Public Speaking Future

Hard to believe that when our boy was just a little lad, he did NOT want to have anything to do with the Childrens Christmas Musical at church. He was that little kid up there hiding behind his hands not wanting anyone to look at him.
Fast forward to First Grade. Something came alive in him. That would be the first year ( of many to come) for the annual Speech Meet at Coastal Christian School. Every March, Bubba takes on both a bible verse selection and a poem to give before 3 judges and a silent audience of parents and friends. Each year he throws on the charm and wins over the judges with his exceptional speaking ability. This year was no exception. His teacher this year promised him that if he won the poetry division that Bubba could do his poem in his best "hill billy accent" (once you read the poem, you'll understand why!)
So....here's to performing your poem, Hillbilly Style! Way to go BUBBA!!

The winning poem:

Castor Oil
I don't mind lickin's, now an' then,
An' I can even stand it when
My mother calls me in from play
To run some errand right away.

There's things 'bout bein' just a boy
That ain't all happiness an' joy,
But I suppose I've got to stand
My share o' trouble in this land,
An' I ain't kickin' much--but, say,
The worst of parents is that they
Don't realize just how they spoil
A feller's life with castor oil.

Of all the awful stuff, Gee Whiz!
That is the very worst there is.
An' every time if I complain,
Or say I've got a little pain,
There's nothing else that they can think'
Cept castor oil for me to drink.

I notice, though, when Pa is ill,
That he gets fixed up with a pill,
An' Pa don't handle Mother rough
An' make her swallow nasty stuff;
But when I've got a little ache,
It's castor oil I've got to take.

I don't mind goin' up to bed
Afore I get the chapter read;
I don't mind being scolded, too,
For lots of things I didn't do;
But, Gee! I hate it when they say,
"Come! Swallow this--an' right away!"

Let poets sing about the joy
It is to be a little boy,
I'll tell the truth about my case:
The poets here can have my place,
An' I will take their life of-toil
If they will take my castor oil.

A Trip down memory lane~

1st Grade


2nd Grade
My ALL time favorite
"Missing" by A.A. Milne


3rd Grade


4th Grade


5th Grade


6th Grade: picture coming soon!

Game Night

Friday Night Game Night

I'll share it in pictures....


Ahhh...the game of Payday! I guess when you are 12 it IS a game....seemed rather life like to me! Work....pay bills....pay more bills.....work some more.... where is the game in that??....except of course the fabulous deals you can make on buying businesses!


Brandon wins the Lottery!


Is that an upside down 7???


As long as it's NOT Monopoly, hubby and I can play peacefully together!


Someone is crying about the $6500 worth of bills he had to pay at the end of the month! What on earth are you spending your $$$ on??? I think you need a budget Mr.!!



Oooooohhh......so this was $2500.00 of your bills huh??? Promise????


No words necessary I don't think.

Proud to be a Duckling!

Clever Ducks is definitely all about family and lookin good! This week, we received fleece jackets with the company logo on them. Not only did our awesome bosses furnish the employees one, but they went above and beyond and bought each of our kids a jacket too.
Bubba and Nessa were soooo thrilled to get their very own Duck wear! It was like Christmas....in March! They each have been wearing them around town and showing their Duck Pride!

This picture shows Bubba sporting his Duck Wear on his bike ride with Grandpa and Grandma.

Spring Fever!!

Grandpa and Grandma S. from Oregon have been here all week long. Both yesterday and today, Bubba showed them our favorite biking/walking trail leading out to Avila Beach. Grandpa was kind enough to take his camera along and take some pictures for mom!


Using Grandpa's new GPS, Bubba clocked himself at 17.5 miles per hour on his bike along the trail.


All geared up and ready to go!


The prize at the end of the walk.... a beautiful beach!


Taking a break at the half way point playground to enjoy some swingin!
Just proves you are NEVER to old to swing!

3 hours, 3 women, One Deserted Cafe...

Think we could ever talk enough to take up all that free time??
Heck Ya!! Who would have thought we had so much catching up to do...but
with family and just plain ol' busyness, we hadn't had our regular "girls time" in a long time.
It was great to sit down, with just the girls and ramble on about just anything.
I'm not quite sure we got ALL the world's problems solved, or found world Peace...
but we definitely reunited the circle of friends!



Circle of Friends
Words & music by douglas mckelvey & steve siler

We were made to love and be loved
But the price this world demands will cost you far too much
I spent so many years just trying to fit in
Now Ive found a place in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends we have one father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That every orphaned soul will know
And all will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

If you weep, I will weep with you
If you sing for joy the rest of us will lift our voices too
But no matter what you feel inside theres no need to pretend
Thats the way it is in this circle of friends

In a circle of friends
We have one father
In a circle of friends we share this prayer
That well gather together no matter how the highway bends
I will not lose this circle of friends

Among the nations, tribes and tongues we have sisters and brothers
And when we meet in heaven we will recognize each other
With joy so deep and love so sweet
Oh well celebrate these friends
And a life that never ends
In a prayer
That will not be long before
All will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends
That it will not be long before
All will enter in
To the shelter of this circle of friends

The Heart of Worship

I was reminded ever so much yesterday of the words to the song Heart of Worship by Matt Redman and the story behind the song.

Redman’s congregation was struggling to find meaning in its musical outpouring at the time. “There was a dynamic missing, so the pastor did a pretty brave thing,” he recalls. “He decided to get rid of the sound system and band for a season, and we gathered together with just our voices. His point was that we’d lost our way in worship, and the way to get back to the heart would be to strip everything away.”

Matt says the question initially led to some embarrassing silence, but eventually people broke into a cappella songs and heartfelt prayers, encountering God in a fresh way. “Before long, we reintroduced the musicians and sound system, as we’d gained a new perspective that worship is all about Jesus, and He commands a response in the depths of our souls no matter what the circumstance and setting. ‘The Heart of Worship’ simply describes what occurred.”

When the music fades,
all is stripped away,
and I simply come
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth
that will bless your heart…
I’m coming back to the heart of worship,
and it’s all about You, Jesus

As we celebrated our Lord Jesus on His Resurrection day, I got the gentle reminders that it wasn't about
the perfect outfit,
the perfect Easter church service,
the perfect lunch at your perfectly kept home,
the perfect easter egg hunt.....
it was about HIS PERFECT LOVE FOR US!
so that we may have life.
My prayer is a simple one.... that I may remember that PERFECT message.
It's ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS! I love you!

Easter Blessings!

Sharing some pictures from our day.

Hope your Easter was a blessed one!

HE IS RISEN!!

The Family at our Easter Church Service

Close to 300 eggs

Over an acre of land to scatter the eggs

(weeds included at no additional charge!)

7 eager kids=

One priceless moment!

Found One!


Best Buddies since......FOREVER!

Camron found the "Special Easter Egg"!

Did he win a million dollars?

NO! He won a special visit with Mr. Snail!

The fate of the 5 unclaimed eggs left out

there from today!!!

This is what happens when you leave

two goofy gals with a camera in their hand,

in the truck on the way home from the beach