Adventures in AbshireLand

Luke Builds A Bear

2011-12-21T19:18:00.000-08:00

Luke was quite helpful this week with the purchase of a couple presents for friends. This Mama that rarely gets to the mall has been there three times this week!! I am done....insert towel throwing in here!!! :) Luke has been a trooper with all these trips. Upon our second trip into Build-A-Bear, in a week, he realized that he didn't have a bear. He stated this fact & his desire to both his Papa & Mama. He said he would love it, sleep with it, and it would go everywhere with us. Both our girls have a couple of animals from this great store. We were delighted when he showed interest in getting his first stuffed animal from us. I love this stuffed animal stage. Why can't we stay here?!?! So off to Build-A-Bear, during Christmas week, for Luke's bear. I am sure this is all part of his spoiled, golden boy, "Luke-gets-everything-he-wants" complex that his sisters complain of. Oh well, let's give them something to talk about....(I started singing that song in my head)....I am back! Here are some pics from Luke's own adventure in getting his very own bear!

Luke picked a camouflage bear. How "boy" is that? I love it!

After a few trips he was well acquainted with the procedure - filling the bear, picking a heart, doing a silly heart dance before inserting the heart, and sewing bear up.

Luke was very clear that he was not going to do a silly heart dance. I clued the bear maker in, who stilled tried to make him do the silly dance. I let the bear maker come to his own conclusions after several non-responsive requests.

Upon receiving his heart & be sewn up, Bear needs a bath to get the fuzzes off him!

I love this stuff. Third child, umpteenth bear, and it still gets me. I love stuffed animals. Hey, I don't have a Build-A-Bear!! I would choose a monkey, with sound & all! Missy Monkey needs to retire. She has lived a full & exciting life. Okay, back to Luke first bear.

Super clean Bear ready to roll!!!!

One cute boy with his very cute bear!

I look forward to many memories with our new little critter!
Fun times!

Little Handy Man

2011-12-19T19:24:00.000-08:00

Luke is very creative in his time home with Mama, while the girls are at school. This week, while I was wrapping presents and folding laundry, Luke comes in the laundry room and asks for a screw driver. This in and of itself is not unusual. He likes to "fix" things around the house, "Like Papa!" What was unusual was his third request for batteries. Yikes!!! All the "broken" toys that Luke had now work! The sham is up....Luke has figured out what "broken" means - it needs batteries!! Snap, it has become very noisy in that little boy's room!
Counting the moments until those toys "break" again.
I am sensing a shortage of batteries coming soon at the Abshire home front.

Simple Things

2011-12-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

In this season where I feel the UPS man is almost my best friend & my neighbors watch the endless "smiling" boxes (aka Amazon) coming to my door, it brings me much joy to see the simple things that bring my little man happiness. He makes music with the bubble wrap that comes in those "smiling" boxes.

I love it! He reminds me to look for joy in the simple things.

"If you can find joy in the simple things,

you will really enjoy the extravagant,

but never need it! ~ Eric Simpson

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

We had a blast at Thanksgiving. We headed up the hill to Grandpa & Grandma Cavey's, for dinner. The whole family was there, armed with FOOD, hugs, & enough laughter to make your side hurt! The three siblings are too much together! Throw in some spouses, and crazy kiddos you have a recipe for side-splitting laughter! We have so much to be thankful for. My heart was so touched looking around at my family. There is a sticker I saw once that captures these moments:

"We may not have it all together,

but together we have it all!!"

Nicholas getting brave with his Uncle Aaron

One little 'turkey" in the air!

One "ham" in the air!

One princess in the air!

And they all come tumblin' down!!!

Silly cousins ~ Ashleigh & Abbie

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Enjoy your turkeys!!!

Home Sweet Home

2011-11-05T20:01:00.000-07:00

Luke says some pretty funny stuff, but one thing we don't want to forget is the saying he says as we pull into our driveway:
"Sweet home, sweet home!"
It is a sweet home! :)

Bump, Set, Spike..

2011-09-09T16:33:00.000-07:00

Abbie had her first volleyball game today. This was a big day for her. She has been practicing her serves & bumps for weeks. We got her knee pads to protect those precious knees. Alright, actually we had to buy new ones because Abbie didn't want some one's sweaty old ones. I don't blame her. So she was decked out in her 3 sizes too big school uniform and lookin' way older then I want her to look.

Remind me, how did we get here so quick????

Oh yeah, we blinked!!!!

The team did really good for their first game. Abbie even scored two points!!!! You go girl!!!! Papa & Mama were so proud of her. Luke even cheered the girls on.

Too stinkin' cute! Good times!

For the Love of Reading

2011-08-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

This is the sight I walked into tonight, as I went to tuck girls in bed. As one who LOVES to read and wanting so badly to impart the same love in my children, I about cried right there in their stinkin' doorway! I got a grip on my swelling heart & just smiled at both of my babies reading away.

Heck, I even gave them 20 extra minutes to read.

Love it!

Goin' Back

2011-08-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Luke Measuring Up!

Goin' back pretty much encompassed our day, here at the Abshires. It was our first day goin' back to school, which starts our fall routine. Summers seem to get shorter and shorter as the children get older. I know this time is coming about a week before it is actually here. A somber cloud sits right over our home, okay, actually just over me, the week before my babies head back to school. I even add salt to the wound by visiting the Pioneer Woman's website on homeschooling. Papa just shakes his head at my melancholy mood. He has just learned to live through this "week before". So the day is here when they are goin' back to school. Papa likes to stay home on this day to take them to school. I have a funny suspicion that he likes to keep an eye on his attachment-disordered wife. Whatever the reasoning is, we all love that he is here and part of our morning. We both have our jobs on this "goin' back" morning. I get breakfast together, pack the lunches, do hair....he measures the children, makes sure they have backpacks and lunches, and herds them out the door. Off to school we go!

Kayanna is getting so tall.

Abbie had a big growth spurt this year.

The girls are so excited to return to school. To see their friends they don't get to see over the summer, meet their new teachers, and to get back to a routine. They could hardly sleep last night. Needless to say, they don't have attachment-disorders! I am glad they enjoy their little school. It makes this transition so much easier on the Mama.

Kayanna with Mrs. Knox - 3rd Grade

Kayanna can’t wait to see her classroom and hug on her new teacher. That’s my girl! She meets her teacher, barely lets Mama snap my traditional photo, and dashes to the playground to see her friends. Oh, okay baby, don’t worry about your Mama’s heart that is breaking! You just run off like you have been freed from prison!!!

Abbie with Mr. Cranfill - 6th Grade

All righty then…..off to Abbie’s class. It is weird to see how quiet my spirited Abbie can be on her first day. She quietly finds her desk and checks out who is in her group. There are 20 boys to 10 girls in this class; so finding that female close to you brings an extra measure of comfort, in this classroom of testosterone. It is crazy to think that she is going to be in junior high next year. Okay, we will stop there! **Deep breath…..exhale**

Abbie & Ellie

In all the chaos of going to the different classrooms and chatting with teachers and classmates, we lose track of Luke. We know where he is.....playing in the kindergarten playground, like he does every year. The other parents probably think he is a classmate of their child; riding the bikes, going down the slide, and talking with the other kids. Not a stinkin’ chance! He is hangin’ out with Mama another couple years. Yes, we have already noted the attachment disorder in this post. We need not visit the issue again. I have two years to prepare for his departure to school. That should be plenty of time to deal with things! Yeah, right!!!!

A boy about his toys!

So with girls off to school and Papa off with locksmith jobs, Luke and Mama head home to our routine. Luke has no problem with the girls goin' back to school. He has so much to do, explore, and play with, without anyone getting in his way. Mama has plenty to do as well. This first day always goes so quickly. I manage to squeeze in lunch with my two favorite men before picking the girls up. I love hearing all about their day. It is a battle for air time for the next hour.

So begins our goin’ back season!

Goin’ back to school.

Goin’ back to friends.

Goin’ back to homework.

Goin’ back to a much needed exercise routine for Mama!

Goin’ back to Bible study & the ladies I love studying His Word with.

Goin’ back to more structure, which I thrive on.

As the day ends, I sit in my rocking chair on the front porch watching a dozen neighborhood kids play in the yard. My heart is warmed by the laughter and carefree spirit that surrounds me. There is no goin’ back to these days once they are gone, so I sit & soak it up! Life is precious!

Work Ethic & Funny Conversations

2011-07-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Chores, they are a given around this Abshire home. This not a new concept. The girls have been putting their dishes away since they were little. Cleaning up dog poop…..who wanted the dogs?! Ya’ll agreed to the terms in – article 2B of the “Contractual Agreement of Children Caring for Live Animals”, prior to Mama agreeing to have animals!! I try not to remind them that in Mama’s perfect world they would be on a ranch with a TON of chores; so really, don’t complain. Well, we are doing chores yesterday and Hopie wasn’t happy about things. Here is a peek at life around here:
• Mama: Hope, this is the third time I have had to ask you to clean up the poop.
• Hope: I did.
• Mama: Really Hope? Then why can I count three piles from where I am standing?
Note: We have three dogs now, but we won’t go there!!!
• Hope: SIGH
• Mama: Hope, when you have a job to do, you need to do it all the way & well. This is about work ethic, honey. Your boss isn’t gonna tell you three times. He’ll just fire you.
Note: I bite my tongue that I wouldn’t mind being fired some days!
• Hope: Well, I am not getting a job.
• Mama: Hope, how do you plan to pay for your home some day?
• Hope: I am gonna live here forever!!!
Hoping my face doesn’t look as torqued as it feels!!! Yikes! As for now, we will be working on work ethic in a BIG way!!!!!

They're Back!!!

