Kansas' Hero....her PAPA

Kansas came up to me in the gym after school so excited about a school project. It is an "All About Me" poster. The first thing she showed me was her "Hero" section. The following is what she wrote about her Hero, her Papa.

"My Papa is a Farmer. He is going to help me with Ranch Management so I know how to take care of my ranch when I grow up. He is the best Papa I ever had."

Of course I immediately started tearing up..while at practice! I thought that was the sweetest thing ever. I was not even the least bit jealous...even though I did carry her around in my belly for 9 months...did I mention the vericose veins I got because of her... :) All joking aside...she couldn't have picked a better person. He is a great dad and a fabulous grandfather. Kansas definitely has her Papa's love of the country and animals! She is determined to one day own her own ranch and have lots of horses. The picture above is an old one but one of my very favorites of the both of them together.

Daily Devotional

My Uncle Glen sends me these devotionals everyday and I enjoy reading them. Many times I feel as though they were written just for me. God is good!! I thought I would pass this message along to all my friends and family that follow my blog. Many Blessings~ amanda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tuesday, September 30
Walk the Pipe
Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway.
Psalm 85:13
Recommended Reading
Isaiah 30:18-22


A young boy growing up in Zimbabwe had an interesting friend who taught him much about life, God, and overcoming his fears, namely heights. The challenge was for the boy to walk across a water pipe that stretched out over a valley. He started out fine, but when the ground beneath him started to get farther away, fear gripped him and he turned around. He did this several times until eventually his friend offered to walk two steps ahead of him. Though the boy could not touch or hold onto him, he fixed his eyes on his friend's back and before he knew it, he had walked the entire length of the pipe.*
Sometimes in life it feels like the ground is getting farther and farther away from us and we begin to fear taking the next step. God however, has told us that if we walk in His way, it will be well with us and we will experience blessing (Deuteronomy 5:33). If you keep turning back to your old ways because you are afraid of what lies ahead, just remember that God is always ahead of you and has left His footprints as a guide. Fix your eyes on Him, put your feet down in His path, and walk your way to victory and blessing.
Father, please lay down your footsteps that I may walk in your way and learn to obey.
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Mark 10:35 - 12:44

Good Ol' School Pictures...

The girls brought home their school pictures today. Since Gene and I are both faculty....we got some too...yuck! Ever since I was in school, I dreaded picture day because cameras just don't like me!! I never take a good picture and this year isn't any different. The girls look beautiful and of course Gene looks....well, like a coach! :) Actually, he took a very good picture. He really isn't into the whole smiling thing. Kansas doesn't like her hair down so as soon as pictures were done...up it went...such a tomboy...like her momma. Princess Trinity had to have hers straightened..that girl is too funny. She is going to be a future American Idol winner with her beautiful singing. Once Logan's preschool pictures are taken and returned, I'll post his as well....anyone want to guess what his hair will look like....mohawk(last fall), buzz cut(last winter) or afro(this summer and present style). We will see what kind of mood he is in!

Sleep is for the Weak!

The annual 24 Hour Cross Country run started today at 3pm. Our coach, Mark Cox has been hosting this for the past 5 years. It is a really cool event. There are runners on the track for 24 hours straight. You can walk, jog, run...bring your dogs....whatever. People bring their tents and stay all night long. There is great food not to mention bounce houses for the kids. This event allows them to raise money for their annual trip in the summer as a team. Congratulations to Mark and all the Cross Country Team for putting on another great event. Here are some pictures of the Watts Family after putting in their mile....no, the kids played in the sand pit and the bounce houses. We will be back tomorrow. Their motto is "Sleep is for the Weak" but mine is "get your 8 hours in"...although that hardly ever happens! :)Goodnight!

Snaggletooth Trinity

Trinity's tooth has been dangling for days but she freaks out anytime you go near it. Friday was Fall Rally at All Saints' so at the football game there were bounce houses, sno cones, face painting...the whole works. While jumping in the bounce house she hit her mouth with her knee and voila...the tooth was out. Unfortunately, she lost the tooth in the process. She came down to where Gene and I were sitting..our usual spot next to the end zone...and had quite a bloody mouth. It looked like she had just been in a bad brawl. We always have an ambulance on site for every game so the paramedics were happy to help get her cleaned up. Her "big girl" tooth is already coming in and she has 2 other loose teeth as well. Despite not being able to find her tooth, the Toothfairy still "paid" her a visit.

My 14 Other Kids....

