Happy Memorial Day Y'all...

Picture is compliments of http://www.morethanchocolate.net/

"Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service". I think we often forget about the families and persons serving our country. I know several myself, and it brings tears to my eyes when I recall their stories as told to me. I personally want to thank anyone and everyone that is sacrificing their life for mine. Let Freedom ring.

Jason and I finish the day at dinner and a dance...so appropriate for Austin, look at the cowboy Murial on the wall behind us! :)

Memorial Day at the Lake without me...added more pics today!

I am in Austin, so my mother's whole side of the family is out at Lake Tyler. Now mind you, that my mother is one of "10" siblings. So, I have a plethora of cousins. I can't even count all of them. They are texting and sending me pictures of what I am missing. :) I miss all of you! and I love all of you! Do y'all MISS ME YET?

Oh yes, the food. Isn't this picture gorgeous. Love the colors. I must use this for something else. Didn't God make our food bright and cheerful!

My Aunt Ruthye, and my Uncle Andy...Andy is only 6 months older than me. I am close to these two people! :)

These are cousins, Kelly, Katie and Christina. Take a look at the left of this picture. It looks like a shark...omg, maybe it is a big catfish...it is something scarey...omg...what is it?

Another cousin, Duke. He thinks he is a stud... :)

More cousins, Cody and Ben, Uncle Andy on the right.

Andy's son, Chance-yet another cousin...

Cousin Kelly, and Aunt Ruthye...kiss, kiss, love y'all!

Precious Cash Michael...he is my cousin, Kelly's son... she has a son just a tad bit older than my grandson, and she is not very much younger than I. I think she knows how this happens! hehehe, love you Kelly. By the way, he is so proud of his little fish!

More cousins, Jenni and Laura Leigh...cuteness!

Jenni, the camera beauty, and Andy... :) Love this picture!

Aunt Ruthye with my Layton...the sweetest ever...I sure miss being with him!

Cute Jenni again with my favorite candy corn. See how these people are tempting me!

My mothers siblings, Andy, Jeff, Ruthye and Michelle.

Ruthye and Andy cooking breakfast. Yumo!

I think I will have more pictures coming, and I know they are having fun. I will make it to the next Lake run! Promise!

NISOD...

Jason received this award. NISOD stands for National Institute for Staff and Organization Development, and is sponsored by the University of Texas. This picture is not great, I had to take a picture of a picture...hehe! But anyway, I am documenting the event in Austin ! so proud of you JB! :)

Proverbs 27:2

"Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips."

Austin Bound...

Jason and I arrived in Austin today. We are here for a college professors convention. Jason was nominated and won a prestigous award. We are staying at the Hilton downtown, (pics above), located across the street from the convention center, and might I add a few blocks from the Capitol and Texas Association of Realtors. :)

We scooted on over to San Marcus today for a little shopping at all the outlet stores. I am in AWE of how many people were out shopping and spending. Looks like to me that consumer spending is not a problem, which is great for my business in real estate. Once consumer confidence elevates, then the housing market should follow. Let's hope and pray!

All in all, a great relaxing day. I am blogging now and Jason is reading the "Texas Monthly" magazine. Night y'all!

Guess What?...

Nehemiah 1:8-11 Nehemiah's Prayer

"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'
"They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man."

You know, I do not know about the rest of you , but I fail miserably when it comes to keeping God first in everything. I want to and I try to, but I fail. I get so busy and preoccupied with LIFE, that I just get negligent in my prayer life and bible study. I started the book of Nehemiah yesterday, and if there is anything I have learned in reading the Old Testament is that people turn from God, then they pray and guess what happens? God hears you, he does not turn from you. I LOVE James 4:8,
"Come near to God and he will come near to you."

Aren't we so glad that if we fail, we know that we can always come back and God is ALWAYS there for us!

Speaking of "Guess What", I have taught Layton when I say "Guess What", he knows to say "I love you". I tell him over and over that I love him. I bet God feels the same way about us!

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Pergola Update...

I think I am finishing the project! We love our new outdoor room!

I freakin' love you!...

Today I surprised Lauren, (my daughter), with her early birthday present. I left it on her kitchen counter with a card, so that when she walked in from work she would instantly see the mixer. She has my old white Kitchenaid mixer, but she has wanted this "apple green" one for a while. She needs two mixers, www.morethanchocolate.net, because she is busy and it would be nice to have two mixing at one time. She called me when she got home, and her first words were, "I freakin' love you"... love it! She was ecstatic!

I love you Lauren, more than chocolate, more than life...you always remember that!

Signed, Your momma! PS I am so proud of YOU!, PSS I love having my baby boy tonight! :)

Girlfriends...

I had lunch today with a great "girlfriend" of mine. Betty Boop, as I call her. We have the same taste, same background, same work ethic, and we are both blonde! That is what I am thankful for today. Good lunch, good conversation, good friend! Love you Betty!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New International Version)
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Almost Completed Pergola...

Before the Pergola...to the left in the picture is a round porch. It will cover the entire porch and shade us from the West sun. The pool is to the left in the picture.

Before, again...

The First day into the project...

End of first day!

Second day...

End of second day...awesome!

End of Third Day !

End of the Third Day...still lack a few finishing touches, then the decorating begins!

More pictures to be added... so excited! A new outdoor room!

A Delight...

Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

I read this verse this morning...oh my, this exactly how God feels about me! I can only relate this to my relationship with my grandson, Layton. Last night I went to see him around 8 pm. We played and played, read books, sat under the covers, and he was wild. BUT, around 9 pm, he laid in my arms facing me and we talked, and talked. He listened and talked to me for about an hour. This was the best time...I would not give anything for this time with him. I took great delight in him, I suppose I quieted him with my love...and we did sing... I want to take this memory with me daily, and I want to KNOW that my God feels exactly the same way about me.