A Lunch with the Cousins

The men left this morning 0 500 to travel across the north on their Harley's.  They are going to South Dakota and then on to Colorado and back to Missouri.  Please pray for their safety!  The ladies and I are pretty excited about having a week of nothing to do! 

The first thing on our Non-To-Do list go to Dan and Cindy's house.  

So off we went...Down the road to my cousin's house. Dan, my cousin, was at work, so it worked out perfectly! Don't tell Danny I said that, well you know what go ahead and tell him I said that.  His wife Cindy (who has been in the family longer then I have or at least it feels that way, in a good way)  made the most delicious meal.  Spaghetti Mess (I think it is a Missouri thing), lasagna, garlic cheese biscuits, green beans, and a pie.  It was so good! Well anything you eat up here is good.  Her boys have such a serving heart, it is always so awesome to see how they have grown and how God is molding their hearts for His Work.

After lunch we sat around for a minute and then there was Pinterest.....so Cindy and I started making Doodle Paint.  Aven and Natalie joined in to help us.  The kids started painting and they loved it!   

 

Aven even washed the bowls he used when he was done painting! Raising a gentleman!

  

As they were painting Chase started playing the guitar.  I think I need to stop and say that I have always known there are talented people in my family.  But this particular set of family members have an extra amount of talent.  Cindy has written several songs and we were able to hear their band play some of them.  So much God given talent and I am always inspired by her love of the Lord and how she uses that talent to tell others about Him.  

Natalie joined in on the singing too.  

Even I sang one song.  Only Cindy and my Aunt Susan can make me feel comfortable enough to sing out loud. 

We sang and watched videos and talked and ate, and talked, and I drank water (Cindy can also get me to drink water), and talked some more, and listened to the kids play drums, and talked some more. 

 Poor DoDo she was so tired she fell asleep in the chair.  She wouldn't stretch out on the couch didn't want to miss anything.  I think she might have missed a few things anyway. 

Cindy thanks for lunch, thanks for singing, thanks for your hospitality, thanks for showing me your "shelves" (I didn't put up the pictures but I am still going to strive to be just like you) and thanks for marrying Danny all those years ago I'm so glad you did!

I love spending all this time with my family! 

Have a great weekend y'all, 

k-dub

p.s. can someone send me some Sweet Tea.

God Bless Chick-fil-A

Y’all know me I’m not political.  I don’t put my two cents out there.  You think one way I’ll think the other and we can all be friends and happy.  But today I feel differently so here goes. 

Same sex marriage is WRONG (Leviticus 18:22). 

There I said let the hate mail come. 

I believe in the Bible, the whole Bible not just the parts that make me happy and feel good but also the parts that sting as I read them and the parts that make me sit back and say “dang” You got me Lord.  I believe the Bible is the Holy Word of the Lord and God-breathed.  I am far from perfect and I am nowhere near where I should be and I will never get there while I’m on this side of Heaven but I know right from wrong and I know the narrow path is the one I am on and I know that I might walk it with very few friends at times. But that is the path I chose and the path I am going to choose daily.  I will make mistakes and I will stumble and fall but My Savior will pick me up and carry me when I need Him too. 

The Bible is not just a book it’s not just pick a verse and live your life by that.  It is the Bible every verse counts, every verse is for keeps!  You can’t just skip a verse because you don’t like what it says.

Today is Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and we are road tripping it see family in Missouri.  So I google to find a Chick-fil-A on the way and to my horror the last Chick-fil-A is in Joplin, Mo.  6 hours from our final destination (side note- 10 days without Sweet Tea, Waffle Fries and a Peach Milkshake…Someone might be seriously injured by the time I get back to the great Lone Star State.) So we take the exit for Chick-fil-A and hit some traffic about 6 blocks from the Sweet Tea.  We think that it must be a stalled car or something… nope it’s the line for the drive thru.  So we decide to just go in and get it… nope the line was out the door and around the building.  So we wait in line for about an hour. 

