I'm a little warped

Rick drives on U highway every day he goes to Carrolton. It makes me giggle. Sometimes he will call from his cell phone to tell me where he is. I chuckle when he says, "I'm on U"...... or "getting on U".

I don't think he finds it as humorous as I do...... so I giggle to myself.

This is the highway we live on........... Z

When I give my address on the phone, I always say Z, as in zebra. Otherwise they send it to T highway.

Or D

or B

or C

or E

or G

shall I continue? Lots of letters rhyme with Z.

Rick also works in a town called Hale, MO on Thursday afternoons. I like it when he says, "I'm going to Hale"....... or "I'm in Hale" or....... I'm working in Hale.

Do you get it? Hale?

Please tell me that you find it funny also? I'm somewhat demented, but that's hilarious friends. Right?

Gus thinks it's funny.

He's laughing on the inside.

He's laughing so hard that it hurts.

See...... I told you!!!!!

To sleep or not to sleep.....

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.............

For some reason, beyond my understanding, my children like to sleep with Gus.

They take turns..........

I don't want a turn.

Look at this face closely. Not much air passes through that squished-up face. That makes for deafening noises.

Thunderous.......

Roaring..........

Wake the dead noises.

Dreaming of warmer weather.......

Call me strange.......

But I always look forward to getting my "flower magazines" in the mail. You know, White Flower Farm, Jackson and Perkins, etc.

Yesterday I drooled over these roses.......

April in Paris

Bella'roma

Fairest One

Love's Kiss

Southern Bell

Summer of Love

I used to have an amazing flower garden. Then, we moved to "Rocky Ridge Farm". It is true to it's name. I no longer grow roses, I grow ROCKS! Not little pebbles either. Boulders. They pop out of the ground every Spring like a tulip bulb. Honestly, I've never seen anything like it.

I'm laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside. I yearn for colorful flowers. I crave the fruity scent of daffodils, I long for fresh bouquets of roses from my garden. Are you feeling my pain?

So, go away Winter!!!!! Go away rocks!!!!! Go away hard/red dirt!!!!!

Then, the Fairy Godmother came and gave the princess all that she desired.

And they lived Happily Ever After.........

THE END

WOW weekend

(After posting this, I viewed it. Whew, is it ever jumbled? Not sure what happened, nor am I sure how to fix it. So sorry!)

We made it back from WOW.

I may have a few more grays on the ole' noggin however. The children were good, but busting with energy!!!

I have Howe blood pulsing through my veins. I've never been busting with energy. All the Howe's that are reading this are smiling and nodding YES!!!

It was the Hockman blood in me that kept the kids in check. I had to make a couple (cough) speeches.

It rained the entire time we were there. So my shoes were slushy from Saturday evening till Sunday evening. Wet feet aren't too fun. My poor friend, Nancy, heard some whining out of me about it.

"Woe is me, I have wet feet."

"My feet are sooooooo wet."

"Are your feet cold?"

"I hate having wet feet."

and so on........

Good thing Nancy loves me. (smiling big) :)

This is Wayne Kerr. He is from Texas. I won't hold that against him. (hehe) He is married and has a husky. He also sings very well.

As a matter of fact, he sings so well, he gets paid to do it.

Wouldn't that be fun?

No one will pay me to sing......

They pay me to stop!!!!!

This man is VERY talented!!! He tells stories with sand pictures. He told us Jesus' story this weekend.

It made me love Jesus even more.

This sweet man's name is Joe. You can find his website here. You will not be sorry that you took 6 minutes to watch this.

Here are some of our youth. We took 20+ kiddos.

This was the kids favorite part of the entire WOW. They were called "The Skit Guys". Go to youtube and search for them. They give God's message with a touch of humor. Here they are impersonating the boy band, NSYNC.

This is our youth pastor Kendra. She made the "big screen". She said, "anoooounnncemeeents, annooouncemeeenttts, anoooounccceemeeeentts!"

This group was fun and high energy. They sang Christian rap? I'm going to be honest, because you have come to expect this out of me......

They seemed like very nice people, however, I didn't understand a single word they said.

The kids loved them. I loved the beat. I loved the dancing.

But I wasn't sure if I was dancing to Christian music or JayZ?

Good thing you can google lyrics, huh?

shoot-em'-up

So, when this is posted tomorrow, I'll be elbow to elbow on a church bus. SO FUN, I seriously cannot contain myself.

