Merry Christmas to All!

I wish I could send a Christmas card to all of you, but because that isn't possible, I thought I would post one so at least I could send you our Christmas wishes!  I also included our annual Christmas letter.  Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of you!

 

Dearest Family & Friends                                                                                                                                                December 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011 from Childress, Texas!  Last year, I decided not to include a letter in our Christmas card, but I’ve picked the tradition back up this year as we have had a very blessed and busy year!

                  I think Richard and I will remember 2010 as “the year everything changed in a hurry.”  I’ll start with the newest addition to our family, Sadie Mae.  Richard has always wanted a “cow dog”, so when I saw a post on Facebook about a border collie/blue heeler mix that needed a good home, I mentioned it to him.  We ended up taking Sadie into our home.  Despite some puppy behavior we are trying to get out of her, she really is an obedient, sweet, and smart dog.  

                  I am still teaching high school English at CHS but was given the opportunity to move into a new position.  I moved from sophomore English, and am now teaching 5 classes of Junior English and 1 Dual-Credit senior English class I really enjoy.  I can hardly believe this is my ninth year teaching!  I am still coordinating the Gifted and Talented and Academic UIL for the high school and they both keep me very busy!

In early June, I was blessed to work another Walk to Emmaus in Stanton, Texas and was honored to share our faith journey in a talk entitled Discipleship.  What a weekend and what a way to kick off what would become an amazing summer!

In late June, I had the extraordinary privilege to travel to Peru with my sister-in-law, Amy, my mother and a group of sponsors and students from Amy’s school in Washington State.  What a trip!  The main purpose of the trip was to visit an elementary school that the Spanish teacher at Amy’s school had been corresponding with in a pen pal type program.  Our trip lasted 13 days; we spent the first half working in the school in an area called Chincha Alta.  We stayed with two families, and were overwhelmed with their love and hospitality.  This area of Peru was almost completely destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 2007.  These people have very little, and yet they gave us all they had, and more.  We were humbled, and departed with many, many tears as we left our new friends.  There is so much I could say about these people and the impact they had on all of our lives, but I just don’t have room!  I hope someday I can share our experience with you personally!  The last half of our trip was spent as tourists in the area of Cusco and Machu Picchu.  Oh my goodness.  There are just no words to describe how amazing this place is.  I will never forget this trip and I’m so thankful I got to share it with two of my very favorite women!

                  Richard is still an engineer with TXDOT. He still enjoys golfing when he can and of course working with our horses.  The biggest change in Richard’s life is our new business.  He came to me about a year ago with what began as just a thought.  But after much prayer, discussion and more prayer, he decided to launch Jenkins Ag Services (look for us on Facebook), a ground crop spraying operation.  He saw the potential and the need and acted on it, and once again, we have witnessed as God has provided a window of opportunity to our family that has opened up other possibilities, as well.  He is enjoying his new adventure and I am so proud of him for his hard work and success and most especially for listening to God’s guidance.                  

As if all of this wasn’t enough, rather unexpectedly we decided to move houses this summer after I got home from Peru!  We only moved about 5 blocks from here, but it was yet again another opportunity for our family we could not pass up.  I just can’t explain to you how much the Lord has paved a path that has led to blessing after blessing in our lives.  We have seen prayer after prayer answered this summer; prayers we have been saying for years in some cases. 

This all leads me to the biggest news for our family since our marriage 8 years ago!  After four years of frustrating infertility, many tears, many prayers, and a testing of our faith, we decided to start the in-vitro fertilization process…yes, ALSO this summer!  Whew!  It was about a 2 month process, beginning to end, but after much anxiety and prayer, on September 20, 2010 we found out we were pregnant with TWINS!  We were absolutely ecstatic and couldn’t stop praising God for His faithfulness and perfect timing.  He was preparing us for this journey, even in the times when we didn’t understand His plans.  In November, we found out Baby A is a girl and Baby B is a boy!  Isn’t He amazing?  Praise Him!  We are looking forward to their arrival sometime in April!  We covet your prayers for their health and wellness and a smooth, long pregnancy.

As for the rest of our family, Richard’s parents continue to really enjoy their retirement, working on the ranch with cattle and enjoying time together.  His brother and sister-in-law are in the process of moving to Childress, with our nephews!  We couldn’t be happier and are ready to have the whole family in the same town! My mother retired in May and has not slowed down at all!  She is thoroughly enjoying “her” time and has been an absolute blessing to us during the early parts of my pregnancy.  She has stayed with us four times to date and I anticipate them being here much more often in the coming months.  My dad will retire from Del Monte in the spring, and we are all ready for him to be stress-free with more free time!  Will and his wife, Amy, are still in Washington State.  We look forward to every chance we get to see them!  We love SKYPE! 

                   What a year 2010 has been for the Jenkins family.  We look forward to even more blessings in 2011, and pray the same for you and your family!  As always, if you ever come our way, even just passing through, we would love to see you or have you stay over a night or two!  Please keep in touch!

