Wait! We did have one alternative to our alternator problem…prayer. So, we earnestly prayed as a family. It had been a long time since the days of only one mode of transportation. The one day I needed the car, I dropped BC off at school. Later that day, BC received a call from a friend. He told BC that an anonymous person wanted to take care of our car. All we had to do was take it to a certain auto shop. What a praise! We managed to get it to the shop by charging it several times along the way. I followed him in the suburban. It only took us one and a half hours, but we were thankful we got it there.

Two days later, we received the call from the shop that his pick-up was ready for pick up. Wow! That was fast! we thought. The owner told BC that he fixed the alternator, a power steering leak, and put in a new air conditioner. BC was amazed, and slightly shocked! We all were. A new A/C is expensive. BC had been without A/C in his truck for awhile. It had been on our list of “things to fix”. That night, when we went around the table sharing our favorite part of the day, Daddy shared about the surprise blessing we had received from the LORD! We all praised the LORD for His goodness. He not only meets our needs, but also goes above and beyond even what we might expect. God always provides!

So, I bought some foam “Pilgrim people” that we put together and we cut out our pictures for the faces! These have made us laugh daily! You have to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes, you know?




I also found some magic art leaves that were cool. You just scratch off a design of your choice with a small pointed stick and colorful rainbow-like designs appear underneath.

Then, I purchased some small turkey cut-outs. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to do with them. I thought I might use some to make some napkin holders. Then, I thought we could play a “hunt for the turkey” game with one.

So, I put blue painting/masking tape on the back of a turkey cut-out and called the kids over. I said, “We are going to play a fun game each day until Thanksgiving. Someone has this turkey, and tries to put it on someone’s back without that someone knowing about it. When the turkey person realizes it, they continue the game by putting it on an unsuspecting someone’s back, until the end of the day.”

The kids said that sounded like fun, pats on the back and all, and the game began. We all chuckled behind the back at our little turkey friend on the back of our loved one; the younger ones pointed and laughed. It was all in fun.

When daddy came home, the kids were quick to explain the new turkey game, as BC wondered why Paige had a turkey on her back. The master quickly caught on, and got my back, unbeknownst to me. So, when I had to trot over to Walgreens last night around 8:00 p.m. for some dry eye lubricant and pads, you guessed it…turkey went along for the ride. As I was checking out, there was a line behind me, and I felt like people were staring (I usually feel a little self-conscious when buying pads anyway.), and they were smiling. I just smiled back and attributed it to the cheerful Christmas music.

So, when I arrived back home, my husband sent me a text with a picture of me with a turkey on my back. I felt like I was a roasted turkey! I did laugh, though, but wondered if there was fowl play. I’m thinking we should keep this game “in house only”. As BC laughingly chided, “I got your back!” that saying took on a new and opposite meaning. But as I said earlier, “You have to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes, you know?”

We spoke the same language, shared similar thoughts, and just had a lot of fun together.

Sure, we fought at times, but mostly we laughed…and sometimes it wasn’t at the most appropriate times (like during a class or a prayer).

We also loved talking together. Unfortunately, we never mastered the art of talking while driving…and ending up at the correct location-lots of examples to share there. I remember in seventh grade, the youth minister was trying to take us home (this was way before GPS and cell phones) after a youth group function. We knew our address, but we had no idea how to get to our house. The only thing we could remember was that we lived by a Kroger. So, hours later, we finally made it home. Then, the night before we started college, we practiced driving out to the university. We were so happy we made it there, but just because you arrive at your destination, it doesn’t always mean that you know how you got there, or exactly how to get back home. Lost in a bad part of town, we frantically called our parents from a pay phone and told them that we had no idea where we were, and that we saw some scary-looking biker dudes, and then we hung up. Needless to say, that was one phone call my parents did not like to receive!

When we started babysitting together in fifth grade. The mom was leaving and said (to her kids):”Y’all be good.” And C. and I said: “…We will!”

We worked together, and even when we had different jobs, they were right next to each other in the mall. We were usually a good team.

However, we broke a few things along the way.

There was that time where we broke a window to get into our house because we had to go to work (I think we were freshmen in college). We were very disappointed to find our other sister had been home the whole time…but she was taking a shower when we rang the doorbell!

We broke our fingers on the same day, at about the same time, but different places.