You should see the mountain of luggage that we are packing. Remember, we aren't staying in the Embassy Suites. It's a church floor (let me repeat) CHURCH FLOOR!!! Oh, my back is achin' already. Do you remember when you didn't think twice of those sorts of things? Man, I do. Those good ole' days. I used to bring blankets outside in the summer and sleep in the front yard. Bugs, chiggers, critters and all. I enjoyed it too. No one forced me! Doesn't that seem so strange? It was fun until someone drove by our house at 5:30 in the morning. I was a little embarrassed by the bed head and mascara eyes. Why didn't it occur to me to be embarrassed about sleeping outside? Golly, growing old really stinks!!!!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi. I thought that might make up for the few days I neglected you this week. Apology accepted? Hope so.

Ryan had a wonderful birthday!!! Ian gave him a PS3 game. Some sort of shoot-em'-up western. Gracie also gave him a PS3 game. Some other sort of shoot-em' up. However, not a western. I don't know. I probably should pay more attention. But folks, in general, I have mighty fine children. They are 91.5% good. So, I'm not going to get my underwear in a knot over a video game. There are SOOOO many other things that occupy my "worry time". That isn't one of them (at this moment).

Rick and I gave him a different type of gift this year. Mainly for two reasons......

1. He is getting VERY difficult to buy for!

2. He is growing up and NERF guns aren't as cool as they used to be. Neither are Lego's or Lincoln logs, action figures, dinosaurs, Barney videos, or board books.

So we bought him a hunt!!!! No, it's not another shoot-em'-up PS3 game. This is the real deal. With guns and dogs and feathered birds. If he behaves himself between now and then, we might even throw in bullets. How's that for parenting?

We met a man named Keith over a decade ago. He introduced Rick and I to bird hunting. This may very well be the only type of hunting I like.

Wanna know why?

Because I don't have to hold still OR be quiet!!!

We are also allowing him to take 7 friends (on a different day) to play paint ball. (Are you noticing a theme here?)

Lots of shooting around our house in the next month.

Now you guys/girls understand why I love Gracie's birthday parties so much. They are more fun for mommies.

14 years ago

I've been somewhat distracted this week. I'm fighting the winter time blah's!!!!! So sorry friends that I haven't been as good about posting.

There's lots of excitement happening this weekend!!!!

At 7:00 tomorrow morning, Ryan, Ian and I will be heading to this.............

It's in Springfield, MO.

We are sleeping on a church floor.

I'm too old for that!

I'm going to be cranky Sunday!!

No really, I'm excited. It should be lots and lots of fun. The kids will have a great time, and so will I.

I will share lots of photos and stories when I get back.

But the most exciting thing that's happening this weekend is............

My oldest turns 14!!!! Did I just say 14? Because that cannot be possible. 8, maybe? 14.....no!

If you turn your head sideways, you focus on the center of this picture, you will see an adorable red head. That's my Ryan!!!! This was from pre-k. 200 years ago.

Now he has muscles and is taller than me. It really freaks me out!!!!!!

He also has a girlfriend, THAT REALLY FREAKS ME OUT!!!!

Where-oh-where has the time gone? It's happening far to fast for my taste!!!!

So happy birthday, Ryan. I love you more than I can tell you.

Even when you rolls your eyes at me.

But especially when you give me hugs.

Gus' fashion show

It's been so dreary in Chillicothe, MO. Foggy and misty and ugly!!!!! Ugh! I'm needing some sunshine and warmth and GREEN!!! This photo was taken from the end of the driveway. Notice that you cannot even see the house. Visibility was less than 1/4 mile. That's mighty dangerous while driving.

I was probably 200 feet from the house before it appeared out of nowhere!!!

Thank goodness it was still there!!!

I was beginning to worry.

I thought maybe I pulled into the wrong driveway.

Have you ever wondered what happens in your home when no one is there? I do.

Well, different topic. I've ventured into "one of those people". You know the sort I'm talking about. (whispering) The "dress up your dog sort". I would have joined this group long ago, but it's hard to find clothes for Gus. He's big boned. (ahem)

Each size gave an example of a breed to gage the fit.

Example:

XS- Chihuahua

S- Bichon Frise

M- Cocker Spaniel

L- Labrador Retriever

XL- Rottweiler

XXL- Great Dane or GUS

It's not because of his height or length. It is because of his girth.

Gus understands this and it's okay with him.

Don't you think he looks stunning in camo? Let's take a moment to build up Gus' self-esteem everyone.

Gus, you're a hottie!!!

Work that run-way!!!!

Simply stunning!!

A blushing bride......... well, that might be pushing it.

Sorry Gus!

Valentine banner

I found a tutorial on YouTube. When I visit YouTube I normally click on the videos with a more.......... funny nature. I was pleasantly surprised to find that you could also find useful information there. Who knew?

Anyway the tutorial was "How to make crepe paper rosettes". FABULOUS!!!!! So guess what I have been doing? You got it!!!!

