Into the "Spotlight"

So I've always been a girlie girl... who loved cattle. I love beauty pageants, pretty dresses and lots of fluff. Ballet and dance was never a part if my life. My performances came in the form of band, choir and the show ring. I feel as though I was/am quite well rounded. My well-rounded daughter has followed and enjoys much of what I have introduced her to...pretty dresses, music, and cattle.  Today I stepped into a whole new world led by my favorite dancer on the planet. Chloe Jane moved up a step in her dancing starting today. Pointe shoes...and a new door opens....Y'all I think I could get crazy with this!!!!

We headed to Lewisville to THE dance store, Spotlight.  We were warmly greeted and informed as first-timers we needed to watch a 30 minute video to learn how to care for our shoes, etc.  So we watched.

Movie watching

Then our fitter, Lauren, had Chloe go to the barre and warm up her feet/ankles while she fetched a few pair to try.  She returned with a basket, and quite honestly I lost count after the 8th pair.  These shoes must fit PERFECTLY...no growing room, no slipping, no wobbling, P.E.R.F.E.C.T!  I was beginning to wonder if that was an elusive idea for this slender footed angel, cause well, she's got a LONG, NARROW young foot.  BUT they do make such as we soon found.  There was a 'maybe' pile and and a 'no' pile of shoes.  Once we made it through the tries and moved into our 'maybe' pile, little girl's pinky piggy was crying, 'Wee, Wee, WEE!'  Being the darling she was, Lauren offered us a break for Chloe to remove her toe spacers, toe pads, etc and just flex and rest her feet.  I worried that maybe her ankles etc aren't ready and then remembered 1. this is THE first time ever for her feet to be in THAT position repeatedly, 2. her teacher totally knows whether or not she's ready, and 3. I'm a mama and worrying about details is what we do.

My FAVORITE shot...pointe shoes and Wranglers...THAT'S MY girl.  From the barn to the ballet floor!

 SO after our break we went back to the 'maybe' pile in hopes of finding the 'yes' pair. And that we did.  They are beauties, as were every pair we tried.  They are Russian Pointe made by Aleksandra Enterprises.  Lauren told us that she felt like they were the pair for her from the beginning of the session.  (I think they were the 3rd pair we tried.)  So that long narrow foot is adorned with its first pair of pointe ballet shoes.  And the girlie sporting them is beaming as is her mama [who will need a job to support this lovely sport ;)--that being said, I'm thankful it isn't hockey equipment I'm paying for!!  $ vs $$$$$$] Now if I can successfully sew her satin ribbons and elastic on....

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Decision made

 

 

For the record, we had another member of our team along for the ride (1.5 hour fitting) and he proved to be more of trooper than I could have ever expected!! Way to go, Truett!!  He doesn't love ballet, but DOES love his Chloe.  And so does her humbled mama!

As proud as this event makes me of her hard work...she's come a long way this semester in particular, it makes me even happier to see her heart growing in her love for others as the Lord has called her...her love for Him is what will make her a beautiful dancer no matter which shoes she wears....

"Let them praise His name with dancing...." Psalm 149:3

Paris...for the day

This weekend we went to the Red River Valley Fair in Paris...TEXAS :)  It was a crazy, rainy day, but memories were definitely made!!

We left at 6 am (whose idea was this anyway?!? 8-/ ).  We stopped at Bayer's for diesel, coffee and donuts. OK so it might be an alright day after all.

 The show was a fun one despite the rain.  We 'just so happened' to be set up right next to the Little Caesar's Hot-N-Ready booth...Whoop! So our rainy day lunch was well, you know, hot-n-ready!!{I realize it totally grosses some of you out that we EAT in the barn...but if this Microbiology grad can do it...then y'all will just have to get a grip ;)}

 The show was good for both kiddos.  Chloe and Mia9Y were Champion Red Angus and Owen and Vanna25Y were class winners.

