Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Random Mayness

There were a couple things I don't want to forget, so since my blog serves as an electronic scrapbook, I want to record these memories. These are random but yet important to me. My poor brain forgets so many things that I think, "I won't ever forget that!" Silly woman, I know, hence the blog!

  • Abbie loves to read. I love watching Abbie read! Probably because I am a reader and find such enjoyment in reading. I hoped my children would enjoy it too. So I caught this picture of her that I thought I'd keep in my mind's eye, but we have already established that that is not a reliable source for me. So here is Abbie reading a difficult but true story to our wonderful dog Bentley.

  • Luke loves to be read too. My girlfriend got him these great Little Einstein books that he loves to flip up the tabs. I caught him in my chair reading them today WITHOUT me! Silly boy! But faithful Bentley shows up for all the good stories.
  • More May Randomness, some friends of our traveled up north to celebrate their anniversary. When my girlfriend came home, she came bearing gifts. We had watched their puppy, Cupcake. This koala made of sourdough was one of the thoughtful and yummy gifts. I never thought a koala could taste so good. I have had parts of this bear the past several days for breakfast, with the best freezer jam I ever made! :)
  • Today I worried my poor husband as I came down our bedroom stairs behind him. I was holding on to the banister and going very slowly. He turned and asked if I was okay. I said I would be if my calves would work! On Monday our aerobic teacher decided to change up things! Ouch! My body has been sore this week. I beleive the "burpies" put my calves over the edge. I have been moving better once the blood & coffee started flowing. I won't complain about the workouts since I am comsuming that great tasting koala bear.
  • BUT it was what my friend shared with me after exercise that just blessed me. She was so excited about all that God was showing & teaching her. I really thought she might burst as she shared things with me. She is experiencing God's grace & love like she never has. She has been "set free" to live in this scandalous freedom that Jesus has given us. John 8:32 - "you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." It was fabulous to listen to her. I know what she is talking about! I have been there. Once you have been set free, you will never want to go back. As we were parting ways I told her, "You look great in freedom!" Thank you Jesus ~ You are so gracious! I pray He continues to workout this thing inside me though it may hurt. I want only Him.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Cattle Call

Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
What time does that alarm clock say? Oh yeah, 2:45 AM!!! Benny picked me up at 3:15 AM this morning to go gather cattle for the McNultys. I was dragging a little until I got some coffee in me. Our ride up to the mountains was a chatty one. God has clearly put Benny & me together for some reason. We enjoy a friendship that is sweet! Okay, an old cowboy would not want to hear that but I don’t have to worry about Benny getting on the internet!
Today the temperatures were over 100 degrees, so we needed to get an early start. We left headquarters on horseback at 5:15 AM. Our goal was to gather the cattle off of "Bald Mountain", due to the lack of trees. Yep, not many trees there. I always wish I had pictures of things I get to see in the hills & mountains. Being able to watch the sun rise over the mountains with such beauty makes me thank my Creator for another day to love & serve Him.
Gathering the cattle went well. Okay, so I let a bull get away from me! I was mad at myself until they told me the others had picked him up on the way in. Baby Girl, my mare, did great. She likes to test me and we have a battle of the wills sometimes but I am starting to win more of those. She did a great job cutting off some calves when we were sorting. Okay, nobody mention the other bull that got by me! Today was not my day with the bulls, but experience is the best teacher. Not to mention every cowboy I have worked with is willing to help me learn. For that I am very thankful because I have so much to learn.
One of the interesting moments was when Jennifer couldn't figure out what something was. It was not a cow, it was too fuzzy to be a wild pig, then the bear stood up & looked at her before it ran off. One of my favorite parts was when we were driving the cattle to the corrals, I was ahead of them. The background was filled with cows bawling and the scenery was wildlife scurrying in front of us and purple wildflowers dancing on the hills. I just soaked everything up with a thankful heart. It was a great time.
It was a hot, long day. I got off my mare about 1:15. My bottom felt that it had been in the saddle for 8 hours. I gave Baby Girl a nice cold bath when we got back to the stables. Benny just kept smiling at me because I was so dirty. My girls wouldn’t hug me much because I was stinky! It was nothing that a good, cold shower didn’t fix! I had a great time with some great people doing one of my favorite things.
Thank you Jesus!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Open House

