Archive for the 'Family' Category
July 31, 2008 @ 8:17 pm | Filed under: Family, Travel
We left on vacation late yesterday afternoon. But before beginning TRUE vacation, Mike has sales calls to make in West Texas and in New Mexico. So I am tagging along for the ride, armed with books and magazines to keep me occupied while he does all the workerly stuff.
Today we visited two windmill farms where he had meetings lined up. I have to say that this was almost like a field trip for me. Totally interesting. These white mills are visible for miles and - once you’re on the farm itself, they stretch for as far as the eye can see.
The towers stand up to 160 feet tall and each of the three blades are up to EIGHTY feet long! The towers - though they look like skinny trunks in the picture and from a distance - actually are anywhere from 8 feet in diameter all the way up to 12 feet.
Wind energy is definitely the wave of the future. But this future is still quite a long way off. The US ranks second in wind energy, second only to Germany. But even so, wind AND solar energy combined only make up about 1% of the energy on our country’s grid. And wind alone only makes up about 1/2 of 1%.
Still - it’s pretty cool to look at these beautiful (they really ARE beautiful) windmills that line the West Texas ridges and know what they are capable of producing.
July 30, 2008 @ 10:11 pm | Filed under: Family, Summer at the ballpark
Pops took Carter to the game on Tuesday night. I’m still not sure who was more excited - the Pops or the Grandson! From what I hear, they enjoyed hot dogs, ice cream, and hanging out with Deuce!
baseball, grandchildren, Rough Riders
July 21, 2008 @ 3:03 pm | Filed under: Family, Pure Sunshine
My niece, Madie, has loved horses just about all her life. She likes play horses, movies about horses, clothing with pictures of horses on them…You name it. If a horse is involved, Madie is sure to be interested.
So it was so much fun to go to the Capricorn Equestrian center on Friday and watch her ride an actual horse! She attended a day camp here all week long and loved it.
The grand finale of the Friday afternoon event was seeing Madie win a blue ribbon for FIRST PLACE in her equestrian class!
I think it’s official now. We now have our first horsewoman in the family.
And what a cute one she is!
July 16, 2008 @ 3:02 pm | Filed under: Family, Summer at the ballpark
For Father’s Day this year, I gave Dad an evening out with his one and only daughter - ME!
Last night was the night. We went to the Rider game together and - though it rained BUCKETS - we had such a great time.
Daddy is one of the handful of people in my life that I can sit and talk with for, literally, hours. And that is just what we did last night.
After introducing him to the wonder that IS Founder Club Membership, we toured the various ballpark restaurants and finally settled at a table in the JC Penney Clubhouse, right next to a window overlooking home plate. Not a bad way to enjoy all - the game, my dad, and the much-needed North Texas rain!
ballpark, dads and daughters, Family
July 12, 2008 @ 11:32 am | Filed under: Family, The Fit Life
A year ago this week, I began running. Looking back, it makes me laugh to think that I could scarcely run sixty seconds straight without running out of breath and out of steam.
These days I continue to run a steady and consistent 3-4 miles several times a week. Running has given me so much: better health, better mental clarity, and…has bonded me in a special way with Braxton!
This is a picture of Braxton with his proud parents, Brian and Stefanie (my cousin.) On Friday, Braxton ran in his regional track finals and I went to watch. Braxton ran a 6:20 mile and I couldn’t have been more proud if he’d been my own son!
Way to go, Braxton!
June 27, 2008 @ 4:53 pm | Filed under: Family, Pure Sunshine
A smile is worth a million dreams,
And laughter a thousand heartbeats
Lifting the spirits and chasing the blues away
With every smile a chance to open doors to laughter
An elevator ride up through the clouds
Where dreams can come true
and heartbeats erase the blues.
–JoJo Bean
aunts, Family, laughter, nieces
June 21, 2008 @ 5:39 pm | Filed under: Family, Pure Sunshine
The kids at Carter’s Kindergarten graduation. Notice who scored the cap afterwards…!
Congratulations, Carter! Pops and Nana are so proud of you!
Family, grandchildren, kindergarten graduation
June 15, 2008 @ 1:35 pm | Filed under: Family, Pure Sunshine
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
Family, Father's day poem, grandchildren
May 21, 2008 @ 10:13 am | Filed under: Family, Pure Sunshine
kids, summertime memories, swimming, Wordless Wednesday
May 12, 2008 @ 5:55 pm | Filed under: Family, Motherhood
The first Mother’s Day is almost always such a special time in a woman’s life.
I remember my own, back in 1988, when I was a brand new mom with a roly-poly four-month old little boy. During those early months, there are lots of special ‘firsts’ - first smile, first uninterrupted four hours of sleep, first tooth, etc…
New moms are tired, but they are also filled with joy in a way that just can’t be explained until motherhood is experienced firsthand. So when that first Mother’s Day rolls around, new moms everywhere truly do feel like a new member of a special club.
And it is.
For the next eighteen years (and, ladies, that’s a minimum, from what I’m told), this child is yours to lead, to enjoy, to guide, to laugh with, to instruct, to correct, to cajole…
It is the hardest job…but it pays the highest dividends.
It is the least thankful job….but it is the most fulfilling.
It is the one job that allows for zero vacation days…but it is the place where you feel most at home.
This year it was my sister-in-law’s turn to experience her first Mother’s Day. I know the day was bittersweet for her because it was also the first Mother’s Day without her own mom, who lost a battle with cancer this past November.
Robyn, in honor of all that has come into your life, and in memory of what once was, here’s a poem I found. I want you to know that we love you immensely and are so happy that you’re a part of our family!
Tomorrow and A Day
“Mom, I have a boo boo,
Could you kiss it, make it well?
I tried to ride my new bike
but I crashed it then I fell.”
I will kiss your pain away.
I will dry your little tears.
I will rock you in the cradle.
I will soothe away your fears.
“Mom, is that my baby sister?
Do you still love me too?
Can you fix my broken teddy?
Can we paint my bedroom blue?”
I will love you till tomorrow.
For tomorrow’s never end.
I will fix a heart that’s broken
and I promise it will mend.
“Mom is Santa Claus a real man?
Can you take my sister back?
When will Dad be home from work?
May I have another snack?”
I will tell you about Jesus
and the gifts he brought to you.
One of them is little sister
and we’ll eat with Dad at two.
“Mom, how does a firefly glow
like the color of the moon?
Can we go to the playground?
Can we buy a red balloon?”
I can’t give you all the answers
but I’ll try my best to be
loving, caring, and forgiving
as I hope you’ll be with me.
“Mom, why do bad things happen?
Is God mad at you and me?
Mom, will you always love me
even when I’m sixty three?”
If you’re feeling overwhelmed
get down on your knees and pray
and remember that you’re loved
till tomorrow and a day…
Happy first Mother’s Day, Robyn!