Love, Peace and Joy,

Charla & Richard, (Maggie, Marlee & Sadie, too) charlajenkins2002@gmail.com / www.rcjenkins.blogspot.com

 

A Cure for the Blahs

Today, I'm in a "BLAH" kind of mood. 

Wanna know why? 

Because I've been at school ALL DAY LONG with juniors!  Yep, I'm still at school, watching my students work on their Podcasting project.

And I have to be at school half a day tomorrow, too.  Now, I do appreciate the fact that I am here because I had Labor Day off and I will get Memorial Day off later.  But right now, I'm not sure which I'd rather have because it sure would be nice to be home like all of my other teacher friends. 

I've really had to give myself a pep talk, but it didn't seem to be working.

So, 6th period, I had a student find the cure for my blahs.

We are making Podcasts in class entitled, "Christmas Means."  They include "Christmas Means" statements, pictures, and voice overs.  The students have fun with them, and I enjoy watching their final products. 

Today, after everyone was through in 6th period, I hear, out of the blue, one of my students (who happens to be one of my favorites...shhh, don't tell anyone) say,

"IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COOL TO BE JESUS' STEP-DAD"  (referring to Joseph, of course) 

And I'm not sure why now, but I DIED laughing!  I couldn't stop.  I thought it was hilarious, but I think it was partly because of who it came from, too. 

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving day, and every day of the year!

I'm thankful for (in no real order):

-my freedom and the men and women who earned it and now keep it on a daily basis

-my family, who supports and loves me unconditionally and always has

-my husband, my best friend who knows me better than anyone in this world and will make the BEST daddy!

-I have to throw in there, I'm very thankful for a Fightin' Texas Aggie WIN over t.u. last night!  WHOOP!

-my home, including my pups that love on me and are happy to see me every day! 

-my friends; I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for.  Some, I've known since I was a child and some are fairly new, but they're all so very special to me. 

-my salvation...in the last 4 years my relationship with Jesus has grown leaps and bounds.  I know if it hadn't been for all we have been through and the challenges we still face in this pregnancy, I wouldn't be so in love with Him today.  Thank you, Jesus. 

As I sit in my parents' living room, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the blessings in my life!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Y'ALL! 



   "Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name!"  1 Chronicles 29:13

Well, Blends, I apologize for the lack of posting in the last week.  Between Spring Break and an illness, I just haven't had the time and/or energy to think about it. 

I would like to fill you in on what's been going on in and around our hacienda for the last week.

First, though, I am happy to report that Joanne at Circle and Bloom kept her promise (as I knew she would) and the new version of Track 23 is perfect!  Thanks, Joanne!  If you don't know what I'm referring to, look at the two posts below this one to catch up. If you are here because you are suffering with infertility or know someone who is, take a minute and hop on over to their website.  You can download a sample before purchasing.

Okay, back to me (that was for you, AKP)!

Last week was my Spring Break from school.  Most years I really look forward to this time, I mean counting down the days/hours/minutes until the final bell rings on Friday.  But this year I wasn't as enthusiastic and really for no reason.

Friday came and I woke up with a somewhat scratchy throat, but I didn't think much of it.  Well, throughout the day it got worse and worse and I'm pretty sure I was sportin' a low-grade fever most of it.  Low and behold, I ended up with a nasty cold/virus of some sort that I dealt with all of Spring Break...nice, huh?

The first part of the week had McH heading North to Oklahoma and then Kansas on the hunt for his new spray rig.  He finally found the perfect one, and it is being delivered today.  I honestly can't believe I just typed that.  It's like it makes it real if I type it (or say it aloud).  Here's a picture of what we pray will be part of a successful new endeavor for Jenkins Ag Services. 

The Beast

You know what I've realized?  I miss my friends.  I feel like life is so busy and things are so crazy, I haven't had an opportunity to sit down around a table with my friends and just visit.  I dream of some good girlfriends and a glass of wine.  Wednesday I did get a chance to visit with two friends while they took their kiddos to the park (thanks for that, Amy and Sharon) and we all agreed we just don't get to hang out enough.  I needed the visit and the sunshine! 

Do you ever crave your friends?  Sometimes I just want nothing more than to be around the people who know me the best and love me in spite of that knowledge; real friends are people you can totally be yourself around and know that even when you are acting like a fool, or maybe don't look your best, they love you anyway. 

Thursday we packed up and headed South to Aggieland.  Some of our dearest friends just built a beautiful new home and invited us to come down and stay and help with their annual crawfish boil.  We had a great time and always LOVE getting to visit our old stomping grounds.  Lindsay and Rob actually live about 30 minutes from College Station so we just didn't have time to visit our other friends and family that lives there also.  We did get to see our former Sunday school teachers because they came to the crawfish boil.  I will admit...when they left, I cried.  I miss so much about College Station, and this sweet couple are some of the best people I know.  We love them like they are family, and every time we see them, it's like it hasn't been any time at all.  They were missionaries in Argentina and Costa Rica for many years, so we spent quite a bit of time talking about my trip to Peru this summer.  We will be back in a couple of months, so hopefully we will get to visit with more people then.  

