Saturday, December 28, 2013

Temporary Fudge Cake, Eternal Life

It’s been almost two years now…plain and simple…Dad is still missed with every day that passes. Today would have been his 72nd birthday and as my brother posted on FB, they would have been golfing today. Of course they would because it turned out to be a beautiful day, not that the cold, snow or wind ever stopped us from golfing. Did you know you can golf for free on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day? We did!

Dad in his patriotic hat ready to hit the greens
Golfing has always been a big part of my dad’s life and he passed on his love of the game to all of us, even SeƱor Harjo, however Gaye was never impressed with the sport and/or was probably too busy hanging out with Marty in church parking lots, it’s a weird thing they did.

See Mom's matching sweats and ear muffs...you know it was cold!
For many years golf is what we did, all weekend, every weekend, often times 36 holes in one day. Dad and mom planned vacations around golf courses. Mom has all kinds of cute golf shoes/sandals, earrings, clothes, visors – all that match. We played tournaments, scrambles, even glow in the dark golf in Pawnee! Together, as a couple, they made golfing their life, their bond, their “thing” to go do.

Dad and I at Mescalero, New Mexico Golf Tournament
Summer day, some where in a sea of green. Way to keep your head down Buster!
Golf is not the same now, there is a missing piece,  a missing person...my dad; but at the same time golf brings this familiar peace and comfort of dad. Our family not only plays golf but we watch it on TV; and as we get ready to watch the 2nd Master’s Tournament without Dad here, we all can envision his remarks about the shots, the players and the commentators.

Isn’t that how life here goes? Change. Adjustments. New seasons.

Dad's outward baptism of what had taken place within his heart; the old was gone and the new had come.

A hole in One here...Dad is now Whole in One in heaven with the real Master.

Yes, we mourn, but we don't mourn without hope. One day, sooner than we know, we will be reunited with our Dad, but more than that we will be reunited with the One who made eternity possible.

Happy Birthday Dad, I know you are in the presence of Jesus and I am pretty sure you are eating chocolate cake; so in memory of you, we too will eat your favorite dessert meal, Braum's Fudge Cake. Although the cake is temporary, our memories of you remain and even more so your soul is eternally with our Father in heaven. We don't lose heart dad, love and miss you!




“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Monday, November 4, 2013

Jealousy...."I want what she has!"

I discovered Allison Vesterfelt’s blog “Learning to Live with Less” from a Facebook friend who shared her recent blog titled “Can Jealousy be Healthy?” The title peaked my interest because we actually had just talked about feelings of jealousy last night in our Kisses from Katie group at church. In fact, the same thing Allison said was said by several of our ladies “I want what she has.” What is that you ask?


Allison went on a mission trip to Guatemala with Food for the Hungry, she said one thing she noticed they had that we don’t have is, laser focus. She said, “Absolutely no confusion about their purpose in life. Their purpose is right in front of them. Harvest the crops. Fetch the water. Feed our children.” She confesses that her observation may be “insensitive” since their focus is around meeting basic needs, I didn't think so...and this is where Katy Davis steps into this blog post.

Katy Davis is a young 24 year old, who at the age of 19, moved to Uganda and became a mom to 13 Uganda girls. Katy speaks about feeling overwhelmed by the enormous amount of need around her and it feeling like she was trying to empty the ocean with an eyedropper. In the midst of the enormous need she said one thing she learned among MANY things, is that she had one purpose, in Uganda and in life, and that was to love and she could ask for no greater assignment.
Katy also speaks about forever being ruined for comfort, convenience and luxury, preferring instead challenge, sacrifice, and risking everything to do something she believes in. However, she said if she had to summarize in one word her time in Uganda, it would be contradiction. That contradiction is based on the huge disparities of physical and spiritual life from Uganda to America. Many times she refers to being so spiritually wealthy in a land of physical poverty; and being spiritually poor in a land of physical wealth. It is a must read!
Now let’s step back into my little world. I am so blessed to lead a ladies group on Sunday nights around the book “Kisses from Katie”. I wouldn’t call it a book club, because we do get in the Word, we pray, and we memorize scriptures. As the leader, I don’t ever want any book to take priority over the Word of God, because the Word alone is infallible, it is sufficient, and it does not come back void!

