Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a little girl. She had long blonde tresses, big dimples, a winning smile and flashing blue eyes. She was brave and strong and could do no wrong. She was beautiful and she my hero! Melinda was born 2 years before me. She was my older sister and I idolized her.

From a young age I could go to her with my problems. Most of the time she knew what was bothering me before I did. She always had good advice. She was my rock. She was so smart and made me laugh. More than anything I wanted to please her.

When I was but a few weeks old, Melinda removed the ice water from the refrigerator and carried it into Momma to remove the lid for a drink. Little did Melinda know that she had already loosened the lid? As she was leaning over to hand Momma the jug, she dumped the ice cold water on me.

She and I grew up playing Barbie’s, Church, babies, mud pies and more. There was never a time when we were bored. We rode bikes together, walked to school together and shared the chicken pox. We collected stay dogs, took in homeless cats and wayward turtles.

We would walk to the grocery store and buy Nehi Grape soda, orange Pushups or candy. If I happened to want something different and bought the one I wanted, it never looked or tasted as good as what she had picked out. I usually just waited to see what she bought and then would purchase the same.

I always believed her Christmas babies were more beautiful than mine (they were actually identical, hers had blonde hair mine had brown). Her Barbie was nicer than mine (they were identical too). She was everything I wanted to be.

Our Momma would dress us alike and everyone thought we were twins, yet I thought she was beautiful and I was just average. I wanted to be her so badly that in everyway I would dress and act like her.

When she started school and I had to stay home I felt lost. I watched the clock waiting for her to come home. And finally summer would come and we would play the days away.

Forty plus years has past since those carefree days of fun and adventure. I still watch her mannerisms, smile full of dimples and listen to her witty remarks and admire her. She is still my hero.

Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times......"

The Plug

I thought it was important to teach the kids how to do their own laundry, clean the house and cook. Morgan had a natural knack for cooking. His omelets, burritos and casseroles were wonderful. And he was pretty good at cleaning and doing his laundry.




One Sunday after a meal of spaghetti it was Morgan’s turn to clean up the kitchen after lunch. The girls put up the food and loaded the dishwasher. Morgan’s job was to wash and dry the pots and pans, wipe off the table and counter tops and make sure everything was clean.


I could hear the girls putting up food, scraping the dishes and loading them in the dishwasher. There were sounds of splashing water, clanking dishes and an occasional sound that put fear in a mother’s heart. I had learned not to look in the kitchen, regardless of what noises I heard, until everyone was though with their job and gone. Then I would go in and check out their work.





As I surveyed the kitchen everything looked exceptionally good. I was so impressed with Morgan and the job he had done. He had wiped down everything, including the stove top. I couldn’t have done a better job myself.



And then I noticed he hadn’t drained the sink. It was still full of hot soapy dishwater. Well, I wouldn’t say anything this time; he had down such a wonderful job. I would just drain the sink myself. As I reached in to pull the plug I was shocked to find there was not a plug holding the hot soapy water in the sink at all, but a whole lot of spaghetti. Morgan had used spaghetti as a plug and washed all the pots and pans. Well I would have to give him one for being creative.


I cleaned the spaghetti out of the sink, let the water drain and rinsed out the sink. I never did say anything to Morgan; I just chalked it up to another good memory.


I Corinthians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Top Ten Tuesday

Ten Way To Get Your Husband's Attention

This Top Ten list is based on 'true happenings' in my precious husband's life.

10. Cut his hair really short so he won’t need a haircut for several months.

9. When making him a sandwich, leave the wrapper on the cheese or the rind on the bologna.

8. Always do things the way he asks. Occasionally do things just the opposite.

7. Take his truck mudding. Make sure you splash muddy water up under the hood.

6. When grilling use gasoline. It will make his Father’s Day more memorable.

5. Place a rubber cricket in his billfold, underwear, PDA, etc.

4. When he’s working under the car and asks for a wrench, make sure you drop it within inches of his head.

3. When backing out of the driveway, forget to close the car door and knock the door off.

2. Put yellow cake coloring in his bathwater while he’s sleeping.

1. Sew up the fly of his underwear.

Proverbs 5:18 "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth."

The Smuggler

Rebekah was notorious for loving animals. She had begged for a baby calf for several years. She had loved the ducks we had and spent many an afternoon sitting in the yard being a duck. Dogs were also on her list of animals to love. From her perspective, life revolved around animals. I think she looked at life though the eyes of an animal.

