One More Birthday Celebration

We just finished a whole weekend of celebrating Ashley’s birthday.  It started with her getting her bike as soon as we got home from basketball on Friday night, continued into Saturday with her early scooter gift that morning from her cousins, and the rest of her gifts that evening, and then into Sunday on her “real” birthday. 

We hadn’t had enough of the birthday celebration yet, so I had planned on bringing cupcakes to Ashley’s class on Monday during their regular snack time.  They were a real hit!  Even my picky little Ashley ate the whole thing (minus a few crumbs in her hair, eyebrows, and on her shirt).

Before the kids arrived at snack time…

Happy Birthday to you…(singing)

Ashley with Reece and Quaid post-cupcakes…

I am so glad I took the time out of my busy workday to spend some time at school with my sweet birthday girl and her classmates.  Once again, Happy Birthday Ashley!

Race/Birthday/Family Weekend

What an incredible weekend we had with family!  We used the Tyler Azalea 10k as an excuse to get together and we couldn’t have picked a more beautiful and perfect weekend.  The only problem – weekends just don’t last long enough.  When everyone was packing up and leaving yesterday we were already talking about the next time we would all see each other. We do a great job of making family a priority and I love that about my family!

After the race Saturday morning, we had a great day of hanging out in the yard, watching NCAA basketball on the patio, eating fabulous (and too much) food, enjoying and catching up with each other, opening up and playing with gifts, and celebrating Ashley’s birthday.

On Sunday, after worshipping together at Green Acres, we showed off the EPC office building and then had lunch on the patio at Brookshire’s Fresh.

As some began packing up and leaving, a game of Bocce ball broke out and it was serious and fun.  It was serious (and fun) for the players and fun for the spectators.  It is a great backyard game for kids of all ages.  I think I want to get in on the game next time!  Courtney had a great start with an early lead, then Cody started showing some Bocce ball skill, but in the end, Brent was the come-from-behind winner.  Way to go Brent!  Ashley was just thrilled to be included in the game with the big kids and she even scored a point or two.

The very scientific measuring of the closest ball with Cody’s feet…

I hated to see our weekend come to an end.  I love you all and enjoyed our time together.

Tyler Azalea 10k

I have run a lot of races – several 5ks, a couple of 15ks, 10 half marathons, and a full marathon, but never a 10k.  This year I will run my first 10k (today) and first 10-miler (May 12th), and with my two favorite running buddies too! 

There were several great things about this race.  One, it was a 10k (or 6.2 miles for those of us that live in the USA and don’t measure anything in kilometers).  This is less than half of what we run in a half marathon, which has been our race of choice, which makes this a very “easy” race.  Second, it is right here in Tyler so I didn’t have to travel anywhere this time.  Almost all of our races have been in Dallas and Austin areas so I am always the one on the road, but not this time!  Third, it is on a Saturday morning which means the race started at 8, was over for us a little after 9, and we have the whole day to enjoy without having a race hanging over our heads the next day.  Most of our races are on Sundays so we spend most of the weekend hydrating, resting, and mentally preparing, leaving very little time to just relax.  Now the rest of the weekend will be about fun and family!

Happy 7th Birthday Ashley!

I can’t believe my beautiful girl is turning 7.  She was born on Good Friday, March 25, 2005 at 3:30 in the afternoon.  What a blessing and a gift she has been since the day she was born.  I can’t imagine my life without this funny, sweet, loving, friendly, energetic, dramatic (and sometimes whiney, but always precious) young lady.  We are having the entire Jasper clan in this weekend (minus Les) so it is going to be busy and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to wish Ashley an early happy birthday before things get too crazy.

On her birth day…

Turning 1…

Almost 6 years later…growing up way too quickly…

We have lots to squeeze in this big birthday weekend – watching basketball (Ashley’s first game and then Baylor and Kentucky Sweet 16 games), eating Papa Murphy’s pizza, enjoying patio time, playing Game of Things, running the Azalea 10k, riding bikes and scooters, opening presents, grilling fajitas, drinking yummy margs, eating birthday cookie cake, attending worship service, and making cupcakes for Ashley’s class on Monday.  Lots of fun family time ahead!  In Cody’s words from when he was little, “Come on everybodies!”