So this past Sunday night, as we huddled around “Katie’s first room in Uganda” which is actually just a 5 x 8 rug in the youth room which is actually bigger than Katie’s first room in Uganda, a three-by-six feet room. That simple 5 x 8 rug serves as a reminder of Katie’s one word summary, contradiction. We have so much in America, even in poverty.
Huddling around “Katy’s room” also provides more intimate discussions. I love that it is a safe environment to share our hearts, our hopes and struggles. A place to pray together and for each other as we are transparent with one another about where we are spiritually, physically and emotionally. It is so exciting to see God changing hearts and lives right before my eyes, especially when it is yours! My personal transformation in the physical realm of “wants” is happening. I’ve turned away from many purchases in the past month not because we didn’t have the money; but because it truly wasn’t a need and we already have so much. As I told the ladies last night, for me, God has stretched me further this past year than I ever thought was possible; but I serve a God of all things possible. While my stretching is nothing of significance, like losing a child or a spouse, it has still been a difficult two years for me. When you are stripped bare to nothing, when you can’t do a thing but fall exhausted at the feet of Jesus, His grace will be sufficient for you, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness. I want to live in this land of inadequacy; because when I am weak, He is strong. One purpose...laser focus...Him alone.

 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:6-15

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

The Time Has Come...Awkwardly Amazing Food

As a general rule, I am not a food critic nor do I partake in writing restaurant reviews, mainly because I am content with anything from Indian round steak, tuna in a pouch to MREs; so the fact that I am taking the time to tell you about this restaurant is a big deal! For those of you who don't know what Indian round steak is - it is the only meat that doesn't have a first name. If you still don't know, message me and I will tell you.

A co-worker of mine wanted to try something new for lunch and we wanted fish and that is how we ended up at Fish City Grill in Edmond. If you want an amazing meal this place is a must! I have personally been there three different times and have not been disappointed once.


Today we were given a sample taste of Oyster Nachos. Yes, that's right, Oyster Nachos. Two words or food items in this Okie's mind that should never go together, but surprisingly they go together wonderfully! A fried oyster (so there is no slime), with chipotle tartar sauce and fresh pico de gallo topped on a nacho chip...crunchful of flavor! They are so confident you will love them, if you don't, they will buy them! And bonus is Nacho Typical Wednesday where you can get them for $5, dine in, all day.

Oyster Nachos - Please note: I am not a food photographer either.

Today we received a free appetizer for my birthday because I am in the club! If I would have known the Oyster Nachos were so good, we would have ordered those as our appetizer, but we went with the Redfish Quesadilla, which was also surprisingly delicious. Another awkward combination that this Okie would never put together.

Isn't Redfish in the form of a quesadilla just beautiful?
On to the main dishes for the day, sit down because I am getting ready to shock your socks off! Again, who in Oklahoma would dare to combine catfish with chicken fry? Only the Fish City Grill! Chicken Fried Catfish perched on top of mashed potatoes and smothered in jalapeno gravy, yes, you read right...jalapeno gravy and corn on the cob...plain...surprisingly plain, but delicious. It must have been awesome because there was none left.

This set up can make a grown man cry! So bring tissues.

Now, let me introduce you to Blackened Oklahoma Redfish which may be disguised as Blackened Texas Redfish on the menu, but since we are in Oklahoma we will refer to it as Blackened Oklahoma Redfish. It comes with caramelized onion mashed potatoes, grilled veggies and topped with bleu cheese herbed butter. Shocking, I know! Isn't she beautiful?

