my niece, A's story as told by her mom!

I just had to post this "letter" from my niece, Hannah. I told her.... "you Mommies.... wow, you better know how much what you say is heard!"......but more importantly.....listen to what her almost 2 year old considered before "paying".......listen to how miss A determined she was supposed to be supplied with what she thought she needed.... I'm thinking this household has proven by example the way and through Whom all good things come: Thanks Hannah for letting me post this gem of a moment in time!

Well, yesterday Aliyah and I were making a trip through Sam's. One of her favorite places because of the "bites" that they give away there! Well, we must have just missed the "bite" ladies because no one was giving away anything. Aliyah kept asking where the "bites" were because being the smart mom I am I had talked it up before we got there. Anyway, it was getting close to lunch and nap time and Aliyah kept asking for "bites." It wasn't making it any easier that one of the things on my list to get were her snacks. I had put animal crackers in the basket and she kept asking to get into them. I kept telling her "not until we pay for them," which has always been our rule. Aliyah being a little strong willed kept asking and I kept responding, "not until we pay for them." Well after the 10th time she finally looked at me and took my hands, bowed her head, and started "dear Jesus...." It was at that point I realized that my Texas accent must be pretty bad for her to hear "pray" and not "pay"!!! I love the way kids have a way of thinking so simply and can bring a laugh to a stressful trip the grocery store!!

Love you all, Hannah

New Family member down the road!

You know how we feel about our 4 legged family members here...

or at least if you've read this blog (or known us) for long... you should know.

Our pets are family members!

and soon, we will be getting an addition down the road.

Hunny dog was the Nanny dog to 3 of my grandchildren,...

the daughter doggie of my youngest daughter's best friend, Rusty...

My oldest daughter's confidant, friend, companion through all 10 years of her married life...

Hunny had taken every step my sweet one had taken, heard every secret,

and even licked the tears from the faces of her family when "God's kleenexes" weren't around.

She is waiting for her family in Heaven, and I think she is leaping around right now as she put her paw of approval on the next guardian of this home.

Workin Cows in 100 degree Texas sunshine

It would be a day that 33 years ago I'd never have imagined!! It began for W & J at 5AM... Troy and DeDa came after they finished morning agenda's of grandad aged men.

Down dirt roads,

to the left,

to the left... and we were there

Of course I know how to open and close gates, but SOME people think I might let the cows out! Leave it to the Ranch manager to watch my back!
There were about 300 of these gentle creatures to "work"... yes, that is what it is called... and it is WORK when it is 100 degrees outside and momma cows are bawling for their newly weaned babies .... who were in the chutes being "worked".
No... there were no rhinoceros in these pens... this was SJ treasure find of the day... and of course he found a matching one just right for TR.

No Deda (so used to Bobo)...

these are not shofars... those were from rams!

We were the designated lunch bringers.... and a good ole Texas buffet the two E's of whom are Covered provided! Brisket, jalapenos, pickles, potato salad, rolls...SWEET tea.... AND
good ole NANNA PUDDIN for dessert.... this was supposed to feed 2 little 3 year olds, but it appears that 1 was the lucky discoverer of the treat!

These two grandaddies surely have thoughts running through their minds right now....sweaty, dirty, hot, and tired.... These broad shoulders have carried more than the mineral blocks we were using as chairs this day. Good men.... who love their families, and know

it is the LORD WHO provides all good things!
After J pulls the little calf out of the muddy edge Em found him in....
After the "chairs" were put away and the tail gates put back in place
The work begins again. We load up the kids and the leftovers and return down the old dusty road we came by.... glad to have the opportunity to have a ranch style picnic on a cowboy work day! God is good, and we are blessed!
Everybody got home early, showered, cleaned up, and then...... fell into comfortable chairs for a night after a good days work.

Drive-In movies with GRANDKIDS????? who'd ever thought it?

The day began with a solitary cloud in the sky. I thought it looked sorta like Rodin might have sculpted the strong back of a potter bending over his masterpiece.

