The Texas Amigos

When you are in kindergarten, you have rest time…and during rest time you lay on your nap mat & whisper to your new best buddy all about deer hunting. 🦌 You form a bond that grows stronger over the years with loads of memories made through many sleepovers & sports played together & of coarse huntin & fishin & lovin every day! These boys have been in Noah’s life since kindergarten & 1st grade & have wonderful families we hold dear to our hearts as well! Moving away from those close friendships wasn’t easy. It’s been over 2 1/2 years since they have gotten to see each other! This time they are all 17 & have deeper voices! My how time flies! They are still the sweetest & well mannered respectful boys as they always were! 🥰 Noah was on cloud nine to have them come for a visit to Tennessee! He loved showing them around the place he calls home now. They did all the “old stuff” they use to do together & went nonstop! Noah said at one time they were walking behind him in the woods & he turned around & they were both stopped & just staring up into the trees. They loved the creeks & trees & walked many of miles, climbing hills & making more memories! So fun to hear them talk & laugh & reconnect so easily. I am so proud of them all & know they are going to do great things! Redmond & Latham are the forever kind of friends! It’s going to be so fun to watch them continue on their journey of life. 

Noah mentioned one of them saying, “Things are so simple here.” 💙

The country life is quite slower & there are less places & faces. We are so very grateful that these sweet faces came to our place & are always welcome for a visit! 

#thetexasamigos #tennesseetime

All I Need Is Jesus & Sunshine-Flowers & Family

I think God knew when he made flowers that they were going to bring such joy to us. I continue to take pics of the wild ones in the wood that make the perfect centerpiece & the ones in the yard that surprise you in the morning as they have opened up. I wonder if God looks at us like the flowers? He is so patient with us while we are growing & waiting to bloom. He gives us all we need to survive & thrive… As flowers need sunshine & rain to open up & bloom…. we need our Father. We need the sunshine of His “Son”  ☀️ to help us grow. We need the trickle of the Holy Spirit raining down on us daily to keep us nourished & reminded who lives inside our hearts. 

God created all things & all things need their creator. I love that He gave us the blessings of family to also help nourish us while we are on this earth. Family is so wonderful! I look at the cousin pics & bday fun & to be around a table to sing & celebrate this life together is just all I need some days. 

I need Jesus & Sunshine & Flowers & Family! That’s it!

Dear Jesus….Are You In My Kitchen Sink?

Sunday thoughts…Finding R-E-S-T in acts of selflessness…. 

Have I ever stood over my kitchen sink grumbling in my mind after cooking & serving my family, that I’m the only one ‘still’ in the kitchen washing dishes & cleaning up the messes….While they all get to go do whatever they want…rest & play! Yes, Yes I have. Too many times to admit. My heart gets convicted & feels dirtier than ALL the dishes! I don’t want to have those feelings because I love my family & don’t want to grumble. Today was another one of those days except something different came to me… in my kitchen sink.

My family, once again, had all made their way to the couch & I found myself in the kitchen with dishes & messes everywhere. As I stood over the sink scrubbing & rinsing, listening to this tv show they were watching talk about “how turkeys mate”… I could also hear my 4 children & husband all laughing & talking about all these fun, yet interesting facts🤪…. I kept looking down at the soapy pans & had such a feeling of peace as I looked over at my family…. R-E-S-T-I-N-G. I thanked God for this moment that my heart wasn’t feeling dirty but instead at peace. I too was finding R-E-S-T even though I wasn’t resting on the couch with them, my heart was resting from resentful feelings. Selfless acts aren’t always rewarded, but today I felt rewarded serving my family…and yes doing the dishes….again.🥰

I seem to find Jesus a lot in my kitchen sink? I know I am not alone in many days of tirelessly serving my family. I know many who understand this day in day out blessed life of being a wife & mother. I have thought about this a lot today & that Serving God shouldn’t feel tiring. When we serve with “His heart”, we feel peace & rest in our work. When we serve with our resentful, human, selfish hearts… we feel exhausted & will never be truly rewarded. I hope however we all find our hands at work, we find Jesus in our heart….and maybe even in the kitchen sink too!❤️ 

#cleankitchen #happymama  #restinjesusandthekitchensink

I Got The Fever….

YEP…. the fever is real. Spring is in the air!!! Oh my precious tulips… I never knew how much I would love you! Your bright beautiful colors that surprise me as you open up to stay gorgeous for so long! I am amazed! I can’t wait to plant more bulbs in the fall! They did so well & make me smile every day!!!

I love my tulips but my family too!!! More pics of more memories! That’s me! That’s what I am here for! I love taking the pictures but even more looking back on them!  Sometimes I giggle as month after month I seem to find joy in taking pictures of the same things… my children… doing what they love or snuggling with me! Ha! Our animals! How can you not? The seasons…. God knew we needed some bright beautiful green & colors that pop after a white skied winter!  Yay for spring! I will take the fever!!!