Christmas 2012

Bob, Brooks, Brady, Papa, Me, Grammy, Gregg,Chris,Scott & Mat

Christmas was wonderful this year.  Brady came home from Tech for a few days, then traveled to Houston to see Preston and his family for a few days.  She made it home in time to celebrate Christmas Eve with the family.  We decided to eat out on Christmas Eve this year.  We had a wonderful dinner at La gondola followed by a wonderful church service.  Pastor Marc delivered a thoughtful sermon including a
message about "Not sweating the small stuff."

Christmas morning I cooked the annual Christmas breakfast ~ Breakfast Enchiladas.  The family came over along with our neighbors, The Petrous.  Mom, Nancy and I had a few laughs going through my Christmas cards ~ another tradition!

We spent Christmas afternoon at Grammy and Papa's.  More presents to unwrap!  During the unwrapping, it started to SNOW!  Very pretty and perfect timing!  We made it home around 7:00 and
fell into bed shortly after that.

Thank you for the gift of FAMILY!  Thank you also for the wonderful church service where we welcomed your son ~ our Saviour.  I am forever grateful for the amazing, grace-filled life I live.

 

Prepare Ye the Way

 

This is the second week of advent.  Pastor Marc gave us three

 tips for preparing for Christmas. 

Step 1 - Look at What you can be ~ not what you can get.  Life is not about stuff or money.  Like Pastor Marc said, you never see an armored car following a hearse.  Figure out what your gift is and share it.

Step 2 - Reflect ~ spend time in quiet reflection during advent, slow down!

Step 3 - Keep Christ in Christmas!  Happy Holidays does not reflect the true meaning of the season.  It's all about Jesus' birth.  Focus on that!

 

Help me to follow these 3 steps during advent.  Help me to remember what the season is all about.  And please help me pass this along to my children.

18 and going strong!

Tagged by Mom

     My baby turned 18 last week!  There are times when I think that he's growing up too fast and then there are times I think it is not fast enough!  We took the basketball team to Smashburger the night before his birthday for a team/birthday dinner.  They had so much fun and they were so fun to watch and interact with.  I snuck up to the school on his birthday and "tagged" his car.  He immediately recognized my hand writing and called to "thank" me.  He also asked for car wash money!

     The night of his birth, I checked into the hospital at midnight for an induction first thing in the morning.  They showed us to the room.  I put on the lovely hospital gown and Bob and I settled in for the night.  The minute Bob turned off the light, my water broke!  The nurse on duty was not very happy and there was no more sleeping for me.  After be induced at 6 in the morning, Brooks arrived at around 9:30 that morning.   The epidural they gave me only worked on one side of my body.  Nothing on one side and labor pains on the other.  How does that happen?

Brooks was a very easy baby.  Though he has given up a few curve balls along the way, this easy going spirit has followed him through his life. 

       Thank you for the gift of this beautiful baby boy.
  Please follow him through his life and help protect him
with your Grace. 

Help him to make good choices and bless his loving spirit.

Brooks on his 1st birthday!

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Thanksgiving today!  I have been blessed with so many riches in my life.  Here's a short list of what I am thankful for:

 

 

God's Grace in my life

My husband, Bob, who is also my best friend

Being the mom to two great kids ~ Brady & Brooks

Loving, supportive parents who are almost in their 80's and still going strong

4 brothers that have my back at any given moment

Lucky & Kate, my 4-legged kids
My cousin/sister Ann

Friends from so many different walks of life

Freedom that so many brave men and women fought for


A list of silly things I'm thankful for:

My laptop computer
Reality TV
Hummus
Clean Sheets
Pandora radio
Facebook



Another "First Last"

Brooks' last season as a basketball player started last night.  He has been playing ball since he was 5.  It's hard to believe that my little boy turned into a 6"3 young man!  He has worked hard and he has earned his second year on the varsity team.  I have come to learn that "Basketball is about more than basketball".  Brooks has been very blessed to learn many life lessons while playing the game he loves!

 

Thank you for blessing my son with this gift.  Basketball has been such a wonderful teaching tool in his life.  I pray that Brooks takes these lessons into his adult life and that they help lead him to a wonderful, fulfilling life.

Another 4 years

Well, the election is over and Barack Obama has won another 4 years in the White House.  All I have to say is that I am glad that it is over!  With the popularity of Facebook, this campaign has played out among friends daily on the computer.  I think that voting is a very private issue and chose to stay quiet while reading my friends', sometimes very passionate, posts.  So, it's over, let's move on!!!  In four years, I hope to blog that this was a good choice and that the country is in better shape than it is today.

