25 Things the Blanco Family Experienced After One Whole Year in Texas…
1. Camped with the alligators in the rain (almost!)
2. Accidently picked up a baby water moccasin (viper) in the backyard
3. Seen too many dead armadillos to count, but no living ones
4. Bumped into an opossum with the van (Daddy!), and knocked it silly (it’s alive!)
5. Rode a camel – Jovanni , Bess and Gavin
6. Drove through fog so thick you can’t see the car in front of you
7. Swam in the ocean with jumping fish and diving birds (which were eating the jumping fish!) One fish slapped Bess in the face with its tail before it fell back into the water!
8. Fell in love with Texas Land and Cattle Restaurant (best chicken fried chicken in the state!)
9. Drove back to AZ to visit family and friends, then drove back home to Texas (You ever driven across the entire state of Texas?! Oh yeah? With two vehicles, six kids, two dogs and three semi-grumpy adults?!)
10. Picked bluebonnets near Brenham (which we later found out was totally illegal!)
11. Learned the Texas state pledge
12. Lived first in an apartment, then in our dream two-story home – now the kids have to help us clean, but they really don’t mind!
13. Played on the beach of South Padre Island, Texas, with Tio Byron and Tia Illiana, where we truly enjoyed the sun-drenched island and all there was to do there.
14. Worked at a nursing home with wonderful Grandpa’s and Grandma’s who have Alzheimer’s – where there is NEVER a dull moment! (Bess)
15. Drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit Grandpa Corky and family. Took six kids, three adults and two rambunctious puppies (Cagney and Lacey!)
16. Rescued a tiny baby kitty, then promptly gave it away – NO CATS!!!
17. Went to the Houston Zoo, where the kids were prairie dogs for a moment!
18. Swam and played at Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunsfels (with Tio And Tia again!), the largest water park in the world. (Mom stayed in the kiddie section with Sophie – we burnt up, but loved it!)
19. Went to Dallas for a whole week without ANY family (Jovanni)– Youth For the Nations Camp – Jovanni hated the food, but will be forever impacted by the worship, fellowship and training he received there!
20. Mom and Dad flew to Alabama (gorgeous state – at least northern AL, which is in the Tennessee River Valley.)
21. Made some really good friends who have helped us feel at home here!
22. Ate at Cheddar’s for the first time. We really enjoyed the nachos (Jovanni) and crescent rolls (Bess).
23. Got promoted for a long-worked-for position, Project Manager! (Juan)
24. Found a church where “Everyone is a minister!” and settled into the church family
25. Missed our friends and family back in sunny AZ – Have a wonderful holiday season and joyous new year!!!
This countdown's purpose is to generate questions! Ask us anything about these fun stories, we'd love to tell you!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
What Do You Have To Be Thankful For?
It's 2010, and it's Thanksgiving Day again this Thursday. I'm so excited, the turkey is thawing, the pie ingredients sitting in my pantry, ready to be beaten, tossed, rolled and baked into scrumptious goods for our bellies, devoured with family and friends around a warm, cozy kitchen.
Thanksgiving Day is my absolute favorite holiday, hands down. Especially since about three years ago, when our life as the Blanco family was looking up again after the hardest time of our lives! Anyone who doubts God's goodness and provision should just let Juan and I tell you even ten minutes of our story, and you will know, by the gleam in our eyes and the wide smiles on our faces, how good our God is! Life can be tough, and unfair, and flat out miserable sometimes. God knows that, and He always give enough grace and love and strength to get us through. And not just through it, but better for it!
So I have ALOT to be thankful for this holiday. My handsome, godly man and the integrity he lives every day by. The way he holds me every day, kisses me every night, and values me as his wife and mother of his children. My strapping young son and his tender heart, the way he cares for his sisters, even when the estrogen levels reach "overboard" in this house! At twelve, he has a sense of God's call on his life, and holds an incredible heart for God. My oldest daughter and lifesaver, Isabella. At nine, she is "little mama," nurturer, family cheerleader, Sophie's life teacher, and everybody's friend. Gigi, in her six year old innocence, is very wise, too loud and wonderfully humerous! She lights up any room she enters, and her charm is endearing, even right after she's made you steaming mad! Sophie, our "baby" at two, (almost three) is gorgeous, delightfully stubborn, and never boring! She has the voice of an angel, and is painfully shy outside of the house. She has many admirers, as she sports the favor of the Lord on her and her life!
You see, the most important things in my life are not things at all. I know what it is like to lose those most precious to you. I've lost them before. God in His mercy saw fit to restore me my family and future. And I'm so very, very grateful for that.