While we were gone, it snowed in Childress.  I thought Spring had sprung!?  Guess the Texas Panhandle didn't get the message.  

We got back to town early this morning...2 a.m. to be exact and so I didn't actually get to bed until about 2:30.  I was EXHAUSTED this morning, and barely able to function.  Here's the reason we got home so late...

That's us, pulling a trailer full of steel pipe.  It took us 2 extra hours to get home because we had to stop and check on things, and we couldn't drive very fast with our load.  Add to that it was dark and the traffic was pretty heavy with Spring Breakers making the trek home, and it made for an extra long trip back.  

You should have seen us all stuffed into the cab of McH's truck.  We had plenty of room, but it was quite a sight with 3 dogs, 2 humans and all of our junk.  

Maggie and Marlee had a place set up in the back seat.  Sadie was back there, too some of the time.

But she also liked to join us in the front.  Look at her sitting like a little lady.  Every once in a while she'd get a little snack if I dropped a piece of popcorn "accidentally".

But I think the real reason she liked it in the front seat was because her daddy let her do this...and he scratched her head from time to time. 

She's no fool.  

So, it's Monday and we are back to the day to day grind.  I'm almost finished with a really good study called Being a Disciple: Counting the Real Cost by Kay Arthur.  

When I'm through, I look forward to sharing with you a little bit about the study itself and some of the things God is showing me through it.  It's been one of those studies that I'm not sure I want to finish because I know I'm going to be called to action and I'm not sure it's going to be easy.   

I LOVE...

My dear friend, Julia, posted something similar to this on her blog in honor of Valentine's Day.  I thought it was such a good idea I would just copy it!  Plus, I've been in a real funk the last couple of days, for many reasons, but the biggest being I'm just plain tired (read: exhausted to the point of tears).  So, in no particular order, here are a few of the things I love.

McHotterson (aka: the hubs, in case this is your first rodeo with the cowgirl)
my pups
riding horses
Jesus
old country music
good, good girlfriends
laughing so hard it hurts
forgiveness
fruit of any kind
wildflowers
Texas thunderstorms
James Taylor
Texas A&M
the Loft
coffee
dry humor
Bible studies
my parents' house
Emmaus
blogging
being a Lala to my nephews
snuggling
sweet kisses
vocabulary words
ice cream
holidays
travel
The Olympics
Subway
cucumbers
public speaking
organization
babies
sarcasm
learning
nerds
Mom and Dad...I'm so blessed.
ambition
Miranda Lambert
jean Fridays
intelligence
Lost
KLOVE
Spanish
NeedToBreathe
really good harmony
books
sisters-in-law
the first days of Fall
Concan
Marble Slab
housekeeper
thinking about being a Mommy

A new year...a new focus.

**CLARIFICATION**:  I've gotten some questions and concerns about some of the things in this post, so let me clarify...

First, no, I am not quitting my job.  The business we are looking into is something for Richard and he won't be quitting his job, either.  It will be something he does on the side, but something that he has really been researching and praying about.  

Second, we are not moving away from Childress.  We are always looking for the possibility of a good business deal by getting into another house.  Plus, eventually we are going to need more room and our house is TINY!  So, we're considering putting our house on the market and seeing what happens.  Again, right now, just a good possibility, but things we are praying about

 Today is the first day of 2010, and with it comes great promises and hope for our family.  Here are a few of the things I am looking forward to in the coming year.  These aren't necessarily resolutions, just things on my heart and in my prayers.

-a successful school year

-a possible new business

-a possible move (in town)

-pregnancy

-a trip to Peru

-getting back in shape again

-learning a little more Spanish

-being a more attentive wife

-working another Emmaus walk

And most importantly...

-growing in, with, and through my heavenly Father, holding TIGHT to the joy he has buried deep in my soul.

Go here to read a short piece on Christ in 2010.

Here's a little excerpt to pique your interest.


God does his greatest work on the anvil of our afflictions. Out of the fiery furnace of your trials, your faith produces an imperishable spiritual treasure. So Christian, look to the future with the utmost confidence knowing that God is at work. He will have His glory and will work all things together for your good.

Reader's Beware!

You might turn green with envy when you read what my parents got me (and my SIL) for Christmas this year.  I hope you aren't really jealous, and will just put it on your wish list for next year or your birthday, or anniversary.  Maybe Valentine's Day?  No matter WHEN.  As long as you get one.  Soon.

Any avid reader most likely knows what a KINDLE is.  If you don't, google it.  It's impressive. 

I've been drooling over them for the last two years, but never in a million years imagined I would open a gift this Christmas to find my very own waiting for me. 

I was shocked.  Speechless.  But ever so grateful.  Really. 

Poor McH.  He might not get to have even a simple conversation with me on our way home tomorrow morning. 

Yes, we are headed back to Ctown EARLY in the morning. 

