Hannah's 17!!!!!!!!!!

Seventeen years ago today, Hannah Elizabeth made a fast and furious entrance into our world and it has never been the same! Thank you Hannah for being my daughter! Your name means "grace" and their were times that I thought we mis-named you. But look at you now...a very 'gracful' young lady who is a delight to be around. Ok, lets try to sum up your 17 years...
1. RSV - enough said
2. Not the baby of the family anymore
3. You could take your heart blanket and make 10+ outfits with it!!! You would wear you 'designs' around the house with your thumb in your mouth. Too cute
4.You wanted to be a fireman more than anything!! You even had a fireman's outfit that you got for Christmas.
5. Neicy Whittle
6. Moving to Clifton and having Ms. Bartels as your first grade teacher. You have wanted to be a teacher ever since. Getting baptised with Daddy performing the service
7. You became 'known' for your organizing abilities...teachers at school would want you to help them with their classrooms (you still are the most organzied person I know)
8. Your love to read was really growing...at Christmas you asked for a 'cd that just played music...no words" and you still have that cd and still enjoy instrumental music
9.Fourth grade flags marching at the football games - a big time Daddy's girl
10 Fifth grade camp - Rebecca, Sara and Heather were your good friends
11.Middle school - first dance and Rebekah helped you to get ready
12.Another surprise birthday party with Katie Fry as the surprise!!
13.Miracle healing of your eye
14.Going to Disney World
15.Knee Surgery...not a good basketball year
16. Getting your drivers license & playing BB with sister Rebekah; cheering with all your sisters
17. A delightful young lady who desires to serve Jesus in all that you do. I couldn't be more proud!!
I don't know what else is in store for you, but you are on the right track. I admire your ability to love people right where they are, to be passionate for Christ and your desire to be involved hands on in His mission work and to still find comfort in your daddy's lap. I love you so very much and hope that this day has been special for you.

Mexico Trip - Grace of Giving

Scripture written on the frame of the house before the sheetrock is hung

Welcome Sign from the Families
Leah & Melanie painting
our Pink House
Joelle
Current Housing
Church
Frank & Henry
Leah & Keith
Charlie and Reyna

I took my gloves off and pitch them onto the trailer...this is how they landed
Our welcome home sign that we painted
Rebekah asked for a pic of her Dad and Mr. Beard in their overalls because they are cute...Mr Kevon says he dosen't need overalls to be cute!


The family that we built for - Roberta, Rosa, Veronica and baby Carla


What a wonderful time we had in Mexico!! It was my first time out of the country. The lifestyle there is so very different from ours. We are so blessed. Four 20 x 16 homes were built in a weeks time, and the families were all so deserving. We have many stories to share and how this trip has change each of our lives forever. Charles and His wife Reyna are pastors in the church we attended. Grace of Giving provides Charlie with food for his family and those in his church. Charlie helps Greg Beard in selecting the families that we build for. In three years, Grace of Giving has built 9 houses in Acuna!!

It's My Birthday!!!

I'm 45 years young today! I always stop and think about my life on my birthdays...where has the year gone, am I a better person, have I grown in my love for Christ, where do I want to be a year from now...I always think about my mom as her birthday is the 13th. Now that I'm a mom I really appreciate her going through a 'labor' of love on her birthday to get me here!! Thanks mom! At the beginning of this year I was terribly sick and in the hospital 3 different times by spring break. There were days that I didn't think that I would get any better. But today I feel so good and have better health than I have had in quite some time. I had a child graduate high school, get married and move away to start college and all that May through August and I survived! I will be a "Honey" by Christmas and I am looking forward to this new adventure in my life. I still have two beautiful teenage daughters at home and my love for my husband just grows stronger each day. My oldest daughter is calling me at least weekly and involving me in her life and sharing with me. I have a very good friend, Dara who encourages me and sticks by me in the good and bad. I have a great relationship with my sister (who is older than me!) and we can laught and cry together. God continues to show me that His way is so much better than My way...thanks for another year!!!

Leah marching very well.
It's over!!
Daddy Keith is so excited that Mom spelled the girls name correctly!!
Lots of people followed the band to San Antonio to support the band!
Hannah doing her flag thing!

The band performed the very best performance at the finals in San Antonio!!! The kids felt that they did the best that they were capable of. I'm so proud of them and how hard that they worked to get this far! I will have a dvd of the finals hopefully by Christmas.