While we are in line we meet a Pastor and his wife.  They live in Joplin but said that they lived in Texas.  When we asked where they said Iola, and we said oh yeah we know Iola, they had a shocked look on their face, so I said yeah my family is from Millican, I had a shocked look on my face, they knew Millican, no one ever knows Millican.  Then they ask what we are doing in Joplin and we said driving to Macon, Mo and they said we lived just north of there in Kirksville, than Mom says I lived in Kirksville.  Then they asked where I taught and said a small private school in Rockwall and they said oh we know some people that go to a small private school in Rockwall and lo and behold I have the little boy in my class last year.  Such a crazy small world. 

As we waited in line the employees came out with water because it was hot and a smile.  It also rained (such a precious moment, I felt like it was a Thank You from God for standing in the heat). 

Once we ordered our food the employees were incredibly kind with a smile on their face and such an appreciative attitude for coming. 

I have met Dan Cathy and by that I mean I have been in the same room as him one time. He is a kind man who truly is thankful for what God has given his family.   I support what he said and I have the upmost respect for the fact that he has not backed down from his belief.  I love that Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays so that their employees can worship our Father. 

I would say that I will go their more often in support but I don’t think eating 4 meals in one day is all that healthy so I will just stick with the 3 Chick-fil-A meals a day and remember to thank my Savior for it all! Especially the waffle fries and sweet tea and the peach milkshakes in the summer time!

It’s “my pleasure” today Chick-fil-A!   

Missouri Bound

Missouri bound and I have 11 hours to think.  Never good… so here is what I thought about today.. (be warned I’m tired so it might make zero sense and my filter is unavailable for the remainder of this post)

4:30 is really early

4:39 is still too early

4:48 crap if I don’t get up right now I can feel a Good Morning to you marathon coming. 

4:57 it’s still dark outside

The back seat is comfy

Oklahoma’s roads are ridiculous

I don’t know who half these people are in the American History Trivia Game.  I hope no one kicks me out of the country.  I don’t think I could pass a citizenship test if my life depended on it. 

Why am I supposed to know the gun fight at the OK Corral. 

How does Poppy know so much trivia. 

I wonder if anyone else hates the smell of the soap in McDonald’s bathroom. 

Oklahoma’s roads really suck

The Oklahoma and Missouri border is boring.  I think they should spruce it up a little maybe add some flowers  or a river or a tunnel or giant tree that you have to drive through or a mini arch or free ice cream or maybe a shark saying cross if you dare.  I’m just saying there should be something other than a sign. 

Harley Davidson in Joplin looks very nice.  Such an unproductive stop.  I didn’t see a cute shirt or a cute boy…

Chick-fil-a’s bathroom soap smells like McDonald’s I wonder if Truett Cathy knows about this. 

My butt hurts from sitting. 

Why are there so many big trucks in Missouri. 

Where are we???

I really like when my iPhone plays a Justin Timberlake song followed by a song from church.

Why did we just exit?

I have to pee but Poppy would shoot me I’ll just hold it. 

I don’t think I packed any socks. 

Its 102 in Missouri what the poop.  I can’t escape the heat. 

It’s 2:06 dang today feels like it going really fast. 

I wonder how much longer.  My phone won’t connect to the internet.

Did I really just volunteer to drive.  Why do I open my mouth. 

I should clean up the back seat if I’m going to drive. 

I need a nap. 

I still love the Backstreet Boys.  I probably should keep that to myself… 

Boonville in 101 miles… who names these towns.  I want that job. 

The Po-Po are out today! 

It’s now 103

That was not 13 miles I needed a longer nap.

Really another Harley store…

I hate driving when I don’t know where I’m going. 

I hate truck stops.  Those men are creepy.

Why is my dad not sleeping…

Oh crap I was supposed to turn there. 

Oh good I made it. 

Dang this is a long 2 ½ hours.

I think my dad would like me to shut up

Not gonna happen

I drank too much tea

I have to pee again.

Oh look almost there.

