Seein' the relatives

Our latest Skow adventure included a jaunt across Texas. We started out travelling to Menard, Texas (a tiny town close to Brady) to celebrate Dawson's Poppo's 90th birthday. It was an awesome celebration with EVERY member of Dawson's family in attendance. All five Skow children, with all of their children and grandchildren were there, along with friends and extended family. It was a grand celebration. One of the highlight's was when Poppo stood up and recited a poem to the crowd that he had memorized in the 3rd grade....which would've been around 1938!

After Menard, we were off to another thriving metropolis, Ft. Davis (very west and very south Texas). Dawson's other grandparents live there. We had a great time, riding horses, bottle-feeding baby calves, playing with goats, eating ice cream out of an old train car.....it was awesome. The best part of the whole trip, aside from eating the best Chili Relleno in the WORLD at a little place called the Cueva, was just spending time with our loved ones. We shared lots of great laughs, long talks and just quiet time under the West Texas stars. Here are a couple of pictures of my little country bumpkins....

Making Memories

We took a day trip to Galveston this weekend. It was awesome! We went with our family--Leah, Clint, Jackson and Sawyer. The kids had a blast. They loved playing in the waves and digging in the sand. Even at Galveston, with it's brown water, seaweed covered beaches and overcrowded scene, there is something majestic about the ocean. To see and be a part of one of God's grandest creations is a pretty cool thing. It was a day for memory making!

Free at Last, Free at Last...Thank God Almighty, I am Free at Last!

Yes, in the words of the great Dr. King--I am free at last. I turned in my keys and my Bryan High ID yesterday. My teaching life is officially over....or at least on hold for a few years. You would think I would be elated, or at least relieved, but for some reason, I'm not. I'm not sure what emotion I'm feeling. I guess it still hasn't really sunk in that I am no longer tied to that school. For 6 years, that is who I have been--a teacher at Bryan High. And for 23 years before that, that is all I can remember wanting to be "when I grew up"--a teacher. Needless to say, it is completey bizarre to NOT be a teacher. Now--I'm just a mommy and a wife. (as if "just" is appropriate?!?) Wow-- new chapter--even if only commemorated by a stupid blog entry. :)

(But as I leave the education world, another Lively girl enters it. This is my baby sister's college graduation...soon to be a 3rd grade teacher in College Station--with my Mom at her side, with 32 years of teaching 1st grade, and my middle sister, starting her 2nd year as a 6th grade math teacher in Bryan. It's in our genes! :)

Reminded

Just in case you haven't taken the time lately....the Bible is really full of some good stuff. It's so tragic that I let my Bible go untouched some days....too many days. But today I was reminded that it is a supernatural book. It holds within its pages life--true life. Praise God that He lets us have one or more, in different translations and a variety of colors. :) These days I feel like I am realizing more and more just how terrible and painful this world can be--but at the same time, God's glory seems to shine even brighter in contrast. wow.

New addition

So, Dawson and I still aren't sure whether God wants us to have more children yet. Some days, I'm sure that I am meant to have more babies--I have easy pregnancies, I love being pregnant and I absolutely ADORE our children. However, there are other days when I'm sure I can't even handle the two angels we already have! Therefore, we decided to get a dog! We figured if we can handle two kids and a puppy, then maybe we can handle three kiddos someday. :) Our newest baby is a miniature schnauzer. She is seven weeks old and she is from Paris......really. (Paris, Texas of course) Her name is Maggie and our kids LOVE her. In fact, when we were coming home from church on Sunday, Caleb announces from the back seat, "I love you THIS much, Mommy." He says this as he stretches his arms out as far as they can go. I told him thank you and that I loved him that much too. He then says, "I love Daddy that much too." I say, "Me too, Doodlebug." He then adds, "But do you know who I love the best of all?" I smile to myself, because I am sure that my holy son, who just finished with church, is obviously about to tell me that he loves God the best of all. So I confidently ask, "Who?" And without hesitation, Caleb, just as confidently responds, "My puppy!" :)

Ellie

and

Caleb

18months and 4 years

My two sun-kissed babies....I know they are gifts from God, but it is pictures like these that remind me how angelic they are. (Even though tonight, when Ellie offered her Bubba a good night's kiss, he offered her his foot, instead of his lips!!) No, really, sometimes, I can't believe how extraordinary my children are. (I know all moms feel this way, but that doesn't detract from it) I am so humbled that God has given me these two beautiful, wonderful children. I don't deserve them, and all of the other millions of blessings that God gives me. I am so thankful!! OK--I'll stop gushing. Just can't wait to be with them more!

Now, I'm an athlete....

For anyone who knows me, the title of this blog post is an obvious joke. But I can at least now say I completed my first 5K......of course, I walked it......at a snail's pace......in the back of the crowd with the grandmas and the children..... But it was still an acommplishment. Plus I got to do it some of my favorite people--my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and one of my best friends in life. Plus, on top of all of that, it was to support a a great cause.

Aside from that, I am COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS until I can call myself a "stay-at-home mom." I don't really like that particular phrase, so I'll have to think of something different. I just absolutely adore my kiddos, and I can't wait to be spending most of my time with them. I am just amazed that God has chosen to bless us with this opportunity. Don't get me wrong, we are going to be poor.....very poor. But I think my life is just going to be overflowing with joy, contentment and priceless moments with my babies that I will cherish forever.