The other day I saw this beautiful tree on the side of the road on my way home from picking the kiddos up from school. Well, I realized each day that more and more leaves were falling off of this tree and that the picture that I had envisioned weren't going to be happening like I had thought. So, long story short.....I stopped on the side of the road and took these impromptu pictures of the kids playing in the leaves. 
The girls attend MDO at a church that is right around the corner to our house. They really enjoy going and being with their friends. Their teachers are 2 amazing woman that are thrilled to see them every Tuesday and Thursday.
Marlee took a bite out of her apple recently and this is what it looked like. Clearly, she's a genius!! Honestly, I think it was just a stroke of luck, but it really was pretty neat and I thought I would share it with all of you. 
Hope you all are having a FABULOUS day!!!:=))
Clearly,this what you all have been waiting for.............the boy needed to shave! 
This is something that he has been waiting for since he was probably 2 or 3 years old and would sit and watch Boppy shave. The anticipation that led up to this day was so much more than I ever expected. I have to say he was pretty patient, but then the day came where we looked at him and couldn't tell if it was just a dirty face or if he needed to shave?
How can I have a child that is shaving???
He is such an awesome kid and truly just an all around good kid. I am amazed that he could have turned out to be so good....he has had 3 wonderful role models in his life....my dad(Boppy), Uncle Cameron and my husband Eric(dad). Tyler was 5yrs old when Eric and I got married. Eric has loved him from day one and has made a huge impact on Tyler's life. He is truly Tyler's father in every respect of the word. Before Eric came along Boppy and Uncle Cameron were amazing in guiding Tyler in to being an exceptionally good little boy. I thank God that these 3 men were placed in Tyler's life and that they all have done such an AWESOME job in molding him in to the wonderful Christian young man he has become.
What a amazing blessing!
This summer Keely was able to participate in a program called 'Air Challenge'. This is a program for children with disabilities who would like to ride in an air plane. Amarillo is one of just a few places in the United States that participates in this. We were so very fortunate to be chosen as one of the families to get to fly an actual plane. Here are a few pictures from this event.
Keely was as times very unsure of the whole thing, but over all it was a very neat experience for her, Tyler and Eric to get to share and be apart of. We give out a huge thanks to our friend Jill who orchestrated all of this for Keely. ~Thank you!
It's amazing how much better you feel after a simply good night of rest. I struggle with this; I love coffee and so most think that is the reason. Could be, but this is something that I have struggled with for years really before I even found my love for the coffee. Having said that, I love.....love....love it when I can go to bed.....sleep for at least 5 hours strait with out being woke up. It is the simple things that excite me. :=)
I closed out my "FACEBOOK" account and truly knew that is what I was supposed to a looooong time ago, but hadn't been obedient to the little nudge from the Lord. I love reading about 'Sally Sue' that I went to Junior High with who had a new baby or bought a house, some funny quote or comment from a friend, the reconnected feeling that comes with keeping up with people that honestly I would not have contact with otherwise or "well wishes" from friends and loved ones for the day.
Any who....I decided to keep myself from getting caught up in all of the other junk on 'FACEBOOK' I would close out my account. Many of you may not get caught up in all the drama that people put on there, but I do...:=) It's funny how we all find our selves looking for what is new on there....I was the world's worst....OBSESSED!!! FACEBOOK isn't some horrible thing; I personally didn't know the fine line of looking at it as enjoyment and looking at it and the whole OCD playing a factor.
Since, I have made this decision I realized that this really freed up more time for me to read other peoples blogs and for me to post on my own......clearly, a win/win situation:=)
At the Giles' house we are constantly wishing away the week anxiously awaiting for Daddy to come home on Thursdays. Clearly, not the best option, but oh well. Any who, it looks like by the end of this month he should be home all of the time......which is twofold for sure. The BNSF doesn't have bridge work set up for 2010, so this means Eric will be home all of the time, but who knows if they will have enough work to keep them busy. We are trusting the Lord in this situation. He knows our needs and will be faithful to us. Funny thing is that this has opened Eric's eyes completely about his work situation......he has always loved the railroad; literally dreamed of working there because all of the older men in his family had worked there and he looked up to them. Recently, Eric realized that it is not all what it seems. He can truly look at the situation and see that MONEY does not buy happiness and so very true for the situation that we are in. Funny how God continues to use things day in and day out to open our eyes to what is truly important.
