help her as soon as "gook" started gushing everywhere! I won't gross you out with her description but let's just say Conn said it was about the color of asparagus and there was a LOT of it! So as we're all gagging Robin said she had probably been invaded by some sand fly larva eggs or something equally as gross. Brandon has a really weak stomach and we all thought he and Sharla both were about to lose all their dinner! Conn said it's been about a month since that happened and he still gags!! Oh the joy of family gatherings!!

The girl with the Alien Ear Larva and The Boy!

And then we all started talking about funny videos on the internet and Brandon, Conn and Robin (male humor!) all decided to come into the office and watch them all again on my computer!! Check out the videos......and I'll leave you with this....Oh the joy of family gatherings!!

And one more!!!

But no matter how much fun it all was... it's never the same without Dustin, Kelly, Cade and Cole!!! Missed you all so much!!

Oh the joy of family gatherings!! Mammy & Pappy

We Love Our Church!

2010-08-29T23:44:00.005-05:00

We do! We love our church! After a very long and prayerful season of life - we decided several years ago to leave our church that we love and had been attending for about 12 yrs. We loved and still love the people, the pastor, and the place! But it was now a super-super-super-mega church which is great for most folks but we were longing for a smaller intimate place of worship. We visited around for almost 2 years before we found the one for us last January.

Little did we know our first Sunday to visit was their first Sunday in their new building. We knew they had been meeting at the local YMCA but found out at the last minute that had moved to their new facility. What a joy it was to worship with them the first Sunday they were experiencing in their beautiful little church. Yes, it's a small white church with a steeple! It didn't take us long to realize what a place of love it was. The people were so very friendly! And since there were only about 80 - 100 people there - we could look around the sanctuary and literally see every face!

The Church at Alden Bridge

And when the very tall pastor (6'8") (Jason Skaer) got up to bring God's Word we knew this was probably the place for us. Now almost all of the churches we visited also had amazing pastors. But God just spoke to both of us during Pastor Jason's sermon that this was the place for us. We immediately started attending a small group bible study that we loved. Everyone there was quite a bit younger than us but we loved that variety.

Friday night, I attended the "kick-off" for the Women's Bible Study led my the sweet sweet pastor's wife, Suzanne! There were 17 women present - and I loved it! Last weekend, we had a baptism at one of our member's home that has a swimming pool. 6 people were baptized in a back yard! I loved it! And the whole church was invited and we all fit into the backyard!

Our beautiful church with a STEEPLE right before Women's Bible Study Kick-Off!

Last Friday night at our Women's Kick-Off Event. This is most of the women in our church!!! The super tall pretty girl right in the middle (next to me) is our pastor's wife, Suzanne! She's 6'2"! She and Jason met at Rice University where they both played basketball! Imagine that!!! ha!

Our new church is called The Church at Alden Bridge. It is full of love and lovely people. We know it won't stay little for long because it is such a God-Ordained place but we will certainly enjoy the small size for now. Right now we have approximately 50 families and about 120 members.

Thank you Lord for bringing us to such a wonderful family to worship together! Thank you for the intimacy and surrounding love!!

"BEAUTY'S ONLY SKIN DEEP! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!"

2010-08-24T00:01:00.018-05:00

The Ms. Universe Pageant was tonight. I'm not usually "into" beauty pageants but I was flipping channels and found this tonight. It was probably about 1/2 over. They were about to announce the Top 15. Since I hadn't seen the Total (have no clue how many contestants are in Ms. Universe!) I had no idea if the Top 15 were truly the Top 15....!

Even though Robin left the room...I watched it until the winner was crowned. My My My how Beauty Pageants have changed thru the years. Ladies used to walk the runway with poise and grace. Now most of the ladies walked like they were already professional models. You know that "Strike a Pose" look??? Some of the girls (the Top 15) were truly beautiful and some, well, let's just say they have seen a plastic surgeon a time or two! I think there needs to be a "Ms. Natural Beauty". Maybe there is and I just don't know about it. Most of the dresses were gorgeous (and skin tight). Of course they all looked amazing in their bathing suits!

I have been in 1 beauty pageant (I was about 10). Guess my mother signed me up - I don't remember much about it. All I remember is I had to have a black one piece bathing suit and I was pretty ticked to have to wear that ugly thing all summer. We only got 1 swimsuit per summer when I was a kid. (don't tell my kids...their kids have TONS). Anyway... I remember I did not like anything about the beauty pageant. I was totally embarrassed to walk down the runway. After looking at all the other girls - I knew I was sunk cause they were sooooo sooooo pretty! I think we even had a talent. Can't remember what I did....maybe twirl a baton or something cause I certainly didn't have a talent but I had been in Candy Canes when I was in 2nd grade and I knew how to semi-twirl!!! And I know you'll be surprised to know this ....I didn't win!

