Celebrating Mother's Birthday 090725

Mother's birthday was September 3rd. Vanessa talked to me about having a family birthday dinner for her on the 7th and inviting my nieces and nephew to come. I thought that would be amazing if they all came. I told mother about the dinner but didn't say anything about Wayne's kid's coming.

The plan was for us to gather at Vanessa's around 3pm. I told mother 3:30pm. 

Korin made the sign on the door.

All of them came! It was the best surprise. I wish I had thought to video it! Her mouth was wide open! She couldn't believe they were all there!

Birthday card Korin made. It brought lots of laughs!

Taylor, Whitney and Scarlett

Ryan and Destiny

Jerry, Addison, Kai and Eviryn

Scarlett, Whitney, Vanessa, Kashton Destiny, Taylor, Korin, Ryan, Jerry, Addison, Kai and Eviryn.

Vanessa, Kashton, Destiny, Scarlett, Korin, Taylor, Addison Eviryn and Kai.

Me and Doyle.

Mother had the time of her life!

I was so grateful that they all came!

Ryan and Destiny came the farthest (3hrs) and they both had to work on Monday. I thanked each one of them for coming! It meant the world to Mom!

Connection with Family 082425

 I went on a scrapbook retreat August 21-24th. I had tried to go on this retreat since May 2024!  I was originally supposed to go the weekend after Pastor Kirk passed away. However, that changed everything for me.

I tried to reschedule several times. There were some dates that just didn't work for me. Others the retreats didn't have enough participants to make.

I was packing Thursday morning the 21st to leave for the retreat when my Uncle Philip (my Dad's brother) text me to say he and Mary Ann were going to San Antonio for a memorial on Saturday. They wanted to come through Mineral Wells on their way back home on Sunday and meet us for lunch. 

I was happy to leave the retreat a couple of hours early to meet with them.

We ate lunch at an Italian Restaurant downtown.

It was good to see them and catch up.

Have a good one!
 

First Day of School 081825

 Kashton and Korin started school today at Grace Christian Academy. Vanessa made this post on Facebook.

New year and a new school!

Kashton starting Jr High in 7th grade

Korin starting 5th grade!

Kash “korin are you nervous about tomorrow?”

Korin “Oh ya! I’m super nervous.”

Kash “Ok, well me too. I guess we can lean on each other to get through it.”

Korin “Ya, at least we got each other.”

I can’t keep this kids from trying to kill each other 95% of the time but these small slivers give me hope they really do love each other.

They are both as tall as me!

Have a good one!

Spirit Night 080725

 Millsap is a small community about 10 miles Southeast of Mineral Wells. That is where Kennedy is

attending school. It is much smaller than Mineral Wells. 

To kick off the new school year Millsap High School had "Spirit Night" the day before school started. They introduce each student on all the athletic teams and band members. Kennedy is on the cheer squad so I got to watch her perform. Vanessa invited me to ride with her. It was fun!

Can you find Kennedy? She is the tallest girl on the backrow.

I am very grateful that a local photographer takes photos of all the schools events. 

Singing the school song.

Click here for introduction of cheer leaders and a cheer.

Another short clip here of the cheerleaders while band plays.

Have a good one!

End of Summer Back to School

A lot has happened since I've last blogged although I don't have many pictures to share.

I can't believe it is already mid August! The kids have been very busy this summer. Kennedy and Kashton have both gone to multiple camps. Korin has spent time with friends. I have started taking each of them to lunch and I have a standing date with Vanessa on Fridays to have coffee with me at the office. It's about the only way I get to see them!

Keannon has been writing claims for homes in our area affected by hail earlier this spring so he has been sharing office space with Doyle so I see him more than I do the rest of the family.

Keannon and Vanessa sold the restaurant in June. They had been trying to sell it for over a year. They sold it to a family who is local to the area and already has another busy in a small neighboring community. The transition went smoothly and the kids are enjoying a little more freedom. Vanessa is actually really looking forward to when the kids start school.

All three grands attended the camp Pine Cove in Tyler, Texas again this year the last week in July. Tyler is about 3 hours East of us.

Vanessa posted this pic on Facebook of Kennedy and Kashton on the balcony of Kennedy's dorm. I guess she didn't take a picture of Korin! 

Based on their ages each of the kids stayed in a different part of the camp.

Kennedy's school started August 8th. She is a Sophmore this year. Their mascot is the Bulldogs.

Kennedy on her first day back to school. It occurred to Vanessa that this is probably her last time to take Kennedy to her first day of school. She will be 16 in December and will be legal to drive herself!

Vanessa's Facebook post.

I forgot to post my first day of school pics for Kennedy (her first day was Friday the 8th)

Most likely my last time to drive her for the first day of school.

Sophomore year!

Im continually blown away by how much I’m enjoying the teen years. She has matured and spiritually grown so much this summer and that’s all I want for her in this life. To love the Lord with all her heart. God is so faithful.

Kennedy made the cheer squad. She is also an officer in FFA. 

And she still dances.

Kashton and Korin will be attending Grace Christian Academy. It is a small private school about 20 minutes from us. Kashton will be in 7th grade and is playing football. Korin will be in 5th grade. Their school starts on August 18th. Hoping Vanessa takes pics that I can share.

Have a good one!

Time of Worship 07.05.25

My heart is so heavy over the horrific flooding event that occurred in the Hill County about 5-6 hours South of us on July 4th. I've been praying. It was most helpful for me to worship. I sensed it would be helpful for others too. 1) Open the Eyes of My Heart 2) I Need You More 3) The More I Seek You 4) I Love Your Presence 5) Nothing Else 6) Where You Are 7) I see the Lord (Isaiah 7)

Abounding Hope and Joy Conference

Doyle and I attended Abounding Hope and Joy Conference in Redding, California May 2-3. 

I have been following Steve and Wendy Backlund, founders of Igniting Hope Ministries  for 11 years. I am a different person since I began following these people and their ministry.

Steve Backlund.

We met people from all over the world and made some new connections and friends.

Who says you can't have fun at church?! 😉

New friends Jenny and Andy Fitzgerald. Part of the Backlund Team and also have their own ministry called Imagine Life. Jenny is a Beliefs Trainer for Igniting Hope.

We had a great time!

Have a good one!

More Bike Riding 05.01.25

We enjoyed riding the e-bikes so much that we rented them again and rode a little farther.

I missed posting a few pictures from the ride the day before. These Canadian goose and goslings were right along the bike trail.

 

I shared in the previous post this picture that Doyle took of me taking a picture of an eagle but didn't include the photo of the eagle!

It appeared the eagle had taken a bath as I saw it grooming itself and I could tell their feathers were wet.

Wild flowers along the Sacramento River.

We rode the same bike trail but this time when we crossed the bridge we rode to Keswick Dam. (We turned right.)

More beautiful flowers.

Keswick Dam

We rode a little farther on the trail past the dam to a hilltop. The terrain reminded me of home except for the mountain in the background!

This bike trail goes all the way to Shasta Dam which is about 19 miles. We didn't want to ride bikes the entire day. I would like to do it some day.

We did put in 17.6 miles!

We have been to the Sundial Bridge many times but never at night. Doyle wanted to do that. There was a special event  happening called Glowing Wild Lantern Festival at Turtle Bay. 

View of the Sacramento River after sunset.

It was pretty cool!

Have a good one!