Where O Where Are You?

Thanks everyone who has helped with Little Buckaroo's education. When he graduates Valedictorian from college, I will make sure he thanks all of you.

This has become so much more than I initially thought when I blogged yesterday, Little Buckaroo is so excited. We are going to make a map of where you all live and study your states/towns. So, please, if you have not let me know where you live and something fun, interesting, or even quirky about your town, let us know. We are getting the glue, scissors, and paper ready for our ultimate Bloggy Map. I will take a picture of course and post it later.

Thanks again for helping educate my child!

The Park Wife

Geography 101

Little Buckaroo LOVES maps - seeing where rivers run, places are, and interesting things about the places. He really loves his globe that my college roomate from New Orleans sent him a few years ago - Aunt ChiChi rocks!

So, in an effort to keep things fun, I am enlisting your help. Please send me where you live and a fun, interesting, cool, quirky, thing about your town. If you would rather be anonymous and not let me know exactly where you live (which I totally understand), let us know of a great place you have visited and some interesting facts about it.

My good friend Mapper, you might as well email me because you are a wealth of geographichal knowledge and I don't think the comment section will hold your list.

Thanks for your help educating my child!

The Park Wife

First Woodworking Project

COMPLETE!

We are going back to our newly acquired land this weekend! Now, we are still working on a road into where we plan to build the cabin and we are a ways out from breaking ground. But, there are things that we need to have while we are out there working, especially with 2 little boys. So, Big Buckaroo constructed this:

Isn't it great. A place to sit and eat!!!! Now I have to put a coat of paint on the bench seats today, but I had to wait because my awesome hubby routed our names into the benches! I just imagine one day adding the Little Buckaroo's wives names and then their kids names to it (in that order I pray). It is big, sturdy, very nice and well, very heavy. Although Big Buckaroo will take it apart, it is going to be HARD getting it to the campsite (remember the road is not complete).

There is plenty of room for guests, so pack a picnic and head this way! (you can help carry it in to the campsite while I direct, hehe)

The Park Wife

Men and Directions

Yes, men and directions in the same sentence, baffling I know.

Big Buckaroo is going to their state office at the capitol today, and even though he goes there often, he will get a little turned around. He blames it on the one-way streets, trying to find a "quicker" way, and on and on. But, ladies, you know it is because men are unable to give or take directions. Adam did not know where the Tree of Good and Evil was, Eve had to show him how to get there.

Case in point - as I was preparing for my trip "Deep in the Heart of Texas", I asked Big Buckaroo which Highway I took off of the main Interstate to get there, he said he would look at a map and let me know. I also called Dee and asked her to ask her hubby which one to take. Now, they have been to our house at this Park numerous times and we have been to their home. So, I figured one of them would just spout off the number of the highway.

Well, I got something like this:
Start out going southeast for about 8 miles, then merge onto the Interstate going South, turn West for a mile, then turn northeast. Take the Hwy 1 exit and go South. Ladies, I do not have a GPS in my car, I don't own a compass, or know how to use a sundial. Plus, it was dark, so don't tell me that I should look for where the sun is setting to get my bearings. Even if it was sunset, I still would not know which way was north and which was south.

I NEED landmarks. Now, Dee could help me out here. A conversation with her would go more like this. Go into town, turn right after Walmart, go a little ways until you see Target and the movie theater. You will need to take this exit, it will take you right by the mall (look on the road across from the mall because you will see Hobby Lobby and they are having a big sale). Now, don't turn by McDonald's go on down by Starbucks (a national landmark, right?) You will then go 200 miles, turn right by the Olive Garden, go two blocks, pass the white house with the big columns (next to the brick one that needs their shutter's painted). Go through the stop sign and the house in on the left.

Postscript: these are not actual directions to Dee's house in case you are wanting to go by for a visit.

For all you men who are in denial about being able to give and take directions, you should send your women to get directions! Don’t allow your pride to get in the way. Send in the woman!

Hehe, I love you Big Buckaroo, I hope you make it home before dark. (he has to have at least one flaw.)

Lost at the Park,
The Park Wife

Girls of Grace Huge Success

Why is it that it takes you about 8 hours to decorate for an event and about 15 minutes to tear it down?

