Happy Birthday, Pat!

Happy Birthday, Pat! Gosh, what a year you have been through. This birthday, Christmas, and all of those celebrated days mean so much more don't they! You are a walking miracle touched by the hand of God because you are healed! Life has thrown us some curve balls and we still dodge a couple now and then, but we are hanging on to John 13:7! You are my best friend and I love you more today than yesterday! Our kids would agree with me when I say you are an awesome dad! Your friends would agree that you are loyal and kind. Lastly, your mom and family would agree that you are wonderful and all of the above. You are loved, Pat! Happy Birthday...and many more!

All my love!

xoxo

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I am behind on my blogging, but I have been at the ranch since Sunday. I tried blogging via my mobile, but it didn't work too well. Yes, I do need to change my blog template from "Christmas" to something else, but you know that takes time, right?

~~~~~

To my blogger friends! I enjoy following your blogs very much and I am able to read them via my cell phone. That is a good thing since I do not have Internet at the ranch. Many of you embraced me when I started blogging and let me just thank you by name: Kat at Justabeachkat; Linda at Engraved in His Palms; Debi at Lavender Chick, and Teresa at Living the life. You four women barely knew me, but you took the time to email and comment that you were praying for our family during Pat's illness. Thanks girls! You were part of a miracle!

~~~~~

What a relaxing weekend at the ranch. The weather was perfect. On Tuesday we worked about 25 calves. We celebrated Pat's birthday on the 31st as everyone was celebrating New Year's Eve. We cooked steaks and had the Hico neighbors over. Sis was able to come and spend the night on the 31st and then the boys joined us the next day with birthday cake and presents in hand. We had major problems at the beginning of the week with plumbing, but we were able to fix it due to our kind, retired, neighbor, plumber, and friend, Lonnie! Thanks Lonnie and Charlene for all of your help!

~~~~~

You know what I do while I am in Hico if I am not helping Pat or the usual chores of a house? I read. I started the Twilight Series and finished the first book last night. Gosh, I wish I had the second book bought so I can start it. It is really good. I thought the beginning was kind of slow, but it picked up in a hurry. I think strange things sometimes and I will just put this out there. Pat and i went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Dallas tonight. Bubba gave Pat two tickets for his birthday. It is an amazing three hour show and we just loved it. If you have seen this orchestra live, then this might make sense. If not, just disregard the next thought! When the orchestra started playing, the musicians and singers came out were wearing black, and the women were wearing flowing dresses with black boots, I felt like "Edward" and his brother and sisters would appear at any moment. (If you are not familiar with the Twilight series it is about Vampires!) The atmosphere was just right for my imagination to take off. OK..I said it!

~~~~~

I have pictures to upload, but will have to do that soon!

Happy New Year!

Hugs!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! It is almost 10:00 and I am in my pj's early and about ready for bed. I have pictures, but will upload later. Our day started about 8:00 am when the kids got up to see what Santa brought them. (Young moms out there, that is the advantage of having teenagers as they don't want to get up at the crack of dawn on Christmas mornings!) After the kids opened up presents I started breakfast...sausage, biscuits and gravy. It is guilty pleasure eating that kind of breakfast. About lunch time we drove to Dallas to visit the graveside of Pat's dad and other family members. Restland cemetery is a beautiful place and so very peaceful and calm. We sure miss Lou (also known as Papa Lou). He has been gone now since 1994. He died just before G was born! What a wonderful man he was. The afternoon was spent celebrating Christmas with Pat's mom and the rest of the kin. We had a good time! We always enjoy the Chinese Christmas exchange game. The more stealing the better! Tomorrow my side of the family comes to my house and will be here until Sunday. I foresee a lot of cleaning that has to be done tomorrow and a lot a time in the kitchen. So the question is? Would I rather travel several hours or host? I hope that each of you had a great day! Christmas seems to come earlier each year, doesn't it!

Hugs!

