We'll Cross That Bridge...

This past Sunday was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet (themed from Indiana Jones!!) for Pack 664 of Muenster. An event planned for February that was rescheduled due to our ice/snow barrage. These boys (and parents) have waited a very long time for this day...the bridging over of our Webelo II Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts! What a journey we've had. Our den (Den 3) was blessed to have the BEST EVER den parents! Stick and Angelika went above and beyond in every way imaginable. Our mere words of thanks will never truly convey the feeling of love in hearts for how they loved, taught and nurtured our boys! I am so proud of this den of scouts. They have shown great integrity and compassion from Wolf Cubs to this moment. The den has remained strong over the last 4 years, and our boys have bonded well.

The ceremony for our boys to receive the Arrow of Light was done so beautifully. Each of the boys were so stoic, yet so excited that they had received their award for their hard work! It was serious business to them--and us ;). This is the only award that carries over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. They were each presented with an authentic arrow made with real arrowheads, sinew, feathers etc...WAY COOL!

The banquet, which we've attended at other levels of our scouting, can run long. I remember as a parent of a Wolf Cub thinking it was WAY too long. Somehow, though, when it's YOUR baby crossing that bridge it doesn't seem nearly so long. I actually can't believe it's time for our turn...At the end of the banquet we parents each walked along side our scouts as they crossed the bridge symbolizing their entrance into Boy Scouts. Precious moment for this proud mama ;*)

Scouting has been such a blessing to our family thus far...the values and morals we encounter in scouting reinforce what we teach at home. Raising a child to think of others first, know what he believes and stand strong in that belief is a job we cannot take lightly. I am so proud of my boy as he is growing into a young man who exemplifies just these traits. The traits of Scouts, but more so the traits of a follower of Christ. Learning from our children is humbling, yet awe inspiring. We are blessed....

"Let no man look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12

Poised for Humility

How on earth did I get the privilege to parent this angelic being? This past weekend was the spring dance recital for Premier Dance Studio. What a fun time. I never took dance when I was growing up...not sure why, just didn't. I don't even feel like I missed out. Watching my daughter dance has become one of my favorite humbling, melting moments. WHY would God chose me to birth and raise this precious, beautiful one? Her grace on stage astounds me. She has poise beyond her years when she slips on those ballet shoes. Will she be a professional ballerina?...not highly likely, but I don't think I'd be anymore proud if she were on stage in New York or here in Texas. She makes my heart melt. And the crazy thing is, it's not even something she's wildly passionate about. She likes it, but would take a break...if I'd let her. I'm not for forcing children to participate in activities so that parents can live vicariously through them, however sometimes we can see what they cannot through their innocent eyes of youth. Will she be taking a ballet break?........not yet my dear, not yet. I think there's more in store for her than she realizes. I don't want to shortcut what might be a gift. While I received NO gift of dance, maybe she got my share.... "They should praise Him with dancing. They should sing praises to Him with tambourines and harps." Psalm 149:3.
Dance away, my daughter, dance away!

Laissez les bons temps rouler! !

In keeping with the name of my blog, I'm sharing about some 'roots' today. Next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday, but today was full of Mardi Gras at my house. Last year my dear friend, Chanda and I had both been craving a good king cake. Not being able to find one around these here parts, we decided to make our own. Let me say..It was unbelievably good, especially for our first time to make one. Quoting Dizzy Dean, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it." Well we did it alright! So good in fact, we did it again this year--times 4!! Four king cakes were magically created here today and 1 was completely consumed!!!

I found this card in a king cake I bought years ago. So for those of you unfamiliar with the delicacy, here's some background."The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the feast of Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day.
The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the cirucular route used by the Kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes, a bean, a pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or was said to have good luck in the coming year.
In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day. The beans, peas, and coins have been replace by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party."

So today at our Second Annual King Cake party, we had gumbo, sweet tea and king cake...perfect combo for this Southern girl and her Texas friend who has lived around the Southeast almost as long as she lived in this great state. While you can find good food lots of places, Southern cuisine, in my opinion, cannot be matched. It's pure comfort for the soul! When it is matched with good company it's almost more than you can stand!!

While I'm not promoting the indulgences of typical Mardi Gras, I do love the food and fun festivities and want this tradition of baking and fellowshipping with good friends to be an integral part of my children's heritage...to take root in their lives. Blessing others and being blessed by them while having them in your home and kitchen is a Southern tradition I am thankful found it's place and took root in my life. It feeds my soul to love and serve those God brings into my life whether it involves the most extravagantly festive meal or the most basic ham sandwich. Giving of our time and ourselves are roots that give us wings.

Today's lessons...

So today was my day off **Yay me!**...got my nails done by "Tina," renewed my car tag, grocery shopped, bank, post office, pharmacy...you get the idea. Daddy did school today. While they completed their assignments, I think the after school activities gained them much more wisdom...fishing, pulling a calf, etc. Sounds like more fun to me...and more learning that will stick. My 11 year old knows more about birth than most men when their first child is born! So it felt like a really good, really productive day here at the Tolar house....until....

Boy did I learn and get reminded of some lessons this afternoon through a not-so-fun phone call. Knowing that many people may see this and not wanting to do any more damage...the call shall remain very vague, and I will only detail the lessons I learned and was reminded of today from my receiving end....

1. NEVER assume anything.
2. ALWAYS be kind...stand your ground when it's worth standing, but do it with kindness and dignity. You will likely face the person again in other circumstances.
3. Don't judge motives of people you barely know, especially in an accusatory, condescending tone. It gets you NOWHERE FAST!!!
4. Everyone makes mistakes...even you. Own up, fess up and move on.
5. Just because someone makes trivial choices that you don't prefer, it doesn't make their choices wrong and yours right. {NOT referring to morality issues, just day to day preferences.}
6. Sometimes silence is best. Remember what your mama said "If you can't say something nice...."
7. Maybe they are having a bad day and you were the last straw...benefit of the doubt is a good policy.
8. You don't always have to prove that you are right to actually be right. ;)
9. A kind word and a listening ear is invaluable --and tears never hurt either :*)
10. Even mama bears get their feelings hurt.
11. Don't mess with my cub...grrr!!
12. God's grace and His people can heal many, many hurts--big or small.