So, back to the new week.........This is Tyler's last week of football-PRAISE GOD!!! I am not a football fan at all; I support him no matter what, but this is something I don't enjoy! Having said that-some things that play a huge part in me not liking it is that we(Keely, Marlee, Maggie May & I) all have to get up at the 5:45 in the AM to take Tyler to football practice. Then we sit at Keely's school for 30 minutes(in the car) waiting for the doors to open so that she can be dropped off at school. Clearly, none of the girls enjoy this and the best way they can show me their appreciation is by crying the entire time.....I'm just leaping out there, but I think this might be the reason why I HATE FOOTBALL!!:=) I love seeing Tyler doing something that he enjoys, and I know that once we get a year or two behind us it will be so much better.
Each season brings so many rushed events and each year seems to fly by faster than the last one. Spring is when we have all of the kiddos birthdays. Summer....well, enough said. Fall.....back to school, Halloween & Thanksgiving. Winter.....Christmas. Every single one has a new thing that makes me hurry through one in anticipation for the next one. I remember back to all of the older people in my life that through the years said "how fast time fly's"....funny what wisdom they have.
I hope you all have a fantastic day with many blessings brought to you through out the week.
Wow, a lot has happened in the past year......I have slipped away from blogging so much and honestly have forgotten how much I love it. I'll go ahead and blame facebook:=) A quick comment here and there doesn't make up for a complete thought though.
Sometimes life throws you such so many curve balls that you don't really know which way to turn next. That is where I am at right now...dodge one here and watch out because here comes another...wow that one was close. Honestly feeling as though you are hanging on by a thread to keep you and your family together. Dang Satan knows exactly how to torture us! I am realizing that as I get older more and more woman feel the same way. I always thought it was just me, but everyone has those moments. We have to look to God's Word for guidance in our daily lives to help us up those hills that almost look like mountains. Not forgetting when we are sliding down those same hills on the other side who helped us conquer it.
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Thank God He continues to bless us with another day until His Son returns....understanding that by His grace we are able to continue on in this journey of our life here on earth.
~Everyone wasn't on cue, but honestly who cares they are just adorable if I do say so myself;=)~
Tyler-12
Keely-11
Marlee & Maggie May-3
~It's amazing how fast the time has past!~
Sweet Smell of PineSol
3 Jul 2009
T. Suzanne Eller
"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
I admit it. I'm the world's worst when it comes to preserving photos. I have boxes of photos stacked in various cubbyholes. I tried to organize the pictures once. I divided them and placed them in large envelopes. My next step was to put them in albums. They are still in the envelopes—stacked in a box.
Melissa, Ryan, and Leslie are now in their 20's and newly married. The chances of me ever getting these precious memories organized are slim to none, but I'm realizing something powerful. Memories aren't limited to pictures.
Remember when, Mom…? is a common phrase in my house now. We have become the hub, a privilege once reserved for my husband's parents. At holidays and special weekends, they drive up, unload luggage and pile into the guest rooms. We laugh and reminisce a lot around the table. Remember when we went on treasure hunts in the pasture? Remember when you jumped on the bed and popped Ryan up in the air so high it scared you? Remember that yellow Slip N' Slide?
I do remember. But I also remember a young mom who worried that her house wasn't spotless when an unexpected guest showed up. I remember the angst of trying to do everything and the fatigue when my day ended before my chores did.
But there were days that I threw caution to the wind and jumped on the bed, even though it might make others frown. I grabbed a shovel and gave the kids plastic buckets and we looked for old bottles and trinkets at the abandoned homestead nearby. We mixed Dawn dishwashing liquid and water and I laughed out loud as the kids flew like greased lightening across the yellow slippery slide. Some of those memories were captured in that pre-digital age, but most were not, but they are etched on the heart of my young adult children.
They reminisce about what we did together. They don't reminisce about the smell of PineSol. Whether my house was perfect or how it compared to others' isn't even on their radar. It makes me wonder why I worried about it. Is it good to have order and structure? Sure. But don't allow the pressure to be the perfect mom keep you from the beauty of simply playing with your children. The unmade bed will still be there, but I promise that a child will grow quickly and leave the nest.
Take a moment today and look past the clutter and the to-do list and play like a child again. It might not be a picture-perfect moment, but it will be a memory.
Dear Lord, time passes so fast. Slow me down, God. Let me enjoy the smallest pleasures around me. Let me play with my child instead of knocking down a to-do list. Let me laugh with my teen instead of fussing at him. Thank You for the sweet memories of today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