The Little Buckaroo's and I spent 8 hours at our church on Friday with a few other ladies decorating for the Girls of Grace simulcast. The Buckaroo's did great! They watched the DVD player I brought, colored, played cowboys (is it alright to have pistols in a sanctuary?), dinosaurs, and "helped" us prepare for a wonderful day for teenage girls in our community.

The conference was fabulous and I pray that it touched these girls. Chris Wheeler, a youth minister out of Nashville, TN was awesome. As a big brother, he shot it straight with the girls. He reminded/told them that they are all God's princesses and that the young men that they are around in school are not and will not be ready until some point during or after college to be the MEN that they want them to be for them. They are just BOYS and until they become MEN they are not prepared to treat them how they deserve to be treated. He went on to tell them that only a man can help a boy become a man, they can not. At this time in their lives, their dad's should be the one that is showing them that they are princesses, that they are special and worthy. But, isn't it sad how many young ladies don't have a Godly man in their life that is doing that for them? It breaks my heart.

The Point of Grace ladies were wonderful! I highly recommend this conference to any of you out there that have teenage girls.

I am now recuperated from a few days of pink and purple, daisy's and butterflies. I am back to reality with my gun-toting, dinosaur playing Little Buckaroo's. How blessed I am to have a husband that is growing these two boys into the men God created them to be.

I must go de-glitter some more, or actually, maybe I will just leave it so I will shine like the princess God made me.

Until tomorrow,
The Park Wife

Are those specks of gray hair?

Oh no, Miss Clairol has not let me down, it is glitter.

I am covered in glitter, purple and pink paint, and there are butterflies and daisy's all over my house. No, I have not been drinking drinks with colorful little umbrellas in them, I am helping our church prepare for Girls of Grace Nation simulcast this Saturday. This is a wonderful ministry of the group Point of Grace.

Girls of Grace Nation offers teenage girls a day of straight-talk, encouragement, laughter, and music, not to mention personal and spiritual growth.

We are all very excited and well, tired. But, I know it is going to be an extraordinary day! Needless to say, I will not post tomorrow because I am going to be washing glitter out of my hair and then going to the conference.

Have a blessed weekend!
The Park Wife

Littlest Buckaroo- Portrait by Photoshop

Although I used Photoshop a little in my "professional" work pre-Buckaroo's, I do not know much about all the features of Photoshop offers now. I blame it partly on those two epidurals, I am sure that when they pushed that numbing medicine in my back, they sucked out some of my memory cells. Alright, I know that memory cells have to do with computer memory, so certainly I can blame it on my lack of computer savvyness, right?

Anyway, all of you that have more than one child know that you take a jillion pictures of the first child and then it wanes a bit with the next one. I have been trying recently to take more pictures of the Littlest Buckaroo so he will know that he actually did live with us as a child and I got motivated after seeing the Photoshop tricks that Pioneer Woman (my blog inspiration and wanna be best blog friend) used on her recent contest photo. So, I got to work on Littlest Buckaroo in a picture that epitomizes his personality. If you have read my blog for any period of time, you know he wears his gunbelt the majority of the day, even at nap time and we have to tear it off of him for his bath.

So, here is the picture straight out of the camera, pretty blah! Although he sure is cute, and yes he has on his rubber boots, I guess I should not let a 2-year-old dress himself.

Now, I have used some of PWs tips from her blog yesterday.

So, what do you think? Which do you like?

I want to print one and frame it for Big Buckaroo to put up in his office at the Park. Also, since PW's Photography/Photoshop blog will not be launched until the first of March, I am not sure that I did all the things that I should have done. Help! Is there anyone out there who has more memory cells than I do!

Going to recharge,
The Park Wife

It's a Beautiful Day...

in the neighborhood.

We had an exceptionally beautiful day yesterday and the boys were able to play outside. It has been getting a little too close for comfort sometimes this winter. My boys are, well, ALL boy. They need to expend alot of energy and be outside adventuring.

Little Buckaroo expends so many calories that we can't keep his pants up. I think there is a sagging pants law in some cities. I guess we should invest in a belt before he is arrested at the age of 5. Now, I am only kidding, I think that these boys that walk around with their pants half down is ridiculous.

Littlest Buckaroo loves playing on their playground. Yes, that is a satellite dish on their playground. Little Buckaroo loves to learn processes of things. Ask him where electricity comes from, or what happens when you flush the toilet, or how a satellite dish works and he will explain it to you. So, during his satellite obsession his daddy found an old one and attached it to their "house". If only they could get PBS up there I could get some things done in the yard.