2011-07-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

The girls returned from Wagon Train today. Luke & I missed them something fierce! Luke walked around the first few days asking where they were & when they would return. So he does really love them, even though he spends his days picking on them. That is just life & I wouldn’t want it any other way! When the cars turned the corner I got so excited. I couldn’t wait to get a hold of my babies. Yes, they will always be my babies!! I had a big mason jar of tea in my hands when Hopie leaped out of the car & came at me with all her might. I planted myself & gripped that jar of tea! Woo dawg can that girl hug!! She makes me proud! I lost all my tea but held on to that glass jar. Luke was so happy to see his sisters. He hugged all over them. Abbie wouldn’t put him down for the longest time. My girls were so excited to be home. I have heard the stories & cheers, seen the scars, smelt the hair (yikes), unpacked the clothes, read the notes, & know that I will be hearing camp stories for the next week as things come to their mind. I am so thankful they have these summer camp memories. Hume Lake holds a special place our hearts.
Unloading the truck!

Luke playing dinosaurs with Abbie.

They missed each other!

I actually love this sight!

My babies all back together!

My Mom - 70 Amazing Years

2011-07-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

My amazing Mom celebrated her 70th birthday today. Her birthday has had me thinking back over the life I have gotten to share with this woman I call Mom. Mom, by definition means “female parent”, but any mom knows that is the lamest definition EVER. It can be the most unappreciated job that you can’t quit or walk out on! I will only share the definition of my Mom, and it is HARDLY exhaustive. I hope you get a glimpse of the amazing woman that I get the privilege of calling “Mom”.
• Cook – She is a great cook and not just supper. She cooked breakfast every morning for her family. I am so thankful for all the breakfasts she stood & made.
• Chauffeur – She got me to every Girl Scout meeting, every ballet class, every soccer game, & t-ball practice and that is just me. She had three children!! I would love to know the miles we put on that white station wagon.
• Spiritual Advisor – She raised her family on a foundation of faith. She wanted all of us to know & love the Lord.
• Professional Mover – My Mom moved us more times then I can count. She made sure we all knew how to pack a box so things would not be broken. We made two cross country moves with no breakage!  You taught us well Mom!
• Wise Business Woman – My earliest memories are in my parent’s upholstery shop that was behind our home in Ohio. Weaving in & out of fabrics & playing with tacks….ouch! She is an incredible business woman that always knew what to do & when to do it.
• “Single Parent” – My folks have been married over 45 years, but there were stretches of time that my Dad would be in another state finding work. The 80’s were not the best years. Many plants shut down, which we experienced not once, but twice. So Mom stayed behind sold homes, packed boxes, disciplined children, ran a home by herself! She amazes me!
• Cheerleader – Mom ingrained in us that there wasn’t anything we couldn’t do. We weren’t even allowed to use the word can’t in our home growing up. She would say “you can do anything you put your mind to”. I even got in trouble with a nun when I corrected her when she told me I couldn’t do something.
• Servant – I cannot ever remember a time my Mom hasn’t served. She has served her parents, her family, at church, at work & co-workers, her children’s schools & activities, neighbors, strangers, the homeless …….She is a beautiful example of servant-hood. We served as a family our entire life. I cherish the memories of serving together. A virtue that I treasure & want to pass on to my own family.
• Tenacious – She never gave up on me. I was quite a handful to raise. I really gave her a run for her money. I gave her a ton of heartbreak & disappointments, yet she always believed in me.
• Thoughtful – She constantly amazes me with how thoughtful & caring she is to everyone around her. As her daughter, she was always there with 2 weeks worth of food & tons of diapers when I brought babies home from the hospital. She always picks up the cutest things for you with “I thought of you when I saw this.” Always giving!!!!
• Biggest Inspiration – Now having children of my own & seeing my characteristics coming out of them, I am even more appreciative to my parents. My Hopie is so much like me when I was little. My parents have had the “you will get through this” talk with me several times! I find a peace in the fact that I am still alive & they didn’t kill me; also, that they survived raising me. They have some pretty fabulous stories of “getting through it”! So I too, know that by God’s grace I will get through this whole parenting thing!

This is a glimpse of the gift I have been given by my Mom. I would count it a blessing to be told, “You turned out to be like your Mom!”

Happy Birthday Mom ~ I love you so very much!

Your Daughter,
Elizabeth

Sista & Cuzin' Time

2011-07-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is the week that Luke & Mama played house. By that I mean, the girls are gone to Wagon Train this week. Papa is with the girls for half the week & then in Arizona for the rest of the week ~ busy man! That left Luke & Mama home to wonder what in the world do we do with ourselves!!! We missed everyone but we sure had a good time ourselves. Mama didn't cook, due to the fact of eating leftovers all week. There were TWO loads of laundry the entire week & that included sheets!! We ran the dishwasher 2X. Mama was scared it would break down due to lack of use! It was a very odd week. We did have some visitors. Auntie Angie & Nicholas came to stay for a couple of days. We had a blast!

Luke is all about taking pictures now-a-days!

Cousins...tubin'

Playtime

Mama built her log cabin! :)

Coolin' off some hot dudes!

The pictures fail to capture the sistas throwing each other in the pool several times! We were like drowned rats, in our clothes, walking home. We cracked ourselves up! That is not hard for us!

Finishing Strong

2011-07-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

We are finishing our swim season tonight & have had a great season. The girls branched out and competed in new strokes this year. They practiced very hard this summer. We are so proud of those two critters, or should I say fish! Here are some shots of our last swim meet at Garces:
Hopie's Self Portrait - Mad Dog Face

Abbie headed into the water

Ab's freestyle

Abbie getting ready for her backstroke

Hope's freestyle

One funny thing after our season of swim meets; when Luke races he goes like this:
"Take your mark, set, beeeep"
That cracked us up. That is a boy who has sat through his fair share of swim meets at the age of 4.

Forgotten Love!

2011-07-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

As I perused my blog today, at all the things that get recorded here, I smiled, laughed out loud, shook my head, & even got teary-eyed at some of the adventures that go on around this crazy Abshire home of ours. I realized how much I have missed blogging this stories, conversations, memories, and antics. It is a sort of therapy for this Mama! Not to mention our family loves to stay caught up on the chaos they get to miss! ;-) Blogging slowed down for me last year after we returned from our trip to Ohio. The daunting task of blogging the Ohio trip stopped me in my blogging tracks. But a year later, I am feeling a renewed vigor to catch this blog up! A friend once told me that if he didn’t get it blogged within 48 hours he wouldn’t blog it. Well I am feeling up to the challenge of bringing this blog up to date. Okay, we will not mention the type A personality that battles within me that likes things nice & organized……without holes! :) So hold on to your boot straps and get ready for a wild ride of past year of the Adventures in AbshireLand!

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T23:22:00.000-07:00

S'more Lovin'

2010-10-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

There are things that are so simple, yet touch a heart so deeply. Tonight was one of those simple things that warmed my heart so deeply. My man surprised us with a cookout in the backyard. The children had been asking to cook hotdogs & s'mores over a fire. So Papa borrowed a fire pit from the Cobbs & set to work on making a fire. I tell you, that man can make a fire better & faster then any man I know. I love watchin’ him! Smoke, sparks, fire……now we’re cookin’! The children had a blast cooking hotdogs over the fire. Mama loved the smell! On to dessert, s’mores is one of our favorites. Of course we have to burn some of the marshmallows. What child doesn’t enjoy the taste of a charred marshmallow? Plus it is so fun to watch it burn, then try to blow it out! What fun! The reason it touched my heart was the thoughtfulness put into the adventure, by my man. He had had a long day yet wanted to do this simple act for his family. He knew the children would love to cook out & knew his woman loves the smell of a fire. It was a sweet time for all of us!

Look at that fire....woo dawg!

Good times!

My man made me the perfect s'more!

Simply sweet!

Magic Mountain with Papas

2010-10-10T20:52:00.000-07:00

Reward Trip for BBQ ticket sales! Way to go Abs!

Play Time

2010-10-07T20:47:00.000-07:00

Luke rounding up his animals

Never a dull moment

We Make Dirt Look Good

2010-10-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

Luke & his buddy Nathan

Artist in Bloom - KC Fair

2010-10-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

Abbie with her work of art at the fair.

Beautiful ~ we are so proud of her.

Hannah also had an art piece at the fair.

I Stink!

2010-09-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

We love the library! These two books have been staples in our book checkouts! I STINK, is a great book that teaches the alphabet. I have read it to all of the children's classes when they were in first grade. I will probably read it to Luke's too. Everyone giggles when we come to "P" for "puppy poo"!

Why does potty talk always crack us up?

My Sweet Abby

2010-09-09T20:41:00.000-07:00

Abby, often referred to as, my “oldest Abby”, is absolutely precious to this Mama. She is my adopted teenage daughter. I have known her since she was 4 years old and watched her grown into an amazing young woman. She ran for Rose Queen and I wanted to share some pics of the evening.

We are so proud of Abby!

Hillbilly Grotto

2010-09-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

I suggest you put this idea in your boredom busters bottles! The children were looking for ways to stay cool & wet. They failed to mention that they were feeling like they wanted spa treatments! People pay big bucks for this sort of thing! Hey, I say just add water & watch what happens! :)

Hume Bound for Birthdays

2010-09-04T20:12:00.000-07:00

We are always looking for a reason or excuse to head to Hume Lake. It is our "Happiest Place On Earth"! So our latest excuse to head to the hills was to celebrate the twins birthday, covered wagon style! Hume was having their Country Fair Weekend. Wagons, in Wagon Train, were available for families to stay in for the weekend. So what better way to celebrate your 6th birthday then in a covered wagon! We were all excited! So we celebrated!

Papa & Luke - one handsome pair!

Our birthday Girls!

Abbie

That boy trust sure trusts his Papa!

Our Hope

Present time - fishing poles!

