Oklahoma

Visiting with my cousin and her children. (there are going to be 9 kids total between our two families)

What do two Southern California boys do when there is rain. We play in it of course.
We went to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame for some good cowboy fun.

These are all the rodeo royalty for Oklahoma. The queen was one of my mom's former students.

Cracker Barrel is a must while traveling.

As most of you know, we are spending some time here in Oklahoma with my parents and some friends. Here are a few shots of what we have been doing. More to come. (we went to Bullnaza and watched some great bull riding and today we are going to the zoo)

Why my floor stays dirty

Asher likes to get in my way while I vacuum. It makes it twice as long.

Update

I have spent this last week in Florida being with my family and friends as we begin to grieve the loss of my cousin. I have been amazed my the support that my aunt has here and the love that she has been given. There is more food that one can eat and more company that room in the house. Yesterday was the celebration service of my cousin and the church was filled with standing room only. It was done very well (my dad being the ring leader). He was loved my many and made an impact on lots of people. The more we learn the more we realize that the accident shouldn't have happened. I am going to try to not focus on that because we can focus on the could ofs should ofs would ofs and drive ourselves crazy, but it won't negate the fact that he died. God's love is what is real and that has been the focus for me. His love is what carries us through. I found a song (of course) that has helped me see truth in a situation that would lend itself to hearing lies. It is by Chris Tomlin, "How can I keep from singing". It shows me how much God is living this life with us. He cares and He loves me more that I can ever know during the good and the bad.

There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come

I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes

In the darkest night

For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You

Knowing You'll see me through

And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times

Sing when I win

I can sing when I lose my step

And fall down again

I can sing 'cause You pick me up

Sing 'cause You're there

I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord

When I call to You in prayer

I can sing with my last breath

Sing for I know

That I'll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne

Headlines for the Crash

Shock

It is 5:30 in the morning and I sit here in shock. I heard my phone ringing which I thought was odd so I got up because I knew that it most likely did not have good news. It was my Dad so I called him back. He tells me that my cousin Austin (21 years old) was killed last night. What!? You see my cousin works at Disney World and I guess operated one of the monorail trains. There was a collision and he was killed. I don't quite understand why, but from looking at the news he had to be cut out and was dead on the scene. Please pray for our family and specifically my aunt. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a son, but I know that God does and he is weeping with her and us.