Then, meet at the gas plant for the trek to our final destination.......

the DRIVE-IN movie theater!
What a way to see Prince Caspian.... there was everyone and their dog there for this 2nd opening night of the Narnia tale
People were there, like we, an hour early to set up the perfect conditions for the ultimate viewing pleasure of the participants. Mattresses, ladders, and lawn chairs... all brought in anticipation of a fun evening under the stars!
We chose a central spot to set up "camp"... and with our "neighbors" and all the kids playing in front, our spot was secured and uncrowded!
As the sun went down, the backs of the SUVs went up and revealed kids in PJs, blankets and pillows.... even rocking lawn chairs for the wee ones who would fall asleep before the 8PM show time.
The lights were on at the mint condition concession stand. There were snow cones outside, and a checkered 1950s black and white floor on the inside. Popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs were all available for the strong in stomach folks!
..... and next door (our neighbors for the evening) were 6 little boys and 1 birthday boy turning 10~ What a way to have a party......the aroma of pizza filled our senses as their hatch was opened...... bouncing balls and boys both kept the contenders for our "spot" at bay until the show began!

But this night there was a slight difference that 40 or so years ago might not have seen..... instead of the regular concession fare, I'd packed a cooler with cherries and 100% juice CapriSun. .... although we did have to have the requisite Coke.... ooops!!!! but that's okay........ all in all, it was the perfect evening with the perfect setting for a wonderful first time trip to the drive-in movies for grandparent, kids and grandkids! Thank you Lord for fun times!

33 years and I'd do it all again!!!!

Who are these two young lovers? and was it really only 33 years ago?

You tiptoed onto my front porch leaving 3 carnations.... haven't you always been the romantic at heart?
... and all the things that have whispered your love for me from that first gift of little green glass poodles and miniature wine pitcher... until now... my heart holding the treasures beyond any worldly price!
I know I thought you were only a friend... one who'd even come to my house to drive the boat with me and my friends... (you know my Dad never trusted anyone but you to take it out alone with us!!!... he knew then, maybe what not even I knew... that you were a man of character and to be trusted).... I just knew that I could tell you all my secrets and that they and I were both safe in your care.
You certainly didn't look like someone to be trusted... you always looked a little dangerous... but then, aren't the safest most dependable places sometimes the hardest and even the most treacherous to reach?
and then the infamous 3 carnations!!!! I'll not ever forget!
I still hold your arm like this.... so tightly because I know... it is where I belong!
You've gone so many places with me

and some are yearly treks... Padre will always be one of the best places... it holds so many memories for me......and almost all 33 years there is at least one, from this place, since the first time you went with us... (can we ever forget taking all those senior girls and we were barely older than they.... Emily was just a baby, and Jenn..........once again, you were trusted with treasures beyond any wealth!)
Then we were not just the two of us....
or the three of us
But no matter what changes in the world around us, some things remain
You will always hold the KEY to my heart
You will always be noble in my eyes
You will always be the safest place I know
You will always be the calm for any storm the world brings
You will always be...
You will always be...
You will always be.......my hero......my love........the "chain that holds my heart"
(thanks SJ for that analogy!)

I love you Troy Limbaugh, I'd choose you again in a heartbeat! Happy 33rd anniversary!

New Neigbors soon!

It won't be long now... we drove up the drive as my special friends were dressed for painting the fences.... the borders of the new home that will allow us not to be just friends, and family, but neighbors!

It looks just like you my friends.... soon, we'll be taking trips together and leaving from the little airport right here in our town!
What a sweet gift from the hands of communal grandson! KG, SJ and TR have learned that the honeysuckle is really "hunnningbird food".... a real TINY treat as they pull the middle stem through with a single drop of nector. He told me...."let's take Moddie some hunnnningbird food too Tahtee, she will like it!".......
But of course she will precious one!!!! and Troy's word.... "ya know... folks are just dying to move in beside this fun couple!!".... right Troy, I've always loved your humor, and now we have someone who will truly appreciate it too!
evidence of a hard day's work was everywhere.... in the bucket as well as hands, shoes, shirts and pants!
The chandeliers are perfect.......something I too would have chosen........sheaves of wheat....so right, may your time here be as sheaves of ripe wheat in the Hands of our mutual LORD! Abundance!
and may your path always be strewn with blossoms of sweet joy and memory my friends!
We are excited you will be our neighbors soon!