We are leaving mid-30's to mid-40's weather, and headed to snow on the ground.  Secretly, I'm kind of looking forward to that.  Christmas and the New Year celebrations are just a smidge better with snow.  I know some of you reading this are wanting to strangle me through the computer screen.

So, cheers to good books on a KINDLE, and big fires because it's snowing outside! 

Crafting with Fonts

I'm working on a project but because it is a Christmas present for someone I know sees this blog, I can't go into details yet.  I will do so after Christmas.  But until then, I do want to share something I found during my crafting (**gasp**...did I just say CRAFTING??).

For my project, I wanted to find some really fun and maybe even funky fonts online.  During my search I found a blog/website with all sorts of fun fonts on it. 

You do have to have a Stuffit Expander because the fonts are uploaded as Zip's, but once you do that, you are home free. 

The website is here, so go and play!

It's Not About All That

February 25th started the Lenten season. I gave up Diet Sodas because that was a true sacrifice for me. But it's not about all that.

The candy aisles are stocked with many delectable treats; and just as on all the other main stream holidays, we will buy a few bags because who can pass up malted eggs at Easter? But it's not about all that.

The babes are all excited about hunting Easter eggs and what they will find when they pop open the plastic shells. But it's not about all that.

Every major department store will have major sales on sweet, smocked dresses and precious, navy pants so we, especially the kids, can look just perfect for Easter Sunday church. But it's not about all that.

We will, once again, practice the annual family traditions, especially the grub! But it's not about all that.

Here's what it's all about...

Do You Know What Today Is?

Yes, it is February 25th, but that wasn't what I was asking. Today is the first day of the Lenten season, which will last forty days, through April 11th, the day before Easter, the day of Christ's Resurrection. Many of you know, I was raised in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and am very proud of those roots. My ancestry goes back generations in the church, all the way back to its origin in Scotland. And, my parents were both raised Presbyterian, so it scales my genealogy on both sides of my family.

So, when I married a Southern Baptist man, and we decided to become part of the First Baptist Church in College Station, I was conflicted to say the least. That's an entirely different post, and I will get to it someday. The point is, I had to give up some of the observances and traditions I was so accustomed to in the FPC because they weren't part of the FBC.

One of these customs is observing the Lenten season. (There are some Baptist churches that do observe Lent, but the church, as a whole, does not). Most people associate Lent with Roman Catholicism, but this is not entirely accurate. So, I did some research and found several explanations of Lent, what it means, and who observes it/doesn't observe it and why.

I love the ancient tradition and the implications of the Lenten season. I like the idea of observing, just as our Christian predecessors did, the act of giving something up (in their case it was food in the form of fasting), for forty days. I always saw this as a way to sacrifice SOMETHING of myself, as Jesus sacrificed ALL of himself. I am not equating the two, mind you.

So, I am posting below the information I found and I hope it helps you to better understand, if you don't already, what Lent is all about and how it can be a time of personal growth.

Also, I am going to join a Lent Reading Plan on Biblegateway.com. It is a daily reading from the Bible (40 days total), starting in Matthew and reading through the Gospels and ending in 1 Corinthians. I am excited about starting my days reflecting on these passages in anticipation of the Resurrection, Easter Sunday! I encourage you to join, too!


Please read:

The information below was taken from Chris Bonts's blog, senior pastor at a Baptist church in Auburn, Alabama.

Isn't Lent a Roman Catholic thing? The answer to this question is Yes and No. Yes, Roman Catholics observe Lent, but so do Presbyterians, Methodists, Anglicans, and Lutherans. Just because the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) observes Lent, however, does not mean that we are somehow sacrificing the gospel or identifying with the RCC with our observance. Lent, as a church observance, actually preceded the formation of the RCC by at least 200 years. The early Christian theologian Irenaeus (who was a disciple of Polycarp, who was himself a disciple of the disciple John), wrote of the early church's observance of Lent in the mid-second century. At that time Lent did not last forty days, but it was a pre-Easter time of preparation and focus for the church. Granted, Baptists have not traditionally observed Lent (this reality is owed to our free church tradition and general eschewal of all things liturgical), but that does not mean that we should not or cannot take an extended period of time to prepare for our Easter celebrations.

The Who, What, When, and Where of Lent When Lent first began to be observed in the church, it was common practice to baptize new Christians once a year. The baptisms took place on Easter. All new Christians were discipled (catechized) from the time they trusted in Christ until Easter when they were Baptized. The early churches, in an effort to help these young Christians grasp the significance of both their baptism and Easter celebrations, required them to fast for forty hours prior to their baptism. The fast was then broken after their baptism when the church celebrated its Easter feast. Gradually the entire church began to observe Lent as a way to prepare for their church's Easter celebrations. The length of time gradually was extended from forty hours to forty days. The number forty was intended to remind the Christian of the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness and the forty days Jesus spent fasting alone in the desert prior to the public launch of his ministry that would carry him to the cross. The Israelites wandered because of their disobedience; Jesus purposely sought out the desert to fast and pray in preparation for his ministry, a ministry that would ultimately reconcile us to God the Father. The observance of Lent has remained forty days since that time.