Well you all only thought I had 3 kids....but I really have 17! The 14 others that have yet to be pictured on my blog are the wonderful members of the Saints Varsity Volleyball Team. I am having a blast with them this year!! We are young but we are talented and the season has been so much fun. Here is a picture of them before our match against Greenhill. I'll get a better team picture up soon. They make fun of me that I have a blog but they will be excited that I put them on it! Love you guys! GO SAINTS!!

Momma's Boy no more...he has a CRUSH!!

My baby and Me

I am no longer the only girl in Logan's life! I picked him up from preschool and we were headed back to All Saints' as usual when he said "Mommy..some people have dreams that they kiss a girl." I said "Did you have a dream about kissing a girl or do you want to kiss a girl?" He then replied "I want to kiss a girl...may I." OMG!!! I told him it is normal to want to kiss a girl but he should wait until he is older....he asked me how old and I said at least 15 (not prepared for this question...he's only 4!) he said "how about 5...and then I'll sing her a song". Is that the sweetest thing or what...I told him he should probably sing her the song and then kiss her! I asked who this girl was and he said Lillianna...I'm not sure if I spelled that right but I've got to meet this girl who has stolen my son's heart...did I mention he is only 4!! He then asked me to buy him a "tie shirt". Not sure what a "tie shirt" is...this is the same kid who calls a baseball bat a "dingbat". I asked him what a "tie shirt" is and he said "you know..it has buttons on it and you wear a tie"...why does he need a "tie shirt"...you guessed it, to wear when he sings to Lillianna....I am at a loss...but you can bet I will be taking him to preschool on Monday to see who she is...that is after I spend the weekend trying to figure out where he got all the romantic stuff in his head...wearing a tie...singing to a girl...SERIOUSLY? Maybe he can help his daddy out...just kiddin babe :)

Oldies but Goodies...

Logan at the doctor... luv my sumo baby

Born to play ball

Ready for church

Snuggle time

I was organizing pictures on my computer....I know...surprise, surprise...I'm organizing something... and I came upon some of my favorite pictures of the kiddos. They always look adorable in pictures but these are definitely extra special. I thought I would share them...boy how time flies and how fast they grow!!

Pray for our Troops

Sgt. Derek Castro and his daughter, Jasmine
As I come home to my wonderful, cozy house, I can't help but to think about all the troops fighting in Iraq. Their living conditions are no where near what it is like here at home. My cousin, Derek Castro is over there once again and I would like him to know how proud we are of him and of all the men and women that are risking their lives everyday. As we get closer to yet another anniversary of 911...let us not ever forget what happened on that day. May God bless all of our troops!! I love you cousin...Thank you for everything!!!

TAV VOLLEYBALL

As if my kids didn't spend enough time in the gym....I took them to their first session of Volley-tots today. Texas Advantage has begun a clinic for 4-9 year olds and the kids had a blast! Of course since I coached with TAV, they will always have a special place in my heart and my kids won't play for any other club...if they decide to play volleyball :) Gene and I better start saving for it now!! Here is a picture of my 3 rugrats at snack time.

Logan's First Day

Well Logan started back to preschool on Wednesday. My little boy is growing up! I remember when his sisters were in the K-4 class that he's in now. I can't believe he will be testing for All Saints' this fall. Keep him in your prayers! :) I keep trying to get him to understand that they are not going to test him on his free throws, how far he can throw a football or how many home runs he can hit. :) He would definitely get in if that was the case! He should be just fine but I know people will expect a lot since his sisters were so prepared. A big reason they were is because of the wonderful preschool they attended since they were 13 months old. Thank you Ms. Cindy and everyone at PEP! Have a great year Logan. We love you!!

DOWN at the FARM

We haven't seen Nana and Papa in awhile so we traveled down to see them at the farm on Sunday. The kids love going there and it's just good to see that they can go an entire day without watching the Disney channel! We fished, fed the cows and rode on the 4-wheeler. Logan named the bull, Thunder and Trinity named some of the cows as well. It's always good to spend time with family and relax out in the country. I remember my days as a child out there...it's where I learned to drive! It was a chevy blazer with grey and red pinstripes... and then there's the coca cola car...I'll never forget. I'll get Nana to dig up some pictures but until then, I'll let Alan Jackson paint the picture for you.Papa already said he will start teaching Kansas since she will be 10 soon. Watch out cows!! Thanks for the memories Papa and helping me create more with my kiddos. I love you! Enjoy our pictures from the day.