Halloween Has Gone.....

~To The Dogs~

My Little Scarecrow, Bumble Bee and Giants Fan

If I Only Had A Brain

My Posers!

Pretty Sure Posing Runs in the Family!

My FIRST Poser...

A Couple More Hams...

Ahh...To My Boys and Ghouls...Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! We are fortunate to live in a cul-de-sac and be good friends with our neighbors. I love our tradition of being together, pulling out the food, wine, candy, kids (and dogs) and making it a great night. Last night was a blast! Costumes were amazing, kids were cute beyond words and PERFECT weather. I had a couple of left overs for breakfast...life is good!

House Divided...

Play Ball!!

The S'more the Merrier...

I have been quite sick this past week AND not feeling much better today. I see the doctor tomorrow, can I get a Hallelujah! I've stayed in (obviously too long) and I really am trying to get rest, but it's times like this that me realize just how "wired" I really am.

I've always wondered why other people lose weight when they are sick but I never do. Maybe because other people eat soup and I eat s'mores...for breakfast!

All I'm saying is...an apple a day make keep the doctor away, but this little jewel is good for what ails you.

We all know nothing beats s'mores cooked out on the open fire, but there are times when you have the urge and you either don't have access to an outside fire or it's still too hot to have a fire in your inside fireplace. Sure, every chocoholic worth their "weight" knows in a pinch you can make one in the microwave, but how about the mess? I think Tiffany has puffed the marshmallow the size of a Frisbee! Girls...I have us covered. Not only in a pinch but it may become a staple in the dessert menu at our house. Can you say just add ram-e? Ramekin that is.

Grab a ram-e, put your graham in, add your Hershey, add 2 marshmallows...you heard me, yes, we're in the bonus round!


Cook in the microwave for 16 seconds....

and the rest is history!!

Breakfast of Champions!

To my girls all I can really say is...you're welcome~ Love, Mom!

Here's to Fall...

We just got back from a vacation that allowed us to visit crystal blue water ocean, white sand beaches and lush green mountain sides. But there is probably nothing I enjoy more than sharing fall nights with family in my own backyard. I don't think I can remember more perfect weather. We have chilly morning and evenings with sunny 70-80's in the day....wow! I believe Jesus is showing his mighty hand in the ordinary and I would like to say thank you.



Sunday evening was a relaxing night in the hot tub followed by our outdoor party favorite, s'mores. As Chris Rock would say, "ain't nothing wrong with that"...and he would be right.

Chef Tiffany

The Most Interested in What's Cooking

Our Group

Fairly Intense....

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes!

Group Effort All the Way

Loving My Girl

Glad This One is Home Again

Truly was a great fall night, missing only one thing...the middle chick. Hurry home Kristen. Without you we are one nut short.

My Cup Runneth Over~

xoxo,

The Eyes of Texas...

Are Upon You!!!

And we certainly hope they do beat the you know what out of ou. I'm sort of thinking this year I would take a W any way we can get it. I can't believe I got so busy doing other things that the excitement of tomorrow almost got by me. Not "super fans" ....Ms. Maggie kept pacing around me and I thought she was early for her afternoon feeding and then I realized what she wanted. I brought her a Shiner and she turned her head...ahh yes, the good stuff! Brought out the ou sux and she was a happy girl. Never shying away from a photo op, Jake hurriedly dressed in game day attire and posed every so sweet for the picture. We are a young team, fans...hold on to your hat - tomorrow could be hard, real hard. Here's to the good guys! Win or lose, you still live in Texas.

Hook 'Em Horns!!!

Oh When the Saints....

Are St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Marteen...life is pretty sweet. Throw in Barbados, Dominica and San Juan, you have a pretty good vacation. We just got home from a much needed vacation and as good as it was, I have to say it feels good to be back home.

We took a cruise which basically means, eat, excursion, eat, shop, eat, beach, eat, layout, eat, casino, eat, Bingo, eat, spa, dress up to eat, be entertained (music, dancing, magicians, comedians), eat midnight buffet, sleep and repeat.

We sailed at night which of course meant waking each morning in a different port. A beautiful port, but a new port to be explored, every morning. By day 5 we were thinking we would probably have to come home to rest. Here are a few pictures (from my phone - sorry).



I do believe I found God here every single day. The water so blue, sand was snow white and mountains so green. I read a couple of books on the trip. One book was especially powerful. Choosing to SEE. The story of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman, their family struggles, their ministry and the tragedy of losing a young daughter at the hands of own son pulling into their driveway. It makes you really think about the responsibility we have to be stewards of whatever story God has given us. I really do stand amazed at the wonders of all His works.

