Here chick-a-dee...

Having some fun with my new machine...

We have a wedding this weekend for one of our dear friends and we are planning on giving them a Home Depot gift card as a wedding gift. I normally am not fans of giving gift cards but they are in the process of fixing up (more like completely renovating) their first home together & so we know how much they will appreciate a gift card to help them complete the renovation. But we all know I could not - not get them a little something. So I decided to use my talents & skills to give them something I thought would be fun & unique. Coordinating kitchen towels!

I decided adding ric-rac would be a nice touch, what do you think?! I did another one with a big "R" for their last name but didn't get a picture of it.

There are yo-yo's, fabric yo-yo's also known as my new obsession! These little things are so cute & so much fun! I will be adding lots of these to some new projects I have in the works...

Well...I still lots of packing to do before we hit the road. So tired of being on the go but excited to see The Reagan's tie the knot this weekend! I'll be back Monday with a post of our weekend with lots of photos, I'm sure! This time I won't be forgetting the camera!!

On another note, HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY AUBREY!! Nonnie & Uncle Allen will miss you this weekend but we hope you have a wonderful "under the sea" birthday party!! We love you very much & can't wait to see you at Easter!

Wordless Wednesday

Go Light Your World

As we said goodbye to Mom-mom today and celebrated her life - this song could not be more appropriate. The pastor talked about Mom-mom and how she was a lamplight rather than a starlight during her time here on earth. Being a lamplight for the sake of Christ and not a starlight for the sake of recognition. We all have the ability to be a lamplight in this life when we allow Christ to shine in us and through us.

"Take your candle and go light your world...make us a beacon in the darkest of times."

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light into my path."
Psalm 119:105

When it rains...

Time is everything in life. There is a time to live and a time to die. There are are times that fly by. There are times when life stand stills. There is a time to be angry and there is a time to let it go. There is a time to run, there is time to face it. There is a time for drought, there is a time for rain. Sweet heavenly rain.

I think at the time, in whatever season we are in - the time we are going through is only preparation for the time that is to come.

Seems that I often find myself praying for God to burden my load, ease my pain, and direct me my paths. And by paths, I mean the easy path. Seems that He does the complete opposite - for I have realized that life is no where near easy, not now or probably ever. For the most part, I have a lived a wonderful life thus far. Have always had more than I ever needed. And have always felt loved. But it seems as lately, when it rains - it pours!

From my last post, only 5 short days ago - Allen and I have endured another loss (2 losses actually).

First, on Thursday afternoon I got a phone call from AB telling me that the travel trailer that we lived in last summer "Jayco" sadly burned down to the ground at AB's parents deer lease. No more Jayco. While living in that trailer, we had our share of problems & issues. But that trailer was also very sentimental to me & AB. I like to call it our "first home!" Living in "Jayco" with AB will be a time, I will NEVER forget! We have more stories and laughs from living in that trailer, than we do of anything thus far in our marriage. It was a time of happiness. It was a time of new beginnings.

Saturday morning, AB and I had a full day planned ahead. We hit up a local church garage sale where we left empty handed. Which I'm sure made AB happy! Garage sales aren't AB's thing. We were in the neighborhood of Cadee & Eric, so we drove up & Joe happened to be outside playing so we stopped by and played with Joe for a minute or two before heading off to on of our favorite breakfast spots. We had a wonderful breakfast and as we were getting ready to leave - we received "the call." Allen's grandmother left her earthly home and went to her heavenly home sometime Saturday morning. She was found very peaceful Saturday morning with the tv on the western channel. Her favorite! We rushed home, gather up our clothes & Reno and hit the road...back to Odem for our 4th time in less than 3 weeks. We spent the weekend with Allen's family and got home yesterday afternoon. Today, I took AB's suit to the cleaners and ran some other errands, have done an insane amount of laundry since I haven't had a chance to catch up in weeks, and we will once again hit the road after AB gets off work. The memorial service will be held tomorrow afternoon. While AB's grandmother was in an assisted living, she had been doing rather well. And getting the call that she was gone was so unexpected. Life once again threw a curve ball at us, at a time we were least expecting.