Merry Christmas!

We hope that you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas! Our journey through this year makes Christmas an extra special one for our family. Through Pat's cancer, we have experienced heartache, pain, fear, and the unknown. But, our God is a mighty one! He has shown himself to us through His peace, joy, love, strength, wise counsel, and guidance. He is still a God of Miracles who has heard our cries and answered our prayers. You, our family and friends, have carried and loved on us these past six months and we could have not done it without you. God used you and your prayers just at the right moment or just at the right time we needed you. So, we take this time to say thank you and that we love you. Tears come to my eyes every time I whisper "thank you", Lord. Thank you that Pat is healed. Thank you that we are changed people because you allowed us to travel on this journey although painful at times. Finally, I say thank you, Lord, for the chance to celebrate the birth of your son.

Hugs!

Almost at the Finish Line

Thursday I shopped from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm and got quite a bit accomplished. I finished wrapping what I have bought. Going to go round two tomorrow....hope I finish! I hope you are finished too!

Hugs!

?

That is all I am saying!

Still Trying to Catch Up

I shouldn't even be blogging. The tree is still begging for ornaments. There is not one Christmas decoration out except for the wreath on the door. All the family is coming to my house so I do have motivation you see! I also need to get started on my shopping, make three floral arrangements and send out Christmas cards. Yesterday I cleaned and cleaned on my office. It just needed order. Pat says it won't last long! Our dog, Ms. Bear, had to have unexpected, emergency surgery this morning. I can't spell what is wrong with her, but it is that she should have been spade a long time ago, and now her uterus is huge. She is recovering now. Oh Gosh! I dread seeing the $$$$$ on this. Four more days until school is out. I am ready! Pat's holiday vacation begins on Friday too! Bubba and Sis are loving being out of school for several weeks. Well, better get going....BTW, my family is excited today because I cooked and we will be eating a nice, juicy roast, mashed potatoes and whatever I can find to go with it! Yum!

Hugs!

G In Action

2008 McNatt Christmas

What is a McNatt? That is my maiden name. My dad, Buster, has four brothers and sisters: Fran, Virginia, who goes by Sissy, James (sometimes known as Mark) and William, who goes by Bill. To this day, this family has been tight and close since these children were born to Arby Ray and Margaret Revelle McNatt. (Their names crack me up. Many of us in the family tree carry with us these beautiful names!) Each Christmas Eve these growing families would meet in their very small house in Watauga, Texas. Maw-Maw would answer the door "Christmas Eve Gift". For many years, many of us try to call extended family members and say the phrase "Christmas Eve Gift" before the other person says it. After they passed on, our annual Christmas tradition was moved to my Aunt Sissy's home. Due to this large family, which I believe has grown to a total of 70 this year, meets the second Sunday in December. The tradition includes great food, a moment of announcements, prayers and praises, singing of Christmas carols, small children singing solos of their favorite Christmas songs, Aunt Lola singing her favorite Christmas song, and then we all sing "The 12 Days of Christmas" with everyone divided into twelve groups. Aunt Sissy and Uncle James each year insists that they get to sing the "Five Golden Rings"! It is a hoot and it really sounds terrible, but there again, tradition is important! Following that, we do the White Elephant Exchange with lots of manipulating of the exchange, laughing and stealing! We actually came home with the gift we wanted which was an air mattress. Spouses that are introduced to this event usually do not enjoy it!

Neither one of us would say this is a flattering picture (couldn't find our lipsticks either), but many say my cuz, Tonya, and I look more and more a like each year! Most of us "McNatt" girls inherited our grandmothers sunken eyes and sharp facial features!

My sister, Kelly, ended getting my floral arrangement in the White Elephant Exchange!

With over 70 people, this was my crew in our seated section. The redhead, Mr. P, and Eli (plaid shirt) were our guests! Since it is tradition that the "McNatt Famiy" sing the 12 days of Christmas, we were to sing "Six Geese a Laying and "Seven Swans a Swimming".

