Girl's Night Out!

My best girls from forever and I were supposed to go to Canton today but between us 3 we have eight kids and it was proving hard to get everyone coordinated! We are aiming for next month to go to Canton! Instead we planned for a girl's night out, which none of us had done in a LONG time!

Before we got started I had a few errands . . . the kids and I headed to Shreveport early this afternoon to drop of bags of clothes, that had been taking up all the space in my car, at Goodwill. Then to McDonald's for milkshakes and finally to Academy to meet Ryan. Tomorrow, weather permitting, Ryan & Mason are going fishing. Mason needed a new rod . . . and apparently Conner needed new shoes (even though he already has two pair of Mason's old sandals!) and Ryan needed a new rod too (hmm? I think I've been suckered!).

Mason and I are off to Dallas on Sunday to visit my friend Holly so I went to get my oil changed. The tech called me out to show me all the things he recommended for my car and I declined them all and went back inside to read about the Kardashian sister's diet plans! He called me back out a second time and this time every employee was crowded around my car and I'm thinking "Oh No! They must have found something bad wrong!" because I have the worst luck with cars! He wanted to show me that apparently some type of rodent has been hoarding food in my car because my whole air filter compartment was loaded down with dog food! How bizarre!

Anyway, off to Lifeway for Sunday School material, TJ Maxx, and Target before meeeting with the girls!

First stop Hollywood Nails for pedicures!!!

Kelly, Elise, & Me

(my legs are wrapped in warm towels, they aren't broke!)

Next we headed to Madison Park El Chico's for some yummy Mexican food! We got free queso by mentioning their Facebook page! Kelly, Elise, & I have probably spent thousands of dollars at El Chico's over the years! That was our fave place to eat in high school - old school El Chico's in South Park Mall back when it was a mall and not a church!

We visited for hours - our waiter left before we did - and it was great to catch up! Elise just had a baby in February so she's had her hands full lately!

Before they locked us in we headed out. I made Kelly go to Brookshire's with me because I still had some last minute stuff to get for our picnic tomorrow (pray for no rain!). We took a picture of our toes in the parking lot - sorry Elise we forgot to get yours!!!

Had a great time with my friends and can't wait to do it again!

R.E.L.I.E.F

Last week I had my annual doctor's visit (I know really something to blog about, huh?) - dread. I changed doctors so I was a little nervous about seeing someone new, but excited too because I was unhappy with my previous doctor . . . something about cutting my stomach open but not even speaking a word to me all day sort of rubbed me the wrong way!

New Dr. S took me in her office and asked me all the customary questions - do I smoke? NO do I drink? NO do I have history of cancer, diabetes, etc.? NO - and so on. I was feeling quite confident that I may have been like the healthiest patient she'd ever had and that she was so happy I'd found her!

After the exam, I went back in her office to collect my belongings and then she said to sit down. I could have sworn that she said something like "I felt a tumor" so I scooted my chair a little closer and blinked my eyes a few times for clarity and asked her to repeat because I must have misunderstood her. Oddly, it sounded exactly the same as the first time - "I think you have a tumor." After that I remember bits of pieces of where and how and why.

And know about me that I'm a "worst case scenario" kind of girl. When I think of tragedy or something my mind first goes to the worst possible instance therefore basically I had already diagnosed myself with cancer, mentally written notes to my family, and thought out how I'd battle depression when she told me I couldn't have anymore kids. I tried to quit being that girl so when Ryan asked if I wanted him to come with me to my ultrasound appointment today I told him no, because it would be admitting I was worried and I wasn't admitting that.

Today was the day for my ultrasound and I had been battling nerves all morning. When I pulled up to the hospital I was seriously second-guessing my do it all by myself mindset. I began to pray my favorite verse, Phillipians 4: something - "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Slowly fragments of verses came floating back to me "be of good cheer" "peace that transcends all understanding" "I will be with you always." I made a mental note to thank my parents for all the years of Sunday School, Girls in Action, Church Training, Bible Drill, etc. because without that I wouldn't know hardly any verses by heart!

Then my sweet Jesus said again "I will be with you always" and I knew then that I hadn't shown up to this appointment by myself at all. I walked in and sat right down to read People magazine with my nerves mostly settled.

Thankfully, I have nothing to worry about! After a 20 minute ultrasound (and btw, this is not on the belly so its not that comfortable for 20 minutes!), the tech found a teeny tiny spot. The doctor doesn't feel like its anything to be concerned about at this time.

So thanks to my few dear sweet friends and family who knew about this and did their best to call me and keep my spirits high while I waited the LONG week for this appointment. RELIEF has flooded my soul tonight!

Serene Sunday

Our Sunday started off hectic, which is the norm for us - always late to church! These past two Sunday's have been no exception, especially since we've expanded our Sunday School program and now we have to be there 30 minutes earlier! I tried to get a cute picture of the boys in their matching shorts but no one was in the mood for that! All I succeeded in getting was their backs as they argued over who could drink water out of the sink! (and no I don't keep my counter that messy - they do! They drag all my stuff out every day!).

I bought them matching outfits last year - Mason with those same plaid shorts and a yellow shirt and Conner witht the plaid in short overalls. Mason's shorts still fit this year and I got lucky and found they same shorts in a 2T for Conner at Reruns are Fun! Then I found the same shirt in orange and a larger size for Mason there too, so they sort of coordinate!

Just as church was starting I got called out and told that Conner was feeling feverish so we left before it started. Ryan & Mason left to go to Wal-Mart and Sam's and Conner & I headed to home. After everyone was home we decided to head to my parents to join the family in the garden - well Conner and I didn't but we were there anyway!

Here is the boss man, Blake. Blake is a farmer - he grows wheat, soybeans, and corn in Caddo & Red River Parishes so he is the man in charge. I guess it was his break time!

The boss man's wife hard at work!


Ryan, Josh, & Erica planting away!

This is my attempt at getting Conner to stand still by the fence so I could take his picture before I crawled through with him. He showed me what was what when he just ducked under himself!

Dad showing Conner a baby turkey

Mom, Dad, & Mason getting ready for a ride

For all you safety fanatics out there - they rode over to another 4-wheeler so that Mom could ride by herself so no not all three of them went riding on the same one!

Next weekend our church is having their annual picnic & fishing at my parent's property so they were going to put out ant poison. Conner was very upset at being left behind so I took him on a wagon ride in the pasture. It turned out to be the best part of the day!

First he had to dump some water out of his Excavator!

Conner wanted me to pull him to his Mimee & Papa so we headed down the gravel drive and through the pasture. I couldn't help stopping to take pictures of the beautiful scenery! It was a very nostalgic day. Even though I was raised on a dairy farm, I've never driven a tractor or milked a cow, but I loved walking the land every day. Its been way too long since I've done that and I felt very "Laura Ingalls-ish" walking down the paths I walked as girl wearing my Sunday skirt and pulling my baby in his red wagon!

Horse roaming the front pasture

I think the horses thought we had feed because

they started getting excited and running toward us!

Have you ever seen a pond with it's own mailbox??

It's a long story!

But what a pretty picture!

Tree I used to play under as a girl - my parents house is behind it to the right

We finally caught up with them and Mimee felt brave enough to give Conner a ride home

Windmill and pretty blue skies

The day was fabulous and ended even better because Blake & Josh stayed up late on Friday and peeled all the uneaten crawfish and Dad made fresh homemade crawfish etoufee for Sunday lunch. We missed lunch since Conner was napping but Mom sent us home with big bowl of etoufee, rice, and French bread - yummy!

Birthday Boilin', Part 2

Today was my cousin, Derrick Burford, and his wife, Sarah's, annual crawfish boil in honor of Derrick's birthday! I really wasn't feeling well but I'm not sure here in Louisiana if there is ever an excuse not to attend a crawfish boil! Mason was still with Amy so Conner, Ryan, & I headed down the road to their house!

Conner & sweet Dansby enjoying a snack

Ryan caught with his mouth full

Ryan & Cody digging in



Yummy!

Hostess Sarah (and little baby Burford) and fellow Tech alum and Sigma Kappa, Emily Aclin

As always, we had a great time with Derrick & Sarah! Conner was a MESS by the time we got home from dining on home grown strawberries from the back pasture, Cheetos, Sprite, and cookie cake! The big boys kept watch on the boiling and then headed to the pasture to shoot skeet. It was funny to watch all the country kids because the gunshots did not phase them at all - someone is always shooting out here, but the some of the "city" kids were a little frightened at first!

Amy called and we headed home to pick up Mason but it was a great day! Thankfully the rain stayed away from both of the crawfish boils this weekend!

Happy Birthday Derrick!

Birthday Boilin'!

Friday night we headed to Amy & Blake's lake house on Grand Bayou for his annual birthday bash! The boys always have fun running around and out of all of Amy & Blake's friends and family no one has little girls - only little boys so that makes it all the more fun for my guys!

The weather turned out perfect and a great time was had by all!!

These poor crawfish didn't know what was coming!

Ryan & Mason getting started - Mason LOVES crawfish and crawfish claws

Me & My Sweetie! I'm not sure Conner ate anything other than cake but he did enjoy eating ice out of all the ice chests and passing out drinks. I think I ended up with about 5 bottles of water, 1 Dr. Pepper, and 1 Coke!

The Brown Fam minus Mason, who was too busy running around to pose for pictures! (And OMG, have I gained weight or what???)

My parents, my boss, Cecil, and his wife, Lou, and random person

Cecil and Lou will be in CO at the same time as us. They are like all-time CO campers - Cecil has been going to the same spot since he was like 12 and he's the one who introduced our family to it!

Dad, Amy, & Mason

Erice & Dottie (Amy's co-worker & friend)

The birthday boy and his sister, Leann

Josh & Erica - aren't they cute in their matching blues?

Amy & Blake

For only like the 12th time in his two years Conner actually fell asleep in the car! That must be the sign of a good time! And not only did he actually fall asleep but he stayed asleep all through getting dressed and everything and that has never happened! Maybe there is hope when we drive 2 days to CO afterall!

Isn't he sweet!!

Mason was lucky enough to get to ride over to the party with my parents and he got to spend the night with Amy & Blake! I think this is the 2nd time he's done that and he was really excited! Thankfully his 8:30 a.m. T-ball game got rained out so they could sleep in and hang out! I'm sure he'll be begging Blake to go look at combines or crops or something!

HAPPY 34TH BIRTHDAY BLAKE! WE LOVE YOU!

In Pictures . . .

Behind on my blogging . . . here's some pictures of my cuties to tide you over!

Mason trying to keep Conner OFF the field! The poor thing wants to play so bad! John Ryan (Robin's son) is keeping an eye out too!

They want to be just like Daddy! Playing lawnmower on the "Lawnmower Trailer" while Ryan cuts grass!

Hard Workers!

My Big Cutie!

My Little Cutie!

I'm exhausted!! Ryan was out of town for 3 days so its been super crazy around here! Got to catch up on the cleaning today since Mason is out of school Friday!

A Good Ol' Country Day

We have been so busy with revival this week that my family just needed a day of family togetherness today! After church, I went over to my parents house for my sister, Amy, to do my taxes for me - nothing like waiting until the last minute!! While we were working, my brother, Josh, took Mason to "whack thistles." For those of you, unfamilar with country living, thistles are the tall prickly things growing in the middle of the pasture! You have to dig them up to make them die! Mason & Josh headed out with their machetes to attack the thistle problem but really just for fun! They had been planning this for weeks! So my sweetie headed off with his John Deere camo hat, John Deere t-shirt, work jeans, and rubber boots and Josh left with my instructions to return my sweet country boy with all his fingers and toes and arms and legs!

In the midst of this Blake, my brother-in-law, and Ryan, headed into town to buy seeds for our new family garden. My mom headed to my house to nap while Conner was still sleeping (since Ryan was leaving).

All the boys returned about the same time and headed into the garden that my dad had disked up a few weeks before. It was too cute to see Mason out there - shirt off, shovel in hand - hard at work!

Conner and Mom finally woke up and came back home, well to my childhood home, and Conner and Dad went riding on the 4-wheeler. Mason came in sweating and asking for water but not at all wanting to stop working! Pretty soon thanks to all their hard work we'll have watermelons, squash, peppers, peas, zuchini and lots more!

We will still have a lot of weeding and work to do but I think it will be a fun time together! The smell of the air and the sound of the cows bellowing made it an all together perfect day!

I jokingly told my dad, who used to be a dairy farmer, that all we needed now was a few milk cows and we'd be pretty self-sustaining! So in the event of war or famine we'll be okay! Or if Jesus comes back and you're still here - well shame on you - but at least now you know where to find some food!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

Today was Opening Day for the DeSoto Dixie League so we headed out to the ballpark this morning!! Conner was sporting his "My Big Brother is a North DeSoto Cardinal" shirt in support for Mason! But I think he thought he was supposed to be playing! I spent most of the game running on to the field to grab him kicking and screaming to get down! Between innings, they were nice enough to let him hit and run to first base!

Mason had a blast! He has several friends and one cousin on the team so they have lots of fun together! He hit well and this year has learned to field the ball too!

We played against a Mansfield team that happened to be coached by my old softball coach, Amanda! Some friends and cousins also had a game before us and we all got to visit!

We'll be spending every Saturday at the ballpark for the next weeks cheering on #17 - MASON!! GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Reason Why

The Community Crusade for Christ starts tomorrow - BE THERE!! I am very excited about this opportunity that God has presented for us, personally, as a church body, and as a community!

I am going to try and explain, briefly, why I am so passionate about this and why I think you should take time out of your busy life to come and hear what Pastor Steven has to say.

I told you here how I found Amazima Ministries and I have still been keeping up with Katie's blog detailing her faith and her ministries in Uganda. I have also begun following the lives of her partners here in the States that help with the administrative side of Amazima and are also adoptive parents of many children, some of which are from Uganda.

Because of this a deep passion began inside me for the children they minister to and their families. One day I had an urgency to do something to help them and I decided to sponsor a child. The big problem was I didn't have the $300 in which to do so. Unlike larger organizations like Compassion International, where you can sponsor a child by paying monthly, at Amazima you needed the whole $300 upfront. I decided to start a "change" jar which I labeled for my Amazima child; however, those of you who know me well know I never pay for anything with cash!! I'll even pay for things less than $1 with debit card so my jar was not filling up fast enough! And like I said I had an URGENCY to do this so I prayed for God to send me the money. And about 2.5 seconds after I finished my mind said "as if God just goes to the post office and mails you money!"

Well apparently my God is mighty enough that he does just that! Two days later I had a check in the mail that covered the amount I needed and I had not even told Ryan about my prayer - no one knew I needed the money but God! Nothing like that has EVER HAPPENED TO ME! But it definitely reaffirmed my commitment to sponsor the lovely child below, Brenda.

Look at that joyous smile for $300/year I have paid for her education, clothing, and two meals a day! That is such a small amount of money here in the US but it makes such a huge impact for the people of Uganda and they have such joy because of it.

That was kind of a long story to say that I'm excited about Community Crusade because Pastor Steven, who is not affiliated with Amazima, is from Uganda and I'm hoping his joy is contagious!!

I believe those people have greater faith then I know - they have to believe God will heal them because there is no other way. There are not hospitals there like we have here. They see people truly possessed and they have to have faith that God and His annointed ones can call out demons. All these things in the Bible which I say I know God can do, like miraculous healings, calling out demons, etc, but when I hear someone say "Pastor Who touched me and I am healed," I think to myself "whatever, you probably weren't sick to start with."

I want to become the kind of faith filled person who will carry my friend miles in the heat and dirt to see a glimpse of Jesus and when I can't get through I don't give up but I carve a hole in the roof and lower her down and then go on about my day seeking neither glory nor recognition and not even staying to see what happens because I know my Jesus, my God, my Savior is Mighty to Save.

I want to live simpler and take joy in the smaller things. I want to be a friend to people, not just have friends, and I want my children to do that as well. I want to leave a legacy that says more than just I went to church, I went to Sunday School, I was nice - I want it to be something more like Jesus changed her, made her different and not like everybody else, and as a result she changed other people . . .

So that is why I am excited about a REVIVAL in my soul, whether its by Pastor Steven from Uganda or Bro. John from down the road, I think we could all use a little change and stand to become a lot different.

Spring Break Fun!

We have had a wonderful Spring Break! Sometimes a little crazy, sometimes a little chaotic, but despite it all its always fun being together! I am so tired that I uploaded my pictures in the wrong order and don't feel like changing them so here is our fun and fantastic spring break rewind edition!

Day 10 - Monday
Today we planned a low key day of just hanging around since tomorrow school starts back. This afternoon Mason started back to swim lessons at the Swim School in Shreveport. Last year he underwent a complete swimming transformation from terrified to terrific! I was a little nervous because he DID NOT want to go today but by the time we got there he was a little anxious but he ended up doing GREAT! I am so proud of him! The smile says it all - he's having fun!


Day 9 - Easter Sunday

the family at my mom's

country boys (notice the biscuit in Conner's hand!)

i wonder who has more???

thanks Easter Bunny!

Conner couldn't be bothered by his basket before breakfast!

Easter was great! We woke up and looked at the prizes the Easter Bunny left and then had a mini hunt before church! Conner knew exactly what to do and was so much fun this year! Mason was being a great big brother because everytime he saw 2 eggs he would make sure to leave the second one for "Baby." It was just really fun!

After church we headed to my mom's house for jambalaya and etoufee' - yummy! Then Mason hunted more eggs while Conner took a little Easter nap!

Mason & I headed to the movies for a little Mommy & Mason time. We saw How to Train a Dragon in 3D. He sat so still that I was scared he didn't like it but he said it was good!

Day 8 - Saturday

Our cousin's, Jack & Sam, were having a joint Monster Truck Party today! Conner woke up with 103 fever that morning so he couldn't come but Mason had fun playing with Jack, Sam, Michael, & Dansby - his cousins - and getting lassoed by his Uncle Charles!

Enjoying a cool treat on a spring day!

Day 7 - Friday

Ryan and his cousin, Patrick, went on a Good Friday 4-wheeler ride. So the boys and I had Patrick's wife, Meredith, and their little boy, JP, over for a playdate! They had fun playing basketball and running around outside. They all play really well together!

I told Conner to sit by the boys and this was as close as he'd get!

Day 6 - Thursday

Nothing real exciting about today because I had to work! Mason & Ryan went to a hockey game and the Mudbugs swept Colorado in the first round of the playoffs! Mason was very curious as to why everyone brought brooms to the game!

Day 5 - Wednesday

Today we met my friends Elise & Holly and their kids, Mary Ashtyn, Stinson, and Bailey at the park! It was great fun! I know Elise and Holly separately and they now live close together so its been fun getting to hang out with both of them together!

Conner feeding the ducks!

Holly & Bailey

Mason

Elise (holding Stinson), Mason & Mary Ashtyn

Me and my beautiful boys!

Loving my new haircut too!! And notice my super cute new "Chosen" shirt!

Supporting my friend, Lauren, in her adoption of her baby from Ethopia!

Check out the Team Huss blog (see sidebar) for your shirt!

Here's trouble!

Mary Ashtyn, Conner, Mason

We enjoyed a picnic lunch, fed the ducks, and did lots of playing! Looking forward to many more playdates! And as a funny Conner story, yes, he did walk around with hard bread for the ducks and yes, he did eat it!

Tuesday - Day 4

Again it was a work day so not much to report!!

Monday - Day 3

We hung around the house today! Mason was "bored" playing outside so I told him about my favorite pre-school game . . . building dams! At Central, there was a big ditch on the playground and I can remember all my classmates and I finding sticks and rocks and grass and "damming" the ditch. So Mason & I gathered our supplies and camped out by a puddle on the levee of our pond and spent about 2 hours in the nice sunshine working on our engineering skills! It was a great day!

Later after Conner woke up we headed to Wal-Mart for groceries and then I had a meeting to prepare for the Crusade at our church - hope to see Thursday!!

I've already covered days 1 & 2 in my Party People post!! Overall we had a great time! I am tired and the boys are tired but it was fun!

My house is a wreck so I'm sure this week will be spent cleaning! I am guessing not many people can say that tonight while packing lunches they tripped over a deer antler that they had earlier wrestled from their dog in hopes that would make their kids come inside and now its resting on their kitchen floor but that about sums up our day!!