Cousins

Schroer kids visit Aunt Allie in 2006

Meet Jesse and Kylee Schroer...my sisters kids...pronounced like SHORE with an extra "rrrr" after the "sh." They live in Arlington. Jesse will be a Senior and Kylee will be starting the 7th grade. These kids are precious to me...right up there with my very own!! You see, the boys are spaced 3 years and 11 months apart between each one...Travis (Nov. 90,) then Jesse (Oct. 94,) then Jack (Sept 98.) How's that for not planning? Then the girls came along and threw all things off; they are 5 years apart ...Kylee (March 00) and Kate (April 05.)

August 2012

When Jesse was born, my sister was in college...and yes, I was too, STILL! But some of my very best memories of Jesse are during that time...little pudgy cheeks and fat ankles. This kid...ok toddler...was eating quarter pounders at age 2!! Yup, the whole thing!! Plus some fries. I don't remember him being cranky, ever. Of course that's not really saying much...that I don't remember it because after birthing my 3rd child, all memory cells must have been needed to produce that little cutie pie! Back to Jesse...he was almost always happy...AND TALKING! Now this boy could talk!!!!! Ramble! Ask questions! Anything...random...whatever he thought of...whatever he saw. I'm just saying...a 4 hours drive from his house to mine, well it was entertaining to say the least.

Sweet Kylee was born in Arlington when we lived in Colorado...I don't think I saw her until she was about 2 months old. Cutie Patootie!! Happy most of the time! Beautiful, big dark eyes! She and Jack had a ball together over the years...and still do. Once we moved back to Texas, we got to see them several times a year. Our families tried to vacation together at least once a year. I would say these cousins are pretty close for never living closer than 4 hours apart.

2004 Vacation

2008 Vacation

You see, I don't know what it is to have a cousin. Both of my parents are only children! Maybe that is one more reason my sister and I (5 years apart,) were always so close. None the less, for my kids to have cousins is pretty special to me...maybe more so than to them! And as time has gone on and children have grown, the time they spend together becomes more meaningful! What I'm saying is, it was a very special weekend to have them all together one more time...and for us to share in their  lives. FAMILY!! I don't ever want to take it for granted...I am blessed with the relationships we share.

August 2012

Empty Nesting for 10 Days

So Jack and Kate are away at their dads for a week and then their grandparents in Arlington. And what have Terry and I done while they are gone??? A whole lotta nothing, at least for the first 5 days or so...enough of THAT! Terry & Adam made some GREAT headway with the hunting lease on Saturday...set up and loaded 4 feeders, set up 4 blinds and placed one of the campers. They are so excited...so was Jack when he learned that he missed out on all the FUN!...rather HEAVY & HOT work from sun up to sun down because it did take all day, in 100 plus degrees. They are glad to have the bulk of it behind them.

Translation for me: I CAN WORK ON A PROJECT WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTIONS!! What to do? What to do?

My front porch

Do you see a problem with this picture? My parents graciously gave us a new Adirondack chair as a housewarming gift. Dad said "go to LLBean website and just pick your color and let me know." You see, they did not have the same color anymore...that particular BLUE. Yes, the blue is the old one...notice the chew marks on the arm from Hank as the likes to sleep in chairs and really liked to chew when he was a puppy. So I get the opportunity to choose another color! Yeah (with a smile!) Yeah (with sarcasm!) Another translation...Allison will get to try to match the paint and redo the blue chair!  Here goes...

First: Sand

Thank goodness for company, even if they did have a bit of doggie breath!

River

Hank! Making progress...some of the chair is RED!

While I was waiting for the red paint to dry after coat 1, 2 or 3...I forget...I had another little project. You may remember the front door...rather bare. I thought it needed a new wreath...something fallish. Do you Pinterest? I love Pinterest! Found some great recipes, neat organization tips (no pun intended,) cool fashions I love but will probably never wear and just-right, home decorating ideas! So at this point, I have already walked around Hobby Lobby with my handy smartphone and the picture of the wreath I like so much picking out all the different pieces that will make the fallish-like wreath that I cannot wait to have hanging on my front door. I'm thinking "these fall colors will look so pretty on the red door"! Ok, so here it goes...

a bunch of stuff to make a wreath

The W turned out pretty good

Finished!