But Why Lent? Just because we have answered the question of the origins of Lent does not necessarily mean that we should observe it. We first need to answer the question of why. There are two reasons why I desire for CrossRoad Church to observe Lent. The primary reason has to do with the original intent of the observance. The early church asked new Christians to observe Lent to impress upon them the significance of their redemption and the celebration of Easter. Eventually it became important enough that all Christians were asked to observe it. I want the members of CrossRoad Church to use the next few weeks as a time to accomplish the same objective in their lives. That is why we have chosen the specific Bible studies and sermon emphases we will be following in the next few weeks. The second reason why I desire for CrossRoad Church to observe Lent is because I want our folks to grasp the fact that we stand in continuity with early church and all those that have been redeemed by Christ in the past 2,000 years. The church did not start the day we were redeemed, it started the day of Pentecost. I want our church to develop a sense of their spiritual heritage.

Survival Mode

Any of you who are teachers will understand when I say we educators will do just about anything to keep our students calm and focused the week before any holiday, but most especially the week before Christmas. So, last year I stole an idea (as ALL good teachers do) from Mrs. Kirkpatrick. Using iMovie I gave the students an assignment I call "Christmas Means" podcast.

Basically, they are asked to come up with at least 8 phrases to finish the statement, "Christmas Means..." Then, they find pictures to go with each of the statements, a Christmas song to play in the background and finally they record their voices reading off the statements they came up with.

Some chose to use humor, which was perfectly fine and actually welcomed. Others chose to be serious which was okay, too. As always, some of the results were amazing.

And, as any good teacher does, I worked right along with them, making my own "Christmas Means" podcast. I love this project for several reasons. First, it allows the kids to look deeper inside themselves as to what Christmas really is about to them personally. Second, it allows me a moment of witness to my students about my beliefs and feelings towards the true meaning of Christmas, something I didn't truly appreciate until long into my adulthood. Lastly, it keeps my students focused and calm the last week before Christmas break. Not to mention the majority of them love the project itself because it involves iTunes, their voice and the computer. The only thing they might rather be doing in my class is watching a movie or sleeping, the latter of which is not even an option and the former of which already happened before Thanksgiving and therefore won't happen again this school year.

Anyway, here is my "Christmas Means" podcast, as well as a link to my English 2 blog where you can then link to my students' blogs and see their podcasts. Some of them didn't get to publish to their blogs because the server was down Friday. But keep looking and you'll find a few that did manage to get them published! If you do go look, please leave them a comment. They would love that!

www.redriverenglishtwo.blogspot.com

Before you begin playing the podcast, scroll all the way to the bottom of my blog and stop the music!

Thanksgiving, Gravy, Jays, and Home Decor...How's That for a Post Title?

Our first Thanksgiving was the feast at church. I was blessed to be able to help with it and I truly had a great time (my only complaint was my poor choice of footwear)! The preparation started Saturday morning. The women on the hostess committee gathered to begin cooking and decorating. My favorite part of the whole day was getting to know some of the older women a little bit better. I asked the woman making giblet gravy how many times she thought she had made it. She thought and finally said, "Well, I was married in '48, so I'd say at least 65 times, but probably more." I was blown away! So, I sat and listened while she explained the process got after chopping up those livers, gizzards and turkey necks!

The gravy lady working away!

The table arrangements.

Our Thanksgiving was a lot of fun! We were able to see family and some good friends and of course eat tons of great food!

We headed out Wednesday afternoon and got home late Sunday night.

Here are some pictures from our trip...
My mother's beautiful Thanksgiving table setting! There's something about coming home and eating at the dinner table of your childhood, you know?

My grandma (l) and our good family friend, Dude. We've had every Thanksgiving since I can remember with Dude and Jack and their family. My dad's cousin married Dude's daughter, so in some ways they really are family!

We were able to spend some really good quality time with some of our best friends, Aaron and Jill, and Aaron's twin brother and sister, Caleb and Cara. We try our best to play games almost every time we are in Uvalde over at their house. This time, we were playing Charoodles. If you've never played, it is SO MUCH FUN! Here is Aaron cracking up as he acts something out.
All the girls...Kathy, Cara, Jill, me, and Sami! We had such a good time and it was so good to spend time with these great girls. I LAUGHED SO HARD that I literally wore myself out and slept so well that night! Sami just had a baby girl in October; doesn't she look so great in that hot pink?

My parents live out in the country and have lots of birdfeeders in the front yard. One of the walls in their living room is all windows, so we sit and watch the birds all of the time. It is so peaceful. Anyway, this year as we were birdwatching, we noticed this very unusual bird. Upon further inspection and some asking around, we learned the bird is a Green Jay (like a Blue Jay). The unique and interesting thing about them is they rarely, if ever, have been seen this far North. Most of the time they don't come very far into Texas from the Mexican border in deep South Texas. So, they were a few hundred miles off course and no one really knows why. All I do know is they were BEAUTIFUL and I was completely enamored. I couldn't get enough of them and just took picture after picture. Here are a few of the best I got of them.
I also managed to get some pictures of other birds in the yard. Here's a cardinal, all puffed up, sitting on the fence.

