Beth

About a year ago the children's pastor at our home church was diagnosed with cancer. Pancreatic cancer. Almost immediately, friends, family, and even strangers rallied together to pray for Beth. They called themselves "Team Beth" and committed to walk this journey with the James family and cover them in prayer. Along the way, there were little victories. Doctors were amazed when Beth's tumor decreased in size. Team Beth knew the true Healer was at work. Beth and her husband Dave recorded their journey on a blog titled "So the Power of God Can Be Seen." Their faith never wavered. They saw God's hand in every part of Beth's treatment and called on Team Beth to "pester" our Father in prayer. In the last few months there were little set-backs. But at the same time she had been accepted to participate in a clinical trial. All the while, both Beth and Dave demonstrated faith. Beth was suddenly and without warning put on hospice on Tuesday. Team Beth hit their knees in prayer for this woman of God to be healed. He had other plans though and Beth passed away on Saturday evening. This week as Judd and I talked about Beth, I told him that I just don't understand why God would take such a saint. Why Beth? Of all people, why Beth? She has touched sooooo many children's lives in Kaufman county. I'll never know why, but I trust that God's plan is perfect and that He will receive much glory from her death. I know my life has been impacted by hers...

Please join me in praying for Dave and their children Brian and Emily.

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Scroll down to see a new post - Labor Day Weekend: Western Hills

Ready for another year of Upward Cheerleading!

Labor Day Weekend: Western Hills

We spent Labor Day weekend in Oklahoma at Western Hills. My dad's family began meeting the McMurtrey family there back in 1969. This reunion has occured every year since. I always have that nostalgic feeling when I'm there...I especially remember my grandparents. I have so many fond memories of Western Hills that center around Me-Maw and Pe-Paw. This year was no different...we had tons of fun and made memories that will last forever!

We left town on Thursday after school and spent the night in Kaufman to break up the trip a bit. Yes, Bailey and I both skipped school on Friday! We left for Oklahoma on Friday morning and arrived at Western Hills by 3:00. The kids wasted no time getting in the pool. Because not many guests had arrived yet, the kids had the whole pool to themselves! They had a blast!

On Saturday, we started out with a tram ride to the Nature Center. Campbell doesn't like to look at the camera.

Bailey and Campbell looking at snakes with Maw-Maw and Pop

GiGi was brave enough to touch a snake! Not Bailey!

Campbell, Samantha, GiGi, and Bailey playing with nature stamps

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool! The kids loved the fountains!

Even Uncle Kenny and Judd joined the fun!

water guns!

Esra went swimming for the first time

At dinner that night, the kids wanted to look at the fountain. We told Campbell several times to NOT touch the water. He came back to the table to get his glow stick bracelets that Cindy gave all the kids. He took them to the fountain and created a fishing-pole-like apparatus to put in the water. Pretty smart if you ask me! He never actually touched the water!

Bailey loves holding Esra!

After dinner, we walked down to "the point" and the kids played on the playground. It was the only time they played on it because it was so hot during the day.

That night they had a "dance" outside where Jeannine (pictured below in pink) did the Macarena. She was my grandmother's best friend. I remember teaching Me-Maw and Jeannine that very dance about 15 years ago at Western Hills...oh the memories!

Miss Bailey doing the Macarena

On Sunday, we went horseback riding! We did a "stable ride" where you just lead the horse around the stable because it was shorter and cheaper than an actual trail ride. It ended up being perfect for our kiddos! I knew Campbell would be hesitant about getting on a horse by himself so I offered to ride with him. He loved it!

When Campbell saw that Bailey was riding by herself (and he figured out that riding a horse isn't all that scary), he decided to ride by himself! I was so proud of him!

Campbell and Mom with his horse Suzy

Bailey was so excited to ride a horse all by herself!

Bailey and her horse Sally

After horseback riding, we went back to the Nature Center where we met one of the workers that raises beavers and skunks! This little guy lives with him...in his house!!! He said they have to fill up the bathtub for him several times a day. While at the Nature Center, the beaver hangs out in the man-made "creek" then scratches at the front door when it wants in. Crazy!

Here is one of the skunks that also lives with him. He said that the skunks and beaver play well together. He kept the skunks in a pack-n-play in the office at the Nature Center!

Bailey petting the skunk

Kenny and Esra at the Nature Center

Back at the lodge, Bailey and Campbell had fun on their scooters!

Bailey took this picture - Campbell wouldn't look at the camera again!

On Sunday night, they did fireworks over the lake. It was the first time they've ever done fireworks in all the years that we've been there!

Another great year at Western Hills! We're already looking forward to next year!

Campbell

The blog has been a little Bailey-heavy lately with her birthday and the start of school. So, here's a post just for the little brother of the family!

• Campbell got a play grill for his birthday from Aunt Calie. He loves it! He pretends to grill hotdogs, hamburgers, and chicken and he takes it outside to grill with Daddy. Poor little guy can't say grill though. He says girl. Lately, he has talked a lot about going to college and says, "When I go to college, I'm going to get a BIG GIRL!"
• A few days ago he said, "Dad, when I go to Baylor, will you go with me? To keep the bears from getting me?"
• Just this week, Campbell has become obsessed with football. He wants to wear his Dallas Cowboys uniform (including the helmet) constantly. One night he wanted to watch the "football movie" (Facing the Giants) while wearing his uniform. He also insisted that I call him Football Player, not Campbell Cochran!

I love my little football player to pieces!

Hello Kitty

For her birthday, Bailey got a Hello Kitty dress, Hello Kitty shoes, and a custom made Hello Kitty bow from Aunt Jaime. She also got a Hello Kitty purse from Mrs. Sealy. Last Sunday Bailey proclaimed it "Hello Kitty" day as she wore all of her HK loot!