Pools, Pets, and Pictures

The kids and I drove to Midland Friday afternoon so I could go to Luke's funeral Saturday morning. Joey had to stay home and irrigate, so we were on our own. About halfway to Midland, I realized I had forgotten my camera. I guess it's because I was planning to go for a funeral. I wasn't really thinking about the rest of the weekend and hanging out with family. So iPhone pictures it is...for now.

When we got there, Dawn had a new bird. Blaine LOVES the birds, so we went outside to play with them.While Blaine was holding one of the smaller ones, we had an escape. His wings aren't clipped, and he flew from Blaine's hands straight to the roof. Randa had to lift Blaine on the roofto go rescue the bird.

(After that awful roof picture, I asked Randa to bring her camera over on Saturday. But for Friday night, it's still iPhone pics.)

In case you weren't convinced that between the horses and the dogs and the cats and the birds that this family is critter lovers, Uncle Ryan shows up with a baby rabbit.It was so tiny(those are Blaine's hands!), and it didn't even have his it's eyes open yet. Ryan found it on a job site alone and brought it home. He was feeding it cat milk (like baby formula for cats)and trying to convince Kylee she should take over and keep the rabbit. Just what we need! After a fight with Kylee and ugly words for Uncle Ryan, he took the rabbit home!

After the funeral Saturday morning and lunch with Randa, Randy, Cheyenne, Pops, Dawn, and the kids, we declared it a poolside weekend. Oh, and Randa brought her camera...yay!! Saturday and Sunday we were either in the poolin the hot tubor eatingAnd since the critters have to eat, too, the kids went with Pops to feed themAnd no trip to Pops and Dawn is complete with swinging on the horse walker!Then...back in the water

That was our weekend, and it was fun and relaxing. The two days kinda ran together and became combined, which is a good thing, because I only have pictures for Saturday. As soon as we got in the pool Sunday after lunch, Kylee was going to take a picture of me jumping on the board, and Pops came running out of the house and pushed her in, camera in hand. It died. Pops owes Randa a new camera. We tried yelling at him and telling him, but it fell on deaf ears,no pun intended...sorta. I missed the picture of Ryan throwing Blaine in so high that when he hit on his belly, it bust the blood vessels in his belly.

I also didn't have a camera when Uncle Ryan suggested we take the kids to the drive-in movie, which they had never been to before. Back to iPhone pics.

They LOVED the drive-in. At first they could not figure out how in the world we were going to hear. Once, it started, though, it was the best thing since sliced bread Nintendo DS. With only an iPhone, though, I didn't capture as much as I would have liked. The flash isn't good enough to take a picture of them playing on the playground while watching Cars 2. It was so nostalgic. We all loved it.

It was a fun weekend amidst the sadness of burying a friend, a reminder of what life is about, and how we shouldn't take it for granted. Thanks, Pops and Dawn, Randa, Ryan and Paige, and Cheyenne and Charlie and Stetson for a fun pool-side weekend!

In Loving Memory of Luke Markham

We lost a sweet, dear friend way too soon last week. We have known Luke all of our lives. He was Kyle's age, and they attended school together from Kindergarten through graduation.They were friends even after. In 2001, Kyle and Luke won the Wild Cow Milking at the West of the Pecos Rodeo, as mentioned in Luke's obituary.

Lucas "Luke" Doyle Markham was born on August 12, 1977 in Pecos, Texas to Eddy Markham and Carol King-Markham. He went to be with our Lord and Savior on July 17, 2011. Luke attended school in Pecos, Texas and graduated from Pecos High School in 1995. He continued his education and attended Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas, where he graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. After graduation, he moved to Midland, Texas, where he began employment with ARCADIS Geraghty & Miller. He later worked for Conestoga-Rovers and Associates, where he advanced to Senior Project Manager. At the time of his passing, Luke worked for Danny McNeese, of McNeese Field Services, Inc.