How does that look? I am rather pleased with how it turned out! However, notice the backdrop color is NOT red. Ends up, the wreath was too big for the door. Not to mention...H-E-L-L-O...the door has glass windows. None the less, I like it on the wall in the cove of the front porch. Now back to the chair...

It finally dried after what seemed like up-teen coats of paint. Yup, its RED! Yup, it matches the other chair! Yup, I LIKE it! And Yup, I'm good to not paint anything else for a while! With that said...the door is next! That kick plate is not my style and will be coming off soon...well, as soon as the flies are gone so I can leave the door open a while!

still a work in progress...but one step closer

So, like I have said before, the offer is open...when will you come have a cold glass of "something" with me on the front porch?

Colorado Summer Vacation

This year, after 14 months of marriage, we took our first official "family vacation." (Last years weekend trips to the lake, don't count!) This was an activities planned, sight-seeing, eating out, week away from home...we managed to touch 3 states, and that is saying a lot when you live in BIG Texas.

First stop, Canyon, Texas...we met up with Travis for breakfast on this Saturday morning. Once our tummies were satisfied, we hit the road for Colorado. Second stop, Bishop's Castle, just outside Pueblo, Colorado. Mr. so&so has been building this castle in the 1960's...very interesting...very tall, especially when you are standing 4-7??? stories up on span metal and can almost feel it swaying under your feet. Terry was not convinced it met safety specs at all. By the ranting & raving this man was doing for the spectators about all that is wrong with the government, I feel pretty sure regulations were not a factor in this structure. None the less, it was cool to see...but more than that, this was the first time we got out and walked in the mountain air. Ahhhh, the smell of pine trees...the crispness of the air...so invigorating! 

Next stop, Colorado Spring! First adventure, dinner at a local fire-roasted pizza joint in the Downtown District. Fun! Good Food! LOTS, I mean LOTS of interesting looking people. This is where we had the talk of the differences between conservative (Texas panhandle) vs. liberal (Colorado) with the kids! Ugggummm! It was then time for a little swimming at the pool to drain the rest of compressed energy from riding in the car before we hit the sack! After all, we wanted to be refreshed for Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!!

This video was an accident...hence the untimeliness. However, getting to feed the giraffes was really neato!! We all loved it...

The zoo is situated on the side of the mountains...thank goodness several people advised us to walk to the top immediately and then stroll back down the mountain while looking at all the  animals! Best advice ever!

 I won't bore you with lots of animal pictures & I am not a "zoo scholar" but let me just say, it was worth the visit just for that. We all voted at the end of our trip...Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, CO was our favorite activity during the entire trip!

We took in a couple other sights during the rest of our VERY FULL DAY that included Cave of the Winds and Seven Falls. Either fascinating or beautiful...we enjoyed them both.

Cave of the Winds

7 Falls at night

Next day we headed to Royal Gorge. Beautiful! Fascinating! Deep! Scary! Breathtaking! Hot! Worth It! That about sums it up...

After the Gorge, we made the fairly short drive to Gunnison, Colorado. We decided to stay here on a spur rather than have a LONG day of driving. This enabled us to play at a park and take in the town...ate at a GREAT pizza joint and simply enjoyed the crisp mountain air. BTW, temps were about 80/40's while we were in the mountains. Ahhhhhhh!

The drive to Pagosa Springs was only about 3 hours the next morning so we took our time. The house we rented was very quaint...the owners were from Texas so the lone star was all over the place along with their trophies that decorated the wood-cabin, feeling home. Now we had 3 1/2 days to just relax and take it all in...and we did.

Two different fishing holes just proved that Kate had the special touch...she caught the one and only fish at one place and the first fish at the other, both within 5 minutes of putting her pole in the water. I thought is was precious...okay, funny! Terry was perplexed and Jack was frustrated and challenged! Trout! I think that's what they were...nope, I am not a fisherman!

We did some hiking (Treasure Falls,) read some books, fed some chipmunks, did a little shopping, took some naps, went horseback riding, played some games and enjoyed time & dinner with some friends from Amarillo that have a home in Pagosa.

All in all, we had a great vacation! Any and all that we saw, I would certainly recommend should you ever be in Colorado looking for something to do or see. None-the-less, it sure did feel good to get back home...if we just could have brought the cool mountain air and smells back to the Texas Panhandle with us! 

Thankful

Are you grateful for the car you drive? What about being protected from the weather? Do you appreciate having hot water with the turn of a knob? These are some of the questions I contemplated on July 3rd as I watched fire-fighters battle a home fire across the street from us.