I really have to pee.

30 mph really Macon

I have to pee. 

Yay we’re here. 

And that is my day in thoughts I hope you enjoyed it!

Love,

K-Dub and her Sweet Tea

Happy Birthday America

I love this holiday. I love why we celebrate.  I love that we do celebrate it.  

 

This year we had a very relaxing 4th.  We went to Lindale and spent some time with some the family.  

The girls played games the boys did something I wasn't paying attention.  

The list of games the girls played 

Hand and Foot- Hannah and I won 

Mad Gab- Hannah and I won

Rummikub- Susan won

Hand and Foot-Mom and Susan won

Mad Gab- Mom and Susan Won

Rummikub-I don't know who won but I know it wasn't me (I have no strategy when playing this game but I really liked it so glad I learned how to play this weekend. I want to play again soon. Note- don't be my partner unless you would like to lose.) 

Hand and Foot- Mom and Susan Won (they were the CHAMPIONS of the weekend)

Rummikub-Again it wasn't me who won probably Susan

Mexican Train- Hannah and I won

Golf- I can't remember who won.  I love this game but get so confused in trying to count points. Way to much Math involved.  

Over all we did very well and I think I speak for Hannah when I say we challenge the Mom's to another game weekend!!!

We also ate delicious food.  BBQ Chicken, BBQ Ribs, Potato Salad,  corn on the cob, baked beans and bread.

                BBQ Ribs

                                 More BBQ Ribs

It was delicious!  

Happy 236th Birthday America! 

Phone Dump

These are in no particular order at all!  All pictures from my phone (I think) so here goes nothing!!! 

 

 This is my swollen knee after my first day back at work after the Spring Break catastrophe of 2012

 This is my knee after going to the doc. Isn't the brace lovely! 

 Goose eating hot salsa at Chiloso.  Yes I have told you about this but I think you need to see again.  

 Duckie has officially discovered the piano at Teapot and Pop Pop's house.  Let me tell you I think she is a piano prodigy she can play those in keys in no particular order and they sound incredibly beautiful, but that could just be me!

 This is Sarah measuring AddieMae! Don't judge us we were wondering how much she had grown!

 Duckie at "big" church singing along with Danny and Suzanne! 

 AddieMae's penguin hat or as Teapot called it a Duck hat! 

 While driving to Colorado I was reading a magazine and this was the recipe that I texted to Sarah. We both couldn't figure out what to think about it.  What do you guys think, I'm still not too sure?

 This is the picture I sent to Jake for his birthday! I like to be mean when I'm skiing and others couldn't come skiing with me.  I guess I shouldn't be that way because later in the week I tore my darn MCL.  Note to self be nice whilst skiing unless it's toward a snowboarder those people annoy me.  Just because your feet are strapped to one board doesn't make you cooler then me I can fall on my butt just as much as you do only I chose not to! So there MR. Snowboarders.  I would also like to take this time to personally apologize to the snowboarder that I almost ran off the mountain and caused to fall on his butt.  

 This is my knee after tearing MCL.  I love getting hurt in Colorado because the ice is just out the front door.  

 Who orders crab legs and steak in the middle of Colorado trust me it was not me! 

 Sarah ordered the chicken breast the last night Colorado. This is what came! 

We had new siding and window put on the house.  Before and after.  not the same spot of the house, again don't judge!

This is a bald eagle on the lake by the cabin in Colorado.  Just trust me that is was a bald eagle!

That is all for now! 

Have a great Tuesday!  

K-Dub

Goose is 1

Goose turned 1 last Saturday!  I can NOT believe she is 1.  They came over to celebrate her birthday with us on Saturday.

We all went to church and the girls to "kid church".

Duckie chose to go but both girls regretted their decision not to long after getting there.

Goose got to ride in the "Bye Bye Buggy" because it was her birthday and because she didn't really like being in her classroom. But who could blame her because 1. The view from the "Bye Bye Buggy" is so much better then any toy in a classroom and 2. It was her birthday and she could do whatever she darn well pleased!

