Love Is....

Love Is....

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Erik and David, This One is for You!

David, were you late for practice this morning?!  Erik and I were all ready to swim....
It's 5:34 am....not sure, but someone must have
been home primping for picture day!

Sooooo boys, I finally found this picture from the summer!  These are my good buddies, David (left) and Erik (right).  These boys added humor to practices as they pushed me through endless laps, drills, and training during the winter season of swimming in the great outdoors.  While in Texas, I was blessed with a 50-meter year-round outdoor pool that is cooled in the summer and heated in the winter....well, most of the winter.  Some of the time the heater was broken, but it was ok, we just wore wetsuits....and some didn't!  Oh, those brave souls!  I just used it as an excuse to practice in mine (and make sure it still fit)!

Cooper Masters


Boys, congratulations on your achievement of becoming Cooper Winter Warriors!  You attended at least 2 practices/week throughout the winter months.  Thanks for consistent reminders to not slack off and to push myself to be the best I can be!  I sure do miss you guys and my pool!

Thank you to Coach Jim Cole who started this program of Winter Warriors.  With his smiling face and cheerful attitude, we all looked forward to dragging ourselves out of bed at 4:45 am in the dark to go swim under the BIG beautiful Texas sky!

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Fulfilling Day!

Today was a great day!  I started out with water walking with Max, doing PT, and swimming laps at the Y.  Been needing to get back into the pool for laps, so this felt really good!  After this awesome morning, I headed to Torrington to visit with Morgan.  Her dogs ~ from left to right ~ Jake, Slash (in my lap), and Bella ~ all greeted me with a big WARM Wyoming welcome!  These hounds seem to really like company!


I wore work clothes because we were planning to move irrigation pipe, however, that wind was howling and the temperatures dropped.  Mo and I, instead, decided to make some hot tea and work downstairs.  We were sorting some boxes of clothes, weeding out the ones Truett had outgrown.  Right about the time Truett woke up from his nap, check out the awesome sweatshirt we found!  We got to be twin-sies!  All bundled up!  It was so fun!

Love this little man!

My time with Mo and Truett always seems to go way too fast, however, I had previously made an appointment to reconnect with an old professor from Colorado State.  Dr. Whittier, one of my grad school professors, had moved to Western Nebraska to work at the Panhandle Research Station several years back.  Before Heath and I moved to Texas, we invited him and his wife out for supper.  It wasn't until I was chatting with someone at the pool the other day that I was reminded that he is still here!  After a quick email, I was able to schedule a meeting!

It was so great to catch up with Dr. Whittier.  He is doing well and staying busy at the university.  We chatted about some opportunities that I might be able to pursue at our place to turn it into an income-producing piece of property.  It is so fun to brainstorm options!

While visiting, he gave me a tour of a mulch/green pepper experiment they had done.  They harvested over 3,400 pounds of green peppers off of this small plot!  When asked how many I wanted, I said that I might take 4 or 5 peppers.  They said absolutely not, but you can take 4 or 5 bags (5 gallons each)!  WOW!  What a blessing!  These are all beautiful sweet green peppers!


The next plot we looked at was a hops field.  This was fascinating for me as I have never thought of nor have I ever seen how this stuff grows.  I also didn't know that it has great anti-cancer properties.  Check this out!  A bine (not a vine) grows up the twisted coconut rope which is attached to a system of cables so many feet high.  You have to train it to wrap a certain way, otherwise it will not work.  The yellow powdery stuff inside each "flower" thing is the hops!  Crazy process!  I imagine harvesting this stuff isn't easy!

Hops Bine Growing Up

Hops Flower

Close Up of Bine with Flowers

After a great visit, Dr. Whittier helped me carry out all 4 garbage bags full of peppers!  Off to AWANA to share the blessing!  We got to love on babies tonight!

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Awesome *Fall* Day!

What a GREAT Day!

Early Morning Frost this Morning!
*Morning Reading with Jesus
*Make Heath's Lunch
*Kiss Heath Goodbye
*Feed Dogs and Garage Cat
*Make My Breakfast
*Finish Bible Study
*Write BuNCHes of Letters
*Take Dogs for Walk Around the Farm
*Eat Lunch
*Feed the Girls (chickens -- and don't forget the peacock, turkey, and guinea!)
*Feed the Barn Kittens and Mama
*Air Up Tires on Bike
*Bike with Jim
*Enjoy God's Beauty of Fall and Friendships
*Get Home and Bike on Trainer Outside in Afternoon Sun
*Stretching Outside with Dogs
*Heath Got Home and Played Fetch with Dogs and Fixed Our Dryer!  Thanks Babe!  :)
*Made An AMAZING Supper!
*Relax and Unwind with My Hubby!
*Thank the Good Lord for a WONDERFUL DAY!