Standing on my front porch

It was about 8:30 pm and we were in the backyard taking it easy when we smelled smoke. Naturally, my thoughts jumped to some dorkus who caught the grass on fire doing fireworks a night early. Then Jack points out the fire truck is coming in the main entrance to Ransom Canyon. (We can see this from our back yard, especially when you are jumping real high on the trampoline!) We try to audibly track the sirens to figure out what part of the area they are going and then we hear a frantic voice holler "HEY!!!" 

Realizing this voice in VERY close...like in our FRONT YARD close...Terry takes off with me close on his heels. My heart sank and the adrenaline started to rush when we opened our front door and the saw our neighbors house giving off lots of smoke. 

A little history: when we moved into our new home back in April, several...4 to be exact...different neighbors came over and introduced themselves during the first week or so. Yes, we are blessed with friendly neighbors...that's just part of being Southern, I believe! Hank and Regina Jordan were especially gracious...they brought a cherry pie. It was in her own pie pan so it gave me opportunity to return it and find out a little more about this middle-age, delightfully friendly and inviting couple. This was the only time I was in their home. It was here that I learned they had been there 16 years or so, had a comfortable home they had been updating over the last couple years and had pre-purchased tile to update the kitchen when they did the laundry room and purchased brand new washer/dryer...and boy, did that kitchen need to be updated! I learned that they are BIG TIME bowlers due to the dozen or so bowling balls on their carpeted floor...but did not really understand to what extent then. We talked about the new built in entertainment wall they put in when the wet bar came out, their dislike for the step down into the living room and how much I loved their wood mantle. It was at this time we exchanged cell phone numbers...glad we did.

So one fire truck arrives and the first responders get their gear on and hook up to the water hydrant. Terry served on the volunteer fire department in his early 20's so he ran over to help in any way possible. Keep in mind, all fire responders are volunteers in Ransom. In the mean time another truck shows up and starts the process of getting ready to fight a house fire. Meanwhile, the smoke is really billowing from the back of their home and Travis, Jack, Kate and I are standing there with our jaws-dropped, basically.

I realize Regina is not around and decide Hank has probably not had time to call her...this is why I was glad we exchanged cell numbers. She is actually in Lubbock and on her way to get groceries. I let her know Hank is ok, but "you need to come home now! There is smoke coming from your home and the firemen have arrived." How do you break that kind of news without throwing someone into a panic? I offer to come pick her up...she is already turned around an making the 20 minute drive home. 

Over the next 45 minutes, 2 more trucks, total of 4, are now working together on this house-fire. That is also how long it took Regina to get home. Problem: Lubbock traffic was arriving to the neighboring lake for the fireworks display that was to start at 10pm. Also, all fire trucks were in place at THAT lake for any emergencies that developed. It is about 9:30 pm at this point and it seems to be getting worse, if anything. Most of the smoke is still dark in color (meaning things are burning.) After about an hour and half to 2 hours of fire-fighting, we see relief in white smoke and feel some excitement seeing some rooms are still unburned and likely to have water damage only! 

Terry had been in the back yard the whole time helping fire fighters with hoses and such and I was getting bottled water for firemen and hanging out... just amazed at how long it was taking to get this thing under control. Nope, not been around many out of control fires before!  At about 11pm we finally head into the house leaving the final stages to the professionals...they were cutting into the roof with the saws to make sure all fire was extinguished. We were glad to know that the two bedrooms and garage would defiantly have some stuff to salvage as the walls were in tack, etc. Terry and I made plans to be available in the morning to help them "go though" stuff and pull out what they could. There was a gentle let down as we climbed into bed after washing all the smoke and ashes off. It was difficult to fall asleep that night...

The next morning was July 4th, Independence Day, and this is what we walked out to...

Charred remains

Around 5 am, the fire started up again and took all that was left in the Jordan's home! It was heartache all over again. Hank & Regina arrived around 9 am...in shock! Iron skillets, a few partially burned quilts, some platters, a gold ring (one of 9 Perfect Bowl rings of Hank's...he bowls on the professional level) and some clothes from a dresser. This is about all that was salvageable from the remains. With some tears and much disappointment, Hank and Regina still had thankful spirits about them!