I'm thankful for the family of God, His people who embrace eachother, share in life with eachother, correct eachother and cheer for eachother. Without them, we would be weak warriors in this battle we are in! No one in the body is perfect, or should pretend to be. We're meant to be different, to complete eachother and strengthen eachother for this walk.
I'm thankful for you, my readers, as I tred this troubled ground of being a wordsmith for the Lord. It is not ever easy, not always rewarding, but so necessary. He has put me here, at this time and in this place to wield the Sword, His word, and do battle for His kingdom. I am so thankful that He gives me the testimony, the words, and the stubborness to fulfill His call on my life in this ministry of writing.
So I just have one question for you, my friend, what do YOU have to be thankful for this year? God bless you as you take inventory of all His blessings in your life!
Thanksgiving Day is my absolute favorite holiday, hands down. Especially since about three years ago, when our life as the Blanco family was looking up again after the hardest time of our lives! Anyone who doubts God's goodness and provision should just let Juan and I tell you even ten minutes of our story, and you will know, by the gleam in our eyes and the wide smiles on our faces, how good our God is! Life can be tough, and unfair, and flat out miserable sometimes. God knows that, and He always give enough grace and love and strength to get us through. And not just through it, but better for it!
So I have ALOT to be thankful for this holiday. My handsome, godly man and the integrity he lives every day by. The way he holds me every day, kisses me every night, and values me as his wife and mother of his children. My strapping young son and his tender heart, the way he cares for his sisters, even when the estrogen levels reach "overboard" in this house! At twelve, he has a sense of God's call on his life, and holds an incredible heart for God. My oldest daughter and lifesaver, Isabella. At nine, she is "little mama," nurturer, family cheerleader, Sophie's life teacher, and everybody's friend. Gigi, in her six year old innocence, is very wise, too loud and wonderfully humerous! She lights up any room she enters, and her charm is endearing, even right after she's made you steaming mad! Sophie, our "baby" at two, (almost three) is gorgeous, delightfully stubborn, and never boring! She has the voice of an angel, and is painfully shy outside of the house. She has many admirers, as she sports the favor of the Lord on her and her life!
You see, the most important things in my life are not things at all. I know what it is like to lose those most precious to you. I've lost them before. God in His mercy saw fit to restore me my family and future. And I'm so very, very grateful for that.
I'm thankful for the family of God, His people who embrace eachother, share in life with eachother, correct eachother and cheer for eachother. Without them, we would be weak warriors in this battle we are in! No one in the body is perfect, or should pretend to be. We're meant to be different, to complete eachother and strengthen eachother for this walk.
I'm thankful for you, my readers, as I tred this troubled ground of being a wordsmith for the Lord. It is not ever easy, not always rewarding, but so necessary. He has put me here, at this time and in this place to wield the Sword, His word, and do battle for His kingdom. I am so thankful that He gives me the testimony, the words, and the stubborness to fulfill His call on my life in this ministry of writing.
So I just have one question for you, my friend, what do YOU have to be thankful for this year? God bless you as you take inventory of all His blessings in your life!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thanksgiving is coming!
Turkey in the oven, something boiling on the stove.
Cranberry sauce shining bright red, the scents through the whole house rove.
There’s dressing, and sweet potatoes, rolls and pecan pie on the side,
Gravy’s smellin’ good now, let’s take a crisp fall ride -
To Mom’s house on Thanksgiving Day, flavors plenty we’ll enjoy.
We’ll eat too much and fellowship, we’ll drink a little, oh boy!
We never tire of this holiday, for the warmth and friendship fill –
Our house with bodies, big and small, and laughter; until –
We can’t move off the couch ‘cuz we ate and ate and ate.
Cuz the turkey is all gone now, and the pie was so darn great!
by
Bess Blanco
Cranberry sauce shining bright red, the scents through the whole house rove.
There’s dressing, and sweet potatoes, rolls and pecan pie on the side,
Gravy’s smellin’ good now, let’s take a crisp fall ride -
To Mom’s house on Thanksgiving Day, flavors plenty we’ll enjoy.
We’ll eat too much and fellowship, we’ll drink a little, oh boy!
We never tire of this holiday, for the warmth and friendship fill –
Our house with bodies, big and small, and laughter; until –
We can’t move off the couch ‘cuz we ate and ate and ate.
Cuz the turkey is all gone now, and the pie was so darn great!
by
Bess Blanco
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
I’m loving my life today. Not that today is any different than other days. I’m just feeling overwhelmed with thankfulness today. I am so blessed. Sitting here in my beautiful, safe home at my awesome computer working on a book that is glorifying God here on earth. This project has been incubating inside of me for a long time now, and the urge to tell this story has risen up in me like a flood. I’m ready to bare open my heart and soul for the sake of other Christians who are looking for hope and Word knowledge on who they really are and why they are here.
