What's God Up To................?

I have been living in a "theme" lately that I think God is telling me something. So, I'm submitting totally to learn from what He is telling me and showing me.

I've shared that I have been going through a tough time. We are having some custody issues with Matt and who knows what the future holds for my family but I do know this. I am not going to give the enemy any more ground. He will not push my buttons anymore. I have wallered in this mess long enough. Heading toward depression is just feeding this disease. NO MORE! Today, I choose with all my heart and mind to BELIEVE God when He says, "Trust Me" or "This is not your battle" or "Are you listening to ME?" Yes, Sir, I DO, and yes Sir, I am.

Over a month ago I got a great book for Thanksgiving called Giving Thanks The Gift of Gratitude by M.J. Ryan. I read it during the Thansgiving season and it spoke volumes to me about living a life with a grateful heart. It had already put me in a mindset of being grateful and tackling each day with a sense of gratitude. I've enjoyed focusing on all the things I have to be grateful for and have thanked God over and over for each of them lately.
Then Tim and I were sitting on the couch one Saturday morning several weeks ago watching a few movies and started watching the movie Pay It Forward, a movie that stars Haley Joel Osment as a boy who launches a good-will movement, Helen Hunt his single mother, and Kevin Spacey as his social-studies teacher. When 11-year-old Trevor McKinney begins seventh grade in Las Vegas, Nevada, his social studies teacher Eugene Simonet gives the class an assignment to devise and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better. Trevor calls his plan "pay it forward", which can be described as a charitable pyramid scheme, based on good deeds rather than profit. "Paying it forward" means the recipient of a favor does a favor for a third party rather than paying the favor back. Anyway, I had seen it before but Tim had not so we watched again and it really hit me hard. I thought we all need to live like that.

Then last week I needed something urgently from our coporate office and sent an email with my request. My co-worker sent what I needed but at the end of her email she said, "Pay it Forward." I emailed her back and told her that Tim and I had just watched that movie. She said she did too and we both discussed the good in the movie and how we both sobbed watching it. But I thought how odd, to hear pay it forward again. So, at that point I thought I must be being led to do something on these lines.

Then yesterday I don't know what I was doing online but came across something that was almost like flashing at me......it's called 29 Gifts in 29 Days................It's a challenge to give to others.......and I've taken it. It's not all about giving tangible things by any means. It started from someone who was wrapped up in her own mess, disease and pity party.....when someone told her to give 29 gifts in 29 days.......take the focus off her. Very interesting story. Check it out on http://29gifts.org/

So, for whatever reason I see God doing something in me............and I'm here with an open heart to see what He's up to.

Oh, and yesterday was Day 1 of my 29 and I gave encouraging words to a co-worker. She is in our corporate office and it started with a business email and just a Merry Christmas at the end when she responded and we started talking back and forth. She has no family where she lives so was talking about not being as excited about Christmas as usual. In our talking we found out we had so much in common and have had so many of the same challenges / still do. I was so blessed through that.

My verse today is another one with God getting me through this trial.......

Peace I leave you; My peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Ooooops!........

Did I really say I would post something every day about the true meaning of Christmas? And share something from our family. Surely I didn't mean every day........well, I had good intentions. Usually do. Usually fall short.

But, here I am today. After going through a tough several days, I am DETERMINED not to waller in what I am going through. It will do me no good and will keep me depressed through this wonderful Christmas season. This is a season of "JOY" and that is how I want to live it. In joy. Believing God to get me through this and He be glorified through it.

So how is your shopping coming along? Don't ask about mine. A few things done but still lots to do. BUT, I'll get it done. Everyone have up their tree? I don't. I don't like that. I want it now. I have one up - my kitchen Christmas tree......I love it but I want my big one up in the den.

My daddy started his chemo today. I just talked to him and all went well. Thank you for all the prayers. Keep them up. We have to pray him through the next 6 months.
From my Christmas devotional......Preparing for Jesus

Listen: the light of Christmas shines into darkness! We should be the walking dead. What we deserve, in fact, is the absence of God - a cold and cosmic isolation - for this is our sin, that we chose to be gods in the place of God. In the day we disobeyed we began to die. We should, therefore, be dwelling in the land of deep darkness, mistrust, hatreds, hopelessness, finality, and death.

