TJM Home Issue 2016

HOME TOUR

CLOSET CLEAN-OUT

TACTICAL

THE PIGG HOME

5 EASY TIPS

SECURE & SAFE

A GLANCE INSIDE

GET SOME HELP WITH OUR

MAKE SURE YOUR HOME IS

WELCOME : A

Note from the President

president:

Stephanie Oliver managing editor:

Beth Johnson editor@tjmag.com staff writer:

Cami Rhome editorial photographer:

Jenni Blackledge event photographer:

Lisa Crow layout and design:

Macy Haffey ad design:

Samantha Miller contributors:

Melissa & Tiffani Claire Brody

Emily Courtney Majal Minguez Angie Nichols Amanda Poole Melissa Radke Luke Tarbutton

T

his has been a blast of an issue to put together.

Builders, realtors, buyers, sellers, and retailers each add a different aspect of turning an ordinary house into your home sweet home. At the end of a long day when you lay your head down, the size of your home or the thread count you sleep on does not matter. No matter if it's a bedroom,

an apartment, a mobile home or a mansion--the love that fills the room is what makes it a home.

Everyone featured in this issue exudes the love and passion of creating a warm, welcoming place to call home.

My hope is for you to be encouraged and inspired by the talent we have here in East Texas. It has been a blessing to see the

economy and the small business owners thriving!

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches."

- Prov 24:3-4

STEPHANIE OLIVER

PRESIDENT

13

HOME 14 LIFE & DESIGN 16 BURLAP & BESTIES 18 HOME TOUR 24 IN THE KITCHEN 26 DECOR

29

COMMUNITY 30 RENOVATION 32 CLOSET CLEAN-OUT 36 ORGANIZATION 38 READER RESPONSE

41

LIFE 42 FASHION 46 LIFE LESSONS 48 STRETCH MARKS 50 SOMETHING ABUNDANT 52 {DIY} 54 HEART HEALTH 56 WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS

59

GROWING UP 60 INSPIRING THE IMAGINATION 62 PRETTY BABIES 64 LOOK AT ME

67

BUSINESS 18 Home Tour | photo by Jenni Blackledge

ON THE COVER: Ashley Pigg in the kitchen of her home. | photo by Jenni Blackledge

CONTACT US:

Mailing: PO Box 150537 | Lufkin, Texas 75915 Physical: 115 E. Shepherd | Lufkin, Texas 75901 936-634-7188 | advertise@tjmag.com facebook.com/tjmag twitter.com/tjmeast 9 | TJ M a g & C o • t j m a g . c o m

68 CHAMBER NEWS 70 IN THE KNOW 72 SMALL BUSINESS

75

SPORTS & OUTDOORS 76 NATURE'S EYE 78 ROOM FOR HIM 80 ON THE MOUND 82 STARTING LINE UP 84 FITNESS 86 TACTICAL 87 TROPHY ROOM

HOME 2016

CONTENTS

14 LIFE & DESIGN | 16 BURLAP & BESTIES | 18 HOME TOUR | 24 IN THE KITCHEN | 26 DECOR

HOME

13 | TJ M a g & C o • t j m a g . c o m

in East Texas

How to Style a Nightstand

written by Claire Brody | photography by Anne Brookshire Photography

HOME : Life

& Design

How to Style a Nightstand /// Continued

1. Start with lighting.

Consider adding a table lamp or wall sconce to bring mood lighting to the space. If there are matching nightstands flanking the bed, consider adding matching table lamps/sconces for a pulled together look.

2. Add art or a mirror.

Adding something behind the nightstand will add interest to the vignette. A mirror or piece of art, depending on the style of the room, would work great. * Tip: Make sure it’s to scale with the nightstand!

You don’t want anything too small or too large.

3. Add a decorative object. Or two.

Depending on the size of the nightstand, you will probably need to add another object to balance out the lamp/sconce. * Tip: keep the decorative pieces to 1-3 pieces.

Anything more might look cluttered.

