1st Day of School

This is actually meet the teacher night, but I thought it was real cute.

Mrs. Marge is new to Hope School. She just retired from public school and is the minister's wife at the Methodist church here in town. Asa was so excited that he couldn't stand still. My big 1st grader!

First day of 2nd grade. Grant at his desk in with all the big kids.

Their new school building is so nice. This is the library where all the big kids were hanging out before school started.

Grant playing with a puzzle in the library with his friends. Notice the 'I'm ok mom, you can leave now' look on his face.

This is Zane's first year of school. I am driving him into MFs until next year when he'll be old enough to attend the same school as his brothers. He's going 2 days a week so I can work on M&F. This is his nap gear. He HAD to carry this himself.

With his teacher Miss America. I think this was about the time he realized that I would be leaving him.

More House Pics

kitchen full of cabinets!!! (door inset is beadboard) a place to rock and watch the deer

Zane in Time-out

We don't remember what he did, but I think this picture is so stinking cute!

Our New House

site prep'd with free dirt from the city when they repaved our street!

foundation was poured on my birthday - July 13 lots o' lumber framing! wrap and roofing
our kitchenThe view of the valley from our bedroom window.

Swim Lessons

The boys took swim lessons from Mrs. Suzy again this year. She is an awesome teacher. We decided to send Zane since he is such a daredevil. :)

This was the end of June in Pantego.

Zane swimming from Mrs. Suzy to the steps.

Grant learned the breast stroke this year.
Asa swimming to the side after jumping off the diving board.

Zane swimming again.

Sweet Baby Speaks

I'm in the house doing laundry before we head north again for the ... I think 3rd or 4th time this month. The boys are all outside with their daddy working on the garden, chickens, chores, etc. In walks Zane ...

Zane: "Candy"

Mama: "Zane doesn't need any candy."

Zane: "Zane candy"

Mama: "Zane hungry?"

Zane: "Aye"

Here's where I wonder if we have given birth to a pirate or an Irishman!?!

Mama: "You can have a graham cracker."

Zane: "Cracker, yeah!"

Our baby is so cute. He's finally using two word sentences!

Asa's First Report Card

Many of you may not know that Asa was promoted to Kindergarten mid-year. He brought home is first report card today and got all A's and S's. He was so cute showing it off, but not really understanding what it was. He only knew that his brother got lots of attention when he brought his home. :)

Wild Turkeys

We have so much fun looking out the window every morning to see the wildlife. On the morning of November 22nd, there were about 30 turkeys in the front yard.

New Building Dedication

Marble Falls is constructing a new church beside the current one. We had a big dedication after church on Sunday, November 9th. Granny was in town for church, catered lunch, and all the events.

All the kids lined up to "break ground" with their shovels. Grant is just right of center.

Zane playing after the pictures.

Daddy won a shovel! Dan Burdett (the builder for the church and our new home) told him he was going to need this. That is so true since he is always busting one here on the land. :)

Grant's School Carnival

Grant had so much fun at his school carnival on Saturday, November 8th. Granny came in town, he played games, won lots of prizes and even got to do some spin art.

Asa's School Halloween

Asa wouldn't wear his banana costume to school so he went as a farmer. He was very shy and sad that morning.

After the chapel service and pictures the kids loaded up on the trailers for a hay ride down to the park.

Round the corner at the square. He was wearing a smile by then!

Trunk or Treat

The boys had great time at church Wednesday night. Us grown-ups gringed at the children at worship that night in their costumes, but got over it when we saw their excitement. After service, we all positioned the cars in a circle so the kids could run freely in the parking lot. I was amazed at how much some of the adults really got into this. Come to find out since so many members live out in rural areas, this is the only trick-or-treating some kids do.

This truck had hidden candy in the bed of their truck full of hay.

Hello From the Stranger

Yes, I know it's been a long time, but honestly I've been considering how I can start my business blog and keep the public from my personal business (mainly our kids). But I finally figured out how to block my profile from linking all my blogs. I know that some of you may not understand, but please know that I'm now comfortable in returning to the blogging world and sharing my family with all of you.