 

Please bless this president.  Guide him in running this country.  Bring the American people together in support of one another and spread Your grace over all of us!

Decisions ~ Decisions

Brooks got his early acceptance to Texas Tech last week.  He was also accepted to Texas State and UT Arlington.  While I am happy he has choices, now comes the decision.  We would like him to go to Texas Tech, where his sister attends school.  He thinks maybe Texas State, although he has never visited the campus.  If he continues to be irresponsible in certain areas, he may be forced to stay home and go to UT Arlington. 

Stay tuned ~ the decision will come sometime soon.

Zombie Land

Flash Mob to Thriller!

My favorite Nurses
Kim & Angie

Mrs. Schimmage &
 Coach Beckler

Sue & Lucy

We went to a Halloween party last weekend at the Matula's.  It was so much fun.  Bob and I didn't dress up but the majority of the party did.  Right in the middle of the party the ladies of the group, broke out in a Flash Mob to the song, Thriller.  They had spent a month in reshersals getting ready for this dance.  Speaking of dancing, we danced the night away on the patio to a DJ who played some terrific music.  The Matula's have a beautiful house and always have the best parties!

The Dance Floor

Diane, Angie & Me

The Hostess Rene &
her daughter Hannah!

The Helland Family



Taylor and Leo

The Helland Family



Taylor & Her Sister Shara

I wrote recently about a young girl from our church, Taylor Helland, who was battling cancer.  I follow her journey on her Caring Bridge page and I began to wonder what we could offer this family.  On a walk one day it hit me that we should offer to take some family pictures for them. (Bob's hobby is photography)  I sent an offer out to the parents.  At first they were hesitant because they are so emotionally and physically drained.  They reached out to us this week though and said they had decided they would love to take us up on the offer.  On Wednesday night Bob and I went to their home for a photo shot.  What an incredible family!  It was truly a BLESSING to Bob and I to get to interact with this beautiful family.  We got some amazing shots and once the family has a chance to figure out their favorites, we are going to print them. 

What is your gift that you can offer to others?  I am going to start taking inventory of myself and try to figure out where God wants me to use my gifts.

Thank you for the gift of the Helland family.  Help me to use this experience to find my gifts that you want me to share.  Continue to cover this family with your Grace.
 

Wisdom Teeth ~ Are they Wise?

Brooks got his 4 wisdom teeth removed today.  He kinda liked the "laughing gas"!  The pain kicked in that afternoon though. 

 

So why are they called wisdom teeth anyway?

 

Lately, science has added some credence to the idea that the third molar does indeed erupt when a person is “wiser”. Recent research has shown the brain continues to grow and develop right on through adolescence: in fact, most researchers believe the brain does not reach full maturity until the age of 25. Perhaps, then, our ancestors weren't so far off the mark — that the eruption of “wisdom teeth” is a sign that the carefree days of childhood have given way to the responsibilities of adulthood.

 

And Why do we have them?

 

There are two main theories as to why wisdom teeth exist at all, since in most cases in the modern world they cause problems and have to be removed or else mess up the jaw line. One theory of evolution and wisdom teeth is that in ancient times tooth loss was much more common, because of rot or trama, and so most people by the time they were in their early twenties had already lost a tooth or two. The wisdom teeth, then, would help fill the empty space that the lost tooth left, making for a more complete bite. Another theory holds that in the past the human jaw was significantly larger, so that there was room for the wisdom teeth to grow in. As our diet shifted, our jaws shrank, but wisdom teeth continued to form.

Guns Up ~ Part 2

            Bob and I drove to Tech again this weekend for the OU/Tech game.  Brooks also tagged along and brought his friend Brandon.  We had a really good time.  Spent time tailgating with our friends, the McNeil's.  It was cold! ~ 46 degrees!!  The brisk weather is just what I needed though after this Texas summer.  Nothing better that tailgating in sweatshirts, scarves and gloves!!  Tech lost the game ~ oh well. 
     It was great to see Brady and wrap my arms around her!  We spent the night in her bed and saved the hotel money$$$.  Kinda weird staying at your child's home for the first time.  Preston introduced us to a new restaurant - a staple in Lubbock - Lubbock Breakfast House.  We had an amazing breakfast and then hit the road for home.

Thank you for the opportunity to spend time with my family.  I am thankful everyday for the wonderful man I married and the two beautiful children we created. 

I "heart" my church

Saint John the Apostle

United Methodist Church

 

A community of Grace, committed to making disciples.