But here in a child comes God, the light! And light in darkness is a frightening thing. ("People loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" John 3:19)

O my friend, a self-examination both humble and true most cause us to tremble before the Living God. Yes! - we will be "greatly troubled" at the appearing of angels.

But even as we feared, so do we rejoice when we hear the light say, "Don't be afraid. I have not come to punish but to give you life. I am no judge. I am the Savior born for you."

Life instead of death? That is a wonder! And the wonder is all the more intense because death had been expected - because death had been right!

The mercy of God? Is not this a dazzling wonder? And isn't Christmas wonderful after all?

It's Snowing in Houston today........

Remember the other day how I said I love Christmas because it makes me feel like a kid............well, today our forecast here in Houston is SNOW. Yes, you heard me, SNOW! I was working away at my desk a little while ago when Lily, our receptionist yelled, "it's snowing!" My office is up front so went running and sure enough it was snowing hard!!! I just wanted to run

out in it.......like a kid......but thought maybe not all would appreciate my kidness!!!

Stephanie said JD has had a blast playing in the snow. He's been out playing in it quite a bit today. Here are a few pics.

And remember yesterday, saying it was a really tough day. Well it was. Tough really doesn't describe it. I think I will wait until after everything is settled before I share details but mainly just need pray over a custody situation with my son. I'm about to walk a very, very tough road and know that I trust in the Lord with all my heart to go before me...........

Didn't have much today but here are some cute pics of the 2 most wonderful grandkids! I am blessed indeed!!

One of my favorite Christmas Songs........

Today has been a rough day. A really, really rough day that has taken a lot to even get through. Please pray for our family.

I haven't been in the mind set to blog today but really wanted to share a Christmas thought each day. I have listened to one of my favorite Christmas Songs over and over today by 4Him......thought I would share...............

A Strange Way to Save the World

I'm sure he must have been surprised

At where this road had taken him

'Cause never in a million lives

Would he have dreamed of Bethlehem

And standing at the manger,

he saw with his own eyes

The message from the angel

come to life

And Joseph said"Why me?"

"I'm just a simple man of trade

Why him with all the rulers in the world?"

"Why here?"

"Inside this stable filled with hay

Why her, she's just an ordinary girl"

Now, I'm not one to second guess

what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way

to save the world

To think of how it could've been

If Jesus had come as He deserved

There would've been no Bethlehem

No lowly sheperds at His birth

But Joseph knew the reason,

love had to reach so far

And as he held the Savior

in his arms

He must've thought"Why me?"

"I'm just a simple man of trade

Why him with all the rulers in the world?"

"Why here?"

"Inside this stable filled with hay

Why her, she's just an ordinary girl"

Now, I'm not one to second guess

what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way

to save the world

Now I'm not one to second guess

what angels have to say

But this is such a strange way

to save to world

This is such a strange way

Such a strange way

Such a strange way

to save the world

Anticipation...................

I love Christmas. It always makes me feel like a kid. And that’s the way it should make us feel. Remember being a little kid and how you couldn’t wait for Christmas to get here? The waiting sometimes would drive me crazy…..and I’m a patient person. I can even remember on Christmas Eve after we got back from my grandparents (we always did Christmas Eve – dinner and presents with my Memaw and Pepaw Brown) and not wanting to go to sleep but knowing you had to so Christmas morning would come……then laying in bed NOT being able to fall asleep. The anticipation of Christmas morning. Then, finally I would fall asleep just to wake up at the crack of dawn……….only to have to WAIT some more. In the Early family my wonderful parents liked to capture every detail of our waking up and walking into the den to see Santa on film. SO once we woke up we ran and woke them up. THEN, we had to go back to bed and pretend to wake up while they were filming (on the old 8mm cameras with the very BRIGHT light). And then we were filmed walking in the den with our very big smiles…..FINALLY. All the waiting was always worth it. My parents made sure we always had a fun and memorable Christmas!!! Oh, and neither my brother nor I went in to acting but, boy, we sure had the practice!!

