Growing into Me

Some people say that they are going to take time to find themselves. Whatever that means.  Some people say that when they get older, they will do whatever it is that is important to life whether that is church or charity.  Some people say that this job right now is just until I figure out what I'm supposed to be doing with the rest of my life.  Why?  Why do people wait?  Why are we always doing what we should be that is important right now?

Our first pigs for 4H. 

Recently, I was talking with a friend as we walked out to the pig barn behind our house.  Whoa.  That is a phrase I never would have dreamed of saying 15 or 20 years ago.  In that moment, I felt totally at ease with life.  I live on a small piece of property where we can hunt, raise some livestock, and garden as much as I want.  My family has room to . . . well, we have room to do whatever we want.  I absolutely love our slice of heaven on earth.

A family that hunts together . . . has food in the freezer!

My students get to do art when they finish a book. 
They must find an inspirational quote to put in their art. 

When I meet new people, the look on their faces when I explain my profession is always priceless.  I am a teacher.  Not just any teacher.  Some might stereotype me as an elementary teacher because I'm short or maybe cute.  Maybe?  It is not good to stereotype, although I understand that stereotypes happen for a reason.  However, I teach secondary level English and History at a discipline campus.  Yes.  I do.  And I love it too.  God gave me this job.  He called me out of my regular high school classroom and sent me packing to a new campus several years ago.  God knows what He is doing.  I never would have dreamed of this job, but I was listening when He called.

Hard at work most days. 

I think I never had to find myself.  I've always been right here.  When I was in college, a wise coworker told me to do God's will for my life right where I am and right now.  I am not waiting until I get older to do what is important.  What I do is important right now.  My family.  My job.  My church responsibilities.  This is what I'm supposed to be doing with my life.  This is my life.  I love what I'm doing, and I'm so grateful for where God has placed me in this moment.

Pirate Princess Party - Part 2

On the night of the Pirate Princess Party ATD, the crew assembled in small pizza establishment in a tiny, out of the way, small Texas town.  We probably doubled the business of the eatery that night.  I was just a little late on arrival as I was waiting for two crew members to meet at my own house before setting sail for the party. The costumes and the energy that these ladies have every year for the theme is fun!  Seeing them already invading this place was so exciting!  Let me tell you about these amazing ladies!


There are a few pictures of ladies who either jumped ship before the group picture or sent in a tiara picture later because they were not able to attend that night.  I could ramble on about each lady individually and how awesome they are.  Do you want to know each one?  Maybe some people reading this don't know all of my crazy friends.  Let me summarize this group if it is possible.

There are moms, ladies who want to be a mom, single moms, and just single.  Our kids range in ages from not here yet to college and grandkids too.  There are teachers, secretaries, office managers, a law enforcement officer, 31 sales rep, and leather worker, and more!  Don't let me leave out physical therapy and massage therapy.  Our education ranges from not out of high school to MA degrees.

 What is the point of all these distinctions?  The point is that we are regular, (sort of) normal women.  We work, study, live life big, and love strongly.  Together we can do something that will impact our world for good.  We do it every day in our normal lives as we speak Christ to others.  We come together one day a year to make a specific difference for ladies affected by trafficking.

This is who we are!

Stay tuned for Part 3 - Learn what we did!

Behind the Scenes (of family pictures)

I am so blessed to know a fabulous photographer who has the ability to connect with my kids and capture our family on film - so to speak.  The way Bonnie does photo sessions is awesome and immediately gratifying.  She snaps all kinds of fun shots and then downloads them onto a flash drive for you right away.  You get all the fun stuff and goof ups.  You also get a bunch of awesome pictures that don't need to be edited because she is just that good.  I'm going to share some of them and tell you about what you can't see in the pictures that made it all fun!

I love the background.
Jason wanted to do pictures at my parent's new place.
Behind us is where our future home will be.  

I love the sun on Model C's hair.
The shadows are not great, but the pole is fun.
I also love the scarf that is hiding the lip gloss stain
she got five minutes before we walked out the door!