 

 

I was born and raised in the Catholic church.  It wasn't until I was in my 40's though, that I discovered my true "Home".  I went to the Catholic church but not with love in my heart.  I attended catechism, and received all the sacraments.  Bob and I were married in the church and our children were baptised in the Catholic church.  I was attending the church but not really feeling fulfilled.   I was just going through the motions.

 When Brady was in Junior high school, she started attending SJA's youth group with a friend.  She really bonded with the kids and the church.  I thought it was just a phase.  She begged us to visit "Her" church but I was resistant.  Was going to church somewhere other than a Catholic church, really going to church??  I finally gave in to her pleas, and I realized that I had found my "Home."  We visited the church for six months and then as a Christmas surprise to my children, we joined SJA on Christmas Eve.   It was a very special evening.  We were now Methodists!  It was not easy to tell my mom I was changing religions.  She supported the change but not whole-heartily.  She will attend with us on occasion but I think she is secretly disappointed that we changed. 

I attend the 11:00 praise service almost every Sunday.  I feel so much peace when I attend.  I feel renewed and ready to face the up-coming week.   Pastor Marc helped our family through a very difficult time last year.  I will be forever grateful for his wisdom.

 

Thank you father for leading me to this wonderful church.  Thank you for helping my family and I to find the spirit we were missing.  I pray for your Grace to continue to cover us and guide us.

Too Young

Beautiful Taylor Helland, a member of our church, is struggling with colon cancer.  A very rare form of colon cancer.  Taylor is only 14 years old!!  The past year she has been through soooo much.  In the spring she went through a horrific procedure that seemed to get rid of the cancer.  The news came yesterday that it is back.  They are looking into options but have said, at this time, it is probably a quality of life vs quantity issue.  Her father ended his journal entry by saying "hug you children now!"  (and that is just what I did!)

How do you wrap you mind around this?  14 years old!  How do we come to terms with it?  14 years old!  Her whole life in front of her.  14 years old!

      Lord please cover Taylor and her family with your grace.  Please calm their fears and walk beside them during the very scary time.

Get Your Guns Up!! ~ TT Parent's weekend

My Girl!

     This past weekend was parents week at Tech.  I can't tell you how happy I was to put my arms around my 'baby girl'!  She's had a few struggles lately so I was glad that Bob, Brooks and I could be there to reassure her what was important - family! 
       On Friday, we took her shopping for a new dresser, saw her new place and visited with her and Preston.  Later that night, the four of us met Kevin and Kristin and had a great time catching up on each other's lives. 
     Saturday was the tailgate.  What a great time!  There was about 40 people there to visit,eat and cheer on the Red Raiders!!  I think everyone was so happy to be with their children.  ( Red Raiders won) 
     On Sunday we went to the breakfast buffet at Blue Mesa.  It was delicious.  The time was too short and I wish I could have more time to see Brady.  I'll hold on till Thanksgiving, unless, I can talk Bob into another game.

             Wreck 'Em Tech !!!!!!!!!!!!!!





Part of the tailgate group



Brady & Preston





Brady's new House

Bedroom

Let Go ~ Let God

One of the hardest things to deal with, as a mom, is to have a child that is hurting and is 5 hours away.  I just want to fly across the phone wires to her and give her a big hug.  It's hard being a young adult.  I remember those days when the littlest things seem all-consuming.

 There are some good things that come along with aging.  Right now I would have to say that is hindsight and self-awareness.  At 50, I have come to realize how short life is and how some things are so unimportant. 

How do you impart this wisdom to your  children?  My best advice to Brady today was - "Let Go ~ Let God"!  That seems so simple and mundane and on top of that, I am sure she won't understand this until she is older.    My faith right now leads me to believe:  "Trust in the Lord with all your might.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all ways, acknowledge him, and He will direct your path."

I am so glad that this weekend is "Parent's weekend" and I get to see my baby girl.  I hope the hug(s) I have to offer her will set her soul right!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lord, Please look after my baby girl during my absence.  Keep her safe and shine your Grace upon her. 

The Song Remembers When

Hearing a special song can send one back to a special time and place.  That special time or someone magically appears from the recesses of your mind.  Sometimes a song will take you back to when you were 16,or perhaps to your wedding day or maybe even a funeral.  Here are a few songs that "take me back to when."