Then, the fun, fun, fun memories of my kiddos going through the very same thing. I didn’t own my first video camera until the year Matt was born (14 years ago this Christmas) so Steph and Shan escaped the Oscar Performances until they were 12 and 5……..but I didn’t make them go through the “wake up” performance – just captured them opening presents and all the joy they experienced.

All this waiting…………what are we waiting for?

So, what am I waiting for? What are you waiting for? Ultimately if you know Jesus, you are waiting for Him to return and call His Church / His Bride / His People HOME!

I am currently doing a Christmas devotional called Preparing for Jesus by Walter Wangerin, Jr. which started yesterday all the way through 12 days after Christmas. My dear friend and former boss, Beth gave it to me one year and I haven’t done it in some time. I am already enjoying it so much.

Excerpt from Preparing for Jesus:

Mark 13: 32 thru 37……..
32 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 "Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

The word Advent is derived from the Latin adventus, which means “the approach” or “the arrival”. The verb is advenio: “I arrive. I come. I am coming.” Who is coming?

As a season of the Christian year, Advent is ancient. It goes back at least to the middle of the 6th century. Already then it’s observance defined not only the ONE who was coming, but also those who were faithfully and self-consciously waiting. It defined the peculiar people who looked forward to the coming of the One. Who is coming? Who awaits him?

The Son of man, He is coming. Jesus. That one. Him. And we are the people who await Him. You and I. Since it was for us He died, we are the ones who wait in love. And since He ascended to heaven with promises to return, we wait in faith – for at the next and final Advent, Jesus will take us as friends, as brothers and sisters into His house forevermore.

Finally, then, how shall we prepare? In these days, while yet there are days and time, by what activity should we make ourselves ready?

Why, by meditating on His first coming – for though the future may be hidden from us the past is not, and the one can teach us the other.

The story of the birth of Jesus is open before us. We have a spiritual and holy account of the time when God Himself directed preparations for that first coming of His Son into the world.

Behold, I bring you good news of great joy!!

So let us enter the story one more time. In this present season of Advent let us experience the Infant’s Advent in the past and so make ourselves ready for the Advent of the Lord of Glory in the future.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.......

I, today, am officially ready to start really thinking upon the Christmas season. I am so ready to start decorating....may start some tonight.....but definitely will have it all done by the end of the weekend.

Every day, I want to think upon the TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS more than what we have made it to be......more than the presents.......more than the stress.......more than the commercialism.....more than the financial burden. I have some fun plans to blog each day with a new thought upon the "true meaning of Christmas"!!! and something from our family.

My biggest prayer right this moment is for you and your family to experience the true joy of Christmas.....the real and most meaningful gift ever given. Jesus. He is it. He is the reason for the season for sure.

Last year I was keeping JD and MacKenzie, my two precious grandkids during the Christmas season. JD and I were walking around looking at all KK's decorations when we were looking at my favorite navity scene I have. My mom gave it to me years ago and it was my very first one to own as an adult. I picked up the baby Jesus in the manger and was telling JD about His birth when he took it out of my hand and said, "oh KK, He is so beautiful." Yes, HE is. I hope you can see the BEAUTY in the wonderful birth of our Savior!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-2, 14

May He dwell close to you and yours this Christmas Season.

We love you.

47 is much too young to leave.......

I sat at a memorial service for Tim’s cousin on Saturday which hit me much harder than I thought it would. It was one of those “ah-ha” moments that life hits us with every now and then. It’s a reminder of how precious life is……what a gift we’ve been given with life…….and the gift we’ve been given with those God has put in our lives. I hope that I’ll take this “ah-ha” moment and continue to ponder it and allow God to do a work in me with it.

Sherry Suzette Wingard was born August 21, 1962 and died much too young, at 47, after a long hard fight with cancer, on November 17, 2009. She is survived by her husband, Wallace Wingard, 2 children, daughter, Samantha and son, Clay, and 2 step daughters, Kristie and Samantha. She also leaves behind 3 grandchildren which is what breaks my heart. She was exactly 7 months, 14 days older than me.

