25 years ago today…

My parents were married.  Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Spiritual Growth Spurts

When a child is growing up we often refer to their growth as coming in spurts.  Webster’s defines spurts as, “A sudden short burst, as of energy, activity, or growth.”  That is how we tend to notice growth.  Looking back we might notice to small events that have occurred over time, but it is usually when we look over long periods and notice the big things.

I feel like my spiritual life has been nonexistent.  It has weighed heavy on my heart for the past few months and I’ve felt intense guilt for several things.  I’ve ignored my own desires and urges to find a church home out of laziness.  I’ve made excuses and placed finding a church home, and place to worship, at the bottom of my to-do list.  More importantly I’ve felt guilt for not obeying the Word.  Though I’m a member of a fabulous church, I’m in no way an active member.  But things are about to change.

I feel like I’m the edge of a huge spiritual growth spurt.  I’m getting my life more organized.  I’m focusing all my energies on my health and things that are productive to my being.  This includes finding a church family to be a part of.  I really want my life to be more disciplined.  And I’m actually working on it.  I’m easing into it, but I’m about to kick it up a notch.

Anyway, I’m excited about life.  And it is the first time in a very, very long time that I can say that with any shred of honesty. 

beagles are loud

Especially at midnight when you are trying to sleep and your sister and her fiancee have decided it would be fun to “play” with their new puppy and make him bark.

 

But he’s just so dang cute!  How could you not love him?  I guess I’ll just have to start taking naps.

Redneck Christmas

I love my family. After the culture shock that is NYC, we came back down south to celebrate Christmas day with our family down here. We ate too much, opened gifts, enjoyed sharing pictures from our trip…oh yeah…and we played with the home-made zip-line and shot guns. Isn’t that was everyone does on Christmas?

Uncle Joe warns us that his 10 gauge shot gun is going to kick Sarah’s butt when she shoots it. It didn’t. She took the kickback like a pro. I’m the one who got my butt kicked! (And I’ve got bruises to show for it.)

Here is my cousin Jake in a shopping cart.  It was the first shopping cart run so don’t worry…it only improved over time.  This one is a slow one. It was before we decided to grease the line. That is when things really started to get fast.

My baby brother takes his turn.

My cousin’s girlfriend drove all the way back to her place to get jeans just so she could zip-line. What these don’t show you is the foot of mud that you got to land in.

We greased the line (my idea) and really got things going. However, the line wasn’t good and greased until after dark. They guys had night vision goggles so they could continue the fun but I didn’t take any more videos.

What did you do for Christmas with your family? I’m guessing it didn’t involve a 10 gauge shotgun, grease and a home-made zip-line.

Immanuel

 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Thank you to Steamboat Willie’s New Orleans Jazz Band.

I take pictures.

Lots of new albums up on the picture page. I’ll be posting more as we get through the holiday season.

As well as taking pictures, I also update things.  I’ve added some links of friends and changed up my bio a bit.

Back in Texas

And too tired to post.  I’ll get to it at some point in the next few days.  For now…these pictures will have to keep you happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Texas

It is good to be going home and will be nice to stop a few pace along the way.  Especially for the Beatles exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Buffalo

I’m so cold!

Our trip has gone by so quickly!  I can’t believe we’ve been gone for over a week and seen all these amazing things.  I’m looking forward to posting pictures from the trip because we have some really great ones.  We had a blast going to Canadia (that is what I call it), seeing Niagra Falls, and eating at The Anchor Bar.  The Anchor Bar is where Buffalo wings were invented.

We had Christmas with our Buffalo family last night and it really made me miss John and Sarah.  They were unable to come with us because of work.  Before we left for the trip it was decided that we would skip having a Christmas tree this year since we wouldn’t be home to see it.  That was a big deal for us.  It would be the first time in 25 years that we didn’t have a Christmas tree. 

Well, John and Sarah decided to surprise us with a ten foot tall tree!  (We always cut down our own live trees.)  I can’t wait to get home and see it.  They said it pretty much takes up the whole living room.  It will be nice to be back home in time for Christmas.

My parents 25th wedding Anniversary is right around the corner.  (December 30th.)  They have decided that they would like to celebrate it by taking a family trip to New Orleans.  We can see some great live music, eat at Commander’s Palace, shop at Jimmy Buffett’s, and grab beignets at Cafe du Monde.  It should be a fun time for all. 

Well, I’m off to spend the day tooling around town with family until we have dinner with our super fun and crazy Uncle Mark.  (He is the one who has the best stories on my mother.)  Tomorrow we are on the road and off to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.  Woohoo!  I can’t wait to see the new Beatles exhibit! 

I’m ready to be home.  I miss my friends so much.  (And you know who you two are.)  :-*  Oh…I had a funny incident happen to me today.  I went to the front desk of our super nice hotel and asked if they had any stamps for sale.  The jolly young girl says, “Sure!  How many to do you need?”  I reply back with, “17.”  That was the point when her face dropped in amazment.  So, I’ll be making a trip to a post office today.