Tequila - The Champs- This was one of the songs I fell asleep to when my parents had friends over for a party.  1960's
Cracklin Rosie - Neil Diamond - Since I was a little girl, this is the song my dad and I have always danced to  - 1970
Kocomo - The Beach Boys - Lynne Lunardi and I singing this in her basement in the 70's
American Pie - Don Mclean - Now, who didn't memorize and love this song?  1971
Lizzie and the Rainman - Tanya Tucker - Liz Lancaster and I listen to this over and over till we memorized it - late '70.
Centerfield - Dan Fogerty- Bob and I met while I was working for the Rangers and baseball was a big part of our lives.  We would play it on spring days at full blast. -1986
Nobody Loves Me like I Do - Whitney Houston - Our "First Dance Song" - 1990
Wind Beneath my Wings - Bette Midler - Daddy*Daughter dance at our wedding - 1990
How Great thou Art- I cried like a baby at my Grandma Stolley's funeral when this played - late 90's
Butterfly Kisses - Bob Carlisle - Brady was 5 and "Daddy's little girl".  He cried the first time he heard it. - 1997
Brown-Eyed Girl - Van Morrison - We call this song "Brady's song" because she is our Brown Eyed girl. 1992
Little Red Rodeo - Collin Raye - Brady loved this song and made me turn it up every time it was on.  She swore she was going to have a "Little Red Rodeo" when she could drive. - 2006
A Boy named Sue - Johnny Cash - Brooks fell in love with this song the first time he heard it.  2009

Wherever you go .....

      This is a saying that I use alot.  But what does it mean?  To me it means that you can never escape yourself.  It is one of life's greatest ironies that, no matter how much we want to be different, wherever we go, there we are. There's just no getting away from ourselves. Go on holiday -- there we are. Win the lottery -- there we are. Your physical location will not dictate your happiness.  Getting a divorce without working on yourself, will probably land you back in the same type of situation.
      If we don’t change anything about ourselves, we just take whatever is inside us wherever we go.  Happiness is an inside job, & one that only you alone can work on.  So live in the here and now.  Learn to love yourself.  Happiness is a choice and only you can make that choice for yourself.  There is not a place, circumstance or person that is here to make you happy.  That's your job ~ your most important job!

Last "First" Day!!

 

 

       Today is the last first day of public school for Brooks.  He's started his senior year with what I hope to be a "new attitude".  We had a very inspirational sermon yesterday about family from Pastor Marc.  He encouraged us to put on our "Suit of Armor" to withstand the struggles and temptations of this life.