These were taken yesterday, not last year!!!! For all of you still covered in snow, this is to show you the promise of Spring, yes, it will come although right now I bet you are tired of shoveling snow.


A close-up just so you will know that yes, you really were seeing Jonquils.

We are heading into the Park for a bike ride to rid the house of some of their pent up energy.

Have a wonderful day,

The Park Wife

Legendary Love

On the news recently, I saw someone about town with a microphone asking people who in their opinion was the best President and why. You got some standard answers and then there were some much more profound and backed up with reasons other than “he wears boxers”.

With it being an election year and yesterday being President’s Day, I started to think back to my 9th grade history class and what I learned, well memorized and since forgotten. Then, I thought (since I had some brain cells to fill in that American History deleted area), what if I got cornered by some reporter and they asked me that question? My initial reaction would be to run. But, then I thought I should ponder this question and be prepared if it happens so I will not look like such a loser.

Now, I don’t know a lot of political stuff, but I do know that what I look for in anyone that leads any group of people is someone that I respect for their goodness, strength, and conviction. So, in my opinion, the best President in recent history was Ronald Reagan.

His contributions are many, from ending the Cold War to the complete disarmament of all nuclear arsenals. He was very popular, in 1984 he was reelected with the largest number of popular and electoral votes in U.S. history. But, that is not why I chose him, my reason is...well, it may be silly to some but it is because Reagan unabashedly loved his wife, their love is legendary. Now, that is what makes a real man.

It has been reported that the couple walked hand in hand always, and they often left love notes for one another. And, you know my feelings about love notes. She put out a book years ago that had many of his love letters to her in it (with the proceeds going to Alzheimer’s research). It was said that both his eloquence and his passion for her never died, no matter where he was or where she was -- sometimes they were in the same room. Can you imagine that?

A love letter that he once wrote aboard Air Force One reads: “When you aren’t here I’m no place, just lost in time and space. I more than love you, I’m not whole without you.” OH MY! Now, are you just melting?

"My life really began when I married my husband," said Nancy Reagan, who in the 1950s happily gave up an acting career for a permanent role as the wife of Ronald Reagan and mother to their children. “A woman's real happiness and real fulfillment come from within the home with her husband and children," she says.

UMM… now I know some people would say that kicks all the women’s lib progress in the behind. But, as a SAHM who sometimes reminisces of my “professional years” and feeling somehow inadequate because I no longer make a great salary, this is heartwarming. It puts it all into perspective for me, it refocuses on what is important in my life. I am proud to be known as The Park Wife, not PR executive, marketing genius, nor special events guru.

My job is being wife to Big Buckaroo and mother to our children. I do not see myself or my life as separate from that. And yes, my life began with Big Buckaroo.

Here are a few excerpts from letters Ronnie wrote to Nancy:

From the governor's office of the state of California. "Dear Mrs. Reagan, your loving faithful devotion has been observed these 19 -- some say 20 -- years. There are no words to describe the happiness you've brought to the gov. It's no secret that he is the most married man in the world and would be totally lost and desolate without you. It seemed to me you should know this and be aware of how essential you are in this man's life. By his own admission, he is completely in love with you and happier than even a gov deserves. With love and appreciation, your in love gov."

Darling Mommie Poo. February 14th may be the day they observe and call Valentine's Day, but that is for people of only ordinary luck. I happen to have a Valentine life, which started on March 4th, 1952, and will continue as long as I have you. Therefore, realizing the importance of this to me, will you be my Valentine from now on and forever and ever? You see my choice is limited. A Valentine life or no life, because I love you very much. Poppa."

"My beloved first lady: I'm supposed to be sitting here with my fingers crossed watching you open a package. I, of course, would be hoping it was something you really wanted, something that would show how much I love you. You see, I have this problem. I miss you when you first leave the room; I worry about you when you go out the front door. Now, this isn't good for me, not since my transplant, you into my heart 29 years ago next March. Without you, there would be no sun, no moon, no stars. With you, they are all out at the same time. Merry Christmas, my love. Your husband."

AMAZING!

