Mark's lunch-date today!

Mark was thrilled to get to see his boys today, and meet them for lunch in Gainseville. Mark had to deliver a load there, and called them, and Tyler & Chance were able to meet him.

Holiday Cheer...

Mark's favorite dessert is pecan pie, so for Thanksgiving I went to Paula Dean's website, and got a recipe for Mystery Pecan Pie. We took it to my Dad's and when I cut into it, it was like soup in the middle, so this time, I deleted an egg, put in less corn syrup, and cooked it for an extra 30 minutes, and they turned out PERFECT! Mark says it's the best pie he EVER had!!! I've gotten really good at making the crust too! It really is worth the extra work to make the crust from scratch, and I figured out how to make the edges pretty too...we took one to Mark's grandparents house this past Saturday, and they LOVED it; the other we took to my cousin, Bridgett's, party later that evening, and it was a hit. Mark also made his wonderful stuffed peppers!!! (MY FAVE!) We had a ball visiting with Mark's Mamaw & Papaw...they are a funny couple, and so sweet, and they act like they REALLY like me, so I enjoy hanging out with them!! We brought a guitar, and sang them a few songs, and Mark's G-Ma said "well y'all are very entertaining", it was cute! She fed us bar-b-que sandwiches, and Papaw showed us his antique electric guitar, and his very first acoustic guitar he learned on... then we headed over to Bridgett's party. My Dad was there, and my brothers, Jason, and Matt. My cousins Semie, and Shelly, and lots of kiddos. Bridgett has three, beautiful, smart, funny ones, they are 1,2,and almost 4... they all adored Mark, and he was playing with them all most of the evening. We got to watch the Cowboy game with my family, and we had the best time; it was nice having time to actually hang out and talk and not be in a rush to get home...my Dad and my brothers are really funny, and we have so much fun, and laugh til we cry...even the drive home at midnight wasn't too bad. I drove, and Mark got us some snacks and Mountain Dew to keep us awake; we talked ALL the way home, and laughed like we were two kids on a date... the whole while Chance was asleep in the back... yesterday, we went to Mom and Ron's and had band-practice. Susie, Todd, Tony, Brad, Ron, and Tony's son were all playing, and singing; it was loud, and we danced like it was the prom... we just had an amazing weekend! Can't wait to see the rest of my family on Christmas!!!

HO HO HO!!!

We had an all-girl day on Saturday; took the little ones to see Santa, then we picked up Mamu and went to eat, then went shopping for the day, not really Christmas shopping, but just needed some warm clothes. And I let the little girls try on boots, and find what they liked, and the correct sizes, and then I snuck away, bought them, and hid them in the car before they noticed!!! Already wrapped them, and got them under the tree!!! '
Yesterday Maddie had a competition in Garland, and her team won !st PLACE!!! She was so excited!!! Mamu, the little girls & I are planning on going to the next on in January!!! They haven't been to one yet, so it should be fun!
Paige got a call this morning, and she got a full-time job at Ace Hardware right down the road from our house!! JACKPOT!! So thrilled for her!

SNOW!!!!

Woke up to a winter-wonderland this morning!!! Girls were SO excited!!! I snapped this picture right after they jumped on the bus!!! See the lights on my house, aren't they pretty???

Vacation's over....

I think that was the busiest, most fun-filled 5 days EVER!!! Wednesday the girls and I baked all day, and I mean ALL DAY!!! Thursday we drove to my Dad's for the day, Friday we put lights on the house, Saturday we went to play music at Mom & Ron's, yesterday we finished decorating the house inside and out. My Mom came over yesterday, and we strung popcorn; I have never done this, and it was alot of fun watching the girls get so involved... and it does look so pretty on the tree. We also made hot-chocolate mix, Victoria helped, and she put some in a jar for her teacher, and I let her make a label with the instructions, and she taped it on, and tied ribbons around it. So that gave us the idea to make more for all the teachers. Then we had our hot-chocolate with whipped cream, in our snowmen mugs... the girls did the whole tree almost by themselves...it is so much fun having little helpers!! They also put the train together, and put my little mini-town in the center of the dining room table... and I can't believe I didn't get ONE picture of any of it!!!! I love the Christmas season, and I think my girls are gathering up some great traditions they can pass along as well. I hope so anyway...

Thanksgiving '09

My baby brother, Jody, isn't he adorable??