Bonnie liked the light and the walls inside this dilapidated old shed.
First, I'm not sure how it is still standing.
Second, Jason went in first to make sure there were no slithery critters.
Third, the bench we are sitting on sank an inch into the sand when we sat down.
And there is also a bunch of old cow poo under our feet!

Bonnie got a little distracted by this butterfly, but isn't it pretty?
She just couldn't help herself.
I love it when she can't help herself like this.  

Right here we are under a really pretty tree with good lighting,
but we are standing in poison ivy
and there are bees all over those flowers!

Yes, this is one of those fun extras of us
goofy around between real pictures.

I'm not sure another photographer could capture the girls like this.
This is who they are and they love their Aunt Bonnie!

My girls are so pretty!
This is outside the shed that is falling down.  

And here is how they really feel.

I love the old tin, barn wood, and green vines.
There is some discussion about whether or not the vines are poisonous.  

Here are a few other things you can't see and would never guess.  Model C is wearing hand-me-down jeans and boots from Bonnie's daughter.  Model T is so skinny that her camo pants are starting to get high-water.  Jason went hunting that morning and then was weed-eating around our portion of the property.  He smelled a little funny.  We picked our outfits to coordinate with him!  I'm wearing a hand-me-down shirt too.  Finally, my lovely necklace broke that afternoon after the photo shoot.  I still can't get the stain out of Model C's shirt either.  

Special Note: None of these photos have been edited whatsoever.  If you need family pictures for the holidays, I'll be thrilled to get you in contact with Bonnie!  

How do you remember someone? (updated)

Borrowed from Darlene.  

Aunt Pat on the left with some cousins.

 This is my Aunt Patricia Janell Avants.  I have to say her full name because I share that middle name.  Her name is special to me because my mom gave me her sister's name.

My mom has some interesting stories about growing up with Pat which I don't know that I have the right to share. Just imagine what a sister might say.  I have a sister.  Growing up, we didn't always like each other.  I love her to pieces now.  You know how siblings are: I can mess with my sister, but you better not!  At the end, Mom said she would miss her best friend.  That's ok to miss someone.  I hope Mom misses Pat for a long time because I'm not ready to miss my mom.  They can play catch up later.

I remember a few times visiting her as I was growing up.  She had two sons, my only first cousins.  I remember that she had a big peninsula in the kitchen. At least it seemed big to me when I was little.  She had a shower stall in the bathroom which I thought was cool because my parents' house was different.  She always told us that the secret to her cookies was that she mixed the dough with her feet while sitting on the kitchen counter.  I was never sure about whether or not I should believe that.  She also had a chow dog named Trouble.  And she loved my uncle.

More than these memories from childhood, I have my memories from my adult life.  I moved four hours away from home when I was about 26 so I could attend the seminary.  My aunt and uncle opened their home to me and my fiance every other weekend because I refused to allow Jason to stay in my apartment until we were married. Therefore, when Jason drove up to visit me, he slept on Pat and Marvin's futon in the office while I slept on the couch in the living room.  We did that for six months on weekends before we got married.

It is honestly difficult to think of Pat without thinking of Marvin.  In all their years of marriage, they maybe spent two nights apart.  I think they got married at 16 and 17, or maybe 17 and 18.  They were young and high school sweethearts.  About two years ago, my Uncle Marvin went to be with the Lord.  I told my kids that he moved to Heaven.  Last week, Aunt Pat's earthly body gave up, and her spirit moved to Heaven also.  Those two years were the longest that they have ever been apart.

Over the past week, I've been watching and participating in the facebook conversations about Pat.  I am overwhelmed with the need to clear up a few inaccuracies.

This facebook post is the first and most important thing I need to clear up.  This post was left on my cousin's facebook page by a very sweet, well-meaning person who was just trying to find something right to say in a difficult time for our family.  I really do appreciate sweet people.  However, the truth of the matter needs to be clear.  The only test Aunt Pat passed to get into Heaven was selecting the correct answer on a multiple choice test with two choices: A) Jesus or B)not Jesus.  She picked Jesus.  Otherwise, no one is good enough on his own to get into Heaven.  Romans 3:23 tells us that everyone has sin.  Romans 6:23 says the score for sin is death.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says our good works can't save us.  Nothing good in my aunt's life could get her into Heaven except the choice to have a relationship with Christ.

