The power of words, pictures, & music...

Last night was the Colt Fall Sports Athletic Banquet. I headed up the 'decoration committee' since I have much experience in this department. :) I was pleasantly surprised by the creativity of the parents. I called "Senior Moms" and "Coaches Wives" to see if they would provide 1 centerpiece for a table. It turned out great. {See album for all of the pictures} We definitely put a lot of time, thought, effort, and heart into the event to show our appreciation to the Clements Family, student-athletes, parent volunteers, and the great group of 11 seniors...we will greatly miss! Overall....I think it went over pretty well. We really have nothing to compare it to since this is our first year at Clements...but I will share a few words of appreciation from a football mom. " Last night was so awesome. The banquet not only served the purpose of thanking folks and presenting awards. It also provided an opportunity for encouragement of the younger players. Gave them a glimpse of what can be achieved and what it means to the community. Cool. It was also nice to see many of the athletes taking the time to thank the coaches for their time and efforts. Our new Athletic Director/Football Coach did an excellent job of making this a community night. Lots of parents and families there with the athletes. The event ended with the coach showing a presentation with music to some video highlights of the season, along with a couple taped interviews and ended it with some of the photographic images I took over the season. There is just something about images and music put together. It's a beautiful way to relive something wonderful! And the coach also offered copies of the presentation for sale. Coach also recognized the parents who volunteer time and talents to the programs. Made a big deal about those who serve the community with their time. And there are alot of folks who volunteer time and effort to the various sports programs to make it all work. The coach and his wife also had several of the images I took throughout the season, printed in a large format and displayed on the wall. The images will next be hung in the football locker room. Encouraging one another is powerful. Powerful enough to lift you out of grief. Even if it's just for a few minutes. Thanks Coach Williams and Elizabeth for a job well done."

So as you can see...these words are very special to us because as most of you know in the 'coaching world' it's easier to criticize rather than encourage or appreciate.

God is good...and when we keep obeying Him...His favor is on us. Appreciate someone today! :)

PS--The flower bouquet only a coach's wife could love...and it's not even Valentine's Day yet! :)

New blog friends.....

The Vickerys are our friends from Kanakuk....and a little of MSU thrown in there. I'll try to make it short, but the skinny is....Joneel, Forrest & I were on Kanakuk staff together starting in 1999. Joneel went to Texas A&M, while of course Forrest & I attended MSU. Her now husband, John David....also went to MSU (but didn't do Kanakuk). Are you follwing me thus far? Well in the meantime...he dated one of my sorority sisters/ roommates and very good friends with the rest of them (all other 3 of them...I made 4). Well...I'm really not sure as to how Joneel & John David started talking...I think it was over the internet? But I didn't have anything to do with. Joneel even flew over to visit John David at MSU our last year there...so that was a very fun time for me to have a Kanakuk come visit ...since we were pretty sparse back in my day....all the K2'ers (the majority) were from Texas A&M & Baylor (which little did I know at that time in my life) is where I'd one day live and love. So anyway...they got married last year and now live in Williamsburg, VA and are pregnant ALSO. We have a small world and a big God huh? Welcome Vickerys! :) [Not the best picture...but it will do.] Picture taken at one of my most favorite spots in all of America....near Branson, MO at a restaurant called "Top of the Rock." We always went there on our 24's (yeah MK). If you are ever in the area...you must go! It's a little pricey...but actually I believe ranked one of the Top 10 Honeymoon areas in the USA. It's beautiful!

EVERY DAY LIFE...

Well...I know we all like updates...but I don't have much to report....so for now it's just the every day life 'stuff.' This week I have been looking for a job on the internet...trying to get more involved in the community...painting logos on Forrest's weight room walls...substitute teaching, and falling down! To all of these except the 'finding a job' I have been successful! :) I have joined 2 classes in the last week! How's that!!?? I am now attending the "

