I Said A Prayer For You Today

I said a prayer for you today and I know God must have heard - I felt the answer in my heart Although He spoke no word.  I didn't ask for wealth or fame.  I knew you wouldn't mind.  I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.  I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day.  To grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.  I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small.  But it was for His loving care I prayed the most of all. . . Life is Good. 

Getting Old and Great Book

After a wonderful weekend with friends a couple of months ago, I came home and was so embarrassed to find an inch long dark hair growing from my chin - How does that happen??  Not only was I disturbed by the hair, but I was disturbed that I couldn't see it without a VERY strong magnifying mirror.  That morning, I vowed to myself that I would make daily checks to ensure that yucky little growth would not reappear.  Well . . . as I was doing my daily check this morning and smiling that "all was clear", I happened to glance down at my neck and saw not one, but two more black hairs . . . on my neck!!  Completely grossed out, I took care of the problem and now have a much larger area to check on a daily basis.  Who has time to get old??  More importantly, why does no one tell you that these things start to happen . . . even in your late 30's!?

Now to the important part of this entry:  Yesterday while I was trying to find some Christmas gifts, I saw Mitch Albom's new book, "Have a little Faith".  It is a true story and so special that I have not been able to put it down - I was late to carpool while reading it in the store yesterday, and it seems every spare minute at a stop light, etc. I open it up.  It is a quick read but shares some great insights on faith, love and happiness.  Following is one exerpt I was really moved by this morning:  "A man seeks employment on a farm.  He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer.  It reads simply, 'He sleeps in a storm.'  The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man.  Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley.  Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed.  He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.  So he dashes off to the barn.  He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed.  He runs out to the field.  He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins.  He races to the silo.  The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.  And then he understands.  'He sleeps in a storm.'  If we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business.  Our words will alsways be sincere, our embraces will be tight.  We will never wallow in the agony of I could have, I should have.  We can sleep in a storm.  And when it's time, our good-byes will be complete."  That is part of a sermon preached by Reb, one of the two men of faith Mitch covers in "Have a little Faith".  Hope you might have time to pick up a copy . . . life is good.

Family Christmas Picture

Well, last night Phil and I got to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary!   Since we were going to be dressed for dinner, we decided it was the night to torture the kids and dogs for the family Christmas picture.  As you can see, no one was happy - except for the plastered smile on Mom that reads "We are Happy and Going to Take This Picture!" - Yea right!!! 

Many, many thanks to Erin for taking our pic and keeping Preston and Jessie so we could enjoy a fun, special evening together. . . Despite all the complaining, and the frowning faces, at least we got a pic with everyone standing/sitting together . . . life is good.

Thanksgiving and the Week After

We got to Celebrate a great Thanksgiving with some new special friends!  Thanks to Sandy and Jo and Sera and Christian for joining us!   Erin and I started the morning by running the Turkey Trot and then we were excited to have family and friends over to watch the game and eat turkey, etc. (Thanks again to Nanny!)  Phil, the kids and I headed for the Deer Lease on Friday for the weekend and as you can see in the pics, it was a successful, fun trip!  It has been a busy week and I don't think anyone is happier to see Friday than Phil!  He was at the hospital all night for 3 staight but the highlight of my week was seeing again how he manages to juggle everything.  Wed. night Preston and Phil were going to the SMU/TCU basketball game.  I had a very excited, anxious son waiting for Phil to get home.  He walked in the door at 8:00 p.m. and immediately got called back in to the ER.  Preston quietly went upstairs and when I followed him up, found him sitting in his chair trying really hard not to cry.  Then the tears starting coming from me. . . . He kept saying it is o.k. - no big deal but you could see the disappointment in his eyes.  A few minutes later Phil came in and said "come on buddy - we are going to the game!" . . . the pure joy in Preston's eyes was priceless.  Phil had them e-mail an xray of the guys hand and Phil could tell that it was not urgent or serious and since the guy was going to be in the hospital all night anyway, Phil was able to go to the game and then spend the rest of the night at Baylor - - what a great, great Dad.  Never thought after Residency, Phil would still be just as busy, but I guess that is the sacrifice we make with the choices we made . . . Life is Good.

Well, last week began with much anticipation and excitement about our upcoming trips . . . Phil was scheduled to be in Vegas for a conference, Preston was going to the his best friend's ranch, and Jessie and I were off to Chicago to join Mom, Dad, Drew, Kelly (Drew's girlfriend) and Julie, Ella, and KK (our dear, dear friends from Nashville).  Thursday night Preston said he was not feeling good . . . after at least 7 Vitamin C's, and some prayers, Friday a.m. he woke up fine.  Mom, on the other hand decided to self medicate with one too many cocktails . . .  feeling sorry for herself that she might not be able to go = over slept and almost missed flight.  Good news is that everyone made it to their appropriate destinations and Jes and I had a weekend we will cherish forever in Chicago . . . need a break from American Girl though!!  With all the good times we shared this weekend, my heart is heavy for beautiful family friends who are really hurting right now.  Their names are the Hardisons and their Father has been diagnosed with lung cancer and is in unbearable pain as it seems the tumors are pressing against his nerves.  Please pray for comfort, strength and hope. . . it is tough, but . . . Life is Good.

Wet, Cold Start To The Day!

