"Sing in a normal voice"

This was Bayleigh's request...but I'm not sure Jolie's "normal voice" was any different from the voice she started singing with :) In the second video, Jolie sings You Are My Sunshine and then a song they sing at school called "Jump Up & Down"...which she sings to her friend Hanna.

Preschool Drama

Today was Jolie's first day of preschool drama, a class given by Zach Scott. She'll be acting out stories, playing "dramatic" games, face painting and much more. The class meets once a week and ends in December. Should be an adventure to remember!

Be Happy...

Even if you have a tough day...too cute

Kyndal Britt Peevey Has Arrived!

Becky & Don Peevey's 3rd child (and only girl!) was born today. I can't wait to meet her :)

Ever Wish Your Load Could Be Lightened?

Yep...so do I. But what would I learn from that? This pondering was sparked by an email I received from Karin W. today. Here it is:

"Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,

There will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall,

But God's always ready, to answer your call...

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,

A word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, at dawn's early light ...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

To give you His grace, and send you His love..

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,

"God always sends rainbows....after the rain ..."

Travis' 25th

Tonight we celebrated my brother Travis' 25th birthday at our house. Mom, Dad, Gma & Pa Broz, MaMa and Aunt Lynn came. We feasted on Tacos and banana split ice cream cake.

Back at the Ranch

This afternoon we went back out to mom and dad's ranch. Cameron & Joey rode 4 Wheelers and then we all went down to the river to swim. The kids had fun in the mud (must have been reminiscing last night's mud races) and I relaxed in the shade next to our fine ranch mobile (compliments of Mr. Wentlandt...er...thank you for the gift...er....I guess). Oh yeah, and thanks mom for loaning me the (also very fine) visor :)

Big Night Out in Florence, TX

We did the ONLY thing there is to go out and do here in Florence on a Saturday night (besides cruise the convenient store parking lots with the local teenagers)...we went to the mud races. Oh my. Let's just say if I homeschooled my kids...this would've been their course in Rural Culture 101. Oh and for anyone interested...Joey is extremely inspired and is seeking a sponsor so he and my brother can take up this fine hobby. Jolie made friends with a little girl named Riley. They had a big time running around with their fingers in their ears. Cameron was with us, so he and Bay had a good time...and of course Joey was in hog heaven!

My baby is growing up...

When I look at old videos like these, I'm reminded of how fast kids grow :(
This is my sweet Bayleigh...

4 Wheeler Fun

Bayleigh & Levi (neighbor down the street) are having fun at our house with the 4 wheeler today. Take note of Bay's "4 Wheelin' shoes." And even when Levi takes her down the hill, she's sure to hold on to that shoe! Girls will be girls :)

House Pics: Entry, Kitchen, Living

House Pics: Back & Side of House

Weekend

Saturday the girls and I went to Cameron's football game (he's #81). He plays for Thrall and they were here playing Florence. We were traitors and sat on the Thrall side so we could visit with Donna, Jimmy and the gang. Cameron's team won :)

Saturday evening, the girls and I went down to a neighbor's house and visited. The girls played and fed their horses. It was great to get to know some neighbors. Then I took the girls into the big city of Florence...lol...and we ate burgers at D.Boone's. Bayleigh says it's named that because Florence is in the boonies.

Sunday we went to church in Florence. The girls went to their Sunday School classes and Joey and I attended one for couples that was led by the pastor. Everyone was really friendly and the pastor had lots of personality. He started his sermon out by sitting in a lazy boy recliner...and talked about how we Christians get too "comfortable." It was a good one - and good timing.

Sunday afternoon, Travis and Candace stopped by to see the house - and then Robyn and John did the same. After the left, our family of four went out to mom and dad's ranch to swim in the river. After the swim, Joey went dove hunting while the girls and I relaxed at moms house. I wish I would've taken pics of the swim....Joey and the girls were having mud fights and were all covered in river mud :)

Cats & Donkey's

Two cats came with the house we bought. Just wild cats who come around in the afternoon, stay for the night and are usually gone by mid morning. One is female, one is male. Our cat, Dixie, isn't real happy about this arrangement. My kids on the other hand love the extra cats. The female hasn't let us pet her yet, but she likes to sit on the outside kitchen window sill. The male (pictured above) loves to be pet and purrs louder than a diesel truck. Jolie named the male "Prince Eric." Maybe from a Barbie movie? I really don't know.

Our neighbors have two donkey's...and I've forgotten their names (the donkey's, not the neighbors). They love carrots and will hang out by our fence if you feed them. The girls love them.