Trying out the new poles

Time to hit the lake

Those two must be livin' right! :)

Keri & Abbie taking a dip

Oh my ~ sometimes I am at a loss for words! ;-P

Hope braves the water

Mama takes a goofy picture hanging off the back of the boat!

One of these would come in handy at home!

Orange & Black - Tigers Attack

2010-09-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

We have loved our new Friday night pastime. Jerry joined the Wasco High Tigers football team. That means local Friday night games at the high school stadium that we can walk to. The children love it so much. They look for friends, yell for Jerry, dance to the band music, and Luke flirts with Tilly the Tiger! We feel like the tv show "Friday Night Lights". Okay, maybe not quiet that glorious or dramatic, but we are will take it. Go Tigers!

Jerry is number 82! Go Jerry!!!

Tilly the mascot!

Luke flirting Tilly! :)

Uh, Tilly flirting back!! Back off Tilly, that is my boy!

Ok, I let him meet her. She scared him! That's my boy, run to Mama! :)

Future PRCA Pair

2010-09-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

It would thrill this Mama's heart if this was a foreshadowing of a pair of team ropers! Okay, maybe Luke should get some clothing on, but ya get what I am saying!

Boy howdy!

Buddies

2010-09-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

Luke & Nathan

These two boys have a blast together. This morning they ran around the stables together checking out the horses, riding on tractors (for pretend), & playing in the dirt. They were too cute.

The Price of Happiness

2010-08-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

Yes the title of this post & even the picture is a little misleading. If you are sitting back, wagging your finger, and clucking your tongue at me right now, well, just keep it up. There is ample material in this family for you to sit back and shack your head at; trust me on this one, I live here! Luke was having a fussy morning and his communication with me can get him very frustrated. I think he has been talking to his Papa too much about me, but we won’t go there. Anyway, back at the ranch, Luke wants ALL the suckers. I, trying to be a “good” mama won’t let him have all of the suckers. That would make him sick! Turns out, he just wanted to “hold” them. That is just what he did. He ate one, but just had to hold all the others. Gee, I have no idea where he would get this controlling nature from!!!! Let me think…….. :-P

Off To School They Go

2010-08-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Our morning is filled with cinnamon rolls, hair that needs to be styled, lunches to be packed, and full backpacks. Mama is always thankful that Papa stays home with her on the first day of school. Besides Mama always being emotional that first day of school, his help is always great. As Mama is cleaning up breakfast & finishing lunches, Papa is measuring girls on the wall in the laundry room. Our Kayanna has really grown in the last year.

With full bellies, back packs, and excitement for the day, we head off to school.

Kayanna & Mrs. Dobbs - 2nd Grade

Kayanna & her buddies

Abigail & Miss T - 5th Grade...Wow!

Look at those books...someone has a full year of learning!

As the bell rings and classes begin, the school year begins.

As the girls were settling into school, Luke was settling into life with just Mama again. He is lovin' all the attention again. Although the summer must have been hard on him. Today after lunch he asked if he could rest. He happily crawled up in his bed and took his nap.

Thus begins another school year and season.

Pioneer Woman Wanna Be

2010-08-22T22:06:00.000-07:00

I am totally addicted to the Pioneer Woman's website. It could be that she is livin' a life I would LOVE to live, or maybe it is the kitchen she has to create killer recipes, or maybe it is because she gets to live in wide open spaces with country & cattle surrounding her, or maybe seeing her whole family horse back together working cattle, or that her man gets to work in wranglers everyday! Heck, just pick a reason, it doesn't matter. She is the reason I have to repent of coveting on a regular basis! Anytime I need to cook something now, I consult Pioneer Woman to see if she has done it, before I look anywhere else. I consult her first because, I know she has tried & perfected what she puts on her website. Secondly, she makes it "idiot-proof" with pictures. There is nothin' like someone holdin' your hand through a new recipe. Her photos offer a sense of security through uncharted recipes! Which brings me to the most fabulous cinnamon rolls ever.....according to me. My girlfriend needed cinnamon rolls for the teachers & parents for the first day of school. I knew exactly what to do, Pioneer Woman here I come. As I cooked I got so engrossed in my imitation of her that I even had to take pictures (on my point & shoot camera). She would've been proud! They say imitation is a form of flattery, so there you have it!

I am a Pioneer Woman Wanna Be!

I wonder if they have a support group for this addiction!

Red vs Blue

2010-08-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

Aaron, my baseball-crazed man, got a fabulous opportunity that he wasn't about to pass up. For him that would be a win-win situation when it comes to “the game”. For this native Buckeye, it would be the Reds (Ohio) vs. the Dodgers (California)! The opportunity arose for great seats to watch the Reds vs. the Dodgers, in LA. He snatched them, we jumped into the car, (Note: I was a very good passenger ~ see Wild Rides), and we enjoyed a fabulous, action filled, spirited game this evening. There is NEVER a dull game with my man around.
Check out our view! Wow!!

Dot Dot

2010-08-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

I love to laugh at myself. I am glad I do,

because I give myself plenty of opportunities for such laughter!

Today's outburst of laughter was contributed to my

"dot dot" moment.

I was trying to type something up with my girlfriend/better part of my brain, when I suggested we put a "dot dot" there. My sweet & gracious girlfriend never missed a beat, we kept right on working. Then my "dot dot" comment caught up with my brain. There is a lag time, that I wish wasn't present, but work with whatcha got! So the laughter starts....dot dot.....that would be a colon! Oh my!

The colon (:) is a punctuation mark consisting of

two equally sized dots (dot dot)

centered on the same vertical line.

I've always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise

from the soul saying, "Ain't that the truth." ~Quincy Jones

Go have a "dot dot" moment for yourself!

Cut, Color, & Fun

2010-08-11T18:19:00.000-07:00

I love getting my hair cut & bleached for so many reasons. I get my full vision back, due to the fact it had been impaired by the bangs I let get too long. I get texture back by bleaching it, not to mention my man loves me blonde ~ yes, he would love me as a brunette, but heck, blondes have more fun (so they say)! Also, when we get together my girls are thrilled because that means the get to see their very good friends. Ok, so returned vision, texture/blonde, buddy time, and last but my absolute favorite reason I love to get cut & colored is time with Debbie. Debbie was a hairdresser for over 30 years and finally stopped doing hair. She has continued to do mine for the sheer fact that I am a “pity” case! She feels sorry for me & can’t stand to look at me with a bad cut. I have NO problem being her “pity” case. We have the sweetest time when we get together. We share coffee, stories, struggles, Jesus, and laughter every time we get together. It is a cherished & precious time for both of us. Not to mention a source of pride for Debbie as she steps back & looks at the masterpiece she pulls off with this hair of mine! I am so thankful she took pity on me.
The girls getting to play with their buddies!

Love these girls.

Luke taking P-Nut for a spin! Yikes~He is so handsome!

Luke takin' Mama for a spin! Yee-haw! Sit down, hold on, & shut up!

I love this time!

The Adventures of Indestructible Hope

2010-08-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is the story of how our precious Hope was able to run herself over with a golf cart. Are you scratching your head with raised eyebrows???? Yeah, so are her parents! HOW does one run over themselves with a golf cart? There might be several ways to accomplish such a feat, but we will only cover Hopie’s execution of this adventure.
Hopie states that if you are driving along in the golf chart, foot on the gas pedal, and turning the wheel left, that you are able to reach out and touch the front left tire that is moving. We all know that there is an invisible traction field on those front left tires, as they are in motion, causing an irresistible urge in her to touch it. So touch she must! As she touches it, the tire has enough momentum & power behind it to yank her right out of the driver seat and pull her arm under it. As if that weren’t enough. There is the back of the golf cart that we haven’t even addressed yet! Oh yeah! Once out of the golf cart, the back tire runs over her back, hence the tire mark across the back of her white shirt. She is stinkin’ killin’ me!
We are so thankful for her being okay through all this. The crazy thing is that she had her wits about her enough to jump up, chase down the moving golf cart, jump back in & drive it back up to the house! CRAZY! Again, we are thankful she is ok. I do believe I am seeing a pattern of having to learn things the hard way! That is a story I am well acquainted with.
I just wish I could see her guardian angels in heaven as they head to work on protecting her. I get this picture of an angel hugging his dear angel wife as if he will never see her again, knowing he is about to clock in on Hopie’s watch!

She is fabulous!!!!

Back In Saddle

2010-08-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

The children took a break from riding, or maybe Mama got pre-occupied with her riding, or life happened….who knows exactly! Needless to say, they had stopped riding and wanted to go back to it. I knew what to do to fix this predicament. Mention to my cowboy buddy Ben that some children wanted to ride Little Bit. Knowing his soft heart for children with a desire to ride a horse, I might have foreseen the outcome. ;-) We got those children in a saddle asap! Ben is wonderful about making sure children get to ride when they have a desire. So the children are thrilled and Little Bit gets some exercise. It is a win win situation!
My cautious, rule abiding Abigail, listening intently to instruction.

Luke enjoying a friendly new colt.

My Hope trying to get Little Bit to lope!

There are reasons we don't give Hope spurs!

Luke finding something to entertain himself with.

Sweet times!

Dodger Town & Wild Rides

2010-08-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

My man loves the game of baseball. He isn’t just a nonchalant spectator but a serious lover of the game! He will go at any given opportunity. Well tonight was one of those opportunities. He had four tickets in some awesome seats for a Dodger game. We called up our buddies the Cobbs and made a date. Grandma Kay was available to babysit the grandchildren & off we went.
There is just something about being at a ballgame. The crowd, the energy, the Dodger dogs……. We had a blast. The game was excellent and had you on your feet several times. I love games like that! Stand up sit down fight, fight, fight……oops, wrong sport! Take me out to the ball game……that is more like it! :D
So as we head home from LA, I have learned to just hold on, sit back & SHUT UP when my man is driving! He knows what he is doing, so let him drive woman! I just pray I am living right and we get home safe! ;-P
Well, Aaron's driving was not the only exciting part of our trip home. We call to check on the children and find out about another wild ride that happened. Can you guess……….
Yep, Hope! Somehow she managed to run over herself in the golf chart at Mom’s. We will save the “fabulous” (there is that word again) details for another post ~ see Adventures of Indestructible Hope!!! We will tease you with a picture of the shirt she was wearing when the ride took place!

