Happy 85th Birthday to Pa!!

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We had a celebration for Pa a while back, but this was the video we made for him....wanted to share it with you....there are too many special pictures from him growing up and then of my grandma and grandpa as early married's...love them dearly and hope Pa enjoyed his special day!! xoxo :)

It's Been a Great Summer!

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You say, I say I want an icee jucie...You say, I say I want an icee jucie!

A few pics from the Creek last night!  Great W'ford group and awesome church family!!!!!!!!!! :)

A Tribute to Lee Greenwood

We had an awesome 4th of July and enjoyed letting freedom ring with brats, shrimp boil greatness, loads of cream cheese peppers, no bake cookies, apple fritters, sparklers, a beautiful W'ford fireworks show as well as our very own 1804 Linwood fireworks show (with a firecracker called a lady bug that spun around, flew up in the air and scared some birds in our back yard tree to death! LOL!) and so many poppers we were still popping this morning with our coffee and chocolate milk! :)

HUGE Sale of the Stella and Dot Summer Sale for ONE WEEK ONLY!!!!!

This is an INCREDIBLE Summer Sale!!!  So many of the most adorable Stella and Dot jewels are at awesome mark down!!  However it is only for ONE WEEK!!!  From July 2 - July 9!!  If you have been waiting for some of these special and so very adorable jewels to go on sale.....it has been worth the wait!!!  Contact me TODAY to book your trunk show or place an order!!! 

xoxo!

A few pics before they headed off to VBS :)

Toy Story 3

Well, we went to see Toy Story 3 finally and I am hear to tell ya I was bawling in the first 5 minutes of the movie and by the time the end rolled around I was down right boo hooing!!  You definitely take "happy tears" to a whole new level while you watch this movie.  Yes, you grow so attached to the toys after three movies but the real reason you cry is because Andy is all grown up and moving on...so the toys have to move on too.  It was precious as we watched our little people enjoy the movie with their Toy Story t-shirts on while holding Woody and Jesse...it was priceless really.  It's only a blink and they will both be grown.  God is oh so precious to give us a blink and we are oh so thankful for our cutie little people! :)

Coaches Outreach T bar M Retreat

Toby and I had the most incredible time at T bar M Ranch in New Braunfels, TX at the first of the month.  This is a pic of some of our most precious friends that coach in Texas, Blake and Adrina that were there with us.  We decided to go to Coaches Outreach Retreat this year and it was unbelievable!  Such a great time of refreshment and encouragement.  We had a wonderful time learning from other amazing coaching families and getting Spirit-filled strength for the journey of the 2010 football season ahead.  Coaches Outreach is an incredible ministry and they have several retreats...all of which are wonderful!

If you are a Coaching family or know a Coaching family please pass on or check out this link and get involved with this great work of this ministry.

http://www.coachesoutreach.com/

"Daddy's in tha' hizzzouse!"

Raisin Bran Crunch

I have tried for a good year to share in the greatness of Raisin Bran Crunch with my Ainsley Belle.  Cereal is truly one of the greatest inventions known to man.  Seriously.  But so far I have to not been able to convince Cade of this most crucial life lesson....However today I had success and now have a partner in crime!! 

First Day of Trotter Water!

A couple of pics after our first day of Trotter Water!!  Summer time is here party people!  Whoot!!! :)

Beautiful flowers my Cade brought me!!

Our Little Mini Princess

I took a few snapshots of my little miss priss the other day for a Stella and Dot contest...just thought I would share a couple of my favs.  Her little heart is so darling and precious....love you sweet baby girl!!

Retirement Party at Southgate/Rippitoe

We so enjoyed celebrating 20+ years of service that my mom, aka Mimi, has given to Southgate/Rippitoe.  Spending the majority of her time at Rippitoe, a specialized school for special needs children ranging from pre-school to 21.  She is an incredible Speech Pathologist and has given her whole heart to her profession.  She has loved on, served, taught, supported and blessed hundreds of children over the course of her career.  My mom definitely had a calling over her life to do what she has so passionately done for so many years and I am so proud of her.  Yay for retirement!!

Claiming that He is Lord and because He lives we are ALIVE!!

The "heal" charm

Just a quick pic of my baby doll taking care of her baby doll.  Precious.  I recently bought a charm bracelet with several charms on it that describe my Ainsley Belle and I thought I would share...

A princess crown - Because she is a daughter of the Most High King and my mini princess :)

The letter "a" - To represent her beautiful name Ainsley Belle Trotter

Purple birthstone drop - Ainsley's birthday is February 18th

A sterling silver disk with "mom" engraved on it - the obvious of course being that I am her mother, but the deeper meaning being that I am reminded when I look at that I hold the keys to the Kingdom for my daughter and that her little eyes are on me all day every day.  My job...lead her to the Throne.