Civilization Has Arrived

Oh yes...the frivolous luxuries I took for granted while living in Walnut Creek, CA and Cedar Park. Things like cell phone signal, high speed internet, and cable tv. I know it sounds so superficial, but c'mon how's a girl living in the boonies supposed to "connect" with the outside world if these luxuries are absent :) So as of today, with the help of my super smart hubby and the friendly people at Dish Network...I can get online daily if I'd like and watch some good 'ole television in the evening to relax! Super smart hubby is continuing his work (at this very moment) on the cell phone signal issue.

Top Ten Reasons to Date Your Wife Frequently

I came across this article during one of my online reading sessions and thought I'd share. I'm not sure why it's title "Top Ten Reasons to Date Your Wife Frequently"... I guess it pertains to us wives also...and reasons we should continue to date our husbands :)

By Carwin Dover

The hecticness of work, community service projects, church activities and family often relegates a marriage relationship to the bottom of the list. At times, it is necessary to give attention to others. It is also important to keep something else in mind: Your spouse is the one most likely to be with you when you are teetering around with a cane! With that in mind, take time to date your spouse regularly. Here are a few reasons why.

1. Marriage Relationships are Dynamic. They are alive and always changing. They need to be fed and stimulated to stay alive.

2. There is Always Something New about Your Spouse. Dating is a good way to create a safe environment. Your spouse is more likely to let you know "what's new!"

3. Invest in the Future. Just like a savings account, it is easier to add a little to an existing account and watch it grow than to start a new one from scratch. That's because the interest grows exponentially over time.

4. You got Married Because You Dated! It only stands to reason that a good way to stay married is to keep dating.

5. Marriage can be Compared to a Set of Tires. During the course of driving, there is normal wear and tear. Dating serves to maintain alignment, balance and pressure. When done well, your marriage will last a lifetime.

6. Dating is an Opportunity to Focus. Day in and day out, distractions pull your attention away from your spouse. Dates help refocus on the person at the top of your priority list.

7. Remember the Good Times! A good date will often bring up pre-marriage memories. Recalling memories can generate anticipation for your next meeting.

8. Create Your Future. Dates lay the framework for future family gatherings. Great dates attract your spouse and family to want to spend time with you.

9. Laughter is the Best Medicine. Reader's Digest says so! It must be true. Laughing together makes it possible to hurt together when you must.

10. Remind Your Spouse, "I Love You!" There are many ways to say, "I love you!"

School Bus

Bayleigh rode the school bus home for the first time yesterday. It wasn't the first time she's ever ridden a bus, but it was the first time she's been on one for 1.5 hours to her house in the middle of nowhere. She actually had a great time. With a school as small as hers (there are only 15 kids in her class), the odds were in her favor. A couple of kids from her class were on her bus. She met Levi who also gets off on our street. Contrary to your wild imaginations (especially my friends in Cali...haha), Bay's bus did not resemble any of the photos below :) And...while we have bus stop signs on the county road in front of our subdivision...none of them have the no shooting warning attached...but maybe they should...lol

Reflection

Tension can run high at my house. Usually, it's outside factors that flare it up. You know, the kids have destroyed something that wasn't intended for them to play with in the first place, it starts raining during our move and our stuff gets wet...and the list goes on. While some incidents are avoidable, others are completely out of our control. So why get so worked up?

I've always tried to remember the saying "this too shall pass," and know that whatever difficult/trying time I encounter will eventually pass. I think the following quote that came in an email devotional today really puts it better than "this too shall pass."

"The reality is that authentic Christianity is not something that avoids the difficulties of life, sweeping them under the rug of faith. Real Christianity is something that embraces life as it is – with all its difficulties and struggles – seeing that what is, is not what will always be, that things can change."

Being Christian doesn't grant "immunity" from life's challenges...but as Christians we can find comfort in knowing that God will not give us anything we cannot handle, and difficult times "are what they are"...but will not always be...because life changes by the second.

As a mom, I can apply this to my daily trials - even though they aren't what some would consider major difficulties. When the kids seem to have accident after accident, or talk so much I find it irritating...I need to remember that this stage in life will not always be. My girls will not be little for long. Soon the small accidents around the house will become fewer - and it'll be larger accidents involving cars or sports that I'll worry about. Soon they will be teenagers and I'll long for the days when they were little...telling me every intricate detail about their day and talking just to talk. These times "are what they are" and as a mom I need to let every detail soak in and enjoy it rather than let the small things build tension....because life changes by the second, and someday my little girls won't be so little. Sniff, sniff.

Moved In

We've officially moved in our new house in Florence. We're still working on the unpacking task, but we are making headway. I don't have continuous internet access at this time...so I'll post pics and more when that day comes...in the near future I hope! I still have to get back over to the Cedar Park house to clean before closing on it. More to come soon...