First Field Trip Of The Year

This past Tuesday we got together with our friends from our mommies group and ventured out to the local Souplantation. I was surprised how much fun this turned out to be! Thanks to Katie M. for putting it together!

During the presentation the kids learned about the different food groups. I was so proud how all the kids listened quietly.


To take the kitchen tour the kids, and unfortunately the moms too, had to adorn themselves with aprons and hairnets.


Michelle and I obviously love our children very much...otherwise you wouldn't catch us in this get-up.


The kids were each allowed to choose one veggie topping for their pizza's. Walker, Kelsey, and Isabel shared a pizza. Walker's veggie pick was carrots. Interesting. They also chose to put boiled eggs on their pizza for protein. I definitely would NOT recommend putting boiled eggs on a pizza. However, the carrot/califlower/broccoli pizza they invented turned out really good!


Christian made a pizza with 2 of the older girls in the group. This gave him an advantage as one of them picked tomatoes and the other added bacon for their protein. This pizza was sooo good!

Enjoying the fruits...err, veggies of their labor!

Next field trip is to the local Home Depot. That is going to be so fun!!

Finally, Some Pictures

Zack, 18 months, enjoying an ice cream cone on the way home from McDonald's.


Christian, 3, in his favorite boots and underwear, showing me his new hat....Zack's potty seat.



Walker, just a couple of weeks before his 5th birthday, at Target. He looks so grown up. I see another lawyer in our future!



This is one my favorites. I see Zack looking, acting, and becoming more and more like his Daddy everyday.


All the kids at my Uncle Johnny's ranch in Mexico this past May.


Our dog, Harlan Pepper, 6. We have had lots of fun watching him act like a puppy out at our new place. He has 6 acres to run wild, chase rabbits, dig holes, and howl along with the coyotes.


Coming in August; The kids attend a field trip to Souplantation, my womens retreat with MVCF, first day of school...Walker starts Kindergarten, Karizma starts 8th grade and Miguel starts highschool.

Lots of fun coming around the corner!

Dear Diary,

Since my last entry, Tim has only worsened. The pain increases, as does the medication. He just started a new one this past week. He is hoping this one will help to take the edge off from when he has to wait to take the 'big' meds. Anyway, this has been the hardest month for our family, as he was bounced from 3 different medications in the course of a month. Of course, this messes with your brain, and thus alters your personality. It is nice to say he is back to the medication that he originally was going to take and it seems to help him. I will be keeping a close eye on him the next few weeks to see how the side effects are (double vision, fatigue, etc) effecting him and hope that the good the medication brings far outweighs the bad.

It broke my heart when early this month he came home with a cane. That was devastating. To see your young, tall, handsome husband having to lean on a cane was very saddening. He only uses it at home. Sometimes when he is home he is just in so much pain that he can't even get out of bed...but this wonderful man still gets up each morning (which are extremely hard on him) to go to work so he can provide for his large family. He never complains about that. I have never, ever heard him complain. Of course, he talks about the pain, although not so much. It is written all over his face and you can't help but not notice when he walks. But, he never complains. I must draw example from my sweet husband, as I tend to keep seeing the glass half-empty. He is the one enduring the difficulties of the pain and all the medication, but he still manages to be a wonderful father and husband.

Like I said, this past month was the hardest, however, I know it was the medication. As soon as he started to take the original one again, he has started to become like himself again. I missed him! With all the pain and medication, Tim is still not completely the person that I married over 7 years ago, but he still does his best to make me feel loved, desired, appreciated, taken care of. (The other night he surprised me with a bubble bath, candlelit bathroom, with a nice clean towel and my favorite magazine to enjoy while I relaxed in the bath. I am blessed. It is easy to dwell in the things that no longer are in our marriage, family, life, but God calls us to rejoice in the day that He has made.

Please continue to pray for healing for my Timmy and for honey on my tongue towards my sweet gift from God, my husband.

Cujo?!?