We made a game of everything. When we were in third grade, we would take our dirty socks off and throw them at a picture on our bedroom wall. We even kept score. The loser would have to stand on the rocking chair to get them down. Sadly, C. broke her arm retrieving socks, and that was the end of that game.

Then, there was the time we burned the wall by the oven when we were making popcorn. The way I remember it, we each thought the other one was watching the oil in the pot for popping popcorn on the stove top. That was when we learned not to pour water on a grease fire!

We married best friends, too. They both shared the same name. Our first born daughters were born on the same day, just five years apart. Our second daughters were born only a week apart. Also, I had contractions when I was trying to help C. with her second delivery (I was four months pregnant), and they ordered me to go home, but I was able to get them under control, and came back.

Back in the days when we didn’t even know what a carb. was, and frankly, didn’t care, we devoured an entire extra large pizza…and we were proud of this feat!

We also have always loved singing together, and I am thankful that the Lord has blessed us with each other and He is the theme of our songs.

Now, at forty, we both have a G.P.S., cell phones, and we microwave our popcorn:).

I had to get her back for "decorating" my house. After all, she is five minutes older!

Pictures from our “funeral” given by my wonderful, yet crazy, aunts and relatives!

How about you? Have you ever had the convenience of using a screwdriver at your fingertips or am I the screwycrazy one?

There was nail-painting, cow hat-making, and duct-taping also going on, and 29 cows walking in and out of our house. It felt kind of like getting ready for a wedding…getting dressed up in black and white…painting nails…accessorizing…but in a different way.

The night before cow day, I found an old Nike t-shirt of BC’s that he was going to give away. That’s when the inspiration hit me…”Just Moo It!” (like the “Just Do It” slogan). So, I did it. I now have an official cow appreciation day shirt! Notice the tongue sticking out on “Air Elsie” (the cow), and the Nike symbol for her ears (BC’s Idea)…complete with a “swoosh!” by the tail! Oh, the hat read…”Incowgnito”.

Faith and I also had fun making her new ensemble this year.

This year, I thought of a new tradition. It involved having the one who graduated that year wear a black graduation gown with white spots on it. Maybe next year we will have a sign that reads…”I’m moovin’ on up!”, complete with cap and black and white tassel.

You know, we all felt totally normal, even special, when we were dressed like cows at Chick-Fil-A. In contrast, when two strangers knocked on my door, we were viewed as the strange ones, not to mention what all of our neighbors thought as we “moo-seyed” along into our cars. Later on, my friend and I were talking about the importance of who you hang around with because of the strong influence of what is perceived as “normal” by the group. Cow Day provided a very clear example of this.

Well, you know how cows just graze all day? This year, I asked the manager if it was okay if we went to another Chick-Fil-A for dinner. His reply: “Absolutely! After all, it’s National Cow Appreciation Day! You can come for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!” Well, my friend did not really desire to eat a chicken sandwich twice in one day, but..when we found out we could order anything on the menu…(I later found out that this depends on the manager)…we now had options…and late dinner plans.

As we were finishing our dinner, something came over my friend (…maybe mad cow? j/k) because at 9:45 she said to me, “Let’s all go get some shakes at another Chick-Fil-A!” What had I done to my friend? She went from not wanting to go twice to initiating our third visit! So, we rushed the kids out and we were really “moo-ving” on the road to a nearby Chick-Fil-a to get delicious shakes. I just knew some of the kids would get sick that night, but all was well.

Paige’s link to cow day
And the last bit of cow news…
Our dear friends brought the famous big cow bell (you know, the one that made the news last year) for me to ring…which, surprisingly, had a damper on it! They wrapped the ringer in a napkin so it would not ring so loudly like it had last year!

Some of our friends with their families…

I saw this wig-wearing guy in the crowd when I was in the parking lot on the way into Chick-Fil-A, and I said, “Now that dude really knows how to do Cow Day!” Then, someone told me that dude was Mr. I! Wow! I could barely recognize him.

Thank you, Michelle, for taking pictures, and for letting me take some with your moovalous camera (she even put white duct tape spots on her camera straps!)

We were pretty tired cows at the end of the day! It reminded me of the time when our young Paige told me that her “cows” were tired! What she really was referring to was her calves! Too cute!

Calling all cows…next year, on the second Friday in July…save a spot on your calendar and join us for the fun. We are not sure if Chic-Fil-A will have a spot for all our spotted friends, but it will be fun trying! No cow left behind!