I am so blessed with the family I have; my healthy, beautiful kids and their incredible daddy. Jovanni is my little man, loving, tender and on fire for the kingdom. Isabella and her thoughtful ways, Gigi and her contagious joy, and AnaSophia and her energy, spark and delightful hugs and kisses every day.
Juan is the best man I could have ever asked for. I wouldn’t have thought to ask for someone like him, and I’m so glad I was young and stupid when I said yes! He loves me and these kids with agape love, and he teaches me every day. By his example of faithfulness, and constancy, he teaches me. He is my rock.
Do you ever get a little scared when life is really, really, good – almost like in a “I don’t deserve this” kind of way. I used to feel that way, until I realized that this is the life our Father wants for us, the good life. When we are healthy and balanced, we can give to and do for others. We can disciple the nations, just like He told us to do.
Life isn’t perfect, that wouldn’t be realistic, but I have joy. I’m not “happy,” I just have a joy because of Christ. Thank you Lord, for Who you are – make us more like you!!!
I am so blessed with the family I have; my healthy, beautiful kids and their incredible daddy. Jovanni is my little man, loving, tender and on fire for the kingdom. Isabella and her thoughtful ways, Gigi and her contagious joy, and AnaSophia and her energy, spark and delightful hugs and kisses every day.
Juan is the best man I could have ever asked for. I wouldn’t have thought to ask for someone like him, and I’m so glad I was young and stupid when I said yes! He loves me and these kids with agape love, and he teaches me every day. By his example of faithfulness, and constancy, he teaches me. He is my rock.
Do you ever get a little scared when life is really, really, good – almost like in a “I don’t deserve this” kind of way. I used to feel that way, until I realized that this is the life our Father wants for us, the good life. When we are healthy and balanced, we can give to and do for others. We can disciple the nations, just like He told us to do.
Life isn’t perfect, that wouldn’t be realistic, but I have joy. I’m not “happy,” I just have a joy because of Christ. Thank you Lord, for Who you are – make us more like you!!!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Autumn Delights
I love every season in its time, and try to enjoy it accordingly. Summer in southeast Texas, however, is difficult to enjoy. Its too hot for too long, with no respite in the evenings or mornings, and even when it rains, the air doesn't cool off. It just hangs heavy with even more humidity.
So today, when the promised "cold front" blew in and chilled the morning off considerably, I was not sad. The girls were excited to dress in long sleeved blouses and pull out their new sweaters. Sophie wore leggings and a fall dress to Miss Mimi's house, happy to be bundled in the new chill.
I have decided autum is my new favorite season, with it's chillier air, and savory smells of pumkin candles and baking bread. The cooler temperatures stir up my innate desire to bake all kinds of goodies, and the kids get excited about the trip to the pumkin patch. It's a wonderful season, with warm memories being made and preparations for the holidays that are coming 'round the corner. It'll be great weather, fun times and cool autumn community events. Great weather, that is, until the cold front blows over and out and the temps hit the 90's again, with the "feel" being in the hundreds!
So today, when the promised "cold front" blew in and chilled the morning off considerably, I was not sad. The girls were excited to dress in long sleeved blouses and pull out their new sweaters. Sophie wore leggings and a fall dress to Miss Mimi's house, happy to be bundled in the new chill.
I have decided autum is my new favorite season, with it's chillier air, and savory smells of pumkin candles and baking bread. The cooler temperatures stir up my innate desire to bake all kinds of goodies, and the kids get excited about the trip to the pumkin patch. It's a wonderful season, with warm memories being made and preparations for the holidays that are coming 'round the corner. It'll be great weather, fun times and cool autumn community events. Great weather, that is, until the cold front blows over and out and the temps hit the 90's again, with the "feel" being in the hundreds!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
What's Ducks Got to Do With It?
The weather was gorgeous Sunday evening when my husband and I decided to get our exercise at the local park. It was Labor Day weekend, so many families surrounded the lake with their fishing poles, picnic baskets, and family dogs. Squirrels scuttled down hundred year old oaks, and babies squealed from their strollers as we breathed in the changing early autumn air! Our youngest, Sophie, rode in her stroller, happy to be out and about, observing the active scene along with us. As we walked and talked, she began to get restless, so we decided to stop and let her run off some energy near the water.
She immediately ran up to the edge of the water, as a group of ducks was busy scrounging through some algae, gulping it down as if it was their last meal. I squatted down near them, as Sophie chattered to them, trying to get close enough to pet them.
