Last Days of 2013

Well, 2013 is almost over and I really am sad that during March of 2013, I stopped blogging.  My New Year's resolution is to start blogging (journaling) again.  I look back at old posts and it fills me up.  I see the pictures, read the posts and renew in the prayers that I wrote.  So here's to 2014 and all that it holds in store for me.

God please continue to bless me with your Amazing Grace.  I will continue to try to improve as a wife, mom, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt and friend.  With your guidance, I can do it!

My little family!

A mom's life

How true is this statement!  My children have a piece of my heart with them always!  When they hurt ~ I hurt!  When they are happy ~ I'm happy!  (And it will always be that way!!!)  I never knew how much I could love.  I love these two more they will ever know!!  Perhaps one day when they have children, they will understand. 

Please help me guide these two beautiful children of mine.  I pray that they will know that I will always be their "Safe" place to fall and that they can come to me at any time!   I pray that they learn to turn to you in times of need and thank you in the good times as well.

Kansas City Fun

 

While in KC last weekend finishing up estate stuff, we were able to catch a few days off to hang with Ann and Eric.  They drove down to KC from Iowa and we spent the weekend shopping, eating, catching up and visiting with some of our younger relatives.

On Friday night we met up with my cousin, Maureen's kids, Lauren and Taylor as well as their spouses, Tyler and Kelsey.  We had a great time telling "Stolley" stories and getting to know this younger generation!

Kelsey,Taylor, Lauren & Tyler

The next day the younger crew took us to the Boulevard Brewery for a tour and tasting.  Again a great time.

 

The time I enjoyed the most was just sitting in our rooms with coffee or a drink and just talking.  Ann and I are so blessed that Bob and Eric get along so well.   Vacationing with them is one of our favorite things to do!

 

Thank you for the gift of family.  Thank you especially of my Sister-Cousin, Ann.  Thank You for making sure that the two of us have always have each other.  Thank you for helping us to remember that

"Family is Everything!"

 

 

 

1 Year Anniversary

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of Pops' death.  We were in Kansas City last weekend finishing up some estate stuff and stopped by his grave.  The ground was covered in snow but we were able to find the correct spot and uncover his marker.  Bob hides his emotions pretty well but yesterday he let them out in small ways. He says that he woke up at 1:30 in the morning, the same time his dad died.  He says his dad woke him up.  His rheumatoid is acting up and he said that was Pops' way of telling him to retire!  K-state played Kansas for the conference title last night.  Pops would have loved that game.  Pops was his "own man".  For better or worse, he lived life on his terms.  I hope he is watching from Heaven and I hope we are making him PROUD!

I pray that Pops is with Jesus and has had a chance to work out all those bad things from his past.  I pray he is watching over us and is protecting us as our own personal angel.

All Good things come to an end

 

Brooks played his last basketball game this week.  We won two playoff games but then lost in the Regional Semi-Finals.  It was an ugly, ugly game.  The other team decided that stalling the ball and holding it for 3-4 minutes at a time was a good idea.  The final score was 23-21.  We even played an overtime period.  It was a terrible way to end, but "All good things DO come to an end.  Brooks has played basketball since he was in 1st grade.  Bob was his coach in MYB for the first 6 years.  After that he played on a select team called T3 (Texas Triple Threat).  He also played at Howard Jr High and of course at Legacy where he played varsity for 2 years.  It has been so much fun watching him play and I am going to miss it.  He made some really good friends playing ball and Bob and I have even made some life long friends. 

Thank You for the gift of our son.  Thank you for the many years of bonding and learning about life through basketball.   Please help my son use the lessons he's learned to succeed in life.

Painting with a Twist

Last night we celebrated Lisa's birthday by painting our 'Birthday Suits"!  What a blast!  I haven't laughed that much in a long time.  The evening continued at LG's with a few Cosmos and alot more laughs!  This morning I looked at my phone and there were about 12 messages in a message thread between the ladies.  I walked away from my phone for a few hours and came back to 32 MORE messages from the group.  I can't relate what the messages said but I think I remember the words Poll Dancing and Firemen mentioned!!

Laughter is GOOD for the soul!

I think my painting turned out pretty good and pretty much looks like me!!

Senior Night 2013 ~ Bittersweet

I love the way Grammy is looking at him!