The girl's school had their open house tonight. We always love to hear them sing and see all the fun things they have been working so hard on. I got a couple of pictures of the girls singing but it was way to crazy to snap pictures of them in their classrooms ~ bummer! I wanted a picture of Hopie with her full desk of projects and Abbie with her Shiloh project. Oh well, next year I will try to get them. Here are the girls at Open House '09

Kaitlyn, Hopie, & Emma

Abbie singing next to Aaron. Aaron cracks us up!

Of course they are doing the "Itsty Bitsy Spider"
I just tagged this photo on because this is the little boy (Caleb) that we have Abbie convinced she is betrothed to. SSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!!! She hasn't figured things out yet! ;)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

Mama is tired but what a fabulous day I had today. My girls have been so excited for Mother's for a couple of weeks. They have had me excited for this special day! Abbie has been plumb giddy the past week and today I understood why. The day started bright and early with the girls jumping into bed and wishing me Happy Mother's Day. Okay, truth be known, Papa wished me Happy Mother's Day before anyone else did, but lets not steal the girls joy. After lots of hugs & kisses they couldn't wait any longer, Mama open your gifts! So I open the sweetest card with hand prints of my Kayanna Hope along with several cards she has made me. She also made me the best scarf with her, Abbie, & Luke's hand prints on it. I will never forget those sweet little hands that have held tight to mine. Abbie was so excited for me to open her gift. She made me a great hot-pot-holder ever, colored by herself! Also, she has spent several recesses over the past two weeks making me an incredible horse blanket. She knotted this blanket with an eye for detail. I was blown away at this gift. How very thoughtful my babies were for Mother's Day. Papa then fixed me an egg in a bird's nest for breakfast (my favorite). I truly felt the Queen of my home for a day! I will treasure these moments in my heart.
You will notice a box of candy to the right. This was the funniest gift I have received in a long time. Our family friend, Bob, has asked me several times what stay-at-home moms do all day long. He really can't figure out what they do all day. I have told him that, "We lie on the couch, watch TV, and eat bon-bons!" It has been the source of many jokes, especially with my girlfriend Keri & me. He has caught us numerous times visiting with each other. We are either dropping children off or rounding them up or rocking on my front porch watching them play in the yard. He has made it a point to ask us where the bon-bons are. So he made the best laugh out of special ordering Keri & I each a box of bon-bons from See's Candy Store. I laughed so hard when he delivered these. He has left me NO excuses. You will find me lying on the couch, watching TV, and eating bon-bons! Bob, is the best! I love a good laugh! I had a delightful Mother's Day and am ready for bed & a book
but NO bon-bons!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Birthday Boy

It is hard to believe our baby boy turned two today. We have had so much fun with this little guy. He has been such a joy. Don't misunderstand me, he is two! But as I tucked him in bed tonight I looked up at his pictures above his bed of the day he was born and we have loved these past two years. He adds such blessing to our home & family. Here is the day with the Birthday Boy!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Flea Olympics

At the girls school today they held the "Flea Olympics". The girls get to compete at several events and have a blast. The girls were on opposite fields but the "Mamarazzi" did her best at staying up with them, with Luke on my hip! Here are the Abshire "Fleas" at the Olympics!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