WOW, is all I can say!

8 years of fun & Hope

2010-08-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today my baby girl turned 8! She is the one we call "Fabulous" & for good reason! That is the adjective that rolls off my lips in all sorts of circumstances we find ourselves with Hopie. So we are celebrating this girl’s life & that she still has it! She has had some close calls. Living life to the fullest comes at a price! I am so thankful for my Hope! She is my daily dose of lovin’. That girl can hug & kiss on ya like no other! Brace yourself when you see her comin’ at ya with one of those “Abshire” hugs! Yeah, she is her Mama in soooo many ways. My parents have assured me that they survived, as I will! They sure do enjoy the laugh at the pay back I am getting’ for what I did to them. All I can say is I am in for it!!!! So here are some pictures from my FABULOUS Hope’s birthday celebration.
She helped Mama with the cupcakes!

This is the birthday crew getting ready for pizza, of course!

We are girls, we have to do nails!!!

And get our groove on with Juast Dance!

Oh yeah, one handsome little devil was allowed!

Headed to Long Meadow

2010-08-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Long Meadow is one of the highlights of my summer. Out of the city, the smell of pine, Pearl, cowboy buddies, cattle, & lots of stars! The trip this weekend had a little excitement to it. On Sunday morning Ben & I set out to mend the fence around Long Meadow. It took us all morning. I had a blast learning how to mend fences. I think I was looking for places to mend just so I could do it! So it was noon before we headed back to the cabin. Ben wasn't feelin' too hot & needed something to eat. We had been talking about the rattle snakes that were in the area when what do I hear.........Yep, a stinkin' rattle snake! My first encounter I'll have you know! Ben doesn’t hear it right away; I am looking for it, & flippin’ out on the inside. Ben is determined to smack it with his rope! This is the same light-headed, dizzy, can’t hear the snake cowboy, which wants to get close enough to smack it with his rope! Are you stinkin’ serious?! I want out of there. At this time it is only Ben & I at the cabin, so if he gets bit I have no help to run for. I am feelin’ quiet inadequate in my snake bite first aid! So I am yellin’ at Ben to get away, but noooo he is gonna kill that critter. Lo and behold, Ben smacks that rattle snake and breaks its back. He steps on its head and cuts it off before I can yell, “Boy Howdy!”
Ben is my hero!

Long Meadow

Does anyone else see an old indian hot tub in this picture?! :)

Swimming Finals

2010-07-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

It has been a great season of swimming. Tired children at the end of the days from swim practice. Makes for easier bedtimes! ;-) Long Saturday swim meets with friends, food, & lots of cheering! Here are some pics of the girl's swim finals.

Orange & Black - Tiger Sharks..Attack!

Taft has a great swimming facility.

Anyone recognize this handsome devil!!!

Ohio 2010

2010-07-23T19:29:00.000-07:00

Aaron & I being from Ohio both have a lot of family there and love to go back to visit. It has been several years since we had been back and we had a fabulous time visiting friends & family. Luke wasn't born last time we made it back there so everyone was excited to meet our little boy! The children were excited to ride in an airplane. They traveled wonderfully. It was one big adventure. :) Mama made sure to hit any Starbucks she could find, which supplied the energy to chase Luke everywhere.
One big adventure that started at the LA airport BEFORE we flew out was Luke decided he was a big boy and wanted to go on the potty! Really, seriously son, here in the airport before a 5 hour flight.....needless to say, he was ready. We hit ALOT of potties but the boy was ready! Mama caught up with the plan, draggin' her coffee with her! :)
We got to see both sides of our families and visited lots of cousins. It was a sweet time filled with visiting family & friends, lots of food, and plenty of laughter. I tried to capture most of it in pictures, so enjoy the slideshow of our visit.

Ssssshhhhh.......It's a surprise!

2010-06-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

If you have hung around this blog for any amount of time you know that there is an old cowboy that I (Elizabeth) am quiet fond of. Well that cowboy, Ben, turned 80 this year. I wanted to do something special for my buddy's birthday. So another buddy of mine, Steve, and I had been planning a surprise birthday party for Ben for over a year. Ben would not take kindly to the idea of throwing him a birthday party so it was a “Top Secret” operation. Yeah, you try to pull that off with a child like my Hope around. So I made sure to keep real quiet about anything having to do with the party, in hopes we could pull this thing off! I can’t believe we were able to do it, but we did. Ben thought he was attending Steve & Sara’s anniversary party. He walked up carrying his covered dish for the party. Ha! It was too funny to watch his expression as he figured out that it was his party, filled with lots of old friends & family. Family even flew in from other states to make it to this Critter’s party! We served over 100 people that evening. It was an absolute blast!

Here is a collage of pictures from that evening.

Here is a link to the entire party:
Ben's 80th

Cowboy wisdom: Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

Funny Conversations Continue

2010-06-17T17:08:00.000-07:00

We only live 30 minutes from the big city, but I dread the trip. We had to make the trip to pick up many & much needed items & food. So the van cleaned out & loaded with children, we are off. The children were great, but getting tired. After the 5th store and several hours later, they were so ready to go home. So was Mama, trust me on this one. We had been longer than I expected and picked lunch up at the grocery store. Groceries loaded, children buckled, we are ready to get gas & head home. Then it starts....."tummy hurts....Mama, tummy huuurrrrts!" For my little man who is branching out in his vocabulary, these were serious words. I envisioned barf all over the back of my head, his car seat (that stinks to wash), and the van full of groceries. Fortunately we hit the gas station with no barf. I took Luke out of his car seat and talk with him. His whines subside, as I think he had a gas bubble. He was dead set though, that a car wash would make his tummy better. Seriously...a car wash?! He loves going through the car wash. So back in the car & on the road to the car wash.

Abbie starts: "Mama, I am sick!"
Mama: "WHAT???"
Abbie: " I am sick & tired of being in Bakersfield!" :)

We both just started cracking up!
I just said Amen, sista....we're outta here!

Devotions for Luke & Mama

2010-06-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

Luke is getting to such a cute age. He just turned 3 and has added so much to his vocabulary. I love to listen to him pray. At bedtime tonight we had the sweetest time. I got him "The Jesus Storybook Bible ~ Every Story Whispers His Name". Can you feel how precious this Bible is just by reading it's name? I LOVE this Bible. Let me just share my absolutely favorite line about God's love, it is:

Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking,

Always and Forever Love!

I love it!

So we are reading a story of how God makes a way. It is the Moses & the Red Sea story. At some point in the story I turned and asked Luke, do you think that sea can stop God? He came at me with such a ferocious "NO", that I was almost startled. When I asked the question I really didn't really expect an answer, but boy, he did not disappoint me! I loved it. We enjoyed our little devotion song and sweet prayers before tucking my little man in. I walked out of his room with my spirit re-energized.

Sweet times with Jesus!

Abbie's 10th Birthday

2010-04-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

Celebrating 10 years of my daughter's beautiful life.

She is a precious treasure to me.

Hopie surprises her with breakfast in bed.

Bestest Sisters Ever!

Abbie had a few friends from school over for a dance party.

The girls got to make their own pizzas.

Mama went easy this year ~ thanks Rosie's Cookies!

Abbie loved her birthday!

She is a jewel! Her spirit is so tender!

Waves of Fun

2010-04-02T20:02:00.000-07:00

Luke having a blast on the beach.

The children having a blast in the waves.

Girlfriends having a blast watching the children!

Abbie & Chandler building a dam.

Hard working & creative children!

Elephant seals are NOT hard working or creative!

My two favorite men! They are quiet dashing!

The Cobbshire Clan

My New Love

2010-03-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

This is my new love. Please don't tell my last Kitchen Aid, for he might get his feelings hurt. We had a great season together for 11 wonderful years. As the family has grown, and our pizza adventures have grown, my old Kitchen Aid has had a tough time keeping up with things. I found him a new home, where he will be loved and appreciated for many more years to come. Now on to my new love, OH MY! It has been killin' me to have him on my counter for 3 days and not use him, so I HAD to use him today. I have some girls coming tonight for game night and a branding in a couple weeks. What better way to break this critter in then a DOUBLE batch of Cowboy cookies. This guy did not disappoint me. Mind you, there are 18 cups of ingredients that go into a double batch of Cowboy cookies. He handled it like a pro, hence the title ~ Professional 600. I look forward to many happy years in this new relationship.
Happy cooking!!!!

Abbie & Ellie ~ Adventures in Friendship

2010-03-26T21:56:00.000-07:00

Today was a day that took me way back. Back to when I was thirteen and got my ears pierced. Ellie, Abbie's girlfriend, turned ten on Wednesday and was allowed to get her ears pierced. Yes, this caused much whining in my home, due to the fact that Abbie will be thirteen (like Mama) when she gets her ears pierced. We were invited to the inaugural ear piercing. It was too fun. Abbie & I were just giddy going through Claire's Boutique looking at all the girly-girl stuff. Mind you, Abbie is my "Bling-Bling" girl. Mama's heart was touched watching Abbie & Ellie being such "girls"....giggling, trying things on, and dragging each other around. Then Abbie announces that we must purchase this 2-part necklace to bring strength & comfort to the nervous feelings of her best friend. You know the necklaces..."best" on one piece & "friend" on the other piece.

