Come on by ...pool edition

Short's

Feldman's Bacak's

William's

at the Hill... maybe soon some Benavides or you?

Thanks for coming by!

Children are a blessing from the Lord a reward from him... A friend loves at all times...

Our 4th of July in Dallas

We headed up to Dallas on the July 3rd for the wedding of our Brandi and a visit with our Kevin!

We were staying with our friend Kevin Renkes who attended our HOPE group and has graduated and moved back to Dallas. Peyton was so exicted to stay in a "stair house" (a 2-story). Of course would couldn't visit without some sort of drama. The girls discovered a laundry shoot up stairs in his brothers room. They dropped everything they could down the shoot including Parker (in the hat). Kevin then confessed to the many things he and his brothers did with the laundry shoot somewhat alievating my horror but I was still a little unnerved with attempted dumping of Parker. We had a great time at Kevin's (our first born son!!) plus it's pretty cool when a 22ish year old guy has a family of 5 up for a visit and cooks us 3 squares for 2 days in a row! Kevin we were very impressed, your Mama has raised you well!

The wedding was amazing and beautiful and Brandi was such a beautiful bride. Her wonderful groom Micheal is currently in seminary and looking for work as a youth pastor. Maybe they'll end up at Living Hope, God willing. We meet all of her sweet family and felt right at home with them. They all touched our hearts with their sweet words which I will never forget. I cried like one of my own kids was getting married. I just kept picturing her straigtening Peyton & Parkers hair while we went on a date and ruthless feeding Pearson whip cream until she was on a hillarious 2 hour sugar high and soooo much more! The kids danced late into the night desperately trying to figure out the chaha turn to the right dance thing.

On the 4th we watched the fireworks from a local golf course with Kevin and the kids sat in awe. When we got home we did some sparklers and off to bed. The next morning we went to church with Kevin to City Church. If you are in the Dallas area you have got to go to this church it is amazing. It's homey and comfortable you don't feel like you have to put on airs. The preaching is inspired and the people are authentic. I cannot praise this church enough. But the best thing I have to say is that after church we hooked up with a bunch of folks (Kirbe Wingate, Caleb Hobart, Kevin Renkes, Kyndall Rutherford all from LHBC and 4 or 5 others from City Church and one of the pastors) and we went to lunch at a hole in the wall. We engaged in 2+ hours of lively scriptural discussion about the sermon and a range of spiritual topics. It was amazing, it's my prayer that the conversations at and away from New Life turn back to the word just as this wonderful conversation at City Church did.

This was a great weekend with great friends

Ringling Brother's Barnum & Bailey

Ladies & Gentleman.....

In April we went to Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus with ...

about 40-50 folks from our church all sat together organized by the Heather. We do not usually go to Heather's events because we either find out too late to participate or they are boy orientated she has 4 boys! Accordingly, we were the only all girl family in attendance at the circus event and we had a blast! These folks are all from our 3 church family (My church recently expanded and created two more churches to the Glory of God).

We also got to hang with our Julie & middle P sat with her for a while and was amazed by the Circus acrobats. Middle P also cried during one of the acrobatic acts because she was worried about the safety of the performer.

The one negative of the circus is the attire of some of the women is lacking. On top of that they are on the trapeze not fully clothed twisting and turning. If I had boys I do not think I would go to this circus and we will discuss future trips to the circus. Positives were the kids were amazed and now anytime they read or talk about a circus they will know what it is. This is especially important for Peyton as her Autism limits imaginative thought. They have seen some of the amazing things that God has allowed the human body to do.
The financial impact....
Our library has a program that kids get free tickets if they read or read 5 books. So we were some reading fools prior to the circus. We purchased 2 adult tickets for $15 each. We bought some snacks and one clown hat to share and we spent $20 for drinks & popcorn, ($10 for the hat attached to 3 color cotton candy which we also had them split)! We spent a total of $50 for the evening and the kids are still talking about it! We also learned some more ways to save on circus tickets on the way out we learned that they have buy 1 get 1 free tickets at HEB & Banks for the circus. So if we go next year we are looking at $15 for tickets & $10 for snacks. A total circus expense of $25!

Clowning Around!

RH

We Love Kyndall

We love Kyndall and we are so happy she stopped by when she was in town!

During Spring Break Ms. Kyndall came for a visit and they packed a month full of fun into about 3 hours! They climbed trees, did her hair, played a game, jumped and more!

Our family just loves this awesome Christian girl, that is the hardest part of living by A&M the students graduate! Thanks for visiting us Kyndall!
Kyle

Clearing Land for a Garden Part 1

Clearing land is definitely hard work. We were very

blessed as we found out that we had an expert in Mr. Sherman Watters! He had been chainsawing trees since he was something like 11 or 12! We were blessed by this because we had no idea that Sherman was an expert we just knew that the Watters are all about the outdoors, gardening and Sherman is usually up for some hard work. we had 12 trees to cut down in a 51 X51 foot area! We basically live in an oak forest. These 12 trees do not count the countless Yupon shrubs and misc. trees that had to be cut down and moved out. We do not have a tractor so we had to use a chainsaw.

