Remy had a few girls over today to celebrate her 4th in style. We mixed, baked and decorated cupcakes, made tie-scarves and had lunch.
She had a pretty special day.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Remy's 4th birthday
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Christmas program 2011 pre-K
The two classes performed the song Peppermint Twist and a quick prop change later, Jingle Bells. We were thrilled, especially Ben, who gave a standing ovation throughout.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
My girl
Here's Remy wearing her favorite color and with her favorite color flower. Life doesn't get much better than purple everything!
State Fair of Texas
This is the 'we made it' to the fair picture. Good thing we took it early on, because by the time we made it to the big things like Big Tex, etc. the kids were occupied with anything and everything except for taking a picture.
Taking the DART train to Fair Park
This was our first excursion on the DART rail. This will not be our last. The kids loved it, the adults loved it.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Radical Year
If you haven't had the chance to read Radical by David Platt yet, do it. Challenge yourself beyond the aspirations of the American dream to see the worldwide vision that God has for His glorification.
The five challenges of the radical year are:
1. Pray for the entire world
2. Read through the entire Word
3. Commit our lives to a multiplying community
4. Sacrifice our money for a specific purpose
5. To give our time in a specific context
Walker and I sat down to pray and discuss what this would look like in our family. Remarkably, we came to the table with many of the same ideas and wanting to do some of the exact same things. We now have a world map as the focal point in the dining room, and use Operation World online to pray for a different country every day. At the end of a year, we will have prayed for each country in the world. There are video prayers from a citizen of the associated country and a visual breakdown of the religions represented, specific needs, etc.
Our church is undergoing a transition right now, and it is certainly no coincidence that these very things can be and will be accomplished in our very own community. Our pastor's last sermon will be next week, and a search for a new pastor will begin. Walker and I are heading up an missional outreach to our neighbors/ community and have received a positive response from several church members who would also like to be involved. At the same time, another unique opportunity has been presented involving an incarcerated student. Pray that the truth will be revealed, as Walker and another teacher have been granted visitation.
Anyone else committed to the Radical Year. What are you doing? How is God working?
The five challenges of the radical year are:
1. Pray for the entire world
2. Read through the entire Word
3. Commit our lives to a multiplying community
4. Sacrifice our money for a specific purpose
5. To give our time in a specific context
Walker and I sat down to pray and discuss what this would look like in our family. Remarkably, we came to the table with many of the same ideas and wanting to do some of the exact same things. We now have a world map as the focal point in the dining room, and use Operation World online to pray for a different country every day. At the end of a year, we will have prayed for each country in the world. There are video prayers from a citizen of the associated country and a visual breakdown of the religions represented, specific needs, etc.
Our church is undergoing a transition right now, and it is certainly no coincidence that these very things can be and will be accomplished in our very own community. Our pastor's last sermon will be next week, and a search for a new pastor will begin. Walker and I are heading up an missional outreach to our neighbors/ community and have received a positive response from several church members who would also like to be involved. At the same time, another unique opportunity has been presented involving an incarcerated student. Pray that the truth will be revealed, as Walker and another teacher have been granted visitation.
Anyone else committed to the Radical Year. What are you doing? How is God working?
Missing Ben continued.
Morning of Homecoming...
Me: Ben, will you hold Remy's hand while I take a picture?
;)
Missing Ben lately?
He's been doing all kinds of boy things. Grampy and Grammy took the kids camping last weekend and here he fell out and took a nap on a camping chair.
Third week of School
a video by dollye_plagge on Flickr.
Syllabication. Who knew? I certainly don't remember learning this stuff. Or maybe we had to clap out the syllables...
Monday, September 19, 2011
First Bus Ride
We had a district-wide Homecoming Pep Rally on Friday. All three campuses headed over to the high school for the pep rally, so R's class got to ride the bus for the first time. Her teacher sent us this picture. Love it. What did she think of the bus ride, "The bus was rough."
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Family Portrait 2011
This came home in R's take home folder yesterday. I just giggle every time I look at it....now it's the screen saver on my phone!!
Homecoming 2011
Wolfe City Homecoming is tomorrow! This year we decided it would be fun to do mums. These didn't turn out too bad for my first time making them. I'm already gathering ideas for next year. Idea #1: go to the mum store during the summer!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Commemorating 5 years of Blogging and Back to School
Enjoying an afternoon with my family, and considering the great times we have had this summer. Tomorrow we will start back to school for a week of in service. Both of us are geared up and ready to start our third year of teaching in Wolfe City. We have learned quite a bit this summer that we are eager to put to use. Additionally, there are many changes taking place in Texas Education that I am ready to see in action.
