Christmas Day

This is the year that Remi comes the day after Christmas. When that happens we wait to open gifts until Remi can be here.

For me the last few years that we did our Christmas with Vanessa and family has left me lacking. What I mean is part of the joy of giving gifts is being able to watch the kids expressions as they open the gifts I have picked for them. That gets lost in the chaos. So I proposed that we change things up a bit and asked if we could exchange our gifts with them at our house on Christmas morning. Vanessa was acceptable to that. They came over this morning.

Here they all are except me (taking the picture) and Keannon who was sitting at my desk to my right out of view.

Granddad telling the Christmas story and asking questions to engage the kids before opening gifts.

I give the kids dated ornaments every year as part of their Christmas. Kashton got a soccer jersey in his team's colors with his number.

I gave an angel to Kennedy and Remi with their names on them.

Korin, I gave a unicorn with her name.

I surprised mom with The Passion Translation Bible 2020 Edition. It comes in large print and study notes.

She was thrilled!

I also get the kids pajama's every year. Here's Kashton's. It actually matches his new bedding.

Korin in her new PJ's.

I'll get a good picture tomorrow when Remi is here and with all of them together.

We gave a remote control ATV to Kashton, a huge lego set to Korin. Kennedy we gave a pad of water color paper, art easel and drop cloth so she can paint. We gave each of the kids new blankets.

As many things require batteries these days, Doyle got Keannon a case that holds multiple batteries in number and size.

And of course what good is the case without having batteries to put in it!

We also gave them card and board games to replace those lost in the fire.

and more batteries 😊

Doyle's big gift came from Keannon and Vanessa. They got him Samsung's version of the Apple watch. He's pretty pumped.

I also got the same Bible I got for Mother for Doyle.

After gifts I cooked a big breakfast. 

It was a beautiful sunny day with a high of 60!

We will continue our Christmas celebrating tomorrow at the kids. They got back in their house just before Christmas. Vanessa called in her friends on Wednesday to wrap gifts and decorate the tree.

Stay tuned for Christmas #2.

Have a good one!

What Child is This

Merry Christmas!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Merry Christmas!

Kennedy's First Acting Role 12-12-2020

 Kennedy got her first opportunity to have a part in a play through the Community Christian School.

The school had a Dinner Theater on December 12th at our church.

 

This is the program. The play that Kennedy was in was called "Law & Order Fairy Tale Unit"

You can see what part she played in this part of the program.

Kennedy is a natural and did really well. She didn't even appear nervous at all!

Kennedy has the denim jacket on. 

Korin has a green shirt on at the table in this photo.

I was impressed at how well the kids did!

I look forward to seeing Kennedy do more theater.

Have a good one!

Kitty and the Guinea Pig

Vanessa is a lot like me when it comes to animals. It's hard to say no when people tug at your heart
strings with any baby animal. A friend of Vanessa's had found this baby kitten that was obviously not old enough to be weaned. She didn't have time to bottle feed it or properly care for it.

Vanessa took the kitten to "help" bottle feed until it was weaned. Well....you can guess what happened. She didn't want to let it go after she cared for it.

I noticed quickly after having Clifford that he did much better when he was at least in the same room as me. So, I constructed a make-shift "playpen" if you will for him out of cardboard boxes to put in my craft room. Since that is where I spend the majority of my time when I'm home. I started bringing hay from the barn and putting in that "playpen" as well as leafy lettuce.  There has been many a time that I've seen him so relaxed when he's in it. (He's laying down here)

He quietly munches on hay or lettuce. Occasionally "hiding" in his hay pile. I do believe he enjoys it.

Korin had brought the kitten (named Rapunzel) over one day and let her roam the house. She found Clifford.  I saw her make her way to his "pen" and decided to video what happened next. I thought it was cute.

I must admit I've gotten rather attached to him. I don't think kids will tend to him like I have. I'm not sure he will be happy to go "home". Kennedy and Kashton both have said "maybe he should stay with you Savtah". I'm not terribly opposed to that. I'm not sure how Doyle would feel about that!

Have a good one!

Korin singing

I thought this was so cute of Korin singing while she is "cleaning". I wish I had begun the video sooner.

Have a good one!

Encouragement Alert 11-06-2020

Encouragement Alert 10-29-2020

Encouragement Alert 10-12-2020

Encouragement Alert 10-06-20

I began doing some videos that I have been posting on Facebook to bring encouragement and share out of my life experiences of my walk with God. I decided to share here on my blog as well. If you're not interested that's okay, you don't have to watch. Otherwise ... be encouraged and have a good laugh.😊

Visit with Wayne 11-24-2020

Wayne came to Texas for Thanksgiving. He and Kelley planned to meet with his kids at Trinity Park in Fort Worth on Thanksgiving Day. Mom joined them.

We had Thanksgiving here with Keannon, Vanessa and kids for lunch then went to Keannon's mom's after.

On Wednesday November 24th Wayne came to Mineral Wells and we had lunch with him.

I had Kennedy take this picture for us.

These are the cookies that Vanessa brought for Thanksgiving. She has a friend who sells these. Not only are they pieces of art they are delicious too!

Have a good one!

Another Great Ride 11-23-2020

On November 23rd I took Kennedy to ride at our State Park. Kennedy has ridden at the park with me before but on our old horse Clyde. This was her first time to ride Fancy by herself at the park. 

It was nice while the sun was out but when it went behind the clouds it got a bit chilly. (Aunt Kay, can you see that I have your old shirt jacket on?)

Diamond and I lead at the beginning of the trail.

The sun was hit and miss.

Fancy didn't think Diamond was walking fast enough so Kennedy took lead.

My only concern with Kennedy being lead is that Fancy tends to sidestep when something startles her. She doesn't do that so much when she is following.

Fancy did do that a couple of times but Kennedy stayed with her!

It still makes me sad that the trees had to be cut down. They were huge!

Almost back to the trailhead.

I still have trouble figuring out where to look! 

We successfully completed 8 miles! It took us about 2 hours.

I always have made it a practice to walk the horses on foot back to the trailer as the horses feet tend to slip on the pavement. It feels better on our legs too after riding that distance!

Striking a pose before we load up to go home.

Kennedy did admit to me she thought the ride was just a bit too long. 

Have a good one!

Kennedy Serves 11-21-2020

Kennedy serving.

To see a short clip of Kennedy's team volleying click here.

Have a good one!

So Close

 It is December 5th as I write this blog. I have been meaning to blog for several weeks to update on the kids house. Much progress has been made ....still much to be done.... its so close and yet not quite.

Our hope is that they can be in their home by Kennedy's birthday which is December 18th. It's cutting it close to be in by Christmas.

These pictures were taken on Nov 10th.

What you are looking at is the dog wash. You can see the dog door to the right. There will be a kennel along the wall and a counter on the top. The washer dryer will be to the left of the dog wash.

This is the guest bathroom.

The kitchen and dining area. The cabinets to the right is where the fireplace used to be.

Built-ins in the new living area that is to the left of the picture above. It is back of the house.

this is a different view of the above room. I LOVE the windows!

this is a view of that room from the outside.

This will be the office which is in the same space it was before but now has built-ins.

The kiddos bathroom.

The tub/shower area of the kiddos bathroom.

These pictures were taken Thanksgiving Day Nov 26th.

The flooring is in. The front door of the house is to the left of this photo.

The front door from the inside.

Korin's room looking at built-ins in her closet.

This opening that Vanessa and Doyle are standing in will be doors to the patio that I'm standing on.

This is the covered patio and the room above is to the left of this photo.

It is going to be so nice when it is finished!

Have a good one!