On a homeschool note the pioneers were studs this is hard work with a chainsaw I cannot imagine trying to do this with a saw. And having to clear out 4X the area to completely provide for the food that your family would consume, livestock and maybe a little extra to sell!

Homesteading on the Hill

Country Folk Ho' Down

If you are looking for a stiff sophisticated party fun,

HONEY this ain't it!

As the table centerpieces should alert you! I just love them they match the invitations!

Last week we had our first Ho'down and this is going to be a continuing tradition because this was a whole lot of fun! This was so much fun it's a double slide show event!

As for vittals we ate Steak-Kabobs & burgers, beans, banana pudding, rolls. Yummy for my tummy! We had two families and 3 recent college grads and a whole lot of fun!


After we ate game time began and we decided that we were going to play capture the flag. I had never played capture the flag but Julie suggested it and explained the rules. So when was the last time you played capture the flag?

We divided into two teams: Brian, Fernando, Kyle, PC & PH vs Wayne, Katherine, Jessica, Justin & Parker. (Julie twisted her ankle preparing for Jen's 5K & Kim is just no fun!!!) So that being said the teams hid their flags and the games began. Here is a pictorial review....

It's not important but just so you know my team won!


There is one new rule in regards to capture the flag...we have to play it before we eat! After Capture the flag we had a water balloon fight which turned into a hose, bucket, cup & bowl fight....

Then we played hide-n-go seek in the dark. That is such a scary fun game as you feel around in the dark for people that are hiding. Kim said it was so alarming to be hiding and to feel the person come near you but you cannot see them until they touch you! Wayne won this game I couldn't find the boy anywhere...you'd think someone 6'4" would be a little easier to find!

This is especially excellent day for husbands as they love the competition and a chance to fight and win for something. It's a Wild Heart kind of day for all! So let us know in the comments if you are up for fun and games but we are not accepting wall flowers everyone has to play and laugh a whole bunch! (Oh, and I must know you or you must attend LHBC before I give you my digits!) The next game will be around lunch time in April!

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR FLAG IS????

Fun & Games,
RH

New on the Hill & More Benavides

Our Cornish Broilers & Buff Orpington's have arrived! Chicks are so cute and right now the house is just 'cheeping' away! The girls and I are getting ready to go make the chicken nursery hospitable to our newest little ones. This little chick is one of the Buffs we are keeping the buffs as setters and they will be long term residents with the job of hatching our eggs.

We always go and pick up our chickens from Ideal Poultry in Cameron instead of having them shipped. It may cost us more then $8 shipping however every time we go we visit our friends the Benavides! That is priceless!!!

(Please enjoy Kim's adorable Christmas slippers!)

We had a wonderful time with them they surprised our family with their generosity and we are now and shall continue to be awe struck by their love! The kids play and get along with very little difficulty and have the same interests. The adults fellowship with ease, in fact Kim taught me how to make bags while we were there! It was so sweet to see her showing me how to sew this new item with her little pregnant belly. One wonderful part of Christian Fellowship happened during a phone call at the end of the night (the content of which shall stay between families) set the evening apart!

Additionally, we are trading broilers for a meat goat in January (with Cedar Creek Farm) the goat will have a short stay at Rooster Hill until she is 'processed'. However, sometime this year we will get some more longer term residents on the Hill (we are ordering 4-5 Turkeys with Cedar Creek Farm & hope to add a larger animal).

So if you are coming by the hill now is the time to see some babies!

Happy New Year!

Rooster Hill

PGM Chior does Christmas in the Park with friends

Let me start this post with two facts....First of all my camera died before I took my first picture. Argh...it's Pearson's debut into the world of bell ringing. She will be marred for life and sending me her shrink bills which will say "Very few pictures exist to verify this child's early existence..." Pearson I just want you to know Mommy tried.... Well, after my realization of the impending psychiatric bills my husband calmly reminded me that we had just purchased a battery and a new charger that were still in the car. Then he asked me if I had I tried it yet.While I was wondering if we were actually newly weds and not But even before I could answer he dashed off to the car and saved the day with a 1/2 charged battery. Hooray for hubby's...so there are no too adorable pix of the kids ringing their bells. Just a couple of adorable kids sitting and watching the older ones ring!

The second thing I wanted to mention is that it was thirty some odd degrees and in Texas that's cold!