Tim and I were scheduled to fly to Miami on Thursday after work to head to the final NASCAR race of the season. We were looking so forward to it and to hanging with some of our best buds, Grant and Tiffinee. I had had a pretty stressful and trying couple of weeks with Daddy’s cancer / surgery / on-going set backs, so this trip was just what I needed. BUT, after learning her memorial service would be on Saturday, my wonderful husband, family man he is, knew that we had to lay aside our wants and desires and do what we needed to do. So we headed up early Friday to Ruston, Louisiana with Tim’s brother and sister-in-law.

Friday night was the viewing and we all hung out at the Funeral Home and went to get something to eat. Saturday morning we got up and headed to Tim’s mom’s to pick her and John up so we could all ride together. The service was in the church where Tim’s grandparents and so much of his family grew up in. St. Rest Baptist Church…..a small little country church with such history. We were looking at the picture in the foyer of the 150th reunion and I thought about all of the lives that gone to that church, was saved in that church, baptized in that church. Those married and those buried at that church. The service was nice and hit me in a particular way about what we leave behind…….our legacy……but afterwards is where it got tough.

The family walked across the two lane road to the cemetery where other family members were buried, including Suzette’s mom, Linda, who was also Tim’s mom’s twin sister. Suzette wanted to be cremated her ashes scattered across “the creek”, a place where she and Wally had a camp and hung out with all their friends just about every weekend. Anyway, they also buried an urn for symbolism I guess. Her son Clay had already dug the hole for the urn and we all gathered in the dreary, drizzly, cold to say our final good-bye’s. As he started covering the urn with dirt, I started thinking again about death and how we are not promised tomorrow. I thought of her young kids (in the 20’s) without a mom, and those grandkids……………those precious little boys!

As he finished up Suzette’s son-in-law, Stevie sat down on a bench with Samantha, his wife and Suzette’s daughter, and started playing and singing a song he wrote. Samantha was holding the paper with freshly written words on it as her husband played and sang a beautiful song about choosing heaven on earth………. in how we live.

Backing up, Tim, myself and some of the kids went to Ruston, LA this past summer for a family reunion. Stephanie had given me a beautiful book for Mother’s Day of her family and my precious grandkids. Anyway, Suzette and I were sitting there looking though the book and she kept telling me I had such a precious family……that my grandkids were adorable and then went on to tell me that that was what she was living for right now. She said she loved her husband and she loved her kids, but they had memories of her to last forever. She started telling me about how those 3 grandsons (all under 4) would have a hard time really remembering her and she was treasuring every moment she could with them right now. She knew she was getting closer to her appointed time to depart this earth. I remember as clear as day how that hit me then.

Now, here I am standing and listening to a beautiful song but all of a sudden standing and playing right beside me were her precious, energetic little grandsons. I was taken back to her words……watching them play not really knowing what all was happening around them. They were the three cutest little boys in the world. I was totally beside myself thinking about it. I can’t explain those moments. The words of the song……little boys playing……..a sad goodbye. Would they remember? It made me think about my JD, almost 5 and MacKenzie, who just turned 2. They love their KK and I love them so much that I can hardly stand it. I want to treasure each and every second I have with them. Life is so short. We are here but a breath………..we are not promised tomorrow. Life happens so fast…….it goes so fast……..we go day in day out like little ants going ninety miles an hour. We don’t slow down and really take in life. But I am reminded again to do that now.

I have been blessed beyond words with my Tim, my family, and my friends…..some I see often, some I rarely see but still treasure the friendship tremendously. Growing up my mom always said to me, “live every day like it is your last, you never know when it might be.” Do I? Do you? If God called you home tomorrow, what would be remembered about you? Will you leave this earth with earthly treasures left behind or treasures not of this earth….but of the heart. Will you have run the good race? Will you have any regrets? Do you have anyone you need to forgive? Do you have anyone you need to say you’re sorry to? Have you told those you love that you love them…..really love them….or do you assume they already know that? Do you hold those kids, those grandkids and treasure that moment?

None of us know when the day is. No one but the Good Lord Himself knows……so make sure your life is right with God……live each and every day like it is your last. Treasure the gifts God has given you. Make sure those you love know it. Slow down, enjoy the moments, smell the roses! We only get to live this life on earth one time. Make yours count!!! Live a life of gratitude and thankfulness……because we all have so much to be thankful for.