So the comfort purchase was made

and happily received by both girls.
Now to commence the era of pierced ears, Ellie must pick her earrings that she wants permanently attached to her ears, for the REST of her life.....nah, just six weeks! With this important decision comes instructions for theses new fixtures in her ears.

All is still good up to this point but the nerves are starting to set in.

Claire's is so sweet to provide a stuffed teddy bear for moments just like these.
Cold feet were vastly approaching. With her options placed before her, a pep talk from Auntie Liz, which included a pinch to simulate the pain, Ellie bravely chose her course of action. She was getting her ears pierced. I will spare you the pictures, for they were not the most flattering of Ellie or my girlfriend, Amy. A "good" girlfriend knows not to post unflattering pictures. The end result remains the same. Ellie proudly bore her newly pierced ears for the whole world to take note of.

Happy Birthday our sweet Ellie.

*Note ~ this was a good experience for Abbie to watch. I haven't heard one complaint about her not getting her ears pierced. It does help that they make magnetic earrings for those terrible mothers like me!

My Girls & The Word

2010-03-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight's bedtime was precious. Trust me, I can't always say that. But nights like tonight are what I pray for. As Abbie is getting ready for bed, she tells me just as casual as picking out her clothes, "Mama, Jesus died for MY sins. That just hit me again tonight. I love Him Mama." Of course this Mama is melting. I tell her, "Oh, I know what you mean, Baby! Mama realizes it all the time too, and I love Him more & more. You will realize more & more His great love for you, Baby." So we just loved talking about Jesus until she jumped into to bed. I left them to do their devotions for a few minutes and cleaned up in the kitchen. The Spirit was in that sweet room while I was in the kitchen. :) I went back to tuck them in and Abbie was so excited about her devotions for today. She said, "Mama, you have got to hear my devotions today. It is so me." She reads me part of James chapter 3, you know, the whole "taming the tongue part". *Note~there is little that melts me more than my babies reading the Word for themselves(and gettin' it).* So Abbie is asking good questions about the passage and then reads her devo to me. She reads the first three sentences and glances up at me; we both crack up. It begged the question, "Gee, who is that?" Abbie, "It is so me, Mama...it gets better!" She proceeds to read her devo with her attitude thrown in, which has me in stitches. She is getting it. She acknowledged things in her life that she wants to change because she loves Jesus. I can't stop praising Him for working in her life.

All this time precious Hope is listening, because they share a room, and is doing her thing in the Word. Hopie said she wanted to be like Mama one day and started underlining things in her Bible. She didn't really understand what she was doing, she is just copying her Mama. She has sat through sermons and just marked away. She marks all the words she can read. It is precious to me to watch & listen to her read the Word. This Bible will hold a very special place in this Mama's heart.

I love the Word of God!

My Man & His Game

2010-03-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

Aaron loves baseball & softball. In his own words, he has loved "the game" forever. I refuse to share our story of his autographed drawing of Johnny Bench. We are NOT going there. This post is about my man & his love for the game. This year he is in not one league, but two and happy as can be. The only thing that makes him happier is his bride making it to his games. Last weekend was far too crazy for me to make his games (see Mission Possible post). Things lined up for me to make a game of his today, which made his day. I was the proud wife snapping shots of my man at his game.

My man coaching first base.

An outstanding double to right field.

This is how I got to watch the game...just kidding.
We all had a blast.

Funny Conversations

2010-03-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

As parents, you will have those funny conversations that just have you in stitches for days. Today it was Hopie's turn to crack us up. I will leave names out to protect the innocent!

Hope: Is that_________?
Papa: No Hope, that isn't__________.
Hope: Well it looks like him.
Papa: It isn't Hope.
Hope: How do you know?
Papa: ______ is not that skinny.
Hope: Papa, are you calling him the "f "word?!
Aaron & I just lose it at this point. Hopie has no idea what she just said.
Papa: No Baby. Papa DID NOT just call ______ the "f" word.

**The "f" word in this dialogue is "fat". Fat is a big word when your first grader is learning to read.
Oh my, what a life! We are so thankful that Hopie has no clue what she said.

Kung Fu Luke

2010-03-20T23:17:00.000-07:00

Our Hopie has been taking Tae Kwon Do classes. We have been going in and watching her classes, as a family. Luke has taking a special interest in her classes. He has displayed some very proud kicks for us at home. Well, one day the girls come home from Auntie Keri's and tell me that Luke did TKD on Willie, the wiener dog. NO! Luke wouldn't do that. The boy does no wrong, according to his mama. Sadly, Rob shares with me that he heard Luke jumping and counting one, two, three and a howl from the dog!
We have had a good laugh about Kung Fu Luke!

**No animals were hurt or harmed, in the above mentioned story** :)

Retreat At Joyner Ranch

2010-03-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

We have had a rainier season than normal this year. I am NOT complaining, for we need the rain. I do have a mare that would like to file a complaint. With the rain, she hasn't had the exercise she needs and her living quarters just aren't getting a chance to dry up. So she went out to pasture at Joyner Ranch. She has 20+ acres to run on and friends to play with. She is loving it.

Well, we needed a change of scenery one Friday after school. I needed some horse time & to down time with my babies. Even though they are 9,7, & 2, I will probably call them my babies. We headed out to see Pearl at the ranch. It was just what I needed.

Luke loves the new puppies out there. Can I order one of these for the house? He sure loves it at the ranch!

Dangerous Duo in the golf chart!

We are outta here!

Here is my sweetie, Pearl. I dig her!

I went for a walk with my little man. Can you feel my heart swell?

These are precious times!

This was exactly what I needed!

Mission Possible

2010-03-18T23:15:00.000-07:00

4th Grade has been amazing. I would admit, my head was spinning when we first started, but we all survived. Abbie's class has been studying the California Missions this year, which included a visit to La Purisima Concepción.

As a family, we constructed La Purisima Concepción. We learned a lot, burned our fingers on the hot glue gun, and had a blast.
School is so much better the second time around. :)

Our Ninja Girl

2010-03-15T23:12:00.000-07:00

Aaron & I couldn't resist this shirt for our Hopie.

She is our Ninja Girl!

A Flood of Love

2010-03-07T22:57:00.000-08:00

This floods my heart with love every time I see it. I would take having my name in chalk over lights any day of the week. Especially since it was done out of the kindness of a sweet teenage girl at Flood.

A Walk Through The Years

2010-03-06T14:57:00.000-08:00

Cootie Conversation

2010-03-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

Abbie: I like ______________. ( a boy she knows)
Mama: Abs, boys have cooties, remember?!
Abbie: Well, I have got to hhhaaavvveee me some of those cooties!!!
OUTBURSTS of laughter from the whole van.

I want to know who took my little pumpkin and what have they done to her!

In For A Storm

2010-02-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

Talk a about a day filled with sweetness & surprises,

this was that kind of day!

It started off sweet. A counter full of loved ones eating some awesome cinnamon rolls, thanks to Pioneer Woman.

So yummy! I believe I just gained a pound revisiting this post.

These were some pretty sweet boys. Luke's buddy, Elijah, stayed with us this weekend.

Then it began.......a storm blew it. I am talking about the kind of storm that blows Mary Poppins in with it, along with cold weather, clouds, lighting & thunder, high winds, torrential rains, & freezing hail. I kept looking for Mary Poppins to float on in but she was nowhere to be found. What is up with that?
It started slowly at first. The children wanted to experience the hail, which is rare for us. So we let them jump.

We were good parents, or so we will tell you that, and pulled them off the trampoline when lighting & thunder started. We aren't crazy, ya know. We enjoyed the storm from the comforts of our front porch.

Here are some of the results of this crazy storm.

Okay, forget the front yard. We looked out back.

Soooooo not cool. The next storm that blew in was hurricane Aaron. It blew for a couple hours as my amazing man pump hundreds of gallons of water out of the yard, garage, & our weight room.

I sat and watched from the comforts of my bay window. This storm needed no help out there....trust me, I asked! I bet he was wishing Mary Poppins would have floated in about this time and snapped those sweet fingers of hers. He was NOT finding the "element of fun" in his task that must be done!

So we weathered both storms and embraced the rest of the day. My man built a wonderful & peaceful fire for his family & dog.

We spent hours playing Horse-opoly! Of course Mama won! Silly girls thought I'd give up a good horse. What were they thinkin'?!

What a crazy, wacky, sweet, & peaceful day all wrapped up together.
Happy Trails!

Simple Pleasures

2010-02-25T21:55:00.000-08:00

I love when I find ways to make life a little easier, especially if I am able to multi-task. I found an item this week that allows both.

This stuff entertains Luke for a while, or until the water gets cold. The best part is that it cleanses him too. Woohoo! Mama is all about streamlining duties. I just wish it scrubbed the tub while played.

CBS Leadership Retreat

2010-02-20T22:55:00.000-08:00

Laughter
The Word
Laughter
Friendship
Laughter
Fellowship
The Word
Food
Laughter
Games
The Word

It's Not About ME....It's all about Jesus!

This was our theme of our CBS Leadership retreat. We had a fabulous together growing in our love for Jesus, waistlines, laugh lines, and friendships. A very sweet time with some fabulous sisters in Christ!

Melissa Bloemhof, Amy Bloemhof, & I in the kitchen.

Why I can't wear the "fashionable" BIG glasses!

2009 CBS Leadership Team

Where's Papa?

2010-02-18T22:50:00.000-08:00

Papa: "I am not Papa......I am Aqua Man!!!"

Mama: "My Hero!!!!!"

My Music Man

2010-02-15T22:56:00.000-08:00

As you can see, Luke plays a melody that melts this Mama's heart.

He has since changed his tune, since the mean ole' Mama won't let him play the piano this way!

