Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving is coming I sit and think of a few different things I am wholeheartedly thankful for. 

1. The people I work with. I am so thankful for those that breath life into me each day. They have walked some very exciting days with me and some very hard days with me. But, not matter the day, situation or time they have always carried me. I am thankful to work in a place that allows us to pray for each other and our students. I thank God for these people. 

2. How far God has carried us. This time of year the health of my sister is always on the front of my mind. For a few different reasons. One being that so many people that have fought cancer didn't come out on the same side as Aj did...and this is the time of year she was fighting so hard. I admire her still to this day because of how much she took on and so gracefully. But, I am thankful that God saw fit to heal her. I am so thankful for her heath and that they are here with us. 

3. My family Chad and I had the chance to getaway this weekend and it was such a needed break. Chad works so hard all the time and takes on any task at any time. And some times you just get beat down...that is where he was. He needed to be away and I am reminded in these times how thankful I am that God blessed me with him. And then my kiddos! Kalebh and KK bring so much laughter and joy to my life 

Memories with Kalebh

Kalebh is a man of few words…most of the time. Occasionally he will get chatty about something and we take it all in when he does. However, one day we were driving home from a baseball game in Hobbs and we were all so tired. It was about 1am as we were leaving Plainview. I was doing my best to stay awake with Chad…which hardly happens…but I do try. Anyway, Kalebh is asleep in the back and sit right up between me and Chad and said...Ya’ll are NOT going to be happy about this…Chad and I looked back at him and said happy about what…and Kalebh said….I stole the papers from the pigeons….and we laugh a little and Chad said what…and Kalebh repeats himself and at this point Chad and I realize he is talking in his sleep…So Chad says….well what did the pigeons have to say about that….and I’m am in a total hysterical laugh….and Kalebh says to Chad….They were noooot happy…at which point we both loose it laughing and Kalebh looks at both of us and says…..welp I will never live this one down…bahbhahabahh!!! Sweet Kalebh I always have lots of KK stories but never many Kalebh so I had to blog about this so I would remember this sweet tired boy story! So advice for the day….don’t steal the papers from the pigeons…they might need them! And don’t sleep talk to Chad and I…..because we will just laugh hysterically!

 

Chad...Chadie...Chadly...Cookie...

Thankful today...for Chad. I know that sounds a little cheesy but really I am so very blessed by this man. He makes this crazy life so much fun. At the end of the day when we are all 4 home together he is the peace in the craziness. 

2001 God blessed me by  my sweet roommate at Wayland trying to fix me up. I wasn't all that interested in finding a boyfriend at the time. A group of us had gone bowling and Chad showed up late because he had been at a meeting at the church (some things never change). He came into the bowling ally and just sat and hung out with us. We laughed and laughed and he was so easy to be around. So, I agreed to a date with him the next weekend. We went and I joke that our first day was at Long John Silvers because we stopped there on our way to Lubbock. But, he later took me out to eat and to a movie that night. And the rest is history. I fell in love with him as I was watching him love on students and ministering to a group of kids that come from all different parts of life. 

That summer I worked in Clovis for my Aunt and Uncle and Chad would visit me on the weekends. Or I would come to Lockney to see him. But, sometimes during the week he would show up at Granny's house! He always brought roses or a flower or something. I mentioned that because once we got married and I found out how much roses cost I said...ummmm no more! LOL. 

Chad and I married on October 26th! Right in the middle or harvest. The busiest time of year around this part of the world. But, it was a beautiful day. My friends and family were all there to share in the special day and that means so much to me still to this day. So many traveled from Plainview, Lockney, and Deer Park! So fun. Chad and I spent our honeymoon in Cloudcroft NM one of my favorite places still. I love to go to Mountains! 

Chad and I welcomed sweet Kalebh and 4 years later sweet KK. It is amazing to watch the man that you fell in love with love on your sweet babies. He is so patient and loving with the kids. He makes it a point to not miss an event of theirs and he always cheers them on. We have learned that parenting is the hardest job we will ever hold but Chad does it with such grace. 

We have been married for 14 years....what?!?!?! Seems like yesterday he walked into Granny's house and she welcomed him with "hey you are tall can you change this light bulb" lol..such sweet memories. Granny loved Chad! Granny knew that Chad loved the Lord and she respected a good discussion about God's word with Chad. 