I specifically recall one adventurous time when I was shopping with Paige (my eldest), who was three years old (and I only had two children back then). We were at a Christian book store, and her hands were wanting to touch everything. One phrase I seemed to always be repeating was, “Look with your eyes, not your hands.” But ah… then came a teachable moment. Paige spied a shiny, gold-plated bookmark with words engraved on the top. She knew the letters were words and sweetly asked me what those words said. I told her, “Paid…in…full” (being a teacher, I was speaking slowly and running my fingers underneath the words).

Then, I went on to explain how salvation is a free gift to us, and how Jesus paid for it when He died on the cross. Well, in all my explaining, and poor usage of the pronoun “it”, I failed to communicate very well. My error became pretty obvious to me when I returned home and she took out her bookmark to show Daddy her free gift. Well, being the cute “free”-year-old that she was, we all had a good laugh, and then we returned it to Scripture Stall.

As we entered the store, I shared the story of our first (and last) shoplifting experience, which became quite a spirit-lifting experience! This was definitely a “happy return”. In my few experiences with returning items, I cannot remember a single time when the service desk people gave me a laugh (yes, sometimes I received service with a smile-albeit, a possible fake one). Well, audible laughter trickled out of the patient clerk who was behind the counter at Scripture Stall that day!

God’s salvation is a free gift. It cost us nothing, yet cost Him everything!

Here are the words to a favorite hymn that our choir has learned at co-op:

“Free, Free, Free”

(Author and composer unknown)

(vs. 1) Hark! sinner, hark! we have tidings so true,

Tidings of pardon and blessings for you!

God, in His word says that Christ on the tree,

Died for guilty sinners, and “Salvation is free.”

Chorus:

Hear the news, sinner, free! free! free!

Why not believe it ? ‘Tis good news for thee.

Jesus the Just One has died on the tree,

Died for guilty sinners, and “Salvation is free.”

(vs. 2) Guilty you are, yet you know very well

Jesus has suffered to save you from hell;

Tho’ now condemned, justified you may be,

Jesus paid the ransom, and “Salvation is free.”

(vs.3) Trust not in “doing,” it cannot avail.

Good resolutions and works  can but fail;

“Grace, grace alone,” is the saved sinner’s plea,

“Not of works,” the Scriptures say, “Salvation is free.”

(vs.4) Trust not in feelings, your heart is depraved.

Trust only Jesus, who now lives to save;

Tears of repentance, tho’ real they may be,

Ne’er can purchase heaven, for “Salvation is free.”

Nine years ago today, Paige was diagnosed with cancer. I continually praise the Lord Jesus Christ that he saved her from a deadly disease. I also praise the Lord for taking our eternal life-threatening disease, which is sin, and giving his life to pay for the penalty of our sin in order that we might live with the Lord Jesus, the only One who conquered death and the grave, forever.
Here is a song that I recently heard and enjoyed…
Christ Is Risen By Matt Maher

Recently, one of my friends asked me to give our ladies group a pep talk on exercise and health. Her request gave me a good belly work-out from all of my laughter! Let me explain. In early December, I went with BC to work out at the gym. I wasn’t looking down, but out, as I stepped up and on the treadmill; unfortunately, it happened to be in motion at the time. So…down I tumbled. It felt like the carpet had been pulled out from under me, but wait..this was no ordinary carpet. It was a magic carpet ride, and I wasn’t getting off until I went up and down at least three times before flipping off the killer machine…ouch! BC said I was laughing all the way. I suppose I usually laugh, even when I am in pain (or embarrassed). I’m weird like that. Did I mention that I had just told BC that I did not really want to be noticed because I had what I thought was shingles near my right eye? So, our conversation home went something like this:

Me: How come you never fall, honey?
BC: (long pause) Uh, well, maybe I am just a little more observant, sweetie.
Me: (resorting to childish talk) It’s not fair, I tell you! The last time you fell seems like we were in college!
BC: This is why you are a perfect person to have a blog. These things just happen to you. Have you thought about calling your blog: “The Fall Girl”?

So…the busy month of December, and some residual back soreness from the above-mentioned trip, encouraged us to add a little more winter fat as we took a vacation from exercise, and then a trip to New Mexico.

