swimsuits

Dear Bridgette, this is for you my sweet sister.  The two swimsuits I posted were from Athleta.  It is a really cool site associated with Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime...

They have really cute workout clothes, but since I don't workout...

AHEM!!!  Well, I guess enough about working out, let’s move right on along to another topic.  Bridgette, I hope that you find yourself a precious swimsuit.  Thank you for visiting my blog.  I hope that you will return again and leave a comment when you return.  

P.S.  (for all other readers) Bridgette was at the women's conference in Alabama that I spoke at.  I am so excited to hear from those amazing women.

Have a blessed week!!

God is so good

Friday Robby and I boarded an airplane and headed east to Alabama.  Robby and I travel a bit, but Alabama was a state that we have never been to before.  It was so beautiful.  Our human nature is always love what we don't have...for me this weekend, it was the trees.  Oh my, they were so amazing.  Houses were nestled back in a bunch of trees...so cozy.  I loved it!!

From an outsider looking in, Alabama was so quiet and peaceful compared to what we left behind.  I noticed the minute we stepped off the airplane...usually airports are all hustle and bustle.  But not this one...just nice and peaceful. The whole atmosphere was relaxing and peaceful.   Just exactly what I needed after several crazy weeks at home.

I love how God puts new friends in our paths.  I can't remember if I blogged about being invited to Alabama to speak at a women's conference...and honestly, right now I am too tired to look back and see...but for the most part, I went to Alabama not knowing anyone, except through a few emails.  From the moment we met them as we picked up our luggage, it was if we were meeting up with old friends we hadn't seen in some time.  Our conversations were about our families and what God was doing in our lives.  How God had brought us through this and that.  It was just down right FUN!!  I can hardly wait until they come to Texas and let us host them....HINT, HINT!!!!

The predicted weather this weekend was less that cooperative for a women's conference.  With a whole lot of prayer...the women's conference went off with a hitch in the weather what so ever.  At one point Robby and I were watching the radar on Robby's phone, and it was as if the storm parted in the middle and went around the location we were at.  It was so awesome.  Tell me the power of prayer doesn't work????  Another awesome thing...it rained all night and morning long.  With some heavy rains at times. But when 1:00 came and the women were arriving....the rain stopped!!! A little windy...yes!!!  It was funny to hear the women talk about the wind...they didn't like it so much.  They should visit Texas...they would be a bit more accustomed to the wind.  Like it, no probably not much better.

When we stop long enough to talk to God about what is really on our heart...it is so cool to hear what God has to say about it.  This weekend was a much needed refresher, a much needed time away with Robby, and just an all-round amazing time.  God is so good!!!

Be blessed,

i have great friends

Sunday we woke up with a bed full of kids.  One of my favorite things in the whole world is for all five of us to lay and play in our bed.  Soon it was time for everyone to roll out and get ready for church.  But...we had NOOOO water!!  UGH!!!

Robby and Carson loaded up and headed to his parents for showers.  The girls and I jumped in the car and went to my parents for our showers.  It was a crazy morning.  We eventually all made it to church...one at a time.

Water was not to be had at any time on Sunday.  I quickly discovered that I am NO Pioneer Woman.  I like having water.  I like it a LOT!!!!  The dishes in my sink kept piling and piling.  Every time that I walked by I felt nauseous looking at the mounting  pile of dishes. I hate a dirty kitchen.  If my kitchen is dirty...I feel like my entire house is a mess and I get g.r.o.u.c.h.y.!!!!

That afternoon I had a baby shower to take me away from the mounting mess for a few hours.  It wasn't long before my friends knew that we had no water for the day, and wouldn't have any because it was Sunday!!  One of sweet friends offered to do my laundry for me.  No, she didn't just offer for me to bring my dirty laundry to her house and use her washing machine.  She offered to do all my laundry.  WOW...what a precious friend!!!

This morning I received a text message from another friend that said to bring all my dirty dishes over after school today and she would wash all my dirty dishes so my kitchen would be back in working order.  WOW...another precious friend!!!