Can I just say, it really did not feel like a holiday, a day to celebrate...it did not feel like July 4th. It was a day to be glad to walk in my front door. Glad to have a comfortable bed to crawl into. A day to be glad to change all of our plans for the day and help our neighbors. A day to be grateful for ALL the LUXURIES I take for granted on a daily basis. That day was an ugly reminder how very privileged and blessed I am! 

2012 Catch Up

Finally, I am getting caught up from the busyness of the last year...wow, how time fly's. As a mom...or just as me...my heart longs to be home with my children. I truly feel that tug more in the summertime when they are not in school. However, I could not be more blessed while working outside the home than where I continue to work, Southcrest Baptist Church. Besides that, Terry has a job that allows him to be home shortly after lunch on most days...so kids are not alone ALL DAY! This is the first summer that Jack and Kate have stayed home by themselves. 

First Day of School

Jack was not too excited when I brought home a "chore chart" for each week. Questions came flying from all directions because they had never had a "chore chart" before! Cleaning potties, reading for 30 minutes, writing a page in a summer journal, vacuuming, cleaning mirrors, unloading the dishwasher, picking up doggie poo and sweeping the porch are easy enough for 2 kiddos to accomplish, don't you think? I assured him that I would be a much happier momma knowing they had "quality things keeping them busy" in the mornings while I was away each day...not to mention, the house would be much cleaner when I got home each day and could therefor spend more time playing in the evenings! Took a little getting used to for Jack! Kate on the other hand...let's just say she is TOTALLY on board for being a little helper. Most of their afternoons are spent with a short bike ride to the pool and several hours swimming! Yea for Summer!!


This past year has been extremely busy...continue reading for Webb/Dowty family highlights for 2011/2012...

Little guy pulled off a great block!

Jack spent his school year making new friends and playing football (right tackle.) He started on the B team for the Roosevelt Eagles. We went to many football games on Thursday evenings...had some visitors come watch as well...Mimi & Granddaddy, Aunt Vickie and Meemaw & Grandpa. Overall, Jack learned a lot and had fun. He is looking forward to playing this school year as well.

Then, Reese (age 17) kept us under the Friday night lights watching the Shallowater Mustangs go all the way to accomplish Area Champions for his 2A school!




In the midst of all the football games, Adam married his sweetheart, Alyssa. Adam co-owns his own construction company, Southern Construction, here in Lubbock. He is also getting started in real estate since earning his real estate license in April. Alyssa has just finished up her training in esthetics and hopes to soon land a career in the skin care field.

October 1, 2011

Before football season was over, we did squeeze in Parent's Weekend at West Texas A&M University in Canyon where Travis is going full time to achieve that Nursing degree. Go Buffs!








Before I go on about each and every highlight of the last year, I will just mention a few: took a ride on the Polar Express, celebrated Christmas together, saw a Christian comedian, went to Christian concert, watched some Texas Tech basketball, lost a dog, lost some teeth, got a new puppy, grew in some new teeth, called lots of baseball (well, Terry did,) Spring Break in Ruidoso, celebrated a lot of birthdays, got baptized (that would be Kate) and played with grandbabies.

Easter at the Lake

Besties in Amarillo

Swinging with Cadden

Brother David baptizes Kate

Silly girl's celebrate Kate's 7th birthday

My Ump

River

 Couple of other things worth mentioning specific...back in February, Alysha and Jared moved from Big Spring, Texas. Jared is a highway patrolman who took a change of location bringing them back to Lubbock. Alysha currently stays home...they are foster parents so depending on the day, Jared and Alysha have one to three kiddo's in their home. We are happy to say they are in the adoption process with a precious, 2 yr old little boy, Cadden. We should be celebrating his adoption this fall.

Alysha, Jared & Cadden

In April, we bought a house! Yea! It is only a few blocks from where we were renting. After a few weeks of some remodeling, (new floors, wet bar torn out, additional kitchen cabinets and new counter tops,) we moved in in May. WE ARE HOME!! And open for visitors so let us know if you are able to make a visit!

We got settled in just in time to have Reese's graduation celebration in our backyard. Reese enjoyed another 3 weeks until June 25th...he shipped out to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for his Army SIT. We are so proud of Reese for following through with the dream he has had for many years and the decision he made a year ago to join the Army.  We will be so glad to see him in September at graduation.

That about sums up the last year...at least the big stuff! I keep thinking it will be nice when life settles down a little...but what fun is there in that?