OK, so I know that I need to get some physical activity going. Hopefully shed some pounds, but mostly to feel better. My Mom, whom is an avid jogger, prescribed walking the 2 mile dirt road to get back in shape, start to gain more energy, and have some 'alone' time with the Lord. This was just this past Friday, and I did do it. As I walked, I couldn't help but thank God for moving us up to this beautiful place. you can't help but have only healthy thoughts on this road. It is gorgeous. Tim took the walk with me on Sunday evening. This is where we found the rattler tracks. He is bugging me to start taking some 'weapon' on the walk with me. He brought along a bat. Take that, you rattlesnakes!

So, yesterday I decided to push Zack along in the jogger/stroller. He hasn't been feeling well, and I thought some fresh air would do him good. On our way back home I hear some panting behind me. I swear Cujo was right there, salivating taking a bite out of my rear! I was telling Timmy that I have not felt fear like that in who knows how long. It was a hot tingly feeling coursing throughout my body. It all was happening so quick. I mean this dog could eat me, Zack, and the stroller in one gulp...or he might be a gentle giant. I had no way of knowing. Of course, as most Mom's know, if your child is in danger, no fear can override it...so, as he, Cujo, swung around to the front of stroller I put my foot out and just yelled, "GO!" He quickly retreated. I was afraid to look back, but more afraid to get bit in the behind...so, I peeked. He was running back to what looked like a 3 year old little girl in tears. Where are the real owners, I ask you?

Tim is a bit concerned about the dogs, snakes, and crazy drivers on the road. Guess I might have to resort to taking the bat with me. I am still trying to figure out what I am supposed to do with the bat if a rattlesnake shows up, but I pray that my instincts will kick in. As for me, I will not let that dog, or any other of God's creatures deter me from my new joy in the outdoors. Better be putting on my armor of God each time!

(On my walk I met one of my neighbors that happens to also be a mother of 5. I do admit I have it easier with my kids being spread apart in age. She has 3 boys 4, 6, 8 and twin girls that are 8 months old. Sure put my life into perspective!)

The Best View

So, we have been on 'Mars' now for almost 3 months. We have come across howling coyotes, rattlesnakes, the weirdest looking bugs ever, some of the nicest neighbors, and the best view I have ever had from one of my windows at home. This is a sunset and we get these every night, folks. I will post more pics later. I also must give credit to the photographer, Miguel. The pictures I tried to take did not do the view from our home justice, but I believe this one did.

I was worried that the older kids would not like it as much up here, but they LOVE it. Even Tim, whom I have always figured for a city boy, has told me often how much he loves it up here. So, we have started using terms like, "Going into town", "Heading back up the mountain", and my favorite "Watch out for the rattler tracks". This is definitely God's country!

Back In The Saddle...

When asked why I hadn't updated my blog for months now, I had to admit that my lack of computer skills had come into play. I was having the hardest time logging on to blogger and now that we live up in the sticks, the internet is sometimes difficult to get onto. I pray that now that I am back in the saddle, I can stay there and update you on the happenings of the new White House and how my arrows are doing.

Thank you to those of you that kept reminding me to post an update, and for not giving up on me. xoxo

Life On Mars

Well, it is funny how life takes a turn when you least expect it. We are moving to Mars...or least my sister calls it that. We are actually moving to the outskirts of Alpine onto a 6 acre lot my parents own. I know the Lord had this in store for us. This will be a beautiful place to homeschool and raise the kids for awhile. We are unsure of how long we will be living out there, but we look forward to all the quality family time as TV cannot be a distraction on Mars. No cable. This means no Office on Thursday nights either. I can't wait for this season to come out on DVD then.

Please pray for us as this is going to be a BIG CHANGE for us all. If you would have asked me last week if I saw Mars in our future, I would have said flat out, "no." However, God's plan is always much better than mine. I will be sure to post pics of the marvelous view from our new bedroom as soon as we are moved in.

God bless you all as God also does His work in your lives.