We had such a nice time visiting with my G.G. and G.P., and being with family (although we especially missed our Tennessee family). We continued north and we all stayed at a lovely, cozy 5 bedroom home in Ruidoso, New Mexico. We had great fun at a winter park there where we went tubing down the hills. Small.jpg”>I had a nice time digging an ice fort with some of the kids, but the altitude was hard to get used to.

Well, an opportunity came to go skiing, and three of our girls wanted to try it out. None of us had ever been. BC had a bad feeling about it (and I did, too), but we needed someone to watch and help them (or so we thought). So, I went with the older three (crazy, huh?), and BC stayed and planned to play in the snow, or go on a hike with the younger two. Our youngest was safe in the care of Nonnie and Uh-Oh back at the house (he was having some trouble with the altitude, as well as my two small nieces).

I had just nervously signed the consent waivers, and received my skis and poles. We were all walking out to the snow, and I had a choice to ski down the little incline (bunny hill) or to walk down. I had one ski on (whoa!). I hesitated. My brother-in-law suggested we all ski down. My wise sister suggested we walk. Did I fail to mention that I have never been on skis before? Well, I saw everybody skiing down the “cliff”, I mean, baby hill, so I went along with the crowd! I thought: Why walk when you can fly, right? WRONG! I flew on my skis for 5-10 seconds before I crashed!

I believe the saying: “It’s all downhill from here” is not referring to skiing, maybe running, biking, or mountain climbing, but things did not get easier for me…as the saying could imply! My left ski was behind me, my knee turned in and I heard popcorn popping (oh, about 6 times), then felt severe pain in my left knee, and it all went downhill from there (notice context). I was told that I landed in an awkward position, and I was face-down in the snow…screaming my head off. My sister stopped to help me, and she took my skis off (evidently, they don’t always come off when you fall down). I couldn’t move the leg. She hailed the first aid sled to come pick me up (and snapped this picture of me…nice, eh?).

I thought: This can’t be happening. Where are my girls? Are they okay? My sister said she would help watch the girls. She was great, and I agreed that I needed to listen to her more, but knew the blame was all mine!

I was greeted by a friendly first aid dude that was kind enough to flatter me by asking me if I was 19. It helped for about a second. Then, the pain returned, along with the realization that I am not 19! He was getting me wrapped up for the ride (like a papoose), when a young girl (5 years or so) ran smack into both of us (my knees, his hands). The man and I both screamed loudly, then the little girl screamed. I tried to assure the girl it was okay, but I stumbled to find words. Well, I found words, but the pain made me talk like a slow robot: “It’s…o…kay…swee…tie!”

When I got to the first aid station, they put my knee into a cardboard splint, then proceeded to ask a lot of questions. Questions like:

“Do you fall often?”:)
“In your own words, tell me exactly what happened.” ?
And my favorite…”What could you have done to prevent this?”
I answered the last question with this reply:
“I have no idea…never ski in the first place?” Well, that didn’t go over well with one of the ladies there. She insisted that I needed to come back and take lessons, and she spent some time trying to work out a deal for me so I could come back. I told her honestly that I doubted I would ever ski again (I was putting my foot down!).

Well, in walks my twin…feeling my pain. She saved the day by giving me some Motrin. Then, my sweet brother comes in. One of the first-aid helpers had a knife in her hand and jokingly stated, “It looks like we are going to have to amputate!”. My brother quickly retorted, “That’s enough of that, Judy.” (or whatever her name was). I laughed, but it hurt to move. My brother can always make me laugh!

So, they told me they were having a time trying to find BC. I stopped laughing. My brother went on a second quest for him, but I was told that many people seemed to look like BC. So, it took some time. They gave me some ice, and I was okay as long as I didn’t move the knee at all. My dear twin offered to drive me down the mountain (45 minutes to nearest E.R.). I hesitated. I would be scared to drive down that mountain. I am inclined to think that the saying: “It’s all downhill from here” (meaning it gets easier) also does not apply to driving down steep and twisty inclines. Therefore, I declined her offer. I told her that I wanted BC to drive me, and I would just wait and pray.

The gang at first-aid helped me into my twin’s minivan, but I was still waiting for BC. Just then, BC came running to the van with the kids. Hallelujah! My brother had just found him in the parking lot! As BC and our two youngest kids were walking to the car to put away the leftover pizza, BC offered my brother some pizza. My brother quickly insisted: “Sure, I’ll take the pizza, but you need to run as fast as you can to that brown van down there. CC is hurt.”

