Ladies of 76

In college I got to attend a women's conference in Austin, Texas two years in row. I think it was called Crossroads. The first year it featured the Jackie Kendall co-author of Lady in Waiting ( a book and bible study that I have read and taught) This is one of my favorite books of all times. A must read for pre-teen,teenage girls, college age and single women! 

The conference focus Bible verse both years was Titus 2:3-5  3. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. 4. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, 5. be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior.(The Message) 

Back then I had so much energy, worked  two part time jobs, attended college full time and even really enjoyed cleaning other people's homes to help  pay my bills. I didn't grasp the mentoring need that I would one day need as young mom. Even when I worked as case manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters after college. I loved seeing a child's life change after a having a mentor for several months but I had no idea what was in store for me. That years later I would bring home a colicky baby that didn't sleep and my energy to clean house or even just take a shower would be completely zapped out of me. Then my neighbor invited me to a mom's group that met every Tuesday morning. Some of these women were in different seasons of life and others were similar to me. It was just what I needed. Then 3 1/2 years later we moved to Kansas and I met another group of mommies that also met on Tuesday mornings! How I treasure the wisdom from these Ladies too!

We moved back to Oklahoma but not back to our old town. We are about 30 minutes away in a smaller town and 15 minutes from where we farm. Ryan's school schedule kept from attending my previous Tuesday morning group that I went to years ago. But I found a fun Zumba class for exercise two mornings a week. My grandma invited me to her homemakers club which is a short drive away and it meets once a month . (So of course I can't tell her no :)

                                               Some of the group. It's called Ladies of 76 because that's when it was formed. There are two other members around my age with young kiddos too.

It kinda reminds me of a grown up 4-H.

I tried to find a website that had info on all this but couldn't yet. It's part of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services( part of Oklahoma State University) I'm excited to learn more all about this! My degree from OSU was in Human Environmental Sciences in Human Development and Family Services so this kinda stuff really interests me and I really enjoy it. Yep, I am a nerd :)

Every month is a different topic. This month was on Easy Desserts.

Yummy!

I am excited to learn from these ladies too!

If you are looking for good read and funny too, this is a great one-

( Amazon Link)

Little White Church

Some of my favorite memories of childhood happened here. Relatives on my grandma's side of the family gather here for weddings, funerals and special occasions. It's what we call Sumner. It was a town back in the day. People still live around there but the school closed years ago.

This a really old picture of my Granny Howell (and Grandad). I was blessed to know my great grandma. She lived until I was in high school. She was an active member of Sumner and her legacy of faith that she left for the future generations is amazing. I went to a meeting at the church the other day and it reminded me of her and the childhood memories...

New goals...

(source)

These are so true. My lifestyle has had major changes since April 2010. It takes a lot of motivation but the endurance to get through it comes from deep down. Having a support group is a must! If you need some structure and great weekly support click here ---> WW

source

I came across this on Pintrest. I haven't run consistently for exercise since Jr High. Over the years I have done aerobics, zumba,pilates, cycling, lots of walking and kickboxing. I enjoy all of these but I needed a new goal. I am attending a Zumba class twice a week but I need more than two workouts a week. So I decided to train my body to run. I just moved to a new town and Pete's cousin Tiffany is  "coaching" me. It's been awesome. I am still learning form and how to breathe and run at the same time.. Its easier for me to do this with my eyes closed but that doesn't go well with running outside.

Our scenery isn't as pretty as this but its nice being outside.

I need shoe suggestions!!!

Joplin Tornado Damage



Joplin Wedding.

The little people got to be in a wedding.

They did really well.

When we lived in Stillwater our church had a adopt-a-college student program. Andrea's family lives in another state so she quickly became our Thursday night dinner date every week. Lily wasn't born yet so Andrea has really go to see the kids grow up.The next year we "adopted" her friend Rachel too.  We have also enjoyed seeing her grow too. She is graduated from college now and is a working professional. Time sure went fast.

Lily made it through most of the ceremony. She stood up there and waved and said hi in her loud squeaky voice. But she would not come down off the stage so after she started poking her brother on the shoulder, Pete grabbed her off the stage and took her out.( we were worried, he was gonna turn around and hit her back since he was standing so still and quiet)

Congratulations Andrea and Kyle!!

Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!

pumkin patch birthday party

We got inivited to Cadee's 5th birthday party at T G Farms Pumpkin Patch in Newcastle last weekend. Cadee's mom Mindy and I met the summer of 1999 when we worked at Falls Creek summer camp. (One of my favorite summers of all time) Cadee's dad is Craig who was Pete's buddy from college. Yep, they met at our house and the rest is history. (No, we didnt set them up)

Yummy Cake!

Ryan had a blast! He slept great that night!

This a great idea for anybody that has an old one sitting in the pasture.. (hint,hint Pete)

Lily had blast on this!!

They also had a hayride for the kids and a hay maze too!