Dinner with Friends

Saturday night we had the opportunity to go back to Forney for dinner with friends. It was Heathers birthday and we all had a fun time catching up and laughing about memories we've had. It made Richard and I both realize we miss our friends so much but still know that God has us right were he wants us. There is such peace in that.

Tammi and David otherwise know as Captain David and Queen T!

Big Rich and me happy to be hanging with our friends!

We were pretending to have VERY big eyes. This is us being goofy on the way to dinner.

Heather and Todd. They moved away from Forney three years ago, but have decided to move back. It was great seeing them again!

The birthday girl and Johnny!

These are our friends Jody and Regina! Regina works at the mortgage company and has helped us so much through this process of financing the house!

Me and Regina before dinner catching up!

Simple Woman's Daybook!

FOR TODAY MARCH 30, 2009

Outside My Window... It is almost dusk. The winds are blowing softly, the clouds are gray and it is a calm Texas Spring evening.

I am thinking... that my feet hurt. I wore heels today to school and was on my feet all day. Now my feet need to heal from the heels.

I am thankful for... blogs, I enjoy writing and I really enjoy reading others!

From the kitchen... our kitchen is cleaned up from dinner. We had grilled pork chops, fried potatoes, corn on the cob, and sugar snap peas. A down home good southern dinner cooked by my down home good southern and darn hot, husband!

I am wearing... my sweat shorts and a tee shirt, we just got back from walking!

I am creating... a grocery list for the weekend. We are hosting the 7Th and 8Th grade girls this weekend for D-Now and I need to get some yummy in the house for the guests.

I am going... to be busy this week.

I am reading... nothing new. I thought about wandering up to the bookshelf upstairs but have yet to make it.

I am hoping... that I can teach for Bullard Independent School District next year!!!!!!!

I am hearing... the TV. Richard is watching a hunting show, Kali is very intrigued by it and asking many questions, and I hear the running of the shower Kirstin is in...Not sure where my feisty 12 year old is right now. I can't hear her!!

Around the house... it still smells from dinner, which I love the smell as it's cooking, but now as I'm full, I think I might need to light a candle..

One of my favorite things... My "Baby Amy" doll that Sharon, my sisters friend made, my sister adopted her and mailed her to me. (Did that make sense?) She sits in my dining room on my grandmothers old sewing chair. I had her on the mantle, but she fits so beautifully in the old chair, that I decided to give her the formal room. I'll have to blog about the chair sometime. It has really special meaning to me and memories as a child.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Volunteer in Kirstin's class tomorrow, we our closing on our house Wednesday, Subbing on Thursday and Friday, D-Now this weekend, along with class all day Saturday. My week is going to be busy but fun!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is Kristy, Micheal's girlfriend. This was taken a couple of weeks ago. She is so sweet as last week she called and wanted to take the girls to the ballet. So Kristy loaded up with Kirstin, Alex, and Kali and took them to see Cinderella. I wanted to take a picture that day as the four of them looked so pretty, but it never happened. The girls had so much fun experiencing their first ballet and I am so thankful that Kristy took them!

Yeah, I'm an Aunt AGAIN!

Woo-hoo, my sister had her baby this morning. Samuel Isaiah (I hope I spelled that right) was born this morning a little after 4 AM. My sister is amazing, they do it all with a midwife and as I type this they are on their way home with the baby. He is healthy and the delivery was intense but quick she said. He weighed 9lbs and 2 oz and was 22 inches long! I am of course dying to make a trip to the great Northwest now, so I will have to see what I can do to make that happen. She said he is definately a Walker with dark hair and beautiful. I will post a picture when I get one from her!

Friends......

Here is a picture of Kirstin, Kali, McKenna, and Jolee this weekend at a birthday party. Girlfriends are such an important part of life at all ages! I am thankful for my girlfriends,and my girls' girlfriends!

This is a cheer that Alex and "Cousin" Alaina taught to all the little girls at the fishfry this weekend. It was so cute, I had to post.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY March 23, 2009

Outside my window...it is windy, VERY windy and trying to decide if the sky i sgoing to fall out with rain. It looks like it is that's for sure.

I am thinking...I had a crazy day. I did a sub job for a class in kindergarten and the teacher didn't realize they were going to be out today, so there was no work left and it got a little chaotic at times.

I am thankful for...opportunities like today to help prepare me for my own classroom.

From the kitchen... it is pretty clean. Dinner is not started yet, but lunches are already made for tomorrow. Beef fajita's are on the menu for dinner.

I am wearing...black and white dress pants, a black shirt and my red mary jane's.

I am creating...

I am going...to volunteer in Kirstin's class tomorrow. Doing this is one of my highlights of the week. She is so excited to see me and her friends in her class are amazingly sweet.

