Happy 14th Birthday, Tyler!

Today Tyler (Biscuit from the "Chronicles of Biscuit" stories) is 14 years old!  He's grown many inches over the past year, but has also grown in other ways.  He's more mature, becoming a young man rather than little boy.  He still gives me hugs, so I'm adjusting with his maturity. I tell him those can never stop! :)

I love having a child with a "winter" time birthday, and it's especially fun having one near Christmas. He didn't care what kind of party he had, just cared about the food!  He okayed a rustic theme, so it was fun decorating with red and black buffalo checks, wood-looking items, and his "tree stump" cake with a camping theme on top.

It's hard to see, but the cake has a red/black buffalo checkered tent, a little campfire, and marshmallows around the bottom, mostly just because I turned the cake board over for the cake to sit on and the greasy icing was making the board look bad. Marshmallows covered it up!

Tyler's next oldest brother and his girlfriend, Camry helped make the banner for me. They did a great job!

Blow out the candles! I didn't have 14 of them. Think I had 10 - oops!

Then this morning, Tyler got to have a non-typical breakfast of donuts!  Since our elf is a permanent fixture and always will be around here, I'm blaming him (Buddy) for the donuts! 

Happy birthday, Tyler!

You are such a blessing to our family. I can't imagine what it would be like without you in the family and wouldn't want to.  You bring joy, laughter, and special moments to our family by your personality.  You're a combination of your two brothers - a little "serious and clean cut" like Zachary and a little "crazy rough and tumble" like Jacob! Ha ha! You think that makes you perfect to be a little like both of them. I won't go so far as to say perfect, but it is pretty neat!  

Thank you for being YOU. Thank you for the example you are to those around you. I pray that you always keep God at front and center of your life, that you continue to walk in the steps of Jesus - striving to live your life always for Him, and that you continue to grow in Him and in your service of the church.  Never forget that THOSE THINGS are most important - not the things of the world.

I love you to the moon and back, forever and always. 

LOVE, MOM

1st Day of School!

It's "back to school" for our two youngest children.  They were actually excited, but not necessarily for school.  Jacob is excited because he's a Senior this year, and Tyler is excited about football and FFA.  Neither are excited about the academic/learning part! Ha ha!  I suppose that's typical of most teens.  Actually it's probably true of many/most adults, too.  I know in our small town football is highly anticipated this time of year!

Because we had two extra weeks of summer this year due to our school ending in early May for budget cuts, it actually seemed like a long summer.  Those two extra weeks were great! I wouldn't mind us doing that all of the time.

It is also nice that the two college kids are still home.  It makes it not so quiet and lonely on this first day of school.  They'll be leaving soon, then I will have to get into my regular "school time" routine.  I usually get there after Labor Day.

I pray that these two boys have a great school year.  More importantly, I pray that they let their lights shine brightly for Jesus.  I pray that they are kind and compassionate to others.  I pray that they look out for those who may be sad or lonely.  I pray that they stay on the straight and narrow path.  And I pray that they always know that I am praying for them each and every day.

Family Fun Day

Sunday we had Thanksgiving lunch after morning class and worship, followed by an afternoon worship.  These days give families a block of time to do things on Sunday afternoon that are different from the regular "evening worship" schedules with the hours broken up into afternoon and evening.  For our family, we've been using those afternoons to rest and get caught up.

This time we decided to go somewhere.  We headed to the Wildlife Refuge and later ate at Meers. (Which, in our opinion, isn't the same as it used to be.  The cobbler and ice cream made up for it in my husband and older son's opinion!).

It was a cool, overcast day with a lot of wind, but it was still pretty being out in nature at the Refuge.

The flash on the camera actually provided a mock "sunlight" that caused the pretty colors of the trees and bushes to stand out. 

We toured the Refuge Visitor's Center, checking out the buffalo and other exhibits.

We went to the Holy City, which our youngest had never been to and the next oldest didn't remember because he was really young when he was there before.

Just being at the place where Christ's death, burial and resurrection is reenacted each year is inspirational.  It was good to look at the places they have and see how the Bible story moves along the City's landscape. I am sure it is wonderfully done each year (It's done every Easter.).

We drove up to the top of Mt. Scott to look around.  It was extremely windy and very cold! Jacob was the only brave one who looked for a little while! The rest of us headed to the care quickly!

It was a fun day, with just the four of us.  That's so different than being "the six of us" or even "the five of us"!  It was special, though, and good for the boys, especially the youngest.  So many of the things we "used to do" happened when he was not yet born or when he was young enough that he doesn't remember. He's done special things - maybe even "bigger" things - but I want him to experience the little things.  Special days where we just spend time together....not much money....just time.  Making memories.

