Happy Birthday JD...........

Five years ago today I was sick. Bad sick. Like couldn't hardly get out of bed sick. I was in bed in misery when my wonderful firstborn called with news she was about the give birth to her firstborn.....and my first grandchild. I'll never forget all the emotions I was feeling that day.....took me back to when I had her. Ahh, the joys of motherhood. But I was also torn to shreds because I had the flu and wouldn't be able to be there.

I got phone calls throughout when Steph finally told me the nurses said I could come if I would wear a mask. God, in all His glory, gave me strength to get myself dressed and headed to the hospital. I put on my mask and went in to witness the true miracle of birth. All three of mine were quiet tramatic and painful so I NEVER enjoyed them. I was glad when I was holding that precious Steph.....Shan......Matt but I can't say giving birth was an enjoyable experience.

But, I did enjoy watching my beautiful daughter give birth to Jimmy Dale Vandagriff III. Oh, he was so beautiful!!!!! I was blessed beyond words...............still am.

Today is JD's 5th birthday so I want honor him!!!! Happy Birthday JD. KK and Papa Tim love you so very much and we are both so very proud God chose us to be your grandparents. I hope you are blessed with a very special birthday.......because you are a VERY SPECIAL boy. You have brought so much joy and laughter to this family. Your funny faces.......your big precious smiles that you use your whole face with......your kindness and sweetness are true gifts to us all.

Hope you have a super birthday and I can't wait to get to enjoy Pizza tonight as we celebrate your big #5!!!! Happy Birthday JD!

YOU are still Holy.......

Holy, You are still Holy
Even when the darkness surrounds my life
Sovereign, You are still sovereign
Even when confusion has blinded my eyes

Lord, I don't deserve Your kind affection
When my unbelief has kept me from Your touch
I want my life to be a pure reflection
Of Your love

And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I'm at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up 'till now
It belongs to You
You are still Holy

Holy, You are still Holy
Even though I don't understand Your ways
Sovereign, You are still Sovereign
Even when my circumstances don't change

Lord, I don't deserve Your tender patience
When my unbelief has kept me from Your truth
I want my life to be a sweet devotion
To You

And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I'm at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up 'till now
It belongs to You
I belong to You

And so I come into Your chamber
And I dance at Your feet, Lord
You are my Saviour
And I'm at Your mercy
All that has been in my life
Up 'till now
It belongs to You
I belong to You
You are still Holy
You are still Sovereign
You are still Holy, Lord
You are still Righteous
You are All-knowing
You are still Holy

You Are Still Holy by Kim Hill

I Still Believe.......

Scattered words and empty thoughts
seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
seems I don't know where to start
but it's now that I feel YOUR grace fall like rain
from every fingertip, washing away my pain

I still believe in YOUR faithfulness
I still believe in YOUR truth
I still believe in YOUR Holy Word
even when I don't see, I still believe

Though the questions still fog up my mind
with promises I still seem to bear
even when answers slowly unwind
it's my heart I see You prepare
but it's now that I feel Your grace fall like rain
from every fingertip, washing away my pain

I still believe in YOUR faithfulness
I seill believe in YOUR truth
I still believe in YOUR Holy Word
even when I don't see, I still believe

The only place I can go is into your arms
where I throw to you my feeble prayers
in brokenness I can see that this was Your will for me
Help me to know You are near

I Still Believe by Jeremy Camp

Happy New Year.......

.........and I know.....it's 1/2 in to January but this is the first time on my blog since the new year so thought I would wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!

We brought in the New Year from our wonderful place in the country (Saratoga, TX). It was low key with our family. Tim's mom and John came in so we cooked up a mess of chili and gumbo New Years Eve. Then of course for New Years Day we had our typical Honey Baked Ham, Black-Eyed Peas, Cabbage, and Cornbread. It was yummy.....one of my favorite meals of all. Crumble up my cornbread, pile on the peas with juice and top it off with fresh onion....oh my!!!!

Without going in to tons of detail we had mediation regarding the custody issue with Matt and as of right now we have an agreement that I can live with / with peace. I prayed for God to work throughout that day and I truly know He did. HeIt could have gone bad....and according to the mediator, she thought the way it started we wouldn't be able to come to an agreement. I believe God exposed TRUTH and then things started to fall into place. Right now, a lot of the future is in Matt's court........ We want to see him walking down a path of goodness and make smart choices which over the last year he hasn't. If God places him on your heart, please pray. I just want my son to flourish in goodness.

If you have followed us long you know we are approaching our busiest time of the year. Rodeo Cook-off this year.....straight in to Rodeo......then our big annual cook-off with work. It's April before I slow down. On top of that.....Tim, myself and our best buds, James and Jill have a formed a cook-off team, Ruff -n- Rowdy Cookers. We are registered with the National BBQ Association and the Texas Gulf Coast BBQ Association. We did several cook-offs last year but plans are to do quite a few this year. We have so much fun doing them and most of the ones we do are for good causes. Tomorrow we do one for the Hold'em and Hit'em club benefiting youth and education. It's our first this year and we are so ready!!!! If you live in the Houston area come to the Farm and Ranch Club in Bear Creek......Friday night 6 to 10 and Saturday 10 to 10. It will be a fun time. Come see us.

I'll share more of what God is doing in a future post!!!!