T'was The Night Before Christmas

Hayden just recited the WHOLE story of The Night Before Christmas...by
memory!! Proud moma moment!

My Ferocious Hunters

Sent from my iPhone

Gobble gobble

Thanksgiving lunch at school with Hayden & Abby today. :)

Storyteller

Look at this spiffy boy! Hayden competed in UIL Storytelling today! So
proud of my boy :). He didn't make it past the first round but who
cares!

Yeah Hayden! I can't believe he's 6 and 'competing'!

Africa 2009 - Omega Missions

Africa 2009
A trip of a life time.
Wanted to share with you a glimpse of my heart, my passion.
Every time I watch my heart whispers, "home".
I love the people, the kids of Dodoma, Tanzania, as well as Ed and Debra Lloyd - the missionaries from Lubbock, Texas, that live in Dodoma. These two...the most real individuals I believe I've ever met.

Parenting at it's finest!

Any guesses?
Well when I was growing up we revved our bicycle motors with a folded
playing card & a clothes pin. For extra horsepower we might have added
another card and pin.

Nowadays the frame of most bikes is too thick for a clothes pin. So.
Today Hayden ran over a can to make a motor...but the motor kept
falling off.

Duct tape to the rescue, his moma says!!

After strapping that V-8 hemi down with duct it purred up and down the
drive Like. A. Beauty. Kept the boy giggling for atleast 15 minutes.

A proud feat in parenting history.

Hayden the rockstar

Original by Hayden.

Swim Day

Thankfully Hayden opted to takes his cowboy belt off before they left
for school! :)

My Crazy Aunt Reba

I simply rolled laughing.
My crazy aunt Reba, whom I love and adore, made these funny jib jab videos.

One features all my aunts and my uncle Thomas.
The other two are ummm a little chippendale-ish...haha...and include my uncles and some of my cousins.

Thanks Reba ;)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Proud of Rhyan

Go! Rhyan!
David watched Rhyan play ball last night and get did awesome!!!
He plays both ways, kicks PATs, punts. Does it all.

We're so proud of you Rhyan!!!

Mr. Mantis

Wow! Look at this guy. I guess he's a guy. I made him a guy. Maybe he's a she and I should say Ms. Mantis. hmmmm.

Anyway....."he" was hanging out on the riding lawn mower yesterday before I picked Abby and Hayden up from school. I ran in and grabbed my macro to play a little. I wonder what he was thinking as the weird human was pointing a big barrel lens in his face? ha.

First Day of School!

Hayden and Abby have been ready for the last two weeks! They both popped up out of bed this morning (well...Hayden quicker than Abby. She's more like her moma and sister).

I tried to grab some shots before we left...and after a 'first round' i realized...LIKE AN IDIOT...that i hadn't put a flashcard in my camera. Nice.

So....that being said, we took more...and ended up being late! Isn't that LOVELY???!!! Oh well! Starting off with a bang!

Click HERE for more :)

Youth Sunday at Aldersgate

Wow wow wow. The youth. They are real...they are broken...they know how to worship...they know how NOT to be afraid to worship...they are begging for more...and they are in love with their creator.
Today was youth Sunday at Aldersgate, and my dear friend Lauren Pittman gave the "sermon". It was earth-shattering, eye awakening, toe stomping...TRUTH. The youth did every part of the service, and at the end we left wanting more. Give us more.

1 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

Click HERE to see more of the service.

We are now full of LUCK

Hayden's very first kill. He was soooo excited to say the least. And
we now have two rabbit's feet in...a ziploc bag. I am so 'proud'.

Duck Food

Erin, Lauren and several of the homeless boys

You have been sent 1 picture.

IMG_4567.JPG

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

AFRICA!

We're here!!!
What an exciting time we've had so far!
After riding in an airplane for 18 + hours, we met Ed & Debra at the
Dar es Salaam airport Sunday night about 10 p.m. We were so glad to
see them! We were tired and hungry!
They took us to an amazing hotel and we had chicken and fries....a
staple here in Tanzania!
Most of us were able to sleep, but Erin and Amanda woke up with the sun!
After a quick breakfast we headed to Dodoma...just a short 6 hour drive! ;)

Along the way we stopped and had ice cream and witnessed first hand an
African long drop. Google it. Wooo hoo!!

We made it to Ed & Debra's and had a delicious meal of stew! Ymmmy!
Headed to bed ready for the next day!

On Tuesday we spent our first day at the Safina Homeless Shelter. Wow.
I can't really put it into words yet. These boys were incredible. They
were dirty. They have nothing. Yet they have love inside them. You can
see it in their eyes. You can feel it as they reach out to shake your
hand. They LOVE having their pictures taken!!!