The Hospice of East Texas

The Hospice of East Texas has been providing loving care to patients and their families and service to the communities of east Texas since 1982.  After visiting this wonderful facility for the first time, I can see that they provide a safe haven for patients and families dealing with terminal illness and its physical, emotional, social and spiritual challenges.  About 10 years ago, my family became intimately familiar with Hospice of East Texas when my Dad’s long time friend and business partner, Charles, suddenly lost his wife Donna after a short bout with brain cancer.

Donna was too young and taken away too quickly from her husband and children and spent the last few weeks of her life in Hospice’s care, never regaining consciousness after having a seizure that was a result of a large and undiscovered brain tumor.  This is the same type of cancer that my Dad was diagnosed with almost 7 years ago. 

Last year when Charles retired, a donation was made by my Dad (from the company, EPC) in memory of Donna so the center could build a courtyard and fountain for patients and families to enjoy.  The courtyard is now complete so Dad and I visited the facility today to see the finished product and visit with Nancy Lamar who handles community relations for The Hospice of East Texas.  It was very special and emotional to see what they did with the money.  Not only is there a beautiful courtyard for people to enjoy, but the money that remains will be put into an endowment in Donna’s name to help the center and families that utilize these free community services going forward.

www.hospiceofeasttexas.org

The plaque was a quote selected by Charles and his current wife, Julia, and says, “You are nearer God’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on Earth” in loving memory of Donna Lassiter. 

Building Renovation

I can’t recall how much I have posted about our new building purchase (if at all), but EPC bought a church building and property last month after much fun with the planning and zoning committee, city council meetings, attorneys, and neighborhood drama and opposition. We made big news in both the local Tri-County Leader (twice) and even the Tyler Paper after trying to purchase this property from the current owners.  After we were finally successful in getting the property rezoned, we are now doing a full renovation and addition.  We are very excited about having our own place that we own and take care of, since our current space leaves a lot to be desired in the area of aesthetics.  I will try to keep everyone updated on the construction process but here are a few pictures I took yesterday.

My office…previously part of the youth game room

Dad’s office…previously the pastor’s office (desk included)

Conference room…previously the other half of the youth game room

The kitchen…

Drafting area…once the sanctuary

Things are coming right along and move in schedule is hopefully the week of May 21st.  I will try to continue to update but mark your calendar and plan on coming to visit us at 101 Glenda Street, Whitehouse, Texas in a couple of months!

Busy Weekend

The classic Mel Brooks movie is ALIVE...and came to the Cowan Center in Tyler on Friday!  The tickets to the show were my Valentine gift to Jason this year after he enjoyed Les Miserables so much on New Years Day.  Brent and Julie had recommended this show to us that very day, so when I saw it was coming to Tyler, I had to buy the tickets.  We had a monstrously good time at this hilarious and quite off color production! 

On Saturday, after running, housework, errands, and baseball practice, we got all dressed up cowboy style (or our best shot at it) to head to Whitehouse Chamber of Commerce’s Reverse Raffle.  It would take me an entire blog to explain a reverse raffle but everyone that bought a ticket to get in was treated to Stanley’s award-winning barbeque, sausage and ribs, iced down refreshments, and an opportunity to win $10,000.  There were several items auctioned off and unfortunately after buying several chances to win, I walked away empty handed.  Daddy and Mama were our double-date and Daddy walked away with a Mawaw’s Fried Pie $25 gift certificate.  He almost made the top 10 which would have given him a 1 in 10 chance of winning that $10,000!

We are now home (and so is Ashley) and relaxing.  Jason fixed a delicious meal and it is nice to just be hanging out at home after a very busy weekend.  We better relax while we can because the whole Jasper clan will be in next weekend (and we can’t wait!)