....The greatest of these is LOVE......

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11-12

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us - perfect love!
The Message 1 John 4:11-12

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you all had a great day surrounded by those you love. We did! We spent the day in Brenham with my family, at my sister and brother-in-laws farm. It was so neat to have Valentine's Day fall on a Saturday, and be surrounded by the love of your family.

Though the weather was not all that great, rainy and gloomy, we still enjoyed being at "the farm!"

Jumping on the trampoline! Or trying to anyway, it was wet!

Pushing the puppy in shopping basket


Opening goodies!! Thanks Pops and Grandma

Riding Laney Rae's horse. She loved this thing!!!


The eggs that were collected for the night.


Me and dad washing the eggs.

Ava, Laney Rae and Grandma

This is my sister, the Farmer's wife! And let me tell you, she really has her work cut out for her. During my brother-in-law's 24 hour shift at the fire department, she mans the farm. She has two very active children she is home with and is expecting her third GIRL in May. Her days are full of moving cows, feeding animals, and putting them up for the night, collecting eggs, taking care of customers when they show up on the farm, and much much more. All while tending to a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. You go girl! It was nice to be there tonight to help a sista out!

Oh how I have missed these........

Last week a terrible, awful, horrible thing happened in our home.

We got a visit from the awful stomach bug that is apparently making it's way around Bryan/College Station.

The "bug" started it's awful vengeance on my precious Ava. We were not sure at first if this was a true stomach virus, or a side- effect from the old milk cup that Ava found that night. ( I know disgusting, from what I hear this is normal and will happen at least once to every child!)

Ava started throwing up that night, and from then on it was AWFUL!!! For those of you that have experienced a 18 month old with a stomach virus, you know what I mean. There is no warning when to expect the next " episode." I had the couches covered with towels, and had given up on changing my clothes after the four time. I really think there needs to be a 24 hour help line for mothers who are dealing with puking kids, because I was on the verge of tears. I had one, and it was my sister! Thanks Lyns!

After 24 hours we survived and Ava stopped puking, BUT now we were dealing with some pretty scary dehydration issues. Like no wet diaper for over 24 hours. Yes, this mama was freaking out, and thinking the worst ...like... oh my gosh her kidney's are shutting down.

Friday morning we got the wet diaper we were waiting for, and I am telling you the scent of a soiled diaper never smelt so good.

IT DOES NOT STOP THERE THOUGH....

After Ava was all well and good.....I ended up with the awful bug! David ended up escaping this thing.

We have now all re cooperated and are well!

I have spent the last few days wiping everything that the little "bug" could have attached itself to in my house. I forgot how addicting these wipes are.

A few months ago, I quit using cleaners with harmful chemicals in them,and started using more natural homemade cleaners! And my house has never felt cleaner and fresher! ( see my sisters amazing recipes on her blog www.yonderwayfarm.blogspot.com )

BUT after having this terrible visitor, I needed a peace of mind that the creature was GONE! ( and these wipes kill EVERYTHING..probably including brain cells! )

To those of you who had an encounter with this visitor as well, congratulations for surviving, and to those of you who are next on the list May God Bless you.

My first "Bumpy Ponytail!"

I thought I would post some pics of Ava and her styling "bumpy ponytail." Let me explain. I was talking to my sister the other day, and she said " I just don't get it bumpy ponytails must be in." She had gone somewhere that day, and noticed that all the college girls were sporting " bumpy ponytails." Which I happen to be a big fan of! I remember the years that I kept Aqua Net in business with my big bangs and slicked back ponytail! Oh no, not anymore! So here are some pics for you Sunshine! Even 17 month-olds can do the bumpy ponytail!