A feast of flavorful yumminess, your taste buds will be jumping.
I have also tried the Roasted Jalapeno Soup, which you will want the bowl and not the cup. Don't embarrass yourself by ordering the cup and then asking for seconds! I have also had the awkward combination of Salmon Enchiladas, which almost made me take up residence in the restaurant. Finally, the other dish I have tried is the Searin' Fish Tacos, which are known as the "Best Fish Tacos in Town" which is fried tilapia, tangy cabbage, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and a ranchero sauce, rolled in a flour tortilla and grilled. After three visits and sampling off my neighbor's plates I can say everything I have had is amazing! I have been told I need to try the Shrimp & Andouille Mac & Cheese maybe next time!

I can't complete this blog without telling you that Fish City Grill takes part in First Tuesday. The First Tuesday Benefit came about after the tragedy of Sept. 11, through this initiative Fish City Grill and Half Shells have donated over $350,000 to various local organizations.

Finally, for my Louisiana friends, I will be your best friend after I let you in on this little secret...they have a Louisiana Crawfish Boil when they are in season. Also for you Crab Leg Lovers they are currently having an AYCE (all you can eat) Crab Leg on Saturdays.

And for those of you who are glutton free, I mean gluten free, they have a gluten free menu too!

Their tagline...Friendly Folks. Serious Seafood. We say, yes, true, and amen! You can't go to Edmond, Oklahoma without a stop in at the Fish City Grill.

Just for you:

Spring Creek Shopping Center
15th and Bryant in Edmond

1389 E. 15th Suite #104
Edmond, Oklahoma 73013
405-348-2300

Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 11am - 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 9pm

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Forever changed on May 20, 2013


Just wanted to share with y’ all our personal story from May 20, 2013. It’s not a story of human loss or property, but of a mother trying to learn to trust God above all and in all circumstances, through PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders and in fatal F5 tornadoes. From Newcastle, to South Oklahoma City, to Moore, we all have a story of Monday, May 20, 2013, this is ours.
In Oklahoma, we know about God, college football, severe weather and tornadoes. My husband and I are Okies, born and raised on red dirt, raised wearing crimson and cream and raised to know about severe spring time weather…including when to stand outside and watch or when to take shelter. Monday, May 20, 2013 was a day to take shelter. In fact, we knew days ahead of time that it could be a potentially deadly day thanks to the many superb meteorologist we have in our state.

If you are not from around here, a few words that should catch your ears are “supercell tornadic activity” or “large, long tracking tornadoes” the combination of those words should make you pay close attention and have a plan. Tornadoes are not like earthquakes, which hit with no warning. The beauty, if there is any beauty in a tornado, is that we are warned days in advance, with technology combined with experience, our meteorologists are almost always accurate when it comes to predicting large, long tracking tornadoes.  Then we have experienced storm chasers who give play by play, street by street, breakdown of the path which gives people time to take shelter if they are “weather aware” which includes having a plan and paying attention to the weather reports on the local news stations. Unfortunately, eleven days after May 20th, some of the best storm chasers lost their lives in another F5 out in El Reno, Oklahoma; which says that even with the expertise and technology, tornadoes can do some strange things and should not be played around with.
Another phrase you should pay attention to is “you have to be below ground to survive this, act now”, that means get to a storm shelter, yours, ours or mine…it doesn’t matter. Amazingly, people survived above ground in the direct path, there were many injuries and the ones I know that survived above ground have horrific stories and are even experiencing nightmares and posttraumatic stress disorder and rightfully so.