4. Add a simple storage option.

If your nightstand does not have drawers, consider adding a small box or bowl to serve as a catch-all.

Hello. I’m Claire, an interior stylist living in Austin, TX with my husband, Parker. I’m the blogger and business owner behind Claire Brody Designs. I specialize in providing unique and one of a kind spaces on an affordable budget.

Black Stainless

Y O U R H O M E S AY S A L O T A B O U T Y O U .

W E ’ R E H E R E TO L I S T E N .

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Visit Ferguson.com/showrooms to get started.

LUFKIN 2934 S JOHN REDDITT DR (936) 632–1177 ©2016 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. 0116 93977

FERGUSON.COM/SHOWROOMS

written by Melissa & Tiffani

HOME : Burlap & Besties

LOADS OF GOOD IDEAS

O

ne of the more unpleasant places to be in your home is the laundry room. Are we right? It’s a never ending cycle and usually one of the last places you want to think of decorating. But this past year we got a wild hair and decided to redecorate our laundry rooms, add some storage and shelves and spruce things up. Even though our spaces are relatively small, these changes have helped laundry day be less drab! Here are a few things we did that you could easily do in your laundry room.

1 CLEAR JARS

FOR DETERGENT: I’ve seen this on Pinterest, but I was really reluctant to actually dump my laundry detergent liquid in because I was afraid it would clog up and not work or leak and cause a huge mess. But the drink dispenser actually works great! I found it on clearance at TJMaxx and painted the lid and tin with some spray paint. I scored the other glass jars at Ross. This quick and easy switch completely changed the look and feel of my room.

2 TABLE

WITH SKIRT: Okay cat lovers, here is my solution to the litter box ugliness. I was tired of looking at it and needed to use the space! The litter box fit perfect under this table. Then I found a shower curtain at Ross (love that place!) that matched my décor like a dream, and I stapled it under the table on the front and one of the sides. The other side is open for my cat to go in and out. I trimmed off the excess and have plans to use that for other projects! This has also been a nice solution to keep my young son away from the box! And now my cat’s treats and toys can be stored in the drawer and the top can be used for laundry!

3 CHICKEN COUP:

Here is an amazing idea to create extra storage in your space. With a little effort and searching high and low, we were able to find a double decker chicken coup that had already been cut down to the size we needed. We cleaned it out and hung it on the wall. Now we have lots of space to store all of our laundry room goodies!

4 IRONING

MAGNETIC BOARD: I had a little extra space in my laundry room, and when my Nanny gave me this fabulous metal ironing board I knew just what to do. I turned it into a magnetic board to help our family organize and display different things! It’s been so handy to have and is especially fun to enjoy since it belonged to my grandmother.

Melissa is a housewife who loves her husband and son, Ben and Ty, more than anything else on earth. In a previous life, she was a CPA. Her passion for serving Jesus took her and Ben to Africa for two years where, among other things, she learned she can never pack too many crafting supplies. If you want to see a happy girl, give Melissa an old piece of furniture and a paintbrush then stand back and watch the magic happen.

Tiffani Brantner is a part-time nurse and student, a constant crafter, party-thrower,

"idea-comer-upper", and a richly rewarded wife and mother to Jeff and Cullen. Call her to come and get your old junk, she LOVES it! She'll turn it into something beautiful, create a theme, throw a party around it, and invite you as the guest of honor. You can reach Tiffani day or night at tifandmel@ gmail.com.

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photography by Jenni Blackledge

HOME : Home

Tour

Home sweet Home Ashley & Corey Pigg

C

orey and Ashley Pigg love how their dream home turned out.

It was a long process of planning and building, but it was well worth the wait. It’s the perfect home to entertain or homeschool.

This family of four loves being able to walk in their front door and feel right at home.

Home Sweet Home /// Continued

MET Festival of Trees

photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES :

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

22 | H o m e 2 0 1 6

Customer Driven.

Community Focused.

Our future is all about yours, because we understand that when you succeed, we all succeed.

Explore Banking with us.

