Happy New Year!

Bringing in the New Year Roaring 20's style!

Christmas 2011

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body."
Elizabeth Stone

My heart was full this December 25, 2011 as I received the greatest GIFT of having all my children at home. One by one they all "walked" home. Merry Christmas.

Christmas cookies!

Merry Christmas to all!

The Edge of The World

Brayde and I (and the babies) had the gracious  invitation of friends to spend last weekend on their family Ranch.  It was an experience to remember for all of us.  The Ranch is located about 30 miles North of Laredo and covers about 10,000 acres.  As I drove there I felt like I was going to the edge of the world.  It was a different part of the world for  sure.  As, Brayde the Carl Farmer, noticed, every plant growing had thorns.  The stars were amazing and the sunrise was too!
Justice had his first target practice, hunting experience, and shot his first doe.  We are not a family of "hunters" so I was nervous about the whole gun thing and  shooting a living animal.  We have made good use of his food contribution to our family.  He is proud to be a contributor.

Noble was not to be outdone and after we (the girls) returned from an outing in Laredo, she was escorted by the 10 year old boss of the ranch, and his Grandpa, out to the open range where she shot a  javelina down in one shot! I am still mulling over the whole experience and hope that I will be able to share more of it in words soon.

At the Ranch with Friends December 2-4, 2011

Hunting!

J"s first hunting Liscense ! Noble too!

Chili& friends on a Wednesday!

Thank God for good friends!

Thanksgiving 2011

If you set it, (The Table), they will come. I am so pleased they did. It was absolutely wonderful having everyone at home. +Monica McClure You know we missed you sweet, but God willing we will see you for Christmas and we will wine and dine you at the table. 
I hope you ALL had a peaceful and love filled Thanksgiving Day! Giving thanks and more thanks and still more to the ONE who deserves it all.

Thanksgiving Table 2012

I

If you set it (The Table) they will come! I am so very pleased that they did!

NYPD (Monica in New York)

Monica text me very early this morning and said she was heckled by some NYPD or "cat called" as she put it. She demanded an apology, (none given). This was after watching several people get beaten. She was furious. It makes me nervous. Keep them all in your prayers.

2011 SXSW Eco Conference: Observations from a freshman | Sustainability

2011 SXSW Eco Conference: Observations from a freshman | Sustainability

The above link is posted by our freshmen, "Given" aka Samuel Given McClure.

Fall Finally Arrives in the Coastal Bend!

The true Fall breeze finally arrived this week, the one that reminds me of so many wonderful life moments.  I always have the urge to go back home when the cool wind blows.  But "home" is really the urge to see and watch and talk to the people that I love. People I have loved in the past, people I love now, and the people I will know and love in the future, that is (grandchildren).
Wow, that will be a gold thread in my tapestry of life.
Our family is not at that point yet, but we have arrived at a turning point with the engagement of Kindred and Lisa. 
Yes it's true he asked her and she said "yes." 
Bryden said, "This is cosmic!"  I agree.  Divine Providence.  We have been praying for the spouses of all our children since they were children themselves.  They used to ask me with blushed cheeks why we would pray for their wives or husbands now?  I tried to explain to them that although we did not know them yet, God did and does.
We will continue to ask God's blessings and give great thanks for even his most subtle blessings.


 

Smoke signals are up!

The smoke signals that Brayde likes to send out are going while we cook out. Join us!

Loaded Bicycle - Monica McClure

Loaded Bicycle - Monica McClure

Sharing some of our Poets poetry.

Here I've sat before...

Here I've walked before, here I've cried before, here I've died before.  The words in a song by Alela Diane.

# 5 goes to College Given at St. Edward's

My heart is still soft when I think about Given leaving us and starting his new college way of life.  We miss him.  He is independent and strong but I must say my heart has a slight ache when the communication is less and less.  Still, I know that  is the way it should be. I remember it being that way for me.  He is at a comfortable and great University. 

He was born there in a way.  I met Brayde there, St. Edward's Univeristy 1981, and we were providentially brought together.  He is providentially there now.

Still waiting for the Fall!

It seems to me that I have never had to wait so long for the first Fall breeze to come and refresh my soul.  There has been a hint of it in the air, but nothing like I remember back in my old hometown, no fall smell in the air or a gust of cool wind that causes the little ones to run outside like puppies and squeal with joy.

I am waiting.
We are keeping busy as we wait with baseball and softball and friends and school and the joy that it all brings if I just slow down and breathe and remind myself that every minute is a gift.

I am looking forward to the time when my family can all gather at the table again, and eat and laugh and enjoy the comfortableness of each other.

A Family Video Easter 2011

As we start talk of a gathering of our families that is, directly of the children, grandchildren, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of Delfino and Lilly Sanchez, I thought I would post this Easter 2011 video.  Sent with all my love.

Wrapping up the Summer 2011

I just can't go on to Fall until I wrap up summer. I have to say that this was definitely a wonderful summer.  I made an effort to enjoy the blessing of living near the beach and the times I spent with family and friends there will always be cherished.  
It was one of the best summers.  I hope to have many more.

Brayde and I are adjusting to only having two children in the house.  The last time we had only two children was in 1987!  Yep we are kinda old.  But the "little ones" keep us going for sure!  The Judge is playing Fall baseball and our Sweet BoBo is playing softball.  They are both soaking up the the learning. Writing poetry, reading books, and listening to the political opinions of their classmates.  They are curious, intrigued, full of life and young joy.  I find myself staring at them sometimes and I am amazed at the people they are.  We look at old pictures and watch old videos of the "Original Five" and we miss them and think of them and talk about them a lot.

We take the daily struggles with a mostly  steadfast step. I  catch myself leaning a bit at times but  I have been sideways before  and God always gently raises me up.