Hold on tight because I will soon be adding lots of pictures to catch everyone up on our lives over the last few months. But first I have to work outside a little.

p.s. We're home from church because the boys are getting over the flu. Asa was still running fever yesterday.
p.p.s. By the time I can actually type with my pinkie finger, I will have forgotten how to do so. :)

Eeyore Is On My Couch

As I sit playing Spider Solitaire, I'm listening to my love reading Winnie the Pooh to Grant. It's so cute to see them sitting there together. Grant listening so closely to his daddy and Boomer reading in his best Eeyore voice. It makes me smile.

Grant has been on breathing treatments for a couple of weeks now, but had to start Prednisone Friday night after trick-or-treating fun. Poor thing. He said he didn't have any fun today at school because he couldn't participate in P.E. or recess. I had to write a note saying no physical activity until further notice because it just stirs up his coughing. It was so hard this weekend. Listening to him cough and cough and cough each night before he settled down and the medicine kicked in. We were up at 2am Saturday night/Sunday morning giving him back-to-back nebs. I kept telling him not to talk ... to save his air and it took me back to the hospital with Bill. It made me sad to think about Bill on his oxygen and a couple of the same meds as Grant. I always worry when Grant gets like this, but it was even harder after watching Bill.

Lord, please heal his lungs.

Thankfulness

We are so thankful to be in God's country
three beautiful boys
my helpmate
Asa's preschool
Grant's Christian teacher
nice weather
our land
our country
freedom of prayer
the ability to choose our next president
my husband's job
my faith
bible quiz memories from my childhood
memories of Camp Pettijohn
having two churches that feel like home
Christian friends
a giant of a man who stepped up to be my father
country life
the slower pace
hay rides from school to the park
trick-or-treating at stranger's houses
trick-or-treating with all the doors open driving with kids hanging from the car
a police force that drives by handing out pencils
being able to see the stars every night
complete silence
having to stop for turkey to clear the road (daily)
seeing deer out the window (daily)
our health
healthy kids
I praise God every day for being in our lives. His presence means everything to me.

Look Who's 18 Months Old

Yes, I know, his 18 month mark was 16 days ago, but I'm sure you understand that I'm just now getting there. This was his first appointment with his new doctor and we love her. I didn't know at the time we choose her that she worships with us. What a score! She was quick to ask if we were promoting him to the new Sunday school class because she is the teacher and doesn't have any kids. So cute! Anyway he is 34 inches tall which is 90th%, weighs 28 lbs 9 oz (75th%) and his head circumference is 97th%. Yes, he's tall like Boomer and has a big head like me. Oh well, not 1/2 bad, right? He's right on with everything and took his shots well. The most interesting thing was the questionnaire I had to fill out about his development and autism signs. Scary stuff. If it's not the vaccinations, then what is it? The preservatives in our foods? drugs in our water? What are we doing to our children?

6th Picture in my 6th Folder

This is from our trip to the fair last year. Boomer, Grant and Asa are in the 4th basket from the top. I am safely on the ground. Okay, Amy, there you go! btw ... this was when I saw Jennifer, Barry and their handyman friend from Heritage House at the fair.

Now I tag Wendy, Donna and Susan! Okay girls, please post the 6th picture in the 6th folder.

Our Papa

Willis Hunt Castner II

Willis "Bill" Hunt Castner II passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, in Arlington after a brief illness.

Service: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in Moore Memorial Chapel. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers: Charles Bean, Jimmy Ragan, John Reed, David Maynard, Jeff Weatherford and Anthony Tobar.

Bill was born March 27, 1933. He was a retired captain in the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service. He also retired from Vought Aircraft after 30 years, was a teacher at Texas Wesleyan University with 19 years of service and an active Realtor/broker with 20 years of service. Bill earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas and his master's degree from TCU.

Survivors: Wife of 31 years, Nita; three daughters; six grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Here's an Update from Mom & a little from me

"His white count is down a little, still giving him Procrit for his red blood cells, which are marginal/normal per nurse. Just spoke to the doctor, he is not any worse today, his x-ray maybe a hair better, IV drugs are insulin & tobermycin & sedation meds, test results are not back yet on Wed or Thurs Tests. He'll call me if there is any test results today or if he needs me. His B/P is better, they are giving him meds for that also."

We're fixin' to leave. That "fixin'" is special for my father because he always made fun of that southern word.

The boys and I watched Pollyanna this week. I am playing the glad game as much as possible. :)