A New View From Our Old Home

2010-02-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

I procrastinated as long as my patient but irritated man would let me. We have been talking about getting new windows, for this old home, for many years. I was comfortable with the talking part, it was the action part that I drug my feet on. I was attached to the old windows. I even made curtains to compliment them. I knew we need to get more efficient windows, but I just couldn't part with the original ones. After much debating in our home, sometimes louder than others, we came to a decision. I found a window that matched very closely with the original windows.

It was crazy how fast Aaron, Rob, & Jim (Rob's dad) installed thoses puppies. We have NEVER been able to open the windows in the living room, and the girl's window had a lovely family of termites dwelling there. So we are thrilled with our purchase, the look, and the lack of cold & noise the new windows provide. All of them are open right now........I love my new windows!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

I came across a quote that has just stayed with me regarding men & women. It seemed appropriate to share it for Valentine's Day.

"Sometimes when a woman falls for a guy, she [asks him to change], and he changes so much that she loses her Huck Finn, the rascal in the man she fell in love with. Men are willing to change to make you happy -- but don't completely take the boy out of the man. You're gonna miss him." ~Matthew McConaughey

This is so true. I have seen it.....heck, I have lived it. I married a Huck Finn almost 16 years ago. He would do anything for me. I have grown to love, appreciate, and respect that "Huck Finn" of mine.

I love him so.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Amazing Grace

2010-02-10T20:23:00.000-08:00

Abbie has been taking piano this past year. We have enjoyed hearing her practice and learn. She has recently been learning to play hymns. She hopes to play special music at church someday soon. She was walking through the house with her music book singing but not looking at the book. We hear, "amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wrench like me."

She is precious!

Grace....it is amazing!!!

Glitz & Glam

2010-02-08T20:13:00.000-08:00

Hopie & Kelsie (Hopie's buddy) being glamorous!

Whatcha' Cookin' Now Pizzaman

2010-02-05T22:59:00.000-08:00

Adventures in Pizza continue in our home

Luke is Papa's Sous-Chef, 2nd in command of the pizza kitchen!

This particular pizza is a buffalo wing pizza.

Aaron made everything from scratch!

Here it is!

There it went....into our bellies. Along with some help from thankful neighbors, who we called, due to the fact that Derek LOVES wings!

Dust Bunnies

2010-01-30T22:32:00.000-08:00

We have regular sightings of dust bunnies here at the Abshire home front. I wish it weren't so but that is life. But we witnessed a large collection of dust bunnies at the girl's school last night. The school is fortunate enough to be able to bring in a performing arts club to their campus for one week out of the year. The Missoula Children's Theatre is a travel performing art company that does an absolutely amazing job in just one week.
They hold auditions on Monday after school, pick the cast, and start practicing after auditions. They have a full-blown production on Friday evening. It really is amazing. Our girls tried out this year. Hopie landing a spot as a "dust bunny" in the show

~ A Princess and a Pea.
With no further ado, Hope as a "Dust Bunny":

Heartstrings

2010-01-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

Luke is growing up so fast. We have so much fun hangin' out together. Don't be fooled that he isn't totally two, because he is! Nevertheless, he is quite the helper and very independent. He shows signs of excellent work ethic. We will see about that when it comes time to mow the lawn before hangin' out with his buddies or working on a car. Okay, we are so not going there yet!!!

I will take today and love it!

Today I had one of those "melt my stinkin' heart" moments. I was getting Luke out of his car seat when he grabbed my neck and pulled my ear to his lips. He whispers in my ear, "Yuv you" several times ~ UNPROMPTED! I melted right there in the driveway. I didn't want to put him down or leave that moment, it was priceless. This little man has my stinkin' heart wrapped around his little finger. BUT life needed to be conquered, so down he went to go and pull EVERY dvd out and empty the pots & pans cabinet! Never a dull minute around the Abshire home front.

Being such a big helper, he knows how to

"pick it up ~ put it away".

That makes the messes & memories more enjoyable on Mama!

Snow Day

2010-01-24T20:09:00.000-08:00

Every winter there is a storm that brings snow to Grandpa & Gigi's home. Well we were not disappointed this year. Although it did bring out every nut for both sides of the hill to play in the snow too. It was absolutely crazy up there. The CHP had closed the road & off ramps. We explained that we were going to see "my dad" at his restaurant (dropping names & all)! It worked, they let us through with a nod & a wink. I wanted so badly to take a picture of the hill FULL of people. I had never seen it like that. I didn't want to look like a tourist or push my luck with the nice officer. Happily we were off to the snow for some fun. Papa & I enjoyed a visit with my folks with plenty of coffee & hot cocoa. Here are our snow bunnies...

2010-01-17T22:56:00.000-08:00

It is branding season around here, which means lots of great rides to gather the cattle that needs to be branded. I was blessed to be able two weekends in a row. I missed one of the most beautiful pictures, because I didn't have that great small camera that my man got me for Christmas, in vest pocket! I was thrilled because the cow boss said I had graduated to harder areas of the ranch. With that graduation came more beautiful country. We had some long days but no problems ~ a close call, but no disasters. We had plenty of help, which is always a plus. I got to brand a couple of calves, which is was pretty special to me. We all had a great time doing what we love. Afterwards we enjoyed fabulous food and a nice time of visiting.

This Amiga hasn't learn to throw a rope yet, so I am on the ground crew.

The cow boss is working on the ear markings. They have a very distinct ear marking that you can see a long way out. He is neat to watch work.

I got to brand a couple of calves.

John helped me with one & I got to do the other by myself.

As for this job, we aren't going to go there!

Happy Trails!!!!

Kung Fu Hopie

2010-01-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

Hopie has wanted to be in karate for a couple of years now. We wanted her established in school before she took on anything extra. We finally decided she could do it. The discipline of the art would be good for her temperament. Don't tell Hopie that! So here is our little Tae Kwon Do student.

Hopie is learning the basics before joining the class.

She is loving it.

Tae Kwon Do will be very good for her.
Papa has been practicing at home with her and she is excited to show her master how much she is working on things. She just doesn't yell at class, which has us totally baffled. We as her parents KNOW she can yell, but won't at class. We know that she will as soon as she gets comfortable, so watch out master!

New Years Day 2010

2010-01-01T22:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Abshire Clan!
We decided this was a great opportunity to head to the beach. The water is never too cold for the children. They are crazy! So off in the jammies we go........beach bound. Rob surfed, the girls chased waves & collected treasures, and Luke fed the birds!

It was a good time!

Elizabeth's Birthday

2009-12-26T22:41:00.000-08:00

Having a birthday the day after Christmas can stink. You are tired, it has been crazy. You probably have traveled Christmas day and are pooped. You are maybe even a little tired of "celebrating". You just want to rest and figure out how all these new things work that you got for Christmas. So, yeah, it can be a stinky day to have a birthday. How do I know this.......my birthday lands on the day after Christmas. It causes problems for my family who "just saw me yesterday". I use to get gifts or cakes decorated with poinsettias. Heck, I went 18 monthes without a birthday one time. We decided to have my birthday in June instead on December. I had to call everybody on June 26 and nobody remembered. I give up!

Then I got married.............
My man understood my birthday and has always made it special. I get my favorite breakfast and the royal treatment for my birthday. This year though my man did GOOD! He surprised me with a Kindle, which is a fabulous gift if you are a reader. It goes perfectly with my Slanket that I absolutely love! I personally choose to wear my Slanket like an oversized robe ~ wrapped around me and all the way over my feet to keep them warm! (Because having cold feet is just wrong!) I love my Kindle & my Slanket! He did good.
Then as if that weren't enough, he took me skeet shooting at his Mom's. He borrowed a 20 guage to see if I would like it better than our 12 guage. I had a blast. I found I liked the 20 guage better and wasn't near as sore the next day. I was a regualr Annie Oakley that day. Well maybe not really, but I had a lot of fun! I got to see this sight ~ which I could handle EVERY day!

Baby Girl (in the middle) is retiring out at the ranch.

Baby Girl and I have had some fabulous rides together.

I got to spend the day with my wonderful family!

And do one of my favorite things....shoot skeet with my man!
Okay, I know I am not in the photos but
someone had to capture the day!

I loved this picture at the end of the day!
The other favorite thing about my birthday is looking forward to "Birthday Dinner". Rob's birthday is the 30th so we always head to dinner in between our birthdays to celebrate. I love this dinner out with our best friends. I look forward to it all year. Keri got her buddy a gift card for her new Kindle - she is the best! Happy times!

Christmas at Joyner Ranch

2009-12-26T08:21:00.000-08:00

Christmas continues with Aaron's family. Eric & Tracy head to the ranch for Christmas with Mom & Papa Bill. Tracy got a new camera from Eric and snapped the day away. Mama was experimenting with my new camera that Aaron got me. He got me a small Nikon camera that will fit in my vest pocket when I am working cattle. He was tired of hearing about how much I wish I could of snapped a picture of that......

So here are some shots from Christmas at the ranch.

Luke got the opening present thing down this year! How cute!

Abbie loves presents!!!

Hopie loves the golf chart! See stops in to say "Hi" to Dee Dee!

Aaron & I had Bill & Mom's brand put on some vests for Christmas.

They loved them. Aaron & I were so excited.

Thrills me to see this cowboy sittin' in that fine lookin' jacket!

Happy Trails....Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T21:32:00.000-08:00

When I was a child, I can remember hardly being able to sleep on Christmas Eve. I am back to that again with children in the home. They bring such joy & energy to the home. We all headed to bed late as it was because we take in a beautiful candle light service at church for Christmas Eve. Then we head to our friend's home for supper & a cookie decorating game that we play every year. So hopped up on the sugar & fellowship, it is always hard to get to sleep. Once asleep the children rest all night. I, on the other hand am up every two hours, like a child! I am excited for them and the excitement of the morning.
Christmas Morning

The children were tickled to see the presents.

Luke is all about Thomas the Train.

All Hopie wanted was a "Littlest Pet Shop".