One of our projects this week is to help build a roof for the home.
Yes, that's right. THere's no roof there yet. Today we spent most of
the day hammering. HAM-MER-ING. My thumb is black and blue! So is
Lauren's...so is Lori's. Wooo hooo. We hammered and hammered!!!!

We came home to a wonderful meal of WILDABEAST!!! Tasty! I have
officially eaten Wildabeast...with mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots and
crescent rolls!

Off to bed now...tomorrow we visit an elementary school.

This trip has been incredibly humbling to say the least. I could live
here. Yes I could. These boys live at the dumpgrounds. We visit there
on Sunday. I will update more if i Can!

Continue to pray for our strenght, our work, and God's mission.

Getting cleaned!

Abby is checking out the cleaning. She's next... Her first visit!!

Look Bebo!

Our little golfers. David took them to the driving range while i worked on garage sale stuff. Abby ASKED me if she could go to bed tonight! Wow. I. Love. Golf ;)

Sent from my iPhone

...& pepaw!

Fishing with Nanny!!

My Kindergarten Graduate!!

Pedi time!!!

Riding with Dad

Future Softballer....Abby Kay!

Miss Abby Kay had her very first softball practice last night!

She and I very promptly went to Academy today and fitted her with allllll the softball necessities. :)

I'm so very proud of her! She had a GREAT time! She was the youngest and smallest child out there...but wow did the girl listen and do what she was told! :)

I must admit...we have worked more with Hayden. At her age...he was much further advanced - or so it seems - that she is. Slap a little guilt my way... but I was so proud of how she did last night. It's so obvious that this child has watched...and watched...and really paid attention over the last couple of years b/c she really picked up on things quick.

Ok. yeah. now i'm starting to sound like THAT kind of mom! WHO CARES!!!!!!! Yeahhhhhh Abby. The child can work that tongue!

Hayden

He dressed himself for school. The shorts are camoflauge. And yes the
collar is UP. And he never chose to change it :).

Happy Birthday Pepaw!

Mom & Dad came in this weekend to celebrate our birthdays. His was the
7th. Happy Birthday Dad!

Reghan

Reghan shows her pig...in just a few minutes at the Ft. Worth stock
show. Good luck Reghan!!!

Hat Day!

Today is hat day!!!! :)

Baking Cakes

My kids are so blessed. I am blessed. They have amazing grandparents-mine & David's parents.

Yesterday Abby & Hayden spent the afternoon at Grandma & Grandpa Ehlers. They came home with these gourmet cakes! Hayden had wanted to make a cake for his goat that he showed in the stock show. Abby...well...she wanted a cake with babies & monkeys ;)

I love this!! Barbara you are amazing :).

Nannie is coming tonight, we are waiting on pens & needles.

Its a hard life!!!!

David sent this to me of Haydens goat. I wish D would get 'in to' stock showing a little more ;)

Subject: Its a hard life!!!!

New Home Stock Show 2008

Hayden Upward Bball 2008

Busy busy

Basketball Video (click)


Wow. I've not really posted in a loooooooooooooong time. Mobile pics are wonderful....it generally fits our go go go lifestyle.

Here's a few pics and a couple of videos from the local stock show last week as well as Hayden's basketball game.

This weekend is the county stock show, and I'll have shots of Reghan! :) She did awesome, by the way, at local....two 1st place and one third! :)

Stock showing

Drag. Queen

>
>

I need to put on makeup!

This child loves make up. She applies quite nicely don't you think??

Meg & zac

Merry Ho Ho!!!

Abby & Santa

The Wooden Nickel

North Pole Texas

We are officially at the North Pole. Santa paid us a visit!!!
There's not much snow here...;)

Polar Express

Kids getting ready to board the....POLARRRRR EXPRESSSSS!!!

Me & my buddy Cindy :)

Night Harvest

Happy Halloween!

Yes this is an aweful shot & I should b ashamed...but...this is all
they'd give me. :( I think we're doing this three more times in the
next 3 days so....maybe a better one is to come.

Happy Halloween!

Hunter.

Hayden & David stayed at the deer lease last night. Hayden had been
waiting for this 'my whole life mom'

He called this morning to report that he shot a turkey and a deer! Wow!!

Then David got on the phone to report that ..,well..,they saw nothing :)

I like haydens version. ;)

Happy Birthday KB!!

Today is my dear friend Kristin's birthday! Happy Birthday!!! I love
you my friend :).

Parsley

I have a fan. And according to her...I haven't been blogging enough.
And...well that's true.

Coach Parsley evidently garners education on my blog during her ISS
hour at school.

Parsley coaches JV basketball at Lubbock-Cooper as well as heads up
the softball team in the spring. Oh oh oh. She's also the cross
country track coach.

I'm thinking she's busy. So when I told her I was going to give her a
shout on my blog...and I didn't in a week...and she called me out on
it...I really didn't have room to fanagle.

