i do

My dearest Robby...

I am so blessed to have married you sixteen years ago today.  As I met you at the end of the aisle, I was head over heels in love.  Although I was in love you from the beginning, today our love has grown to be so much more than I ever dreamed.  I am so blessed and honored to be your wife.

You are so kind and generous.  I love your heart!!  And I love your eyes and your smile!!
You balance me in so many ways.

Even though our life is often a circus wild & crazy, I am so thankful for the three little monkeys we have together.  Being their mother beings me the greatest joys in life.

Our babies are so absolutely beautiful!!

You have given me a life that is far greater than any princess could imagine.  Thank you for working so hard to provide a great life for the kids and I.  Once again, we are so blessed!!

In so many crazy words...this is how I feel about you my love.

Thank you for making ME the happiest woman in the world. 

with all of my heart.

Happy Anniversary

I said I DO 16 years ago, and I DO today and always.

I am so excited for the next 16 years and all the years to come.

I look forward to sharing our dreams and growing old together.

I know through the love that has grown between us over these past years,

we can weather any storm.

I love you!!

all in a days work

we did it

It's almost been a week, but we survived our first half marathon.  Yes, my thighs were screaming at me Monday morning and I have been totally exhausted this week, but the experience was so incredibly worth it.  I can hardly wait to do it again!!!  (Yes, I did say before we ran that I would probably never do this again because the training was so time intensive. I was wrong!!)

We woke up Sunday morning to cold temperatures and drizzling rain.  My "I don't want to run in this" attitude kicked in immediately.  I couldn't imagine being wet and cold for 13.1 miles.  Anyone that knows me knows that I am cold all the time and I hate it!!!  I won't lie...I was praying for some lightening so they would call this race off.

But, they didn't!!!

I sat in the car for awhile having a pity party before finally deciding we would walk to the starting line and see what the plan was.  As we approached the coral for the runners, the announcer gave the signal for the wheelchair marathoners to start.  I suddenly realized that if they could do this marathon in a wheelchair, surely I could do half in the rain!!!  Into the coral we go heading for the start line.

I really was pretty excited by this time.  Part of me couldn't believe we were really doing this, but we had worked so hard to get here, I wanted to see how we finished.

Not more than a mile into the race, the OKC firemen, dressed in their full fire gear, were running.  And then a young lady ran past us with a picture of her mom and dad attached to the back of her shirt.  Oh my, this is when it really hit me what this race was all about.  Yes, I knew we were running to remember the OKC bombing, but I just didn't get the impact of it all until I saw all of these reminders.  They truly were running to remember the ones they loved and lost.

The rain was relentless, but we ran on, wet clothes and soaked shoes.  I can honestly say that God spared us from being cold and miserable for the 13 miles.  Thank you Lord!!!

Robby and I crossed the finish line in 2:50:23.  No, we didn't break any half-marathon records, but we did it.  We set out to run this race together, and that is exactly what we did.  We started training hand in hand, and that is exactly how we crossed the finish line.

What an experience.  Definitely one I will choose to do again.

Be blessed,

this is it

I am not sure if I am dreading this week, or looking forward to this week.  This is the week we run the Oklahoma City Memorial (Half) Marathon.  In a crazy sort of weird way, I am excited about running the half-marathon.  I (We) set out to accomplish a goal of running a half-marathon and get in shape.  That part, we have accomplished!!!  We both definitely feel better, we have lost a few inches, and maybe even a pound or two.

Of course, my competitive self would like to finish the race in a respectable fashion.  Preferably not the last one!!!  I know I won't be the first, but hopefully somewhere in between.  I would like to finish in about 2:30 hours.  Not sure if that is a reasonable expectation for our first race.  We are going to give it our best shot, and cross that finish line with pride alive!!

Ready or not, here we come!!!

Somoma-day 1

As we travelled through Sonoma on this cool, rainy day, I was continually amazed at the beauty of our surroundings. Everything from beautiful flowers...EVERYWHERE...to the perfectly constructed grape vines in the vineyards. It is quit a change of scenery from the dry, dusty Texas Panhandle.

Just wanted to share a few photos of our day in Sonoma. I will post more through the week.




I love this view from our balcony.




There are lemon and lime trees everywhere we turn. It is so tempting to just pick one. Just because!!!






This old building was built in the late 1800's. During prohibition, it was used by the members of organized crime to make wine and smuggle out of the county.



These old, twisted vines are so intriguing. In the past week, they have just begun to bud.






Be blessed~amyk

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already miss 'em

Robby and I had an amazing travel opportunity this week to go to Sonoma, California.  Three days of wine tasting, business friends, and lots fun...how could we say no.  We didn't!!!  Sunday morning, we hopped on a plane for wine country.

As we were driving to the airport, we realized how much harder it gets to leave the kids.  Whether it is their activities, chores, saying good-bye, or just simply missing them like crazy.  It just gets harder!!!

On a day-to-day basis, we pretty much pour ourselves into kids.  There are times Robby and I will stop for a moment and realize that we haven't taken a moment to just sit with each other and just talk. So, for three days...we will talk, we will laugh, and we will just enjoy each other.

As hard as it is to leave, Robby and I need the time together.

This morning, I already miss these three cuties, but for the moment I am looking forward to my time with Robby.

i thought i loved you then

Do you ever have days, weeks, months that you are consciously aware that you are more in love with your husband than you were the day before, or even the week before?  Quit honestly, this past week has been one of those weeks for me.  Nothing really happened this week that made this week that was any different than the days, weeks, or months before.  But something happened in my heart that made me fall in love with him all over again.  When I would think of him throughout the day, my heart would skip a beat, and it made me smile just thinking of how much I loved that guy.  When he would get home from work, his kiss was the very best part of my day.  I love how God does that!!!


On most days, Robby is the one that works the hardest to get my attention, the one that needs my undivided attention, but receives less of my attention.  When the kids are in bed, and it is finally his turn to get my attention...I finish household chores and then I am ready to fall into bed.  Thankfully, he never complains.


Did God use Robby's ankle injury to draw us more together?  That, I do not know.  But, I do know...that this week Robby had my undivided attention for many of the hours at home.  And, I loved every minute of it.  Usually, I am not a very sympathetic person when it comes to sickness or injuries.  I try to fix the problem, then we must get well, move on.  This week, my heart was different.  It was a good feeling to know that I loved being there for him, no matter what the need was.


It reminded me of this song by Brad Paisley that Robby and I love...

And now you're my whole life
now you're my whole world
I just can't believe the way I feel about you, girl

Like a river meets the sea,
stronger than it's ever been.
We've come so far since that day
And I thought I loved you then

I remember falling in love with Robby for the first time.  I was the happiest girl in the world.  He has always lavished me with his love and affection.  How could I love him more???

But I do!!  I love him more and more with each passing day that that I am blessed to be his wife.  I love that God uses things in our daily lives to draw us closer to one another.  I don't want him to get hurt again, but I do love that I was given the opportunity to give him my undivided attention and lavish him with my love.

Robby Kirkland....I LOVE YOU!!!

rock climbing

This past weekend the kids celebrated a nephews birthday but going to the new Amarillo Rock Climbing House.  Everyone had to sign a waiver to be able to climb.  As I read the waiver, it scared me to death.  What was I signing my kids up for?  

But as it turned out...What a fun time!!!  Of course, the kids just loved it.  Carson was up and down, and all around. I am not too sure he isn't part monkey!!  

(I forgot my camera, so pics from my phone will have to do.)

Cydney and I...well we probably enjoyed ourselves the most.  We spend a great deal of the time in the party room enjoying the giant cookie cake.  Cookie cakes from the Great American Cookie Co. have to be one of my all time favorite things in the world.  Definitely one of my favorite things about birthday parties.  I think Cydney would agree!!

Robby...another story!!  He enjoyed himself alright.  

He forgot that he was closer to 40, than 20.  

He is very athletic though, and loves being involved in sports and trying new things.

CLIMBING!!!!

Losing his grip...

OUCH!!!

Now, that a cruel reminder that we are close to 40!!

Quit honestly, even though it is huge and swollen here...it looks really good.  As the week progressed, his entire foot was swollen, it started as purple and is now beginning to turn greenish.  Even his poor little toes have bruised.  CRAZY!!!

I am really not the nurse type.  I am more of a toughen up type of person.  HA!!!

But, this week God has used this to soften my heart.

I have loved being able to take care of him.

I love this GUY!!!

But, I would prefer that he not go rock climbing in the near future.  He probably shouldn't push his luck with my soft heart.  hehehe!!!

Have a blessed DAY!!!

leaving on a jet plane

All my bags are packed, and I'm ready to go.

Hubby and I are headed to

for a long weekend together.

It has been a very long time since we have gone away ALONE!!!

We believe with our whole hearts that it is important for us to get away every now and then ALONE.  It makes our marriage stronger, and makes us better parents.

However, it is so hard to leave.  Finding a place for the kids to stay (thankfully we have both sets of grandparents right here.), packing the three kids, making sure all the animals get fed, keeping up with the kids busy schedules of being here and there, and then packing myself.  Not to mention the heartache of being away from my three babies.

Honestly, sometimes most times I am so worn out with the packing process I hardly think the trip will be worth it.  But, this time...I am very excited to get away with Robby.  I know we are going to have a great time just hanging out.

We are going to the National Finals Rodeo for some rodeo action.

Must mostly I can't wait for this...

sleeping in

breakfast in bed

and a little shopping.

I am going to even try to find a little time for

a pedicure.

  My feet are asking for this for Christmas.  I am sure of it.

But, I will desperately miss this while I am away...

If you see them, please kiss them and tell them their mommy and daddy love them.

What are you weekend plans?

daddy's little sweetheart

Our house was really quiet this morning.  No one asking what's for breakfast.  No arguing.  Not hardly even a little voice.  Well, maybe a little voice.  Sometimes, it can be a loud little voice. 

Last night we met some dear friends of ours in town for dinner.  They have two children the same age as our older two.  Though miles may separate us, when we get together it is as if we haven't missed a day of our friendship.  We are blessed to have many friendships such as this. 

When dinner was over, the kids just weren't quit ready for the fun to end, so my two went to spend the night with them.  This morning, it was just me and little miss. And oh, did we have some fun.  That is until her daddy came home.  That little girl loves her daddy.  Unfortunately, he wasn't home for long.  Just long enough to feed the calves for Calleigh.  But it was long enough for some outside time and a little time with daddy.

Wait for me daddy...my legs are too short to keep up with you.

Hi Daddy, I think I will just wait right here.

Thanks Dad, that was super fun!!

That little miss has her daddy wrapped around those fingers.  Right where he wants to be.

We off to pick up big brother and sister and cheer on the Red Raiders this afternoon.  Hope you, dear friends, have a super afternoon as well.

Be blessed!!