Thoughtful people ...

rock. my. world.  God puts certain people in our lives for very specific reasons.  He may use you to encourage someone else, or for them to encourage you.  He uses people to teach us.  He uses people to share His truths.  He uses people to grow us.  He uses 
"... all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28.  I remind myself of this verse all the time.  It goes right along with
 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.  

Just when I start getting a little homesick out here, He puts something on someone else's heart that encourages me or reminds me it is OK to live this far away and still have a wonderful relationship.  A well needed "thoughtfulness" came today in the mail from my daddy.  I love unexpected things.  Nothing big, nothing costly, just something that reminded me that I am thought of and remembered even this far away.  Just a little something that he knows I would be interested in.  It was just an article from a recent newspaper he read that talked about a blogger and her joys of blogging.  It reminded me that I need to take time to revisit my favorite past-time, even when I am busy.  It helps me to clear my head and my heart and I always get so much more accomplished after blogging.  Weird, but true.  

I know you have people in your life like this.  If you don't, maybe it is because you need to be that kind of person.  Maybe there is someone you know that could use a little reminder that they are loved or that you haven't forgotten about them.  It is easy for us to get so busy, but it will make you feel so much better if you just reach out with a little hello note or phone call.  Not an email, text message or Facebook comment.  Make it as personal as possible and it will touch the heart all the more.  I love technology and the immediateness of it all, but there is nothing that replaces the excitement of going to the mailbox expecting bills and junk and seeing a hand written "nothing much" with your name on it.  Be the first to "Pay it forward" and see what kind of love comes back around your way.  

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." Psalm 103:13

Now on to Ms. Kirby Rose ... I can not believe she is 20 months!

This picture was actually taken when she was right at 19 months when we were visiting Montgomery for the first visit of three in the last month - yes, I am exhausted!  Just a crummy phone picture, but I loved the sunflower on her head so I had to share.  

At 20 months, Kirby is really getting her own little personality.  Lot's of charm if I may say so myself.  I wish I had a video of how she waves to little kids (even the ones older than her that she thinks are "toooo cute").  She puts her hand softly by her cheek and waves real slowly and carefully.  

We have started the potty training adventure.  Next week we are going all out full force when I get some of those neat, thick, panties.  Right now we just have Minnie Mouse ones that, well, don't hold up well when she has accidents.  She has randomly gone and sat on duck and pottied 3 times.  She likes mommy's dance and the duck's "Whooohooo".

She has some new words that she loves to say:

owwwww

helloooo

no,no,no 

oh no,no, no

hippo

yellow

purple

banana

oh ok

ready

ready 1, 2, 3

She actually has gone on duck 4 times now ... just had to take a quick break and do my dance.  Thank you sweet Lord for allowing me to be at home to be the one to teach my precious gift from God this new concept. It is frustrating and challenging, but that is one reason why we put in concrete floors everywhere instead of carpet!  

I am not sure how much she weighs.  My guess is about 27 lbs.  She wears 12-18 month clothes and likes to help decide what shoes she is going to wear. Her favorite are her John Deere boots.  I will approve a boot fetish instead of a heel obsession any day!

 Finally Mommy and Daddy got to go on a 2 hour date to Aggie Muster in Alice.  Thank you momma for watching Kirby Rose so we could have some time with adults!

 Enjoying the Montgomery County Fair with cousins Kyleigh and Brayleigh.  We got to watch Kyleigh show her heifer for the first year.  She did so well and we were happy to be there.

 She hates car washes.  She kept saying, "No, no bubbles.  Bye bye bubbles."

 Feeding and calling the cows with Daddy Ray.

 We have one pure bred black male pup left for sale.  Please,please let me know if you or anyone you know is interested.  We need him off our food bill and maybe with one less dog we will look a touch less redneck.  Just a touch ...