Finally, outside of keeping together a “go bag” with you of your important papers and medicines, another important piece of information to know is what county you are in and/or live in because this is one way the local meteorologist call out warnings by. Another tip, is wear boots or tennis shoes; and if you can’t get below ground put on a football, bicycle, or motorcycle helmet on, goggles, and if you have a thick wool coat put that on too. You might look crazy but if you can’t get below ground these things may save your life.
Back to Monday, May 20th , we knew a couple of days before there was a high probability that we were going to see long tracking tornadoes. We even knew about what time they would hit, close to the hour of day that schools would be letting out. I was at work huddled in the stairwell with my co-workers as the sirens were going off in our area, we were listening to the meteorologist describe the path this monster tornado was taking. He said, “This is heading into Moore, extremely dangerous if it doesn’t lift, it is red line, center line for Moore if it stays on track it is heading towards Westmoore and it is on the May 3, 1999 track.” Then we were dismissed out of the stairwells back to our offices only to be turned around to go back and take cover yet again. Then I heard, “It’s not letting up and folks need to be below ground to survive. If you can’t get below ground, get out of the path of the storm.”

Once again, we were dismissed back to our offices, where I heard the next update, “if it doesn’t change paths it is now heading towards Moore High School. Tracking on SW 134 continuing to track east mile wide wedge into housing additions – east side of MHS, S. 4th Street, crossing Bryant and  just north of 12th St.” It was time to get home those are all streets surrounding our neighborhood and at a mile wide, it would hit my daughter’s school and our home! Our home is in that mile section just left of Mike Morgan's hand, to the right of MHS, right above the word Moore; and where the M of Moore is, is Darya's school.



The week of May 20th has been the most physically and emotionally draining week of my entire life; watching lives and homes ripped apart…hurts. The fact that we did not lose any family or our home, I feel is a miracle, the tornado missed our home by less than ½ a mile; but it hit Darya’s school, Highland East Jr. High. For days, most people probably didn’t even know a third school, a junior high, in our school district was hit. That is okay with me, because that means…thankfully there were no deaths, only a few injuries.  I am amazed when I look at this map to see how wide the tornado was and how it shrunk down to almost nothing right before hitting Highland East Jr. High. I hope you can see it. The red square next to the red path is Highland East.
When Darryl learned that Darya was being detained at school and the buses were not leaving, he drove up there to pick her up. He arrived 35 minutes before it hit, but the Moore Public Schools (MPS) had already put the schools on lockdown and would not let him check her out. Darya told her teacher my dad is here to get me; she said you will be safer here. Darya told her no she wouldn’t because she has a storm cellar at home. Many people said, “I would have just went and got her and left, nobody can keep me from my kids.”  Needless to say, Darryl did not know exactly which classroom she was in or he would have went and claimed and taken his daughter. I understand not releasing students to walk home and/or out on the buses; but not releasing them to parents?

While at our friends school, Briarwood Elementary (same school district), one of the schools that was demolished, allowed my friend to take as many kids as she could. Obviously the school district needs to reconsider their policies. Another metro school district, the Mid-Del school district sent out a message to parents that because of the impending weather, they could pick up kids early beginning at 1 pm without any penalty; Mid-Del made a good call. Since we live in tornado alley, I am an advocate for school districts to have "tornado days" just like we have "snow days", make sense - since we have the technology and expertise to predict severe weather.
Once my co-workers and I were released back to our desks, a co-worker of mine who has children in the Moore school district was leaving to go home and I was not far behind her; not that we could stop an F-5 tornado, but we needed to be near. As you can see from the text messages below, I left at 3:08 p.m. with a promise of coming and I love yous. I drove south on I-35 in driving rain looking at the blackness in the sky as it roll over the area where my family and home are, listening to the meteorologist call out familiar landmarks and neighborhoods of family and friends.  The tornado was traveling on fourth street and they were reporting on the radio at that time that it was 2 miles wide! My heart sunk to the very pit of my being as I called out to God and begged him to take our home but not my family.