Summer Vacation 2015

Every time I think, "This may be the last time."  And this time was no different, except this one really probably was the last time. The last time we will go on a "big" family vacation with just the six of us. Most likely next summer, at least one of the six won't be going.  Change is coming.  And though I may not like it, I know it will be okay.

So for this summer vacation, we went to Florissant, Colorado, which is just west of Colorado Springs.  We stayed up a mountain in this beautiful home found on vrbo.com.

When we look for a house to rent, price matters, but since we booked later than usual, we didn't have as many options.  This one cost a little more than we usually pay, but had everything else we/I wanted. I like a nice kitchen. It's fun to cook in and clean up a beautiful kitchen, for me, anyway!

It was especially helpful to have a nice, well organized kitchen because we are getting ready to remodel our own, and it gave me some ideas.

We also want plenty of comfy seating.  One house we rented was skimpy on the comfy furniture.  This one had tons of space and comfy places to sit!  This basement room was our favorite.  It was a basement, but also opened out in the front part to look like the lower level of the three stories!  It was a "rec" room, they call it.  We enjoyed it, immensely!

Another requirement is a place to eat outside.  We ate some evening meals out on the patio.  So nice!

We like outdoor things to do, but being on a mountain limits the things to do.  The homeowners did have a horseshoe place that Joe and the boys really enjoyed.  If it was our own house, we would put in a basketball goal!  But, for little ones, there was a baby swing and tire swing hanging from a tree, plus they had a few other outdoor games to play.  Our family enjoyed running and walking the roads and exploring the mountain a little.

The only thing we did as an activity was go up Pike's Peak on the Cog Railway.  This little marmot is the only animal that lives that high on the mountain.  They remind me of prairie dogs.

There was quite a bit of snow/ice on the road near the top at at the Summit this year.  And it was windy!!  Fifty-five mile per hour winds and 27 degree wind chill.

But we made it! And had their delicious donuts and hot chocolate!

On the way down the mountain, I was alone. The rest of my family hiked back down.  The youngest vows to NEVER, EVER do that again!!!  We thought he would decide to ride down, but he didn't.  Now he wishes he had, but some day (hopefully), he will look back and be proud of that HUGE accomplishment!  They were SORE for a few days!!  They didn't even want to look at the mountain the next day when we drove into town to eat! Ha ha!

This wasn't our cog. Ours was double, but I like this picture. It reminds me of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". :)

This was the morning we left Florissant.  We were ready to get home, ready to not climb stairs, and the boys were ready to hit golf balls out in our wide open field (can't do that on a mountain unless you want to spend a lot of money on golf balls!), but wow! What a great vacation home!  There were five bedrooms, two living areas, an office, four bathrooms, and much more.  The last night we played the hide and seek game, "Sardines".  It was so much fun and there were lots of places to hide!!!

My kids doing the obligatory picture.  They were okay with it :).

We hiked this long (not showing the whole thing) road and Joe and the boys ran it a lot.  It was 2.5 miles just down the mountain to the main road!  I can't imagine this in the winter, but would love to be there to see it some day!

Joe and the boys played golf here one day. It was a beautiful course!

Colorado sunset....
One of my favorite things about vacation was that Wednesday night Joe had each of the boys come up with a short Bible lesson.  He did one, too.  We sang, we listened to each of their lessons, we read the Bible, and then talked about what they each chose.  Interestingly, they all went together.  I think that's because the Bible is meant to go together. It DOES go together.  That evening, plus the other devotional times we shared, singing in the car on the way....those are some of my favorite memories.

The hiking group!  The two oldest boys made it down the mountain in 2 hours and 51 minutes!  They RAN because they wanted it to be over!! :)  Joe and the other two made it in a little less than six hours.  They ran a little, but mostly walked.  They were all tired, very thirsty and hungry when they came down!  I'm so proud of them!  And guess what? My husband runs the Pike's Peak Ascent and Marathon this weekend!  He's CRAZY! Ha ha!!  

First Day of School 2015

The first day of school.  The day some look forward to and some dread.

Today was very different.  Only our two youngest headed out the door for school today.  That's just weird!  It was different when our daughter graduated, but with the three boys together, it was still okay. Today was weird.  Only two were even awake!  The other two were still asleep, even though the mommy in me would have liked for them to get up and see their younger brothers off to school, the younger two didn't seem to mind at all.