2008 Promises Community Christmas

Promises Christmas was a success thanks to the many, many volunteers that helped with this event. We served 555 people and all 300 children three years and older received a new bike. Just three weeks ago I was telling my friend, Melissa, that my prayer is that every child that attends our event could go home with a new bike. In the past we were able to give away approximately 30 bikes via a drawing. God heard my prayer, because this last Monday, someone donated all the bikes. I wish you could have seen the children's faces when they all heard they were going home with their very own new bike! It makes all of those long hours of planning this event worth it! Below are a few pictures of the bikes and other snapshots. Snowmen were my theme this year. What an amazing evening we had. Even though I am pooped and dragging this morning, I can't wait until next year!

I Give Up

I give up! If I didn't love Cash so much he would be an outside dog. He found a black pen today. The new black stain is about a foot from the red ink stain in the middle of the living room floor. He also got it in the dining room. When I went to get the paper towels I saw his foot prints in the kitchen. Pat said to get a bid on wood flooring. Santa, are you the one who called him?

~~~~~

My friend, Markie, told me about Faith Hill's new Christmas song called "A Baby Changes Everything". If you have not heard it, find it! I downloaded it onto ITunes and I keep playing it over and over. While we are talking music...I am also addicted to the soundtrack from the movie Holiday. It is so soothing and calming. I even like the movie. I love ITunes!

~~~~~

Pat and I had our pictures made tonight for the church pictorial. It was just him and me because the kids were not around. They really weren't very good pictures. We didn't make it in the last church directory, so we thought we would make the effort this time. Gotta get to bed!

Hugs!

Update

Many of you asked about Saturday. I was asked to be the guest speaker at a local church in a nearby town. I was expecting about 25 women to attend, but it turned out to be about 200! This was their church's annual tea. There were about 20 tables that were decorated by different people and each table had a theme. I wish I had my camera with me to take pictures of the different decorations. The tables were just beautiful. The pastor and his wife, Shelly, greeted me when I got there. What a sweet couple who are excited about pastoring a vibrant and growing church in this little town. I was blessed to be invited and to meet such nice people. I was nervous until about the time I was scheduled to speak. I asked some great prayer warriors to pray for me, so it was no surprise when I felt a peace just moments before I was to begin. My best friend, Laura, went with me to give me support and I was relieved that she was with me. What an honor and privileged to be able to give God all of the glory and tell others about our journey this past year. A journey that includes answered prayers and miracles.

Dad at Comedy Barn

This video is so funny! It will make you laugh out loud!

Isn't She Precious!

Sis and Gan Gan

Pat's grandmother is 104! She looks so good and she looks so young! We saw her this weekend and what a blessing she was to us. Gan Gan is full Czech and came over on a boat when she was a child. Below Bubba is helping her drink her coffee. Sis had just finished feeding her cake! Her roommate Elsie, who is 78, was a real treat too!

Craziness

Yep! The dust is so thick on my desk that I could write your initials in it!

Oh I am not complaining, I am really not! But it is so crazy around here. All of my calls from friends and family begin with "I know that you are super busy, but....". I am not too busy for my friends and families, so stop that! My precious husband was cleaning house when I got home from church late on Sunday morning! He will get his wife back on Sunday! You are a peach, Pat!

~~~~~

My blogger friend, Jillian at Jillian Inc. begged her fellow blogger friends to remove our pumpkins and scarecrows from the front porch as soon as possible, so I went out immediately and removed them. Thanks for the push, Jillian! But, there is still not a Christmas wreath, stocking or tree to be found around here, yet!

~~~~~

Does he look guilty to you?