My heart was being squeezed inside my chest as I realized the life and property that was being destroyed of my family, friends, and my community. Then the meteorologist said what I did not want to hear, it just hit the Junior High. The Junior High is where my daughter and husband were. I did not know what I was going to find once I arrived in the blackness I seen off in the distance. I continued to drive through rain, fighting back tears and holding on to hope. My sons were at home in the storm cellar, I knew they would be safe so I traveled to the Junior High, but could not get through fourth street because of all the downed power lines and destruction. I decided to go through my neighborhood to get to the school the back way. I picked up my sons on the way thankful our house was standing; although, I didn’t care about that. I just need to know my husband and daughter were okay, as the last text I received from her was at 3:08 p.m. saying “We are taking shelter, I love you too!” Every attempt of a text/call after that was incomplete and it was now after 4:19 p.m..
Somehow I made it to the school through the tears and shaking, jumped over the electrical poles/wires to cross the street and get to the school. As you can imagine, parents and kids were everywhere, then in the distance I saw my daughter and husband standing. As you can imagine my heart jumped out of my chest as we ran to embrace each other. It was approximately an hour and 10 minutes since her last text until I found them, not knowing was the worst experience, I never want to relive. I ache for the parents that didn’t find their children living, how horribly heart wrenching.



Once we were reunited I learned, since the school officials would not allow Darryl to have Darya he was going to stay with her, he told me, “I wasn’t going to let her die alone.” That was so hard to hear. Darya said, “Dad came in my room and got on his knees and started praying.” The rest of the class was watching the coverage on a TV, then they lost the feed and the Principal came over the intercom and said "I need you to take cover immediately. We are out of time." Darryl said as the rumble drew louder, the building begins to shake and he was waiting for the roof to lift off. Darya said it was very loud and scary, her ears were popping and she came home with a horrible headache, but she came home. Darryl said she never cried until she walked outside and saw all the devastation.




Our pastor’s daughter, Katelyn, was substitute teaching that day and her class was in the gym, the part of the school that took a direct hit and they had to dig and climb out of the destroyed building. I struggle with why they didn’t bring them in to the main building instead of leaving them out in the gym, but they all survived only a few injuries, which is simply amazing. She, too, has her own story. She quickly changed shoes and ran to her home to check on family. Their home was still standing, but a block over was nothing but homes of rubble.


The main portion of the school was still standing and that is where most of the students, teachers and parents took cover. The back side of the school and the gym were demolished. Our SUV that was at the school was totaled, but no significant losses in our family. It missed all 26 of my family dispersed throughout SW OKC and Moore, we feel so blessed.

But then we begin to hear, one by one, over the next seven days, the sixteen different families we knew who lost homes and family. Darya has many friends who lost their homes; and two of her friends had family members who died (a mother, and a child) – I can’t even imagine! Heartbreaking.

We had one of our friends (a family of five) staying with us because they totally lost their home. They were still displaced a month later, but they are alive. An F5 tornado sure can put what is important in life in perspective and it’s not things.
Rebekah showing me the storm cellar that held her friend, her and 12 kids.
What they saw across the street from their house. Where a neighborhood of homes once stood, all was rubble.
Another one of my friends survived above ground, right in the path of the F5, his home is behind Darya’s school. He posted a picture of where he and his wife took cover and the only thing left standing of his home was the hallway where they were with a mattress over them, at the end of the hall was a cross.
Matt and his beautiful wife who survived the F5 above ground. What a story they have!
The family that stayed with us was fortunate enough to shelter in a neighbor’s storm cellar right before it barreled through their neighborhood. Everyone has a story and this is ours. It still feels like we live in a war zone as there are miles upon miles of destruction that we see daily. It feels like we’ve been given a sand bucket and told to empty the ocean. The time it takes to get around town is getting easier, most of the “tourists” have left, and our hearts still ache for the families who lost loved ones and for our community. We still need prayer. We still need help. While most Oklahomans do not have to travel SW 148th or SE 4th Street in Moore, we travel them daily. The endless destruction is a constant reminder of all that people have lost. It’s painful. It’s daily. I heard a reporter on the national news a couple of weeks after the F5 question an Oklahoman why they would rebuild here, he said, “There have been four major tornadoes in Moore in the past 15 years, why would you want to rebuild here?” Their reply was, “It’s home.” Then she went on to describe the heart of the people who unite together to give, to share, to help. Well, it’s not just Moore, it is just as I have heard “the Oklahoma standard”. We have big hearts.