Luke was a devoted father, son, brother and friend. He loved his daughters, Cheyenne and Hailey, dearly and really enjoyed spending time with them. Luke will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Luke was always fun loving and enjoyed making others laugh. He was an athlete and sports enthusiast, having played football and participated in bull riding events during his high school years. He teamed up with friends and participated in the Wild Mare Race and Wild Cow-Milking events in the West of the Pecos Rodeo. He and his teammate won the Wild Cow-Milking event in 2001. He loved the Dallas Cowboys, fantasy football and NASCAR racing.

Luke began playing the guitar in high school and had a special talent for writing music. After moving to Midland, Luke further developed his love for music and expressed himself through song writing. Luke shared musical interests with three of his friends and together they formed the "Clay Henry Band" in 2001, with Luke serving as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist. The band entertained at several places and events in the local area.

Luke is survived by his daughters, Cheyenne Markham and Hailey Grandi, of Midland, Texas; his mother, Carol King-Markham, of Pecos, Texas; his father, Eddy Markham, and wife, Linda, of Eden, Texas; his sister, Mechelle Testa, and husband, Danny, of The Colony, Texas; two half-sisters, Keely Burtscher and Mariann Imber and husband, Michael, of San Antonio, Texas; and his beloved girlfriend, Ashley Hughes, of Lamesa, Texas.

Luke was an amazing friend, and we will miss him dearly. He said if anything ever happened to him, he wanted On a Cloud played at his funeral, and it was. Toby Keith has always reminded me of Luke, so here's my song right back to him.

Ranger Baseball Spring 2011

I Give You What I Have

I've been waiting for days to post this because I wanted more information. I never got it, and my tween going on teen, is obviously not gonna give me what I crave. So here is what I have.

I took Kylee to the dance studio Saturday night at 7:00 p.m., loaded with a party tray of Chick-fil-a nuggets and a 5 gallon Igloo of sweet tea, with instructions to return at 8:00 a.m.

At 8:00 a.m., I showed up to find a bunch of sleeping girlswho hadn't gone to bed until 4:30 a.m.

I asked her how the sleepover was. She said, "Good." I said, "What'd ya'll do?" "Lots of stuff." I decided I'd let her get rest and talk to her about it again.

We loaded her stuff, got in the car, and I asked her if she wanted Starbucks. I only got a grunt or a moan or something in response, but I knew it was a no because she shook her head. But I wanted Starbucks. When I took this picturein the drive thru, she said, "I'm really sick of you taking pictures, Mom, seriously." I can play the attitude game better than most. She has no idea. So I said, "Whatever." hehe

We got home; she went upstairs; and we heard not one word from her until 4:30 that afternoon. Then all we got was, "I'm starving. Will you get me something to eat?"

Being patient, I let her eat, and then I asked, "How was the sleepover?" "Good." "What'd ya'll do?" "Lots of stuff." Here we go. I decided to try a different approach. I knew they had a talent show, so I said, "How was the talent show?" "Good."

I've tried for three days. Mom MOm asked her. Same answers. Dad Dad asked. Same answers. Daddy asked. Same answers.

I give you what I have.

Ranger Champions 2011

Last night Ranger Baseball had their annual awards ceremony. Kinda. It was more of a barbeque/swim party, and it was right up our team's alley.

Even though we have two seasons a year, since we are a year-round baseball club, we only have one party to celebrate both seasons. Our fall season break hits right at the holidays, and it's impossible to get everybody together during that time. Our spring season seems to end while everybody is trying to take vacation, so it's almost as hard. We found one weekend night everybody would be in town. Last night.

Our family feels so blessed to have these amazing other families to play baseball with, be friends with, and play not just baseball with. While the kids swamthe coachesmanned the grill, and the moms visited. Kudos to the coaches who put this party together, trying to give the moms as little as possible to do. Even though the plates ended up in the middle of the serving table and the meat and buns were on each of the opposite ends, everybody ended up with what they wanted, and we had a delicious meal and a great time.

After lots of swimming and food, the boys were anxiousto get their hands on their trophies and pictures. So the awards ceremony begin,swim trunks and all.

After the boys were given their individual recognition, Guillermo, the manager of Ranger Baseball Club (also known as French Fry on our house; he calls Blaine Tater Tot), had some well-deserved recognition for our coaches.


Then our boys, headed to the 'big leagues' we call coach-pitch next month, partied on.

Until next season....