Now, go appreciate your love and your life, I am,
The Park Wife

Order & Harmony Restored in Texas

I had a wonderful weekend in Texas helping my friend fairygodmotherdee (Dee) organize her home. Her family is adopting a teenage boy from their church and their spare room contents were spread throughout her house, primarily in her bedroom.

She was desperate, but the good thing is, she was not in denial and asked for help. Asking for help and doing what it takes to make the changes is the first step in creating the life you imagine in your home and in all aspects of life.

Now, Dee has a professional job, her hubby too, and two teenage children to keep up with. To say her plate is full is an understatement. So, having a haven to come home to, a place where the stresses of the day melt away is very important. She has made the first step in making her home a place that when people walk in to it they say, "boy, it is good to be here". With God's unconditional love and promised strength, (and a little nudge, well big push from The Park Wife) she is going to be able to manage her home more efficiently.

So, we got started. This is the view walking into Dee's bedroom. We purged and purged. We took out things that did not reflect the life that she envisions for herself and her family.

And, ahhhh! Serenity. A bedroom that gives her a place to breathe!

We then worked on the living room and then before I left, I helped her with her pantry. This girl has more potato chips than the Pringle's man. But, her potato chip problem pales in comparison to her candle addiction. We have talked about a 12 step program to help her with the 63 candles that I gathered in her house. So, on to the pantry re-organization.

Wow, I am not sure she realized what all she had in there. The grocery store clerks are going to be calling in a week or so to make sure she is alright because she does not need to go there for a while. Stock in Brookshire's will be plummeting, so you better sell now.

Thanks Dee for being a good sport and letting me put this on my blog. I have done some organizing jobs in the town close to us. Mostly for people at church and for free. But, I think I have found my niche, I travel out of town to help you guys reorganize, I get a weekend away from dinosaurs, Diego, and diapers, and you get to really know The Park Wife. I work cheap, just ask Dee, all it took was the promise of Dr. Pepper and Ranch dressing and I hit the road.

Now, in actuality, I missed my boys. When I talked to Little Buckaroo on Saturday, remember he is 5, he said "mom, everything I see around here reminds me of you" and all the "I miss you so much" pulled those heart strings. I only cried once, probably because I was knee deep helping price Yard Sale items and did not have much time to think about what was happening back at the Park.

O.K. all you that know me know, that is an exaggeration, I thought about my guys all the time.

Big Buckaroo did a great job with the boys and they had a great time together. However, I do think that he was happy to put on his park uniform and head into the Park this morning.

So, get on my calendar early, The Park Wife Organizer is open for business.

Happy President's Day,

The Park Wife

Deep in the Heart of Texas

I am preparing to leave for the weekend, without husband nor children. Yes, this will be the first time in 6 years that I have been away for a weekend without a pack-n-play, goldfish snacks, or G-rated DVD's in my car. Yes, you read this right, I have never spent a weekend without my kids in almost 6 years!!!!!!

My friend and frequent blog visitor, fairygodmotherdee, has invited, um begged, and even thrown in a little whining to intice me to take a weekend away from the Buckaroos. There is a purpose behind her begging, I mean invitation. She and her hubby have adopted a high school boy and their spare room contents are now primarily on her bedroom floor and the rest is scattered in other areas of the house. Her house has become a HUGE stress point in her life.

Since I have an organizational gene, I am going to go and pretend to be one of the organizers on Mission Organization. I will take alot of pictures of before and after for the blog. Fairygodmother said I would get alot to talk about for the next few weeks on my blog from this weekend away.

Wish me luck bringing order to chaos, restoring some order and harmony, while visiting with a very dear friend. Um, well, I hope she will still be my friend after I make her get rid of that Mr. Potato Head collection, paper clip tower, and church bulletins from the last year (o.k. I may be exagerating a bit).

Until Next week,
The Park Wife

Cowboy Up!

Wild at Heart

Littlest Buckaroo wears his gun belt all day long and his hat most of the day. I have put that belt on a zillion times this past week. Sometimes, frankly, it just wears me out, but it is so cute.

However, this cowboy stage is a great teaching tool and Big Buckaroo and I should and are trying to take advantage of this window of teachable moments.

Through his daily "cowboying up" I can expound on his strength of adventure-- allowing it, encouraging it and experiencing it. "The Way of the Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge says, "Christian men and boys need something "epic" for which to fight, something beyond themselves worth giving their lives for with abandon." I want them to fight for what is right and good in this world, a world that seems to be filled with so many grey areas.

