Christmas at Joyner Ranch

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

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

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

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

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

Bonfires + Family & Friends = Fun Times

Shoot 'em Up

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

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

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

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.