Fun day

Today was fun with Shelby. We got most of the house cleaned including mopping the kitchen floor. Boy it needed it. Shelby then took a nap as I washed the horses and got things together for the barrel race.

When she woke up we loaded up and headed to Rosenberg. My an was to run Twister And Shiner, but shiner was still a little sore from his cut on his leg. So I just ran Twister.

Twister did really well! He ran a 15.9 and a 15.2 won it in. So he was just out of the 2d money. Not bad considering he has been rinning just out of the money in the 3D.

Basically that translates into Twister shaved 3-4 tenths off of his time. I was so proud of him!

Ryan has been hunting all weekend in Damon, TX for a hog hunting tournament. Last I heard they were at 13 hogs caught. They are still hunting tonight and then tomorrow. Hopefully they will do well in the tourney.

Layla Grace is still fighting, but her breaths have slowed and she sleeps most of the time. My heart ACHES for her and her family. I am so thankful and blessed to have a healthy, happy child! I <3 Shelby!!!
Here are some fun pics.











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Emotional night

Had a PERFECT night with Shelby... Horseback riding, cooking dinner, ice cream, bath, play time, prayers and night time. Thankful for my blessings and counting them all!

What fun! This is Shelby playing in the water buckets we were filling for the horses.








I have always been grateful for the life I have... The good, the bad and the ugly. This week has taken it to a whole new level. My friend, Ruth, lost her brother to cancer last night at 8 PM. As we talked about her weekends with him it brought back memories of Mom and spending time with her. One memory sticks out. I don't know why. It just does.

She was pretty sick soshe walked much slower than what I was used to. In the past, I would have to almost sprint to keep up with her. We were at the Bay City mall walking into Target. I can still remember the sunny, but cold day and telling myself to slow down. That's it but I remember.

The other I remember is her teaching me how to make her egg rolls Christmas 2001. She was so weak she would have to sit down and rest. I love her for sucking it up to share that moment with me. Now I make them with pride and always remember that night...so many memories and those two stick the most... Simple but there. That's what life is about...the simple moments....

I have also been following @laylagrace on Twitter and at www.laylagrace.org. My heart aches for this family. I am so confused and struggle with why children have to die. I think about my nephew Ryan often. Why him? Why us? Why Layla?

I then pray for Shelby. I pray for a long life with her and her kids. I see us traveling from barrel race to barrel race together. I pray to be her best friend when she grows up. I pray that she knows I love her because I tell her and show her.

As I work through all these emotions I have to know God has His arms around ALL HIs children. Everyone one of us... Young, middle aged and old...we are still His children and His heart still aches for us.

I can only hope that my plans line up with God's plans. Being a Mom is scary and exhausting. I hear those feelings never go away. I can only pray that the fear of the unknown subsides and I NEVER forget to love life and those in my life.

I love you all.

Fun pics

Shelby two PAC-ing it



I have an app on my iphone that changes pics into a sepia pic. Here are some pics I took of her. Pretty cool, huh?















Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Shelby Being Creative

Shelby gets more creative each day.  Here she is learning how to make music using a cup.  Normally we don't have her just in her diaper, but Daddy was sick and so the heat was extra high in the living room.

Click Here to see video.

Layla Grace

Last week I learned about a little 2 year old girl, Layla Grace. She has terminal cancer. I am amazed at how strong and articulate her parents. What brave souls.


I have always appreciated Shelby and understood what a gift she is to us, but Layla and her family have reminded me of how lucky I am to have such a healthy child.

These days I hold Shelby a little tighter, play a little more and pray a little harder.

If you want to learn more about this family you can go to www.laylagrace.org or on Twitter @laylagrace.

Take the time to learn about this family and their love for God and their family.

Riding with Shelby

Shelby and I went riding last Sunday. I forgot we took pictures.  Here they are. :)  I love my little cowgirl!

Shelby continues to crack us up.  She does the funniest things.  The other day we were in Ryan's truck and we hear this snorting coming from the back seat.  We look back to see Shelby with a big grin on her face, finger up her nose and she's snorting.  We both busted out laughing!

Last night she learned the word 'up' and the word 'sit', but sit came out more like 'shit'.  Haha!  We'll have to work on that.  She loves to sing and dance too. We try to catch her when she's getting her groove on, but as soon as we put the camera up to take a video pic of her she quits. 

This weekend should be fun.  I have  barrel race in La Porte.  I think Shiner will be healed enough (he pulled the skin off of his leg somehow) to run.  So, I plan to run Twister and Shiner in the first 30 runners.  Then, head back home to drop the horses off and get cleaned up for a wedding.  My friend, Alison, is getting married in Missouri City (just south of Houston) and her reception is in downtown Houston somewhere.  Since Ryan doesn't do Houston, Rebecca is going to go wtih me.  A girls' night out should be fun.

Tonight I'm going to Melanie's house to see if she has anything nice I can borrow. I don't have any nice dress clothes.

Last night was fun too. I got to ride Twister and Cowgirl.  Cowgirl continues to amaze me.  She is such a nice horse and she is SOOOOOO smart!  I love her natural talent. I also love that she's willign to use it and not lazy!  She and I are going to be a great team together!  Y'all wait and see!  In 2 years I'll be saying "See, I told you she'd be great!" :)

Oh how I wish to be able to ride horses full time. 

Many teachers and ITS (what my job title is) are getting more and more worried as our district talks about lay offs and job cuts.  We have a big deficit and they are looking to make cut backs.  I am trying to not jump on the band waggon of nervous people and just going with the flow.  Time will tell and there is not much we can do about it other than do my best at my job. 

5 YOs say the darndist things!

So I had to sub for two Kinder class for about 30 minutes while the teachers were in a meeting.


One of the students walks up to me and this is our conversation….

Student - "I swallowed a pill."

Me "U swallowed a pill?" with the feeling of panic.
Student "Yes, 1st I put the pill in my mouth. 2nd I drank some chocolate milk. 3rd I swallowed the pill. My mom was so proud of me."  "It's going to help me be smart and go to first grade."

The relief finally came for me!  I also have to say that I was impressed with the nice “How To” he did….