It is the small simple things of life that bring us peace.



Sunday, April 29, 2012

Bastrop State Park

This weekend we headed out to Bastrop State Park to do a little camping.  The park had been devastated by a wild fire over Labor Day Weekend 2011 so I wasn't sure what we would find but I knew it would not be like I remembered it.  Just like a tornado, the fire had been selective about where it went-totally destroying some areas, skipping some areas altogether and just licking at some areas.  We had great weather and a good camp out.  I had made a two night reservation so we had plenty of time to enjoy.  I took Sawyer and Bentley along, check out the dog blog for their adventure.

Eight months after the fire.  Note the clusters of new growth around the oak trees, very encouraging!
This area was totally burned.      

Jaydon did a lot of scooter riding.  The family camped next to us had a 7-year old boy that Jaydon enjoyed playing with.  This was the view from our campsite; the fallen logs are part of an area that was partially burned.
Every kid in the park had some type of headgear with lights!  And, yes, by this time on Friday night Jaydon was hot, dirty, and tired!     


Jaydon and the dogs, Sunday morning.  We had a great camp site!


I'm going to do a post on the park and more on the fire when I have a little more time!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Right Steps

Proverbs16:9, A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

I think this is an interesting verse.  I believe there is a reason for everything that happens in our lives.  Sometimes we can plan everything out and think we have everything in place.  We may even pray about something we are going to do and ask God to direct us and bless the endeavor.  But then plans seem to go a muck and do not work out according to the plans we laid.  That's because God allowed us to make the plans, but he is overseeing them and is going to lead us in his perfect way.  So now when I start to plan something I thankfully remind myself that in the end God will direct me in the steps that I take and I will end up doing his good and perfect will.  How reassuring to know that God is directing my steps!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tax Day Is Over

Thank you dear God, I have survived another tax season.  This year was brutal.  I've decided that it isn't the tax process so much as it is the people.  It is amazing how people procrastinate and then want everyone else to jump through hoops to get them what they need (yes, the things that they had in the first place but were too lazy to keep up with).  Or they know they need to make that contribution so what do they do?  They wait until 4 p.m. on tax day and call to say they are on their way.  Or they need money to pay the taxes so they wait until today and then want us to wave our magic wand and make money suddenly appear in their account.  

As one of the guys says, "Your inability to plan ahead and manage your affairs does not constitute an emergency for me".  Every year I say that I am not going through another tax season, ha ha ha.  That's funny, right?  I guess I should just be glad I survived and it is finally over!

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Happy Birthday Cam!

We celebrated Cam's third birthday today!  We had so much fun, eating burgers and cake and just relaxing. Happy third birthday big boy! 

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Now How Are We Related?

Jaydon is starting to understand family relationships.  Last night we had a session about who this person is and who this person is and how we are all related.  He is grasping the aunt/uncle/cousin thing fairly well.  I didn't try to do the first, second, cousin thing.  Just kept it simple.  I could see him thinking, so to speak, as we talked.  He was trying to put it all together and get the relationship figured out in his mind. I asked him if they were learning about family members in school, but he answered that he was just trying to figure out how he was related to everybody in the family.

I tried to remember how I came to understand how all my family was related.  I don't remember anyone ever explaining all the relationships, I just seemed to always know.  But at some point someone had to have explained that this person was an aunt or uncle or a cousin.  I also had great grandmothers and great aunts and uncles, too.  I do remember one afternoon when I was about 13 or 14 when I sat down and copied birth dates from my grandmother's Bible.  There were a few deaths listed there, too.  She had 9 brothers and sisters so there was quite a list.  I still have that handwritten list.  I also remember my grandmother and mother sitting at the table after meals and discussing family members.  Maybe that is where I learned who was who in my family.

It was fun talking with Jaydon about our family and watching him try to put it all together.  One of life's little things, figuring out how you are related to everyone in the family you love.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter 2012

Easter was a beautiful day in every way.  The weather was perfect, church services were a blessing, and family time extra special.  And, the food was mighty fine if I did cook it myself!.  Here are a few pictures of the day:

Double Fun!

Emma can "pat-a-cake"

Is this a happy little girl?

Successful egg hunters!

Jello Eggs

Easter Blessings to All

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

They're Back!

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY 
The amaryllis is blooming again this year.  I had hoped for several stalks this year but am still happy with this one since it has 4 beautiful blooms!  Just in time for Holy Week!