God Bless Samson Harold

Our flight from Boston was delayed on Saturday, so we had to change to fly to Austin, rent a car, then drive to Houston to be back in time for Samson's baptism.  It was a private ceremony and just delightful!  Welcome to the family of God sweet Samson!

“You are sealed by the holy spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever.”

Count your blessings, Bella

Cruise- 2016

We went on our 3rd consecutive cruise with my parents.  We went over the July 4th holidays and celebrated my mom's birthday.  We visited great ports:

Key West- Went to Hemingway's house and saw the 6 toed cats.  We also had great key lime pie.

Nassau- We saw  the resort Atlantis and went on a tour of Nassau.

Grand Bahamas- We spent the day being wined and dined at a beach house.

Life on the boat: Toby Keith performed!

Many days we sat on our balcony and enjoyed the sea.

The sea is good for my soul!

Count you blessings!  Bella

Harvard 2016

This year I went to Harvard to support Raise Your Hand Texas.  It was a wonderful week of learning. I learned from Howard Gardner, world renowned educational researcher. I also had an excellent small group leader from India- he worked for Apple Eduction and really facilitated some deep conversations about educational leadership with in each of us.  I am so very blessed to be afforded these opportunities for leadership growth. Kirk accompanied me on the trip this year and had a grand time as a tourist in Boston.  We were able to get away and see the John F Kennedy library. We also had some really great Italian food and the famous Harvard Clam Bake in the Yard!

“In the presence of greatness, pettiness disappears. In the absence of a great dream, pettiness prevails.”

Peter Senge

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Vacation Time- 2016

Grand Lake of the Ozarks

We went to Oklahoma with our good friend Dana and Mark and Greg and Debbie. Each of them took their boats and we stayed in a time share and really enjoyed that area of the country.  Lots of boating, grilling, wine tasting, and relaxing with friends.  I even got to fish two time.  It was an excellent vacation as usual.  And who can ever forget the Preacher!

Vacations-A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in. Robert Orben

Count Your Blessings! Bella

Birthday Bash-2016

We had a great birthday/anniversary weekend. Kirk hosted a little dinner party with my friends, my family took me to Benihana's and Kirk and I celebrated our 34th anniversary.  Where did the time go? I am still so blessed with friends,  family and my wonderful husband, my heart is full. I thank God for all the blessings in my life!!!

Protect This Relationship, Lord

Keep us, 0 Lord, from pettiness. Let us be thoughtful in word and deed. Help us to put away pretense, and face each other in deep trust without fear or self-pity. Help us to guard against faultfinding, and be quick to discover the best in each other and in every situation.

Guard us from ill temper and hasty judgment; encourage us to take time for all things, to grow calm, serene and gentle. Help us to be generous with kind words and compliments. Teach us never to ignore, never to hurt, and never to take each other for granted. Engrave charity and compassion on our hearts.

Please, pray for us.

Amen

Count Your Blessings, Bella

Friends!

We had some great times with our friends in May.  We attended the Off the Rails Country Concert with Dana, Mark, Greg, Debbie,  and Lisa and Joe our friends from Wisconsin.  We also spent a great weekend with Mark and Dana at the ranch.

Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity. True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing.


Count Your Blessings, Bella

Paige Graduates

Paige- my almost new daughter graduated from A&M in May! We are so proud of her.  She has a degree in Natural Resources and enjoys the outside.  She will took an internship this summer at one of our state parks and really enjoys that work. Way to go Paige- GiG EM

The Spirit of Aggieland- in honor of Paige

Some may boast of prowess bold
Of the school they think so grand
But there is a Spirit can ne'er be told
It's the Spirit of Aggieland
We are the Aggies - the Aggies are we
True to each other as Aggies can be
We've got to fight boys, we've got to fight
We've got to fight for Maroon and White
After they've boosted all the rest
Then they will come and join the best
For we are the Aggies, the Aggies are we
We are from Texas A.M.C.

(Addition to the song during games):

T-E-X-A-S
A-G-G-I-E
Fight-Fight-Fight-Fight-Fight
Fight-Maroon and-White-White-White
A-G-G-I-E
Texas-Texas-A-M-C
Gig 'Em-Aggies-1-2-3
Farmers Fight Farmers Fight
Fight Fight Farmers Farmers Fight

Love you Paige- COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! Bella