Scratching and Clawing

 Maybe I'm the only one who scratches and claws her way to church every Sunday after running after 4 kids and repeating the words, "get your shoes on"  "brush your teeth" "please quit yelling", "get in the car"  about 20 times each.  By the time we actually do pile into the car-- and I have run back into the house at least 3 times to gather things I have forgotten,  I feel so frazzled  it's hard to remember what I am actually doing all this for.

Today as I was teaching the Laurel class (Young women ages 16-18) I was reassured.  Today's lesson was on the Word of God as a standard.  I felt the strong assurance that in these very troubled times, as values continue to shift- the words contained in the scriptures and the words of the living prophet are a constant.   The truths are so simple, but truth always has power!   And truth always equals freedom.   I felt profoundly grateful for the opportunity to teach these beautiful young women.   What greater call can there be, then teaching those who will be the stewards of the next  generation?

So I will HAPPILY scratch and claw my way to church... 

Evidence of a long day at work...

My shoes after a night on the Trauma Surgery service.  

Can anyone spare a dollar for the new shoe fund? 

Good Old Fashioned Texas Fun

This year, our friends introduced us to a creek in Salado that is just deep enough to float a tube down, but not so fast you get swept away. The boys have had a great time this summer floating around on tubes, catching minnows and wading in the water. Here are some pictures we took earlier this summer.

Isabella, trying to catch a parasite.

Jackson, just relaxing with his friend Merrill.

Mason taking in the view.

Isaac, as always, living life to the fullest.

Love this Quote

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. - Henry Ford

First Day of School

Ahhhh, finally parents all around the country are breathing a sigh of relief.  The first day of school is a welcome change after the long dog days of summer.  Although we had a great summer, I think we were all very ready to get back into a routine.  It always makes me a little sad to realize how quickly these little ones are growing up.

Can't believe the twins are second graders!  They look so grown up (and a little goofy) with their big front teeth.  Isaac is also well on his way.  One more year before Kindergarten.  Sigh.  I'm just glad to have him home for one more year.  I hope to make the best of it ... now I realize how fast it all goes by.  

Meet The Talented Miss Ripley

Well, I never thought I would be posting about getting a dog... but here I am. Yes, you heard me right, the Lewis family now has a cute little Jack Russell named Ripley. We inherited her from our dear friends who moved away to Montana and couldn't take her with them (actually guilted me into taking her...right Lisa?). Anyway... she is 6 years old, already house trained, trained to sleep in her kennel, will do tricks for food, and is a sweet little thing. She is also a very talented soccer player, which is one of the reasons I love her... at least now I have someone who I can always get to play soccer with me!

Although she looks angelic, she is already getting a reputation with some of our neighbors. The only problem we've had with her is she just loves to terrorize the neighbor's cat.

Our neighbors have a cat door in their garage and they always leave their garage door open when they are home. On two occasions when Ripley has gotten out, she went straight through our neighbors cat door and into their house. You can imagine the look on my neighbors face when I knocked on her door to tell her that our dog was in her house. "I didn't see a dog..." she said. Just then Ripley raced by chasing after her poor unsuspecting cat. The first time it was kinda funny, the 2nd time my neighbor wasn't laughing.

My neighbor has now informed me that her cat is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Although I have apologized profoundly I think she may be sending me a bill for her cat's psychiatrist. (Shane, a disliker of cats, thinks this is quite funny). What can I do, she is a hunting dog and would never hurt a fly but just loves a good cat and mouse chase, or dog and cat chase (whatever). We have been very careful about not letting her out, but she is a dog of many talents and one of them is being an escape artist. I think we may have to change her name to Houdini.

The week that we got Ripley she had a full body of fur... I took her to the groomers and they shaved her (she looks cute either way). She had never been shaven before so I guess we will just count this as her initiation into the Lewis family. (If you know how I cut my boys hair you'll know why that's funny)

P.S. We miss you Rakes Family!! This post is dedicated to Amanda, Ripley's very first owner who is in the hospital right now. I hope this will put a smile on your face! XOXO