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.