Focusing...

Stressful day, but do you think it is a coincidence that yesterday and today, the verses studied were on focusing? .... nope not a coincidence. I have been repeating to myself today. Kind of like, rinse, lather, repeat, how about, Fearless, faithful, focusing... not focused, but focusing- in the present!

"Focus on my presence, in the present." Psalm 73:23.

"Do not fear, keep your faith, keep your focus." Lamentations 3:22-23.

Soccer Group Pic...

Yep, he can smile...little toot...



I just love that sweet face... that's a LaLa kiss kiss face, smooch...

Six Living Generations...

In taking the SRES-Senior Real Estate Specialist course, we discussed the

"Six Living Generations"...absolutely, intriguing to me!

Below is explanation of each generation, taken from the U.S. Census Population Estimates 2010, http://www.census.gov/.


1. GI Generation ~ 1901-1924
1.5% of population, 4.8 million
Age in 2011: 87 & older
Characteristics: Energetic, patriotic, courageous, loyal, community oriented, hardworking, team players, respect for authority.


2. Silent Generation ~ 1925-1945
11.4 % of population, 35.3 million
Age in 2011: 66-86
Characteristics: Cautious, conformist, risk averse, industrious, prudent, unquestioning of authority, the "beat" generation.

3. Baby Boomers ~ 1946-1964
24.6% of population, 76.5 million
Age in 2011: 47-65
Characteristics: Ambitious, optimistic, individualistic, immediate gratification, hardworking, competitive, materialistic, forever young.

4. Generation X ~ 1965-1976
16% of population, 49.6 million
Age in 2011: 35-46
Characteristics: Skeptical, latchkey kids, isolated, cynical, entrepreneurial, independent, quality of life/family before career, self-reliant, pragmatic, reluctant to commit.

5. Generation Y ~ 1977-1994
24.8% of population, 77.2 million
Age in 2011: 17-34
Characteristics: Empathetic with elders, sheltered, tolerant, sensitive to multiculturalism, hopeful, over scheduled, multitaskers, short attention span.

6. Generation Z ~ 1995- present
21.4% of population, 66.5% million
Age in 2011: 16 & under
Characteristics: Technology adept, connected, introverted, short attention span, individualistic, impatient, communication in online communities.

Fascinating if you think about the generation you fall into according to age and then the generation that you were raised by. Remember, this is an overall characterization of the group. You may or may not have some of these traits. :)

Integrity...

Today's Verse,

Psalm 25:21

" May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, LORD, is in you.

My business and personal life is built on integrity. In today's world, business is all about contracts, in years gone by, "your word was your bond". If I tell you I am going to do something, I will do it. Integrity... just do it!

Senior Real Estate Specialist...SRES...

All day Thursday and Friday, I am in a Continuing Education class earning the designation for SRES.

What this means?

"Seniors Real Estate Specialists® or SRES® designees are REALTORS® qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+. The SRES® Council awards the SRES® Designation to those members who have successfully completed its education program".

More to come in the next few days!

I love education! The only thing I really dislike about this designation, is that 50+ is considered "senior". Yikes, I am just about there!

Wise suggestions...

This quote comes from an obituary in Tyler's paper yesterday. Mr. Martin (1931-2011) - his summary of effective business practices:

"Always tell the truth;
understate, rather than overstate your abilities;
prioritize, because all things are not equally important;
and don't forget that you can't make a good contract with a bad person."

I love to Listen to older people. What wisdom we glean from them!

Do you believe?...

Deuteronomy 6

"Love the Lord your God, with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your strength".

There is only one way to the Father, it is believing in his son, Jesus Christ, that he was born, died for our sins and rose again. Believe, just simply believe. It is not by, who we are, what we do, or what we say. Even a child can believe. It goes on to say in Deut. 6, to "impress on your children my commandments, when you talk, when you walk down the road, when you get up and when you lie down". Can you imagine, if we tell our little ones all the time, they will just "believe". We, as adults, can make things so hard.

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his only begotten son, that whosoever BELIEVETH in him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life".

So, if you are reading my blog, if you know God is talking to you today, all you have to do is, say a simple pray believing that God will do as he says.

I~ Believe in Jesus Christ-he was born, died and Rose again!

I~ Accept Jesus as my personal Savior- he died for you!

I~ Switch from my old ways- confess your sins, repent. "In repentance and rest is salvation."

I~ Express to others-telling others of what God has done for me and be baptized.

There is ONLY one way, ONE God.