I do know that I can honestly say that I am not ready to leave this earth. I only found my soul-mate and best friend, Tim, 5 short years ago. I want to have many years loving him and growing old with him. I want to see my kids grown, marry, and my grandkids grow up. I have so much more life I WANT to live. BUT, if for some reason God decides my appointed time is here tomorrow, I will leave this earth a very happy and fulfilled woman.

Praying for my Daddy......

Many of you know this and are already praying becauase you are my Facebook friend.....but my dad is battling Colon Cancer. My family covets your prayers!

Mom and dad went to the doctor last week and cancer was discovered last Friday, 11/6. Tim and I and our family were in Dallas for the NASCAR race. Mom called me and told me he was having surgery on Monday. I got up Monday at 3:45am to leave the campsite at the race track at 4:30am to be at the airport at 5. I landed at 7:45am and was picked up by my little brother Chris and taken straight to the hospital. I was fortunate that I got there when I did becuase they moved his surgery up an hour......but I still had a good 20 minutes with him. It was hard on him when I walked in because he had told mom he had his two boys there but not his girl. He was taking it very hard at the time.

He made it through surgery fine (they did have to cut). They removed over 9" of colon and tissue. I knew my mom needed my help so I stayed each night I was there in the hospital room with her and daddy. The nurses there was the sweetest things you could ever imagine and they brought me in a cot. Monday he pretty much slept the entire day. I was planning on returning to Houston on Tuesday night but decided to stay an extra day to help mom and give her a chance to get out.

Tuesday was a little better. He still slept most of the day but when he was awake he seemed in high spirits and felt as expected. Wednesday we had a horrible day. He struggled with his breathing a lot. We got the report that the tumor was 100% cancer but were still waiting on the lymph nodes report.

I decided to stay another day and yesterday (Thursday) dad had a better day. He had started some breathing treatments so was doing a little better with that. He was getting up a little more and trying to be a little more mobile.

About 2 hours before I was to leave for the airport we got the news that the lymph node report came back showing more cancer. We were bummed because we really had thought we were going to get the all clear. BUT, we have peace that God is in control! That we believe and trust in.

I was sad to leave my parents but also was ready to come home and see my Tim. I had missed him terribly. It was great to sleep in my own bed last night next to the Love of my Life!

This moning the oncologist came in and talked to mom and dad. He will go in right after Thanksgiving to have his port-a-cath put in and will begin 6 months of chemo shortly after that.

I ask all of my friends and family to join us in prayer for God's glorious healing of my father's cancer!!! Thank you so much for all of those of you who have already prayed and helped us through this very difficult week!!!

Prayers needed.....

I told you I would try to be a better blogger. Well, here I am but not really to share much about what's happening with the Gannon's as much as asking those of my friends and family that read this.......I need prayer. In a most desperate way.

1. I have been sick for 9 days. All stomach and head. Constant nausea. No appetite. At this point I feel extremely weak. Today I had blood tests run and am about to go have an abdominal ultrasound done. I am at work but need to be in bed. If I don't get a small burst of energy in the next hour I will go to bed.

2. Without really being able to share any details I do ask for major prayer for wisdom regarding a current situation that I am in that involves Matt and my ex. It has about gotten me extremely down and depressed but I am praying for God's strength and intervention into this whole situation. I am believing God to blow us all away and for Him to be glorifed in the outcome.

Thanks my friends and family.

Bad Bad Blogger.............

I know I have been so out of touch over the last 3 1/2 months. No excuse because it would be the same as it is everytime I go silent for some time......CRAZY SCHEDULE. Not even sure where I would even begin. I'll try to do a better job because I had a few family and friends fuss that they don't know what is going on.

Part of the problem is I FACEBOOK now so it is where I put my daily going ons. But, no excuse for not setting up time to do a quick hello.

We have had a super summer. River trips. Camping. Week in San Antonio with Tim. Lots of time at our place in the country. Watched the grandkids for a week with the exception of 2 days while Steph and Jimmy went to the Cayman Islands to celebrate their 5th anniversary.

