Trail Rides are pretty awesome.

We have the best memories of Whipple Creek Trails. Our first adventures were out there, following our amazing trainer all around, Jasmine and Jordan barely school age. Then heading out on our own with the dogs and getting thoroughly lost time after time. Now we know the trails backward and forward, and have been able to share them with so many friends because we have the BEST horses.

Here's a little video of how Jasmine spent the last part of her summer. Soon the mud will be too deep and we will have to stay in the arena until May, but for now- the trails keep me sane and give my girl a reason to smile. The cute boyfriend who is a beast of a rider helps her smile too. ;)

And for my horsey friends, please don't fret. I will be working with them on their horsemanship skills! Hahahahaha! Thank God for tolerant, loving horses.

Promotion Day!

Goodbye Middle School!

Jasmine is finished with 8th grade and it has left the most surreal feeling in my heart. I feel so GLAD to be done with this part of parenting, and so proud of my girl...but at the same time, it's a sad thought to truly have said goodbye to everything that marks childhood. She really is a teenager now, on the verge of womanhood and all that entails.

I know I am being dramatic- my girl is still going to sit on her roof and write stories, and play silly childhood games with her best friends who don't care that she's suppose to be "mature". She will still want to ride bikes to the country store to buy disgusting candy and play Littlest Pet Shops with her cousin. But it is different now, and I can tell the changes are going to stay.

Today was a milestone, and a special one. Here's to not looking back and focusing on all the wonder of what lies ahead. It reminded me of when Jasmine was just a little girl, about 7 years old. I was having a terrible day- Nursing finals, homeschool testing, my car broke down when I was on my way to clinicals, just life. When I came home and was cleaning the dishes, my Jazz came up and handed me a card she made. She had written our memory verse from Bible time and a sweet note to me. Oh, how she blessed my heart that day:
"I love you, Mama. Always remember "With my God, I can scale any wall!" 2 Samuel 29:30

Oh, how I still treasure that card, spelling errors and all! Never forget, my friend- with our God, "we can scale any wall!"

"You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." 2 Samuel 22:29-31

My "Glass Half Full" Girl...

I love that my 13 year old can school me when it comes to attitude. Where I see weeds, she sees spontaneous blooms. Where I see struggles, she sees adventure. And when I feel shame for my past mistakes, she has forgotten them all and remembers only the "beauty in the ashes". Oh, how I adore this girl!

Where I Come From
I come from a little house surrounded by the forest and horses.
I come from the smell of fresh air and grass.
I come from two loving people, Steve and Renee.
I come from splashing in the creek and running through the woods.
I come from a 45 min drive to see my beloved Church Family.
I come from a giving Grandma who will always care.
I come from a Grandpa who calls me "sis" and loves me to the moon.
I come from a family who gives everything for me.
I come from a family who is in love with Jesus Christ.
I come from a little girl who loves her God.
This is where I come from.

By: Jasmine 7th Grade English

She makes me want to live better. <3 To laugh harder, forgive faster and love bigger.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing...Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. " 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 16-18

Remember the good things!

(Jordan was "bored" on Saturday because he couldn't hang with friends. Does he look "bored" to you? Sitting in the sun, reading great books- that's the life!)

What a great weekend! There is something about the sun coming out and the air being warm that brings out smiles and happiness for even the grumpiest people. I love it! We did nothing but spend time together and enjoy the beautiful sunshine. The kids laughed and played with friends, and it was the best reminder of the good things about living in town. In addition, Steve had a job interview on Sunday, and he is pretty certain he got it. The sermon on Sunday was a killer, but I know God is going to use it for great things- so what more could I want in a weekend?

It was interesting that right when I was thinking about how important it is to remember everything- good and bad, Jasmine asked me something that struck my heart. She was feeling really down last Thursday because she does free babysitting for people, and she had been donating hours of her time every week for awhile- and this particular mom rarely compliments her on a job well done, but always brings up any mistakes she might have made. I thought about that comment, thinking it was simply Jazz's pespective, but as I did, I realized she is right. The only time this mom mentions the favor is to say Jazz ate too many of their snacks, or didn't do whatever. I hadn't realized it before- but poor Jasmine was so sad! Crying and feeling like a loser. She said, "I have tried so hard to do my best with the kids (they are extremely difficult kids) and no one remembers all my efforts- just the ONE TIME I mess up. Why is it even worth it??" Oh, mothers- you can feel how that makes your heart break for your child! We talked and talked, and she eventually realized that her motives were pure, and it wasn't her fault if this person doesn't appreciate it. She is doing it for Jesus and He thinks she rocks. But it got me thinking- how often do I do the same thing to this poor kid? Not notice the days and days of perfect work from her, but the minute there's a wet towel left in the bathroom I bring it to her attention! How ridiculous! I want to remember and praise all that she is and does right- now and forever. I have great kids who try really hard, and I don't think I tell them often enough. Maybe forget some of the "bad" is a good thing!

