These Girls Amaze Me...

Yes, because I was an awful blogger the last year (plus), you may have missed the AMAZING year that the Hamilton XC team had last year.  These girls WON STATE!  Yep, they were the best 2A XC team in the state of TX last year.  I was pretty proud of them... heck, the whole town of Hamilton was proud of them!  Well, I new season of XC began this last Saturday and these girls performed once again.  They competed in Dallas and come out 3rd against over 100 teams 4A and under. 

 (yep, that's against school much larger than we are!) 

 This wasn't just a regular cross country meet.  In this meet there were hay bales to jump... 

At one spot in the race, there were multiple hay bales stacked on top of each other that they had to climb up to get over... 

And these girls jumped them like it was no big deal.  

 These girls are so fun to watch.  

They admit that it's not always "fun" or "easy" but the friendships they are forming and the memories they are making will last a lifetime.  These girls work so hard.  They love each other.  I love them, too!  

 And there are perks that occur when you place 3rd out of over 100 teams and you are the reigning state champs... You SCORE an interview with Milesplit after the race.  

I chuckled so hard at these sweet girls... they are so naive and shy.  It was priceless to watch them in this interview.  

Great Start to the season, Lady Bulldogs!  We can't wait to watch you all the way to STATE 11/12/16!

You're Always 17...

 Abbey Grace turned 17 yesterday.  Every Birthday is FUN, but also is filled with some tears for this momma heart.  

I wish she would always be 17... or always be 4... or always be 10.  

Well, I say that, but I know that there is so much awesome life ahead of her to live and I know that GOD has an amazing journey in store for her.  It's going to be great and I'm excited to see her continue to grow, but it hurts sometimes.  She's growing so FAST.  

Abbey is a great big sister.  She's a great big sister and leader to Lainey and Emiley and also so many other little girls in our community.  I'm thankful for her patience with the little girls in cheer, at church...

With the girls that want to chat with her after her athletic events and that want to just play with her long blonde hair.  Someday soon she will realize what an impact she is making on the lives of these little girls.  

 Abbey has an infectious smile.  Spread that smile and your silly giggle with the world... 

 Abbey is adventurous and takes risks.  She is not afraid to try new things and things that will push the limits.  

Abbey has a joyful spirit.  She loves animals, even snakes that makes her momma crazy.  She is a helper and a giver.  She puts others above herself.  

 Abbey claims not to be to "girly" but she appreciates a few cute things in life.  Her sisters and I are slowly bringing out more and more of the "girly" things out in her.  She is simple and content.  

Abbey knows who she IS.  I love that about her.  She loves her friends and will stand up for them.  She works hard for the things she loves and what she believes in.  

Abbey loves JESUS.  

She loves church camp and mascara.

Abbey loves mint chocolate chip ice cream and Dr. Pepper.

Abbey loves her Nike shorts and Bulldog T-shorts.  

She loves her Bulldog Athletics and ACU.

Happy 17th Birthday!   

Let's Talk A Little Volleyball...

Volleyball starts early.  August first to be exact, so it feels like we have been playing for a long time before school starts!  Abbey and Lainey have both been in two-a-days and have competed in a tourney already this summer.  It's been a great, fun, successful volleyball experience so far.  I love to see smiles on their faces and success on the court.  

Abbey is # 27 on the Varsity again this year.  She is playing front row and back row and I am again amazed at her.  Abbey and the Lady Bulldogs had a HUGE win on Tuesday against the 3A Early Longhorns in just three sets.  The third set went to a score of 30-28.  It was intense, but I was so proud of the Lady Bulldogs for sticking with it and pulling out a WIN!  

Lainey is a freshman this year and has yet to even begin school but has begun freshman sports and many responsibilities with activities.  Lainey has played on both the freshman team  and been moved up to the JV team for a few games and a tournament.  I am so proud of her.  She has worked HARD.  Lainey is playing mainly backrow and setter.  The JV team fought back in a JV tournament in Wac  earn a medal in their play on Saturday.  GREAT job, ladies!   

Let the fun begin with volleyball, XC meets, football (Thursday and) Friday nights and so much more!  

...And because I had to include a picture of Miss Em on this post, too! 

Happy Monday!  

And Just Like That...

And just like that it's been years since I have blogged regularly.

I have missed it!  My family has missed it. I know I will look back on this good 'ole sweet blog of mine and be a bit sad that I didn't document the things that happened while I was taking a LONG, LONG AWFUL blog break.

I may try to sneak in some special events that happened the last few years like 13th birthdays,  cheer try-outs, STATE championships, driver's licenses, new homes, you know... just little things!

And just like that, I have three teenage daughters now.  They are beautiful and I have way too much to document with my family that lives away from us and too much to archive so we remember these sweet times forever!

I'm glad to be back!

18 years ago...

 It's hard to believe that 18 years ago today we were saying "I Do" and becoming Mr. and Mrs.

We didn't really know what the next year or two or ten or 18 would bring.  We were 21 and 22 and still in college with plans of graduate school and "who knows what else."

Since this day on December 27th, 1997 God has blessed us with 3 beautiful daughters.  We live in a great community and have wonderful jobs.

It's been an 18 years full of ups and downs but I wouldn't have it any other way.

 Happy Anniversary to US.  Here's to another 18 plus 18 plus 18.

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

"Today your Savior is born in the city of David.  He is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2: 11

Why We Do What We Do...

I first started this little 'ole blog 9 years ago!  NINE YEARS!!!  That seems crazy to me.  Nine years ago these sweet daughters of mine were ages 7, 5, and 4.  Time is flying by. 

Everyone told me that I would blink and my precious babies would be grown.  I didn't want to believe it, but I sit here and now I have a 16, 14 and 13 year old in my home.  I grin from ear to ear with joy.  I am so proud of them and beyond blessed to be their momma, but I also have to admit some days I want to cry my eyes out because in just a few short years, they are all going to be leaving my home.  These girls have been my "job" for the last 16 years... Yes, I have also worked outside of the home but my life has revolved around THEM and I have LOVED.EVERY.MINUTE of it!

Why did a start this blog...
*To Document the lives of these three precious lives born in three years!
*To stay in contact with my high school and college friends
*To keep my family up-to-date with what was going on with "us" since we don't live near our families.

What Did this blog turn into...
*A great journal for me.
*An awesome memory book for the girls
*A way that I met some awesome on-line girlfriends and great accountability groups.

What happened to my blog...
*I let life get in the way.
*I let facebook and instagram take over (these are good and fast outlets but the journal aspect is not there.)

What is my plan...
*I plan to begin where I left off.
*There is no way I can back track, so I am just beginning from NOW!

God is so good to me and my family.
We have a story to tell and family and friends to reach each day.
I hope that you will read along and comment some along the way.

I am excited to begin this journey again.  I have a few stories to retell from the past few months and a new year with new adventures is about to begin.