Corrie's Baby Girl Shower...

Mother, my Aunt Ruthye, Corrie (mom to be) and me. We gave Corrie a baby shower on Saturday, what fun...Pink is so much fun!

Marshmallows, candy, gumballs, cookies, cupcakes, strawberries, brownies and of course, frito's, the food of gods...

Lauren's chandelier cupcake stand...magnificent!

Regular and mini cupcakes...

Fun, fun day with family...cannot wait for that baby girl, Savanna June, to be here!

Cosmic...

Isaiah 40 - one of my favorite chapters in the Bible...
"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in."

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

I am reading the paper right now, and I came across an article, "Cosmic Census Finds Tons of Planets in Galaxy". They esimate 300 billions of stars in the Milky Way. This is guess-timating to me... maybe they should read Isaiah 40.......


"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom."

I am just in awe of my God...what is life without Him...

Quietness and Trust...

Today's Verse, Isaiah 30:15

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,

in quietness and trust is your strength,

I think I could rest here!

Exodus 14:14

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

If you keep reading in Exodus, God says to Moses, why are you crying out to me?  Tell the Israelites to move on!  Another words, trust me, I will fight for you!  I will handle it for you!

What great verses to memorize, DONE!

Soccer for the first time...



First Practice- not even 3 yet...but soon in April...





I'm trying momma...   





Momma is trying to help me...





Teammates...



I am not sure how they will ever learn to play, utter chaos...but he is cute... :)

A lil bit of Haven...

Lil' Haven, 2.5 years old with a new heart!  I have been praying for this little one for a long time.  Her grandparents brought her by my office today for a visit.  She is so precious!  OMG , what answered prayers.  She did my soul good!

Tea Cakes for V Day...

I made Tea Cakes today, I usually make them once a year, not sure why, but...  My grandmother's recipe and her cookie cutter shown in the first picture.

Layton was an accident waiting to happen... :)

P.S. I love you...



Roses, Card, Chocolates and a Buttermilk Donut for breakfast :)
Thank you JB! 



Turtle Brownies...

This was a recipe I got from the TV Guide back in the 1980's. "John Davidson's Turtle Brownies."

Can you believe it is that old... funny. Anyway, these brownies are so good. They are also very EASY. Good to make ahead and take to a party.

(1) 14 oz pkg Caramels (unwrapped)

1/3 cup evaporated milk

Microwave for around 2.5 minutes, stirring every 1 minute.

In separate bowl, mix 1 box German Chocolate cake mix,

3/4 cup melted butter,

1/3 cup evaporated milk together.

Add 1 cup chopped nuts.

Press 1/2 of the mixture in a greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes.

Remove from oven and sprinkle a 12 oz bag of chocolate chips on top.

Pour caramel mixture evenly on top,

and crumble add'l cake mixture on top of caramels.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Cool and cut in bars. Delish...

Eminent Domain...

February 9, 2011
Texas Senate Approves Eminent Domain Bill 

"Texas property owners would have stronger protections when the government wants to take their land under a measure approved Wednesday by the state Senate.

Property could be seized under a process called  "eminent domain'' only it if would be put toward public use, and landowners could buy it back if the project is not started within 10 years.

The government would also be required to make a ``bona fide'' offer to buy the property.

The changes force the government to deal fairly with "good faith negotiations and just compensation,'' said bill author Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls."

http://lonestartexasnews.com/pages/9164585.php?contentType=4&contentId=7634533

French Toast Casserole...

French Toast Casserole - So wonderful!  Breakfast for dinner today!

6 slices white bread

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. 2% milk

1/3 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/2  tsp. vanilla

Trim crusts and spread slices generously with tub butter. Cut each slice into fourths and arrange half on bottom of  8" baking dish. Sprinkle 1/2  teaspoon cinnamon. Cover with rest of bread and sprinkle with other 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Scald milk (I heat  in microwave 3 minutes); remove from heat and stir in sugar until dissolved. Beat eggs thoroughly in a separate bowl. Gradually dribble milk into eggs, beating constantly with whisk. Stir in vanilla and pour over bread. Set 8" baking dish in a  13 x 9" pan of hot water and bake 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees or until knife inserted in center comes out dry. 

You can double the recipe and place in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.

After you take out of the oven, let casserole sit for 5-10 minutes, drizzle with Butter Pecan Syrup. (you can purchase at Brookshires).

Surely goodness!

PS I forgot to take a picture before we ate, but this one looks very close to it! :)