Well, today started off very wet and very cold!!  I was short on time this morning so decided to take the boys with me on my run.  We got to Caruth Park and I thought I would let them swim/play for a few minutes . . . little did I know that I would be swimming too.  While I was cleaning up after Patrick, I noticed that Max had jumped in the water . . . when I got back from the trash I could not spot him ANYWHERE! Several people heard me calling him and all came over to try and help - none of us could see him in the water.  My heart sank and I thought he must have hit a rock when he jumped in, or had sudden heart failure after running and hitting the cold water . . . etc.  As minutes past and nobody saw any sign of Max in the water the tears started coming and I jumped in frantically trying to search underwater for Max.  Besides being heart broken, I kept wondering how I was going to explain to Phil, Preston and Jessie that our beloved LABRADOR drowned in Caruth pond.  Seriously 10 minutes later while I was still completely submerged in the water, I felt a nudge and it was MAX!  Even the bystanders trying to help couldn't believe it. . . it was as if he was searching for food underwater for 10 minutes - (if it was possible - Max could do it).  For the first time, Max showed his age . . . I was overjoyed to see he was alive and well, but he could not pull himself out of the water.  After several attempts and some help from a nice woman, we were able to get him to solid ground.  It is a two shower day for me . . . . and Phil, Preston and Jessie are praying that no one around knew or recognized me.  As for Patrick - well he was sitting quietly on the bridge wondering what idiots would think about swimming in 40 degree temps. . . Life is Good.

It was a good weekend. Preston had his last soccer game and they tied the undefeated team in their division. Preston played his heart out and Mom and Dad were proud! We left right after the game for the deer lease and it was a great 24 hours out of the big city! Although Phil and Preston did not get their 12 point they were hoping for, we had a great time hanging out and playing together. Jes got her "horse fix" for another week and Preston cleaned up his BBQ at Big O's Sat. night. (The rest of us packed on a few as well!) . . . Life is Good.

It's Friday!

I have just loved reading Karol Ladd's book, "Thrive, Don't Simply Survive".  Karol says:  "Strength of soul is a God thing, not a me thing or a you thing.  God has a plan for our next step and He will give us the strength to take it.  Our greatest hardship may come in the form of waiting.  It is never easy, but it is a part of life.  Yet God can use our waiting for a purpose, whether it is to help others or to teach us, strengthen us, or help us grow in our faith.  When life doesn't turn out as we'd planned, we often find ourselves in the waiting room of life.  The only truth that gives my soul strength in the midst of the waiting room is my faith in a God whose timing is better than my own!  I see in part, but He sees the WHOLE!  So excited it is Friday!  We have Preston's final soccer game and then Phil, Preston and Jessie and I are off to the Deer Lease Saturday and Sunday.  Hope everyone has a great weekend.  Life is Good.

Encouraging

Found these encouraging words when I was reading this morning and thought I would pass them along.  Hope everyone is having a great start to the day!  "Our determination to persevere is born out of our belief that God is not finished with us yet.  He is continuing to unfold a plan that goes beyond our limitations."  - Karol Ladd
"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage.  The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict."  - William Ellery Channing.  Life is Good.

It is Friday!  What a good, good week it has been.  Thanks to Mom, Dad, Autty and Phil, I was able to escape from the norm and take a quick trip to Tulsa where we got to meet Drew's girlfriend, Kelly . . . Love her and The Little Black Dress!  Thanks guys for a really, really great 24 hours! 

Preston got in the car yesterday with a note from his teacher telling us how well he is doing with his reading - we are so proud of him!  Jes had a good week playing with her friends and still singing and dancing to Miley Cirus . . . Check out the pictures of Jessie with her BF Gigi - jamming out at the concert compliments of Grandpa Bryan.

Max and Patrick stayed clear of trouble until Thursday when Jes and I took them swimming and Max smelled food 800 yards away and took off in a full sprint and cleaned the picnic table in about 20 seconds flat . . . there were a couple of distraught kids, but a very understanding Mom . . . Life is Good.

Halloween

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and that Mum had a good Birthday!  We had a fun-filled day with lunch with the girls at FortyFiveTen, Jessie's final soccer game of the season . . . .she scored 5 goals . . . and a block party, trick or treating and dinner.  Phil and I got to go to the Cowboy Game today to celebrate a friends Birthday - thank you Da for covering the kiddos all day and being the neighborhood all time quarterback!  Read this quote from one of Karol Ladd's books this morning and thought it was great . . . "When you come to a roadblock, take a detour.  the detours of our lives may be unexpected, exciting, or frustrating, but as we start the journey, we can have confidence we are not alone.  God is with us as our very present help in time of trouble."  Life is Good.

Halloween Party at Bent Tree and Pumpkin Carving

We had a great night compliments of Mom and Dad at the Bent Tree CC Halloween Party. Preston decided to be a hippie this year and Jessie is a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader. They had a great time seeing all of their friends from the summer. We also carved our pumpkins yesterday - Jessie wanted to make hers "SCARY" and Preston wanted his to be "FUNNY" . . . Life is Good.

The Rest of the Family

Did not want my sweet husband and our other two children to feel left out of the new blog so here is a quick introduction: Phil has amazingly balanced family, school and work for years and he just started his practice at Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute. We are so proud of him! Max is our oldest child. He is 11. He is the sweetest boy, but we have nicknamed him "Marley Max" if that tells you anything. We have always considered him our "C" student except when it comes to culinary endeavors. He can leap tall buildings for a single morsel of food and I am NOT kidding. He is a genius when it comes to opening any door with food behind it. Patrick is our "chilled" out son except for a recent incident where he opened, consumed and destroyed 6 boxes of breast implants worth $3,000. . . Thus, according to Phil, you will not be seeing any four legged additions to the Stephan household anytime soon, which saddens Jessie deeply and o.k., I admit, me too. For now, she will have to be content with Max, Patrick and the neighbors cat . . . But Life is Good.

Baylor Homecoming

On Saturday we took Preston and Jessie to the Baylor Homecoming game . . . Bad news is that they lost big time . . . good news is that Uncle Drew came through with gifts . . . Jerseys and Footballs for Preston and Jessie . . . .Life is Good.