Homemakers Class" at the church we're visiting. Since that's my title these days...why not go to the class... right? I go to my first class on Monday night...I'll be sure to report back on it later this week. On Tuesday nights...I now attend BSF- Huntsville [Bible Study Fellowship] There are about 300 women in it...and my purpose of joining was to meet new friends and learn more about the Bible & Jesus. We are studying Romans for this time period...and already I have gotten so much out of it. Although it takes me about 45 minutes to drive over....it's very worth it. I encourage any of you to do it if you live in town that has it. Check on the website above to 'locate a class' near you! The coolest thing is it's an International Bible Study Program and serves more than 30 nations that all are on the same lesson week to week. So when I'm studying a certain chapter in Romans...so is a woman in China! Our God is big! Next...I love to help and serve my husband...and this picture is the 'early' stages of his athletic weightroom. He since added another horse head on the other side to balance it out and give me more work to do! :) I think it looks good....too bad we don't have a 'before picture.' Last but not least...I have been very clumsy lately. Here is my arm after falling 'up' the 2 stairs in Bella's room. No, I did not land on my arms...I caught myself on the door frames! Uhhh I was by myself at home...and I was just praying I had not broken by elbow. It's hard to see them....but I have bruises all the way down my forearm. :( The sadder thing is that a couple of weeks before this...I had fallen ON THE SAME 2 STAIRS...and scraped the bottom of my foot and all of it's nerves practically off...it too left a big bruise. Who does this?

Until next time...get involved and enjoy God's magnificent works around you!

Merry Late Christmas to me...it's the little things right?

Well this weekend certaintly was productive as far as organizing and cleaning are concerned! I organized ALL of my 'biz supplies" and finally got them out of the kitchen. Once our roomies are gone they will have their own room. Until then, they are all in Bella's room (see picture). I later organized some of our office and our room. I then treked over to Huntsville to "get away" and treated myself to my Old Navy Giftcard...and bought this sweater. You know, the one everyone has now. I hate to be "trendy" but I really like them. Thanks for inspiring me to get one Candace :) I then hopped over to SuperTarget and bought a NEW VACUUM CLEANER...the Dirt Devil Vibe! It was on sale (of course)! :) I absolutely LOVE it and had to use it immediately upon returning home! Our old one, if MK, Nat, and Jenny remember....I received at my KD wedding shower almost 6 years ago...so it was time to retire don't you think? Thanks girls! Ok so back to my new 'toy' ...I love it because it has a clear tube and you can see everything you pick up. Forrest commented that he thought I vacuumed up a mouse! Instead...it was just all of Bella's hair from all of our carpeted rooms. Gross I know...but she's so worth it! We bought a 20 year old home...and lets just say our old vacuum did not 'get the job done.' The other bonus is it is bagless and 100% allergen filtered. Yeah for new toys! I know ...I'm now considered a housewife when I get excited about domestic toys!

We are going to a National Championship Game Party tomorrow night....a parent couple from CHS invited us. Yeah for making friends! All I can say is we are sad to see college football end &...GOOOOOOOO

HAPPY 2007!

L-R: My dad; my TWIN brother; Abby, his daughter; me!

We're back! We had a wonderful time seeing our families in the Memphis area and in West Point, MS. Click HERE to see the ENTIRE picture library :) We enjoyed our lazy days in Memphis on my parents new 'farm land.' The picture in the album of the smaller, green roofed barn is their apt. loft and where they live until they get a house built. It really is a beautiful place they have ...very relaxing! Now both of our parents (Forrest & mine) live on farmland! :) As always, it was great to see my niece, Abby. She is at a great age to enjoy Christmas. She loved the 'drawing board' and 'magic toothbrush' we got her (see pics). While at the 'Jones' Christmas we also saw 2 great movies that I highly recommend [We are Marshall & The Holiday].

From L-R: Mike, brother-n-law; Caitlin, niece; Ginger, Forrest's sister; Sylvia, Forrest's mom; Forrest, me, Patrick, nephew; Joel, Forrest's dad; Novii, Ginger & Mike's foster child

Christmas in West Point was filled with MANY people. I think at one time we had 16!! Forrest's sister's family came from KY, we came from AL, his uncle's family came from North Carolina, and our 2 friends Kim & Brenner flew over from TX! What a treat huh? Thanks Brenner & Kim...hope the coons were worth it :) The pictures in the album explain a lot.

For New Year's Eve... our dear friends from college, Candace & Charlie, drove from Memphis to ring in the New Year with us. It was their first time at our house! :) We took them to Dreamland in Huntsville and then rented a couple of movies. We seem to have a running tradition to spend New Years with them. We did in college with going to several bowl games together and now after college. Guess we have started a tradition huh? Thanks for coming Lockharts...we really appreicate it, enjoyed it, and LOVE YOU. Come back real soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!