Go Rangers!

Ranger Cookies, that is! ;-) They were disappearing just about as quickly as I could bake and pull them out of the oven. The trick was to make sure DH would leave enough for the kids' tea party. They were on the way over to spend the day, and I knew that would be the first thing on their little agenda. I was sure of that ...

 

Kids. Don't. Forget. ... anything!

 

Jack recently found the tea party set in the toy box and

now he likes taking tea with Kate and me.

 

(So far, he is happy to let Kate be "in control" and do the pouring!)

What he really likes is drinking "tea" from a cup with no lid!

Last week's cookies were lemon wedges from Maggiano's!

Perfect for our little party.

(chips on the side make that sweet/salty mix!)

Sweet Kate had a run-in with

the BBQ grill when visiting her cousins. Smack right into it!

(Thank You, God that it was on the side of her eye and not in it!)

Jack also discovered the viewmaster!

Since baby brothers somehow manage to get in the middle of things,

Kate and I wait until he is napping to enjoy some other activities.

Like painting!

I found this giant coloring book at Mardel which has big pictures

and color guide dots within the pictures. She loves this.

While cleaning out a drawer in one of the extra bedrooms,

I came across this paper doll set from many years ago.

The interesting thing to me about this find is that the dolls

are named Kate and Charles. (Charles is Jack's middle name.)

Kate likes that, and so do I.

So many clothes for these dolls, it's hard to decide which they will wear.

 It's always fun to have Kate and Jack stay with us,

and we love it they get to come quite often.

Grandpa and I drop everything to just stop and enjoy these kids

who can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary day.

Whether it's coloring, chalk drawing on the driveway,

going to the park, playing tag in the yard, blowing bubbles, or kickball,

it's simply one of the best pleasures life has to offer.

(Funny thing though, when Mommy came to pick them up at the end of this particular day,

the question was not the ordinary: "How were the kids today?"

It was: "Did Jack have a poop?"

"Yes."

"Was there a yellow balloon in it?"

Uh-oh.

 

Sunday

Great word for Sunday.

 

{Source: RachelWojo.com}

Wrap up

The Ladies of Grace (LOG) and Bible Study Fellowship Bible studies which began in September of last year have wrapped up, leaving my Tuesdays and Wednesdays open for something else this summer (which I'm sure I will figure out soon). LOG held a leadership luncheon last week (thank you, Lorraine and Lisa). All the food was delicious, and everything was so elegant and peaceful as we sat around the table enjoying great conversation. As we tarried there after lunch, several of us were receiving text messages from others warning that a tornado watch was in effect, so we reluctantly ended our party.

There was no concern for me as I left Lorraine's house ... it had only begun to sprinkle, very non-threatening. But once I got out on the highway to my house, it was a different story and the drive home was one of the scariest I have driven in years. Dark storm clouds, heavy and blinding rain, high winds!! Believe me when I say the plans I had made for running errands and dropping by to see the kids were discarded and become plans for a better weather day. I prayed all the way home with the memory fresh in my mind of the devastating tornadoes from the day before in Moore, Oklahoma. Thank You, Lord, I made it home. (I think that is the first time I have ever seen the traffic on 121 moving along at 20 mph in a 70 mph zone.)

On Friday, (after a couple of weeks spent trying to get together) we headed over to Farmersville to visit our good friends, Bettye and Paul, and treat ourselves to a chicken fried steak meal at the Cattleman's Cafe in Blue Ridge.

I had never heard of the Cattleman's Cafe, but Bettye raved about it so many times, that we finally had to go see what was up with that since a good chicken fried steak is something we really like can't get enough of. Bettye says you cannot get in this place on Sunday after church. I believe it too because the food was good and the place was small - it may also be the only cafe within miles around!

I never knew that Blue Ridge was a real town. But here is a pic of the city hall to prove it is.

The chicken fried steak lived up to its good reputation! Their really big boast is that it was rated #1 by Big D magazine. I'm not sure I would say it was the best I've ever eaten, but I would say it was mighty good and worth the trip.

Bettye and I had planned to leave the guys home and visit the antique stores in Farmersville after lunch, but after stuffing ourselves with all that food, it was pleasant to just sit (hard to move) out on Bettye's front porch sipping tea, visiting, and listening to the sounds of the country. So restful ... Trudy ran around happily exploring new territory ... the day was definitely worth the trip.

There is a saying that "the road to a friend's house is never long."

I hold with that thought.

