Three-- Really????

Three summers ago I was sitting in my living room in Lockhart, Tx rocking my sweet , precious "Abigail" and wandering if I would ever manage to master this thing called, "Motherhood". She was so fragile and every moment was spent watching over her making sure she was fed, held, rocked, loved , sung to, etc. I was so afraid that with any wrong move she might break...

Well , little darlin', you proved mama wrong. You showed me just how resilient you really were. And, that no matter how many mistakes I made, God was surely holding you in the palm of his hand. And, all the while, you continued to blossom and grow.

Day after day , I continue to watch you grow-- Your crooked little grin, eyes wide-opened, and mouth always running 90 miles an hour. SLOW DOWN-- I can't keep up :) You are simply beautiful, God's creation, a rare jewel . You are our little princess !!!

I love our conversations together, our walks together, reading together, singing and dancing together, and being completely silly together. My heart explodes with joy over you !!!

And, now, you are three years old, such a "big girl" , as you would certainly say. Truly, truly, you are a GIFT !!! Happy 3rd birthday, Abigail !!!

Seven Years and Counting

It seems like yesterday went I first met Gifford. My very first words to him were , "How's your back?" NOW, what kind of goofball asks a guy about his back after he was hit by a baseball earlier that day ? ... ME. I guess you could say the question somehow broke the ice (deep down I think he knew I just wanted to talk to him, so he was very gentleman-like and just starting talking to me ).

Seven years later (actually 10 years later if you are counting from the time we met until now ), we have managed to move four times, have two beautiful girls, and make the most out of teaching junior high and high school students :) I have to say, it has been quite a journey so far.

The CRAZY thing is I LOVE HIM more than ever. Sure, there are days that I take him for granted and BITE his head off when he walks in the door. But, he truly is my best friend. He sees the "REAL" me, and I see the "REAL" him. And, yet, we still love each other so much. Through the tears, fears, laughs, happy moments , sad moments, frustrating moments, crazy moments, and down-right "AWESOME" moments, our love still runs deep.

Gifford, there are many things that I love about you. But I love you most for: the sacrifices you have made to see that your families' needs are met; your inner strength when times have become scary, lonesome, or difficult; your servant's heart when people have needed you the most; your compassion towards young people as they are trying to make there way; And, MOST of all for being my husband and BEST friend. I LOVE YOU !!!

"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it . " Psalm 127:1

U Pick Blueberries

I have been intrigued with the idea of picking blueberries since Abby turned one. That was two years ago ... Finally the day came , and we all loaded up to go to the Blueberry farm. We were to arrive at about 7:30 p.m. ( I love this time of day during the summer )

My love for picking berries started when I was a kid. My parents and sisters and I would all go for a walk to the blackberry patch and spend hours just picking away. My mom would then make the best blackberry cobbler (we always made sure we had more than enough berries so that she could make plenty of cobbler ). So, when I found out they had a "BLUEBERRY FARM" right down the road-- I was on it !!! I just had to convince Gifford that he would have a good time.

Anywhoo -- we arrived shortly after 7:30. Abby and I really didn't know where to start, but once we did, we didn't know when to end. "Look, mama, I found one; Oh! and look -- there's a bunch over there: Mama, I got the biggest one !; Mama, did you see that bunny hoppin' ober there?; Daddy, you need to get those ones up high; Mama, is Aleah gonna pick any 'cause she's too little ?; And on and on and on... "

I felt like we were back in the olden days when they had to pick their own crops. I absolutely loved it, but couldn't believe that many of them had to work like this pickin' all day long. My grandmother used to pick cotton all day -- I can't even imagine. The sun started to go down and all four of us were tired from our adventure. Abby could not stop talking about how much fun she had at the blueberry farm.

When we got home , we all had a shower and had blueberries with a tall glass of milk. All this waiting was worth it !!! We will go again next year :)