This year the youngest is officially in Junior High.  He was in the building last year, but this year there are the fun ballgames that go along with it!  He's growing up - and quickly.  The next youngest is a Junior in High School. He reminded me several times yesterday and this morning that next year he'll be a Senior.  He's always been the "baby", so it's really hard to imagine, though he's matured so much that I know it's going just the way it's supposed to go. He's gonna fly the coop, too! Imagine that from the boy who used to say he was going to live next door to us and be close forever!  (P.S. That's when we said that at the "end of college" age - for him 23 - that he HAD to be out of the house. We didn't want him to think he could mooch forever! Ha ha!)  But, he is excited about his future, even though he's not sure of what it holds.  And so are we.....even though I certainly don't want these two years to fly by.

As I prayed with the boys this morning (my husband had to pick up donuts for two different groups), I prayed that they will be good examples to others and show the example of Jesus in their words and actions.  That prayer should be for each of God's children, each and every day.  The youngest informed me that he was going to take some advice his dad gave during a devo last night.  "Be interested, not interesting."  In other words, care more about others than you do yourself.  I was really proud of him for going into this new school year with that on his mind.  Wouldn't it be good if we all kept that in mind each and every day?  It sums up the greatest and second greatest commands in the Bible: Love God. Love others.

Happy first day of school, boys! I love you forever and always! :)

Happy 12th Birthday, Tyler!

(Photo by SaltLight Photography)

My sweet "baby" boy is growing up, and while I wish time could slow down.....or maybe I could go back and revisit each year of his youth again....I wouldn't trade watching him grow up at all.

(Photo by Blunck's)

I never wanted a "Christmas" time birth.  It seemed way too busy.  It seemed like the birthday and Christmas would just jam together into one.  But after losing a baby due in December 2001, finding out that we were going to have a little one in December 2002 was there very best gift we could have asked for!

(Photo by Blunck's)

Our little blessing was due on December 12, but we induced on December 5th - the earliest possible day the doctor allowed.  It was further from Christmas, but had a special "number" reasoning for us, as well (I won't share because it doesn't matter and might confuse you!).  It also happened to be the birthday of our brother-in-law, who twelve years later is teaching Tyler (filling in for his own daughter-in-law who has a new little one).

(Photo by Blunck's)

I love this picture with this sweet little face.  Tyler had to be one of the very happiest little babies ever.  He made others happy just by his smile.  I always felt like he knew that he was in our lives for a special reason.  We tell him that he is, too. Without the loss we had, Tyler knows that he wouldn't be here.

(Photo by Blunck's)

Not that we would have chosen the loss, of course, but also realize that even in loss, blessings can come.  They do come.

(Photo by Blanca's)
Tyler is three in this picture.  It was the "Woody" era.  Woody of "Toy Story", that is!  When he would sing, "You've Got a Friend in Me", it was one of the cutest and funniest things he ever did!

(Photo by Blanca's)

Here he's five....and wanted to wear a suit and tie each Sunday - just like his daddy did.  He still wants to, but it's not often!

(Photo by Sabrina Johnson)
This is such a sweet shot of Tyler that Mrs. Johnson captured.  His "thoughtful" pose is just so much "him"!

(Photo by Sabrina Johnson)

And then the "classic" smile we love!

(Tyler's 4th birthday)

Tyler,

I am so thankful that God blessed us with YOU.  I know I probably say that every year, but it's absolutely true.  Your life, your health, your spirit - we're thankful to Him for it all.  And above all of that, we're thankful that you are one of His children.  We are proud of your example in Christ to others, and pray that you continue to grow in your spiritual walk.

You are, and have always been, such a thoughtful and insightful young man.  You've taught me lessons about life.  You will enjoy your "Chronicles of Biscuit" posts some day.  (Well, I'm pretty sure you will!)  You will learn about what kind of young boy you were....and what a FUNNY young boy you were!

I miss your "Chronicles of Biscuit" episodes! That was one of the major reasons I started this blog...to "chronicle" YOU.  There's no way any baby book could have held all of your stories! Too bad I waited a few years to start this because I missed out on some great material early on!

Next year you'll be a teenager and you and Jacob will be the only two at home.  What a change that's going to be!  You've grown up so much in this past year.  You've always been 1/2 daddy's boy and 1/2 momma's boy, but this year I felt the shift....just like it should be.  You're becoming a young man.  And that's just what we're raising you to do.  God is molding you in His Kingdom.  We look forward to seeing what He has planned for your life.  For sure we know you'll continue to shine your light and be a blessing to all who know you.  Thank you for that.