May I just rant and rave for a moment though? Cash, our lovely puppy, GOT THE RED INK GEL PEN AGAIN last week. I know, I know. It is the dog's fault the first time and mine the second. I just love journaling with my red gel ink pen. I lay it down by my chair in the office when I am done. I never dreamed he would do it again! So, I tried the hair spray (four bottles, Teresa) and the spots are now pink. I even cried while I did it! I was so frustrated. The carpet is ruined now. I hope Santa will bring me some wood flooring for Christmas! Santa, do you hear me?

~~~~~

Good news! I am so excited! Every child (364 total) that is attending the Promises Dinner Saturday will receive a bike!!!! This is a dream come true and a prayer I whispered a few weeks ago. I should have known that God heard me loud and clear! Thank you Lord! My friend, Lynn, as we speak is out shopping for each bike by size and gender. I can't wait to see those kiddos' faces Saturday! Great, complete, and wonderful chaos!

Hugs!

Giving God the Glory

"If we could hear the voice of God as we sit before Him, we would never cease praying. If we realized how much the sovereign Creator esteems our passion and leans forward to hear our vows to Him, our relentless search for significance would finally end." --Beth Moore

The message has stayed with me ever since I read this in Beth's Moore Stepping Up Bible study that I just finished this week. What a perfect word picture! The reason for this post is that I am preparing for tomorrow and I ran across her words again this morning. I have been asked to speak at a ladies' tea tomorrow at a church in a nearby town. I am so humbled and honored to be asked. I am excited because I get to share what God has done in our family in the past, and most recently sharing God's miracles and answer to prayer in Pat's recent journey the past six months. It is a chance to give God all of the glory! Yes, I am nervous, but I am depending on prayer again! Thank you prayer warrior friends who have been praying for me the past two weeks.

Hugs!

Can We Trade Places, Please!

I am pooped! You want to trade places with me "Revolt"?

When I went to Colorado I got to meet Dana and Greg's cat, Revolt! This is how he sits around everyday. We thought he would enjoy a DP while changing the TV with his remote!

The Great Hunter

Here is a picture of Pat and his 11-point buck he shot the weekend before Thanksgiving. We are currently enjoying Bubba's deer albeit deer jerky, bacon and summer sausage! I guess it is more deer for the freezer!

G in Action

The above are pictures of G's second game of the season, but I missed the first game because I was in Colorado. I have to give our friend, Tim, credit again for these great pictures. It would take me about 50 pictures to get one good shot. I love basketball season. We have a whole weekend of it coming up! Go Cougars!

Promises Christmas Video 2007

Below is a video from last year's Promises Community Christmas! Those smiling faces say it all!

All of the RSVP's are in and we are expecting 622 people to attend the big event on the 13th! 352 children!

Christmas Get To Know Me

I took the challenge from Leah at South Breeze Farm

Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Gift bags

Some of both Real or Artificial tree?
Artificial

When do you put up the tree?
Sometime the week after Thanksgiving

When do you take the tree down?
The tradition when Pat was growing up was to wait until after New Year's Eve since that is his birthday, but I can't wait that long anymore!

You like eggnog?
Yes I do!

Favorite gift received as a child?
I don't remember.

Hardest person to buy for?
Pat

Easiest person to buy for?
Elizabeth or Laura

Do you have a nativity scene?
Use to

Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail

Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
A plain $2.00 spiral that she called a "journal"

Favorite Christmas movie?
Don't really watch them

When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually right after Thanksgiving, although I did buy some a few weeks ago.

Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
No

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Anything sweet!

Lights on the tree?
Yes - white

Favorite Christmas song?
Carol of The Bells

Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Both this year

Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?
Yes and Oliver too! (You know, "Olive the Other Reindeer"

Angel on the tree top or a star?
Angel

Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Eve!

Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Long lines and traffic

Favorite ornament theme or color?
All of the ornaments my mom has given me each year since my birth

Favorite for Christmas dinner?
Still like turkey!

What do you want for Christmas this year?
Money can't buy what I want!

Favorite thing about Christmas?
Promises Christmas Dinner, and when the five of us sit go to the Christmas Eve service every year!