She was forever trying to sneak any and all animals into the house. She would hide them under her shirt, in a basket, a toy purse, wrapped in blankets or by what ever means she could find to smuggle them past me. I was forever stopping her as she entered the house, giving her a once over, announce where the baby kitten, puppy, etc. was hidden and tell her to turn around and take it outside. “Man, how do you always know?” she would ask. “I’m a mom,” I would say with confidence.

It was a cold blistery day as the children and I sat around the dining room table studying. Rebekah 8 was taking a break and asked to go and check on the 3 week old kittens in the shed. She spent as much time as allowed with them. I think they were beginning to think she was their mother.

At the table, Amber and I poured over the Algebra lesson. Rebekah walked in the room, threw her hands in the air and announced, “What?” I looked up at Rebekah and guilt was written all over her face. I began to scrutinize her from head to toe. Once again she shrugged her shoulders more emphatically and stated “What?” “Ok, where are the kittens?” I asked. “Open your coat and let me see.” “Mom” she stated innocently, “I don’t have any kittens in my coat.” I rose from the chair and looked her over from head to toe. I felt of her shirt, checked her pockets and examined her thoroughly. No kittens. “Ok,” I announced, “but I know there are kittens in there somewhere.” Once again she shrugged her shoulders and started walking to her bedroom.

“Hold it right there,” I said, a little more loudly than I had intended. She froze! “Come here.” Slowly she turned and started toward me with eyes as big as saucers. I bent down and felt of the bottom of her sweat pants. Two little kittens were held securely by the elastic at the bottom of her pants. “Rebekah!” “It’s ok, they can breath and they are comfortable, see?” she said, as she reached down each pant leg and retrieved a warm ball of fluffy kitten.

How could I be angry, it was such an ingenious plan? Trying to frown and give the ‘mother’ look I said, “Take them outside.” As she cuddled each kitten close to her and turned to walk away there was a sudden tug at my heart. “Rebekah, you can bring them in this time.” Smiling she turned and skipped to her room.

I Corinthians 2:9

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

RICHARD

Richard was a small shorthaired dog that came to live at our house for a time. He had a good disposition and loved Morgan. He and Morgan were inseparable. They played outside together, got grounded together, bathed together and ate at the table together. Richard was pretty amazing. Richard was invisible to everyone but Morgan.

Richard loved to tag along with us to the park. We would unload the kid’s bikes and Morgan and Richard would be off, racing from one end of the park to the other. Richard didn’t seem to mind the other dogs or kids in the park. He was right at home anywhere and with everyone.

Occasionally Morgan was allowed to play in the front yard. He was pretty good to stay within the set boundaries. One afternoon I looked out to see Morgan past the boundaries. “Morgan, come in and go to your room. You know where the boundaries are and you are outside of them.” He parked his bike and without a word went to his room. I closed the garage door and came in to hear him crying in his bedroom. It was unusual for him to cry so I opened his door and asked, “Why are you crying?” He wiped the tears from his eyes and said, “When you closed the garage door, you left Richard outside.” That statement brought new tears to his eyes. “Well, let’s go get Richard.” A smile broke out on Morgan’s face. I pushed the button and as the garage door began to raise Morgan yelled, “Richard, come on.” He turned and he and Richard went back to their room. ‘Was I actually beginning to see Richard too’?

Richard rarely chose to ride in the car. Regardless of the speed we were traveling, Richard ran beside the car, never falling behind. He was one fast dog. He knew how to dodge the traffic and he had his own GPS. From time to time Morgan would point out the window and announce, “Wow did you see that?” “Richard is flying.” “Look Mom.” As I would look to where his finger was pointing I thought I spotted something.

One evening when we were working in the yard Morgan asked, “Mom have you noticed Richard hasn’t been here?” I thought for a moment and sure enough Richard hadn’t been a main player in our home for several days. “Yes Morgan, where is he?” “Well Mom, he has been very sick and is in the hospital. He will be coming home today. A helicopter will be bringing him. So watch the sky.” With that he turned and went back to play. As I worked in the yard I would turn occasionally and watch Morgan as he would be watching the sky. Several hours later he shouted, “Look, look it’s Richard. He’s home. I’ve missed him so much.” I think I missed him too.

As quickly as Richard had come, one day he was gone. No longer could I hear Morgan visiting with him in his room. No longer were he and Morgan inseparable. As quietly as he entered our lives, one day he was no where to be found.

Psalms 139:7-12 “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.”

The Dad

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

From a 12 year olds perspective he was tall; surely he could touch the clouds. He had a kind face, smiling eyes, a gentle voice and he was in love with my Momma and wanted to marry her.