Abigail got her first real sewing kit.
We didn't get pictures but

Papa was thrilled to get an ipod from Mama.

Mama is in heaven with her new Slanket

and camera (to her surprise)!

Up the mountain we go...................

We get to my sister's for Christmas with the family.

We had a lovely time.

Mama opening more toys......the packaging will drive you nuts!

What is up with my cheesy children..........

Long, fun day of giving & receiving ~

celebrating the greatest gift ever given...JESUS!

Papa & Abbie listening to the ipod.

Not a creature is stirring....not even a Mama!

Extreme Make Over

2009-12-18T16:47:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year we decided to surprise the girls with re-doing their room. They have wanted a make over on their room for a couple of years. I don't know why, didn't they like the Noah's ark ceiling fan from nursery days, ballerina bedding from 4+ years ago, & a bunk bed?! I do regret not getting before pictures. So we started collecting things for this make over. We had the date set for a week before Christmas. The girls got out of school for Christmas break and their Auntie Keri picked them up to spend the night. We got to work the minute the girls left for school that day. We couldn't have done it without a girlfriend who came to our rescue that day. It was so neat to see the transformation of our little girl's room. It wasn't a zebra print that Abbie wanted but it is beautiful. The canopy scored major points! The girls were absolutely surprised! They love their room. It has stayed the cleanest it has ever been. We should have done this a long time ago! :)

We got the girls a trundle sleigh bed that they have wanted. They were so excited about their bed. Papa & Mama are excited about getting rid of bunk beds with Luke around.

It is crazy how big their room looks.

They got a new bookcase and we found the perfect place to hang a quilt that their great-grandma made them. As an update, they got a new purple boom-box for Christmas from their Aunt & Uncle.

We did good! They love it!

Merry Christmas girls!!!

Nutcracker Obsession

2009-12-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

Abbie & Mama went to watch the Nutcracker ballet this year. It was such a treat. Abbie was so excited the whole time we were getting dressed and driving there. She had never been to anything like this. Once we found our seats, I took her down to the orchestra pit to see the musicians that would be playing. She was in awe! Once the ballet started it warmed my heart to see her eyes light up at the dances. She would lean over to me and in a very excited voice tell me, "I know is song!" She was tickled pink to be there. Needless to say, I have had a ballerina spinning around the house ever sense.

Bestest Sisters Ever

2009-12-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

It doesn't happen often enough, so I will take it when it comes. The girls decided they were coming to be "bestest sisters ever!" It is this Mama's prayer that my girls grow to appreciate their differences. They spend most days wondering why their sister is the way she is. So on a day they decide to be 'bestest sisters ever", I will take it for as long as it will last, which is never long enough!

Formula for Fun Times

2009-12-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

Bonfires + Family & Friends = Fun Times

Shoot 'em Up

2009-11-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

The Abshire Clan ~ Armed & Dangerous!!!

There has been a tradition start on the Friday after Thanksgiving, skeet shooting at Joyner Ranch! There are a ton of people who come out for great food, lots of visiting, and shooting until 1)we run out of clay pigeons, or 2) we run out of daylight! This year we ran out of daylight, too bad!

The children always find new ways to have fun in the country. This year they decided to climb the hill at the ranch. Keri was quite the sport in going with them. I have to be honest, I did not think they would make it. It was one of those times that it was nice to say, "Oh, I don't think Brother can do that! Shucks ~ I guess I have to stay here and look after Luke." Keri, you're the best!

Here they are at the beginning of the trek.

They look like ants on a hill.

Wow ~ I am impressed! They made it to the top! I love this photo.

Luke found his own form of entertainment while the girls were conquering their hill.

A boy & his tractors!

Later that day Hopie got her first shooting lesson. I don't know how I feel about that yet. I want her to be gun safe but I know how that little brain of hers works ~ yikes! I do know her Papa is VERY retentive in gun safety, so she is in good hands. She did have fun, and was a good shot.

The one surprise of the day was who the best shot was. Our buddy Rob was one of the best shots out there. Aaron & Mike bought him his gun a couple of years ago and look at him go! Congrats Rob! Your kids at school should know you are such a good shot!

We all had a fabulous day together.

Flood of His Love

2009-11-21T21:44:00.000-08:00

Matthew 25:35-36, 40

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, 40 ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Flood provides services designed to meet the physical, relational and spiritual needs of the homeless, sober living home residents, motel dwellers and those entrenched in generational poverty within inner-city Bakersfield.
The ministry is dedicated to spreading the Good News and Love of Jesus Christ through worship, Bible instruction, fellowship and volunteerism. Flood meets individual physical needs, strives to build personal relationships with all who attend, and provides a vehicle for Bakersfield churches to serve, with the purpose of improving life circumstances in order to promote self worth and greater self sufficiency.

Heaven won't have empty bellies, jobless families, or hurting hearts. When we love & care for others, we have an opportunity to be His hands & feet until we get there. The smiling faces of those who receive a new pair of shoes, the tears of those who receive a warm embrace, the child who is played with while the worries of life disappear for the moment, these are precious to Jesus because He loves them. We want to be about our Father's work here on earth and people are priceless to Him.

Spread His love and flood our streets & towns with His love!

True Beauty ~ Horseback

2009-11-08T16:46:00.000-08:00

This weekend I was able to visit Long Meadow one last time before winter. It was a beautiful weekend. We were gathering the last of the cattle. We had to find those critters in those mountains. What a beautiful time of year. All the trees were changing color and the air was crisp. Saturday was filled with a day of riding through some beautiful country looking for cows. We didn't find any that day but saw a lot of beauty. I never have my camera, which I often regret. I need to get a small camera that can fit in my vest. Sunday I got to go down the chute by myself. It was a great experience for both me & my mare. She is horse-sour, meaning she doesn't like to be alone. I had never ridden like that alone and was excited to be able to do so. We both did alright. We both have work to do but I couldn't have asked for a better partner. Pearl is fabulous. I look forward to many years and trails ahead of us!
I had a wonderful time with the Lord, my mare, & my friends. Even with all the beauty, my heart is never far from home. Aaron's favorite song for us is "My Front Porch Lookin' In". I understand that so much. My favorite view is from my front porch looking into our home. There is nothing to compare with when those you adore come running to you when you get home and grab your legs. They are so excited, and so am I, to see them, grab them into my arms, and hear their stories. It makes my heart swell at the recollection. I can't imagine what it will be like to run into my Abba's arms or grab His legs and tell Him how happy I am to be with Him. I can't wait! :)

Fall Colors in Sequoia National Park

Honor Roll

2009-11-06T23:57:00.000-08:00

Fourth grade is when you are eligible for honor roll, at the girl's school. So we were very happy for Abigail to have made her first honor roll. As a proud parent, I attended the assembly and wanted to capture the moment on film.

Boy, am I happy I did that!

She was thrilled to smile for her Mama! It has begun!

Nevertheless, we are so proud of her & her hard work.

A Boy & His Tractors

2009-11-05T20:53:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2009

2009-10-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Spirit Week

2009-10-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

This week is "Spirit Week" at the girl's school. They are having so much fun dressing up each day. Today is Wacky Wednesday ~ too fun!

The posing photo..........

My "wacky" kiddos!

Happy Times!

Pearl's Debut

2009-10-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to report that Pearl had a fabulous debut. We have had the opportunity to work cattle the past couple of weeks. We had to gather cattle at a friend of my father-in-laws and I was able to see how Pearl was going to work out. She did great. She gives me what I ask for, when I ask for it, and doesn't get bothered by much. Okay, I still have not got the sorting thing down, especially when four people are telling me what to do! But experience will be the best teacher on that issue.

I also got to go help push cattle down from Tyler Creek. It was suppose to be an easy/short day. It was everything but that. It took a crazy amount of time. We had soooooo many calves we had to stop and load some up and just trailer them. The one funny story from this day was when I was chasing some cows that had turned back, my reins ended up on the same side and I was pulling the wrong one to stop. Hence Pearl was not stopping, or even slowing down at this point. I am running by Benny yelling, "We're gonna have a WRECK!!!" I was actually laughing and trying to get my reins in order. I was able to get her turned without having a wreck ~ thank you Jesus! That was a crazy day. The calves were so young and so many, they just made for the slowest day ever. We only did half the job that day, as we quit at dusk. I was assured that that was the worst they had ever had it go. Good, I can't wait for next year!

One thing is very true ~ cattle predict how long things take!

With all this, Pearl did a wonderful job. Wow, what a difference. Once you have had a "sassy" mare and then get one with a great temperament, it is crazy how good it feels. I am so thankful to have had Baby Girl first. I learned so much on her and through her. I would have been spoiled if I had had Pearl as a "first" horse. I have so much to learn & work on with Pearl.

I am excited for this journey in front of us.

A Day in his Shoes

2009-10-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

We have established that the Abshires are already in the poison control database, due to our excitement with Hopie. Well, in this post it is a wonder how I make it through a day with Luke Josiah! I wanted to share a day in the life with Luke. Mamas of young boys will shake their head in understanding the following account.

Luke is totally two right now! He doesn't talk, but trust me when I say he makes his needs & desires known. I spend the day juggling the many tasks & chores that mamas do during the day, then add the wave of mess of a toddler to boot. I am walking through the house, talking to Aaron on the phone, when I pass by the girl's bedroom. I notice that a toy is flying in the air a little higher than it should be for Luke's size. I decide to check out what he is doing. I walk in on him standing in the middle of the top bunk of the girl's bed, throwing animals across the room and into the ceiling fan that is on! He climbed up the side of the bed, because I took the ladder to the bed down weeks ago to prevent him from climbing up to the top bunk.

