For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."
~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

We're Off!!!

Today is our last day before the Thanksgiving holiday. Brett and Landry have had yesterday and today off, unfortunately Atlanta decided we needed to work two days this week. It seems like a waste. Most of our kids are absent because parents have decided to take them out for trips. Brett has been the stay at home "dad". I think that after a weekend with me gone and now two days of me at work Brett has seen the challenges of a working mom. I say working because whether you stay home and work or work and come home the challenges are still many. He picked my up from work yesterday and said... "The stay at home thing.... it's not for me. I can't get very much done with the two of them." It only proved to me that men can't multitask, and maybe gave him a greater appreciation of my weekends alone while he is up a the football office working. He has handled it like a trooper. That isn't to say that when I came home Sunday from the wedding trip the house was pristine, but it was still standing, and the kids seemed to be happy and dressed. They weren't matching as I would like, but they weren't naked either. So, this morning I had him doing those last minute things...haircuts, baths, gassing the car, and picking up some breakfast for me. School is out at 1:15 and I'm hoping to be on the road by 1:30! I'm not looking forward to the long trip, but I'm definitely looking forward to relaxing, and seeing family. We love west Texas and being "home". Our hope is that you have a great holiday too. I'm I will make the most of my time with "true" internet and unlimited searching. We will be praying for all of you and your holiday time!

Monday, November 24, 2008

Overcoming Odds

I spent the weekend in Houston. My dear friend from high school... Miss Lori Depew, got married! It was so much fun to go and see her, see old friends and watch her become Mrs. Lori Andrade! When I say she had to overcome obstacles, I mean she had to overcome OBSTACLES! She was suppose to get married on September 13, however if you recall Hurricane IKE decided to hit instead. It sent all her plans and guests packing! I told her not to fret... all would work out. She has had to do everything backwards and still came out on top. They had to go ahead and go on their honeymoon cruise first, the wedding was next and then on Saturday they had the rehearsal dinner. All the same... she is married and we are excited. I bring this all up because we have found our family facing different obstacles here in the Piney Woods the past week. I start to look at what I have been faced with and think I can't take much more. Since I had to drive to Houston by myself there and back I had lots of time to reflect. Life could be worse! My difficulties are minor compared to the difficulties of some of my friends. I have a great family! Two wonderful, healthy children, and a husband who loves me. I have a house that covers my head to keep me dry, keep me warm, and keep me safe. There is always food to eat and water to drink. What more could a person ask for? I take for granted the things I'm giving, and if not for the moments like this I'm not sure what more I would be dealt. I have to remind myself that the challenges we face make us stronger, and better people if we allow ourselves to grow from the experience. I need more moments like this to keep me humble, and make me grateful!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Test!

I have found a way to at least post on my blog.  I cannot always read my blog but I can at least keep you guys updated! So right now I'm testing the post.  If it posts I will come back later and post more and add pictures.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

There's No Place Like Home!

Ain't that the truth! Obviously it has been awhile and any chance I have to get on the computer I plan to take advantage of. The kids and I came up to celebrate my dad's induction into the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. He was so honored. More so this time than when he was inducted into the National Hall of Fame in Stillwater, OK. He said it meant more because these were his peers that chose him to be placed in the hall of fame. There are fewer in the Kansas Hall of Fame because it is more selective in it's process and he went in with two men he admires. The one is my ex boss at Santa Fe Trail, Mr. Gary Blosser. The fact that one of his ex-wrestlers was the honored as the Assistant Coach of the year, only added to the celebration. It was a great day to be with our extended "wrestling" family and a joy to see old friends.
Since the induction was this afternoon it seemed that it would be best to come up on Thursday night and enjoy a day of freedom here in the "Little Apple". That also allowed Landry the chance to dress up and Trick or Treat for candy. Jentri went too and even received some treats, which of course her brother will enjoy long before she gets the chance to eat them. Uncle Jeb enjoyed the festivities with the kids by taking them from house to house. He is a good uncle!

Jentri is four months today! How time seems to fly. I have been thinking back to Landry's birth and I was able to be home with him for four months to the day I went back to work. It makes me sad that I wasn't able to do the same with Jentri, but I also feel blessed to have found a great babysitter. She is such a great baby! She only cries when she is hungry, or dirty. So it's easy to fix one problem and if that doesn't work then it has to be the other. Landry LOVES her and is a great big brother.

Things in QC are rough... for so many reasons, and yet we know that it is where God led us. We have moments that we wonder why, and then decide we many never know. The people have been good to us, we have made some good friends, and we love being back in small town. So, maybe that was the reason? I have to believe that God's plan is perfect even though what we go through isn't! I have struggled emotionally and personally in ways that are not typical of my personality. It's a side to myself that I truely HATE! It has been humbling and at times embarrassing, the way I have acted. I can't change it, but I can change my attitude and move forward in hopes that those who are abused by my behavior will find forgiveness in my regret!

I find the older I get the harder it is to accept change. Moves... as exciting as they can be are also difficult. The excitement of what the future holds and the fear of the change it brings can sometimes be overwhelming. I a lot has happened in the past four months, and I have been blessed in so many ways. It is my goal to seek the unseen and find the blessings daily, and stop worrying about the Earthly desires that I have. It is my sincere prayer that God will work on my heart to help me through the changes that the future holds... and the strength to endure them.

Landry Tate

Lilypie 6th to 18th Ticker

Jentri Jane

Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker