15..............

My wedding day December 23,1995. I got to wear my MIl wedding dress.





My Senior Prom...NO I did not rip the picture. A friend did on accident!






My gift of wife and motherhood. No better job to have:)






Seriously my Better half..........



Fifteen years ago, I woke up a young 20 year old girl giddy to be getting married. Today I woke up a little older yet still so giddy lady in love. I am really the luckiest girl in the world. I have a saviour that loves and adores me enough to give me the Best gift ever. That gift was and is my Husband. He is perfect for me. We have been together for 20 years. We started dating when we were 14 and 15. We got hooked up at a VBS at the FBC in Mathis TX. We talked and then on my birthday August 12, 1990 he asked me to be his girlfriend. I said yes...and the love story began. After a couple months we saw each other with our moms at H.E.B. and they knew each other. After getting over being shocked our mother's told us that we played together as little kids. We were in a life group together long before and so we knew each other way back....so cool. Anyhow we were definitely typical teenagers. We broke up a million times and then got back together. We dated all through our High School years. I really can not tell you how much Bryce means to me. He is everything! He loves me when I don't deserve it. And I am so thankful that we have come so far. Our marriage was not a bed of roses in the beginning. But who knew how great it would get. Only Jesus. We love each other more today than we did 15 or 20 years ago. We are committed to each other till death do us part. We take our marriage covenant very seriously and know that we not only made a covenant with each other, but the Lord as well. I am so thankful that we have walked a bumpy road....because we are better for it.


To Bryce,

I Love you more than words can say. I am honored to be your wife and help mate. I am blessed to be the mother of our children. I am still so giddy crazy in love with you. You make my heart skip a beat. NO ONE compares to you and I will LOVE you forever.......
Your Bride,
Vic



Me and my Love right before we took off for our Anniversary date........

100

To continue with my thankful theme. Here is a list if 100 things I am Thankful for.



1. Jesus because of him I am FREE.
2. Bryce he is my heartbeat.
3. Colin he is my right arm, such a servant!
4. Tanner he is my out of the box thinker.
5. Owen he is still my baby boy.
6. Lucy she brought pink into my life and I love it:)
7. Bible I learn so much every time I read it.
8. Family where would I be with out them, all of them:)
9. Friends near and far. I love friends but have learned that a little go a long way.
10. My house....it's not perfect. That's why it is Perfect for me!
11. My car it's paid for.
12. Our yard and land they are so fun.
13. My husband's job...it pays our bills:)
14. Life group.....
15. My health......I still work thank you Jesus.
16. Pictures going through old photos is so fun.
17. My bed.
18. My 5 pillows that I sleep with and take with me where ever I go.
19. Running water.
20. Indoor plumbing.
21. My Kitchen by far favorite room in the house.
22. Butter it really does make everything better.
23. Baking with my kids.
24. Making dinner for my family and friends.
25. My cast iron skillets.....I would be lost without them.
26. My gas stove...oh there is no other stove for me:)
27. Clean laundry.
28. My clothesline.
29. Music...all kinds I love it! Well except for rock...can't handle it!
30. Candles I love them.
31. Home school....oh the great wonders of being home with my kids all day.
32. Books, Books, and more Books.
33. A tidy house. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. It's TRUE!
34. Hazel she has been such a good addition to our family.
35. Ability to raise our own meat..so gratifying
36. Cows they are so good to eat!!
37. A freezer to store all our meat.
38. The Internet. I really do enjoying the tool it was created to be.
39. Smell of homemade bread in my home. Oh wait that's why I have weight issues!
40. Being convicted to loose weight.
41. Loosing weight even though it is s-l-o-w-l-y.
42. Mind Pictures...images I take in my mind to remember later.
43. Listening to my kids play together there is no better sound in the world!!!
44. Crafts my kids make.
45. Pictures my kids draw for me.
47. The way my husband can fix ANYTHING!!
48. The way my Husband loves me it's pure and Amazing.
49. My husband's arms. My favorite place in the whole world. Nothing can compare!
50. Home made cookies.
51. Home made tortillas....yet another reason for weight......
52. Home made Tamales...oops here we go again.
53. Long phone conversations with friends.
54. Emails that make me smile.
55. Laughing. It is the BEST medicine out there!!
56. Watching my kids with their made up plays.
57. Reading to my kids.
58. Friends that are Incredible Photographers........
59. Pioneer Woman Website.....just check it out you will see what I mean.
60. This Blog...since I am not scrap booking anymore.
61. Lists....I love them. They make my life easier.
62. Lessons I have learned in life.........
63. Being Daddy's girl......
64. My Daughter's JOY. She wakes up so happy every single day.
65. C.H.E.S.S. our local home school group has been awesome.
66. Sulphur Springs who would have guessed we would be so happy in the country:)
67. 9 pm bed time the angels start to sing and I unwind.....
68. Cell phones how did we get along with out them for so long......
69. Camping as a family. We have the best time and make memories for a lifetime!!!
70. My front porch....oh the fun times on the rocking chairs:)
71. Neighbors.. even though our favorites moved away.
72. Old people...there is just something about them that I am drawn to.
73. Being able to star gaze every night if we want.
74. Funny stories. I love to laugh.
75. Walking in the early morning all alone.
76. Walking with friends.
77. Waking up before anyone else....so peaceful.
78. Beans and corn bread. Poor man's meal is the best.
79. Then Chalupas it's my absolute favorite meal.
80. My kids requesting meals to eat.....says something:)
81. Cheeseburgers..... they are my second favorite.
82. My kids smiles.......
83. Face book....some of you are gagging..but I am a people person!
84. Worship....it does something to my soul.
85. Calendars...I mark all over mine. Keep them and then read over them..memories
86. My crock pot...this time of year it's my buddy.
87. Taking baked goods to my neighbors......
88. Visiting with my mail man... He is so nice!
89. Getting packages in the mail...even if they are not for me.
90. All of you:)
91. My wedding ring....I got my original back and I am so happy!
92. The smell of a clean newborn baby....ohhhhh I love it!
93. Loving on people that need to be loved on!
94. Sleeping next to my soul mate every night...there isn't anything better.
95. Having sleeping buddies to snuggle with when Dad is gone.
96. Having a Thankful heart....
97. Enjoying Mercy from my Lord.
98. Teaching my kids about the world.
99. Making people happy with food...is there any other way?
100. All of you who have actually read all 100!

Can you beleive it........

Tomorrow is December 1st. Where did this year go? We have been so blessed this year. I sit here not even a week after Thanksgiving and I am in awe at our Lord. Jesus has been so faithful, true, and constant. I was reading different posts on the hustle and bustle of shopping. And I am so Thankful to be content. I have not always been this content in my life. Always wondering what the grass was like on the other side of the fence. But in my ripe old age of 35, I have learned so much. It's not always as it seems. Even the rich have problems, desires, insecurities and wants. And it all comes at a price. So here I am still Thankful. I want this to be the always Vicki. Not just when It's Thanksgiving, anyone can do that.I want to be thankful for what I have and what I don't have. I have little desires, and I am so happy. Just had to add that because I am content does NOT mean my life is perfect. Because it is not:) Sure I could make a list for you of all the things that are wrong. But instead I choose to look at all the Good. It is a choice....and only you can make it for yourself!! Jesus makes a way when there seems no way. He gives grace to the humble. He is available to those who seek him. So dear friends, let me encourage you to SEEK him. What a wonderful time to seek the Father. He is the best Christmas present you could give yourself and others. Please don't get distracted with the world and the things of this world. For it will pass away. But he will NEVER pass away.




Here are some scriptures to mediatae on this Christmas Season:


Luke 1:35
And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy–the Son of God.
Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Luke 2:9-12
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13-14
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Miss Patti

Miss Patti was my first neighbor here in Sulphur Springs. She lived across the street from my brother's house that we were renovating. She was super sweet, and always so kind to us. She sewed stuff for us, came to visit, and brought the kids candy. Well then she moved away. And we moved to our home. She came over and helped me here. She recently moved back into the area and I am so excited. Are you wondering why I am doing a post on her? Well let me tell you why. Miss Patti has been instrumental in my weight loss journey. Although we have never worked out together, or even talked about it on the phone. She encouraged me the entire year. She would like or comment on every single work out post I made to Face book. She never missed a day. And I am so very thankful. Every time I saw her thumbs up or comment, I smiled. It's so nice to have people in your life that encourage you always. Miss Patti has been such blessing to me and I am not sure she even knows it. So here is a THANK YOU. I appreciate you encouraging me.....

Love,
Vicki

365...................

This was me 1 year ago...........




So today marks my one year mark of turning my life around. In the fitness department. One year ago I woke up and decided to do SOMETHING. I committed to myself to work out 1 hour a day for an entire year. Due to the last month of traveling for a death in the family. Then coming home and getting sick. I did not reach as many days as I wanted. And I can easily get hung up on that. But today, TODAY I am Thankful that the Lord has given me the strength, will power, and desire to make this change. I did complete 318 days....and for someone who has never worked out consistently, that is HUGE. So what are the results of 1 year committed to health? Well I have almost lost 20lbs. It's coming off S-l-o-w-l-y...but it is still coming off. No radical ways of doing it. I am just eating good whole foods and moving my body. I have seen 3.5 inches come off my waist alone, 3 inches in each leg and 2 on each arm. So the changes have kept me going. Even when I did not really want to go on. I can wear jeans all day and not feel like I am dying. I feel much better about myself. I can do a lot more things that I thought were possible. People tell me I am getting thinner and that is really nice to hear. But I did not do this for anyone but myself, husband and kids. So here is to a year. I can not tell you how much this one thing (exercising) has done in my life. I have a desire to be more disciplined. In everything isn't that GREAT? Well it has been great for me. Oh and one more thing this morning as I made homemade donuts for my family. I honestly did not desire them at all. I am content with my egg on toast. Now that was not the case last year. Last year I sat pinning and watching as they enjoyed them. So if that was the only change I would be grateful. Because my mind is in a different place. So since it has been forever and it is my anniversary I thought I would share with you all my fun experience.....and it will not stop here!!!!


Blessings,
Vicki


This is me in the same outfit. I don't seem to resemble the Pillsbury dough boy...busting out.

Just because it's been a month.......

OK I am so sorry that it has been so long. I apologize really I do. But life has just been happening like crazy here. I got 2 baby calves and they are work. I have a great story but maybe later on in the week you can hear it. We are doing a Charlotte Mason co-op that all of us just LOVE. We are also taking a Spanish class. So you may get some Espanol thrown at you. And I just recently took a quick trip to South Texas. My aunt got sick and then passed away. It was all so fast. But so incredible. We prayed her into the arms of Jesus. I really can not think of a better way to enter his gates. OK well we should be doing school so.....I will blog more later in the week. I miss you all:)

love,
Vicki

Gotta tell you about my new place!!!

OK so a friend told me about a place she heard of that was like a huge garage sale. I heart Garage sales. So I let her go and tell me if it was something to check out. We all went and we were immediately hooked. This place if you just look at it looks like it is filled with junk. But upon closer examination you will find treasures. We have now gone 3 times in 2 weeks. We have been blown away with our finds. It a garage salers heaven as I have described it on FB. There is a pile of clothes that is a mile high and I am not exaggerating. There are books, house things, old luggage's, nick knacks, furniture, toys, and stuff, stuff and a little more stuff! Here is a list of what we have bought on our trips thus far:

Trip #1
clothes
books
toys
bean bag chair
old fashion cake pan
a nice frame
We were new to the game. Total cost of that trip was 5.00

Trip #2
clothes
books on my CM book list!
a really cool old fashion toy box
a CD case
awesome knitted blanket
bowl
dog bowl
a lunch box for Bryce
mugs, mugs and more mugs
pop up tent
bread machine that she said was a dollar
helmet
football pads
a butter dish that I looked up online and it sales for 20.00
and much more 40 items total was 8.00 Each item was 14 cents.

Trip #3
a brand new router
a brand new kitchen aid tea kettle that's RED
a purse
a headphone set
book
pens
pen bag
2 large bean chairs
1 large blow up globe
a back pack
wicker basket thing for my mom
Today we spent 5.00 for all of this stuff. So today's items were 29 cents each.

Colin Plays Football......

We are not a sporty family. Let me just get that out. We have not ever had the desire to put our kids in the ugliness of organized sports. Some people are mean, crazy, over zealous and just plain weird. Now others are kind, encouraging and good natured people. But it's the craze's I have had no desire to be around. So we have played sports as a family or with other families. Anyhow Colin has been asking to play. Now when I say ask I mean for like 3 years. Not just this random thing. Well this year we decided that if it was what he wanted then we would definitely let him have the experience. This decision was made with much thought and prayer. The Lord worked out all the kinks and believe me there were some kinks. But now my son AKA My Love is a football player. Can someone please tell me how this has happened? I mean he is my baby boy that I love with all my heart and can see him as a little guy. The one that would come up to me and put my head in his little hands and profess his undying love for me. The boy that would tell me how beautiful he thought I was. The boy that was my little man. How in the world did he grow up? Well he has but he is still My Love. And yes I did embarrass him. Because after all that is what Mother's do. We say "be careful My Love, I LOVE you honey, got get the ball precious, you can do this Angel, Mommy's here if you need me son or Did that boy hurt my baby?" I mean really what would this world be without us mother's? OK well sorry for the rambling it is easy to do.......Here you go, here are pics of My Love...AKA The Football Player:)


They get the whole experience......



Team Meeting........



This prayer was for the Moms:) Jk but it was neat to see them do this!



Are you ready for some FOOTBALLLLL!!!



Let's go # 94 that's my baby:)


Who hit him??



I am so proud of him......

She found ME:)

Let me introduce you to the newest member of our Family..........

Her name is Hazel. If you know me at all you know that I should have been born in the 50's. I Love anything old! OK so back to the dog. I was visiting my brother's house. It was Friday night and it was just Lucy and me. So after eating dinner...Oh wait did I tell Aminta Thanks?......................OK I called her and thanked her for the wonderful meal:0 So now after eating we went outside to enjoy all the traffic. It's what you do in a small city. If there is any traffic..well it's worth checking out. The traffic was for the first Home football game. Anyhow we were sitting on the front porch when these guys passed by. Following them was the cutest dog. I thought she belonged to them. Well they kept walking and she stopped to visit. Instantly me, Lucy and Belen fell in love. After some time and the guys not even turning around......I took her home. I have Never done something like that. But I was alone and apparently cannot be trusted:) I bathed her for an hour she was flea infested. I sang to her, told her stories and just plain enjoyed her. I have felt for awhile that I was ready for a dog. A dog to love. Well I didn't go out to find her she found me....and I am not gonna let her go!! Just FYI we did walk the neighborhood to make sure she did not belong to someone. But as thirsty as she was, she drank three things of water. And how dirty she was I doubt it. So today we took her to the vet for flea medicine. She will be an indoor dog....I am SO HAPPY. She is an awesome dog. She loves us and we love her.......Take a look at my new baby!!!

Today we were COUNTRY.........

OK let me give you some background here...... Bryce had an extra job to go look at, so naturally(not really) we tagged along. I met this lady here at my house at a birthday party. Anyway we went out to their house to see this job. THEN they took us to their chicken houses....the 180,000 chickens. Yes I wrote 180,000 chickens were picked up last night to get processed. But we wanted to take a tour anyway. Well there were 4 chickens that got away they escaped being put on the truck.......So they gave us one. They offered us all 4 but we just decided to take Ralph! Bryce wanted to teach the boys how too process. It was so gross. I took pictures but had to leave when they were gutting it...So there you go. Explanations are good:) We, well I say we very loosely processed a chicken today. I will have to tell you how it tastes later...........Beware some of these pics are gross!!!!!
THE DEED




The Weapon......



Poor Chicken.....



my daughter stood there eating a Popsicle and did not even budge, her Daddy was so PROUD:)



Owen enjoying holding the chicken up.....not really.



He is so happy with himself!



My Fig tree will never be the same!



Really??? He was so excited to walk up to me with this new friend!




Boiled water makes the feathers come off so much easier.......



Plucking away....


Still plucking................



Yes this pic is blurry...Want to know why? Because my husband was chasing me with a chicken foot wanting me to give it a high five!!!



Tanner on the other hand...no pun intended was happy to slap a chicken's foot!



The finished project!!