Tim has spent the last SEVERAL months with a very, very busy travel schedule. He is gone most weeks (during the week) but home on weekends. It has been hard. I respect his job so much and understand but I don't like it. With all kids out of the house, when he is gone, it is a bit lonely. I'm adjusting I guess.

Football has started back.......Tim and I have had Texans season tickets for 3 years now. We love to go and tailgate with our friends and go cheer on our Texans. Unfortunately they are starting out too well, but hopefully that will change.

I've been home this entire week with the weirdest stomach bug. Absolutely no fever but have lived with the constant feeling like I am going to throw up down to the mouth watering. I threw up several times Monday and the beginning of this but none since. I have absolutely no appetite but have no issue with drinking fluids and keeping them down. There is a part of me that wants to get back to work tomorrow and then scared because today I was feeling a lot better then took a shower. It wiped me out so bad. So, I guess I'll just have to see.

Matthew is in 8th grade this year which is so hard to believe. He is on the 8th grade football team and is doing well. He plays defensive end and has had a few good quarterback sacks!!! That's my boy! He is doing much better this year......grades, school, etc. Makes me a happy Mama.

Shannie started her sophmore year at Sam Houston this fall. She is renting a townhouse with 2 friends and is enjoying college so much more having her own place vs. the DORM. She is doing well and I am very proud of her and happy she is experiencing it all!!!

JD is playing soccer this fall and has had 2 games so far. It is absolutely the cutest thing I have seen. He scored his first goal last game. Papa Tim and I are both so very proud of him. He tries so hard and Steph says he spends lots of time in the backyard with the soccer ball. Miss Priss Kenz started dance this fall and Steph says she is doing great. I was supposed to go watch her play this past Monday but that is when I came down with this crud.

Well, I'm tired but will do a better job of checking in for those few of you that do read!!!

Has It Been 2 Months.........?

Yes, it has. Shame on me. I wish I could say life has slowed down since I said it would but I think everyone can say that's not how life is anymore. I CAN say it's not been 500 mph like the first of the year was. It's been more of a steady and fun gallop!!!!

When I saw it had been 2 months I was shocked and figured I should at least check in so here we go............random as can be.

We've been spending a lot of time (weekends and weeknights) at our place in Saratoga, TX. It is north of Beaumont in the Big Thicket and it is such a haven for us. I love it. We have even picked out our place to build. We will start VERY SOON, clearing out the small trees and brush. That way by the time we are ready to build our dream home, there will be a beautiful place to build it. We will start digging a pond that will be in the back yard and use the dirt for our pad to build on. I can't wait to start that. I am so ready. Right now we stay in our 5th wheel camper (which is our home away from home) when we go out there! It's WONDERFUL!

In May we took the 5th Wheel to Ruston, LA for Tim's family reunion. We had so much fun and really enjoyed seeing family he hasn't seen in some time. He has a cousin that was coming in from Conneticut with his family. Let me tell you about this cousin. His dad, Tim's uncle (now deceased) is the creator of the Kool-Aid Pitcher Man. You know the one running around with all the kids in those commercials while we were growing up!!! Uncle James is the creator. He was in advertising which Andy now is in. They have a neat family and I enjoyed meeting them. We hope to stay in touch and Tim has to travel to one our jobs in Stamford pretty regularly so we've decided he'll stay through a weekend and I'll join him so we can spend some time with Andy and their family.

The end of May we went to San Marcos to camp over a long weekend and float the river. We had a lot of fun. We had a pretty big group with us so it made it even more fun. We went up Thursday night and floated the river 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Saturday. Saturday our group got pretty rowdy. Some of our crew probably drank more than they should have and it got pretty noisy and turned in to a big deal which caused us to get kicked out of an RV Park. Can you imagine? Still blows me away that they kicked us out. Anyway, it was still a blast - here are a few pics!!!

When we're not in Saratoga for the weekend we usually are trying to stay cool in this HORRIBLE HOUSTON HEAT!!!! I am so grateful that we have a beautiful pool in the back yard. I have been living in it......which is why I am sporting a nice tan this summer!!!