Although it is hard and stresses my tee-tiny brain, these opportunities will mold the Buckaroos. I want them to know hard work, how to feed their soul with God's word, where living intentionally is key, for much is at stake.

I want my boys to be able to answer in the affirmative to "do I have what it takes/can I handle this?"

And, to live it.

Git along, little dogies.
The Park Wife

The Love Letter

If any of you read my Bucket List yesterday, number 3 was to write more love letters to my husband. What better time to do this than for Valentine's Day.

Our husbands long to hear what is in our hearts and this can be one of the most romantic things you can do. Now, I do not profess to be a great writer, or eloquent, but I don't think Big Buckaroo is expecting something more than just how I feel about our life, our love, our marriage.

So, in my effort to rekindle marriages out there, to have a written legacy of your love that will be found one day by your grandchildren, I am going to give you a guide to get started on writing your hubby a wonderful love letter. It will rank right up there with that cool new tool that you got him.

First, presentation is important. As easy as it would be to type something up and print it off, it won't have the same impact as something you handwrite. Choose some nice paper and get started.

Next, content is everything. Find some time when you can sit down and not be distracted. I know, I know, as mom's we don't even to get to go to the bathroom alone. But, get the kiddos involved in something, grab a cup of coffee and lock yourself in a closet if necessary. Have a photo of you and hubby during an exciting, happy time and look at it. This will help to get your mind focused on your love and not on the fact that he forgot to put the toilet seat down this morning and you almost fell in. If your mind starts to stray, begin to pray and ask God for the word's to say in your letter because what a better model --- God is love!

Then, make some notes. List qualities that you admire about your husband, things you appreciate that he does. Now, men are not going to admit it, but they love to know that you think they are handsome, that you are still attracted to them. So, let him know.

The most critical part of the letter is your feelings. Focus on the heart. Let him know how you feel when he walks in the room (imagine him bringing you coffee in bed if you need to focus on the positive), when he plays with the kids, when he goes that extra mile for you.

Try not to settle for bland, familiar words. The thesaurus can be your friend.

Now, after you have your masterpiece written, and you have spent all the time that you can (meaning one episode of Diego is over and the kids are yelling for you) it is time to think about how it will be delivered. Get creative, you could hide it in his briefcase so he sees it when he gets to work, leave it on the dashboard of his Ranger vehicle (or whatever he drives) or put it on his pillow.

Recommendation: give it to him before you give him that tool he has been wanting or his mind will be focused on the bazillion projects he has planned for that cool new drill gun.

When you are out shopping (picking out your Valentine's Day present in case he forgot), look for a nice box for him to put the letters in and maybe he will even write you some to put in it. Don't let this be a one time thing, try to do it at least once a year.

The written word is VERY powerful, especially when it comes from your heart and sent to your one true love.

So, go get started. Yes, right now beacuse Diego is on!

I would also love to hear about what kind of wonderful Valentine's Day plans that you have for the one you love. Leave a comment and let me know, it might provide a good idea for those out there struggling to find something special to do for their spouse this year.

Hugs and Kisses,
The Park Wife

My Bucket List

My friend onecowgirl asked some of her bloggy friends, including me, to make our Bucket List. The Bucket List is a movie about corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers who have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list.

I don't plan on dying soon, so here are some things I will focus on for the next 50 years.

The Park Wife's Bucket List
1. Grow old with Big Buckaroo, swinging on the porch of our cabin watching our grandkids play.
2. Raise our boys to be warrior's for Christ.
3. Write more love letters to my husband.
4. Write our love story to be passed down to our grandcildren as an example of what true love and devotion is.
5. Laugh more
6. Slow down and enjoy the beauty that is all around me.
7. Be a better friend.
8. Go on a trip to Ireland. Cycle the countryside if my old soccer knees can handle it. Then on to Tuscany and a few other places I want to explore.
9. Become a better gardener (I have a brown thumb and no it is not because of my spray-on tan mishap.)
10. Go on some mission trips
11. Write for a publication about things I am interested in.
12. See my boys madly in love with the woman that God has chosen for them (and for me to like them). See them get married and have families.
13. And for my Little Buckaroo, fight to have Pluto be recognized as a planet again.

