Turtle Power

Here are 3 of the 5 turtles we have in the tank. We started out with 3 turtles that Larry has had since he was a little boy. One came to us when my brother was living here in Ft. Worth. The turtle came knocking at his door and he brought it straight to us. Cecil, the smallest of them all, my Mom found and gave to Josh. So he comes from Seguin.


One of the oldest turtles died a year or so ago. We don't know why. My neighbor came knocking on my door one day. He had a turtle in his hand and asked if it was ours. (Obviously he would come to us first, right?) I told him yes, thinking we had a turtle trying to escape. I took it from him and put it back in the tank. Turns out it wasn't ours. What can I say, they all look alike!! So even though one died, it got replaced.

We have found other turtles but have had to sadly turn them away. We go turn them loose near the lake. 4 of our 5 turtles are skittish. As soon as someone walks outside they jump off the big rock into the water. One turtle doesn't seem to mind. I think it's because its gotten use to Sam being out there playing around the tank, throwing his toys in it and scooping water out to make mud.

Larry feeds them most anything. They eat frozen shrimp, frozen fish, turtle food and at one time dry dog food. I wish the kids weren't as picky about what they ate.

The rock you see in the picture is the one from Possum Kingdom. The one where Larry picked it up, a mouse came running out and I tried to run for the hills while knocking the kids over at the same time. We got it so all 5 turtles could fit on it. Can you see Rocky in the water? He's to the right of the rock. I can make out his body and tail.

Breckenridge Buckaroos

Grandpa and Sam. One of grandpas favorite things is to go watch his high school football team. When the team is close by the guys go watch them play. Sam loves these trips. He loves playing around on the bleachers, eating candy and being with his Grandpa.

I hope Sam is old enough to have these moments as memories.

Letting Rocky go...

Sam named his catfish Rocky. We decided to let Rocky go because Sam was getting attached. Every morning he would get up and go check on Rocky. Larry wanted filets but I think Sam would have been traumatized. Yes, I know its a fact of life but I don't think Sam is ready.

Here we are at a subdivision off of Eagle Mountain Lake. Sam was a little quiet on the ride home but I told him Rocky would find new fish friends and he would be okay.

Long Live Rocky!!!!!!

Blast from the past

This picture was taken on April 2, 2002. It was Sams first Easter. Sam was a few days shy of 3 months and Josh was 6 years old.

Sam saw this picture and started laughing because he said Josh was wearing his shirt. He obviously doesn't know what hand-me-downs are. Sam is holding Rudy. Grandpa Luna gave him this rabbit for his first Easter. He still has this rabbit. The blanket behind them is from Tia Tita. He also still has this "blankie".

Seeing this picture makes me happy and sad. I want to find this big bubble where my kids can live with no harm. But I am happy to see them growing, happy and healthy.


Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. ~Rabindranath Tagore

Teacher Appreciation

I made this frame for one of Sams teachers. The frog paper is from the Basic Grey collection, of course. The blue sheet is just a regular sheet of background paper. I got the wooden frame from Michaels. I had it sitting around in the closet for awhile. I used crystal effects to get the beads on. That stuff works good. The "little man" is a clear sticker. The verse in the middle says "I always thank God for you". I knew Ms. Paula had a baby boy and thought she would enjoy this. She sent me and Sam the sweetest thank you card. So I guess she liked it.

The frame on the right was made for Ms. Tiffany. I used the Stampin Up recollections designer paper. I used terrifically tacky tape to adhere the ribbon. Used mod podge to stick the paper on the frame, let it dry and then put another layer of mod podge on top. Easy peasy.

Score: Sam 2-0.....Larry 0-0

Alright!!! Sam does it again. The guys went out to Mineral Wells lake. Sam caught a fish, Larry and Jose did not. heehee

The catfish is two feet long and probably weighs about 4 pounds. Sam was holding the pole when the fish bit. Larry made sure the fish was hooked and then handed the pole back to Sam. Then Sam struggled and reeled it, struggled and reeled some more till he pulled it up to the top of the water. There was no way he could have pulled it in the boat, it was heavy and the fish was fighting. Larry got the net when the catfish was at the top of the water and scooped it up. Sams first words were "I got a BIG fish". Then his next words Larry says he will never forget. Sam apologized. He said "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I caught a fish and you didn't catch one". Larry isn't sure if Sam was truly apologizing or just rubbing it in his face.hahaha

Right now the catfish is in the turtle tank. He seems to be doing okay. The plan is for Larry and Sam to let it go at Eagle Mountain Lake(it's near us). That way everytime we go on the bridge over the lake Sam will know his fish is in there. I think it's something he will always remember. Better luck next time Dad!!!!

Pastor Josh

Here's Josh in the church at Clarke Gardens in Mineral Wells, Texas. I hope when the kids look back at the pictures I made them pose for they remember me as being fun not annoying.haha


Pray for peace, Josh. And lower gas prices.