We have another River Trip coming up next weekend (not this weekend). We are headed back to Luling to float the San Marcos River and go to the Watermelon Thump Festival. Yes, they have one. Check it out http://www.watermelonthump.com/! I've even threatened to enter the watermelon seed spitting contest. Do you know they have a spitway for this. Only one in the country. Yep, they do. And in case you are wondering, the record I have to beat is 68 feet. Hmmmmm.

Well, better get back to it but wanted to let some of my friends and family (that constantly say, "UPDATE YOUR BLOG") know all is well!!!!!

Random stuff.................

We are officially off the 500 mph ride we have been on for the last 6 weeks! We are down to a steady 55 mph which I am loving and which is why I have not posted. For the last week I can say we came to a screeching halt.

Random catch up.

Left Friday, 4/3 for Ft. Worth and the NASCAR race. Awesome weekend and birthday! We got to stay infield in the Dewalt hospitilatiy section and enjoy a totally different view than ever before. You really don't see the race track well in the infield but it was fun. They had food and drinks going all day so that was nice. We did get to do the garage tour which was fun. So CLOSE!!!! We also could walk to each end of the track and be up close to the sight and SOUNDS!!!

On Saturday, 4/4, my birthday Tim had to run meet a co-worker who gave us a couple of extra tickets. He came back with my bday present. I love it. The back says National Guard across it. For my non-NASCAR friends, Dale Jr. drives for National Guard so it is my favorite new fun jacket.
Here are the handsome "Gannon Men"

Here is a picture of Matt Kenseth's car who drives for Dewalt and we were cheering on as well at the race, after Dale Jr. of course.
And the car I was cheering on all day!!!!!!

I love CAMARO's, always have, always will. If you saw the movie Transformers you saw BumbleBee which was the proto type of the new 2010 Camaro. I will own one of these some day soon. The pace car was the new camaro. Isn't she a beaut???

Then, we actually got to meet Matt Kenseth.
And here is my autographed pic from him!!!! It says, "Happy Birthday Kim". How did he know??????
It was a fun birthday weekend.

Last weekend, 4/10 - 4/11 was very nice weekend as well. We stayed home all weekend. Worked in the yard. Worked in the house. Matt came over for the weekend so we just enjoyed family!

Easter was nice. Went to church and then just chilled at home. I loved being home for the first weekend in over 6 weeks. Felt so good.

Life is slower. And I'm lovin' it!!!!

Thank YOU Ricky and Tanya...........

OK, I had to share what Ricky and Tanya gave me yesterday for my early birthday present. They are the ones we go to race with every year to thank Dr. Rick for all his help and service to our company. They are very, very dear friends of ours!

Ricky is a huge Kyle Busch fan and loves to throw it in my face. I mean loves to (this last race in Vegas we were at a club Friday night and he pulls out of the back of pants/which he had been hiding a miniture Kyle Busch standup to sit on the table with us)!!!!! Here is a picture from last Phoenix race with him kissing (or licking) on Kyle Busch stand up in the grocery store.

Anyway, Ricky called me yesterday and said he wanted to run my birthday present to me at the office since Tim and I will be out of town on my birthday Saturday. He said he and Tanya were bringing it over.

I realized it was April Fool's Day and just knew that he was bringing me some sort of gag gift such as a life size stand up of Kyle Busch or something. He is second behind my Tim in practical jokes so I didn't have a clue on what to expect.

My office is close to the front door so I heard them come in and ask for me. I got up and started walking up front when I see Tanya standing there with a big smile on her face and Ricky peeking around the corner. I really didn't know what I was about to see.

I turned the corner and found the most incredible, thoughtful and wonderful birthday gift. I am still blown away by their gift. It means the world to me.

If you can't make it out, it is an AUTOGRAPHED Dale Earnhardt, Jr. T-shirt with a picture and ticket from last Phoenix race we went to. When we were at the race we were in the Raceway Club and Tanya won the shirt in a door prize drawing. I have to say I was jealous of her gift but also glad she won something. SO, she gave up her gift and she and Ricky had it very nicely matted and framed for my birthday! I LOVE IT AND AM SO GRATEFUL FOR IT AND FOR DEAR FRIENDS!!!!! Thank you Ricky and Tanya.