So, BC took me to the E.R., and my brothers and sisters watched our kids. They had a great time skiing, and building a snow fort! I love my family. Thankfully, no one else got hurt. However, there was a packed E.R. with only one doctor. We were there for six hours! We were pleased that the x-ray showed no breaks, but it was a sprained knee (possible meniscus tear or MCL tear…on the inside). They gave me a brace, pain meds, and crutches. The next day we were to travel to Abilene to see our dear friends. My sweet mom and dad offered to take me in their car, so I could stretch out. I was very glad! I have become aware of how marvelously complicated the knee is, which God constructed, and thankful that it wasn’t any worse. It continues to get better every day.

The biggest “down” part of our trip was hearing that my sweet grandmother and wonderful G.P. were in a terrible car accident. A young man ran a red light, and slammed right into innocent G.G. They flew her out to the trauma hospital where they did emergency surgery on her. Her hips, shoulder, ribs, and foot were broken. Our hearts were breaking over her broken body. We could not even imagine her pain. I had some pain in my knee, but I knew it was incomparable to hers! She is recovering, but it is a slow road. Please pray for her as she heals now in rehab, and that the Lord, our Healer, would mend her bones! Like is full of twists and turns—some more pleasant than others! I continue to thank God for His purposes for our pain, and His faithful presence…even when we fall!

Here are some recent pics of my kids taken by Heidi H. of POSH Photography:

Faith

Paige

Bradley

Benjamin

Michelle

Grace

A few days ago, when I was entering H.E.B., I spied two guys desperately trying to separate their permanently nestled shopping carts. I felt like offering help (and needed a cart), so I asked the big dude if I could lend a hand and assured him by saying, “I  know this little trick.” So, I lifted up both carts (using the handbar, of course; I’m not that strong!) and quickly slammed them down- like a wheelie on a bike. (It sounds like extreme shopping, huh?) Well, they instantly came apart (“Voila! Carte!”). I’m not sure if I made this dude happy to get a basket, or made him feel even more wimpy. He was with his girlfriend or wife. Oh well, I just thought I should share this helpful technique. It may come in handy…

Awhile back, I had asked one of the cart-retrievers how he managed to get the stuck baskets apart. That’s when he shared that trick with me. When I suggested to the cart go-getter that he should post a sign telling the customers how to remove the connected carts, he confidently assured me that there was no real need for that because they always try to keep them separated. So, either the basket-retrievers are not doing their job, or the basket designers did a poor job because there are a basketful of people out there who are constantly finding them stuck (including myself)!

However, I suppose there will not be a sign posted because of lawsuits. With that said, please do not try this if you have any history of back/neck pain.My advice is meant to help you to separate the carts, not your shoulders (“Ow! La Carte!”). Otherwise, you might be forced to choose a entirely different cart…the electronic shopping cart.

About a week ago, we were watching this video on you tube, and I was inspired to learn, and teach my girls, how to cross-stitch! Uh…you probably will want to watch this video, as it explains why Tim’s life verse is so bizarre.

Tim’s Life Verse

So, our family made him a “special”, brick-shaped pillow (and we even found brick material…for his “Dodge Brick” Tim’s Good Advice And Violent Sons connection) with his life verse cross-stitched on there (“My loins are filled with a loathsome disease.”). I found a cross-stitch font at dafont.com and downloaded it for free. I just printed the verse in bold and used it as my pattern. I traced the X’s in pencil on the white fabric. Then, we just used black embroidery thread.We’ll probably make more now that we know how easy it was (same font, different verse though).

We were blessed to be allowed to meet him personally, and shake his hand, due to our hand-stitching efforts. I had wished that we all (not just my immediate family) could have met him, but that is how Tim’s brother needed it to be (and I had to beg just to bring my own family along). After shaking hands with Tim, I turned towards my family and exclaimed, “I shook his hand!”,  and we joked about using the hand-sanitizer. However, Tim really does deserve a hand! He is crazy funny!

Guess how many similar pillows he has received with his “life verse” on there?  A laughable thirteen! So, evidently, there really is nothing new under the sun! Paige wrote more about our weekend on her blog…

Here is Tim’s new homeschool song…

The Homeschool Blues

This was our second picture with Tim. He's too funny!