If you look hard, you can pick out a couple of whitewing doves in the shrubbery around the outside of the yard.

And finally, here are a couple of pics that have nothing to do with Thanksgiving other than I put these up just before the break. These are from the company, Uppercase Living and I just love them. I must admit, because of our textured walls it was quite a workout putting them up, but it was totally worth the final outcome!

In the entryway...

In the living room above my new-ish iron piece. I LOVE THIS!!!

To all my fellow Panhandlers...BUNDLE UP, IT'S GONNA BE A COLD ONE TOMORROW!

What's Up?

Okay, first I must ask...what's up with http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/? I know some of you have gotten your backgrounds from them, too, and mine has been acting all funky for a couple of days with the mustard color in the background instead of the brown and hearts. So, I just went to their website and it said it was unavailable. What the heck? It makes me wonder if they were illegal or something? Yikes. I just want my dang background back, please! The sidebar is almost impossible to read now. I'll have to work on it.

UPDATE: After I typed that last sentence, I decided I needed to do so right then, so I'm back from my investigation. The website is still not coming up, but my background is back. I went to their blog and they said they were having server issues as of yesterday. I'm just glad my background is here again! Hopefully to stay this time!

Where do I start? I haven't posted in about 5 days which is highly unusual for me. What's sad is it isn't necessarily because we've been exponentially busy. Not really. Life has just been going. Let's see if I can catch you all back up on this Cowgirl's life the last five days.

I have been playing with my new camera a bunch! Is love an appropriate affection to have for a piece of technology that cannot love me back? I don't care if you said "no" because I will still say it...I LOVE my new camera!

I will share some of my playing throughout the post.

So, the first thing I can remember right now about the last week is early, I think Tuesday morning, I let the pups out for their morning stretch and business. Since the fence has been "down" or "propped" as it is now, and since their last Houdiniesque escape, I have not trusted to leave them outside for any length of time alone. I have been getting up at 5:30 (ugh, during my summer break that is TOTALLY not fair...pass the cheese, please), to let the potty and have waited at the door with them, or just went back to the bed for a few minutes. This time I fell asleep. I think I was out for an hour or so, and when I woke up can you guess what I found? Well, I'll tell you what I didn't find...two schnauzers in our backyard. Yep, once again they had SOMEHOW escaped. What's that little quip..."fool me once, shame on you," etc... Long story short, after a while of driving around, looking like death warmed over mind you, someone called from the clinic across the street from us and had the girls. I told McHotterson that I gave them a stern talking to on the way home and they were not allowed to be outside for any extended period of time alone. We found the problem and McH fixed it, but I still don't trust them. So, until the new fence is in, too bad, so sad for the schotzies!

Maggie Louise...the older and much wiser baby schnauzer.

Marlee Jane...the younger and more adventurous one.

McH went to the dr. and is on meds for a sinus infection. I'm sure you were really excited to hear that. I started running. Oh, yes. Those of you who know me, are thinking...wait, laughing and thinking, "yeah, right." But it's true. I have started the Couch Potato to 5K program from http://www.coolrunning.com/. Some friends of mine have done it, and one has lost over 30 pounds in 3 months or so and is getting into really great shape. The other got pregnant, so I'd say she has a pretty good reason to stop but I'm sure will start again afterwards. So, I started this on Thursday and I ran Thursday and Friday. You are supposed to space your running out, so I am going to go to the gym MWF to run and T/Th just to lift weights. I do NOT want to workout on the weekends. I have been praying diligently for a direction as far as my motivation to work out goes. God has really answered that prayer (partly when my jeans don't fit me when I wake up in the morning, which is supposed to be your skinniest time of the day, right?). I would really appreciate your supplication for this part of my life. I need workout less for losing weight, and more for getting in shape, but mostly for my mental and emotional health. I've heard running can really minister to these needs, as well. I hope I can stick with it, at least for the 9 weeks of the program.

We have no pool in C-town because the country club pool was destroyed in the tornado and because the NEW country club will be opened to the public in September as far as the pool goes. So, the powers-that-be decided we didn't need the old pool this summer since the new one would be here soon. WHAT? There are some people in serious chlorine withdrawl mode. Some have even resorted to renting pools and inviting over friends. See, this is where having a kid would really come in handy. They are renting for birthday parties. Do you think I could get away with it if I brought a gift? Hmm...Steph?? Hee hee. So, it's hot as blue blazes and there is no place to splash around and get your tosies wet...well, unless you want to brave the city pool. Let's just say the sign for the rule, "There's no P in our OOL, let's keep it that way," either doesn't exist or, well, I'm not sure what. I just know I'm a chicken.