The Girls Came in the Barn to
Help me Feed the Cats!

Mamas and Her Babies: Blue, Sophia, and
Wobbles (or Wobbs for short)

Biking with my Friend Jim

*BeAUtifuL Monument*

Run Fast. Eat Slow.  Recipe for High Altitude Bison Meatballs
With homemade tomato sauce and fresh basil and parmesan.
Version 1 -- with Spaghetti Noodles

Run Fast. Eat Slow.  Recipe for High Altitude Bison Meatballs
With homemade tomato sauce and fresh basil and parmesan.
Version 2 -- served on Butternut Squash!

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Reflection

Good Morning All!  I haven't written in quite some time.  Our journey has continued.  Over the past two months, we have moved back to Nebraska from Texas, I have competed in Age Group Nationals for olympic distance triathlon, we have put a ton of effort and love into rebuilding our home that had been rented out for the past year and a half, I have traveled to see Mama, Kristin (my sister), and Dad, I have been to Texas with a friend to visit her family, and we have been blessed with good health.  For all of this I am grateful!

I have recently adopted a purposeful 'attitude of gratitude' which has changed my life.  This is sometimes very hard to do if I am tired, hungry, or a combination of both...LOL, but this is the part of being intentional that makes the huge difference.  It's not just when I feel like being grateful, but looking for opportunities to thank my Savior for what He has provided for us!


God is everywhere and in everything.  His Word penetrates my heart as I have devoted most of my early mornings to Him.  It is incredible to see the journey/quest He has put before me.  Not knowing what is ahead and trying to learn how to grasp the concept of being-in-the-moment is what I am really praying for and striving for right now.  Not to be distracted, but to stay focused on what is eternally important and knowing the difference.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

.... "birds of the air"....






~ Matthew 6:25-26 (NIV) ~






"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Celebrate!

* Wind * Water * Waves *

We decided to go to the lake to celebrate the 4th of July!  We had a wonderful day together just relaxing in nature!  As you can see from this picture, we had a few friends come visit us!  (I think they were on a date too.)

On our way home, as we were driving, we had the pleasure of watching many different fireworks in all directions.  As we were making our way through the city, we got to see the buildings proudly clothed in RED, WHITE, and BLUE!

Picture taken from the passengers seat as
we were driving.  :)

Monday, July 3, 2017

~MAH~

We grabbed a quick picture before the change of shift at McKinney Animal Hospital (MAH).
This is a wonderful group of ladies!  I am blessed to be working with them!

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Worship and Paintball

We had one combined worship service this morning.  Since there was only one service, Heath and I sent the boys to church and we helped serve in the nursery with Rosa.  Jaime had already met Mr. and Mrs. Gound the other day when we made earrings, so they all got to sit together.  :)

Next stop, FISH FRY!  Heath threw the fresh fish on the stove and cooked up his amazing fish.  He is an incredible cook for which I am thankful!  He is so wonderful in more ways than I can explain.


The kids wanted to go paintballing, so before they came, I found a Groupon for a place north of here just a little bit.  Jaime needed a long sleeved t-shirt, so Heath stopped by our apartment to get one.  Andrew wasn't feeling real well so he stayed at our apartment to rest.  Heath took Jaime and Justin on up and I met them up there on my bike.  It was a great ride!  Hot, sweaty, and hot, but beautiful country roads.

Much to my surprise, when I arrived, they asked me if I wanted to play.  I politely declined, never really have been intrested in getting pegged with flying paint.  Turns out we already paid for four and only had three playing, so I joined.  I was still wearing my biking get-up, bright colors, and bike shoes....not super conducive for paintball, but oh-well.  These are moments with my family I will cherish!

Having fun!

My stellar multi-sport outfit!

Good *T*I*M*E*S*!

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Top Golf and Fishing


I worked this morning and Heath took the boys and Jaime to Allen to play Top Golf.  They said it was super fun....something that none of them had ever done.  Looks cool!