Just goes to prove...there is a time for everything. There are are times that fly by. There are times when life stand stills. There is a time to be angry and there is a time to let it go. There is a time to run, there is time to face it. There is a time to live and a time to die.

My friend, Loryn told me something on Saturday that continues to play back in my head. She told me that sometimes things happen all at once so you can get over it all at once. Which I had never thought about things that way. To know God loves me enough that He is willing to give me my burdens all at once - when I already am hurting, when I already am crying, when I am already allowing Him to carry me through my pain because I know and He knows I can't do it on my own. He also knows if I didn't have trials in this life, I wouldn't need Him. I wouldn't need Him to pick up the pieces or to calm the storms - for it is when it rains, He pours his everlasting love, grace, and peace upon me. He created us in his image...He created us to be over-comers. And how can we overcome, if we have nothing to overcome?


There's a time for everything...and everything on earth has it's special season.

"Sow yourself righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, that he may come and RAIN righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12

It seems when it rains, it pours...isn't all that bad, after all. Rain often brings dark, cloudy days but the best thing about when it rains, we know the sun will soon appear. And when it does, there will be showers of blessings and we will be refreshed, just as the ground is refreshed after a much needed rain. I love that the Hosea scripture says "break up your fallow ground..." not the follow but your fallow ground. And I think He is essentially saying "break up your dry, unused soul...and prepare for what is the Lord has in store for us"

In Ezekiel 34:26, the Lord tells us "I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing"

So while it has been raining or pouring on us lately, I believe God is preparing our hearts for the showers of blessing that is to come.

"In the season of rain – still – pray for rain. Presume nothing; take nothing for granted; treasure everything." Lisa Jo, The Gypsy Mama

I hope next time you're caught in the rain...you have the chance to experience His righteousness. Look up and know the rain will not last forever. For He is just waiting to shower you with the umbrella of life, His umbrella. But also doing that storm, be thankful for the clouds that loom overhead because that rain only means He is preparing your heart for the blessings to come. At the end of every rainbow, there’s a promise proven true.

Life Update

"I’m gonna miss that smile
I’m gonna miss you my friend
Even though it hurts the way it ended up
I’d do it all again
So play it sweet in heaven
‘Cause that’s right where you wanna be
I’m not crying 'cause I feel so sorry for you
I’m crying for me" -Toby Keith, Crying for Me

Well...so much has gone on since I last posted. I hate that I haven't been keeping up with my blog as much as I'd like but such as life. But so far this year has been extremely busy, fast & furious. I don't think we have been home but 2 or 3 weekends since December. I miss our weekends at home. Seems like lately all we have done is go, go, go and go for reasons I wish we didn't - like saying goodbye to someone when you're not ready to say goodbye.

First of January, we dealt with the death of my dear cousin, John. It was completely unexpected and definitely a painful loss for so many. John left behind my cousin, his wife Debra and three boys all under the age of 10. It was so heart-breaking and is still very painful. But I must remind myself that God's plans are far more greater than ours and things of this world are not for us to understand. Mid-Janurary, we spent the weekend in Houston for my dear friend Jackie's wedding. It was so great to see her and to spend time with our other great friends, Kyle & Shanna. We also spent a night in College Station - celebrating Kyle's 30th birthday. I am so upset that I didn't take a single picture of the entire weekend. Sometimes I wonder if I even have a brain, ha. January seemed like a whirl-wind and as soon as I looked up, it was already February. I had great hopes for February but again God had other plans.

My dear cousin John, *please pray for my cousin Debra and her 3 boys as they adjust to a life without John. I can not even imagine the pain she feels.

In February, we celebrated Allen's 29th birthday. His parents came to town and we had his birthday dinner at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse. Yum! And yes the place where the girl swings above the bar. Joe was entertained! :) We had a great time and dinner was delicious. That Sunday, we also celebrated Ella's baptism. What a blessing. We did not take the camera to either event, which I am very upset about but nothing we can do about it now. Speaking of cameras, I finally got a new charger for the small point-n-shoot camera I carry in my purse - so we are good to go now with photos! AB doesn't like to take our big Canon when we go to restaurants, etc. My brother Casey also celebrated a birthday. Happy Birthday Casey!

