More ... More...

Last night, while eating cheerios at Betty Rosas, Tate signed "MORE".
Ahh, we were so proud. Looks like the education is finally sinking in.
Soon enough, we'll have some pictures or videos of Tate doing some of this stuff.
I think the picture in the mind is a powerful thing you can't share.
Blakely and Jack also had their own version of racing last night. After we watched Herbie:Fully Loaded.

And he walks with me, and he talks with me ...

Sound like an old familiar hymn? Well, apply it to little Tater. The headlines today:

"Tater Takes His First Step, or Two"
Last night, we were watching some videos from the camcorder on the TV, and right before our eyes, Tate let go of the TV and took 2-3 steps. Everyone saw it. Thunderous applause from Blakely, Jackson, me and mommy. He was so proud of himself. And he should be. He will be walking before the other 2 did. Of course, I think he's just ready to be able to catch up to his siblings. Oh bother.....

We have 2 weeks till Blakely starts K. She says she's excited. And so is Jack, being able to have his brother come to school with him. So... on your mark, get so.....

What song is in your head?

After class yesterday, here is the song I've been humming:
Thanks Merle ........ Haggard

I hear people talkin' bad About the way we have to live here in this country,
Harpin' on the wars we fight
An' gripin' 'bout the way things oughta be.
An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides,
An' standin' up for things they believe in.
When they're runnin' down my country, man,They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

I read about some squirrely guy,Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin'.
An' I wonder just how long,The rest of us can count on bein' free.
They love our milk an' honey,But they preach about some other way of livin'.
When they're runnin' down my country, hoss,
They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me.
Runnin' down the way of life,
Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep.
If you don't love it, leave it:
Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin'.
If you're runnin' down my country, man,
You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me.

Pampa, TX

Blakely and I took a short, not even, 24hr trip this weekend to visit Papa. Our last trip before we start school, so I told her as we shared a happy meal at McDonalds. I think we both learned a lot about each other over night, but the scariest thing was how much our children reflect us. The volume of excitement, the eagerness to do what we want, when we want to, and the ability to have fun. Something we both needed, I think. To not think about what the next few weeks have in store. But my purpose was to spend time with a great man in my life, and enjoy his company. Blakely got to share a meal with her great grandpa, meet her Nana's younger brother, share pizza with him, see him leave early in the morning, meet a friend next door, play the piano across the street with a lady we all know, ride a mower, play on a playground I did 25 years ago, run in circles in the front and back yard, play hide n' seek, sleep on a sofa bed, and watch TV, have breakfast, orange juice and coffee... ha, just kidding, I had the coffee. And see the largest cross in the Northern Hemisphere Whew what a day. So here are some quickPix from the 22hrs we were there.

Two Weeks

For the last 2 weeks, life in our house has been different. Nana and Papa took the kids to Houston 2 weeks ago, and left us for a week with Tater. He enjoyed being the only child for a week, and having AALLLLL the attention. He's almost to the point of walking, and talking, and getting into everything. He climbs up on the couch, if something is close enough he can get a leg up on. We got to Houston last weekend, and spent a few days there as mommy had some continued education classes to attend. And when that was over, we headed to Washington DC for our own vacation/10 yr anniversary trip. That's with no kids. Only 3.5 days, but it was nice. We walked a great deal in DC, and had a good time visiting historical landmarks. The architecture was awesome, as well as some of the stories you get to hear of our foundation as a nation. No one person makes up USA, but it is comprised of the ideals and passion to live in freedom and pursuit of our own desires. We are not comprised of a nation that tells us how to do things, yet we sometimes feel we have to tell others they are doing things wrong. Our life is our freedom. And through its exoskeletal existence, we move throughout the world to touch others in their own journeys, and try to reflect some image of Christ. Ok, enough talk. Here's a link of pictures from our trip. I don't have it all detailed out in the pictures yet. The first few are of the National Cathedral. A very awesome place. The detail and beauty were my favorite. And from there, you can tell the others. The one in front of the Lincoln memorial is the new WWII Memorial, with a Texas pillar to resemble my Papa, and others who fought for me. Enjoy.

