Jason Gone to Northern OK

I wish I could blink my eyes or wiggle my nose and it be November 7th and my husband would be finished with all of his out of town, out of state training. It is really taking a toll on my little man and myself. Please keep us in your prayers as I have to explain why daddy is not home to Crawford. He will say, "daddy work?" and I have to tell him yes, but he will be home soon. Not soon enough for me and Crawford. I know this is on God's path for Jason, it is just hard to explain that to my little man. He will be back soon, just wanted to have you guys all add us to your list of prayers that the next few weeks fly by. Until then, we look at this picture daily to remind us of him being at work.

THe Refuge is officially Open!!

Mrs. Sherry getting Don Henley's autograph

Jason, Crawford, and Mr. Don Henley

The Blue Goose and Walter

Jason and Crawford at the Opening

Liz the Blue Goose

For those of you that know where we are now and how we got here, the refuge was not open to the public at the time. Well, after a huge, wonderful grand opening...it is ready for people to visit. Saturday was the grand opening, and it was absolutely amazing. The weather cooperated for the most part (it was a little hot) but other than that, amazing. The Roesner's, my parents, and my grandparents all came up for the opening. It was great to be able to spend time with family and friends. Crawford got Don Henley's autograph (the man from the Eagle's rock group) ...Thank you Mrs. Sherry...and he got his picture taken with him. Liz was a blue goose (picture above) and Crawford would not have anything to do with her. He didnt like it at all, even though he knew it was Grammy. The Caddo Indians danced and played their drums, so local bands sang, and it was just an absolute good time had by all. It really was fun and great for the Refuge. There is now a bike trail, horseback riding trails, an auto tour, and lots of birds to watch.

Music Explanation

Okay, for those of you viewing our blog, I must explain the music that comes on with it. Until yesterday I had only 3 songs on the page, then Jason came in when I was updating a blog, so we added some music. First, we added "My Dingaling." The reason this song was added was some kind of suprise to me, Jason said that he was currently trying to teach that song to Crawford and that he liked it, so we added it. "The Battle of New Orleans" was a childhood favorite of Jason's, so again, added. "Delta Dawn" is a Kacal (Jason's moms family) kind of tradition. This song was first heard by me as we were floating down the Frio at the family reunion the first summer I went with them 8 years ago. It has since been sang on many different Kacal Family occasions. Yes, I know, kinda weird, but that is us. I just wanted to let you guys know why these songs are on here and hope that you find them as special as we do.

Broken Bow Weekend!

Mom and Dad at the Dam

Crawford and Jason on their Go Cart Ride

Crawford waiting on the train to start

Crawford and Grumps at the State Park

My boys...Jason and Crawford at the Dam

This weekend Crawford and I drove to Broken Bow, OK to visit Jason accompanied by my parents. Friday when we got there, we drove around and played putt putt because silly me asked my daddy if he wanted a "booty whooping" at it. You see, it has long been a tradition of our families to play putt-putt wherever we are when we can, especially on vacation. Well, after starting off with some hole in one's, my game fell off and dad's picked up. He beat Jason and I without any hesitation in his game at all. Crawford enjoyed playing with us, but what really caught his eye was the go cart track next to the putt putt course. After a terribly big fit of rage (because we didnt think he was old or big enough to ride one) the lady at the front gate told us he could ride with his daddy...thanks Grumps and Jason!! He was more than excited about that. He was strapped in next to his daddy and ready to go. They rode around the track really fast (much to my dismay) ha ha ha! He was smiling so big and waved as they came by. (Did I mention they were the only ones on the track!!) Then we had a wonderful dinner at one of Jason's favorite new spots in Broken Bow. Saturday morning Jason had off, so we piled in and headed to Beaver's Bend State Park to ride the train. Crawford was ecstatic, especially when we got finished and he won a big bag of blue cotton candy. We then went to my favorite place because it smelled like what I would like to think is what Heaven will smell like...fudge. We got fudge for us all, we all picked a flavor, and then headed to the winery "Girl's Gone Wine." After some wine tasting by Grumps, Lolly and Me, we purchased our favorites and then headed back to the room to let Jason get ready for work, then he met us a couple of hours later for a wonderful dinner. Yes, we ate, ate and ate. It was fun though. Crawford can 't wait to go back!