One evening Melinda and I dogged Momma as she got ready for her usual date. “Do you love him we asked?” “Well yes,” was her reply a little impatiently. We continued, “Have you kissed him?” Melinda and I sat on the bed waiting anxiously for the answer. “Well, what do you think? I’m going to marry him.” Melinda and I looked at each other and grinned, Momma gave us the ‘mom’ look.

“A new Dad, would he like me?” That one question seemed to continue to spin in my head. It seemed to dominate all the other questions that I wanted answered.

“A new Dad,” it almost caused my heart to stop. I wanted a new Dad so badly. Not really one that would take my Daddy’s place, but one that would fill the huge void that had been left in my life since my Daddy died.

Along with this wonderful new Dad came 3 new sisters and 1 new brother. It was like winning the bonus round, the all expense paid vacation and the gold ring all rolled into one. What more could a little girl want?



December 11, 1972 we all became a family and I got my new Daddy. He was gentle, kind, full of wisdom and had enough love to spread between 7 children ages 4-14.


This December we will celebrate 35 years together as a family. We have had our ups and downs as a family, but mostly ups. To get two great Dads in one lifetime can only be a blessing from God! To get extra brothers and sisters is the cherry on top!


My Dad Lawrence is wonderful. He always has a listening ear, gentle words full of wisdom and love that's unconditional. He filled the void in my life. My Dad had big shoes to fill; he step right into them and walked with grace and poise.

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

The Gifts

As Christmas was drawing closer, Daryl didn’t have time to take the kids shopping for me. They were getting anxious because I didn’t have any gifts under the tree from them. Finally after much coxing I agreed to taking them shopping.

We devised a plan. The kids would push a shopping cart down every aisle, I would walk in the front, as they made their selections they would place the items in the basket and cover them with their coats. Going down every aisle insured them that I wasn’t aware when they chose something and placed it in the basket.

As we walked through automotive, sporting goods, electronics, pets, the garden center, shoes, clothing and more, the kids would stop occasionally, put their heads together and whisper. I wanted so badly to turn and spy, not to see their selection, but to witness their expressions and eavesdrop on their intense conversation.

When they would decide on a gift they would scramble to hide it under the coats and then quiz me to see if I had peeked. After assurance on my part we would again continue shopping. Because of the many times we stopped and they whispered between themselves, I was unaware of what was being purchased.

After making all of their selections, we headed to the checkout. I spoke to the checker and asked her to ring up the items, place them in bags while I stood with my back to her. When she had the total and everything bagged, I turned and wrote out the check. I was not too shocked by the amount, for the kids had kept me up to date on the amount of each item placed in the basket.

As we headed to the car the kids were full of whispers, giggles and smiles. That evening they spent extra time wrapping the gifts in the special way that only a 9, 8, and 4 year old could do.

When we opened presents that Christmas, the kids were full of excitement and anticipation, not so much for their gifts, but for what they had purchased for me. With each gift I opened there were whispers between the three that were more precious than the gifts themselves. Two of the gifts that they were most excited about were a pair of ‘gold high heels’ and a ‘pink bra’. They were so pleased with the elegant gifts that they had chosen. I was humbled that my children had thought so highly of me to pick out the ‘gold high heels’ and the ‘pink bra’.

Jeremiah 33:3

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Top 10 Tuesday

My Personal Top 10 Favorite Scriptures

that help me get through tough times.

1. Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”


2. Proverbs 103:12

“As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”


3. Philippians 4:4-6

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”


4. Hebrews 13:5-6

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"


5. Isaiah 41:10

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”


6. Habakkuk 3:17-19

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”


7. Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”


8. Philippians 3:13-14

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”


9. John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."


10. I Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

Do you have a scripture that helps you through tough times?

"PETRIE"

When the children were small we found a baby mockingbird beside our house. His mother was teaching him to fly and he had hurt his wing. We struggled with what to do with him; leave him to nature or step in and give him a hand. We stepped in.

We named him Petrie because he flew like Petrie in “Land Before Time,” not very good. We put him in a box and covered it with a screen. He would talk and visit during the day and go to bed every night at 6:00 pm. He was the perfect baby, never suffering from colic or tummy aches.

Many times a day we fed Petrie on moistened cat food. We would remove the screen and he would stand and stretch his neck as far out as possible. We would place the food on a baby spoon and he would gobble it down as if he were starving.

As time passed the soft downy feathers were replaced with new ones. He hopped around the box and seemed to grow stronger each day. From time to time when we removed the screen to feed Petrie he would perch on the side of the box to be fed.