I love crepe paper rosettes.

I cannot stop making crepe paper rosettes.

Someone please help me STOP making crepe paper rosettes!!!

You got it....... making crepe paper rosettes.

If you want some, but don't want to make them. Go to this etsy shop. http://www.etsy.com/shop/luckygirlgoods

Praying for Haiti

My heart has been so heavy this week for Haiti. Golly, how do you wrap you mind around 100,000+ dead? I don't know about you, but I cannot!

It's so easy to forget about since it didn't happen on American soil. However, let's not forget that we are fellow sojourners. Temporary residents of this crazy, crazy world. Brought together because we have a wonderful and merciful God. We are all God's people (whether or not they recognize their heritage).

Whatever your faith friends, please remember these people. Give how you can. Whether in financial support, mission or prayer.

My husband and son had arranged a trip to Haiti in July. A team was assembled from our church and Rick was going to provide medical mission for the people. The town is called Montrouis. It is a coastal city. Very, VERY poor.

Below is a letter from American friends who live in Montrouis.

Dear Friends:
Here is an update....you will not believe the devastation in Port au Prince...but as previously
reported, we are fine and remain strong in The Lord. .keep praying for the people. We had
another aftershock at 1:15AM this morning. Pray that God will kill this thing and no more
quakes of any kind...buildings continue to crumble in Port au Prince due to poor building
methods...But we thank our God that this building rocked and rolled but no damage. The
Boss Mason, Lexes John Pierre ate with us this morning and we all celebrated with him how
strong he and his men built this building that has kept us safe.

We now know some houses have crumbled here in Montrouis...we will be working with the
church Pastors to bring relief not only here but in Port au Prince...but it is our policy so you
will know, we go through the Pastors and their churches to meet needs.

You can help by sending ANY AMOUNT of money to House Of Bread...P.O. Box 733,
Chillicothe,Mo...64601...mark your check "Haiti Earthquake".

At this time all telephone communications are out of service. Pray our e mail stays with us.
We just bought new Digicel Phones and now learned the Digicel main office in Port has been
flattened...gone...we have our Haitel nbr which may work latr...you can try if you want...it is
011-509-3-567-0361....but the best right now is e mail.

Some of our staff including Pastor Rigaud have left for Port au Prince to try and check on and
find their family members...pray for them and their safety.

One thing we know and that is diesel fuel may become very scarce. we need it to pump water
and keep our batteries charged..pray we can find it when we need it.

Power is off in Port and we understand the International Airport is closed...but apparently some
military aircraft from the U.S. and other countries are using the facility...U.S. Coast Guard Cutters
have begun to arrive by sea.

Gayle and another nurse have gone out to see what people need around us. We are providing good
water thanks to many of our partners. It turned a little cloudy yesterday when we were pumping
for the people and this morning also...but it has now cleared up.

We learnd of a miracle and how God protects his people...Harrington Rigaud, Pastor Andrea's
brother lives in Port au Prince. This apartment house he lives in is now rubble...but guess what
he was'nt in the building...Praise God....Love In Christ...Jim and Gayle...Haiti

It's hard to write about my new UGG's after that. So I'm going to say much. Just that I wanted a pair of these since Rick and I's trip to New York two years ago.

Congo wants a pair also.

REALLY wants a pair!!!!!

He's liking mine a little too much for my comfort.

Ughh, what are you doing, Congo?

He would have crawled inside the boots if he would have fit.

I have (ahem) largish feet for a woman. I'm excited that I was able to go down a size. Opps, that was also a confession to my TRUE size, huh? Hey, I'm a tall girl.

Flakes

You can not believe how beautiful our trees looked yesterday. I don't know how to describe it to you except to say, it was magical. Almost like a painting. I caught myself staring out the windows several times. I do not like snow, but MAN it's sure pretty!!!!!

By the time I got around to taking photos, the snow had begun to melt. :( That's not like me. I did capture a few close ups of the trees in the front yard. From a distance, the snow looked like ice. I was a little surprised when I got close enough to see those big ole' flakes. They were so big, it looked like fake Christmas snow that you buy in a bag.

I did some playing around with the filters on iphoto. I thought the colors were fun. Which do you like better? I couldn't decide.

I'm sure that you know this, but you can click on the photos. It should enlarge them on your computer.

I'm documenting this for one reason. I DIDN'T DO IT THIS TIME!!!!!! My man tried ice skating in a car. I believe that I will pull this out next time I run into the garage door. Notice I didn't say IF I run into the garage door.

Well tootles friends. I'm off to cook at the church. Hope to visit with you tomorrow.