We've been out riding horses a bunch this week. We actually bought another mare this week, too. She's 18, and has basically been out to pasture for the last 11 years and just used for breeding. Nevertheless, she acts like she's been ridden every day and with some work on her ground skills, I think she's going to be great! She came with the name Shenandoah, but I didn't really like it so it will be changing. Any suggestions? I'm open to some help! I had a little scary incident on her the other day, but again it was really more me than her. I'm getting so much better but still have so far to go. Sometimes I get frustrated with my riding, but I know it's just one of those things you have to keep doing in order to get better. I'll get there. Just pray I don't break anything or have a nervous breakdown before then. So, now we have 3 horses of our own...Liesel, Buckwheat, and the yet-to-be-named mare.

My tomato plants finally started putting on fruit. They are DELICIOUS! Here are two of them. There are about 15 more that I've counted but haven't turned red yet. I've already eaten one a week or so ago.

I'm bonafide. Don't laugh. I really am. According to me, I'm bonafide. As you can tell from the name of this blog, since I was little I've always wanted to be a cowgirl. We had livestock growing up and I wore my boots and jeans all the time, but I wanted to ride horses and live on a cattle ranch. We're working our way to the entirety of the dream, but half is not bad. Why am I bonafide you ask? Well, I just acquired my first pair of GENUINE spurs and leathers! Yep, if you hear a jingle jangle coming up behind you, I'm not begging for change. Just check out the back of my boots! I seriously was so excited that I even felt embarrassed for myself. Does that ever happen to you? Probably not. But, no matter. I always thought spurs were a little showy, but they actually DO help you a lot when you're riding. I was having the worst time getting a couple of the horses I've been riding to get going because I'm still scared to kick the daylights out of 'em!

Leathers and spurs...

In detail...what would we do without Ebay?

Now, just a little nudge with my spurs and they're off. Richard just laughs (really rolls his eyes and chuckles) at me and tolerates me. He's so over all this new "stuff" that makes me happy andexcites me. He's so been there, done that. Ha. But can I tell you, he lives up to his name, McHotterson, when he's on a horse. Oh, I could just die. I love to watch him ride and to watch him work with the horses, especially his colt. He's so patient and knowledgeable. Plus, he's SO CUTE in his boots and jeans and hat, all sweaty but so happy. It makes me really proud and I get a little weepy thinking that I am literally watching his dreams come true before our eyes. This is all he's ever wanted and it's finally started to happen for him. How awesome is our God? Beyond my comprehension, friends.

Friday we went out to Francesca's and family's for a little mini 4th celebration complete with weiners, 'Smores, and fireworks. They are building a BEAUTIFUL new house out on the family farm, complete with a stocked tank so all the kiddos fished and rode the 4-wheeler. We had a great time with great friends.

Saturday was the city's fireworks show. So, we rode horses all day and then cleaned up to watch the show with McH's parents and grandmother. We even had homemade chocolate ice cream made by his mom. Yummy! What is it about homemade ice cream on the 4th of July? So Amercian, don't you think? Although it was a day late this year, the fireworks show is always so impressive to me because C-town is so small. It is one of those high dollar shows that they have to train someone to execute. This is actually why we had to have it a day late...the guy couldn't make it until the day after the 4th. Here's a little video (yes, shot with my new camera...hee hee). PLEASE ignore the annoying voice and laughing (mine) in the background. Who likes their own voice on video? I'm pretty sure no one! Ew.

We tried to take our traditional self-portrait but this is what we got FOUR times in a row! By the fourth take we were laughing so hard we just gave up and settled. I seriously could NOT keep from blinking at the flash. I tried. No avail. But I'm smiling thinking about it, so maybe that was the plan all along. ;)

This morning we didn't make it to church because McH got a phone call from a friend in crisis. We have a good friend, newly married, brand-new baby, lots of debt, and now he's getting divorced...not even married a year. It breaks our hearts and we feel so helpless. Please keep him in your daily prayers. He sure needs them.

So, after a couple of hours on the phone with him, McH decides he wants to FINALLY clean the garage! Alleluia! He's been saying he was going to do it for weeks, so I was ecstatic. We worked SO HARD in the heat, and we ended up cleaning both the garage and the storage building in the backyard. We had so much we wanted to move from one to the other, we ended up cleaning both. They look GREAT! McH still has some work to do on his workbench to complete the cleansing, but it feels SO good to have it all organized. We even put Christmas boxes up in the attic, something I've been wanting to do since we moved in! Sigh.

Here are a couple of pics, but it isn't quite finished yet and I don't have any after shots or progress. These are both before...



Then, about 5:30 we get a call from our great friends Nathan and Aaron Phillips. Nathan is training in Altus and Aaron, his twin brother, was coming up to visit him. We met them in Quanah at The Depot for dinner and some great conversation. The place closed at 8:00 and we were still there at 8:30. Oops. Sorry waiter and waitresses.

