Houston Bound

Well, it's that time again. We are heading for Houston tomorrow morning. I can't believe it's been 2 months! When I look back at these past two months and everything that has gone on, it's a little overwhelming and I think "How did we get through that day!" We've had some difficult days that are behind us now, and I know there are probably more in the future, but we will not think about that and continue to take this journey day by day and at times, hour by hour. My mom is going with us this time. This will be her first trip with us to Houston. We are staying in a different hotel than normal. I had to find a room with a recliner that Alan could sleep in, but it all worked out.

Alan continues to deal with constant pain in his back, hip, leg, knee. Some days are better than others and the pain is not all of the time and then of course you have the bad days. I have people ask me daily, "How is Alan doing?"....I tell them about that day, but let them know that if they ask me tomorrow, it will probably be a different answer. Alan still has to sleep in the lift chair at night. I don't even remember the last time he slept in the bed. Unfortunately, the bed is pretty much the enemy right now. Hopefully one day he will be back beside me where he should be. He is still getting around with the walker, although, if you see him around town, he is using a walking stick. He is driving some and even doing some hunting when he feels like it. His deer camp buddies have been so good to him and help him any way they can. We really do have some great friends. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about our friends and how great they are to us.

Also, we are selling our house. We live a little out of town and have 11 acres of land that we just can't continue to keep up with. There are other reasons we are selling beside what I have already mentioned, but I just ask for your prayers for right decisions with this matter. Alan loves being out of town, but in the back of his mind, he knows what we really need to do.

I could probably type a novel with this post about everything going on, but right now, I just ask for your prayers for our travels and Alan's report. Lord, I just ask that you give us the strength to get through these next few days.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Sydney's 1st Deer!

Sydney has officially killed her first deer...and not only that, it was a 4 point!! She put the bullet in the right spot at 60 yards! She did everything herself! The best part about all of this was Alan was with her. That was a gift from God. Alan has been trying to do some hunting when he can and take Sydney so she could kill her first deer. Well, Wednesday....it all paid off and she has her first kill and her first blood face smear, LOL...see picture below. Lets just say, she was not happy about the blood part. We just told her it was tradition, but that didn't mean much to a six year old little girl. She was sooooo excited and of course told everyone she could about her deer. It was a great day! A HUGE Thank You to Michael E. for being there to help!!! Just for the record, they were hunting from Alan's ground blind. That thing has come in handy this year since Alan can't get in the box stands.

Alan said he might not ever be able to get up, but he was getting down on the ground to take this picture. With a little help from Michael, he made it up! :-)

It should have been a 6 point, but it was missing a few antlers.

Here comes the blood. She didn't know what was about to happen!

And there went the smile.

She's not very happy, but took a picture with her daddy anyway.

Trent, Alan and Michael.

I'm planning on doing an Alan update tomorrow. I know I have not posted lately, but this has been a crazy month. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have not had our family get together yet. We are having our Thanksgiving tomorrow with Alan's family.

Chili Benefit

This post is dedicated to everyone that donated, volunteered, ordered chili and did anything they could to help towards this benefit!!!

Many of mine and Alan's close friends put together a chili benefit for Alan. It was AMAZING and God has put some amazing friends in our lives. I wish I could thank each person individually, but I would end up forgetting someone. Please just know if you helped in any way, we appreciate it....more than we could ever put into words!! We love you all so very much and thank you!!

Here are just a few snap shots I got that day. They had carry out, delivery or dine in. Fortunately, Alan has been doing better these last couple of weeks, so he was able to come and eat chili and personally thank the ones that were there. I know I didn't get pictures of everyone, but I promise, we know you were there:-) There are a few people I do not have pictures of that I know helped alot and that is Paula, Leigh and Debbie. I know there were some husbands helping too!

Shawna (green shirt) and Sarah in the red. These are two of my very good friends. We have all been good friends since elementary school. I know they worked hard and were covered in chili! HA

Kayla and Patty Higginbotham, Tina Carter

These are some of the ones that decided to Dine In.

Alan, Gary and Trent.

Some of the hard workers...Jane Johnson, Dru and Heather Burford, Jackie Sivils, Melinda Harris, Jenny Lynn Strebeck, Shawna Hawkins. There were many others in the kitchen, but these are the ones I just happen to get.

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Ephesians 5:20

Halloween 09

Once again I'm about a week behind with my post. There are just not enough hours in a day.

Sydney at her "Pumpkin Party" at school.

Carson and Lanee

Jessie, Autumn and Lanee. This is part of Carson's second family. I never got a picture of Carson and Kayla...:-(...Sorry KK!!

Carson is a train conductor and Sydney is "The Flash" superhero....the girl version! She is all about the superhero's.

The boys...Carson, Landon, Grant. The girls...Sydney, Lainey, Julia. We all just happen to be at my parents house at the same time. Cute group picture.

And last but not least, our adorable nephews. This is Grant...

and here is Ethan. We were all together for Halloween and it was wonderful.