It was then that I noticed that there was a larger duck, quacking out orders to a group of about a half dozen medium-size ducks. “Oh, Babe,” I called to Juan, “It’s a mama duck and her teenagers!!!” He laughed, as we realized I was right, and then we really started watching the young family. The mother duck paddled off towards the center of the lake, commanding her “kids” to follow her. Only two of her young ones followed closely, while four of them continued to scrounge frantically at the lake’s edge, muttering quacks out to her. I narrated their duck language for Juan. “Look Babe,” I told him, “They’re telling her, ‘We’re coming, we’re coming mom! Just gimme a minute’!”
We laughed at the ducks, as they treated their mother’s concerns as annoying and unnecessary, much like my pre-teen son sometimes does! It occurred to me that animals in nature are often similar in behavior to us humans. We’ve seen the same ducks, as tiny hatchlings, stay constantly close to their mother, tumbling after her at all times, desperate for her reassurance and approval! Then, as they grow, they slowly gain confidence in themselves and their own capabilities. I noticed that the mother duck didn’t insist on the “teenagers” coming with her at wing’s distance, instead, she gave them their necessary freedom. Soon, due to her innate mothering skills, those “teens” would be ready to take complete care of themselves, and eventually, their own “kids!”
We walked away from the ducks feeling that we had learned a real lesson from a good mom. We must let our children grow, giving them enough discipline to help them choose wisely, but yet knowing when to give them that necessary freedom. Oh, and by the way, I don’t think that duck mama was hung up on any past regrets or mistakes, either!
She immediately ran up to the edge of the water, as a group of ducks was busy scrounging through some algae, gulping it down as if it was their last meal. I squatted down near them, as Sophie chattered to them, trying to get close enough to pet them.
It was then that I noticed that there was a larger duck, quacking out orders to a group of about a half dozen medium-size ducks. “Oh, Babe,” I called to Juan, “It’s a mama duck and her teenagers!!!” He laughed, as we realized I was right, and then we really started watching the young family. The mother duck paddled off towards the center of the lake, commanding her “kids” to follow her. Only two of her young ones followed closely, while four of them continued to scrounge frantically at the lake’s edge, muttering quacks out to her. I narrated their duck language for Juan. “Look Babe,” I told him, “They’re telling her, ‘We’re coming, we’re coming mom! Just gimme a minute’!”
We laughed at the ducks, as they treated their mother’s concerns as annoying and unnecessary, much like my pre-teen son sometimes does! It occurred to me that animals in nature are often similar in behavior to us humans. We’ve seen the same ducks, as tiny hatchlings, stay constantly close to their mother, tumbling after her at all times, desperate for her reassurance and approval! Then, as they grow, they slowly gain confidence in themselves and their own capabilities. I noticed that the mother duck didn’t insist on the “teenagers” coming with her at wing’s distance, instead, she gave them their necessary freedom. Soon, due to her innate mothering skills, those “teens” would be ready to take complete care of themselves, and eventually, their own “kids!”
We walked away from the ducks feeling that we had learned a real lesson from a good mom. We must let our children grow, giving them enough discipline to help them choose wisely, but yet knowing when to give them that necessary freedom. Oh, and by the way, I don’t think that duck mama was hung up on any past regrets or mistakes, either!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Rain is my Favorite!
Rain is my favorite. There is no such thing for me as too much rain. Yes, it's bad for some business, bad for traffic, and around the Houston area, really bad for flooding. I love it just the same. Rain inspires me, comforts me, and refreshes me.
Coming from the desert, there is never enough rain to make me happy...
So today it's raining solid. It's been raining since early this morning, and it hasn't stopped all day. The sky is a beautiful color grey, there is a thrilling chill in the air, and I, for one, am enjoying the respite from the previous record-breaking heat we've experienced all summer. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for autumn.
Today is most likely just a cruel tease, though, since the rain is the run off from Tropical Storm Hermine, but I'll take it. I'm ready for sweater tops and boots, dresses with leggings, and early mornings on the back porch with my coffee, meditating on the coming day. I've decided that September is my new favorite month, with the bearable temperatures, fall veggies, and gorgeous sunsets.
So I'll enjoy today, tease or not, as I ready myself for yet another change in life's ever-changing face.
Coming from the desert, there is never enough rain to make me happy...
So today it's raining solid. It's been raining since early this morning, and it hasn't stopped all day. The sky is a beautiful color grey, there is a thrilling chill in the air, and I, for one, am enjoying the respite from the previous record-breaking heat we've experienced all summer. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for autumn.
Today is most likely just a cruel tease, though, since the rain is the run off from Tropical Storm Hermine, but I'll take it. I'm ready for sweater tops and boots, dresses with leggings, and early mornings on the back porch with my coffee, meditating on the coming day. I've decided that September is my new favorite month, with the bearable temperatures, fall veggies, and gorgeous sunsets.
So I'll enjoy today, tease or not, as I ready myself for yet another change in life's ever-changing face.
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