None the less some brave and warmly dressed friends (The Watters & Fernando M.) made their way out to see our little girls ring their little hearts out! We went on a hayride and walked the park to see the lights close up. We were even blessed by the Lutheran Church across the street had a live nativity set up. At the nativity we ran into the Apel's with their sweet little kiddos.

We love Christmas in the Park and we go every year the lights are spectacular and they add a little more to it each year. They also serve free hot chocolate & cookies to go along with the free hay rides. All in all not to bad for Choir Concert #1.... in 3 days a concert a day every mom's dream! Is my washing machine empty I've got to wash more choir clothes....

Ringing our way to Christmas,

RH

Camping at Rooster Hill

The Watters surprised us early this month asking to come and camp here at Rooster Hill. Rachel took all of these great pictures (my digital is still broken).

Rachel brought some stew over and we all ended up dinner together. Which was a good thing because I burned the tar out of the turnips & dried out my corn bread because I forgot I was cooking while I showed them around the place. Anyone who has eaten here more then once can testify to my propensity to walk off and leave something cooking that needs tending. So we had turnip greens, stew, beans, dry cornbread and whole wheat bread.

After dinner we put the kids to bed and we talked and talked and talked until about midnight or 1 am and it really felt like no time had gone by. We had such a great time and found out we had so much in common with them.

We are really looking forward to our next adventure with them either here at Rooster Hill or elsewhere!

Now I am thinking we should totally have a righteous multi - family campout up here one weekend in the Spring! I know the price is right, we have a muddy pond and plenty of room...lols

K

4th of July at the Benavides...

We had so much fun at the Benavides' house some of it has to be illegal, Wayne said he felt like we were at the State Fair. We bobbed for apples, had a water balloon fight (I was so wet I had to change my clothes were sticking to me like I jumped into a pool), watermelon eating contest, door prizes, sack races, good food, fine company and fire crackers. I won the cutest basket by quickly knowing Frances Key Scott wrote the Star Spangled Banner (That song was my blog post for the day)! As you look at the pictures please notice Pearson's goal for the night was to eat as much as she could as often as she might! Big baby is serious about her food! I hope everyone had as much good Godly Fun as we did! Thank you Benavides for throwing such a fun party and letting us come!

A Trip to Houston

Wayne has a friend (Josh surrounded by McGirls) whose Dad is a Vet and we have a dog who needed to be fixed! So down to Houston we went with our dog Houston in tow. We stayed at Josh's dads house who has a POOL! Yes a pool with out scantily clad women and teens. A pool with lots of fun gadgets. A pool owned by generous sweet wonderful people that love my husband and my kids! We had a wonderful time and took us to dinner at super duper tasty Babin's Seafood House , meet Josh's brother Shannon and his sweet sister Amy and her children. Brenan is the little boxing with Pearson. Well our dog's bar is a little higher and we all had a great time living it up in Houston with some new friends. ...Now that's a vet!

A friend loves at all timesProverbs 17:17a

Menu Madness at Rooster Hill

June 29th - July 5th
Monday - Spaghetti, meatballs, sourdough garlic bread, house veggie
Tuesday - Taco Soup with chips sour cream cheese
Wednesday- Beans, Rice & Cornbread
Thursday - Tomato Soup with grilled cheese sandwiches
Friday - Homemade hoagies on homemade sourdough, sun ships, fruit & Snacks at Washington on the Brazos
Saturday Sloppy Joe's & French Fries
Sunday - Ginger Stir Fry Chicken & Rice

HAPPY 4th of July!

RH

No more Julie & Brandi Monday......

Tonight is suppose to be Julie & Brandi Monday. But they graduated last week so it's just Monday!

1 Peter 4:9 :Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

So today I am Mrs Grumpy pants (Is there such a thing as righteous grumpiness) because I miss my Halei(what Pearson calls Julie) & 'Brendi' (Pearson's rendition of Brandi's name). All the fun and laughter and joy they brought to this house every week. Even when we had to get Biblical their hearts are so open to the word! Julie will be back from Graham to work in town for a while but Brandi is off into the world!

Titus 2:4-5: Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

For years I disobeyed the command thinking I didn't have anything to give. That I still needed to grow....that was an excuse. The last 3-4 years have proven have been so fruitful and so blessed by close friendships with Sarah, Halei, Julie & Brandi. But let me tell you I was the one missing out on the friendship and the love that these inter-generational relations provide! Oh and I was sinning yes...sinning because I was not obey God's command and pouring into the lives of others! It's amazing when you obey how generous God is and how he returns the years the locust have eaten.

It's hard trying to explain the kids that Julie and Brandi are not coming on Monday's anymore and that Brandi will not be coming at all (hopefully she'll pop by when she is in town!). And that Julies days are numbered here in College Station. Of course sweet Peyton's main concern is will Brandi remember my name?

Proverbs 18:24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

We love you gals, Monday will never be the same!