What a year this 2012 has been! 

 We hope each of you has had the opportunity to enter His gates with thanksgiving and that tragedy has been far from your home even as we grieve for the homes struck so senselessly these past weeks!

 As the storm clouds rolled over our hillside, we remember the storms that crashed onto our friends in the Northeastern parts of our states. Sandy was a demon wreaking havoc and chaos. Nothing restrained her fury. We continue our prayers for these "neighbors" as we approach Christmas here in the Gap.

 2012 brought elections and we had the JOY of hosting some of the National, State and Local candidates. We know it is only God Who raises up leaders and it is our responsibility to "render to Ceasar what is his and to GOD what is HIS!"

 We love it when our guests sign our book, AND when they leave us such sweet notes of confirmation for our GateWay homes!

 Pampas grasses..... hummm what do I say.... I always called them POMPAS.... somehow there is just something that fits here.... Fiscal cliff???? What in the world???  Regardless... I love the pampas this year!

 Finally... as we embark on a new year 2013, we here in the gap are praying that we all keep in our hearts the fact that there is only ONE GOD and He is not us! whew.... aren't we all glad of that!

 Yes.... let's enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His courts with song... 

May you know the blessings of Truth, Health, Peace and Joy!

and

May we see the circumstances of the world as they really are! Through the eyes and perspective of the ONE WHO CREATED ALL THINGS!

Spring brings so many welcome sights and so many return guests!

 This year the wildflowers of TEXAS are incredible and even if my well meaning husband wants to grate up all my poppies from the drive area, the few blue bonnets and the hard to start Indian paintbrush are making a debut in many of our cottage locales!

 At sunset, the native Texas redbuds are still our reliable rosy glow on these lovely Spring evenings.

 Round up of the 44 Farms bulls is done on horseback... this year using Jag, the new and amazing mare.

 For our quick turn arounds, I have 2 awesome helpers with broom and vacuum! So fun to have family cottages and family share time. We even get to leave chocolate bunny surprises for our Easter guests... Hope they especially enjoyed the hand written notes of the little ladies who love surprises!

 Fossil hunts, scavenger hunts, sandpile digging and just plain ole country fun are always happening somewhere around these cottages of ours.

 Flowers on the ground our in the pond are too lovely for words!!! so many new kinds! and if anyone wants the most incredible sight ever... go over to the adjacent Buffalo Gap Cemetery where Forrest and Mabel Reynolds have planted blue bonnets for years... the entire area is covered!!! Even if our unique and wonderful Forrest is no longer with us... there is an ocean of blue that has become his legacy!

Easter has many traditions at our home.... hope each of you have your own as well.

One of the best gifts we give our families is a Godly heritage that reveals the hearts of love for the ONE WHO made us and called us to His family!

Happy Springtime friends.... join us sometime soon!