My Duties

I have to share this because, again, this season will sadly come to an end and I have loved it. Everyday as I drive the girls to school I receive my list of duties. This is not the chores I do around the house while they are busy learning at school. It is my extra duties of caring for their four or five baby dolls; Trevor, Keri Joy, Luke, Natasha, & ??? (one that has several names). Yes, I am left written lists of instructions from even Hopie on how often to feed them, how to play with them, and when they nap. This list is in the form of a checklist from Abigail, so she can check up on my job. It cracks me up! They are sometimes yelling last minute instructions as they round the corner at school & disappear. So I report to them as soon as I get my kiss & hug after school how their babies were. When they slept, what they ate, if we went on a walk, & how many poopy diapers I changed of their babies. They think this is too cool.
TRUST ME, they know when the babies have not been cared for. I got caught tossing them in the chair when I hit the house after carpool. I only did that once! Now I tuck them in bed as soon as I get home so I don't forget. Ssssshhhhh! They are sleeping! ;)

This is my little helper ~ so stinkin' cute!

Luke is kissing the babies night-night!

This is Abbie's bed full of sleeping babies!

Mama has done her job, now off to more laundry!!!!

Jammin' is good for the soul

Yesterday was a true blessing to me. I got to spend the day with a dear friend, doing one of my favorite things. We made strawberry freezer jam, from fresh, local strawberries. A day of busy hands, open hearts, and pure joy. We each did certain jobs and things went so fast & smooth. We got to share with each other what God is doing & teaching us both. It was a precious time for us.
Upon tasting the jam this morning on my toast, I believe it is the best jam I have ever made. Maybe it was all the love that was poured out of it!
It is yummy!

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in him.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

We took the plunge!

It has happened ~ we have entered into the world of organized sports, here at the Abshire homestead. We got close a couple of times but never signed up. That was....until yesterday! We have officially taken the plunge into our local swim team. To our surprise, both girls decided to swim. Hopie was the one very excited to swim for the team. Abbie saw her swimming laps and decided she could do that. Today was their first practice and they both did fabulous.
The girls after several laps!
Abbie swimming

Abbie peeking over the side at her "Mamarazzi"

Hopie doing a great job.
Luke & Mama snuck over to the park for some swing time!

Rolling Reader

I have been reading weekly to Abigail's class, as a Rolling Reader Volunteer, since they were in Kindergarten. It has been a highlight of my week to go and hang out with my little buddies. We have been reading The Little House on the Prairie Series. We are getting ready to finish Farmer Boy . The boys have really enjoyed this book. Every week I look up from reading to see these precious faces just lost in the story. I love these kids. Third grade is about to end and I wanted a picture of my buddies before they get "too big" to do that. So I wanted to share a picture and some fabulous art I receive from the children on a weekly basis. I am truly blessed by this precious class. Our plan, in the upcoming years, is to read the Chronicles of Narnia after Little House on the Prairie.

I love these guys!!!

Artwork showing me reading to them.
A couple of drawings of me & the children in class. I love it!

Some pictures have the sweetest notes on them!

Beware of the Artichoke Monster

I have to write this story down or it will get lost in the crazy world of life. It has made me laugh inside so many times since it happened, I don't want to forget it! My precious nieces, Grace & Sarah, were over playing at Auntie's the other day and stayed for lunch. Well Auntie Liz was having an artichoke for lunch, not a very big one at that. I come to find out that little Miss Sarah LOVES artichokes and is begging for a bite. She has become my instant shadow, hovering over every bite I take. We get to the fun part of cleaning the heart, of my not-so-big artichoke. Sarah is begging for bites all the while. We are there, the heart of the artichoke, ready to be delicately eaten & savored! I offer my Sarah a bite, holding the artichoke to her mouth. All of the sudden she gently takes my hand and helps stuff the entire artichoke heart into her tiny mouth!!! What just happened?!? My hand is empty and her little cheeks are stuffed! She can't even talk for a minute until she gets things swallowed. Oh, but those big brown eyes! I have seen the scene in my head a hundred times and chuckle. She is precious! But be afraid, be very afraid, if she is lurking about with an artichoke around. The artichoke doesn't stand a chance against her!