Remy will begin a preschool program at our school, so she is very happy to be joining us in our daily commute to work (5 minutes). :) We will be equally happy to be able to peek in on her classroom, pass her in the halls, leave work for a few minutes to watch her programs and special activities, etc. She has been an avid learner and questioner since the day she popped into this world. She came in wide eyed and wonder-filled and keeps us on our toes. She will go for half a day and then join Ben for lunch time and nap time. As much as they love each other, it will really be good to put some separation between them. They are usually in the same classes at church and daycare, share the same friends, go everywhere together. As someone at church told me this morning, "You can tell they are siblings because of how they fight." They are really ready for a season of developing an independent identity and establishing their own friendships and relationships.
Today marks 5 years in blogging...crazy. Seems like it was just a few short months ago that I was putting out a test message and publishing book reviews. Now it seems more devoted to keeping up with the Plagge's because we are so far removed from family and close friends (by distance, anyway).
These were taken yesterday at the American Railroad Museum in Fair Park. We were sitting on the largest train ever manufactured. Only 8 exist in the world.
Walker and I recently devoured the book Radical by David Platt. Be looking for our goals for the Radical Experiment year, as I plan to mark our progress through blogging and other measures. I plan to devote an entire series of posts to Radical in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for 5 great years, here's to five more.
Remy will begin a preschool program at our school, so she is very happy to be joining us in our daily commute to work (5 minutes). :) We will be equally happy to be able to peek in on her classroom, pass her in the halls, leave work for a few minutes to watch her programs and special activities, etc. She has been an avid learner and questioner since the day she popped into this world. She came in wide eyed and wonder-filled and keeps us on our toes. She will go for half a day and then join Ben for lunch time and nap time. As much as they love each other, it will really be good to put some separation between them. They are usually in the same classes at church and daycare, share the same friends, go everywhere together. As someone at church told me this morning, "You can tell they are siblings because of how they fight." They are really ready for a season of developing an independent identity and establishing their own friendships and relationships.
Today marks 5 years in blogging...crazy. Seems like it was just a few short months ago that I was putting out a test message and publishing book reviews. Now it seems more devoted to keeping up with the Plagge's because we are so far removed from family and close friends (by distance, anyway).
Walker and I recently devoured the book Radical by David Platt. Be looking for our goals for the Radical Experiment year, as I plan to mark our progress through blogging and other measures. I plan to devote an entire series of posts to Radical in the coming weeks and months. Thanks for 5 great years, here's to five more.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Hidden Acres Refugee Camp 2011
The Orange Tigers being Crazy. I just love Bosco's face in this one (the boy right under my hand)! And for some reason, Emily decided to attack me!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Just in case...
Just in case you thought I was not actually present for the wildlife safari, here is proof!
Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch
We visited the Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch yesterday for our family day. It is located in Pilot Point, about 15 minutes from Walker's parents house in Celina. They have all sorts of animals and we were impressed with the way they run the place.
An Eastern Diamondback Rattle Snake
Checking out the lemurs and monkeys
The Safari ride with the camels
Wonder if this one feels out of place?
The Wildlife Ranch was about a mile from Lake Ray Roberts Isle Du Bois. I had read great reviews about the recreational swimming area, so we decided to visit since we were so close. Imported sand makes the lake seem more like a beach. It was exceptionally clean and well kept, has a great area sectioned off for swimming, sand volleyball, covered pavilions, grills available for use along with camping sites and hiking trails. A day pass is $5, kids under 13 are free.
As you can tell from the photos, we didn't bring our swimsuits, but that didn't keep us from having fun in the water. Actually, Ben jumped right in, so the rest of us followed suit. We decided to go back this coming weekend and have a "beach" day and may take the youth group for a fall retreat when the weather cools off a little bit.
An Eastern Diamondback Rattle Snake
The Wildlife Ranch was about a mile from Lake Ray Roberts Isle Du Bois. I had read great reviews about the recreational swimming area, so we decided to visit since we were so close. Imported sand makes the lake seem more like a beach. It was exceptionally clean and well kept, has a great area sectioned off for swimming, sand volleyball, covered pavilions, grills available for use along with camping sites and hiking trails. A day pass is $5, kids under 13 are free.
As you can tell from the photos, we didn't bring our swimsuits, but that didn't keep us from having fun in the water. Actually, Ben jumped right in, so the rest of us followed suit. We decided to go back this coming weekend and have a "beach" day and may take the youth group for a fall retreat when the weather cools off a little bit.
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Ben with a rattlesnake tail
Ewww! It is such a weird feeling holding a rattle of a rattlesnake. Debbe came across the snake and with some team work, ensured that it will not be taunting any of us.
