Scarlett, "guard dog on duty"!! OH HOW I WILL MISS YOU!

Her name will be Scarlett, because she was the most beautiful snow white German Shepherd Dog I'd ever seen. (except of course her cohort, Chrissy)
We found her in Burleson, and brought her home at Thanksgiving almost 12 years ago.
Injury couldn't keep her from being one of the "smartest search and rescue dogs"
our trainer had ever trained.
We had decided to have both our dogs trained simply to be sure they would respond quickly as we had our first grandchild coming. Scarlett was 2 and the trainer was so impressed she wanted her to train for SAR.
It was always amazing to me...
I would try to pull her to another location as we practiced, but then lo and behold...
there behind a wall, or a tree, or a torn down building would be her "find".
When it was a child, it was immediate.
She never missed.
We had the full gear for helicopter lifts... but thankfully we never had to use it!
She was on call for 9/11... and even though Troy said I could not go, we'd already decided that should she be needed, we would let her go and another could team with her.
I was thankful that again, she wasn't called.
Yesterday, 2/25/10, the morning broke with fire in the sky.
I think I knew it would be a significant day... and God was telling me that HE was God,
and the world was in order just as HE planned.
The cancer had finally begun to take it's toll on my girl.
She'd beat the odds for 3 years this month.
The doctors had said, "6 months to a year"... but Scarlett was not bound by
the rules of the world. God had given her to me for purposes that the cancer could
not take. He left her here for 3 years more.
Scarlett held my secrets...
she would hear my shouts and she would hear my prayers...
all were safe with her heart.
She was such a safe place for me.
I was never afraid, even when Troy was on the road... I was safe!
Nothing got past those big ole ears... (Troy often called her Bugs... as in Bugs Bunny:)
or... erasure nose... teasing about that soft pink nose that would nudge us awake each morning.
She joked that Scarlett left herself everywhere she went.
Our vacuum bag would be full even if we vacuumed each day. That's the nature of the beautiful white coat that my girl wore.
She felt my heart.... and knew my thoughts,
she licked my tears, and danced when I danced!
Scarlett was the most altruistic selfless friend I could ever have had, and
I will miss her terribly.
I thank the LORD for this precious one HE allowed in my life for the past 11 years.
Her place will ever be hers alone.... and even if my tears continue to fall on occasion...
I will know...
Someday... I'll see this lady again, and she will run to me with that loping gate
to welcome me into eternity with the rest of the crew
that is being kept tenderly cared for in my Heavenly home.
I wonder.... could a white dog run alongside a white horse????
She was my friend!

2/24/10 Lucy Jane Tippen is here!!!

All the guys are waiting in the hall way for Will to bring in our newest family member.
Both first time grandmothers eagerly await... is it a girl or is it a boy?
The entertainment arrives about 5 hours into the event... and had to leave for naps...
BUT THEY WERE THERE!!!
The nurses roll down the screen of the windows we were watching intently....
THEN...
someone screams.... look down there!!!!
Will had come in down the way with a surprise bundled in a pink toboggan!
LUCY JANE TIPPEN!!!

Welcome to the world and welcome to the family!
You've been so tenderly anticipated and we look forward to many happy times
with all these precious treasures!
Good job Kaely and Will... you will be wonderful parents!

Fossil Hunt with friends 2/19/10

We'd heard that Friday was supposed to be 68 degrees
on a bright February Day.
Adventure on the mountain was the scheduled event
(forgive the Olympic terminology... it seems that this is all we are watching these last few days:)
So hammers and chisels in hand, off go the troupes to the top of the mountain!
Unscheduled stops were quite all right as the young ones learned a little geology in the
treasure hunt!
To the top of the mountain!
... when you are 2 years old, the steep climb can get a reprieve if you say...
"Momma, my leddds, are huwting.. my ledds are huwtting"
up into moms arms go the precious 27 lb light of our lives.
Sometimes it pays to be the youngest, smallest and quite adorable to boot:)
Geodes, fossils and wonderful new revelations await the troupe as they trek up the hill to
the highest point in our county!
SJ got a ride up the hill too.... on the back of his sister who never seems to tire!
These strange weather patterns are lending themselves to the
typical-untypical TEXAS Day!
This one was a memory maker with friends, fossils and FUN!!!

Valentines, Snow AGAIN, Scarlett, and family... LOVE it!