^{Ephesians 6:13} Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

I pray that you will watch over both of my "babies" as they begin this new school year.  Cover them in your grace and teach them that a "full armor of God" will help protect them during this school year and always.

~~~50~~~

August 15, 1962 was the day I was born.  That would make me 50 today!!  How did that happen?  Where did the years go?  I always thought that 50 was SOOOOO old.  I don't feel 50 and I now think that 50 is NOT SOOOOO OLD!!

In my 50 years, I have been blessed with many things. Here is the short list:
I have unbelievable, loving, supportive parents.  (still going in their late 70's)  I have four brothers that would take on anyone for me!  The love of my life is also my best friend!  I get to be the momma to two truly incredible kids!

I have lead, thus far, what might be considered to be an ordinary life.  To me though, it has been extraordinary!!! 

Thank you Lord for blessing me with 50 grace-filled years!  I pray that through your guidance, I will be blessed with 50 more.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

I love to play poker. 

On Saturday night I played in a 20 seat Texas Holdem' Tournament.  The buy-in was $100.  Long story short, 19 of the players were men and I was the only female.  I was never chip stacked but I managed to play my way to third place!!  Or as I would like to say ~ First Place Female!  I don't know what I enjoyed more, winning the money or beating the guys!!  My strategy when playing against men involves a WHOLE LOT OF PATIENCE. ( As we all know, men don't have lot of that.)  On top of that, men's egos tend to get in the way and they manage to knock each other out.

Can't wait till the next tourney - I'm all in!

Simple Abundance

How much is enough?  When will we be satisfied?  During a difficult time, early in my marriage, I was pretty depressed.  Someone, I can't remember who, suggested that I read the book "Simple Abundance."  The basic theme of the book is stated above.  Most of us have a problem remembering how blessed we really are and how much we really "have".   The book gave the suggestion to start a gratitude journal.  At the end of each day, you write down in your journal, 5 things that you are grateful for that day. ~ Even if one of them is:  I am thankful this day is over!!   I found that I paid better attention to the good things verses the bad, because I knew that I had to write about them in my journal that night.  After a while,  focusing on the positive becomes a habit.  It was by far the most important book that I have read thus far in my life.  I no longer keep a gratitude journal but here is a list of things I am grateful for today.

1.  My family -Bob, Brady and Brooks ~ They are my heart.
2.  An Air conditioned house - It was 107 yesterday in Texas
3.  Lunch with my son - He'll only be at home one more year
4.  My early morning bike ride.  I may not be the most athletic but, at almost 50, I can still pedal 10+ miles 4 /5 times a week.
5.  My 2 four-legged kids - Lucky & Kate - My constant companions and their unconditional love!

 Timothy 6:7-12

⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

What's in a name??

Here's what the website: www.kabalarians.com says about my name.

The name Kimberly gives you a strongly independent and highly creative nature, with drive and ambition to have experiences and accomplish things out of the ordinary.

You can work intently at whatever is new and holds your interest at the moment, but your interest wanes quickly when drudgery and monotony set in.

Obstacles to your progress or restrictions on your freedom to act create a sense of frustration which may cause you to feel resentful and even rebellious.

You can then become intolerant of others, and caustic and belittling in your expression, thereby imposing stress on your personal relationships.

Although the name Kimberly creates an active mind and a restless urge to explore new ideas, we emphasize that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation.

I would have to say that most of this is true.  I am strong and independent.  I'm not sure how creative I am though.  I can be intolerant of others.  I have to really work on refraining myself when confronted by something I find unjust.  I tend to want to state my opinion when it is not asked for.  I do have an active mind but it does not get in the way of my relaxation!! 

I love my naps!

~ Lucky or Blessed ~

I am so blessed!! 

I need to express to those around me, more often, how blessed I am to have them in my life. 

 I'll start by praising my wonderful husband!

Bob works day in, day out to be the leader of our family.  He works in a high pressure job to support his family. 
 I sometimes take this for granted. 

When the children were born we made the decision that I would stay home with the kids.   I was blessed to have this opportunity.  Too many times though, I have taken this blessing for granted.    I guess I casually thought, "That's what my parents did. That's the way it is suppose to be." How very naive and selfish of me!  Starting right now I am going to make a conscience effort to tell him more often how much I appreciate him and I am going to work on not taking this blessing for granted.

Bob and our lovely daughter!

Go USA!!!

The Olympics start tonight with an opening ceremony in London.  I have fond memories of the whole family in front of the TV watching every televised moment.  This was a time when there were only 3 stations and no computer or mobile devices.  It was the only thing on!  I remember one year we even invited the neighbors over to watch it with us.  It was a big deal.

 During the winter Olympics in the 80's,  I remember rushing home from church to watch the US hockey team win the gold.  The last summer Olympics was about Michael Phelps and all his gold medals.  I wonder what this year's contest with hold?

Choices

Life is a series of choices.  Sometimes we make the right choices and sometimes we just have to make our choices right.  There is no escape from making choices and from their consequences.  We wake up each morning with the choice of how we want to live the day.   Pastor Marc spoke today about the fact that we all have evil inside of us.  It is our choice to keep that evil in check. 

With the temptations of this world, how do we keep that in check and how do we teach our children to make the right decisions.  The most we can do as parents, is provide a good role model and have open honest discussions with them.  We also have to show them that the choices they make are their responsibility.  I think, as parents, we try to hard to protect our children from the consequences of poor choices.  I for one need to step up and let Brady and Brooks accept responsibility and feel the consequences ~ good or bad.

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes ... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.
— Eleanor Roosevelt,

A Time for Everything

12.20....

The day we met

12.05....

The day we got engaged

06.09....

The day we married

04.28....

The birth of our beautiful baby girl

11.29....

The birth of our beautiful baby boy

 ----------------------

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

     a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,  
     a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
   a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
    a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
     a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
     a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Another tragic loss

Another young friend passed away this week.  He was killed in a car wreck while trying to negotiate a U-turn.  He was only 21!  I cannot even image what his parents are going through.  When your child walks out the door, a piece of you goes with them.  Part of a parent dies when a child passes away.  How could/would I ever deal with this loss?  How do I keep my kids safe from harm?   The answer is ~ I can't 100%.  My favorite Bible verse is:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.  In all ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path.

Would I be able to do this is I lost Brady or Brooks?  My prayer is that I never have to find out!

 Lord please be with this grieving family.  May your Grace help them through this unspeakable loss.  Please help me to protect my children and trust in you and your plans for them.

LA ~ Lower Alabama ~ Orange Beach

We spent the last week at our favorite place in the world - Orange Beach, Alabama.  Here's are a list of what we love about OB:

1. White sandy beaches
2. Warm beautiful water

3. Florabama

4. Tacky Jacks -Bushwhackers!

5. Royal Reds (shrimp)

6. Lulus - Fried Green Tomatoes

7. Crab Claws

8. Joe Paddi's seafood market

9. Jet Skiing

10. All the friendly Southern people you meet!

See Ya Next year!!!!!!