Last Month/ This Month
The next month we plan to:
Wednesday (tomorrow) the youth group is going out for a pizza lunch and to see Cars 2. If you have boys, you know this movie is a BIG deal. You probably have every line memorized and it is probably the most requested movie in your household next to Toy Story. The kids and I are going to tag along with the youth group for this fun movie.
Thursday Walker and I are joining together with another family to co-lead an Experiencing God adult Bible study for the next 13 weeks.
We would like to do something fun on Friday as a family, as Walker is attending youth camp from Sunday thru Friday. We haven't decided what to do yet that day...any ideas?
The following week all of us are headed to the Gaylord Resort for Walker to attend CAMT. I have no idea what the letters stand for, but do know it is a math camp. Fun, right? It will be fun for us(the kids and I) because the resort has just opened a Lazy River and pool area called Paradise Springs! This is the same CAMT that Walker attended in San Antonio last summer. Other activities we may enjoy include: ice skating in Grapevine, the SEA LIFE Aquarium, opening July 12 in Grapevine, possibly a train ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
We have approximately 1 week that is free of any activity following CAMT! Maybe we will go pick blueberries for the 3rd time at the TAMU Commerce farm...that way we will be fully stocked for winter! We would also like to have a Medieval Times experience, if we still feel up for going and doing by that time.
The first week in August I'll head to Hidden Acres to volunteer with a refugee camp. I'm hoping to take along a young lady or two from the youth group here. Walker will be speaking at a training at Bonham ISD for a day that week.
The second week in August, Walker will speak at a training at Commerce ISD. We will hold a back to school bash for the youth group and then we will be back to Teacher in-service on August 15.
Loving this time with my family just going and doing and exploring. Waking up some days at 9 or 10 am, not having a plan for the day, but deciding as a family what sounds like fun. It may seem like our summer is filled with endless activity, but it is such an enjoyment for all of us to get a break from the routine of the school year.
Wednesday (tomorrow) the youth group is going out for a pizza lunch and to see Cars 2. If you have boys, you know this movie is a BIG deal. You probably have every line memorized and it is probably the most requested movie in your household next to Toy Story. The kids and I are going to tag along with the youth group for this fun movie.
Thursday Walker and I are joining together with another family to co-lead an Experiencing God adult Bible study for the next 13 weeks.
We would like to do something fun on Friday as a family, as Walker is attending youth camp from Sunday thru Friday. We haven't decided what to do yet that day...any ideas?
The following week all of us are headed to the Gaylord Resort for Walker to attend CAMT. I have no idea what the letters stand for, but do know it is a math camp. Fun, right? It will be fun for us(the kids and I) because the resort has just opened a Lazy River and pool area called Paradise Springs! This is the same CAMT that Walker attended in San Antonio last summer. Other activities we may enjoy include: ice skating in Grapevine, the SEA LIFE Aquarium, opening July 12 in Grapevine, possibly a train ride on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
We have approximately 1 week that is free of any activity following CAMT! Maybe we will go pick blueberries for the 3rd time at the TAMU Commerce farm...that way we will be fully stocked for winter! We would also like to have a Medieval Times experience, if we still feel up for going and doing by that time.
The first week in August I'll head to Hidden Acres to volunteer with a refugee camp. I'm hoping to take along a young lady or two from the youth group here. Walker will be speaking at a training at Bonham ISD for a day that week.
The second week in August, Walker will speak at a training at Commerce ISD. We will hold a back to school bash for the youth group and then we will be back to Teacher in-service on August 15.
Loving this time with my family just going and doing and exploring. Waking up some days at 9 or 10 am, not having a plan for the day, but deciding as a family what sounds like fun. It may seem like our summer is filled with endless activity, but it is such an enjoyment for all of us to get a break from the routine of the school year.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Here's the setup
Ken took this tent with us and set it up. It's perfect for all of our chairs, toys, drinks, cooler, kites, etc.
Heading to the beach first thing
This is the moment we arrived, our condo was just short walk from the water.
Plagges & Charles' in Galveston
A taste of vacation pictures to come. We enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing, family filled, food filled vacation that was truly a vacation.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Great-Grandmother with grandkids
This was taken 2 Christmases ago. In honor of the Shepherd Family Reunion happening Sunday, here is a picture of some of the cousins. We are sorry to have to miss, but hope this will be a yearly event.
The End of an Era
My parents of 24 years are divorcing this month. They have lived in separate houses for almost 11 years. This is not meant to be a criticism of their choices-but an examination of my own choices in dealing with this situation.
"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand." ~Madeleine L'Engle
The 7 of us have responded in a variety of ways-by shutting down, by voicing our opinion, by trying to keep peace, by trying to reconcile, there are times that I thought including everyone would help, times that I thought excluding would help.