I am reading...a book on childhood poverty. I am too lazy to get up and get the name as it is in my room, but it is very interesting to read the difference of lifestyles. It is so sad what some children go through on daily basis.

I am hoping...that all three of my daughters go to college when the time comes. Looking at pictures lately makes me realize how quick time is going by and I really want them to be able to go to college in the future.

I am hearing...Richard on the phone with the "grass" salesman, Kirstin is sitting at the table with me doing some cutting and talking NON stop, the tv is on and the wind is blowing.

Around the house...the laundry is washing, Kali and Alex are playing in Alex's room, Richard is now starting dinner, and I sit here typing on my blog enjoying my surroundings. Alex reminded me today how many times I say, "I love my house". Life is good "around the house"

One of my favorite things...is seeing the lightbulb go on in a child eyes....

A few plans for the rest of the week...this week does not have a whole lot of requirements. I would like to take the girls one at a time these next few weeks to buy an Easter outfit.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

This is a picture of my dad taken at his birthday fish fry on Saturday. He was wearing the fishing hat we got him, but he added a piece of tissue paper also. Never too old to be silly!

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Spring is here!

Today is the first day of spring and it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL this morning. There is a chill in the air, but you can feel the warmth of the sun behind it. The girls are off to school, Richard is off to work and I just got home from doing the school drop offs and working out at the gym. I came home and played tennis with Jackson and now am just enjoying the silence in the house. The sun is shining through the windows and my house is unusually clean. I have been cleaning and rearranging for two days. I am getting the house just how I want it. Everyday it comes more and more homey. I am missing my sister today. It is because her baby is due any day now and I can't wait to meet him and just hope and pray everything is smooth during the labor and birth. After school we are heading to Longview to see my Kansas family. Truthfully, they are not even my family, but we do claim them as we have become so close to them. It is Andrea's brother, Jeremy and his wife Stephanie. They have three kids, Elaina, Sam and Nate. Alex and Elaina LOVE each other. We constantly are trying to get them to relocate to Texas, but have had no such luck yet. So we remained satisfied with our visits every few months. At the end of the blog I am going to post a pic of Stephanie, Andrea and myself. I think I get along so well because there are few people who can be as silly as Andrea and I, but Steph is one of them. We always have a great time when we are together. Tomorrow we are having a fish fry for my dad's birthday. Sunday we have a meeting at the church for summer camp, a birthday party for Kirstin and Kali's friend, Jolee, and a church picnic. And the best part of the weekend is, the weather is going to be beautiful! I have spring fever bad, so I am so glad that is it finally here!

Notice the side ponytails we were sporting. We were having a good time this evening and of course driving the husbands CrAZy! Not sure what is up with my very scary evil eyes..??

Simple Woman's Daybook!

FOR TODAY... Saint Patricks Day!

Outside my window...it is dreary and foggy and cooler than expected.

I am thinking...that I am blessed with so many wonderful relationships some new some old.

I am thankful for...the Internet. I have found my best friend from 7Th grade and I am going to give her a call today and catch up. It's been probably about 10 years since we've talked.

From the kitchen...it is a mess! Clutter, clutter, everywhere. I really need to get a desk so I can get my bills and paperwork off the kitchen counter. I can't stand clutter.

I am wearing...my new favorite pair of jeans and a green sweater in honor of St Patty's Day.

I am creating...a yard outside. We planted shrubs and bushes and flowers yesterday and it's just amazing what a little greenery can do to the front of a house.

I am going...to take the second part of my teaching exam tomorrow. It is more the ethical and moral side to teaching. I'm nervous but not like I was for the content exam.

I am reading...I haven't started a new book since finishing my last one.

I am hoping...that these next few months of school go by quickly. I LOVE having my girls home everyday with me. We had a wonderful spring break just being together.

I am hearing...Lifesong by Casting Crowns is playing in the background and my stomach is growling letting me know it's getting close to lunch time. All else is quiet.

Around the house...is a few messes I need to work on. I have lots of dirty laundry from the weekend being gone, unmade beds because I worked at the school this morning and rushed around and floors that need mopped. I LOVE my dark hard wood floors, but they show every speck of dirt and dust....

One of my favorite things...is listening to the kids read to me in Kirstin's class. It is just awesome to watch that light bulb turn on when they figure a word or sound out.

A few plans for the rest of the week...my test tomorrow, cleaning house and planting more outside, calling my long lost friend who I've found, laundry, finding Kirstin a new gym to go to and loving on my husband and girls....

Here is picture thought I am sharing... this was taken this past weekend at the Houston Livestock Show. God has big things in store for this young lady as she just amazes me with her confidence and strength. She raised her pig for months, trained it, showed it, sold it and wants to do it all over again even though it was difficult.

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More San Francisco Pics

Richard and Nikki. This is My Aunt Susie's bird. He kept us entertained.