After church we went to Chiloso. My absolute favorite Mexican restaurant! And because Goose is only 1 and because Aunt Kay Kay tore her MCL I got to pick where we ate. (oh and because I didn't really give anyone else the option of picking)

So while there Goose ate but her favorite was the hot sauce!

I don't know how she did it.  That stuff was hot! (and I'm wimp so it probably wasn't as hot as I think it is)

After Chiloso we went back home and opened presents.   Duckie helped Goose open her presents.

She got lots of good stuff from Teapot and Pop Pop!

 

Duckie was super excited about the elephant but her Mama wouldn't let her open it til she got home! 

 

Pop Pop time!

The next morning we ate the cake!

Duckie loved her cupcake too!

Happy Birthday to my 1 year old!  I love you so much and can't wait to see what God has in store for your sweet heart!

Love,

Aunt Kay Kay

Spring Break by Dana and Luisa

So the Music Teacher at school noticed about a month ago that I had a couple little ones that needed some extra love on the weekends so she started sending Dana the dragon and Luisa the Pink bird home with them. And because I am a teacher that loves to make kids think I sent home a journal for them (aka their parents) to write out what happened with the puppets over the weekend.

It has been super cute I have loved all of the kids drawings.

Dana

Luisa

Dana

Well Spring Break came and I told Ms. Karen (the music teacher) that she shouldn't send the puppets home with the kids over the break. For reasons like it was really long time to keep up with them, they might lose them or forget about them, the parents would kill me if they had to journal for the entire week.

So being the fabulous teacher that I am (ok so maybe just the over achiever that I am) I took both Dana and Luisa with me skiing.

Now y'all know I am forgetful so there was no way they were actually going to the slopes so Poppy, Momma, Sarah, SuSu and AddieMae helped me take the pictures in the back yard of the cabin.


Here is the Dana and Luisa Spring Break Story: (the version my kids are getting to hear and see on Monday)

Ms. Kaitlin took us to Pagosa Springs Colorado. When we left it was really early so we slept the whole way up the mountain.

We hung out and played in the snow on for the first couple of days of our vacation.

We made a snowman!

Ms. Kaitlin got stuck in the snow while we were playing. Silly Ms. Kaitlin!

Then we went snowboarding. Ms. Kaitlin's Poppy let us borrow his snowboard since he wanted to switch to skis. We were awesome snowboarders. We worked together to make it all the way down the mountain. I am so glad Luisa and I chose to be friends and solve our problems on our own so that we could go super fast down the mountain! Ms. Kaitlin told us to be extra careful because she could not find a helmet for us to wear. We promised that we would be extra super super extra careful. When you snowboard you should ALWAYS wear a helmet especially if you are under the age of 10! Just like you ALWAYS wear a helmet when you ride your bicycle or your scooter!

This with Luisa and I snowboarding down a Double Black Diamond.

This is us waiting at the bottom for Ms. Kaitlin and Poppy to catch up!

Here we go again! We love Snowboarding!

So after we snowboarded we were super tired. So we rested while Ms. Kaitlin and Poppy went skiing. We probably should have gone with her because when she came back she was hurt.

Ms. Kaitlin hurt her knee and didn't really feel like playing with us so we sat on the couch with her and watched a movie. Luisa and I helped Ms. Kaitlin feel better because we gave her big hugs and were her friend even though she was hurt and couldn't play with us.

We had so much fun with Ms. Kaitlin and her family. Baby AddieMae was super cute and really liked it when Luisa would squeak her beak! We tried to take a picture with Baby AddieMae but she was REALLY hungry so Poppy tried to make her happy while her Mommy was busy taking pictures of us.



****This will not be shown to my kids but it is the reason I make children wear helmets when skiing or snowboarding or riding a bike or on their scooter or rollerblading or anything else!****




Love,
Dana the Dragon
(not dinosaur like Ms. Kaitlin thought! She really is silly!)