Pumpkin Carving 2011

Every year, Marty carves pumpkins with the kids. The kids look forward to it each fall and drive us crazy the week before Halloween begging for pumpkin carving night. We had a very busy weekend this past weekend, so we had to wait until Sunday evening to carve pumpkins. Still, the kids thought it was worth the wait!



Like Father, Like Son. Jack is an old pro at pumpkin carving by now.


Lily quickly enlisted the help of Daddy. Our little damsel in distress was a little disgusted by the pumpkin guts.



While Ms. Independence chose to carve her pumpkin all be herself this year! She refused to allow anyone to help her. Ha!



"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." -John 8:12

Ladybug Soccer-Fall 2011

Once again, Sofie is a Ladybug this year. She LOVES playing soccer, and this group of girls are as fierce as they are cute. The Ladybugs have had a very exciting season, winning nearly every game. They have only lost twice, and both games were nail-biters to the very end. Warming up before the game. GO LADYBUGS! The Ladybugs finished a great season with a record of 7-2. Both losses were great games and the girls lost by only one goal. But that isn't the reason I love watching the Ladybugs. The thing that makes this team great is the friendship I see between these eight sweet girls. Not only are they teammates on the field, but also friends off the field as well. Here the girls are having fun together at the Ladybug sleep over at Coach Jeff's house. Thanks Miss Kim! Sofie was awarded the "110% Award this season. Her coach called her the "sparkplug" of the team because of her boundless energy and incredible speed. It is so sweet seeing them celebrate goals together and cheer for each other both on and off the field. What a great season we have had! The Ladybugs can be proud of all they have accomplished this season. They have played fair and they have had a blast together! We are so happy that our little Bug is a Ladybug.

Artist of the Week

Sofie was so excited to be one of the Glen Oaks "Artists of the Week". Her picture of a fish was displayed on a special bulletin board in the main hallway of her elementary school last week. We walked over before school to get a glimpse of her beautiful work of art. She was so happy! Today...Glen Oaks Elementary. Tomorrow...Dallas Museum of Art. A girl can dream! Congratulations Little Bug! We are so proud of you.

Bedazzled!

Last Thursday, Lily was playing "obstacle course" with one of her friends at recess. She attempted to show her friend how to just to the 5th bar on the monkey bars and missed. Needless to say, she plummetted to the ground and broke her left elbow. Lily got her cast yesterday, and took the day off from school to lift her spirits with some "girlie-girl" fun. After getting her pink cast, we went to lunch at LaMadeleine (her favorite), bedazzled her cast, and watched cooking shows on TV while I painted her nails...pink of course.



She only has to wear the cast for 2 1/2 weeks and then she is back in business. Until then, we are giving her a lot of TLC.

Live. Learn. Lily!

We officially have a politician in the house! This week, Lily is running for 4th Grade Student Council Representative at Glen Oaks Elementary. We came up with a slogan and made posters, a campaign button, and stickers to hand out to her potential voters. As her "campaign manager", I can tell you she has invested a lot of herself in her campaign. Today, she and the other candidates will give their speeches and the 4th graders will vote. Needless to say, there is a lot at stake today! Ha!



So I made her cinnamon rolls for breakfast (one of her favs) and helped her start her day with a smile. Before leaving for school, Lily practiced her speech.




Live. Learn. Lily. She's got MY vote!

Update: Lily came home today and was sad to report that she lost the election by two votes. After a few tears and a big hug, we sat down to talk about her campaign. Lily honored God by stepping out, doing what was right, and running a campaign with dignity and respect. Perhaps a few of our national leaders should take a few tips from her. Regardless of the election results...she is a winner with me.

50 Years

In late July, Marty's family came together at his parents lake house in Arkansas to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Over a long weekend, we made so many wonderful memories as we honored Dean and Marilyn's life together.







Fifty years ago they said "I DO". Five decades. There is much to celebrate. Here is a snapshot of life when they were newleyweds...

President: John F. Kennedy

Prices in 1961:
Cost of a new home: $17,200
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $0.31
Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.57
Cost of a gallon of milk: $0.49
Cost of a first-class postage stamp: $0.04

Top Movies:
West Side Story
Breakfast At Tiffany's
The Parent Trap
The Hustler

Top Television Shows:
Bonanza
Gunsmoke
The Andy Griffith Show
Lassie

We spent a lot of time swimming and boating on the lake...





















And hanging out relaxing together.












To honor Dean and Marilyn's marriage, we hosted a 50's style dinner party with a few of their favorite couples.















And we presented them with a scrapbook that featured pictures of their life through the years.





How grateful I am to be part of the legacy that Dean and Marilyn have built together over the years. For I am a direct beneficiary of the investments they made in their family as they held onto the promises they made to each other all those years ago. Because of the home they made together, I was given a wonderful man with whom to share my life.



And one day, many years from now, we will carry them with us when Marty and I celebrate a half century of marriage.

Let Freedom Ring

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." -The U.S. Declaration Of Independence 1776

We spent the 4th of July in Iowa. My cousin, Minniette and her husband, Matt invited us to their home for an evening a good old fashioned fun.


Lily loves to cook and Minniette had a great time passing down instructions on making homeade "Maid Rites", an Iowa delicacy. Iowans are professionals at using hamburger dozens of tasty ways. The fact that it is meat from cows raised on my Dad's farm is an extra bonus! Ha!


This is our version of Wimbledon. Hahaha!


Jack had a great time "playing" with this remote controlled helicopter and I got a great idea for Santa. Every once in a while I get a glimpse of that little boy hiding in my man-child. I was so happy for this spontaneous moment of Jack and Minniette together. :)


Water balloon war...every man for himself!!


Sofie made it her mission to "nail" her grandpa with a water balloon. When she moved on to bigger weapons, like the hose, she woke the sleeping giant. Here, Sofie is in way over her head, as the prey hunted the predator. Ha!


Aunt Berna made us homeade ice cream. Here she is getting ready to scoop it into bowls. I have so many happy memories of her ice cream on the 4th and I was thrilled to be able to eat it with her on our nation's birthday.



Of course, it isn't the 4th of July without fireworks. We chose to take them in the way I did as a girl. No crowds for us. We ate our ice cream and sat on the top of the hill to watch fireworks from a nearby town. It was breathtaking and so relaxing.




My parents


Minniette took this awesome picture of Bug with her Grandpa sitting on the tailgate of a pick-up as they waited for the fireworks to light up the sky. She doesn't sit long, so I am glad Minniette had her I-Phone ready to snap this beautiful memory.


How I adore this girl! I have so many wonderful memories with Minniette and I growing up together in Iowa. Still, this night is up there as one of my favorites. One of the gifts she brings into my life is total acceptance and freedom to just be myself. I guess that is the gift of having a cousin who is more like a soul sister.

No doubt many challenges face America right now. Still, I have faith that we can and will meet our challenges as One Nation Under God. Indivisible. With Liberty and Justice For All. Happy Birthday, America. You are still beautiful!!