In order to pick Jesus, Romans 10:9 - 10 says that we must confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord.  Matthew 7:21 says we have to follow God's will.  Then, when we are following God's will, we will have abundant life according to John 10:10 and ever lasting life according to John 3:16 and Romans 6:23.  Hold on!  Here is the second thing that I need to clear up: Pat has ever lasting life.  That means that she is not a past tense person!  She still exists.  This means that we do not have to speak of her in the past tense.  I cannot say, "My aunt was a great person."  I can't say, "I loved my aunt."  No!  I can say, "My aunt is and she still is in Christ!"  This is a strange concept to consider because we are conditioned to speak of the earthly dead in the past tense.  Her body is past tense for sure.  Her spirit lives on in eternal life.

This is not good bye forever, but rather this is a, "See you later alligator."

At Grandpa J's house.

The Vacation I Did and Didn't Have

My parents recently went to see mi hermanita favorita y el esposo Juan en Colorado.  My sister and I like to sprinkle in a little Tex-Mex when we chat.  She and her husband, John live in Colorado.  Growing up, we always took family vacations there, so she just moved there when she got the chance.  I try to fly up and see her when I can.  Here is a shot that mom took before a family hike to somewhere.  That's my goofy dad in the background.

Eventually, I will expose my kids to something more than a few hours away; but since my family isn't driving all the way to Colorado, we are doing local attractions like the STW and Sea World.  We have also enjoyed hanging out for the evening in the middle of nowhere with friends.  Getting away from town to just hang out and laugh is a fabulous mini-vacation for an evening.  Isn't that the point of a vacation?  You're supposed to relax and have fun.  Small bits sprinkled through out a time period is better.  

Sea World

Hanging the middle of nowhere with friends/family.  

One of the reasons we hang out in the middle of nowhere!
This is a Bonnie moment - God is so beautiful! 

Happy Father's Day

The role of a father is a very serious role.  The father is the head of the house and a leader.  I believe God set it up that way because even in the God-head, there are roles.  God created us in His image, so we naturally should respond to roles.

My dad on Father's Day a few years ago. 

My father was certainly the head of the house and a leader in many ways.  When I was younger, Dad traveled often with his job.  My sister may remember more than I do, but all I remember is just a few things until later.  Dad would read to us using voices, and he was good!  Dad could also stand on his head.  I don't know why that memory is important.  In high school, Dad was my Sunday School teacher.  I joke about that being a problem because I couldn't flirt.  The truth is that I really liked having my dad as my teacher at church.  He always studied on Sunday mornings and used a Matthew Henry commentary.  I naturally wanted my own copy when I headed off to seminary.

Over the past few years, Dad has been teaching at a local college.  He drives down from his neck of the woods to teach and swings by our house for dinner twice a week.  Sometimes he picks the girls up from school.  Model T and C absolutely love when he picks them up!  These are simple memories that they will cherish for a life time.

Daddy's birthday party. 

My husband is also a fantastic father.  I'm tickled every time the girls want to go fishing or hunting with their daddy.  Once a month he has to work on the weekend, and the girls beg to go with him to check the farm.  Jason is also a leader in our home.  He sets the example and the standards.  We gladly follow him.  In our marriage, we partner on many things.  Jason even lets me have my way sometimes.  However, ultimately, he is in charge.  I love him, and the girls obviously love their daddy!

Rodeo with Daddy.  

Helping Daddy at work. 

Hunting with Daddy. 

He is Risen!

Where to begin?  This week has been amazing!