My two travel buddies :) They pretty much begged me to stop and take pictures of them! They were fun, very good sports on all things...but not gonna lie, I could use a little more estrogen on the next one - strength in numbers girls. I missed my girls (and Dave), my parents and my pups more than they know.

I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I saw this tennis court nestled in near the ocean...yea God! If I played here I might not mind losing. Wait, yes I would but it would still be beautiful.

And finally - whoever said a picture is worth a thousand words...or dollars, was probably emailing pictures from St. John. We were quite excited when we hit St. Thomas and realized we still received our phone service. We took a boat to St. John, absolutely breath taking....and I decided to take a photo and send to several family members with the catchy, over used phrase - Life's a Beach. A little message pops up. In the bright sun and no glasses I thought it resembled something like - you're not in Kansas anymore. Let's just say a few minutes later Taylor informs me that I've sent it with international rates...awesome. Needless to say it was my one and only picture sent while we were gone.

C'mon AT&T...go easy on me, please. Enjoy the awesome weather, and get those pumpkins out!

xoxo,

We're Off to See the Wizard...

It might just be getting goofy at our house! The weather is perfect for rolling out some fall scary business and one of my subjects just happened by while I was pulling out the goods :) There really IS no place like home!



Looks like he might have too many options this year! Can't decide and he just started trying things on....

Love fall, love the kids (and dogs) deciding what to be, love trick or treat for what it is - fun. Decorating has officially started - let the fun begin!

xoxo,

What Could Be Better...

...Than enjoying dinner and Jersey Boys with a group of friends? Maybe running into precious young things that are BFF's with your kids?? I wanted to change seats so I could sing and dance, but they informed me that they were there with VIP's...no dancing on their row either.

Jersey Boys is just so stinkin good and our seats were amazing...I love it. It reminds me of NY where we have enjoyed so many great, not good, great times in the past few years. It does hold a special magic for us all. This was my first viewing with 40+ people from my church, so I did leave wondering how in the world I didn't notice how much those Jersey Boys loved the"F" word the first 3 times I saw it! To which one of my dearest said...you've just heard it so F#R*I@C%K#I%N#G many times you don't notice it! I think it might have something to do with our intermission convo where I proceeded to tell her that I just recently learned that my use of "frickin" was a bad word. What the H? Who knew! I think I used it as "stupid" because I don't use that word so it's a substitute. Oh for the love!!! I think it's going to be a hard habit to break, but I guess I can try.

Well, what could be better than dinner and Jersey Boys is spending time with people you could squeeze! Here is a picture of a couple of the cuties from last night, enjoying some dog days of summer...are they cute or what? We jumped on planning for a bonus round in the pool on Labor Day and I'm counting down. Add my chicks and we're good to go! Eligible bachelors, you better come mow my yard shirtless! These girls are a catch.

Ahh Friday! Gotta run finish sweeping water out of the garage. Water softener did some number that has made a huge mess out there. Oh well, we were wondering what we were going to do this weekend...thank you WS for helping us decide.

Happy, Happy Friday!

xoxo,

How Spam Works....

I've often wondered why emails would suddenly pop up in SPAM on my computer. Clearly some tiny little person...or maybe it's technology, maybe it's your cookies, obviously I have no idea....but clearly someone, somewhere is paying attention to what you search on websites. Call me slow...I know.

I have been researching like crazy the past few days about video surveillance cameras for outside my home, wireless video/audio monitoring. I'm not saying I'm a big chicken, I'm just saying I am willing to do quite a bit to get more sleep when Steve travels. Sorry Karen, but sleeping with a loaded pistol doesn't work for me!

To anyone who might be thinking of messing with me, you better re-think it. My SPAM had over fifty...5-0 emails about armored cars, covert cameras, bullet proof vests...there might have even been one about borrowing a Secret Service agent! I couldn't believe it. Friends always welcome, but the Boogie Man better watch out! That cute little plant on the front porch might just be watching you!

Boys of Fall...

I think I've become obsessed with the new Kenny Chesney video, The Boys of Fall. You can't simply hear the song, you must see the video.**With any luck my editor in chief will read this blog and add the link to view it. You know I don't know how to do that! If not, you'll have to google it...sorry. It is sweet, amazing, brings back a LOT of memories and I'm not sure I can think of a bad memory involving Friday night football. Although this particular post includes pictures of my own little Friday night hero, I will pay tribute to the "gals" of Friday night football in a future post. We were never short on cheering for The Boys of Fall!