I better go get started. What's on your list?
The Park Wife

O give me a home....

Where the Buckaroos can roam,

where the deer

and the Buckaroo's play.

Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,

And the skies are not cloudy all day!

How often at night when the heavens are bright, With the light from the glittering stars, Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed, If their glory exceeds that of ours.

We have our home on the range, well maybe it's not on the range. It is a little more of woods, but it is glorious and we are amazed at our blessings.

We signed the papers, gave them the check, and we are now land owners!!! We camped out on our land this past weekend and got to work on building a road into where we will build our cabin. It was VERY cold at night, but the days were beautiful. My whole body hurts from working so hard.


Oh, what is that I see in the distance? The beginning of the road? and...

My Big Buckaroo is single-handedly cutting down the trees for the road. Oh, my hero!

I must go take some Ibuprofen now,

The Park Wife

Sanford & Son Revisited

Do any of you remember at the beginning of Sanford & Son when their truck was driving off full of junk in the back? That is what we look like today as we head to our new land!!! We sign the paperwork on our dream property at 11 am this morning and will then go camp there for the weekend. Yes, I have 12 layers of clothes packed along with dinosaur's, toy guns, and the other bazillion things that Little Buckaroo said you HAVE to have when you are going camping (well, maybe I editted down the amount of toys just a bit, who needs a xylaphone in the woods?)

So, if any of you see a truck filled way beyond what you think is possible according to the rules of gravity, wave to us!

Have a great weekend. I will be back on Monday with my Bucket List (the list of everything I want to do before I die). My friend One Cowgirl challenged me and others to make a list and post it. Have you worked on yours?

The Park Wife

Pacific Coast Dreaming

Things that make you go hmm.

I am not sure if I have any excuses for this picture. Do you think I am ready for a little warm weather so they can play outside? Cooped up kids make for wild play ideas and a crazy mom.

Little Buckaroo decided that the Pacific Ocean was going to flood our house (at 8am this morning) hence his swim shorts, floaties, goggles and binoculars. He talked his little brother in to being prepared for the flood, but the whole time he just said "play guns?" No flood is going to slow down Walker, Texas Ranger, he just planned on kicking and karate chopping it until it receeded. Chuck Norris would be so proud.

I am going to fill up the bathtub up now, since we live no where near the Pacific Ocean this will have to do. Later, we will have to do a geography lesson.

Trying to keep warm,
The Park Wife

Praise You in the Storm

The topic of conversation in our area today is not how many delegate votes each candidate received, but yesterday's storms that rolled through the South. Big Buckaroo was out of town on Park business and was standing in downtown Memphis with tornado horns going off all around last night. He is fine and is on his way home today. Unfortunately, many were not as fortunate. My heart goes out to the families of those who lost loved ones, their homes, and for some of them, hope.

Storms are something that I have learned alot about in the past few years at this historical park. Not because of the threat of tornadoes - the threat of physical harm - but the threat of succumbing to fear and self-pity. I have learned that when I stand up, God stands with me. When I ground myself in His Word, I become not only determined to stay His course, but to become all He created and designed me to be.

If there ever were a test of our faith, if there was a test of the motives of our worship, it is when a storm rolls into our lives. Sometimes God calms our storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us.

The first time I heard Casting Crown's song Praise You in the Storm I was moved to tears and still every time I hear it I am touched.

"And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm."

What an AMAZING God we serve.

Dear God, I pray for the families effected by the storms that raged through our area last night. I pray they will feel Your presence with them and that they will lean on You until their storms end.

Psalm 121:2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The Park Wife

Bloggity/Ministry Help

I used to get frustrated bloggy friends because I don't get many comments/feedback from my blog, except when Big Buckaroo sits down to read and laughs or sighs. But, I have changed my way of thinking and am happy that you guys just stop by and have any interest in my mundane life. However, I have now become obsessed with coffee (that's another story) and my free counter that I put on my blog on December 1. Today it hit 10,239!

I might need to seek help, does anyone know any good blog world counselors?