We celebrated Senior Night this week.  Brooks played his last basketball game in his home gym.  We came in second in our district so we are on to the playoffs.  I say "we" like I'm on the team - lol.  I am the team mom this year and have had a great time.  I love going up to the school and having the boys see me and make their way across the hall to give me a hug and say "Hi Mrs. Bacchus".  Brooks has played basketball since he was in the first grade!  It is going to be strange when he goes off to college next year and Bob and I have no games to go to.  So, Senior Night was, in a word, BITTERSWEET.  We are so very proud of Brooks and the sacrifices he has made to play.  The daily practices, the dedication to get and stay in shape, as well as the effort it take to learn to work on a team.  I've always said that playing basketball isn't just about "playing basketball".  Brooks has learned many life lessons that will follow him on to the next phase of his life.

 

Thank you for the gift of my son.  Thank you for blessing him with a skill that has allowed him to play basketball while learning about the game of life.  Please Bless him with your Grace as he continues down the path of Life.



My daughter ~ My Heart

 

I went to Lubbock this weekend.  It was Alpha Phi's Mother/Daughter weekend.  Brady and I had a blast!  I flew in Saturday morning.  We spent the morning shopping and then we went to a place called "Painting with a Twist"  It was so much fun.  Brady is so creative and she

taught me a few things.

Later that night, we went to dinner at Stella's with a few of Brady's friends and their moms.  After dinner we headed to Louie ~ Louie's, a piano bar.  Preston and Kevin met us there too.  Another great time!!

Sunday morning we slept in, went to our favorite breakfast joint, Lubbock Breakfast House, got a pedicure and then did a quick Wal-mart trip.  We squeezed as much as possible into the 30 hours I was there.  I love my Baby Girl and I am so happy and blessed with the beautiful friendship and

 mother-daughter bond that we have developed.

 

Thank you for the gift of this beautiful girl.  She is my heart!!

Kneel mail

It's easy to turn to God when there is something going wrong in your life.  How about when everything is going right?!?!  Anytime is the right time to talk ~pray~ to God.  I am going to make a better effort to thank God in the good times, not just ask for help in the bad times.  AMEN

A work in progress

I want to be a good person.  I want everyone to like me.....  That's just not going to happen with the personality that I have.  I find it hard to disguise my feelings and I find it hard not to "speak up".  Why do I feel the need for people to see things the way I do??  Why can't I be more laid back and accepting?  I have gotten better about this the older I get but the "rule follower" in me always seems to come out - at the wrong time and usually too loudly!!! 

I need your help Lord.  Please guide me with your grace to be more accepting and less judgemental.  I have gotten better but still need your guidance to get to a better place.

Worry Wart!

 

 

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.

 

Boy do I try to follow this bible verse!!  It is so hard though when it comes to my children.  My daughter calls me with a boyfriend, roommate, school problem and I can easily become too involved.  My son is not doing his best in school and I wonder, IE, worry, will this follow him through life.  I have to step back and realize "It's their life" ~ I'm not in charge.  I can offer advice, IF ASKED and offer a shoulder when necessary.  But in order for my children to become happy, productive people in this world, I have to remember:

 

Advice - When asked

A shoulder or soft place to fall

And above everything else ~ Prayer

 

 

Lord, Please watch over my children.  Help them discover themselves and help them to become happy, healthy, productive citizens of this world.  Teach me to "lean on you" and help me to stop worrying.

Double Nickel !!!

Yesterday was Bob's birthday.  His 55th ~ Double Nickels!!!!!  To me he doesn't feel that old!  His rheumatoid has been flaring up lately but again he has handled it with Grace.  We went to the Texas Tech/TCU basketball game and after the game we went to the Love Shack on Bluebonnet Circle. We had a great burger and great conversation.  It was a great night.  Bob has mentioned how much he enjoyed it a couple of times today.  I am so grateful and blessed to be married to my best friend ~ the person I want to spend the most time with!!!   Now don't get me wrong, there has been struggles,  but through thick and thin, He is my heart!

 

Thank You for putting this wonderful  man in my life.  Thank you for the struggles that have made us the couple that we are today.  Extend your Grace over us and continue to bless us as a couple!

2013

 

The first day of the New Year!  What will happen in my life this year?  Ups & Downs, Highs & Lows ~ I am sure I will experience all of it.  I look forward to this year and am thankful for this wonderful, glorious life!

 

Thank you for my life and for all you have blessed me with.  Please watch over me and my family in the coming year.  Continue to cover us with your Grace and draw us closer to you.