Editor's note: To view the video click here.

I think the lyrics to this song are so good. I love the clips of the players, coaches, the "pep talks" but mostly I love the boys, the game, coming together, lessons, the taste of victory and the agony of defeat. We grow in both.

I like it when they chant "last play"....talking about your last play - what will they remember you by. It's interesting, motivating and fun to think of it in the world of sports, and challenging when we think of it in terms of furthering the kingdom. What do I want my last play to be for the sake of Jesus Christ? What do I want to be remembered by?

Several of the coaches made excellent points. Don't look too far into the future, live in the moment of now, with each other...great point. Make the most of today. You will miss the feeling of playing the game, anticipating the game, the pep rallies, butterflies...all that IS Friday night football. You get that feeling when you get married, have children...you will have that feeling, just not on a regular basis...embrace it while you can.

A coach says this: anybody can be a leader, first in line when things are going great~the test is when you battle through the tough times, when things aren't perfect...where do you stand?

Lyrics say this: I've got your back when your back's against the wall~you mess with one man...you've got us all...

United, a brotherhood, regardless of what you face, you're not alone. You have someone's back, and they have yours. Praying over a team mate that loses a father, one that loses a mother to cancer, watching buses leave with team mates that you call friend, not knowing when your path will cross again...battling through the tough times. Sometimes it is more than just a game.

And finally...the most important, the little guys...where dreams begin. I LOVE the footage of all the little kids, the advice the men that played the game give. I literally watched this 50 times today and smiled every single time.

For a special someone in my own circle that is chasing a dream but living in the reality of what it costs...I love you more than any words could ever say. May God bless you and keep you until the road leads home~
xoxo,

Hats off to The Boys of Fall...Dream Big
The Boys of Spring Aren't Too Bad!

I Pick....

YOU!

And I did choose you, 31 years ago today! Have we walked some miles or what!! We have lived in 3 apartments, 8 houses, 6 cities, 2 states. We have buried 3 dogs and 2 rabbits...God bless their little hearts. You've given one daughter away and paid for 3 college degrees! As Sean Connery would say "you're the man now dog"...love that movie. You have had 3 jobs in our married years together, I have had 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6...enough of that. You have had 2 surgeries, I have had 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...I'd say that's enough comparisons for now.

I feel like our life is mirror image of some of my favorite movies and shows..I'm sure that's why they are favorites!

I don't know anyone that could disagree that we are Lucy and Ricky (I Love Lucy) on a daily basis. Thank you to the countless Ethels in my life for helping me keep it real.

We run a close race with George and Nina from Father of the Bride...you of course being Mr. Banks! Are you ever in the loop on decisions? Yes, you are..you just forget that you are!

How about Birdee and Justin Matisse from Hope Floats...there is a little romantic guy in there from time to time. Nothing makes me happier than doing a whirl on the dance floor with you.

Only 2 people reading this blog will know this movie...Spencer's Mountain. You've spent your whole life putting your family before yourself . Clay Spencer was a hard working man and he took excellent care of his family- thank you.

Ahh, Gone With the Wind...I think on occasion I like to get my way, and maybe on occasion you have a little Rhett Butler in you. You just seem to tune me out...Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!

I think we mirror Steel Magnolias in almost every way, Drum and M'Lynn. We love our kids, our family, our friends. Nothing makes us happier then spending time together and having great times and making memories with all the people we love. Next to God our children mean the world to us. I'm sort of laughing thinking just how much you really DO resemble Drum!!

And the older we get and after some of the miles we've journeyed, The Notebook. Allie and Noah...do you think our love can take us away together? I think our love can do anything it wants to.

Thank you for taking the best care of me for 31 years and for giving me our 3 greatest contributions to society, Tiffany, Kristen and Taylor.

We know we couldn't last a day without THE foundation we have built our love and our life on, our Lord Jesus Christ. I don't know why He gave me you, but I'm blessed, and you guessed it...my cup runneth over.

Here's Looking at You Kid~

Time after time,
I tell myself that I'm
So lucky to be loving you~
So lucky to be,
The one you run to see
In the evening, when the day is through~
I only know what I know,
The passing years will show
You've kept my love so young, so new~
And time after time,
You'll hear me say that I'm ,
So lucky to be loving you~
Rod Stewart

XOXO, Vicki