 

The whole time we waited this dreaded question flew around "WHEN are we going to check out the rides?!?"  So in the rain we headed out to see what rides we could ride. They settled on the bungee jump!  All but Mama participated...somebody had to capture the moments, right?

Once our bungee jumps were complete, and we were thoroughly soaked, we decided to load up the girls and head west!

We had one last stop to make.  Since we were in Paris, we had to see the Eiffel tower, right?  The funny part is that on Friday night at the football game, Chloe's friends were teasing her about going to Paris.  They asked her if there was an Eiffel tower there to which she replied, 'yes, and it has a cowboy hat on top!'  Well, her "guess" was spot on!!

 There really are just too many things to love about this great state!!  This is just one more fun one!

 Tired, wet, stinky but very happy, we headed home!

More commonly you might hear "Vive la France!" in Paris, but this time it's "Don't Mess with TEXAS!"                  

Kosovo to Muenster... via The Gaylord

For our anniversary this year (17 years), Tony and I spent the weekend at The Gaylord Texan.  It's a cool, cool place!  Loved every minute of it.  Our room was fabulous!  We dined in the resort at the Old Hickory Steakhouse.  Fabulous!  You may have seen some of my posts about our Fromager ( the guy with the amazing cheeses!) We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  

For those of you who know us well, know won't be surprised that we made friends with our server.  (gasp, I know) She was a beautiful young girl.  Her name tag said Kaltrina, Kosovo.   So...we asked her about how she got here, etc.  No big deal, small talk.  She was precious.  She shared about the war and what it had done to her beloved country, that she and her friends were here on student work for the summer.  She left our table, and we just couldn't stop talking about her.  Before we left, we had talked a great deal.  Even that night she had sent bottles home with us for Owen.  We left a card with her telling her if she'd like to see more of Texas than Grapevine ( they have no car here) to call.  We'd love to show her.  Well, 4 days later she called!  Long story short, we spent the day with her here at our house and talked on the phone numerous times.  We just loved her!  

Today we shared our last moments together as she flew out to finish her stay in the US before returning to Kosovo and her studies in economics.  We will never forget her, Albina, Lola or Tony.  Sweet, sweet people from far away.  Y'all will always be welcome in Texas, friends!! Hope to see you soon.

...and she loaded Owen with bottles she's been collecting from work :)

{Bitter}Sweet September

September...the month when we begin to feel like Summer will finally end! September...back to school is everywhere.  September...football, football, FOOTBALL! September...It's a month I love and and the month that hurts...still.  Remembering is what we do.  We recall information all the time.  Our brains are amazing that way.  We even remember crazy details, like what we wore or what we ate :)

20 years ago--the cutest, coolest guy asked me out...and by the way...he's still the one! (white shirt, denim skirt, at the JCJC vs PRC game)

12 years ago...we moved out of Seminary housing at SWBTS to A-1!!...and moved away from some of the best friends we had ever known. (miss you Smiths!!)

11 years ago...our nation was attacked in a way it had never been before...and we will never be the same. (I was getting dressed for Ladies Bible study when my mom called me)

11 years ago...our sweet second baby left my warm safe womb and flew into the loving arms of  Jesus to wait for our arrival. (13 weeks, amazingly loving Dr and friends...hurt I'd never known)

10 years ago...I was carrying my sweet, Chloe--not too far from delivery--and loving my Mom through Hepatitis C. (Kathy S remembered it had only been one year to the date of my miscarriage and gave me the sweetest card--completely unexpected on my part)

6 years ago...I sat in my Doctor's office content with the place I was in life and accepting that 2 children would be sufficient...I was wrong! :)  SURPRISE! (what would we do without Sweet T?)

5 years ago...God led an awesome couple to FBC Muenster to shepherd that church and shortly after, we followed and have benefited in amazing ways!

4 years ago...I began leading Ladies Bible studies in that same church and continued to share my love for the WORD!

3 years ago...our family journeyed (kicking and screaming on my part) into a whole new domain...HOMESCHOOLING.