Late February, we experienced another unexpected death in our family. On February 21, we lost a very dear family friend, Mr. Darrell. Darrell was essentially family and he will be greatly missed. Darrell had the most flowers at a funeral that I had ever seen. As well, as one of the longest processional, I have ever seen. It was unbelievable! A wonderful tribute to Darrell's life.

Darrell and I at Nancy's New Year Eve birthday dinner, December 2008

Beautiful sunset at Darrell's grave

This is the sweetest & biggest boxer I know, Ike! Darrel & Jan's beloved son. Ike has no idea he is a d-o-g! Look at those sad eyes. Please keep Jan in your prayers also as she adjust to a new life without Darrell.

We have endured so much loss this year and we are only 2 months in. But it is also a reminder of we are not guaranteed anything in this life. We are not guaranteed another day, another chance, another today or another tomorrow. For much that is lost, much is gained. AB and I have been reminded that we only get one chance to make a difference. It has been on my mind lately about what will people say about me after I am gone? What kind of impact will I have on this world? I often tell AB during the hard times (which has been a lot lately) - it won't matter what my credit score was/is or how much money I have in the bank when I die but it WILL matter what impressions I have left on someone's heart or life. It is definitely a struggle, trying to find balance between what the world tells us what we need compared to what our Heavenly Father says we need. I believe He wants us to live a simple life. A life that glorifies Him. Not a life that glorifies our bank account, the mall/stores, celebrities, and/or other people of whom we want to be like. He wants us to compare ourselves to Him, not the things of this world. Ohh, seems so simple but yet we make it so complicated. While this is the only life we get, thankfully we are promised so much more than what is here on earth. More than we can even imagine...for this is just our temporary home.

Here is to praying and hoping March will be a month of great things! And for God's mercy and grace has we find our way in this life...to a much simpler life.

And just a few photos from the last few months...

Silly boys after dinner on the Riverwalk :)

Beautiful Valentine roses

This is the life...my sweet Callie

Our baby boy, Reno

Poppy Seed Chicken

This is a great recipe and a favorite at our house. You could easily half the recipe because it does make a 9x13 pan full OR do like I do, make it then freeze what we don't eat for another meal later. This is a very popular dish in the south and I took 2 different recipes I had and combined them. I sure there are a ton of different ways to make Poppy Seed Chicken but this is how we like it at our house. As with most casseroles, it tastes so much better the next day. So I like to make it the day before and then just reheat it - so good & easy for during the week!

Poppy Seed Chicken

1 whole chicken, boiled, de-boned & chopped (you may also use chicken pieces or a package of boneless chicken breast)
2 cans of cream of chicken
1/2 cup chopped celery
16 oz sour cream
1-2 tablespoon of poppy-seeds (I don't measure just throw a palm full or so in)
3 tubes of Ritz crackers
1 stick of butter, melted
Black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook chicken & cut or tear into pieces. Mix cooked chicken, cream of chicken, sour cream, celery, and poppy seeds & black pepper. Pour into 9x13 casserole dish. Put Ritz crackers in a large zip-lock bag and crush. Add melted butter to crackers. Pour of the chicken mixture. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.


I like to eat mine over rice and AB likes his over mashed potatoes. But you don't have to eat it over anything, it's that good! I also like to serve a salad with it. I love this recipe & love that it freezes so well. Some recipes omit the celery and add almonds. Some recipes also call for cream of mushroom & cream of chicken. I just use whatever I have on hand but I normally keep both in the pantry most of the time. Don't feel like cooking chicken, I bet this recipe would be just as good with a store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Make this for your next potluck, church luncheon, or make it to take to a friend who might enjoy some good ol' comfort food. But most definitely make it for you & your own family!

Faithful & Fearless Part I

Me, this Nancy often lives a life of fear. Fear from what I am not even sure of but I do know that that small, four-lettered word holds me back from many things. I hope I can get all the things I want to say on here, and forgive me if it's kind of an all over kind of post...I have so many things I want to say and share.