C's New Pictures

These are a few of Crawford's newest pictures. He really liked taking these. Jason and I could not decide on a few, so we bought the cd so we could have the copyrights. Anyone that wants any, let me know. We have plenty!

Labor Day Weekend 2009

For Labor Day weekend 2009, we went to camp with my parents at Lake Hawkins. Jason got back in from Oklahoma late Friday night and we slept in and packed up and headed to the lake Saturday morning. When we got there, my parents, Aunt Jan and Uncle Phil and Mandy and the kids, Tony and Laura, Pinky and Patty, and Nat and Lou and the kids were ready to play. We spent the day out on the lake riding the waverunners and swimming around the boat that was anchored out on the lake. Crawford absolutely loved the waverunners and was mad when we made him get off so that some others could ride. He loved jumping off the side of the boat and almost drowning his mommy and daddy. This is new for us because the kid hates baths and swimming pools both. Saturday night we feasted on grilled sausage, a camp favorite, and lots of other food. The real fun begins when the guitars come out. Nat, Daddy, Uncle Phil and a guest guitarist from another camp site got out the guitars, fired up the fire and started playing. This is always one of my favorite parts because I can sing and no one cares how bad I sound. Crawfie liked listening to the guiatars so much he fell asleep. Saturday night, we slept in the tent with Jason. Sunday, we had a beach day. We spent the day on the beach under the gazebo that the guys set up and we played in the sand. Then we went on the jet skis after a minor flip flop incedent...whole other story...and we went out to the boat and continued playing. Uncle Steve came by to visit. We had hamburgers and hotdogs and sat by the fire telling stories and then headed to bed fairly early as we were all sun-drained. Monday was clean up and gear down and then we headed back to our house so Suzee could enjoy Jason being home. He leaves again tomorrow for Oklahoma, so it was nice to get to spend some family time with him. Pictures to come soon!!

Hello Sweet September

Brooks Cobb Hawkins at his first Van Vandal football game....3 months old

I hope that you have all been blessed with the same beautiful weather we have had for the first three days of September. It has been so nice being able to spend time outside when we get home, letting Suzee and Crawford run and play, sitting on the porch swing and a really enjoyable football game last weekend. Jason is working weekends, so we went home last weekend for the big Van Vandals vs. Grand Saline Indians season opener in the new Van Memorial Stadium. And let me tell you people, it is state of the art. The Vandals pulled off an easy win (sorry Holly) against them Indians from G.S. and started the season off right. The best part is, mom got awesome season tickets in the reserved seats. The seats are amazing and you can see the whole field and the boys can play with their cars and trucks in front of us. Mom is just worried that someone from another game will put gum under HER SEAT!! She checked it out before and it was gum free. Crawford enjoyed the game, even our newest little Vandal Brooks was there. After the game, Cman got to go on the field with the big boys and play. He ran around with a real game football and him and Garrett and Asher played tackle. This week, Jason started his field training, where he qualified with his guns and started patrolling. SCARY!! And of course, hunting season has arrived, so bye bye Jason until Christmas. His work load just quadrupled. He is even working on his days off. Crazy huh! It really is surreal and humbling to see him all decked out in his gear. His truck is getting outfitted this week with the lights and siren and all that jazz, so he will be the "real deal." Did you know there are only 300 Federal Game Wardens in the U.S.? Pretty cool huh!! I am lucky enough to have a husband that loves going to work everyday and even on his days off!! The refuge opening is coming up soon, so we will get a small break, but like I said, hunting season is amongst us!!!