Chad,

I thank God for you. I am so thankful that he made you for me. I am so thankful for the memories we have made and the many more we will make. You are so clam and laid back, you are so much fun to be around and I love the way I can come in all worked up over something and you just sit and listen and then if advice is needed you give it with such calmness. I'm thankful that you love the Lord and put him first in your life and our families lives. You are an amazing inspiration to many people around you. I love you! 

Father,

Thank you for your amazing love. Thank you for sharing Chad with me as we live to make a life that glorifies you. Thank you for the parents that raised Chad to love you and love others. God, you are so faithful and I pray that even know you are molding the ones you have picked out for our sweet Kalebh and Kaileigh. I pray that they will always look to you for guidance and love you with their whole hearts. God you are so faithful and giving to us...Thank you for that. 

Amen! 

Thankful for Teachers

Teachers...who ever thought I would be one? I didn't like school growing up. We moved around alot and I hated starting new schools...but, look here I am. And you want to know why...because of teachers I had.

Elementary School -- I had a few teachers in Elementary that were amazing and left lasting impacts on my life. Mr. Moore was my math teacher he was amazing, he loved school and he loved us...even if he told us we were farts one day. He left an impact on life forever and I am so thankful for him. Ms. Rodgers Kinder teacher...she loved us even if we were skunks and she was amazing...still love her to this day. 

Jr. High -- I hated Jr. High I know there were teachers that I enjoyed having but there was a lady that was a coach that was always so positive and I really enjoyed being around her. 

High School -- Coach Hazard would be the teacher that left the biggest impact on my life. He walked some dark days with my family and I and I will forever be thankful for his positive out look that really changed my life. Mr. Luck. He was the choir director in Artesia when we moved in the middle of my Jr. year...he was amazing and I he understood that my heart was still in Deer Park and he was so kind. Miss that man! 

Teachers--I started at Lockney Elem 13 years ago...when I started there were 2 sweet ladies that took me under their wing and just loved me, helped me and mothered me. Cindy and Charlanne. They were best friends God blessed me with them so very much. I will never forget the day I dropped Kalebh off in Kinder. Cindy was waiting in my classroom with Kleenex and a hug for me. During the day she would pop her head in for a laugh and I miss her so very much. She taught me so much about life, being a mom and wife, farming, teaching but more about being a friend. She was amazing! 

God, I thank you for all the Godly people you have placed in my life. I thank you for memories, I thank you for the teachers I was blessed to have. God, I have no idea where most of these teachers are but you do. I pray that you would bless their lives and love them and carry them. Teaching is sometimes a very thankless job and God I ask that you would send them some sort of encouragement today. For Mr. Luck and Cindy that have joined you Father I thank you for their lives, I thank you for who they are to me. As both of their families are still dealing with that lose I ask that you would comfort them in a way only you can. God you are so faithful and we are so thankful for your faithfulness! Help us to remember the people in our lives that have left an impact and be thankful for that gift. 

Amen,

Time....Oh how you fly!

Tonight...tonight is the last football game for Kalebh's Jr.High years! How in the world have we gotten from flag football to here? I feel like this shouldn't be happening but it is...and you know what? It is exciting. Kalebh is excited. We have sat in the stands his WHOLE life watching the high school teams play...we have cheered, traveled, fed and laughed with so many players and parents in Kalebh's 13 years that he is ready. Me...I'm not...But, I will be. I just want to take it all in. I know to some the end of Jr. High doesn't sound like that big of a deal...but, to me it is about to leave a chapter and start a new one...I ask myself...are we ready for the new chapter? Did we teach everything this chapter needed? Did we experience what was meant to be and did we make a difference or an impact where needed? I don't know the answers to those questions ...However, I have 25 more weeks of his 8th grade year to anser them. I can tell you this much. It has very little to do with Chad and I but Kalebh is a God fearing young man. He makes my heart swell when he comes in each day and says...Momma how was your day? Can I help with supper? Will you take me to go work pigs? All of those things make my just proud and here is why...

Momma how was your day? Shows he cares...he thinks about others and wants to make sure they are healthy and happy. 