Okay, Luke is down on the ground safely and the bed is blocked. I head upstairs to make my bed and hear something fall down outside the back door. I come down to find Luke holding his finger saying, "oooouuuuwwwwweeeeeee". He is giving me his finger to kiss. So I kiss his finger and ask him what he did. He takes me to the steps out back where my little man has stuck a set of keys into an outlet! Praise God, he blew the circuit. Ouwee! Ya' think partner! Ya just stuck a a set of keys in a 110 outlet. I am glad you can say ouwee! My feeler was stuck for a little while after that one. Needless to say, keys were put up HIGHER after that incident. He had used a chair to retrieve this set. He is a resourceful little critter!

So I bring him inside where things are safer. Within 5 minutes of being inside my little man has striped down to his birthday suit and dumped every toy basket in his room. He is so proud of himself. I just shake my head and decide to go get the camera. What can you do? I snap a picture of my son in all his glory.

Finally after my feeler has come down from the "electrician" escapade, I hear Luke callin' "Mama!" It is the mama that says "come see what I am doing". You know the tone! I head to his room quickly to find him in my saddle that is next to his "big boy" bed. He has figured how to get from the bed into the saddle. He was so proud he decided to show me how he did it. He stood on the edge of his bed and threw his chest on the seat of the saddle. Then he swung his leg over the saddle and pulled himself - upright!

I confess, I was impressed!

Go Luke Frost!

Keep in mind, this was ALL in one day! It is a wonder how mamas make it through some days. I wonder will Luke make it to his third birthday! He is killin' me! Boys are busy! I do love my little guy. He brings me the biggest smiles and cracks me up daily. He keeps me on my toes and is the reason I take a daily multi-vitamin!

Pumpkin Patch with Hopie

2009-10-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Magic Mountain

2009-10-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

I can remember when Abbie was just a baby thinking that a trip to Magic Mountain was so far away. I wasn't eager for it, I just thought that she would never really be older enough or big enough to go to such a big place. Silly Mama! My little girl spent the day at Magic Mountain with her Papa & classmates as a reward for selling barbecue tickets for her school. This was her first year to sell tickets and she came in third place of her school in ticket sales. Go Abbie! She was quiet the saleswoman as I heard her on the phone selling tickets. She worked hard and we are so proud of her. But is she really big enough to go to Magic Mountain??? Papa informed me that they spent the day in "kiddie land"! That made this Mama happy. I know the day is coming that she will be off and running, but I am not there yet. I will add a picture once Papa sends them from his phone.

CBS - Community Bible Study

2009-10-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

One thing I love about my fall schedule is getting back to CBS after the summer break. I miss it during the summer but love the break. This year Aaron & Abigail have joined CBS too. Aaron attends Monday night with Rob, at a small group. Abigail is doing the home study with Mama at home and enjoying being in His word. I have been out of leadership at CBS for a few years but have loved being back with the ladies that lead this Bible study. Here is a picture of most of the leaders in our aprons that our director made us this summer.

This year I took on the position as the Primary/Junior age Children's CBS. I teach the home schooled children the same lesson their moms are doing but at their level. I have loved it. I have a great group of children who faithfully do their lessons and come ready to learn. I love doing the object lessons, crafts, & snacks to match the lessons. We are studying Genesis this year. The children have loved some of the snacks we have made. When we did creation we made dirt out of pudding, Oreos, and gummy worms ~ they loved it. We also had fun studying the tower of Babel. For snack we made towers out of marshmallows & frosting. *Note - I served snack last ~ I didn't want to deal with children on a "sugar high" & the crash! * Sorry Moms!

My children have had their own fun with the leftovers from class.

Abbie in stitches

2009-10-04T13:31:00.000-07:00

Abigail was playing over at her girlfriend Ellie's home Saturday, when things went south ~ fast! They were playing on a trailer when Abbie's leg broke through part of the metal. Papa got the call from Mike that Abbie needed stitches. We knew it was serious. She is amazing! Her high pain tolerance came in handy, for once! It wasn't handy when she was a toddler getting a spanking'! But we will take it here! 15 stitches later she looks pretty good! We praise Jesus for protecting her from any further damage. He is so good to us. Here is our patient going to church today.

Beach Trip

2009-09-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

We were blessed to join our friend Bob and his family at the beach this past weekend. It was a weekend filled with lots of food, fun, & fellowship. The children had so much fun being right on the beach. We built the most incredible sandcastle that withstood the tide. We had such a lovely time and won't soon forget it.

Got Flocked

2009-09-24T11:58:00.000-07:00

We woke up to pink flamigos in our front yard this morning. It was a funny sight. Luke didn't know what to do with them.

It is a fundraiser for the local children in our area. You pay to have the flock removed and then pay to have a friend flocked. It is a very cute & smart way to raise money.

My Handy Man

2009-09-21T15:52:00.000-07:00

I do believe that I have the cutest stinkin’ handy man around. He will take a screwdriver to just about anything in your home. He looks so intent when he is trying to fix something. Be warned though, he comes at a high price. He can use an entire shaker of powdered sugar on French toast if you turn your back on him.

School Days

2009-09-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

Remember when we were young and we had to cover our school books with paper grocery bags? We didn’t know anything other than this. We thought it was cool to decorate our books with our own personalities. Now that I have one in school who has to cover her books, I was saddened to see that they have minimized this once “individual” statement of book covers to a “cookie cutter” slipcovers.
Well, one night Abigail had to have a book covered or see would get in trouble at school. I told her that we can make one. I wasn’t going out to buy a book cover. She was not happy about that, she wanted a book cover “like everyone else”. Are you hearing the drama? Sorry you missed it!
I goggled “paper bag book covers”, and came up with this site. As we made her book cover, I shared with her how I used to decorate my books and she got excited. She had so much fun doing her own designs. I was tickled to see her creativity come alive on her science book.

My heart melted when I read the corner of her book cover ~
“made by the best Mama in the world”.
I will take it!

My New Pearl

2009-09-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

I wasn’t really looking for a new horse, regardless of what my past posts stated about Baby Girl. She and I had come to terms with things and were fine. BUT my buddy Benny had found a pair of horses he felt we needed to look at that might be “too good to pass up”. So off to Glenville we go looking & riding horses the next morning. We took the trailer to make us look like we were serious (a bargaining technique). After an hour or so of riding and I had ridden both horses, I knew the one for me ~ Pearl. She is a “quarter” horse that stands a little over 15 hands high and 8 years old. She has such a sweet disposition, which I am not used to. Sorry Baby Girl if those last words stung. I wanted a horse that would be good with my family, use to the mountains, use to working cattle, and preferably younger than my first horse. That was a tall order to fill, to which Pearl met. So Benny & I left there with a full trailer and empty wallets. I took Pearl & he ended up getting Lacy (the other horse). He claims that it is my fault he is “horse poor” but it really isn’t. No one made him buy another horse, but he is happy with his purchase.
If you ask me…..I got the “Pearl” of the pair! :)
Here are some pictures of my new mare & my lil’ cowpokes:

Lived In

2009-09-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

"Lived in" is what I call my home. It never looks like the pages of Pottery Barn, to which I have come to terms with. I daily remind myself that the laundry, meals, music, & noise are the evidence of a healthy family living in this home. I am thankful for it all, some days more than others. I did want to show you why I don't bother with some things right now in this season of life. There is a certain time of day in the morning, before children rise from their slumber, which you are able to see how "lived in" this home is. The sun comes through our front door to reveal how loved this door is.
See picture below:

I had seen enough. I cleaned this window until it shined! I was so excited with this feat that I had to capture it with pictures. Not to mention I didn't know when I would clean that window again. I loved walking by that window all morning and smiled.

THEN my wonderful son woke up. As he walked out of his room and looked around to greet the morning he turned his attention to my freshly cleaned door. "NO!" my mind screamed, as I headed for him ~ too late! He had looked at the door, then went up and licked his hands to rub all over my clean door. Now it looked like what it should ~ to Luke. (See picture #1)
There you have it! This is why my house is "lived in" and why I don't bother with some things!

It just isn't worth it!

Longing for Long Meadow

2009-08-31T06:34:00.000-07:00

With the craziness of the past week, a trip to Long Meadow was good for the soul. Benny & I headed up to move some cattle around for the last time before they gather them. It was a crazy, busy week, but I had a BIG sigh as I got in the truck. We didn't ride Friday because we got to the cabin too late and had to get everything settled. Saturday we moved cattle to a closer meadow, with more grass, until they gather them. It was a good ride, probably about 12 miles of riding that day. I loved it! During a waiting time to meet up with the cow boss, "Cowboy Steve" gave me some horsemanship tips with Baby Girl. I love learning new things with my horse. At supper that night I got a steak knife lesson. I was cutting my steak with a steak knife. Okay, I was struggling to cut my steak. One of the cowboys noticed my struggle and asked, "Don't you have a pocket knife? Cowboys always cut their steak with their pocket knives." So I pulled my pocket knife out and proceeded to cut my steak with ease. Then I was asked, what kind of knife I had. I held up a Case and laughed, as the three other cowboys I am sitting with hold up their Case knives. We all had a good laugh. One other lesson I got this weekend was mending fences. Benny & I went to go mend some fences that were in desperate need of repair. I watched Benny mend three of them and by the fourth I was tired of holding the wire. I asked Benny, "Can I do this one?" Benny is always happy to teach me something. I got to mend the next four fences. I loved it! My hands weren't lovin' it after I was finished. Again, I learned that I should always have a pair gloves on me when I am working.

Experience ~ gotta love it.

The nights are always a favorite for me at Long Meadow. The stars are amazing up there! I can't wait for them to come out. The camp fires with s'mores are a good warm up for the star show.

Camp fires & stars, there is just something about that combination.

Well, that was it for me this year up there. Benny reminded me of that as we were getting ready to head out. It caused me to pause for a moment and really take it all in before I go. I wouldn't see it all again for another year. I was thankful & grateful for my time & experiences up there at Long Meadow.
Happy Trails!!!