My mom-tribute

This day 15 years ago my mom went to be with Jesus. I was 19 years old at the time and my sister was a senior in high school. My mom had brain cancer, she had 2 operations, chemo, radiation, a stroke her cancer was very aggressive. From the day she was diagnosed she lived about 9 months. I can say my mom had a incredible strength and grace the way she dealt with cancer. About 2 months after her first surgery she went to the doctor for a checkup. They came home and said the cancer had come back and was growing down her brain stem. They could try and remove some of the tumor, but it could have left her a vegetable the rest of her life. My mom chose not to have the surgery and spend her last months with us. You know I never saw her upset, she never left me and Jennifer see her mad. She was always so happy and smiling. What a blessing for me and Jennifer, we have some great memories. I will never forget her talking with me one day about not seeing Jennifer graduate, us get married have children, etc. She said she was going to miss that so much, but had to trust God knew what he was doing. She is such a inspiration to me. Wow, I can not even imagine having to say that to my children. What grace she had her last few months, she chose to spend it being happy and rejoicing instead of mad and upset. I can say I had to grow up real fast and take over for my mom. We opted to have Hospice come out to the house her last few weeks alive. I can not sing enough praises about Hospice, they truly are angels. We did not want her to be in a hospital her last few days. It is still so clear. I will never forget the morning she left us. My Dad came in and woke me up, he said he knew it wouldn't be long. So he called the nurse and the nurse said to spend time with her she would be gone within the hour. So we woke up my sister and all joined around her bed in the den. You have to understand the last few weeks she was alive she was in a light coma, she did not talk. I would sit with her as my sister would and talk about her favorite soaps, tell her anything, but no response. When we all gathered around her she looked at all of us smiled and said she loved us. I know in my heart that what she did right before she passed was such a great gift from God. She took a few more breaths and then she was gone. My Dad was the first to leave then my sister, I could not leave. I continued to sit there until the nurse showed up. My mom was my best friend, I owe so much to her and wish everyday that she was still here. She is missing out on her granddaughter and grandson, my wonderful husband, just my whole life in general. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of her. I did not realize how much she did until I had my daughter. It then hit me how much she did for us and how she always went above her call of motherhood. She always put us girls first, she held our family together. Since she has passed our family has suffered, my Dad has never recovered her death. Me and my sister are very close even though we live hundreds of miles apart. We try to talk weekly and keep up with each other with our blogs and email. I truly believe my mom would be proud of me and Jennifer. We both have great christian husbands and are trying to raise our children the way she raised us. I just wanted to let everyone know that I was blessed with a extraordinary mom who I will never forget. Mom, I miss you everyday, so much. I wish you were here to be a part of my everyday life. You would have been such a great grandmother and such a blessing to our children. You are always with me and I tell Savannah about you all the time. Thanks for being you and such a wonderful mom. I love you more than I can say.

CHORES AND SUNSHINE........

"Angel" reaching for "Roo's" scrapes! How many heads can get in the bucket??

Momma and babies were in the barn when I got there!

"Preacher" "Pesky" "Roo"

Today is still cool, but the sun is out and it feels good outside. I decided to take my camera out while I did chores this morning. (you never know when you will get a great pic or post!!) When I got to the barn the momma hen and babies were in there. They are getting bigger and they are starting to get some color to them. The rooster that is with her has been by her side since the babies hatched. Which is not normal rooster behavior, we have never seen one do like he is. The other day we went out and she was sitting on the chicks taking a nap and he was standing next to her on guard. I took pictures of all but "Angel's" eyes, because she was trying to eat the camera!! Which leads me to the explain the next picture of her. She is doing aerobics and stretching!! She was reaching to try and get "Roo's"scraps off the ground!! Well, she is determined!! Then I turned them all out and they love to go in and check "Pesky's" bucket. He eats senior feed, which is different from what they eat. I looked up and the 3 stooges are all trying to get there heads into the bucket! I stood there and watched them for awhile and it was quiet comical. "Angel" of course was first there, then "Roo" and "Preacher". She would let them get a look then she would pen her ears and they would back off, then they would ease back up and this went on for about 10 minutes. What a joy to watch God's creatures. They each have such great personalities. I am truly blessed. Hope you enjoy pictures from my morning of chores and sunshine.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

JAKE'S YOUTH RANCH RODEO 10/13/07

On the mugging Jake got on the head and stayed! Way to go guys!!!