I am looking forward to the cooler weather and the Fall of 2011.  Life is going by FAST!

The # 7 turned 9 on July 5th!

Wow nine is a lot.  He is amazing and still likes to snuggle.  He still asks to and I have decided today that I will not refuse him again....not for wash or computer or folding etc.  He informed me today that his reading level is 7.5, that is grade 7 5th month.  He is in 3rd grade., ( A proud Mom moment) however, I take no credit for any of the wonderful gift of people My God has entrusted to me for a while.  They are who they are,,, created in the image of God.

McClure Reunion 2011

McClure Reunion 2011

July 4..2011 McClure Reunion

The Oklahoma McClure's invaded the Coastal Bend for the annual McClure Reunion!

June 27 Time In Luling at the Oak Street House

We took a couple of days to relax after the Thump and had a special breakfast at Paula's Kitchen....the best place ever to have breakfast.  Limited to the very few invited.  :)

The boys took the kids down by the San Marcos river near the Old Zedler Mill.  It is beautiful there!  Of course they had some swim time in the river.

High School Reunion at The Thump!

June 23-26 Luling Watermelon Thump!

The "Thump" always takes place the last full weekend in June.  This year was my reunion year and that made it extra special! 

Back in Corpus Christi

June 20-21 I had ESL training at the region 2 center.  As soon as I pay $120 to take the test and pass I will official have my ESL Certification!  Hmmm I have to pay...I hope I pass!

Father's Day

Father's Day June 19th

On Father's Day we floated down the San Marcos river.  I think since we have done that 3 or 4 years in a row that it is now a "tradition."  The Denman's also joined us for that and for the second year in a row so did Rudy and Joann and our special guest was Aaron.  And even though I can't seem to locate any pics  of the occasion it really did happen!  It was fun and the water was cool and clear and just what was needed.  Bry, Kindred , Given and of course the babies were there too!

Summer in June 2011

I always wonder in the Fall just exactly how I spent my summer.  I can never really remember so this year I am making an effort to record what it is we are doing this summer.
On June 18th we spent the day with the Denman's and that is where Given, Tyler Denman and Kindred did the Bungee ride at the Bahn!

A great day.

June 18th Schlitterbahn 2011

I wish I had the courage to do this!

May 28th Given's Graduation Party

Summer 2011 Part 1

Friends At The Beach

We live near the beach!!!

One last event May 31

Little League Closing Ceremonies  The last evening in May was the close to this year's spring ball.  The "New Two"  had a great season and they were both coached by Dad.
So, to say that May was a bit busy is surely an understatement and while it was filled with ups and downs it will be a May to remember.

Day After...May 29th...We are off to the beach

Hanging out as we gather to go to the National Seashore

May 28th The Graduation Party

They all made it home for celebrating the last of the "Original Five's" graduation.  Five down two to go!

Later that same day...May 21

Later that same day Given had one last time on the football field when he played in the South Texas Allstar Football game, West vs. East.

Graduation lunch with friends and family May 21, 2011

Celebrating with friends and family

Graduation May 21, 2011

Given and the girls

The boys at graduation

Graduation on the Corpus Christi Bay!

Graduation May 21, 2011

Then it was here!  A day we will all remember. :)

Two of the best Coaches!

Young Coach Hilliard, Given, and Young Coach Hilliard . They were patient, kind and great role models.

State Pole Vault Austin, Texas 2011

The hard work paid off and it was enough to get Giv first place at Regionals and qualify him to compete at the  Texas State Track meet in Austin.  He placed 6th! A big accomplishment in this big state of TEXAS!

Track meets galore!

We spent a lot of time watching Given run the hurdles, pole vault, mile relay and 4 by 1.   Track meets all around South Texas and then when he won first in the district for hurdles and pole vault we went to San Antonia for Regionals. Yes it was cold!

Mother's Day

Next was Mother's Day when I was showered with homemade Mother's Day gifts...the best kind! Thank you "new two."

His First Communion

As I mentioned previously May was  very busy month, but now it is just history.

It started off with J's first communion.  He was very excited about it and the two years of preparation  were worth it.  A special time in his young life, we love him so much and we are proud of him.  May 1, St. Peter's Catholic Church, Corpus Christi, Texas.                                      

Random thoughts....

There is a way that seemeth right, but in the end it leadeth to destruction.  From the Bible, but I am too lazy to look it up right now.


Bryden's thought is......Feelings are boring, kissing is awesome.  Also seen on a tshirt around these parts.

Standing at the Beach!

Memorial Day weekend at National Seashore.

Busy May!

There has not been much time for posting lately.  I think about it a lot but between baseball, softball, track, school and home life there has not been much time to do so! 
Well anyway,  I just had to share a funny from one of my students.  I overheard one of my kinder girls saying to other students that her little brother's middle name was "Justice McClure"  Ha!  The following has begun.
More soon....

The Art of Loving People

The Art of Loving People (April 8-10) 2011

I had a wonderful weekend in Seabrook/ Kemah with some of the most artful people I know.  Given's creative art and mind gave us an opportunity to experience the creative minds of many young artists around the state of Texas at the VASE art show.  It was a loving, patient, kind and peaceful experience and a great work in the "art of loving people."  Kindred suggested that we end Saturday by visiting the Houston Museum of Contemporary Art and it was a perfect end to the day.  Some might call it "off the wall art, " or maybe even weird, but it was art made by people made in the image of God, and God has a creative mind.  It was a treat and it was a blessing to me to be in the presence of people in my family who are skilled in the "art of loving people!"  The pace of the music posted with the pictures fits the time spent together.

Given Art

Given's art piece qualified for the VASE State Art Show in Seabrook, Texas. It is beautiful and represents him well. Colorful, intricate, strong and unique. What is VASE? Visual Art Scholastic Event.