1 year ago...I traveled to the home I grew up in to help pack things away as my parents were moving...I walked that drive and listened to 'those' crickets the last time. (too many memories for one post....)

This September as I remember all the good and all the hurt that this month reminds me of, I know one thing has been and still is constant...My God Is Faithful.  He has healed the hurts...or is still healing them. He has filled the voids and multiplied my joy.  A mama's heart never forgets...but it can come to the place that it gives thanks amidst the tears.  Our minds remember, but when our hearts were involved in the experiences, we hold them closer and remember them more deeply...and that's ok.

I'm loving this September....

 25  I will restore to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,...
26  "You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
and praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has dealt wondrously with you.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.27  You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel,
and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else.
And my people shall never again be put to shame. 

Joel  2:25-27

***ADDENDUM*** and pondering today... 4 years later in 2016... how this was written two years prior to another very hard September.  The A-1 Dispersal was September.   I know God has a special September in our futures one day... because of the Joel passage above.  ♥

God Speaking...

Once again I trudged myself to the driveway and out on my morning walk/run.  No big results as of yet, and many, many obstacles try to keep me from the thing I desire most...knowing that I did what I needed to, no matter the 'results.'  The gift thus far is my quiet, worshipful time of watching the sun rise.  It's made my 'burden-bearing' much more meaningful... Quiet time to talk and listen and lift up those I love...the ones He keeps laying on my heart♥.  He's busy...Speaking.  This morning Mandisa helped remind me...

 

 Jesus is truly our burden-bearer....

 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30 

But as brothers and sisters in Him, we are called to bear the burdens of others.  Truly a comfort to me to know that others are with me when my burdens are heavy.  Truly a gift to know that I, in some small way, can be with one who bears a heavy, heavy burden.

2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ....9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Galatians 6:2,9-10

He's still there...

A few revelations/remembrances from my walk this morning...

Walking along the gravel road prior to sunrise, Darlene Zschech and Hillsong filling my ears with inspiration of wonder, I ponder many things. The beauty of this earth being one. The realization that it's nothing compared to the beauty of God's presence.  Eternity will be more than our human eyes can behold....

Upon my return I glance over my shoulder to see the sun peeking just above the eastern horizon.  It's streaked with dark blue-gray clouds...absolutely glorious!!  I turn and walk more, making my way back home.  As I turn look again, the sun, now fading into the clouds as it continues to rise, I realize that the clouds will likely overtake it's bright light and a sunshiny day won't likely be our lot.  Whether or not I can still see the sun, it's still there in the sky...I saw it come up, I see it's rays coming down from the clouds.

Isn't that so much like our lives?  Some days begin and end with our seeing God's hand of providence EVERYWHERE we turn. And some days we don't see Him at all. That doesn't mean He isn't there.  Clouds of discouragement, disappointment, grief may cloud our view, but He is still there. There may be small evidences of Him, rays shining through the clouds, but seeing Him may be difficult.  He's still there.  We may have days where He shines like the summer sun and KNOW He's there... cause He IS still there.  No matter what our view, nothing changes the fact the He is still there.  Just like the sun on a cloudy day, it's still there.  One of my favorite experiences is to fly on rainy days.  We leave the airstrip with dark clouds and rain everywhere, but as we rise into the sky and break through those clouds...SUN, glorious blinding sunlight meets us.  It was there all along.  God gave us the sun for many reasons, seasons to grow things we need, warmth, gravitational pull on our planet, the list goes on...Maybe one more is to remind us of His greatness and His ever presence.  Our  view doesn't change His location.  He's still there.

1.The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 

Psalm 19:1-4

Life lost...almost.

My sweet man, O had a rough day. But a real day in the life of agriculture is ever full of lessons.  His BEST ET bull calf was found bloated today...he had stopped breathing just prior to the boys' intervention.  Thankfully he appears as though he's gonna be fine.  SO thankful.  Life lost...almost. But God in His mercy intervened on O's behalf. ♥

Gentle reminder...Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body...."  HE is the true giver and sustainer of life. ♥