What if we were indeed Light in the Dark?

Genesis 1:2 "let there be LIGHT"

......... what if

that "light" was NOT the sun/moon and stars (see vs 16)?

What if that "light" bringing form and shape out of the darkness of the void was allegorical to our Lord..... "I am the LIGHT of the World".

What if the redemption the world awaits in the sons of God is being understood in terms for these days in which we are living.......

what if we are the city on a hill which cannot be hid....

what if the The mountain of the house of the LORD is right now being established as the chief of the mountains, And, right now, being raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,

To the house of the God of Jacob;

That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths."

What if we truly were not just saved to go to Heaven, but to respond in the world as the TRUE sons of the LIGHT of the WORLD?

WHAT if??????

(if it tweaks anything in you, go to the words blog and read a bit more.... you will also find the "teaching" that provoked the thinking)...... may we be truly the LIGHT needed to bring form into a dark world that cries out for the TRUTH and HOPE we have within us!

I pray blessings over you my precious friends and family!

Mother's Day & "the real deal"

What a beautiful beautiful day this sweet Mother's Day is... Last night, we'd been to the rodeo with precious ones who hold my heart, and this morning.....Troy's alarm awakened me... I thought, "this is Sunday (my morning ritual to say the day of the week as I awaken... weird I know), and why is the alarm going off?" Troy was up and busy......I didn't even realize it was Mother's Day, until Scarlett set her big ole white head on my side of the bed and nuzzled me good morning. But strange.....Troy was up doing STUFF!!! and I got up to "help"... as I walked in, there was Em in her PJs with a bag in her hands... then my Elly walked in (she was the only girl on the praise team today, so she did both services) dressed for "church".

Em said... Happy Mother's Day Mom,

can we have coffee with you this morning?"

You may not understand the significance of this, but no matter how many generations come after and no matter how much of your heart they hold, a mother is only "Mother" to ones God places in her arms in the beginning of that name!

My girls wanted to have coffee with me........

OH YES>>>>>> OH YES>>>>> what a gift!

(I thank their husbands and their families for giving me this gift too.......

on the day that they too had planned for my "babies", the Mommies of their homes)

Em said... "moms 'believe'... so we picked this cup for your coffee"

Funny, I'd just been thinking... "Troy is 'the keeper of the keys' as Father" (long history of that title), and "I wonder what mother's 'keep'?" THIS was the beginning of our coffee conversation this wonderful morning over coffee with my girls.

Dreams.... Hope... BELIEVE!

My grandchildren had made personalized and perfectly "them" plates for me... do they really think these will be utilized for food??? just my spirit's fare, I assure you! I love the "righteousness" word penned by KG... "richnice".... lovely... thank you for not correcting the spelling! and a dinosaur from SJ, and Penguin from TR... such treasures!
Another little mother waited for me by the door with her sweet one in tow!
And God gave me a bouquet....... what could be more lovely?
Then Troy... (who'd gone back to bed for me to have time with my girls.....thank you sweetheart for your heart that knows mine!).......then Troy told me....."I just can't wait till our anniversary... I'm giving you our anniversary present now!"

an open heart with 2 perfect gems centered between 2 and 3 more perfect gems......

he knew what my heart held!

I love it my hero who holds this heart of mine.........I love it!

You've always know what to do to touch me most deeply,

and still you never cease to surprise me with more!
As he gave it to me he said......."they are the real thing Carla!" to which I said...
"I know that.....it is the only way you'd do it!"

and he said it again.... "Carla, what I mean is... yes, the gems are real, but the ones they represent are REAL!!!"

Interesting thing......... a few days earlier we'd been at dinner with several boisterous friends talking about "American Idol" and the young 16 year old who seems to be so tender and pure... one of the men there said... "he just CANNOT be that innocent! there has to be something else we are not seeing"....... I'd already been thinking about

"the REAL deal"

and what a tribute that is when someone tells me "you know... he/she is the 'real deal'". It's one of those things everyone would want said about themselves. At least it's something I'd desire to be know as........"you know that lady... what you see is real.... she is 'the real deal'".... and then Troy, this morning.....repeats the phrase that had been spoken to me for these last few days.