And finally a charm with the word "heal" engraved on it - The Lord created Ainsley at a time in the life of our family when we were in need of healing.  Ainsley herself did not bring the healing, that would be unfair pressure on her.  However her birth was a spiritual marker in our lives that Christ was still going to birth new things in our lives.  The King has been faithful to the promise that came with Ainsley's birth.  He did create her to be the glue to our family, and she is. 

Just the other day I was watching the season finale of Extreme Home Makeover, which was so very tender, and was crying so hard as I watched the story of the precious family.  As I was crying both Cade and Ainsley asked if I was okay to which I of course said that my tears were merely happy tears....which was the truth in part :).  Cade gave me a pat and then went on his way, however Ainsley immediately bounced off to her room and came back with her blanket.  She piled it up in my lap and said, "Here momma." as if to say this will make it better.  She new that even though I said I was happy, I still could use the comfort of her blankie.  Ainsley Belle is the glue and she has, even at the tender age of two, allowed the Lord to use her as an agent of healing in the life of our family.  Thanks for reading with me today.  My heart was overflowing with love for my little miss.  I just tucked her in bed and have had to love on her extra today because she has been sickie with a fever and cold.  It's hard when your babies are sick and you can't do anything but love on them, help make them comfortable and trust that the Lord loves them more than you do and is working over time to get them up and running like new in no time.  I love her so much and am so thankful for the radiant light she is to our family.

Praying for your daughters tonight as I write and praying for you as you love them up and lead them to the Throne.  Praying for those of you whose daughters are sick from anything in between a cold or a life threatening disease.  Praying for those of you who are loving daughters that are walking a fine line of rebellion.  Praying for your daughters confidence in Christ to grow stronger and stronger every day.  Be strong and brave as you love them courageously.  Praying for peace to rest in your hearts as mothers and praying for you to seek wisdom and counsel from the Author and Perfector of our faith as you lead out, provide for and express love in their lives.  I decided to share the prayer I have said over Ainsley every night since the day she was born as I tuck her in and even though it has Ainsley's name in the prayer I am praying for your little princess too. 

"The Lord bless Ainsley and keep her.  The Lord make His face shine on Ainsley and be gracious to her.  The Lord lift up His countenance on Ainsley and give her peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Sweet dreams pretty daughters...xoxo.

SWOSU Spring Game 2010

The Spring Football Game was a wonderful success and I decided to copy the article that Justin Tinder wrote up for the SWOSU Website....go to http://www.swosu.edu/  for more info on the upcoming 2010 Football Season!  Go Bulldogs!!!

FOOTBALL CONCLUDES SPRING DRILLS

WEATHERFORD—"Southwestern Oklahoma State University closed its spring football season Monday, April 19 with its annual Blue vs. White Game in front of a spirited crowd gathered at Weatherford’s High School Stadium. Playing the game on a near-perfect spring day -- sunny with light winds and temperatures approaching 70 degrees -- the “Visitors” beat the “Home” team 21-14 at the end of four 12-minute quarters (running clock).

Dustin Stenta’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Timmy Winans midway through the third-quarter provided the winning points for the Visitors.

“I thought we did well from an execution standpoint on both sides of the ball," said coach Dan Cocannouer. "Most importantly, our attitude is in the right place. We have a hungry football team, and I like that."

Offensively, it was an impressive day for both teams as a number of players continued to make gains as the Bulldogs looked much improved as a team. Weatherford’s Gordon Perry shined on a number of special teams plays including bringing one kickoff return back for a touchdown.

SWOSU used a number of different quarterbacks during the live-contact scrimmage. In addition to Stenta, SWOSU used junior college transfer Mike Van Deripe, East Central transfer Jace Johnson and returning letterman Houston Johnson. All four are bidding to be next year’s starter and hopeful replacement to Steve Day, who ended his career as the school’s all-time leading passer.

Newcomer Isaac Tucker played well in his role as a featured running back. He caught a screen pass from Johnson that he turned into a nifty 30-yard scoring run. Tucker made two tacklers miss and then outran the final defenders to the goal line.

Several wide receivers and slot backs had big moments in the game. Returner’s J.R. Hammond, Bruce Hatton and Samuel Burnett each had catches resulting in long gains while tight end Ryan Corbin again showed his toughness at the position. Corbin scored on a six-yard pass reception for the game’s second touchdown, breaking off a route that was intended for the back flag.

Newcomer Eric Charles showed that he is a likely contributor catching a 13-yard pass from Johnson that tied the game at 14-14.

Defensively, SWOSU was not without its stars and scored a touchdown of their own. Cornerback Marvin Trimble forced a fumble on a weakside blitz jarring the ball loose with a well-timed hit. Preston Margain-Nichols was there to scoop up the pigskin and rumble 60 yards for a touchdown.