On Tuesday, I ran into a parent of a former student.  It was fun for both of us to brag on that kid and what a nice young man he is growing up to be.  She showed me pictures.  I reminisced about what a polite student he was in my fifth period class about four years ago.  Yes, I do remember some students.  After having over 100 students for 14 years in a row, I do forget some.  However, some students stand out.  Of course, it helped me to remember this young man because his mom brought me cake balls twice that year.  Alright, I would have remembered him anyway, but those cake balls were good!  On Wednesday after lunch, I found a small container of cake balls in my box in the school office.  Absolutely nothing could ruin my day after that!  Seriously, the best part is knowing that there are caring parents out there who are raising responsible kids with a Christian foundation.  Cake balls are just icing on the cake, so to speak.

Thursday night, our church had a dramatic presentation of The Lord's Supper.  At the end of the drama, the men playing disciples came down to serve communion to everyone.  In several lines, disciples washed our hands, dried them, served the bread, and the grape juice.  The cool part about this is that I teach with one of those disciples at my school.  I am blessed to be in a church where there is community involvement.  I see my high school kids participating in church service and taking on leadership roles.  I see members of our Sunday School class working in my daughter's school.  Some of the church kids are in my class at school.  It reminds me that church isn't just on Sunday.  Church is the people.  This leads to the next idea that we are to be Church to one another all week instead of just for two hours on Sunday morning.

Friday night we stayed home to rest.  My sweet husband rounded the corner of another decade in life on Friday. I enjoyed finding birthday cards in the mail from my friends and our family to acknowledge the occasion.

Saturday, Model T and I did a local 5k race.  My goal was to jog part of it and not come in last.  Mission accomplished.  It was a fun race, and I can see that I have my work cut out for me.  Model T also did a great job, but we have lots of training to do yet.  Neither of us is in the shape we should be.  I don't know about her, but I can definitely feel the effects today of the race yesterday!











After the race, we went straight to church for the Easter Egg Hunt.  My parents even met us there.














There was a lot to do on Saturday.  We dashed home to get ready for my husband's not-so-surprise party.  I invited some friends over for hot dogs and cake.  It lasted from noon until almost 8.  I love friends who come over and hang out like they own the joint.  Really!  I do!  My friends come over and help themselves.  They don't wait to be served or for me to play hostess.  I am so thankful to have a home where people feel comfortable.  I just hope that doesn't mean that I'm not a good hostess.  I don't think it does.  People keep coming back.  The Mr.  had a good time and enjoyed the not-so-surprise party.  That was the point.

Isaiah 25:8-9 tells us, "He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.  And it will be said in that day, 'Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us.  This is the Lord from whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." 

Amen.  Praise God for an amazing week to celebrate my husband, community, and (most importantly) the Risen Lord!  

Road Trip

We are on the road, so I'm trying out the iPhone for blogging.  My thumbs won't tolerate typing too much; however, it will be late when we get back.  We left home this morning and made a day trip to the coast for a birthday party and to meet our new niece.  The wild flowers have been amazing!  I didn't even mind the rain.  There is just something calming about driving through small towns on country roads that lowers my blood pressure.  The kids have been well behaved all day, and I have enjoyed the conversation with my sweetie.  I hope you enjoy the scenery too!

Book Talk 

Let's just say that I've gotten to the scarlet part in the book and will have to keep my mouth shut now.  It is so good and I can't wait to see how redemption happens!  

I also visited Half-Price Books for a birthday present for my niece.  I couldn't help myself and bought several books for my classroom.  

Forty and Fabulous

Now I'm the one pushing my trainer, Model T.  She wants to ride her bike and push me instead of run with me.  Well, we'll just keep going.  I bet the day of the race she will change her mind.  Model C also wants to go with us.  I don't know how much she can handle, but we do the blocks just around our house.  The point is to start somewhere.  

Finally . . . 

I thought I had lost my grandfather's guitar.  I don't remember if he gave it to me before he died or I got it after he died.  He started to teach me a few chords when he could still move his hands.  I also inherited my great uncle's guitar.  That is the one I'm using now.  No, I don't play well enough to lead any music, but I enjoy a few tunes in private.  A few days ago, my mom texted a picture of Papa's guitar.  She found it in a closet in her house.  I nearly cried because I was no happy that it was not lost!