The boys...Rich, Aaron, and NathanNathan, Aaron, Cowgirl, McH

When we finally got home after dinner and then feeding horses, I remembered something I forgot. Don't you hate it when you do that? Only this was so dumb. I was feeding the dogs, and I all of a sudden realized and blurted out, "McH, I forgot Bible Study tonight." So, it's one thing to forget and not go, but when you are co-leading it and you are the one who usually brings the discussion questions with you, it is quite embarrassing! Oh sheesh. I feel so bad I let all those ladies down. And, what in the world was I thinking? I guess I was so focused on the garage clean-up, it just slipped my mind. I even talked about the study tonight when I was retelling the tornado story tonight at dinner and I STILL didn't realize that tonight was Sunday night, which means Bible study! McH says that's what we get for skipping church today. Another, sigh. He was kidding, of course.

Some of you have specifically asked for pictures of me riding. So, Corrie, Mom, Amy and anyone else interested, these are for YOU! This is me riding the new mare.

NEXT POST: Videos!

Spring Break: It Does A Body Good

Among other things. The much anticipated SB is soaring by, as always! I have taken this time off of school as an opportunity...to sleep and be lazy! It sounds fantastic, I know, but I actually am feeling pretty pathetic about it if you want to know the truth. You know it's bad when you watch so much television your eyes are literally burning, you have a headache and you know you are dehydrated because you haven't been off the couch in five hours to get anything to drink.

I HAVE gotten some things done...washed all the laundry and even ironed quite a bit, thoroughly cleaned room by room in the house, and while I was working on our bedroom, I washed and dried our comforter (LOVE that smell when I climb in bed), and cleaned out clothes I haven't worn in the last year (or sadly, more), to give away or THROW away. That was a great feeling. I had been needing to do that for too long and now I have a 30-gallon trash bag full of clothes. Unfortunately, there is no where to take them in Childress. I even called the Chamber of Commerce but no luck. The Baptist church used to be in charge of a ministerial alliance, but it doesn't do it anymore. How sad. There is no place to donate clothes in a town of 7,000 + people...well, at least not one I've been able to locate. So, I will take the bag with me the next time I'm in the city, I suppose, and donate to Goodwill there.

Richard and I have both had our teeth cleaned as of this a.m....don't you just love that feeling when you're teeth are SO clean they are slick on your tongue? I love it...I love getting my teeth cleaned. I also asked about my upper wisdom teeth. I only have the uppers, meaning I've NEVER had any on the bottom and was always told that until the top ones begin to bother me or shift my teeth or something, I could leave them in. Well, one has come through and a couple of weeks ago it was REALLY sore and tender...to the point I couldn't sleep on that side of my face. So, I asked about it today and was told it would probably be wise to extract it. And I thought it wise to go ahead and take both of them while we're there. So, late May, as soon as school is out, I'll be getting my wisdom teeth out. Yuck. But I was told the uppers are MUCH easier than lowers and you don't have to worry as much about dry socket and all of that. My brother did NOT have a good experience, so I hope mine is better. On a side note related to that...the hygienist who cleans our teeth is one of the SWEETEST people I know, and is 361 days older than me (her birthday is 4/14 and mine is 4/10). She and her husband are "good peeps" as Richard would say and it is probably one of the reasons I enjoy going to the dentist because we can chat. Today I mentioned something about going back and forth to Lubbock and she asked a couple of questions. Anyway, it just proved to me how many people are actually affected by infertility issues. They have been married 2 years longer than we have, and have been trying to get pregnant with no success. They finally have an answer, of which most would find disappointing at best, but for those of you who have struggled with infertility, you understand it is also a relief in and of itself, just to have an answer. I was just thinking as we were talking that even when I go somewhere totally obscure like the dentist, I find people who have experienced this crazy adventure I can relate to.


We finished the puzzle...well, I must admit Richard really did most of it. But in his sweet way, he called me over to the table a couple of nights ago, and had the last piece in his hand. He wanted me to fit it in place. Aww...but now what do we do with it?



Spring Break may be good for my body, but apparently not for my brain. Here's what happened this afternoon. What is wrong with me? I sit down for about 15 minutes and make out a very detailed grocery list. I leave for the store and on my way there, stop by the nail place to get an eyebrow wax (I've been in twice in the last 4 days only to be told to come back later b/c they were too busy). So, I decide to head over to Wal-Mart first for my groceries. I get to the parking lot and realize I forgot my aforementioned list...argh. So, I get in the car and drive ALL the way back home (a whole heaping 1/2 mile or so). I run in and decide to change into a t-shirt because my hoodie was too hot. I run in, grab the list, change and am back on my way to Wally World.

I know the post is long, but being cooped up in this house the last few days has made me a little stir-crazy and in need of a good "talk!"

A couple of posts back, I used a fertility/infertility cartoon. I thought I would start closing each post with one. They crack me up and remind me you really have to take all of this stuff with a grain of sand and keep a sense of humor about the whole thing. God's timing trumps ANY fertility treatment! Enjoy...


To those of you who are able to partake, Happy Spring Break!