Precious Moments - March 2010

We are so truly blessed to live the life we do! The sweet smiles, personalities, comments, and memories that are always being made are priceless!! Stephen has the best schedule with the fire department and we have so much time together as a family to live life, and he and I to train and raise these 5 blessings. Yes, sometimes it can get challenging, and Satan is always trying to move in. He tries to get us to give up, be angry when discipling, get overwhelmed at the responsibilities and get in a tizzy, but we realize that is from Satan and are able to fight him head on. The moment we stop to think about what the Lord has provided for us and how He loves us so much, we feel in awe that we serve such an awesome God who is always there. We have had some precious moments around our house lately that are a sweet reminder of God's love towards us.

Here is Martin measuring the mineral lick for the cows. We wanted to take a picture every week to see the progress and I think this is week 2. He is so cute, because when he goes outside to work with Papa, he has to get dressed in the right clothes...long-sleeved shirt, jeans, hat, boots, and sometimes a bandanna. It is so precious to see him love Stephen so much.

We pulled up some little sapling pine trees along the fence line in the Bahia field one afternoon. Each one of the kids pulled one up and they were so excited they had such big muscles to do such a task. We took them home and put them in some water until we decide where to plant them.

Papa and Martin ran to Mock's to get some gas for the little red truck. All the girls were at home taking a nap. Papa bought Martin a sweet treat...one of those banana chocolate pop-cycles!! Stephen and I love to spend special time with out kids, and this was one of those opportunities for Stephen and Martin.

One afternoon while Stephen was at work, I cleaned out the utility room and set up a little sewing table in our bedroom. I was working on a project for Stephen for our anniversary and was on a role. Instead of putting the girls down for naps upstairs I laid them all down on our bed downstairs. Well, 2 out of 3 fell asleep which was great because I got to continue working. Such sweet memories of me and my sisters popped into my mind as I saw our girls all together.

While we were checking cows one late morning, Millie was holding James and it was his nap time. He was so comfortable and it was so nice and warm outside, he just fell asleep in Millie's arms. So precious!! She was such a proud big sister to take care of her baby brother like that.

These were some precious moments for our little family, and they happen all the time. It is so nice going through life at a slow pace, staying home and around the farm, getting to "stop and smell the roses" and take time to marvel at God's goodness.

1st Appointment for Baby #6

Stephen and I have been in lots of thought and prayer regarding the care and delivery for baby #6. We were already 19 weeks when we finally made a decision and had our first appointment. We decided to try having this one at home. This will be a first for us, and a big step of faith for me. Both Stephen and I feel at peace and are so grateful for the Lord's direction. We have a great midwife, Erin Burow who is a sweet friend of mine. I have always enjoyed visiting with her in the past about pregnancy, labor and delivery and I learn something every time I talk to her. She came to our house and brought her ultrasound machine and we got to see a peak at our little one. We asked her not to tell us what we are having because we always love to be surprised. Here is a picture of the face, body, arms and legs. We are due sometime at the beginning of August.

Coalition For Life Benefit 3.4.10

Every year the Coalition for Life has a huge benefit dinner. We went last year and had a really good time and made plans to go back again this year. I can't remember how many people were there, but it was over 1,000 and the total giving was $322,000.00 to end abortion peacefully and prayerfully in the Brazos Valley. The speaker was Jeb Bush, and Bobby Reynoso (a young man we have met through the Burows) is the new Executive Director. The Coalition for Life has a house just yards away from the Planned Parenthood facility that they were able to get and fix up just this last year. It has been very beneficial for the Coalition and the sidewalk counselors are helping women in the Brazos Valley and success stories of them choosing life is so exciting. Praise God! Here are some of our highlights of the evening...

Here we are with Karen Piper, one of the Coalition's full time staff members who helped organize the event.

Here are some of the greeters and servers. Jacob and Erin Burow (brother and sister) are on the far right, and Allison (another friend) is on the far left.

We even saw John Wayne!! That made Martin's night. He was so excited and proud!!

Afterwards, during the clean-up, the kids brought me some of the table decorations...the beautiful yellow flowers.

Mr. Herzog and Elaina "supervising" the clean-up.

Here is Stephen and James with another friend, Michael.

This is a group shot of the Herzog families, the Burows, and some more friends.

Martin and Uncle Keith stacking chairs to put away.

It was a great evening, and we are so excited to be a part of such a wonderful outreach.

Here and There March 1st-3rd 2010

We had a nice quick visit with dad recently. He came back from Guam for about 4 days and managed to spend time with each one of his married daughters living here in the states. Jerry and Erin happened to be in Texas for the weekend, Michael and CarrieLynn had time off for a visit, and of course we are always here, excited to have company.

Unfortunately the flash on our camera is broken, hence the nice warm look of the above picture. Anyways, at least you can see everyone. They had a good time sharing stories with Papa Carl, sitting on his lap, and just loving all the attention.

Giving him a good-bye hug.

Here is our littlest, enjoying an apple on the front porch.

Martin was playing with his swords and didn't want to miss out getting them in a picture.

On voting day (3-3-10) after the polls are all closed, there is a meeting held by the precinct chairman (which is Mr. Herzog) and we all loaded up and were present. Stephen proposed a resolution that will be discussed and voted on in Willis on 3-20-10. His resolution was in regards to property taxes.

Stephen has been quite the cook lately. One morning he made breakfast on the wood burning stove. We had bacon, eggs, and grits. It was quite tasty!!

Then, one evening he made "Lemon Poblano Chicken" for supper. He actually concocted this recipe one morning about 2:00 at the fire station after he got back from a late run and was hungry. It is super delicious!! He served it with rice. I can't wait to have it again.

Around the Farm 2.28.10

Martin checking out the mineral licks.

It is kinda muddy around the farm and as I was driving in the little red truck, Elaina had her head out the window and got muddy as I was spinning out. It really was funny despite her un-funny face.

Papa and Millie unrolling a bale of hay for the cows.

The kids like taking turns riding the tractor and occasionally they get an opportunity to drive it. Stephen will get off the tractor to lift up the electric fence and let whoever is with him drive it under the wire. This time it was Bella's turn and she was so proud and took the responsibility very seriously.

Amos Duncan (our Miniature Hereford bull) thoroughly enjoys a good back rubbin'. Stephen and Elaina were out doing just that.

Martin was being such a good big brother and fed James his bottle after he woke up from his nap as we were driving around the farm.

Mattress Sliding 2.28.2010

The kids came up with a new indoor sport....mattress sliding! They have a blast doing it as you will see from the photos. It is great for rainy inside days.