What a fun night out! Last Saturday we got to go to the Medina Children's Home benefit dinner in San Antonio. It was a very special night honoring the ministry of MCH. We of course enjoyed getting dressed up, eating a fabulous meal, enjoying friends, meeting new ones, and my favorite part was getting to hear the speaker, Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson of the Texas Supreme Court. He is a very inspirational speaker with much wisdom to impart to all of us. I'm thankful for his service to this great state.


Here is Taylor (16) and Emily (14). I think they both look like they're in their twenties! Yikes!



Troy and I enjoying a "date".
Here's the family... without Bailey of course. She had to stay behind in Wimberley because she had a softball game. We certainly missed her presence.

Notice Joshua isn't dressed up. He got to skip out on the dinner and stay in a room with Grandie. This was better for all of us. (him, me, and especially Grandie) :) I'll admit that even though he was just down the hall, it was very weird being away from him. It was the first time we've ever been "apart".

A special thanks to my parents for helping us out. We couldn't have managed such a fun night if Mom hadn't helped with Joshua and Dad hadn't helped with Bailey. Hurray for Grandparents!

Thunder and Giggles

What a wonderful day! You know there was a time, not too long ago, when I lived in the beautiful country of New Zealand, that I was not so fond of rain. It seemed like it never stopped raining there. But, on this day, I feel so grateful for the rain. For one thing we all need some rain here in the Hill Country. What made today's rainfall so special was just enjoying it with all my little chickens. We pushed the pause button on their school work for about an hour and all gathered in the living room so that I could read aloud to them. Emily made everyone cups of hot chocolate and I read a couple of chapters of The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers as the thunder rolled and a cool breeze blew through the house.

Then, the icing on the cake... a couple of hours later, I discovered that Joshua can giggle out loud! It is one of the most delightful things in life to hear a baby laugh for the first time. He was grinning so big it looked like it hurt and the giggle was sort of an awkward sound at first. It didn't take but about 30 seconds for all the big kids to come running. We just stood around the bed looking at the little prince, laughing 'til we cried. You can't pay for that kind of entertainment! :)

So, like I said, I'm thankful for this rainy day and all the blessings God poured down on me. It's the little things in life... thunder, a good book, hot chocolate, baby giggles, and the privilege to be with my precious children... Thank you God for the blessings you rain down on me every day!

Hiking with my boys!

Today I had the most wonderful blessing of going hiking with my boys. We went to a place here in Wimberley called Prayer Mountain. It's really just a hill, but it had the most beautiful panoramic views of the Wimberley Valley.


Here's the stairs going up. I definitely felt the burn only a few minutes into it, especially with Joshua and his 16+ pounds strapped onto me. Tay offered to carry him, but I figured it might burn more calories if I carried him. We took a couple of little breaks. :)


Beautiful Hill Country and 2 strapping young lads! Joshua doesn't look all that happy with the sun in his face. :)
Remember that scene in Lion King when Mufasa presents Simba to the whole Kingdom?


Today was one of those treasured times that God spoke to my heart once again about just how blessed I am. He reminded me that being a mother of sons is indeed one of life's sweetest blessings. I will unashamedly ask the Father for more awareness of these tender moments each day and to help me to remember to speak life over these young men. May they always know how deeply they are loved by Jesus and may they love Him wholeheartedly, surrendering their whole lives to Him. May God grant me wisdom to be the Mama that they need. Yes... I am so blessed!

Easter Weekend

Oh Happy Day!!! My precious baby brother (Jesse) finally proposed to the most amazing girl (Marissa) and she said "YES"!!! Hurray! What a wonderful thing to do during the Easter weekend!


















Sweet Joshua and Jesse











Joshua working the abs. He invited Taylor to join him.




Bailey and Grandie (my mama) by the beautiful Frio River at HEB camp. It's Bailey Jo and Debbie Jo. :)

God is no fool!

I realize for most of you this day is April Fool's day and no doubt there are many jokes and pranks being played. I hope it's a great day and you have fun. For our family though, this is so much more than April Fool's Day... It's Troy's birthday! :)

Let me assure you God is no fool. As far as I'm concerned, the day Troy was born was one of God's most brilliant and glorious days. I know for a fact that God danced the day Troy was born. And on this day 37 years later, our children and I dance too! We could not be more in love with him!

Troy, you are the love of my life, my best friend, the most humble and diligent godly man, the sweetest daddy, the provider and protector of our home, an amazing leader and friend, brother, son, grandson, uncle, and minister. I praise God because you are fearfully and wonderfully made; what he's done is wonderful. I know this full well. (my version of Psalm 139:14) Happy Birthday Troy!!! I love you!