I love you,

MOM

Special Times With My Boys

When my husband is out of town and it's just the three boys and I, I like to use those times to have special talks during my nightly devotional with them. Last night before we read a passage of scripture, I had them list ten things they wanted to be as a husband, dad, and man when they grew up.  It's always a little hard for them to begin talking, and there are a lot of laughs at first, but then they get serious about what they want for their future.  I love hearing their thoughts, dreams, and desires.  Most of all I love hearing that they want to raise their children along with a Christian spouse, bringing their children up in the Lord.  That's the most important thing and what I want most for my boys (and for my daughter, too).

I love hearing about what my boys want for their families: A day together once a week (though one said that would sometimes be tough, knowing that he wants to make that a priority makes me proud and gives me great joy).  They want to discipline their children and teach them right from wrong.  One said he didn't want to be too tough on his children (that would be the youngest who is going through some tough discipline, himself! Ha ha!).  One wants to spend vacation times together.  One said they wanted to continue to be close to his siblings.  All of these "family" issues showed me that family is very important to my boys.  I'm so thankful that it is, and pray that it continues to be for them.

After the boys went to bed, I was thinking about other questions I would ask them at the dinner table today.  Dinner, lunch, supper, even breakfast....whatever it is....when you're gathered together as a family is the most important aspect of family life.  Unfortunately when children are involved in extra-curricular activities, those times are sometimes rare.  It has to be a family priority to even happen. It won't happen by accident.  But that's when special discussions take place, just as they do during family devotionals.

Learning more about how my boys think is a crucial part of parenting.  I don't want them to grow up and I find I don't know much about them.  I want to know how they think and what they enjoy.  When we're on shopping trips - just one on one with them - we talk about things.  When it's just one in the house after school, we talk about things.  At other times, there are special times when I get special times with one or all of the boys. They'll be gone before I know it, so these times together are very special - times when we just talk.

Thank you, God, for the special times with my boys!

Weekend Adventures

This past Saturday, my husband ran his 6th Pike's Peak Ascent in Manitou Springs, Colorado.  It's a 13.1 mile run (which is partly a walk) up the 14,114 foot mountain to the Summit.  He has run the marathon (up and down 26.2 miles) twice, and wished he had signed up for it this year, too!

This year he invited our daughter to go with him.  Actually, he told her she was going! Ha ha!  But, she was excited, even though she wasn't expecting a trip to Colorado just a few days before she left for college.  It gave them some special time together before she left, plus probably made the last few days of summer break go by faster.

The day before the run, they drove up Pike's Peak. Since she was going to have to drive up the next day, this drive up was her practice go at it!

Oh, and she figured out that she didn't have her driver's license with her on their way to Colorado, so..... 

....I had to airmail it to her, but thankfully, it was there the next morning at not too big of a price....probably because it was such a little thing to be sending (size wise, anyway).

On the way to Colorado, they stopped at the volcano at Capulin, N.M., took lots of beautiful pictures.  On Friday, they ate Italian food (carbs for the run) and ran through one of the "Garden of the Gods" trails, drove around the Olympic Training Center, and drove by the Broadmoor Hotel.

 Here's Joe just before the start of the race.  There were runners from all over the world!

 And he's off!

He made good time and thankfully Lauren got to the top in time to see him cross the finish line! There was a huge line of cars waiting to go up the mountain, so she wasn't sure she could get there in time.  It was pretty neat to have a photographer there for his event!

And here's the proof that he finished!  Now all of our children want to go on this special trip with him when they graduate. It will become a new tradition, I'm sure.  A few of them even want to run it!

The boys and I went on our own adventure over the weekend, but in another direction.

We went to our first and only Rangers' baseball game of this season Saturday night.  The Rangers played the Angels.

The Rangers didn't win, and this season sure isn't as exciting as it's been the past several years, but the temperature was cooler than was expected and the atmosphere at the Ballpark is always a lot of fun.

Plus, I had a special time with my boys!

I also had a wonderful chauffeur, who was also pretty much his own GPS. It's amazing how our 18 year old knows how to get around in the Dallas area!  I would fall asleep, wake up, and we would be wherever we were supposed to be - all without maps and the GPS!  We don't know where he got that gene! Ha ha!

After worship on Sunday, the boys and I headed towards Oklahoma. Joe and Lauren loaded up the rest of her college stuff, and we all met on campus and moved her in to her new "home". After worship, we ate at Lauren's favorite Italian place, along with her aunt and uncle, then told her goodbye and we left for home.

It was a crazy and tiring weekend, but lots of fun.  

Leaving our daughter for the beginning of her second year of college was much, much easier than leaving her the first year.  That first year away makes a difference.  Of course she's an hour or more closer now, and we know we will see her more often, so that helps, but also it's just different now.  She was here for three and a half months for summer break, so she was ready to go back.  She's excited about new adventures and new possibilities, and we're looking forward to seeing what God has planned for her this year!