Can I help with supper (or other things he knows needs done) -- He doesn't do this daily but he does ask when he knows we have alot going on...I'm thankful that he thinks of things that need to be done...he gets this from his Daddy. Chad helps so much around the house and with the kids and meals and just whatever. I'm thankful Kalebh is growing into his daddy...looks and all :) 

Working animals -- it is his passion...he loves it...but, he knows it comes with commitment and lots of hours and hard work. I am thankful we are a stockshow family. So many life lessons and we take each on head on. I am thankful that both our kids work hard and love their animals. We aren't a father feeding animals FFA family....we are a take responsibly and work hard and love your animals family. 

To sum it up...My heart is sad that Kalebh is growing up so fast...but, really my heart is so so full that it is happening and I have a front row seat to it all. Kalebh loves life and he loves people and that stems from his love for Christ. 

Kalebh,

I am so very proud of the person you are growing to be. I pray that the rest of this Jr. High chapter will be full of memories, simple things, laughs, and some lessons...God has blessed you with a love for people and though you don't say much at time you are always looking and listening for a way to help or be a support to others. I am thankful you look just like your Daddy...you know why? Because, my prayer is that you will be as wonderful as a father one day as he is to you and KK. Dad and I love you so very much. We couldn't be prouder of you. Thank you for loving us and allowing us to be front and center in all that you do. Tonight...at the game have fun, hit somebody...and don't get hurt! 

I love you forever!
Mom

Remembering to be Thankful!

Happy November 1st! What?!?!?! November is already here...how in the world did this happen! 

Every year when November rolls around I giggle a little bit about how people that complain and cuss all year long are all the sudden thankful for those which they are complaining about. But, last night I was convicted a little bit of this myself! How easy is it to fall into the poor me story when things are hard or we aren't in the right mind set. 

But, last night I was sitting thinking of so many around me that have so much more to handle and they do so with such grace. We have a sweet friend in her 20's that just found out she has MS....in her 20? That isn't fair...in your 20 you are just getting started with adulthood and slam now this? But, do you know what that friend has taught me this week? That God is faithful in your 20's just like he is in your 80's. God is going to be faithful to my sweet dear friend and he is going to give her the grace and understanding to deal with this head on. He is always so faithful why would it be different now. 

Another lady here in town is fighting cancer. Cancer friends....how many people we all know that have fought or are fighting this awful things. But, she is taking each day beautifully. Such a inspiration to so many around her...and she doesn't even know it. 

So, thankfulness...today I am thankful for Grace. Grace to me is not getting what I deserve. I deserve hell, I deserve to die a sinners death but because of Jesus grace on the cross I have been pardoned.

 I am thankful for grace as a mother...so many times we just lose heart as mom's we stop planning meals and so we eat out too much, we stop washing clothes so we send our kids to school in yesterday jeans, we lose heart to keep up with homework, reading, spelling, sports, and the list goes on. As mom's it is so easy to lose heart...but, grace....we have grace and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for grace as a wife. How many times do we lose heart as wives? Chad is too sweet to me. He is always asking me what he can do to help...no matter if it is a trip to walmart (no one wants to do that) or something around the house...he shows me more grace everyday than I deserve. 

Grace as friends. It is hard to keep up. It is hard to find time to visit, go out to eat, or just spend time with those sweet friends. My BFF I hardly ever get to see because her and I are in two different parts of life right now...but grace my friends she understands and shows me grace. 

I love the people in my life...I am thankful for those that are in the trench with me everyday...I love the ones I don't get to see often...each one of these dear people have helped shaped the person that I am today. I am thankful for the grace they have shown me and I am thankful for the Grace Jesus Christ shows me daily. So, friends take care today is a new day! Let's go out and show the Lord how thankful we are for his many blessings! 

Count them one by one, 

Katie 

Here we go again....maybe

I would like to say I am going to do better...but, you have heard that before...I would like to say I am going to blog and stay with it....but, I will tell you this....I am going to try~ 

It is hard to find time but I do very much enjoy writing thoughts, and other things that are import to me. I won't be posting many pictures so if you are looking for pictures go check out my social media. I will have picture post maybe once a month. It is just hard to have time to upload pictures to this so...not going to worry about that as much as I did. 

So, I hope you enjoy! 

Wish me luck! 

Katie