My Dad, middle brother, Jason & his wife Shelly, Brittany & Jody


My Dad & step-mom, Polly

Jason, big-brother, Matt, Me & Jody

Sofie & Matt's son, Nathan

PawPaw (89 yrs-old) & Kaylan, Jason's daughter

Jody & his gorgeous girlfriend, Brittany



Kaylan, V, and Matt's daughter, Ryleigh


We took a little road-trip yesterday, and went to my Dad's (Papaw's), for our Thanksgiving dinner... all of my brothers were there, with their families, and we played guitars, and sang, and just had a great time!!!! And ate, and ate, and ate...

Honor Roll & Perfect Attendance!!!

My Mom was able to get to the school this morning to see Sofie get her awards!!! I found out about them late last night, and couldn't get away from work this morning... so thank goodness for Mamu!!! She sent me these sweet pictures of my 4th-grader getting her awards!!! She is such a sweet Sofie Belle!!! I am in love!

Saturday Fun!

This Saturday was girl-day!!! First I polished Sofie's & Maddie's toes; I would've done Victoria's too, but she went to a rodeo with her dad... the picture is of Sofie's zebra toes, aren't they ADORABLE?!?! Gigee came to pick up Sofie and then Maddie, Susie & I headed to Ft. Worth to see the much anticipated New Moon movie!!! Maddie read all four books awhile ago, and kept telling me to read them, so I finally did, and I was almost as excited about seeing the movie as she was. I got all of our tickets on-line, so we didn't even have to wait in line when we got there; we saw the 2:00 movie, and it wasn't even crowded!! My friend Misty, and her two kids and a friend of her daughter's met us there, and I'm so mad I didn't get one picture of our trip; it's been SOOO long since we've done anything like that. We came home to home-made chicken enchiladas (Mark's specialty), then we went to see the Cody Robbin's Band, playing a benefit in Bowie. On Sunday, Mark made breakfast pies, then he did chicken wings for the game!!! Weekends just go by way too fast!!!

Honor Roll!!!

Victoria, my 2nd-grader, made the honor roll!!! We went to her school this morning to see her accept her award!!!

Last football game...

Bowie made it to one playoff game, and my friend Susie, went to the game & sent this picture to me!!! Maddie is sending me her love...how SWEEET!

I've injured myself...ON PURPOSE!!!

Okay y'all, you know I've been playing a guitar for a little while, but I've been playing bar chords... which is alot easier than the regular way to play... so after Thursday's competition, I decided I wanted to learn to play like everyone else. So Saturday morning, I tuned my guitar to 4-40, instead of open-g, and my sweet, patient, loving, did I mention patient, husband started to teach me the basics. It was extremely frustrating at first, because you're trying to make your fingers, on your non-dominate hand, all move in completely diferent directions at the same time!!! But after about an hour, my fingers started cooperating, and I was getting it... I practiced off and on all weekend, and I have learned 8 chords already, and can make them sound pretty much how they are supposed to. My fingers have an very strange numb, tingly, painful feeling on all the tips, and they're swollen too. Mark says I'm learning very quickly, so I'm so excited... see, you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

SINGER/SONGWRITER COMPETITION

Okay, must explain... the first song called, My Guitar, is MY ORIGINAL!!! And we were the FIRST singers of the night,I was so nervous, I could NOT get my voice out... it was stuck in my throat...we sound so much better in our music room, but oh well, it is here for everyone to see!!! So, there ya go, take it or leave it... it was our very first time to perform it in front of ANYONE!!! Then, the next two songs are Barnie's originals, and they are SOOOO GOOD!!! He likes my song, thinks it's awesome, and Mark & I love Barnie's songs... it's such way too much fun! I'm proud of us for getting up there in front of about 100 people and trying to make everyone smile...that's really what it's all about, right?

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Four of a Kind...

Our singing group, Barnie, Susie, & The Rigsby's, last night in Cresson, Tx at The Ranch's singer/songwriter competition...we ROCKED!!!

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY!!

I would just like to say happy birthday to all of my fellow Marines. To the ones I have served with, thanks for teaching me so much and putting up with me for so long. The Marine Corps is just like a family...a very big family. Once you're in, you're in for life. For 234 years, the Marine Corps has been winning battles and making Marines. It is the biggest tradition that I know of. From Lt. Presley Obannon and his hard chargers fighting pirates in Tripoli to the Leathernecks of today fighting terrorists around the globe. The Marines who fight the "war" on drugs and even the Marines who stand out in the cold and rain to collect toys during the annual Toys For Tots' toy drive for underprivileged kiddoes, the Marines have always carried themselves with pride and dignity and want nothing more than to do their job well. I miss it almost everyday. The camaraderie, the harsh times, the lonely times, the feeling that somehow you're making a difference and the satisfaction in knowing that you are part of the world's most elite fighting force. Let's all pray for our Marines(and other service members) who can't be home to celebrate with us today. Let's pray for their safety, morale and a speedy return home. No matter where Marines are stationed or fighting around the world, on November 10th, Marines ALWAYS find a way to celebrate their birthday. It could be a few jarheads sharing some candy out of a MRE while sitting at an observation post just waiting for a chance to see the enemy or it could be a grand ball in our nation's capital. They/we love our heritage and never forget the men and women who have gone before us. We cannot forget their sacrifices nor their efforts to keep our reputation just as shiny as the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Happy birthday, Marines and Semper Fi!!!!!!!

Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Mark

Mad's Cheer competition!!!

So we went to the Dallas Convention Center for our very first competition cheer - it was C-R-A-Z-Y!!!! Just exactly like what you see in the movies!!! Girls everywhere, practicing their stunts, putting on make-up, curling their hair. You get there early in the morning, and wait, and wait, and wait, for your 2 minute preformance. It's about the cost of going to a football game; tickets to park, tickets to get in, concession stand food (EXPENSIVE), I told Maddie, I want her to be happy, and if she enjoys this, then I'm behind her 100%, but that we may not be able to make all of the cometitions to watch; I would be more than willing to let her ride with someone!!! Anyway, her team got 3rd place, they were all dissapointed and the ride home was mellow...
On the lighter side; Paige & Maddie have been re-connecting, Maddie colored Paige's hair, and they've been playing music, and painting nails, and polishing toenails; lots of laughter in the house (LOVE THAT), and the little girls are thrilled to death to have Paige back- she is such a big help in the mornings; they love for her to do their hair, and pack their lunches, and SO DO I!!! She's also been cooking dinner & keeping the house picked up & the dogs all fed! I could get used to this!!!

Trick or Treat!!!

We had a blast last night; my friend, Susie & her boyfriend, Steve, and their kids, came over & we all loaded up in the back of Steve's truck. Mamu came too!!! Mark sat up front with Steve to keep him company. He drove us through town, and the kids ran from house to house. After they filled up their goody-bags, we all went out to eat at Armadillo Grill. Now the girls are getting ready for church, and I'm wondering how I'm going to get all of the black make-up off of their eyes without getting soap in them!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Last night the little girls had a Halloween party to go to, so they got all dressed up, and I put make-up on them, & they were just SO EXCITED!!! This is the 1st year I didn't make their costumes... & I don't feel guilty ONE BIT!!! Just no time anymore, and they were so cheap to just buy them, and they were happy with what they got... Sofie is a 'Gothic Girl', & V is 'Batgirl'. Madison got to wear her costume to school today, & JiJi on her shoulder was just too perfect!! Too bad she couldn't take her to school too!!

Barnie & Me singing 6th Ave. Heartache

Barnie's our friend that works at the same hospital as I do. He's been coming up and practicing with us for awhile. He is a songwriter too, going to post some of his originals soon!

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My debut music video!!!

This is a glimpse of our little gig we had last night- recorded from a little flip video, sound quality not that great, but you can get an idea fo Susie & I singing together!!!

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Maddie's HOME!!!!

My beautiful, smart, talented, God-fearing daughter finally made the decision to leave her Dad's house...we have had true joint-custody for two years, and Maddie has wanted to live with me, but he always told her, "if you leave here, I will sell all your horses, and you won't rodeo anymore". It's been such a heavy load for her...something a 14-yr-old shouldn't have to deal with. I've gotten so many phone calls and text messages from her over these last two years... crying, and hating being there...I always gave her the choice to come here full-time, I wanted to force her to stay here, but knew she would be so mad with me, for making her..I wanted it to be her decision, I knew when she had enough, she would finally tell him she was done. And that happened last night. She said, "Dad, I can't live with you anymore, I am willing to give up my dream of barrel racing to go live with Mom. I can't deal with the way to talk to me, the way you treat me anymore... I don't feel comfortable in your house." When I picked her up last night, after cheer practice, she said , "Mom, I finally feel at peace, I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from me". I cannot explain the joy I am feeling...it's bitter-sweet, of course, because she is giving up her dream...but maybe, he will still let her ride...come over and practice when she needs to...time will tell. So please pray for all of it. I just know what she has been going through, I lived it too, and I'm so happy she didn't wait until she was broken, before making this decision...

Daphne Doodle Bug...

She started out as Mark's baby, but she loves the Momma... and I love her... she is just so precious, and cuddly, and affectionate... never did I think I would let a dog sleep in my bed... her spot is under the covers, next to my belly. But when she gets hot, she'll get right next to mark and lay her head on his pillow. In the morning, she rolls over on her back, like the second picture, and gives us those sad eyes, and we have to drag her out of bed... she's ROTTEN!!!