I've always been against beauty pageants for kids! My 5 granddaughters all look COMPLETELY different from each other. Even the sisters. My son has my Neapolitan grandgirls. One brunette, one blonde, and one red-head. My daughter's girls probably look more alike - but they still are very different. And ALL 5 of their precious bodies are built COMPLETELY different than each other. And I think they are all beautiful. Maybe that's just the Mammy in me but I could never pick out "1" that has "more" than the other's.

**REFRESHER** (Ashley told me she never asked to be in Miss Tomball and she's right - she never did!!!) But if she had.....When Ashley was young, I wouldn't let her take part in the local popular Miss Tomball pageant. However, we went to every pageant each year for many years. It was fun to go to them. We always knew most of the girls that were in them. In fact, we're pretty good friends with some that have won. And many were beautiful!!!! But something in me did not want my daughter to go through the painful process and possibly be eliminated by the judges and walk away thinking, "I must be too fat", "I must be too plain", "I must not have good hair", or "I didn't smile right, walk straight, or look good"! I know you must be saying about right now...."yeah, right Mammy. You're just old school and trying to make everyone feel good about themselves.

Well, I do know some of the most beautiful people I know are not what the world would consider "pretty people". Certainly not beauty pageant worthy. And while all my grandgirls are beautiful....I would never say one is "more beautiful" than the others.

And I know you will say I'm just an old lady saying this:

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

But it's true. The most beautiful people in the world eventually lose some of this outward appearance. Just look at Robert Redford!! ha! (or me!!!) I told Robin I'm so glad we dated and married really young! Cause at least he knew me when I was cute!! (Brandon told us he went for HOT when he got married - cause "cute don't get no cuter!!")

And another truth that Beth Moore taught an entire bible study series on:

"to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3

To receive the Crown of Beauty is so much more fulfilling than outward beauty.

If my grandgirls are ever in a beauty pageant - then I will do everything I can to make sure she knows that whether she wins or loses that she is perfect. No man (or woman) can tell her she's anything but beautiful. I don't want her end up with an eating disorder just so she can stay thin. I don't want her thinking that her boobs are too small or too large. I don't want her thinking that her smile is from anywhere but heaven. I want her to know that she is loved because she loves.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 119:14

I was just wondering what all those beautiful women were thinking when their country was not called out. Do you think they thought - "I'm prettier than HER!!" Or "Didn't they even notice my gorgeous gown?" Or "my huge boobs, super-white smile, hair extensions, false eyelashes, butt glue, and botox treatment was guaranteed to get me in the Top 5!!"

Spoiler Alert!!! Spoiler Alert!

So just in case you missed it. The new Ms. Universe is.........(drum roll please)

Ms Mexico!

And she was beautiful indeed!
In fact, I think I need to be a judge next year!! I picked out the Top 5 and I also picked out the EXACT order of winners from 4th place, 3rd place, 2nd place, 1st place - to Ms Universe!!

**UPDATED**
I had to go back this morning and add this picture of all the "beauties" in my life! Now it doesn't get much more beautiful than this!!!!

Just watched this super-funny "news" announcement about Ms. Universe!! So true!!

http://primetime.tv.yahoo.com/

11 years ago!

2010-08-21T23:50:00.005-05:00

Eleven years ago today - we became grandparents for the very first time! This boy came into our life after his poor mama spent several days in labor! She was so brave!! And so tired! Around 1am - on Saturday morning, August 21, 1999 our lives would never be the same again. You see, people told us things....but until you experience being a grandparent - you'll not be able to understand it or even really explain it. I tell people that we didn't have a clue what we were doing the first time around and God said, "Now just sit back and enjoy!!" Becoming a Mammy and Pappy was one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to us and this boy started the whole process!

We love you Cade!!! Happy 11th Birthday!!!

Simple Song Sunday

2010-08-15T11:08:00.001-05:00

If I weren't such a fun-luvin' gorgeous gal.....my husband would definitely leave me for Amy Grant! He's been in love with her for decades!

Sorry babe...but I just don't think she'll ever leave Vince! So looks like you're stuck with me :)

Always. Sometimes. Never

2010-08-13T10:40:00.004-05:00

I always

miss my grandsons that moved far far away.
take a shower before bed.

have trouble going to sleep.
love hanging out with my hubby.
make my bed.
pray for my grandkids.
watch HGTV International House Hunters.

I sometimes

sleep late.
like to be alone.
eat Mexican food multiple times during the week.
enjoy cooking.
dream of fun travel with the loved hubby.
just want to make a difference.

wish I felt (and looked!) like I did at 25.