I'll do better Christy. Um. I'll try.

Gotta go. :)

Happy Birthday Abby!!

My baby girl is 4 today!!!!!! Happy birthday!! Oh my Abby Kay! I love
you :)

Laura Cloud

Laura played volleyball all afternoon...then met me for a fun session.
Thanks Laura...so much fun...and we didn't run out of gas!! :)

Click here to view the online gallery.

Happy 50th!!!

Love you Marla! Happy Birthday!!!

Reading time

Hayden has homework. He has to be read to for ten minutes. They looove
reading time with Daddy. :)

First Day of School!!!!

Wow. My little boy is in Kindergarten.
This is how reality affected him this morning:
"Dad...can you just drop me off at the door?"
So much for sadness. haha.
He had a greattt day...and Abby Kay had a marvelous day...and Rhyan and Reghan loved New Home.

We're very thankful & blessed.

Daddy's Little Helpers

>

We love Meg!

Zac & Meg

At Yana's for breakfast

Beach Babies

We are loving our beach house. It's not 'on' the beach, but with a
private pool, amazing patio & much much more...who cares!!! Thank you,
Carver's, for sharing your beautiful home with us!

P.S. David took this in his treo while the girls were buying out the
grocery store. We filled two big baskets! Easy to do when feeding 10!!

Abby snoozing

Kindergarten

I can't believe my big boy is starting Kindergarten in just one week!!!

Lunch

Funny how our family finds places like ohanas in North Carolina!! We
celebrated Megs birthday. We have decided to do that everywhere. All
week...much to her chagrin.
:)

iPhone speak

This is iPhone speak for 'in a pickle'.
I've had no sleep & am sitting in the Houston airport. Work with me.

Definitely...

A zune moment.

Pappadeaux in the airport

Yum.

Meg & Zac Bound

Hayden is flying us to North Carolina. We are in the second hour. Only
12 more to go. In Dallas headed to Houston.

Uncle Jerry Don & Auntie Debbie

Pepper Girls :)

The Gaffney's

We just finished an amazing visit with Lori & Lauren's dear friends
Miriam & Blair. This is what I love about friends....sharing &
connecting.

Thanks Miriam for lunch! We're buying next time!!

In the air!!!

400 ft at the moment!

Taos

Lauren & Reghan having cream soda's at Graham's Grille. :)

My babies!

Regh & I are in Albuquerque....& David sent me this pic of Abby &
Hayden. Daddy & Rhyan took them to the lake today. :)

In Line

to take their test. Can u pick them out!? Lauren (pittman) came with
us...oh and I'm so glad she did. She's so fun & helped break up the
'stress' of the moment!!!

Waiting for results.....

Almost Official

Rhyan & Reghan are taking their test THIS VERY SECOND for their
driving permit!!! Wooohoooo. Looks like it's the end of driving for me!

Coming home!!!

We've seen some beautiful country...I'll post shots soon. We rode 10+
hrs yesterday. Oh my hiney...So. We are headed home. Can I please get
a yeee haw cuz Lubbock has never sounded better :)

In Durango

Randy & Lindy led the way on our crazy Colorado trip. We've had
somuch fun with them!! :)

Tonight we ate at Farquahrts. Say that name three times. We found this
place compliments is Lori :). Yum. My. It was delish! See that pizza
in the foreground!?!

I learned it all...

From my boyfriend John travolta!! Look at that form!!! Just call me
'Sissy'

Comments. Welcome. Bring it! ;)

Girllllll. I took that bull!

Ha.

Pepè worked his magic...

And threw me on my hiney!! ;)

I. Rode. Pepè. The. Bull.

Pit stop in red river

Having a Big Time with the Harley Crew. We were reallllllllly
thirsty. :)

We. Love. Wally World!

This was Lauren's free gift with purchase at Walmart today!!

We. Love. Wally World!

This was Lauren

Miss thang...

Diva queen is headed to pick up here sissy at the Chrysalis.

CAMP!

Woooohooooo! what an awesome time we had at camp last week! I think it was of the best weeks of my life! Awesome stuff. Awesome kid. Amazing Friends. Wow.

Here's a link to about 800 photos...Click on it & it'll take you to the gallery of photos :) You can then upload to myspace, facebook...whatever.

Butman Camp 2008

I'm trying also to upload videos to Godtube or Youtube. I'm having more luck at the moment with Youtube...

ENJOY!

BUTMAN DAY 1


BUTMAN DAY 2


And....

BUTMAN DAY 3
(Obviously I was in a hurry on Godtube...and misspelled Butman...uh...shoot me.)

Abby & Steffanie

Eating at Pizza Hut before reghans chrysalis. Abby loves her some
Steffanie!