What I Did at Work Today

I watched baseball...and met Mark McLemore.

And the Rangers won in the 12th inning, 2-1.

Lone Star Hero

Last Tuesday, my grandfather was awarded a Purple Heart from the Texas Department of Public Safety. He served as a State Trooper for many years before promoting into the service of the Texas Rangers.

Of course, the whole family roadtripped down to Austin for Pop's big day!
He received his award, then paused for a
moment and asked if he could say a few words.

No event is complete without cake. The Texas Rangers gave a reception in his honor, and some of his retired Ranger buddies were able to make it. So nice!

It was a special day, befitting a very special man.

One thing that people often don't stop to realize is the sacrifice involved in the law enforcement profession. Every day, good men and women patrolling for your interests and mine potentially put their lives at risk so that you and I can live in safety. And their families are sacrificing too.

{This was a good reminder for me, as I've been whining about being pulled over for not signaling a few weeks ago.}

Family Matters

Two weekends ago, we had strong storms come through our area. That night I checked weather.com, saw that there would be nothing but a thunderstorm warning along with some brilliant lightning, and went to bed to sleep peacefully. Little did I know that others in my family in Navarro County would soon be experiencing a hellish storm.

Around 1 AM that morning, my dad awoke to the windows in the house rattling. He went to the back glass door and watched as their entire patio (minus the grill and dog house) was blown completely off into the pasture some 50 yards away.

As day broke, they would find that much of their roof was destroyed. They live across the pasture from my grandparents whose home is nestled next to the woods. What is believed to be flat line winds felled many of the old, old trees surrounding their backyard.

After a text from my mom, we mobilized with some QuickTrip donuts and an ice chest full of diet cokes. And so the day became a family reunion of sorts as the self-proclaimed "Grape Creek Disaster Relief Team" converged on the farm.

I'm not often moved to tears, but when I went into my grandparents backyard, I was a little weepy praising God that He had protected my family.


The backyard.

This is a line of trees that were broken like twigs by the wind.

Big smile during break time.

An old oak completely uprooted on a house under construction.

Diet Coke Break.

A Farewell to April

The past month has been incredibly busy. We've had busy weekdays, weeknights, and weekends, and to be quite honest, I am VERY much looking forward to the summer. Summer means vacation, and seriously, my bags are crying, "pack me!"

We had a church-wide challenge to read the entire Bible in 90 days starting on January 1. It was more like 97 days for me, but I finished. I am amazed at how reading God's entire Word from Genesis to Revelation changed my perspective on His holiness, His faithfulness, His justice, His love, His grace, His salvation, and on and on. Reading the Bible is a worthwhile endeavor, but I can't begin to tell you how much it has changed me to read the entire canon from start to finish. God's Word is so alive.

A few weeks after that, I read Francine Rivers' new book Her Mother's Hope, and considering it is the first in a 3 part series, I can hardly wait for the next one to come out in October. I'm glad I read the Mark of the Lion books after they were all published. I don't think I could've handled the wait on those.

So, after reading the Bible for the first almost 100 days of the year, the list maker in me realizes that I need to make my reading list for the rest of the year. I realized I never posted what I thought about the books I read last year, so my thoughts regarding those will be coming soon.

I need your help on my reading list! What one book would you recommend as a must-read for me this year?

When you think Tim McGraw, she hopes you think of her.

Last Wednesday (over a week ago) smack dab in the middle of one of the craziest weeks ever, Ashley and I saw Taylor Swift in concert. The best way to describe it was just plain fun. Everyone was singing along, and Taylor's antics were very amusing. I really thought she might suffer from self-induced whiplash with the amount of hair tossing that she did. But she has great hair, so I say she can toss all she wants.

She kicked it off with "You Belong With Me."

Here she is with the fabulous glitter guitar. It has me considering a mod on my Rockband guitar.
Just kidding. Or am I?

Costume change for "Love Story."

She's probably singing "Fifteen" in this one. This was my favorite part--just her and the guitar.

We took no less than 15 self-portrait pics that night, and seriously not one of them turned out. So sad.

Welcome April.

It feels good to step outside and feel the temperature rise a little higher each late afternoon. It's lifting my spirits to see God renew His creation. I'm excited watching more and more bluebonnets pop up on the side of the Texas roads I take to work. These are the days that I love commuting.

While I am rambling and since no post is complete without a picture, here is one of us at Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The movie was not nearly as weird as I expected it to be, and I can't decide if I am glad or sad about that. Did any of you see it, and if so, what are your thoughts?

Birthday Fun

Last Thursday we celebrated a momentous birthday of one of my absolute favorite people. My dear friend Alisia was one of the first people I met at Texas A&M. She has been a true blessing--a gift from the Lord--in my life. She is a gorgeous person, both inside and out! And this past week, she entered a new decade of living life to the fullest.

All guests were requested to bring 30
things to give her for her 30th birthday.
Isn't that a cute idea? That was all Jessica!

Yum!


We dined at Lambert's, which wasn't nearly as important as the company, but I must say it was delicious. A must try for a fun night out.