Our 1st Family Walk with Daisy!

So, it's Friday night and we decided to take Daisy on a walk down around the corner to a bluebonnet field. She does not like being on a leash. She balked and backed up and shook her head back and forth for a good 10 minutes. Dave had to lead her down the sidewalk for the 1st little while then Josh took over. We had a blast taking pictures and running through the bluebonnets. The kids made a game to run full speed around the field trying NOT to step on the beautiful TX state flowers!
These are my 3 favorite pics of the kids...

Josh being loved by Daisy!

Sweet Jillian smelling a Bluebonnet

Jordan and Daisy Pose!

My Brother Mike is an April Fools Baby!

Today I miss my baby brother Mike! Growing up it was just he and I. He was a super track fast runner!- an Awesome Soccer Player and I got to see him play everywhere and all the time! It was a fun family past-time! We ate out at El Chico A LOT as a family-and we were always embarrassed at the end of the meal and would go hide in the car (especially if the service wasn't up to par as our parents would let them know! :)!) In the summertime Mike was a dark brown color from playing outside shirtless--usually going crawdad fishing or swimming in our metal cattle tank in our backyard!

I'm trying to recall all my happy memories with my Mike- There are so many-overall I feel just a love and contentment when it comes to Mike.

He is far away with his beautiful family-
Jenny, McKenna Kay, and Jackson cutiepie-
living the fun east coast life in New Jersey!

I always loved playing 'April Fools Day tricks' on Mike every year! I just want the whole world to know I LOVE MY BUBBA! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU MIKE!! XOXO always, Debbie

Meet Our "Daisy"

Forever and a day our kids have wanted a pet! For one reason (my allergies) or another (tattered fence) we just never have taken the plunge and got a pet. A co-worker of Dave's has been trying to coax him into taking a little dachshund puppy. Well, Dave grew up with Dachshunds as his mom has owned several- "Izzy" and "Otto" are the ones I remember. SO, because our little ones are so fond of dogs and the opportunity presented itself... We GOT DAISY!! She is precious and sweet! We got her a crate and a little collar with "daisies" on it! We have shopped PetSmart and PETCo and Target and Online for all the fun doggie gadgets! (expensive!! :)!) The kids are ECSTATIC! For 48 hours there was no other talk than.. "WHEN are WE getting DAISY?"

By the way-- She is 9 weeks old 'Silver Dapple Dachshund'--
Here is our first meeting!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Some Forgotten March stuff

Well, It seems I've had a lull in my blogging. I just haven't wanted to sit down and upload pics and take the time to blog as of late-- even with cool things happening like SNOW and SPRING BREAK! But... better late than never I guess-- these will be good memories to recall down the road so I figured I should just blog it! :)

Texas Snow-not enough to cancel school-
The kids were happy to clean the snow dust off the car!

Spring Break-Jordan went to her friend Casie's house for the entire week-
so Josh and Jilly had some Chuck E Cheese fun!

Believe it or not- Josh is a "Supreme" pizza guy! He was excited and hungry to eat!
later on-- Jillian danced on stage while Chuck E Cheese sang Elvis songs!
We had fun earning tickets by playing all the games

The Dallas World Cup and The Spirit of Flower Mound Special Olympics! I went to pick up Jordan over in F.M. and got to hang out with one of my BF's Tisha. We went to a soccer game for her oldest daughter and I really got some sun- so much so that I had major raccoon eyes from wearing my big moviestar sunglasses! Later on I got the opportunity to go watch her 2 other daughters, Samantha and Katana play soccer! It was wonderful- They belong to the "Spirit of Flower Mound" soccer team. The Special Olympic kiddos performed during halftime of the Under 19 Liverpool VS Portugal Game!

Found My Camera Cord! Fun Easter Pics

Shy Jillian

The City of Garland put on an Easter Egg Hunt of sorts- Jordan was absent as she was visiting her best friend-having a week long sleepover of fun! SO, Josh and Jillian had so much fun last Thursday evening- Enjoy their pics! (If the slideshow goes off- just click on the x on the upper right side of the slideshow box)

Happy Easter!

I had such an uplifting day. We went to church and listened to the children sing "He sent His Son". They were all dressed in their new Easter clothes with shining smiles. I always tear up listening to them sing so purely. We had a feast for lunch complete with green bean casserole and corn souffle :)! The kids were funny as they compared our meal to.."It's like Thanksgiving today!" As I relax this afternoon, my mind and heart feel so content and grateful. I have been blessed my whole life to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Where would I be without it? I hope everyone has a beautiful Easter filled with the Spirit!
ps. We colored eggs, and hunted eggs, and sat on the Easter bunny's lap! (Jillian informed me that she thinks that the Easter Bunny is just a guy dressed up in a Rabbit costume!) I have pictures of all that fun stuff but I can't find the cord to my digital camera-- so I will post those later. I really love the picture above--- The Artist is Walter Rane-- the title of the piece is "He is risen from the dead" It is powerful to me. Blessings to all our loved ones! Miss you all.

Harry and Francis and other thoughts

Harry and Francis married 34 years ago. Harry's 1st wife died and then he met and married Francis. They have been the sweetest most amazing couple. Their lives are so interesting and their faith is strong in the Lord. Harry died Tuesday evening... He's been in poor health for quite some time. He suffered from dementia and was put into a nursing home before Christmas because of his failing health.
I have had the opportunity to give Francis a ride occasionally to the Dr. or the store or to church and I always love hearing the update on Harry. A week ago Francis told that Harry was put on Hospice care. I told her I was sorry to hear that. She was actually relieved and happy he was on hospice... as he was receiving MORE help and it would surely ease his pain and burdens and help him as he "moves on". WOW-- such faith and such peace sweet Francis shows! I met with her today and she shared these intimate details--As Harry was near the end in a coma like state, she leaned in close and whispered to him that it was ok for him to go-- that she would be fine. She told him that his first wife would be there to greet him.
I just can't help but tear up thinking of this-- She had no jealousy or pride- just love and peace. I guess I tear up also as I think of my own mother having already passed through the veil and is awaiting my father. I feel such gratitude that my dad has found my stepmother- they have helped each other along through much grief and loss. My dad and his wife are living the twilight of their years together- they have been married since the summer of 1995 and could be together for longer than the 25 years my parents were together. My heart is full today as I pray for Francis and her family and ponder the blessings of life and death. It didn't help my emotions today as I left Francis this morning, the amazing song "I Can Only Imagine" sung by Josh Groban came on the radio. I love that song- so- funeral tomorrow afternoon!
"I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...
I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!
I can only imagine. I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!
I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?
Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!

I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!
I can only imagine."