I never

will jump out of an airplane.
will stop loving my family.
go to bed early.
stay in my pajamas all day long.
quit thanking God for all that He has blessed me with.
have enough money (does this contradict the above statement??).
say no to going out to eat.

What about you?
(inspired by Ashley)

A Whole Lot of This and a Little bit of That!!

2010-08-10T00:36:00.006-05:00

(aka - RECAP OF SUMMER 2010!!)

I'm sure my 3 readers have really been worried about me since I haven't spent much time blogging this summer!! Summer 2010 has been a fun, busy, long and HOT summer! (Texas schools starting back may be just around the corner but it will continue to be HOT for at least 2 more months!!) Here's a little Re-Cap of 2010....which includes a whole lot of this and little bit of that!! But somehow the pictures will only tell just a portion of the fun it was!

MAY 2010
It all started with a whole lot of this in Israel......

THIS woman made our journey to Israel unbelievably amazing !

We spent a whole lot of time walking where Jesus walked at places like THIS!

THAT boat is what we sailed in to see where Jesus fished with his disciples!

And THAT tree was simply amazing!! We prayed in the Garden where Jesus prayed!

And we spent a whole lotta time doing THIS!! And we all truly met God there!!

JUNE 2010

In June we met up with most of Robin's family for a Beach Bash 2010 Reunion!

THIS is a HUGE group!! The Marler/James Crew! (most of them anyway)

THAT very skinny woman in the middle is Robin's sister, Nancy.

She loves her daughter Molly and grandson Brayden.

THIS was what the kids did the most - they loved playing in the sand...

And loved THAT! Splashing in the ocean! (Galveston gulf has the most beautiful water - not!)

And Mama's did lots of THIS!

While most of the adults did just THAT....stayed in the shade!

JUNE 2010

Then Robin went on Year #2 Backpack Trip in the Colorado Rockies!

He truly loves THIS week away in the mountains ! And hiking the Rockies!

But THIS is his absolutely his favorite thing to do!! He loves to fish for these!

And then he cooks them in a fire like this for everyone to enjoy! All his fellow hikers loved THAT!

He got to wake up to THIS every morning!

He also got to stop by THIS church in Breckenridge that we helped build from 1982-84!

JULY 2010
Then our two oldest Grands that we rarely get to see anymore - came for a visit!

And they were about to do THIS!! Cade, Robin, Cole about to kayak down the San Jac River!

These boys do love adventure and Pappy was there to make it happen!! And they loved THAT!

They also rode THIS alot!
THAT was something their dad and Uncle Brandon did when they were their age!!

And they loved to go take part in THIS!

They loved hanging out with their cousins! THAT was a favorite for all the cousins!

JULY 2010
And then it was "Garner Time!"

Where Pappy got to do some more of THIS!

And the kids got to do LOTS of THIS!

And the girls did lots of THIS!

And our GrandGirls looked precious like THAT!

And THIS!

And there was a whole lotta THIS going on!

And quite a bit of THAT!

There was even time for a little of THIS!

See what I mean!! THIS kept happening!

And Talent Night brought some of THIS!

And the Cheerleaders brought some of THAT!

But the very best was THIS!!!

Or I think it's really THIS!!

JULY 2010
When we came home from our Garner/Frio River trip we had two weeks of keeping the Grands ahead of us!!

Brandon and Sharla headed to Belize for a little R&R!
(THIS was the only picture I could find of their trip!!)

While the parents were in Belize...we did a whole lotta THIS AND THAT with these 3!

While we stayed with all the youngin's we had a lot of THIS going on! More Cousin time!!

AUGUST 2010
Then after 5 days at Brandon and Sharla's house....we headed to our next babysittin' duty at Ashley's and Conn's!

We had to take over all the parenting duties so they could go for a ride on THIS!

And when they got to a beautiful beach on a faraway island somewhere in the Caribbean...

they would always do THIS!

And they walked along romantic beaches like THAT!

And THIS is who we snuggled with all week!

And now we're back home trying to catch up on THIS and THAT! And now that the summer fun is all over I'm ready for as much of THIS as I can find!

Now THIS is what I'm talkin' bout!

Cause THIS is my FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!! THAT won't be showing up in Houston until about the middle of October....but I'll be anxiously waiting!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Lily Belle!

2010-07-24T01:08:00.007-05:00

Today a sweet little girl turns 6 years old! We were so blessed when she came into our lives!! Happy Birthday sweet girl!! God has so much in store for you! He has blessed you with so many amazing talents and gifts! You continually amaze us with your singing, your dancing, your artwork, your EXTREME love for life!! We love you sweet girl!!!

We Love You!!! Happy Birthday Sweet Lily Belle!!