There is a way to move past the accusations, hurts, pains and unforgiveness-but it is not a human-ly way.
It's no surprise that I like to read. A book I finished recently titled "Growing Grateful Kids" by Susie Larson addresses many of the issues I am currently struggling with. I've been reflecting on her words and on scripture to help gain perspective in this situation.
Susie Larson says, "Any unhealthy adult who keeps blaming his parents for all of his own shortcomings will never get anywhere in life. At some point we-as adults who had imperfect parents-have to brush ourselves off, figure out where we are lacking, and get what we need from the Lord. As do our children."
"You cannot impart what you do not possess."
"God has ordained you and appointed you to bear life-giving fruit, and to leave an impact on this earth that lasts long after you're gone. Your children are part of that fruit. Invest in them. Teach them about this living, breathing God we serve."
"Deal with problems head on! Every single day remind yourself that YOU are the object of God's affection. People don't get to decide your worth (or your child's), because God already has. Memorize scripture that affirms who you are in Christ. Daily reject rejection! Daily declare that there is a wide gap between how people affect you and how God affects you. His voice matters most. As God frees you from these past experiences, you will be better equipped to help your children navigate through the normal relational difficulties that take place in childhood."
"As parents our responsibility is to model God's love for our children. We can't always tell what effect our efforts will have, and sometimes the lesson isn't fully learned until after time has done its part in seasoning the message."
And from Gary Smalley, "Never let your child walk away with a closed spirit. Always make sure you work through the issue to the point where you see them open up to you again. If you leave their spirit closed, their heart will eventually grow cold and you'll lose the opportunity to speak into their lives and lead them in the way they should go."
In spite of my family's circumstances, I am not allowing my mind to be overcome with thought of, "Why did two fathers choose to abandon me?" If I go there, Satan can much more easily gain footing in my life over my pity party.
It is no small matter or coincidence that I am now married to a youth minister, that 62.5% or more of the youth live in poverty, and that many, many face the same extenuating circumstances brought on by the choices of their parents.
Pray for me in the coming year, as I open what still seems like fresh wounds so that these young adolescents know they are not alone in their struggles and that these struggles do not have to define their life in Christ.
"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand." ~Madeleine L'Engle
The 7 of us have responded in a variety of ways-by shutting down, by voicing our opinion, by trying to keep peace, by trying to reconcile, there are times that I thought including everyone would help, times that I thought excluding would help.
There is a way to move past the accusations, hurts, pains and unforgiveness-but it is not a human-ly way.
It's no surprise that I like to read. A book I finished recently titled "Growing Grateful Kids" by Susie Larson addresses many of the issues I am currently struggling with. I've been reflecting on her words and on scripture to help gain perspective in this situation.
Susie Larson says, "Any unhealthy adult who keeps blaming his parents for all of his own shortcomings will never get anywhere in life. At some point we-as adults who had imperfect parents-have to brush ourselves off, figure out where we are lacking, and get what we need from the Lord. As do our children."
"You cannot impart what you do not possess."
"God has ordained you and appointed you to bear life-giving fruit, and to leave an impact on this earth that lasts long after you're gone. Your children are part of that fruit. Invest in them. Teach them about this living, breathing God we serve."
"Deal with problems head on! Every single day remind yourself that YOU are the object of God's affection. People don't get to decide your worth (or your child's), because God already has. Memorize scripture that affirms who you are in Christ. Daily reject rejection! Daily declare that there is a wide gap between how people affect you and how God affects you. His voice matters most. As God frees you from these past experiences, you will be better equipped to help your children navigate through the normal relational difficulties that take place in childhood."
"As parents our responsibility is to model God's love for our children. We can't always tell what effect our efforts will have, and sometimes the lesson isn't fully learned until after time has done its part in seasoning the message."
And from Gary Smalley, "Never let your child walk away with a closed spirit. Always make sure you work through the issue to the point where you see them open up to you again. If you leave their spirit closed, their heart will eventually grow cold and you'll lose the opportunity to speak into their lives and lead them in the way they should go."
In spite of my family's circumstances, I am not allowing my mind to be overcome with thought of, "Why did two fathers choose to abandon me?" If I go there, Satan can much more easily gain footing in my life over my pity party.
It is no small matter or coincidence that I am now married to a youth minister, that 62.5% or more of the youth live in poverty, and that many, many face the same extenuating circumstances brought on by the choices of their parents.
Pray for me in the coming year, as I open what still seems like fresh wounds so that these young adolescents know they are not alone in their struggles and that these struggles do not have to define their life in Christ.
Swimming 2011
Swimming 2011 a video by dollye_plagge on Flickr.
And now for a much lighter topic...swimming!
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