On another note, I need your help. I, along with a group of women at my church, are trying to start/revive the Women's Ministry. We have had some very successful fellowships with women of all ages in attendence, have started a new Bible study and are planning on simulcasting Girls of Grace this month. So, I have designed a shirt for our group, but I need some help. I need a Bible verse to put on it. On the front left pocket area it will have our church name and city and on the back it will have the graphic below. Please send me your ideas for a verse that would be appropriate. I designed the graphic, so if anyone needs it for their women's ministry, let me know and I will send it to you.

Thanks in advance,

The Park Wife

Super Soul Day

In honor of the Superbowl yesterday, we spent the day celebrating with football and food.

First, there had to be a game of football in the yard. Little Buckaroo has a strong arm and is very smart, he will be in the NFL as a quarterback soon.

Littlest Buckaroo will play on the same team as wide receiver. I don't know how Olivia Manning does it when she has to watch Peyton and Eli play each other.

Little Buckaroo is so good to play with and teach his brother, he is very patient.

And, this is the thanks he gets, tackled by Littlest Buckaroo.


Backyard football just wears you out. Actually, Littlest Buckaroo loves playing "Walker, Texas Ranger". After being shot he lays there until someone kisses him to wake him up.

We over-indulged on football food. The first course was seven layer dip while the...

...bacon wrapped jalapenos with onion and cream cheese were cooking. Yum!


Then, Hot Wings with freshly made Ranch dressing. Are you getting hungry? I am not because Big Buckaroo and I ate WAY too much! We also has Kielbasa sausage cooked on the grill but I was so full I could not get up to go out and take a picture of those.

I am very sorry for you die hard Patriot fans. We pulled for the Giants, of course, since we had a Mississippi boy (Eli played at Ole Miss) quarterbacking. Mostly though, the day was about being together as a family and making some wonderful memories. Operation Super Soul Day complete.

Until tomorrow,

The Park Wife

Hardwork + Preparation = Naptime

We are preparing to close on our land next Friday. It is 3 hours from our current park and we plan to spend the weekend there camping out. We have been cutting wood today. Big Buckaroo has worked very hard sawing and chopping. Following the morning of work, we made a run to town to buy a chain for his chainsaw, a much better idea in my arms opinion (not that I did much, Big Buckaroo is quiet the woodsman, he is napping now).


This is the small pond on the property that is full of fish. The Little Buckaroo's are going to have so much fun fishing, skipping rocks, playing with remote control boat, etc.

This is one of the many rock walls on the property, I love rocks! But, I have a feeling my arms, back, legs, um whole body, is going to be hurting pretty bad after moving these rocks to new locations.

Thanks for all the well wishes on our new land!

Have a safe Superbowl weekend,

The Park Wife

Fish Slapping?

Today is grocery shopping day and it just wears me out, not the kids because they handle a 1 1/2 hour Wallyworld trip like pros. It is just the whole list planning, getting there and going down every isle, yes every food isle sees our bright shining Friday morning faces every other Friday. If I do not do this, I will inevitably forget something, even though it is on the list.

Oh, and the list, it is like doing Algebra to me, it wears me out. There is no reason to put numbers and letters together in Algebra and there is no reason to put butter on the list next to sour cream. Well, except for the fact that I usually have to ALWAYS backtrack for something I forgot on the very first isle. One day I am going to become a grocery list expert... but not today.

The Buckaroos always make it fun and exciting. One day last year I was checking out the various kinds of rice when I heard a VERY loud little boy voice, um coming from my basket, screaming "EVIL PEOPLE, STOP LYING, STOP STEALING AND STOP SLAPPING PEOPLE WITH FISHES" (Veggie Tales Jonah, my favorite, yeah right).

My eyes are huge at this point and I looked around and there were only a few people on our isle, but I know he could be heard at least over in produce and probably over at the eye center.

This day began the Wallyworld preaching stage that Little Buckaroo went through. This happened often with sometimes the same fish message but then other times he would just preach on whatever he wanted. One of his favorite things was to yell when you first walk in Wallyworld where you get your basket because it has great acoustics and his 4-year-old little self knew that was the best place to tell the evil people to stop littering.

So, yes, I am the mom of the preaching kid on isle 7. But, in the end, I am alright with it because believe me, I have heard some things come out of kids mouths in Wallyworld that would send me right to the soap isle if they were my kids.

Oh, and by the way, I don't think you can count Little Buckaroos Wallyworld sermon as your worship for the week, it has been tried and did not cut it.

Happy Shopping,
The Park Wife