"Carla, what I mean is that the ones those gems represent are REAL"

Yes Troy, I agree....... our tree has produced good fruit......and the ground from which it has grown is solid and filled for years before and beyond it's planting with good things.

I am blessed today! so blessed.....

Indeed precious ones.........it is a happy happy Mother's Day!

Jordan Hunter Jones graduation invitation!

Another picture comes quickly to mind here.....Hunter was about 2 or 3, and we'd found some bones outside at the lakehouse... he was sitting at the kitchen counter and contemplating "bones". First thing we knew, he'd laid out the selection of chalky white old fragments, and began trying to push them together. The picture is in the lake house album, little blond Hunter... cheeks rosy from the sunshine... a huge grin across his face as he finds a piece that FITS!!!....and it sorta makes me think of what God's called this one to do......... the fragments of what is meant to be whole need to be joined, and there are those who see where the pieces fit......... as it is rejoined, there is ONE WHO gives life, and the body will be as it should be once more. Whole and living in the perfect order of the Creator. We are proud of you Hunter, not merely because you are finishing this step, but more because you are taking each step as the LORD is asking.

Bless you and may you always hear, see and know TRUTH.....which is also LIFE!

Mother's Day (strange way to see???)

I'd just been telling Troy about a mother I'd spoken with earlier this week. It seems she has a pregnant 16 year old daughter and there is no money available for doctors or anything else involved with getting a baby into the world. This mom told me... "I know what's gonna happen... and I'm too old to raise a baby! I even asked the people 'if I kick her out can she get something paid for?' and they told me NO... can you believe that???"

Well, what I couldn't believe was a MOTHER with this response to her daughter, but then its not so uncommon as one might think, and I'm learning this too quickly for my comfort.

I STRONGLY suggested a local Christian adoption agency that would love the girl and the baby and every need she or the baby had would be covered. Little did I know the whole story...

I will tell you that after this next bit of the "story"....

Yesterday, as I was feeding our dwindling number of cats (good and bad!) there appeared another bedraggled outcast. I saw nothing but skin and bones with a huge wound on the back right leg making her drag her leg as she struggled to get to any morsel

left by the healthy feline crew.

She ate.. and ate and ate... and then she left. I figured she must be going to her real home now that she had a bit for the road and clearly this was not her home.... yet ....

she'd found what she needed for now.... here.
Then, this morning, as Troy left to pick up his golf guys from the airport, Scarlett and Latte went nuts... I thought "it must be someone coming by for coffee"... but as I looked outside... here came the hurt yellow cat.....with something in her mouth......I thought from the distance it must be a big bird, but then I knew she couldn't move or jump to catch anything...

and she was hobbling up on 3 legs.

As she got closer I saw her treasure...

It was a single VERY healthy black calico kitten! That wounded, barely able to walk or feed herself momma cat had carried her kitten from way across fields, the road, and all the way down our drive up to the place she'd found help.

She had to drop the kitten every 4 yards or so,

but finally she got her baby to a safe place.

THAT IS ONE TOUGH MOMMA~

and then I thought of the mom on the phone...

"I asked them if I could just kick her out and she could find help on her own"...... a 16 year old daughter 3 months pregnant, and pretty wounded herself... (I learned that she'd been beaten, abused since she was 12 and hurt physically and emotionally most of her young life.... she'd NEVER been protected... and now, she was pregnant......she said "absolutely no abortion"... she was going to protect the one thing she could... even if it wasn't herself....

the MOMMA rose up! and said....

NOT MY CHILD!!!")........

The contrasts were stunning.........

how could something without a soul understand Motherhood better than

we who were created in the image of God?

I am praying that this young girl will find a place of safety for her and her baby, and that there will be hands of God reaching out to hold her in all the places that HE will set up for her journey into motherhood. I pray for this child too.......may the hands and arms meant to hold this one be known and permission granted as the will of God is done on earth as it is in Heaven. amen

Bless all of you MOMs who are doing such an amazing job! You touch my heart tenderly~