This before and after picture is what was left of our first home after May 20, 2013, 309 SW 148th Street. This was the first home Darryl and I shared. We don’t live there anymore, but it is where we spent the first seven years of our marriage together, although seven years isn't really that long, we created many memories and celebrated many life events there. While in that home we celebrated the birth of Darya and Jayden, we witnessed 9-11 unfold before our eyes, celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries, it was also Senor Harjo's first home, many Barney songs were sung, many games of basketball played and our first tree planted. I wonder how our story would have played out differently if we did still live there.
This is where my parents lived; again I wonder, if we would have remained on SW 148th Street, would they have remained by us too?
My parents former home
Backside of my parent's former home.

Looking from the backyard of my parents former home down to where our home use to be.
So sad to see it…all gone. Every time I was over in that area, I'd drive by just to check it out, to reflect and remember. Now it is no more. Please remember Moore in your thoughts and prayers, especially those that lost loved ones and all the others who lost property, we’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we will be OK.

As Blake Shelton said on Healing in the Heartland, ”This one knocked us down to our knees and this is a tough one, but we will be back up running again.
As I said in the beginning, I am trying to learn to trust God above all and in all circumstances. I want to figure out how to do that without fail. Without wavering. Without fear. As Paul said in

in Philippians, "I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him" (Phil 3:8). He has been well fed and he has been starving. He has lived in abundance and he has lived with nothing. His conclusion? That it is all rubbish; the only thing that matters is Christ, that he be found in Him, that he would know the power of His resurrection and the fellowships of His sufferings. (Phil 3:9-11). Everything else is rubbish.

Thanks for listening, forever changed,

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Steve Head Harjo

Minecraft = Facebook for kids. If you have young children or grandchildren you may have heard of Minecraft, it is an epidemic among the kids and who knew it was actually based on something good? If you would like to learn more about what Minecraft is all about, read this article that breaks it down for us "non-gaming, wished it was as simple as Atari" moms.

In Minecraft you create a world using blocks, mine for gems and stay away from these green things called creepers. Just like teenagers and adults loose track of time while on Facebook, kids loose track of time when they enter the world of Minecraft. When I asked Jayden what kind of birthday party he wanted to have he said, "Minecraft". So I did what all mom's would do, I went to Pinterest.

Jayden found how to make a Steve head. This was the beginning of the planning of the party. For the life size Steve Head you will need a color printer, an 11 x 11 x 11 box (we got ours at FedEx), 11 x 17 paper and either spray adhesive glue or the extreme glue stick.

Meet Steve Head Harjo and his momma

He wanted to wear it everywhere, even for a walk at our tornado torn park.
Next, Jayden found how to make a life size diamond pickaxe. You will need a color printer, foam core board (we got ours at Dollar Tree), heavy matte paper, utility or exacto knife and either spray adhesive glue or the Xtreme glue stick, you know for the tough projects.


Shockingly we did not do an invitation, we actually invited people in person, novel, I know! If we would have done one, this is the one we were going to do.

We bought a green and red tablecloth at the Dollar Tree. We used the green tablecloth for the crafting table. We used black electrical tape to make the crafting table design. Jayden pretty much planned this entire party, I just pinned a few things and he read up and did the research on how to make it happen.


We made TNT Party Favors using the red tablecloth, empty toilet paper rolls, red construction paper, red ribbon, and then used a black marker to write TNT on the paper. Below is a pictorial of how I made the TNT Party Favors, we filled them with the red Mike and Ike candy (but you could use any candy) I stuffed in snack sized ziplock baggies. I cut the red tablecloth on the folded lines and had plenty to make 12 TNT Party Favors, let me know if you have any questions.