In the penning event! Jake roping

Savannah goat flipping and dummy roping! Her new spurs!!

Jake had a Youth Ranch Rodeo this past Saturday in Grand Saline. The team he was supposed to ride on 2 of them did not show up, so we had to draw them out. But there was 2 teams there that needed 1 person for each of there teams. So we did that and they did a great job riding together. They had a plan, teamwork and communication which was impressive since they had all of 5 minutes to meet and get ready! He rode under Cowboy Church of Erath County, they did a great job! Way to go guys!! They placed 7Th and won a nice handmade night latch. We are both very proud of Jake and his horse "Preacher." They worked very well together and were getting things done. Savannah also participated in the 6 and under age group. They did goat flipping and dummy roping. She won 2Nd place in the goat flipping and got handmade spurs, bucket and lead rope. Her spurs say CBCC (which is our church) on the outside and on the inside it says champ. She is very proud of them! We are very proud of both of you! Great job! Love, Mom and Dad

New babies!

We have new baby chicks! Let me just say I was shocked yesterday when I found them. We thought this hen had gone on. Well, yesterday afternoon I was cleaning out my truck and heard chirping. I went to investigate and found said hen sitting on babies! I believe we have 10, though I am not sure. As you will notice in the pictures she is not very happy I am around. She is a very good mom. I found where she had been sitting in our shed. There was one egg that was trying to hatch out, so I ran into the house to get the camera to document it. I knew Savannah would want to see it. Savannah was so excited to get home and see the new babies! This morning hen and babies are doing well. She had them out and about today. This is one of the great many blessings of living in the country. Getting to be a part and witness firsthand God's many creatures and life. I will keep you posted on the babies!

Savannah's 3 rd RCRA rodeo 10/6/07

BARRELS
POSING FOR THE CAMERA! LARAMIRE, MICHAEL & SAVANNAH

PENNING THE COWS!!

Savannah had her 3rd RCRA rodeo this Saturday. She did the barrels, penning, and the goat events. She rode "Angel" my mare and they did a great job together. We were hoping for alittle cooler weather, but it was still hot and humid. Hopefully next month will be cooler! She only has 2 rodeos left with the finals being in December. Great job Savannah and "Angel!!!!!" Love you, Mom, Dad and Bubba!!

*HOMECOMING!*

Our son played in his first homecoming game tonight. They won 22-19! Way to go Troup Tigers! He recovered a onside kick from the Chapel Hill Bulldogs. That play saved them from making a touchdown! Way to go Jake!! I am starting to learn my football lingo! Son, we are so proud of you and love you! Way to go #73!!!

BLESSED!!

I was thinking today about how truly blessed that I am. It seems you always think about how blessed you are when you are being tested or going through a rough spot. I am first and foremost blessed to be a daughter of our Loving Father, our creator, Alpha and Omega. I do not know what I would do without my faith and our wonderful church family. I am blessed with a great Christian husband, father, best friend. I am blessed by my son, who did not come into my life until he was 8 years old. We have a great relationship and I cherish it. (I just wish someone would come up with a better name than step mom and step son. It sounds so harsh.) I have always referred to him as my son, which he is. I am blessed with my beautiful daughter, she is my sunshine. She has such a sweet spirit about her, caring. A child's heart is so sweet and innocent. A wonderful sister and her family. We have grown closer together, even though in miles we grow farther apart. I cherish my friendship with Mary, she has been there in so many ways. My family in Dallas, Barb and Cindy, they have been there my whole life and filled such a void in my life since my mom died. The list could go on and on. What I am going through now has got me to thinking. We need to tell each other how much they mean to us, as we do not know when we will see them again. Our family rule is: we tell each other we love each other on a daily basis. When we talk on the phone or via text messaging! I am blessed by each of my blogging buddies as well! Have a great and blessed day!