One Saturday morning I told the kids it was time to set Petrie free. I thought he was strong enough to fly. The kids were sad, but excited to see how he had healed and then could possibly fly. We took him to the backyard in his box, removed the screen and stepped back to watch. Petrie flew to the top of the box; he sat and looked around at the big wide world. He flew to the low bar on the swing set; we all held our breath. He flew to the top bar of the swing set and to our amazement his mother came and flew beside him. They flew off together to a low branch of a tree, then to a higher branch and then they were gone. We watch in total amazement.

That momma bird had waited over 3 weeks for her baby. She had been watching the house all that time. How did she know he was there? Had she heard him singing? Each time the door opened, did she look to see who was coming and going and if it might be her baby? This mother bird was ‘faithful.’

I think about how faithful and how attuned God is to us, whether beside Him or when we have left His side. Always watching, always waiting for our return.

Hebrews 13:5-6

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

I'm Glad I Went to Nineveh

Tuesday evening Amber was induced. We waited, patiently and not too patiently. Here are a few things to do when you are waiting, waiting and waiting at the hospital.





Daniel coloring with Aunt Amber before active labor.




The wait continues, here are a few tips from 5 year old Daniel.






Stand on your head.










Hang out in the cafeteria and eat lots of cereal.








Pull a spongy pillow over your face and greet other visitors.










Take random pictures on people entering and exiting elevator.




And finally Baby Asher arrives May 16, 2007





Asher Thomas Palacios









6 pounds







19 3/4 inches










Momma and baby Asher are doing wonderfully.










Papa, Daniel and Baby Asher






Daniel waited forever for
Baby Moses aka Asher.

Asher will learn great and wonderful things from his cousin.








Amber was on a strict diet for 6 weeks. She requested pizza and ice cream following delivery.

"Prospective Is Everything"

In many ways I’m like a potted plant. I like my pot and I’m comfortable with my surroundings, I grow and bloom to my full potential. But when I’m placed in a bigger pot, new surroundings and environment I start to wilt, loose some leaves and I look sickly for about 8 months. In the ninth month I began to put on tiny blooms, there are new leaves and new shoots, and I began to grow and thrive in my new surroundings.

In the spring of ’99 we had an interview with a Church in New Mexico. Daryl, the kids and I were very nervous. Meeting new people, uprooting our lives and moving was a big step. And how do you move teenagers with as little pain as possible? Morgan and Amber were 17, Rachel 15 and Rebekah 11.

I began to devise a plan. I called all the kids in and began to tell them the horrors of moving to New Mexico. I said, “The little town has no electricity, running water and only outdoor toilets. There are scorpions, rattle snake and tarantulas everywhere.” They all sat and listened in a shocked stupor. My plan was working.

Two weeks later, on a Saturday morning we loaded up the family and headed to New Mexico, a day before the preaching tryout to look the town over.

The forty-five mile road from Hobbs to Jal was 2 lane with speed limits posted at 55. We looked out the windows and watched as the mesquite, cacti, and other desert life past our view. The forty-five mile, 2 lane road stretched out before us. There was occasional chatter, but mostly anticipation to the horror that waited us.

As we pulled into the quaint little town of Jal the kids sat up and began to talk all at once. “Look the trees are all green and some have flowers.” “Look Mom, there’s brick houses.” “They have a nice school.” “Wow, a grocery story, library, video story…..” “Mom, this is wonderful.” I hadn’t realized I had been holding my breath. I let out a sigh and breathed deeply. The kids seemed both eager and excited as they continued to point out blessing upon blessing about the little town. The excitement was catching and everyone wanted to get out the van. Maybe the kids just wanted to touch the ground, to see if it were real. Maybe they were afraid they would wake up to the outdoor toilets, rattle snakes and scorpions.

Eight years has passed since we all loaded up and headed to New Mexico for the first time. Occasionally we look back and laugh about that trip so long ago. We came to realize that prospective has everything to do with how you handle life.

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."

TOP '10' TUESDAY

On Tuesday, May 1st Trey Morgan did a Top 10 list of, "Why It's Great To Be A Man." Today the rebuttal...

Why It's Great To Be A Woman

1. We can change our minds and it’s ok.

2. We can be wrong and still be right.

3.We use both sides of our brains simultaneously.


4. With ‘just’ the right maneuver (smile, wink, innocence, etc.) we can get out of trouble.

5. We know the difference between egg shell, ecru, and off white.

6. We can wipe a nose, break up a fight, dust the living room, balance the checkbook and cook a meal for a bereaved family all at the same time.




7. We can laugh when we are scared, cry when we are happy and scream when we are elated.

8. We are strong! Check out the women of the New Testament. They were there with Christ to the very end.

9. We can walk in a room and change the appearance.







10. If a woman ain’t happy……….ain’t nobody happy!