 
I found green plastic cups and black square plates at the Dollar Tree for our refreshments. I love the cost of everything at the Dollar Tree! For the drinks we did Creeper Floats (Lime Sherbet Ice Cream and Sprite). We added black electrical tape in the design of the Creeper on the cup of the Birthday boy.
 
 



Then there are a lot of choices out there for a birthday cake, but my birthday boy doesn't like cake and specifically frosting. Let me just say, I am glad I took a before picture because after the candles were blown out they were devoured. Rice Krispy Treats with green food coloring and brownies, Jayden's choice off of Pinterest.


Happy Birthday Steve Head Harjo!!

Notice you will not see any balloons at our birthday party. Did you know there is a helium shortage? Who knew? I didn't! We will not be able to talk weird anymore! Boo...Hoo...sniff...sniff...what is this world coming to?

Then we made "Keep Calm and Creep On" t-shirts, again Jayden's idea. The green t-shirts, black fabric paint and letter stamps were bought at Hobby Lobby, on sale and cheap! I love Hobby Lobby too. I made the Creeper stencil out of chipboard.


Then they jumped on the trampoline in to the swimming pool. It's okay, it is a little bitty trampoline and there were no injuries and sunblock was used.




I didn't get pictures of this, but we purchased some big glow sticks and put them in the pool and they swam some more at night. Then it was time for the girls to go home and the boys played Minecraft until they fell asleep....sound asleep. Either that or the feet in the face knocked everyone out.
 

Oh and we opened gifts! "Friends by choice, zombie apocalypse by choice" Such cute and adorable friends enjoying life together. Real life, not a life full of blocks, and I pray we are living it to the fullest, knowing that life is just a vapor.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Frybread Momma

We celebrated Mom's 71st birthday today and this is a video I put together to celebrate her...hope you like it.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The LORD Answered in the Day of Trouble...

Today, I am thankful for many things, but thankful to see that the local and national news are keeping Moore out in the public eye. We still need prayer. We still need help. While most Oklahomans do not have to travel SW 148th or SE 4th Street in Moore, we travel them daily. The endless destruction is a constant reminder of all that people have lost. It’s painful. It’s daily. I heard a reporter on the national news today as an Oklahoman, “There have been four major tornadoes in Moore in the past 15 years, why would you want to rebuild here?” Their reply was, “It’s home.” Then she went on to describe the heart of the people who unite together to give, to share, to help. Well, it’s not just Moore, it is just as I have heard “the Oklahoma standard”. We have big hearts. In fact, several of our friends have united to help teachers from Plaza Towers Elementary and Briarwood Elementary in Moore, Oklahoma, restore their classrooms to what they were before May 20, 2013. Check them out on FB at Restore Moore: Project Teacher. Donate there and you can be confident that 100% of your donation will go directly to the mission of Project Teacher.

This before and after picture is what was left of our first home after May 20, 2013, 309 SW 148th Street was the first home Darryl and I shared. We don’t live there anymore, but it is where we spent the first seven years of our marriage together, although seven years isn't really that long, we created many memories and celebrated many life events there. While in that home we celebrated the birth of Darya and Jayden, we witnessed 9-11 unfold before our eyes, celebrated many birthdays and anniversaries, it was also Senor Harjo's first home, many Barney songs were sung, many games of basketball played, our first tree planted and the kids learned how to do dishes.



Look at the face of determination on Brandon!




So sad to see it…all gone. Every time I was over in that area, I'd drive by just to check it out, to reflect and remember. Now it is no more. Please remember Moore in your thoughts and prayers, especially those that lost loved ones and all the others who lost property, we’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we will be OK. I like to read a Psalm and a Proverb that corresponds with the date of the month, and Psalm 20th was perfect for May 20th 2013.

The Assurance of God’s Saving Work

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion;
May He remember all your offerings,
And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah

May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
And fulfill all your purpose.
We will rejoice in your salvation,
And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.

Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.