Newcomer Anthony Laws played well picking up a fumble recovery and intercepting a pass late in the game. Senior-to-be Marques Odom also had a pickoff jumping over a fallen offensive player to snare an interception late. Other players, including Tim Stephenson, Bronze Withem and Jaron Burgess, had big hits that resulted in lost yardage plays." - Justin Tinder, SWOSU

Overall it was a great indication of what's to come...and it is exciting!  The new turf is almost completed and it is BEAUTIFUL!!!  I will post pics shortly and again if it comes to your heart please pray for blessing and favor for the staff and athletes this year.  Thank you so much to all our friends and family that have been so supportive and encouraging to us as a family and to my coach...it means a great deal.  Go Bulldogs!

Stella and Dot Palm Beach!!!

I am loving the Palm Beach jewels from Stella and Dot!  So much versatility and it is so relivant and fresh for the season!!  Book a Trunk Show today and earn these beautiful pieces for FREE!

Boooooooooooom!

I don't want to be "that Dad" but for the next couple of paragraphs, yeah I do kind of want to be "that Dad." So if you want me to sandbag on my family blog, I apologize beforehand.  There's only one first Home Run.

Where were you when Cade hit his first home run?  I was in the back yard.  I was actually the dead arm that mustered up a high fastball to try and fly by the upstart 4-year-old.   A home run signifies a great feat...a rite of passage into the club of cool things you've ever done.  Grown men, well into their sixties, pay thousands of dollars to a "fantasy" baseball camp to still try and achieve that validation that comes from being able to put the ball out of the yard. 

I remember where I was when I hit my first home run.  Bryan Mangan's front yard.  He lived on an acre and a half and  the red brick fence meant a dinger.  It took me a couple of weeks in the summer, but I remember just clearing that fence with a line drive.  I was validated.  I rode the ole BMX back to the house that night with a little bit of swagger. 

 Baseball will always be in Cade's blood.  His influences include a high school baseball coach for a grandpa,  three biological uncles which include a major league left-handed pitcher, and twin college baseball infielders, and a slew of "uncles" of my former clients who are now major leaguers.  Before he was two, just by osmosis of my then job, he had already been to 10 major league games.  Poor guy thought that the norm was to always go down on the field after the game and play catch and take pictures with Uncle Cliff, Uncle Jay, or Uncle Mike.  We went to a "normal" Rangers game and sat in the upper deck with some family friends and Cade asks, "Dad, why are we sitting way up here, and when do we get to go down on the field?"  Bottom line, he has been well readied to step into his baseball destiny!

So the kid will freeze out by technique before 8 years old.  He spent Easter day working on the "Cobra" throwing motion and "squashing the bug" at the plate with Boompa.  Poor guy.  Unfortunately, Cade's days of innocently running to third instead of first are gone.

So he's got all the gear. Its all in the yard.  Now it was time for the skill.  So we have positioned a field with home plate at the base of the house and the outfield heading outward toward the fence, naturally.  Im throwing BP with a bucket of balls and Cade is doing great.  It always seems like the harder I throw, from farther away, he hits better and better.  So he has hit a couple of line drives and is really feeling it.  I just happen to really zing one in there (not a strike, Im really pretty bad) and Cade sits back and whales on it.  Line drive about 50 ft. clears the fence as its going up, and hits the fence on the back side of the alley behind our house.  I went nuts!  Cade was stunned at Dad's response, but then trotted the bases in style.  We had a dogpile at home and I couldn't stop seeing how proud he was. 

Is he a prodigy? Don't ask me, you know what the answer will be.  We all know what the odds are and we all need to hear from Dad that I love my children regardless of performance and am not a "Todd Marinovich's dad" in hiding.  But for one afternoon, Cade's performance demanded some earned excitement.  It was outstanding to see the pride in his eyes, and the validation in his step.  He had what it takes to get that ball over the wall.  He did it.  I was honored to be a part of that time in his life. 

I hope I am blessed to see all the validating moments in my son's life.  I have already seen him, among other things, hit his first home run, ask for the first time about why Jesus died for him, protect his mother from danger, and defend his sister no matter what the cost.  He is my legacy.  The last of the Trotter men.  I am truly proud to be Cade's dad and was truly thrilled to see that ball sail over that fence.  Good job Cade boy.

SWOSU Rodeo! Yee Haw!!!! :)

We have simply been so busy in the last couple of weeks, which is a good thing!  However it keeps this family blog a little under fed I'm afraid and it keeps me away from offering too much commentary on the life and times of the Trotter clan.  I promise to write more soon, but until then please enjoy the quick pics from the SWOSU Rodeo this past weekend.  And yes, we have only lived in W'ford just under a year and I have a son that has a four wheeler, a cowboy hat, working gloves, boots and a bull riding vest.  I also have a daughter that is now asking for ducks, rabbits and a horse!!  We love it!! :)  Enjoy and God bless!