I will no doubt encounter my offender again. Today unfortunately was our first conversation. :( I plan to be kind, but still stand my ground and next time, I will be guarded, but prepared (spiritually speaking).

No coincidence that our verse this week on our board is Colossians 4:6 "Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Season them with salt. Then you will know how to answer everyone." I can't help but hope in my flesh that 'she' will think twice before she speaks to others as she chose to deal with me today.

Fort Worth Stock Show CXV = Little Canada?

This past weekend was spent at the 115th annual Fort Worth Stock Show. It's truly one of my favorite places to be. This year above other years will hold such a special place in my heart...not because we won Grand Champion or any other placings in particular, but because of the friendships that were made and solidified.

Our stall area was fondly coined "Little Canada" this year as we had many Canadian friends along for the ride!

In November, Tony, Owen and I traveled to Canada to the Canadian Western Agribition. It was such an amazing experience to see the cattle and Agribition itself as well as the country of Canada. We met some really neat people and have carried out relationships with many of them through Facebook, etc. , and successfully persuaded them to visit us and experience Texas at it's finest...BOY did they! The weekend started out in the 60's and mid 70*F and finished up at a whopping 4*F with ice and snow...typical Texas.

One of these precious people was Justine! FW stock show was on her 'bucket list' and so she joined us at FW this year. What a TREAT!! The kids absolutely love her...as do their parents ;) Such fun to get to know her and build on a friendship that will likely last for many, many years! We'd love to think we'd make it to her wedding this summer...need to use those passports, hey? I would be so honored to be there for her big day!

Justine helping the little girls (left)

Justine and Chloe after Tony has won reserve division champ (right)




The Blairs.Ag crew sent Kelly and his family along to help get their heifer sold. Chloe and Hadley enjoyed each other, and Justine showed them some great grooming skills!

We were also fortunate to have our dear friends, Clint, Angela, Laurie and Layne along as well. Having just met Clint and Laurie last January I'd say our friendship with the family is growing quickly and well. We were blessed to have them come to our place and stay a couple extra days--or three due to the snow/ice event :\. The boys made fast friends...all five of them ;) and I certainly enjoyed Angela's company. While the ice and snow were a pain, we were able to get some time in before it's arrival and check out the herd and the ranch.

I do love being a part of the Red Angus community and the fact that it has afforded me and my family far reaching benefits and relationships. SO many people I have met and enjoy here in our area. These precious Canadian people would still be strangers were it not for our reds...but now they are friends. How blessed am I! Whatever God's purpose is in our new-found friends, I look forward to the future He has for us....

Graciousness....

This precious little one is our first of the 2011 calf crop...he just decided to come a wee bit early...5ish weeks! Our former show heifer--Jolene--birthed the sweet one along with his sister(who didn't make it) on Tuesday morning. We labored with her all day Monday, all through the night Monday and in the wee hours of Tuesday morning catching glimpses of the total lunar eclipse along the way! Fearing the the calf wasn't alive we were prepared to take her to have a c-section--yes, they do that on cows too-- NOT at all what we wanted to see happen. I prayed that Tony would be spared the decision of what to do to help/save her and that in God's mercy even with our herd, He would make things very clear. When Tony got back to the barn around seven am Tuesday, the babies had been born with no help. This little guy weighed a whopping 27 pounds! For my noncattle friends that would be like having a 3-4 pound infant. LITTLE guy he is, but he is standing already and able to nurse with some help! We really didn't think he would make it. As He usually does in His ever so merciful way, God reminded me through the birth of this baby calf that He alone is the giver and sustainer of life. We have so little power. He is gracious to whom He will be gracious to and merciful to whom He will be merciful to! (ref Exodus 33:19) Praise Him for the gentle reminder that it is He who decides the numbers of all our days. I am so blessed to live where the miracle of birth, as well as the complete circle of life, is so visibly evident. I am truly a country girl at ♥.

Learning can be fun!

I haven't always thought that learning was fun, but I am determined that my children can experience learning that is FUN! I am learning so much and it's exciting. I'm hopeful that my excitement is contagious!

Today is our last day of school at Academy T.O.L.A.R. until after the Christmas break. We celebrated by having a tea party to remember the Boston Tea Party which is acknowledged by many as the beginning of our quest for freedom. In our celebration and discussion of tea and high tea etiquette, I realized that the actions of the Bostonians were actually born of motivation for change, freedom from oppression and realization that freedom provided a lifestyle of hardship ahead, but a lifestyle worth sacrificing for. It cost the early Americans very much to gain our independence.

Isn't that the way our Christian lives should be? Realization that the change, no matter the cost is worth the freedom in Christ we have once we surrender? I felt earlier today that we should be more "Christmas" focused today--our last school day--and then I realized that in studying the quest for freedom we actually are. Without the birth of our dear Savior, Jesus Christ, we too, would and for some, may still be living in bondage and oppression. True change costs us. Praise His name for coming, at a very high cost. We now can live in freedom under His grace and the price on our behalf has been paid. Sacrifice is when true change arrives. Bless that sacrifice that brings us to be able to "boldly approach the throne of grace , that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need." Heb 4:16

My learning academically takes and costs me time. So does my spiritual learning. That time and effort is a sacrifice that will lead to my change and hopefully be a contagious difference in my family. Learning can be FUN!