The famous In-n-Out Burger. It was delicious.

We bought some homemade toffee in here and of course a diet coke to go with it. Barrels of wine during one of the tours we did. It smelled like my grandfathers basement. It was reallly interesting to learn about the wine making and everything that is involved.

Richard at the Mondavi store. We were hoping to buy a picnic lunch here, but it rained so hard the grounds were too wet to eat outside.

If you know me well, you know that tulips are my favorite flower. I had to take a picture of these.

Richard and I one night before dinner. We had to set the timer on the camera to get a picture that we were both in. It took a few trys before we had a decent picture....

Getting instructions for a friendly San Franciscan on where to go and how to ride the street cars.

We rode up and down this street. It was fun going up, but wimpy me, held on tight coming down.

This was taken in China Town. We ate dinner here. The hostesses litterally chase you down the street wanting you to eat at the restaurant. We ate on the second floor. Definately a fun experience. No chop sticks for me though.

This is the Beringer house. That is my favorite wine. The grounds were beautiful even in all the rain and cold weather.

Coming up to the Golden Gate Bridge.

This was our last evening there. We took this picture before going out to dinner. Again, we used the timer. We had just been rained and hailed on coming off the Alcatraz tour and we're heading back out in the rain to tour some more of the city. We made many memories on this trip.

A sign I have been wanting to see for years. Me getting some loving from the bird. Or as it looks, me giving some sugars to the bird...

Simple Woman's Daybook!

FOR TODAY Monday, March 9th 2009.

Outside my window...It is warm and humid but overcast and cloudy. Our grass is finally starting to grow and we have buds on the trees we've planted.

I am thinking...I am going to enjoy this week with my girls on spring break. They are all outside playing right now and I LOVE it when they use their imaginations and play hard.

I am thankful for...Alex. She is a strong girl at 12 years old. She has proved herself over and over these past few weeks. She did not make the cheer squad and was broken hearted,but called her friends that did to congratulate them. She has so much character.

From the kitchen...The kitchen is a mess. We have dishes in the sink and a dishwasher that needs emptied. The breakfast omelet pan sits dirty on the stove. Laundry is taking over the kitchen table, but I will get to that soon. I am enjoying my first day of the week quietly and slowly today.

I am wearing...Richard's long sleeve TCU teeshirt and a pair of shorts. My hair is pulled up in a pony tail and I am barefoot. Shoes are highly overrated I think!

I am creating...a decorated house. We hung new draperies in the kitchen yesterday and LOVE them. It's amazing what two panels of fabric can add to a room.

I am going...to the post office today. I have a couple packages to mail.

I am reading... I just finished a fabulous book. "Same Kind of Different as Me" Written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. I highly recommend the book. It is about a homeless man and a very wealthy man who become best friends. The book deals with forgiveness, love, and compassion. It is a true account of these mens lives and how the wife of one brings them together and bonds the families forever.

I am hoping...that my sister has a beautiful birthing experience, her day is coming soon and Sam I Am will be here.

I am hearing...the girls outside playing, (I LOVE that sound) and my tv going in the background.

Around the house...are many messes. I have cleaning to do today. I haven't done much since we've been back from California and need to finish the laundry and cleaning today. I might, and I might not.....

One of my favorite things...is traveling with Richard. It always renews all the feelings I have for him and he always spoils me a little more on vacations. He is really so good to me.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Alex has a dentist appointment today, Kali starts horse back riding lessons tomorrow and I have a hair appointment on Wednesday. I still need to make arrangements and find out about the livestock show in Houston this weekend. And I we might catch a movie or paint some pottery over spring break..

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
This picture was taken last week in San Francisco. This was on the boat as we were going over to the island of Alcatraz to tour the prison. It was cold, rainy, and windy, but we had a great time touring the prison and being together. As we got off the boat, it hailed and poured on us. We had about a mile walk back to the hotel and were SOAKED and COLD when we got there, but the truth is, this was my favorite part of the trip.....Memories in the rain.

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First Show, Second Place

It's been about a week since I've posted. We just arrived home last night from San Francisco and I was going to post pictures and a blog about that. However, this morning, something else happened that was so exciting. Alex had her first show in FFA. She won second place in her class of pigs. She, along with us, were so excited!!!!!! Her big pig is so darn stubborn and she did just great showing him. Our big show is next weekend in Houston. This one did a great job getting us ready for next week. Here are a few pictures from the day.



Kirstin and some of her friends cheering Alex on.

Kali sitting with her class and cheering Alex on....

U.B after the show, he was wore plum out.

Alex walking UB in the arena....

Kirstin again

Alex and UB getting there picture taken with her ribbon after winning!

practicing in the holding area.

Brushing UB and getting him ready for the show.

Alex and her friend Megan. They have spent the last few days working at the barn non stop getting ready for the show.