Yesterday, February 10th was a day I will never forget. It started at 6:30am when I received a call to substitute, I accepted, got up, showered, got ready and headed to "my assignment." I first go to the wrong school, then go the wrong direction because I had the wrong directions, fight a ton of eager parents dropping off their children and insane amount of traffic, finally get to the right school, park and realize I can't get in because I'm parked in the back...get back in my car, go around to front (after fighting more traffic), park, go in only to hear "you're late!" as the first words of the school secretary. I was crushed. It had already crossed my mind before I even got to the school to just turn around and go home. I already felt like a failure and it wasn't even 8 in the morning. I got to the classroom, I'm sure with a "help me!" look on my face. There was a co-teacher in the class, so essentially that means I sat, okay stood all day and did absolutely nothing. Helped a few kids here and there but other than that just observed the other teacher. Not exactly a thrilling day. Yes, while I still was getting paid for the day but when I substitute, I love to get in there and be a teacher. I mean after all, that is what I want to be is a teacher - not a warm body. I think from 8am til 3pm, I spoke a total of 20 words (including to other teachers) because I have noticed as a sub, you essentially non-exist to the other teachers. Which isn't the greatest feeling in the world, but I go there to do a job and I have learned to accept it, I guess.

So my day was spent back holding back tears - for some reason I felt soooo alone. At 3am, I signed out and went to my car hoping to feel relieved yet I didn't. I pull out of the school and the tears start coming...I mean out of control, I couldn't stop them if I wanted too. And that is when FEAR sank in. Well, it always lingers in the back of my silly brain, but at that moment - I was like "God, you can't possibly be serious?!" Mind you I was not even praying, shouting at Him to hear me and pull me out of this pit because I had no words, at that moment or all day really. I fought what He was telling me to do...but I knew if I didn't follow His command and be obedient, I might never get out of that pit. And I thought...well it can't possibly make this day any worse! What is the worse that could happen? Even thought I thought and told myself, who goes to a church at 3pm, a sobbing mess especially to a church I've attended once. So I got to 1604, took a left to get on and head home...instead I stayed on the access road. Drove a couple hundred yards and pulled into the church where I attend Bible study. Okay, Allen & I have visited there once and I just started Bible study literally last week. And we have talked that it would possibly be our church home, but we haven't gotten that far. I get to the church parking lot, park in the "special needs" lot because it's closet to the door and well okay at the time I thought this was a "special needs" case. Walk into the church doors, secretly hoping the offices would be closed, they weren't. I went in - it was silent. No one was around and I just stood there, thinking okay I came no one is here, I can leave now...oh then someone walked through the day. She said can I help you? It was all I could do to say "is there someone here that can help me? or talk to me?" honestly I'm not sure what I said between all the tears. She told me the preacher was not there and if it would be okay if I spoke with someone else. She walks me to a door and well, it is my Bible study teacher. We talked for an hour and she prayed one of the most amazing prayers with me.

I left there a new person. A few hours later, I went to Bible study where we are studying the book of Revelations with Beth Moore. Who is amazing by the way! After Bible study, I started piecing my day together. You see, I don't believe in coincidences...that morning on my way to sub I was praying for my day to go well, for God to give me patience, an open heart, and all the things to do a good job! Little did I know...God was going to teach me sooo much more than all those things. Since we have moved to San Antonio, it has been an uphill battle for me. I have struggled with depression, anxiety, fear, sadness, hopelessness, all things that as a Christian I thought I was exempt from. Well, I just never really thought of myself as those things...but wow if I want to be honest with myself, then yes all those things. While I know I still have a way to go on this journey, I do know God had his hand in yesterday. And I mean all the way down to the little details. I can honestly say, yesterday which what I thought was one of the worst days ever turned out to be one of the most beautiful days in a very long time. My heart melts to know He thinks that much of me, to plan my day down to every detail...He truly amazes me!

There is so much more I want to share and remember from the day but I know this post is probably long and I don't want anyone to miss out on something because it's too long. So....

....to be continued!

This song has been on my heart and mind lately so I thought I'd share. Beware, some of the photos are graphic but so real, just be sure no little eyes are watching with you.



"Blessed are the poor in spirit, do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land;
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness...I want to be like my Jesus"
Todd Agnew - My Jesus