Lunch at Cane's Chicken

After I got off work, we all got to go to the Denton house to fish!  I was super exhausted from the week so I barely made it into the house to the bed before falling asleep for several hours.  It was nice just taking my time, resting, and reading while I watched the boys fish down at the pond. 

My view from up by the house.

I finally had the energy to go out and join them on the water, fishing.  It was a beautiful evening.  I got out there just in time for the sunset.  The boys and Jaime caught a ton of fish.  They were all smiles.  :)  We fished until dark!!

16# of FISH!!!!!

Joy is everywhere with God!

Father and Son

Gutting lessons.  Teamwork!

Friday, June 30, 2017

Thursday, June 29, 2017

God IS GOOD!


~ Psalm 23 ~

"The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake."

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Jesus and Bengal Spice Tea


Chocolate milk toast!

* Family Dinner *  Axis deer steak fajitas, pasta salad, Spring mix lettuce salad, grapefruit, and milk!

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Safe Arrival!

Excitedly waiting for flight our guests to arrive.
Looking into God's beautiful creation!

Heath and I prayed all day and have been praying since we booked the flights for the kids' safe arrival.  God provided them with a safe and quick flight from Omaha to Dallas!  We are grateful and will continue to pray for an awesome time together as a family!

*Heath, Justin, Jaime, and Andrew*

Nothing like a little *Whataburger* for our Nebraska family!  Justin was texting all of his friend's, letting them know what he was having for supper!  ;)

Monday, June 26, 2017

Life

So, I had the wonderful idea to run to my PT appointment this morning, you know, multitasking.  I made the mistake of thinking that it wasn't that hot.  By the time I got there (insert HIGH humidity), 2.25 miles later, I was drenched in sweat.  Oh well, they were super nice and totally didn't mind at all.  After my session, I started heading back across the road to head home when I saw a very familiar truck drive by.  Red.DodgeTruck.RamBoxes.  Yep, it shortly thereafter circled around and my Prince Charming came and rescued.  (I think he thinks I am crazy half the time for some of the things I do, but at least it makes him laugh!)  Honestly, his timing was perfect!  I was so happy to see him and I need to work my way into this humidity so that I don't get sick again like last year.  I was also on a bit of a time crunch as I was preparing to leave for work for the rest of the day.

Rough life at the office for Petey!
Yes, he put himself in this fort.
*3 beds*

After work, I met Heath over at Bill's as he was reorganizing his pickup for the kids' arrival tomorrow.  I had done all the prep work for dinner before I left for work.  I stopped by the house to pick it up and threw some quinoa and noodles on the stove.  We had deer with a thai fling...ginger and coconut milk over quinoa (me) and noodles (Heath).  Click *here* for the recipe, but I didn't really follow it.  Just used it as a guideline for spices and such.  Turned out pretty good for spur-of-the-moment idea!

Sunday, June 25, 2017

*Sun*day*


Heath and I had a leisurely morning as we took our time going down to eat breakfast at our hotel.  Funny story:  I was super excited to eat outside on the hotel veranda under the big ole' shade trees.  On the way out the door I held the door for a gentleman and his son.  Little did I know there was only one table left.   This was *such* a good reminder for me:  "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."  Thank you Lord for the subtle reminders each day!

We headed back out to the lake for a day in resting in God's beauty.  Big~beautiful clouds danced above us blocking out the heat of the sun yet letting just enough rays through to warm the water.

African basket in tow, snacks, beach towels!  We found a nice little
tree for some added protection from the sun!


Jesus Calling is a devotional book that I have been given as a gift many times.  Now, I know why.  I finally picked it up towards the beginning of the year and it is fantastic!  I cannot say enough about this book.  It speaks to my heart each day when I read.  It doesn't matter if I am behind or tracking right along, the words speak.to.my.heart.  Please find the following excerpt from June 20th.



God uses so many things in our lives to point us to Him.  The better we know Him, the more and more we notice these things (big or small), the more and more peace and joy we experience.  He LOVES US!

**Side note**  We found an awesome kolachi place in West, Texas.  On the way down to Austin we barely made it before close at 10 pm....today, we made it in plenty of time with lots of fresh, hot choices!  Heath's particular favorites are the blueberry and cream cheese and the strawberry and cream cheese.  My favorite, the monkey bread/cinnamon roll with raisins!  They warm them up to amazing-ness!  This is a must see if ever you find yourselves anywhere close to West.