Thankful

It's Sunday morning here in Clifton Texas and 42 outside! I love it! I have had a very difficult weekend health wise. The last 5 weeks have been very good for me health wise. I really beleive that the accupuncture and some diet changes are working for me!! However, Friday I had one of my worst RA flares ever. I sought treatment with accupuncture and my chiropractor and tried ice and heat with some pain meds. I am so THANKFUL that this morning I feel that the worst is behind me. I'm not normal yet, but I am better. I think that Satan is working really hard on me because of our Mexico trip. The girls will leave with the band this afternoon to San Antonio for the State Band trip. Last night one of the Band moms called to say that Leah's pants had been over-looked and that they needed to be hemmed! (Mom don't laugh - you know that they were desperate to bring them to me!) I phoned a friend this morning who is here now hemming away - I'm THANKFUL for friends who will come and help out in an emergency!! Once the band performs in San Antonio, my family will depart for Acuna Mexico to build houses for 4 deserving families...I am THANKFUL for my home! Please pray for our safety and health and traveling mercies...and I am THANKFUL that when we humble ourselves to pray, God will listen!!!

Area Competition in Belton

Hannah twirling her flag (leah is behing her)
The Clifton band has such great community support and that really showed on Saturday when the band left town to perform at area competition in Belton. Fans lined the road and then the Clifton VFD led the band buses through town for the kids to see all the people and signs that were made. I was proudly displaying my sign that I made in about 15 minutes. One side read " CHS Band - Leave NO Doubt" and the other side read " Hannah & LAEH" Yes you read that right. I proudly showed Clifton and my daughter that I did not know how to spell her name!!! After we arrived in Belton I was still waving my sign proudly with LAEH being shown to everyone. Oh well, we can now say it is a family joke! The band performed and was invited to the Finals. 24 bands competed and Clifton was ranked #1 and 9 bands then performed in the Finals. Clifton and 3 other bands will be going to State on Nov. 5th. Clifton was again ranked #1. We will leave on Sunday afternoon to travel to San Antonio. The band marches on Monday at 4:47 in the Alamodome. 19 bands are competing for State 2A. Finals will began at 7 and we hope that we are one of them. We will stay again on Monday evening and depart from San Antonio on Tuesday to Acuna Mexico to build houses (4) with Grace of Giving. A big week next week for Preacher and Honey.

What A Weekend

This past weekend has been one of the best of the year for the Blanton's. Where do I start. Friday night our football team beat Crawford (big rival) 13-6. We are now 2-0 in district. Ryne and Rebekah came home. Saturday Keith and I traveled with 6 other couples to Dallas for the annual trip to a Cowboy game. Keith surprised me with a spa visit which was a 'frist' for me. I had a Thai massage, an aromatherapy bath and a leg wrap. They were very gental with me and it all felt very good. Keith and the guys played golf. We had dinner at Bennihana's. Hannah & Leah attended a wedding in Waco. Their good friend Mesha was her sister's maid of honor. The girls danced and ate and had fun. On Sunday Rebekah and Ryne treated Hannah & Leah to a movie at the drive inn and spent some quality time together. We enjoyed watching the Cowboys beat the Vikings. Rebekah and Ryne stayed Sunday and Monday with us and we had a very good visit. Hannah played her last JV volleyball game and they finished the season with 1 loss (to Crawford). We are now preparing for the Area Band contest Saturday. Clifton marches at 5:45 and if we make the finals, that will began at 7:30.

The Band is Moving On

The band marched in Regionals on Tuesday. They received a Division 1 ranking and the opportunity to march in the Area competition on Oct. 27th in Belton. All the bands will march and then receive their rankings. Clifton will have to receive a 1 and be selected to march in the finals. Of the 7 bands marching in the finals, the top 3 will go to State competition in San Antonio. We looked really good on Tuesday but they didn't not play their music as well as they can. I know that they will continue to improve. This is Hannah's last year for State as schools only compete every other year. Hannah's freshman year they won 7th at State. Thanks to Dara, Mr. Patrick and Beth for coming out on Tuesday to show you support!!!

More pics from Philly & NY

In the pic by the 'little' Statue of Liberty, Kristen is in blue, Joell has the dark hair. They also saw a off-broadway show "stomp", enjoyed NY style pizza, played in central park, ate philly cheesesteaks...and more.

Sarah's trip to the Big Apple

Truitt had a fall break this past weekend. Kristen Nielsen, Sarah's room mate and good friend is from Philly and her parents invited Sarah and Joell to come with Kristen home for the break...their treat! What fun. This was Sarah's first ever plane ride. They traveled to NY on Friday and saw all the sites and then spent Saturday taking in historic Philly. Being the history buff, Sarah really enjoyed seeing Liberty Hall and the Liberty Bell, however the REAL treat was to run up the stairs that Rocky did in the original ROCKY movie. All had a very good time. Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Nielsen for hosting the girls to such a wonderful fall break. And to Kristen and Joell for being such good friends to my Sarah. And to Sarah, for being my daughter of whom I am very proud!!