Theres no fool like an old fool

A song by Billy Joe Shaver. A man I am beginning to admire more and more. As he states in the following article,

Songwriting is "a hobby with me and it's also the cheapest psychiatrist there is," he says. "I'm able to recall things, so I never run out. I've always been able to write."

What do you think of this story? Does yours have some of the same tire tracks dug in his dirt road? What happens when you lose everything you have lived for? Or those things are taken away?
We may not all agree with everyones life choices, but the words put out to ponder sometimes make us sit down and find a shape in the clouds.

an Unfinished Life and World Peace

WARNING: This post may cause controversy, utter disgust and opinions.

Before I get into my head for today's post, I want to talk about 2 movies we watched this last week that I loved. Not just because of their filmography and story, but because of the impact it should have on the lives of those who watch.
1. The Worlds Fastest Indian - a movie about a man, Burt Munro from New Zealand, who owns a 1929 Indian Scout, and decides to fulfill his dream in life to travel to America to see how fast he can go. But not only that, to break the world record for land speed record of a motorcycle under 1000cc. The reason this movie was so awesome, even though it was not something you could show at VBS, is because it was about a real man, a real mans dreams and desires, and the fruition of those dreams to come about. He was able to accomplish his dream. And something that really impacted me, was how it was not just about his life. He was not selfish. He was kind. He made an impact in the lives of those he met. As soon as he stuck out his hand and introduced himself, he was expecting to make a new friend.
2. An Unfinished Life - with Robert Redford and Morgan "the Penguin narrator" Freeman. Powerful movie, if you let it. Concerning the unforgiving heart and the inability to let go of blame and guilt, and grow from the pain of life.

Now for my most recent thoughts of this world. A few comments I have heard over the past day or so have really set me off. And for good reason I'm sure. In class today we were talking about kindness. But somehow, the entire class revolved around energy, self-reliance, fear and war. And how our country and its leaders suck. How we are going to all burn up in this global warming epidemic. As well as comments made about a billionaire donating so much money that he can make a difference. But there's one thing for dmn sure ... he won't have to get uncomfortable. He'll let the staff do that. (Oh man, this is going to get ugly)
And world peace. I am thankful there are people that want so much for this world to just get along with each other, and everyone can gather at the river. But what is the reality of this? Is it God's plan to have world peace? Is it God's plan for everyone to give in to the same platform of world change and peace? Must we all wear white ONE bracelets and listen to Bono in order to be considered "thoughtful, self-less" people? Is Michael Moore supposed to be our leader and authority on the issues of world chaos? A man who cannot himself control his eating habits, is telling us what is wrong with our government?

As far as it is up to you, live at peace with everyone.

That is world peace. To make those relationships in my life so important, that there is peace among everyone I encounter. Much like the movie, I should meet people and immediately believe we are friends. I know we are told to go forth and make disciples, but is that the same as world peace? If there were no threat of war, no fear of destruction and despair, no reason to fight for what you believe, or defend and rescue the hurting, what is the point of Jesus Christ? Did he not come to seek and save the lost? Is not our Perfect Peace waiting for us in eternity? I love that people want to pray for world peace, want to annihilate AIDS and poverty, and find wells of water in a land of thirsty souls. But what about the world around you? What about the relationships you are involved in daily. I know we can all think of a handful of people, at least, in which we are engaged in War with right now, in terms of our peaceful living constitution.

There will be a day, when all the dead shall rise, when everything and everyone will bow down before the Christ, our Lord. At that day, the world will be gone. Global warming? Sun exploding? Who knows. But this world is not our home, it is our training ground. We have been given the command to live at peace with everyone. To forgive. To measure judgment in the same manner we want to be judged. Does that mean I need to give 37billion dollars? No. It means I need to be kind to those I know and those I meet. My world will be at peace then.

whew.