I am so blessed to have many precious friends in my life.  But, what kind of friend am I?  Do I stop long enough to offer to do a friend's laundry?   Do I ever get my friend's dirty dishes and help out in her kitchen?  Do I stop long enough to help out my friends when they just need a boost?  A small task that gives them a BIG boost??  I don't know that I do.

Sometimes, I am so absorbed in my own busyness and my own life, that I fail to see what my precious friends are going through.  I fail to see what little things I might could do to make them breath a little easier.

Where can we each help out this week?  I challenge you to (and myself) to look for someone this week that we can help out.  Maybe a friend, maybe a stranger.  Be Jesus to someone this week!!!

I did get water this morning and can do my own laundry and dishes, but it meant the world to me to have my friends offer their time to help me out...

Blessings,

Happy Labor Day

Why can't every weekend be a three day weekend? I got so much accomplished this weekend...and even had a day of r&r. I love it!!!

We spent our morning being lazy and getting the house ready for another week of school. A funny thing happened...I asked Carson to vacuum the living room because we had movie night on Saturday night and ate popcorn in the living room. (One of the few times in my childrens lives they get to eat in the living room, so it is a real treat.) While Carson was vacuuming I was folding clothes and doing other chores. When I came back in the living room Carson said the vacuum was smoking. Smoking!!! After a few choice thoughts rolled through my head, I saw that Carson had actually done such a good job of vacuuming that he vacuumed the cord up as well. Oh, about 8 times!! How is it that I ask him to vacuum and now my vacuum in smoking? Robby will kill me! I can't afford a new vacuum!! The cord came untangled very easily, the vacuum is fine, and I am laughing about it as I write this post. It is worth mentioning that Carson was really worried about my vacuum. For about 10 minutes he sat on the floor... and probably prayed over the vacuum. As I recall, I think I told him that if the vacuum was burned up he was paying for a new one. Yeah, yeah...I am not moving up in votes for mother of the year. But his genuine care for the vacuum touched me...and I did tell him I appreciated it!!

The afternoon included food, friends, and fun at a neighborhood BBQ. Unfortunately, our daddy didn't get to partake in the days fun because duty called at the feedyard I hate it when he misses out.

We hope your day was spent exactly how you would have chosen to spend it. Wishing you a happy Tuesday and a blessed week.





































Blessings ~ @m¥

-- Post From My iPhone

family & friends are life's gifts

The Kirkland family spent the 4th of July at home. I know with all the going that we do, that is a little hard to believe, but it is TRUE!!! We were at home....along with several good friends. There is nothing better than sharing the holiday with great friends, great food, and a spectacular fireworks display from our children. We enjoyed...

hugs...

swinging in the yard...

sparklers...

and more sparklers...

friends...

and more friends...

a water balloon fight where I was the TARGET...

grilled corn on the cob...

and finished it with homemade ICE CREAM!!

What a GREAT DAY!!!

Not to mention...my precious husband preached at church on Sunday. A great message I might add..."What's Worth Wanting?" I mean, really, think about what is it in life that you really want. I will share mine with you...yes, I want a lot of material things...but, I want other things in my life too!!! I want my health so I can watch my family grow and see my grandchildren, I want my family to be safe always, and I want the daily stress of Robby running a feedyard in these tough times to be minimized. Those are 3 non-spiritual things that I want for my family. I believe God wants me to have these...He will grant me the desires of my heart. But, what will I do to get these things??? Seriously...what measures will we take to get the things we want in life? Do we take the same measures to grow our relationship with Christ. Honestly, I fail daily!! Thank you Lord for loving me despite my failures and inadequacies.

We all are so thankful for our freedom on 4th of July, and so thankful for the men and women that give their lives daily so that I may be free here in the USA. I want thinking of my freedom in Christ...WOW!!! What a huge deal. Give your only son to die, so that the world may be free in Christ??? FREEDOM!!!! Kinda leaves me speechless.....

Hope your 4th was blessed...love you all!!!