Friday, December 28, 2012

See ya 2012....HELLO 2013

2012 In Review
BALLARD STYLE

Our family started off the year on a HIGH note. Our sweet Everett was born 1-11-12


Estella finished her first year of school in June 


Sophie started Pre-K in August


And Khloe...Well Khloe only went to the hospital once.
(if anyone knows our family you know that Khloe is my clumsy girl)




We had alot of ups this year and are so blessed to have the wonderful life God has given us.

On that note I want to get on my soapbox for a moment. Given then horrible events that happened in Connecticut I cant help but look at the world in a different light. I was in high school when the Columbine tragedy happened. And then as mother with children in school this happens. I cant help but wonder if God is trying to tell us something. He is trying to bring this world closer to him. He is trying to show us that we need him and when we have him in our hearts they will NEVER grow cold.

So with that said I believe that in 2013 we should work everyday to become closer to the Lord. To witness to the people who do not know him and bring them to him. This world has gone further and further away from him and honestly it is getting worse with everyday that passes. I could sit here and list all of the horrible things that happened in this world in 2012 but instead I want to look to 2013 as the year that it changes. The year that the world came together to make it a better place for our children to grow up in.


 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For he who comes to God must believe He exists, and rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Come to Me, all you who are weary and weighed down with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in spirit. Indeed, you will surely find rest in Me! My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)





Monday, December 3, 2012

I have discovered Instagram!

I know its kinda been out FOREVER but...well what can I say...Im behind the times...So anyways i thought i would share some of my Instagram photos with yall


My husband and I

My sweet Everett

My youngest daughter Khloe

Estella my oldest

Sophie my 2nd daughter

Everett after a long night

I just thought this was a cool feature of Instagram...even if it is blurry

This is Khloe watching Toy Story 3 for the millionth time!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Winter Roses

Well since my roses didn't want to blow this spring. They are being fickle and blooming now. We had a hard freeze last night and well this is what I woke up to.

 
I have about 7 this size.

 
They are a beautiful shade of pink.

 
Estella loved them so much she had to cut one and "model" it. Enjoy!

AHH I love living in the country

I am a country girl! I grew up in the country and now my family and I are finally settling back into the country. We live in a small/big town in Texas. Now, I say a small/big town because it has about 20,000 people but it still has a very small town feel. We have lived her about 2 years now and LOVE it. I wouldn't change it for the world.

 
waking up to this every morning is Heaven on earth.

 
Oh yes this is my view!


 
Here is Darla. She is a painted horse and we LOVE her

Sunday, November 11, 2012

In Honor of Veterans Day

I want to thank all the men and women that have and continue to serve our country. The reason I can write this and share my thoughts is because of you. I am free because of our brave soliders.

Most important to my heart is my husband he is a disabled veteran and still continues to take pride in the fact that he served his country and was able to do his part.




This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. -Elmer Davis

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

As our nation comes into a new chapter and seems to be divided I have a quote that a friend shared with me this morning that I think pretty much sums it up.

" We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.
Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave, to every living heart all across the broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the union, when again touched, as surely they will be by the better angels of our nature.
For if destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author. As a nation of free men, we must live for all time, or die of suicide.”





-Abraham Lincoln

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

A few of my favorite things...


 
My family is my life and the first of my favorite things....
 
 
 
My Sweet Sexy Hubby Steven
 
 
I am not one to brag or to boast about my children but they are my life and since this blog is about my life I think they should be involved.
 
 
Estella my 7 year old

Everett my 9 month old

Khloe my 2 year old

Sophie my 4 year old
 
 
That is all.....FOR NOW!

Book of the week




I am a HUGE fan of books. I love almost every genre of book. I use to work in a bookstore and literally fell in love. So I want to start recommending some of the great books that I have read and never wanted to put down.


I am a 29 year old mother of 4 and admit that I LOVE cat books. I don't own any cats due to the fact that my hubby doesn't like them...SO....I have to get my cat fix with books. When I was selling homes for a builder I would have to spend my days in the model home waiting for potential customers to come in the door. BORING. Well one day I got way to bored and decided to pick up a book from one of the shelves in the study. This mind you was a model home so the books were just put there to look good. Well I picked up "The Cat Who Went Into The Closet" by the late Lillian Jackson Braun. I read it in one day! It was so good. It had a great story line and a wonderful use of cats. I don't like books where the cats talk to their owner, its just weird.

There are actually numerous "Cat Who" books but this was my first to read and i have since read the rest. This sticks in my mind because it was the first and it made me just fall in love with the characters.

So I recommend this book to anyone who wants a great read and a great laugh.


We are just beginning

When I sat down to start a blog I couldn't really figure out what to do. How should I start? So why not with a great photo

This is my second born. This is Sophie and this photo in no way shows the great personality that this one has but it is one of my favorite photos that I took with my new camera. Enjoy


-Katie
Small town country girl