I am going to get my kiddos ready for school- and tell them how fantastic they really are. I hope you do the same, friend! God bless you today!
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6

(I couldn't get a decent picture of these two because they were cracking up so bad- oh well! :)

We can take it.

It is very cool, how the more you process something, the better you can handle it. With everything else going on, I have been a tad on the negative side as of late. In addition to that, I am missing my kids horribly. I won't get them back until Thursday from their "Spring Break Extravaganza".
So as I was driving home last night, I was just so depressed because I couldn't run in my house and give them a hug or yell at them for not doing their chores. (Both likely to occur in the same breath around here.) Then I open up my email to the best gift in the world, my Jasmine had sent me so me photos of her trip so far!


Priceless- and if this first photo doesn't say it all, let me explain it. When you have a daughter, as awesome as this- it truly makes you feel like you can take anything, do anything, or be anything to make sure she is safe, happy and feels 100% loved and adored. Jasmine is like a sun- no matter what is happening, or how dark and dreary your life appears, the minute the sun breaks, you feel hope. That is my Jazzy girl, and she absolutely made my day. She has been calling me 3 and 4 times a day, just filling me in on the details. I try to be upbeat and positive so she doesn't worry about me missing her, but she still calls to just say she loves us. Thank you, Jesus- for blessing me with this amazing young woman.


I don't care where we live, what job we might have, or what stresses we might be facing, when I think of the fun and experience Jordan is going to have next year in high school, and Jasmine having the chance to shine her light more often into the lives of her friends and neighbors- it makes me excited for the future. Team Doan can do anything as long as we stick together, because we have the One True God and Savior of the world rooting for us, preparing the way for us, loving us, and protecting us. No bad thing can come from His hands, and no fear need shake our resolve to "live big" for Jesus.


"Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:16-17

Why it's worth it....

Why does it have to be so horribly difficult, but so wonderful at the same time- watching your children grow? My Jasmine is moving so fast, I feel like if I turn my head away for a second, I am going to miss something amazing. She is my little woman now, and last night just reaffirmed that. We were driving home from TAG, and chatting with her in the car, laughing our heads off because she was so hyper, I realized how few nights we have left of that. She is able to understand, and evaluate things now that she didn't get even 6 months ago. It's wonderful to see what an awesome person she is growing in to, but so hard for me too. I remember those chubby cheeks, and the little girl who said she would never grow up, who wanted nothing better than her mama's lap and a warm blanket. When we lived in Arizona, she would often remark how much she missed cold, rainy days- simply because they gave us an excuse to do nothing and cuddle up on the couch together. It doesn't help that I sat around watching old home videos- laughing and crying at the stupidity of myself. How much I took for granted while I was in it- busy raising toddlers, chasing down preschoolers, educating my school aged children. Who cares about the 3 R's I should have said- let's just go play! Now, when I see them sitting in their classes at school, and being way ahead of the course work, I kind of wish I hadn't pushed them as hard, and just played more. I know, I am being a sentimental goob. We have taken way too many "Jordan days" over the years, played our hearts out, and I don't have any regrets as to our choices over the last 10 years, but I can't help but be a little sappy today.Thank you, God, for blessing our home with these people, with making it possible for me to stay home all these years, and be active and available every day. No matter what hard stuff we have gone through, it is so awesome to see your kids carefree and loving life, and have them say they have the best family in the world.
My girl is so grown up, and so ready to take this world by storm. And it makes me want to shout out for joy and cry at the same time. Go figure.

" A sweater is a garment worn by a child when his mother feels chilly." -Barbara Johnson

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife." Proverbs 17:1

I had a great day...

It's so funny. I love that song at the beginning of Alvin and the Chipmunks- "I had a bad day..." but I always want to change the words to "had a good day" because the only time that song comes into my head is when I am feeling happy. It has such a neat rhythm.
Today was kind of like that, the day had such a good rhythm, and it made for such a special time. Nothing was different, all the sad stuff and concerns are still there, but because my focus and intention was right- to worship God and honor Him in all I did, it made everything so EASY. Steve had the day off, and we had a great time, my kiddos were a pleasure, and the weather was perfect. I can think of a million things that happened- little things that would have normally thrown me off my game- but God was so kind and didn't let them phase us.
Watching Jasmine in particular was such a blessing. I worry about her all the time, and am constantly trying to teach her how to behave, what to do, how to become a critical thinker and planner- and spending today with her reminded me that all the things that really matter, she already has down pat. Actually, she does it better than I do. Jazz always is so quick to love, to forgive, to give of herself and all that she has, it just comes naturally to her. Seeing her playing with her cousins, her brother and her dad, working her horse, and helping me with chores- I couldn't stop praising God for my girl, and asking for His forgiveness because I take her for granted. I am determined to stop analyzing her and start praising her. My only chance is that someday I will grow up to be as cool as Jazz!
"And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3