Cook-off Weekend Fun and Successful..............

Well, one more HUGE event is marked off the list....DONE! We had our company cook-off we do once a year. This is a big event and a lot of work goes in to it. I have chaired it for 5 years and Tim is the head cook so he and I put this on with a lot of work. I say we, but I mean we along with some of our co-workers that volunteer their time.

We did the Animal House Toga Party theme this year vs. the Saloon/western theme we have done last 2 years. It was fun to see so many people coming out in their togas!!!

Tim and his cook-team cooked enough food to feed approximately 2,000 people. Tim is really proud of the new pit that he, Dustin and James (from work) plus some of James' crew built. It still needs some accessories added but it cooked good.

We have the Texas Race this weekend and I will officially be jumping off this 500 mph ride I have been on since the end of February!!!! Ye-Haw!!

Well, here are some pics from the weekend.

Rodeo.....DONE.........

Just checking in. Random stuff.

WE are officially through with Rodeo. It is over. Finished. Done. I'm glad. We are tired. It was fun. BUT, it is a lot of work and 2 days out of every 3 for 3 weeks will wear on you big time.

I really love volunteering for such a worthy organization. For the past 76 years the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has given over $235 million dollars in scholarships to students in Texas. It is wonderful to read stories and testimonies from the students. Check out the HLSR website http://www.hlsr.com/

My favorite shows were Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley tonight, Josh Turner, Keith Urban and Gary Allan. Gary Allan was probably my top. He put on an awesome performance! My parents were in town all last week for Spring Break. They joined us Tuesday night for the Keith Urban show. It was fun.

Shannon was home for Spring Break the week of the 9th. She went with us to several shows and it was great having her home though didn't get to spend much time with her! Matt was off last week and spent most of the week at our house which was awesome!

On the 15th Stephanie and Jimmy were in the 31st St. Patrick's Day parage on 1960. Shan took Kenzie and JD, along with my folks, Matt and my nephew Justin. They had a blast. Tim and I were working rodeo that day. Anyway, a photographer from the Chronicle was there and ended up taking a pic of Shan and Kenzie which ended up in the paper last week. Cuties!

Now, we are full gear into our cook-off this Friday and Saturday. It will be a crazy week but looking forward to it. Tim and a few guys here at work built a new pit which will feed about 1,500 people in one cooking. It is massive. Tim has been wanting one for some time and he finally got it. It should make this cook-off easier on the cooks. This year our theme is a Toga Party - should be fun. I'm sure I'll have lots of pics to post next week.

Well, mainly just checking in and letting you know we survived RODEO. Hopefully, we'll get through this week too!!!! I'm hangin' on for dear life!!!!!

Weekend Wrap Up.................

We had a blast just like I knew we would. Vegas is definitely the "city that never sleeps". Gambling is neither Tim nor my cup of tea so we didn't really even do that. We each put 20.00 in a slot machine to say we did it but we would much rather do something more interesting with our time and money. The race was awesome though I didn't like the outcome - it was a great race.

We packed as much in the weekend as we could. Saw some of the hotels/casinos.....boy, it's amazing the extravagance of some of those hotels. Some are so beautiful.

We went to Bouchon, a French Restaurant in the Venetcian that was nice. A little classy for my taste but it was nice. Then, Dr. Rick wanted us to go to the LAX which is the Numero Uno club in Las Vegas. We had a VIP table and it was all ok, definitely premiere peep watching which is at the top of favorite hobbies!

Saturday we chilled, went and ate steaks then Tim and I walked around for a bit. We went to the Bellagio so I could see the fountains. That was at the top of things I wanted to see while I was there.

Sunday was the race..............it was AWESOME. One of the best races I have been to in some time. Junior ended up with a 10th place finish so I was happy. Dr. Rick is a big time Kyle Busch fan (and loves to throw it in my face) so he was happy with Kyle's win. Not me. Nope. Not me.

We're home. Life revs up a huge notch as my team opens rodeo tonight. Oh, what a month ahead!!!! Why do I do this to myself every March? I know if I didn't, I would miss it!!!! I'll just hang on for the RIDE!!!