February 11th brought snow to our land again!!
Scarlett has always loved the snow, and this may be her last season.
She is such a beautiful part of my life, and I'm glad she is being allowed more time for the
things in life that she loves.
The buck have not yet lost their antlers and this one has found the corn Troy threw out on the snow covered ground.
Valentine's DAY... Sunday this year... so our family meal was planned for 6 that evening.
We invited Nana and Pop to the celebration....
Troy and I spent the day wrapping giant Texas Tiger Shrimp with
bacon, jalapenos and cream cheese.
The tenderloin was grilled to perfection alongside fresh blueberries, salad, and those beautiful pink grilled shrimp.
For dessert.... chocolate dipped strawberries....
The question of the night was: "What do people do that makes you feel loved?"
Everyone answered, and the good words continued after the meal was over.
Then Troy gave me a gift..... HE DID THE DISHES!!!
(for any of you who know my man... this is not an unusual occurrence, but tonight, as everything was winding down... I looked into the kitchen, and there he was... blessing me with his gift of service!) I love that guy!
PLUS... he gave me my two boys ... both alexandrites... on my heart! YES Troy, they are worth what they are! TREASURES!!!! and my prayer bracelet is gonna be wonderful too:)
Thank You LORD for another beautiful Valentine's Day with people that captivate my heart in all the right ways!

SURPRISE Ellena Kristin... We're glad you are 30!!

***WARNING.... LONG POST, MANY PICTURES... enter at your own RISK:))))
I think it was a real surprise!!
**Batterup Cakes of Tuscola did cake... Cortnie Carpenter and Marca Gibson**
Mainly because when you plan something 3 days before, there is little chance that anything
SLIPS!!
Unless of course your mom wears different earrings:))))
(sorta reminds me of a little 2 year old that says to her dad as he puts her to bed,
"what cha been eating... I smell chocolate!)
Em had sent out texts and fb messages... I'd sent 4 e-mails (of which 2 were returned~:(
sooooo... we had no idea who got the word and who didn't... we'd just wait and see!
Message said... "bring kids...(fed) and the WHOLE family is welcomed!)
This is one of my favorites... One of the Cadjew boys(I think) is being so very patient (although he is being watched like a hawk on his left) in waiting for Elly to arrive... savoring the moment
when the jelly beans, gummies, cheese ball, and CAKE were
FAIR GAME!!!
As Jeff hung the balloons that would spill over our girl... MANY (especially the little niece in the foreground) watched with rapt attention his
ascent to the heights of the ladder! Young and stable... that's our Moosey!
SURPRISE!!!
Silver balloons poured over Elly and sprang from the hands of all the children!
As Will prayed blessings over our daughter, his bride, young boys watched...
a husband's prayer of thanks for his wife is a precious and beautiful thing...
something for young boys to emulate (someday)!
Happy birthday Eddy!!! (we know it is 4 days early... and I know I said it would be a
Super Bowl party... BUT...oh well)
We love you!


Notice: "hear no evil"... "speak no evil".... where is "see"??? and yes, it was a bit chilly!
Not sure why this balloon keeps following right beside me????
Cody and Elly have close birthdates, and because I saw his "old man coverall" cake
(also done by BatterUp Cakes)...
we choose our neighbors and old HS friends to do the cake.
Cody had all the guys attend his 30th in old man coveralls and old man velcro shoes...
He then required a new address for himself of
"MR. CADJEW"...
HILARIOUS Cody... and sooooo creatively YOU!
Glad you helped us celebrate Elly's in your "old man" clothes:)))
complete with wrap around sun shades!
PLUS... I must say... this little guy of yours with the chocchip cookie all over his face,
well..... he steals everyone's heart... oh yeah... much the charmer as his dad:)
Our soon to be a Dad, Will T, is honing his skills in the jump castle!
Another balloon situation with many other activities available to willing participants!

This Young Duncan... does NOT look like a safe way of retrieving a wayward balloon!
Mommy... can I dance with you?
Do you just imagine the response???
Immediate and heart bursting YES!
And thus ensued the Daddy Daughter lessons and Dancing!

Validation of who we are comes from a variety of sources,
and one of the best is to know we are loved unconditionally as we
are held in the ARMS of our FATHER!!
How sweet it is for me to see.... this love played out over the stage of
life and generations... Fathers and Daughters
PS... I love my Daddy too... still after all these years, I remember dancing with my Dad!
and watching him waltz with my mom... spinning swirling and secure!
below:::: I see you DWAYNE!!!
Time to pack up and get the kids to bed!
So good to share this time with special heart friends!
....as the "old men" gather in the back corner to hash out the problems of the week!
... moms chat and get ready to leave (again and again they "get ready" as one child or another scrambles out of arms and back into the play warehouse:)
It was a fun birthday surprise for all of us my precious one!!!
Fun Family
Fun Friends
Happy evening!
Happy 30th birthday my "little one" :)