I just wish it wasn't so far away!!! ;/)

My friend's house :-)

Wednesday Hodge Podge

This is my first time to join in with the Hodge Podge Wednesday From This Side of the Pond

1. What question do you often ask yourself?

What do I need to do next?

2. Do you grow roses?

I have loads of Knockout roses in my yard because they are so easy to grow. My favorite color may be red, however, a yellow or pink rose come very close to being my favorites. 

To the left of these huge Knockouts, there are a couple of
yellow bushes and to the right, pink.
(My dog Trudy likes to wander in and out of there.)

Yes, I been given a dozen roses on several occasions, but I would much rather have roses in the yard.

Where was the prettiest rose or rose garden you remember seeing?

We have visited many gardens in the U.S. and Europe, but the only "rose garden" I remember visiting was the Tulsa Rose Garden and the ones at Dallas Arboretum. I’ve lived in Texas for over 40 years and haven’t been to Tyler yet for the rose festival. In doing a quick Google search, I discovered there is a rose garden only about 15 miles away from me and I plan to visit soon.

3. Do you read the freshness dates on grocery store products?

I definitely read the freshness dates and won't buy anything close to expiration date. I will use eggs past their 'use by' date if they don’t smell, but we use eggs up pretty quickly.  I will take medication that's expired up to a year after the expiration date.  I don't buy dented cans.

4. Should athletes be role models?

Since they are in the public eye and admired by youth for their skills in sports, I think they should realize it’s not just about them and recognize their responsibility to the ones who admire them.

5. Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first explorers to reach the top of Mt. Everest on this date (May 29) back in 1953. What's something you hope to achieve in your lifetime?

To accomplish the purpose God intended for me and not waste the life I’ve been given.

6. What would you do if you had twenty acres of land and the money to develop it any way you choose?

I would have 3 homes built on it, invite our family to live there, have some horses for the kids, some chickens, a huge vegetable garden, (a rose garden), and a stock pond.

7. If I invite you to a party with a 7 PM start time, what time will I actually see you there?

6:55 p.m.

8. Sometimes I wonder whether I did the right thing in retiring. After having worked for so many years, it seems I was able to accomplish more in my evenings and weekends than I do now with the flexibility I used to long for.

Congratulations to Cap!

Finally! After spending the last 43 months situated caged confined in an office position with the fire department, our son has finally been assigned set free to a fire station doing what he really loves. And the kiddos have been looking forward to visiting Daddy at work for the past few weeks.

We are so proud of you, Jason.

Pretty exciting stuff for a 2 and 4 year old.

But I know the real thrill is for Dad and Grandpa.

Jason is a third generation captain with the fire department.

My DH with his son

 

Brady and Noah soccer

Early last Friday (a week ago - I am a little behind), we received a text from our daughter Sara which included a video of Noah and Brady doing the "Nonnie/Papa are coming to see us" happy dance. We were looking forward to spending time together and having a chance to watch them play soccer. Their team has done great this year and we were hoping to see them score a goal or two.

 

They didn't disappoint!

The game was 3-0.

Noah scored one goal

and Brady scored the other two.

Yay!

 

On the way to the soccer game, Noah had to show me

a trick with the ball he brought with him.

Noah is pretty funny, and the memory of this conversation with him makes me smile:

Me: "You really DO have the longest, most beautiful eyelashes of anybody."
Him: "I know."
Me: "And you really are the guy who can dance."
Him: "Yes. But don't tell anybody. That's my specialness. But you can take a picture of me."

 



Brady really hustles and we noticed he is the fastest
runner on the team.

 

Kinda blurry, but they are waiting for direction from the coach.

Cooling off time.

 

Picking them up from school is always a thrill for us because they are so excited that we have come to visit. We went to Gattiland for pizza and games, and then on to see the movie Monsters, Inc. (it put Brady to sleep). Swimming, soccer, and just hanging out at the house playing games like Zingo, Hedbanz, and Uno. (I think Brady gets his love of playing games from his Mom.)

Adventures for them happen on a regular basis. Their Dad loves taking his boys to different events and they have experienced a lot of excitement in their short lives. This weekend they are making more memories with friends ... and check out the fish they caught!

Wow! What a fish!

Memorial Day 2013

My Dad proudly served in WWII ... my uncle gave his life there. Cousins, uncles, classmates, my husband ... all who served and are serving our country in the U. S. Military.

 

So proud of and thankful for my two nephews.

May the Lord bless and keep them safe until they return.