Lufkin - Downtown 415 S. 1st Street • (936) 639-2141

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HOME : In

the Kitchen

Chef Britany’s

Tricks & Tips – CUTTING AN ONION WITH NO TEARS – One of my favorite things I learned in culinary school was how to cut an onion properly!

1. Cut the top off of the onion, but do not cut off the bottom.

2. Place the onion on the cutting board with the top facing down on flat surface. Cut the onion in half lengthwise.

3. Place the onion inside down on the cutting board leaving the root in tact because the juices are what make your eyes burn.

4. Take the top layer of skin off the onion. Then cut the onion to your desired cut, being careful to keep the root intact.

Now you can dice or slice the onion.

– FRESH FRUIT SALAD – (Use your favorite fruits)

1 Granny Smith apple, diced (soak in orange juice to prevent browning) 1 pineapple, fresh, diced 1 cup blackberries 1 cup raspberries 1 cup seedless grapes, any color, cut in half 1/4 cup honey 1 cup granola, optional Cut up all the fruits as instructed and combine.

Toss together with the honey. Let it set for 30 minutes in cooler before you serve. Divide into serving bowls, and top with granola if you desire.

– ORGANIZING YOUR GROCERY CART – Try to fill your cart mostly with items from the outside perimeter of the grocery store. These foods tend to be healthier than the processed filled foods in center aisles.

Chef Britany Vinson, a 2011 graduate from the Art Institute of Houston, is passionate about feeding people physically and spiritually. She has been catering for over 7 years and can’t see herself doing anything else! For more information about Chef Britany and Tome Catering, check out tomecatering.com.

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HOME : Decor

2016 Design Trends – WARM METALS – Elk Lighting Rialto | Ferguson Metal Tin | Abney & Son's – ORGANIC TEXTURES – Teak Horse Home Accent | Coburn's – COPPER, BRONZE & SILVER – IN FURNITURE – ACCESSORIES WITH THE – TEXTURE OF BURLAP – AFRICAN INSPIRED TEXTILES – – POPS OF NATURAL GREEN – – BLACK AND WHITE – Pillow | Spring & Prince – ANIMAL HIDE – Animal Hide Rug | Texas Heritage – ANIMAL PRINTS – Foot Stool | Johnson Furniture

in East Texas 30 RENOVATION | 32 CLOSET CLEAN-OUT | 36 ORGANIZATION | 38 READER RESPONSE

COMMUNITY

Julie McManus and her children, Macy and Tripp photo by Jenni Blackledge

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COMMUNITY : Renovation

to flip or

Jennifer McCall

“For starters, I see flipping very differently than remodeling vs renovating. I am terrible at remodeling homes that other people own. I can’t ever figure out how to charge and, more importantly, can’t think straight when I have so many other issues to navigate - arguing spouses or budget balances, etc. It sort of shuts down the creative process. I do best when I buy a home on my own, manage my own budget, remodel, and then sell for fair price to anyone that likes it.”

There is something so amazing about seeing an old, outdated house transform into something new and beautiful. Whether you’re watching the transformations on TV, or planning to make changes in your own home, it’s always helpful to get advice from people who have experience. Jennifer McCall and Alvin Vander Leest have been flipping houses for several years. We asked them about the exciting and challenging moments during their past renovations and some favorite memories, too.

camp out with my tea or latte to plan how the home needs to be remodeled. I live in my head during this creative process, and I drive “I have renovated 15 or so homes in Orange contractors and subs (and my husband) nuts County, CA and Lufkin.” as I constantly say, ‘Trust me on this one.’ I always plan for moving walls to maximize the Do you have a favorite home view of the lot, master bedroom privacy, that you have renovated? memory-making kitchens, creative kid spaces, “Through the process, I wind up falling in love and man caves. I also firmly believe that it is with each and every one of the homes I okay to be creative, but that it is never okay remodel. I really loved the one on Pine Tree to cut corners in a flip. Do not just make false Lane, well and the one on Bending Brook, and surface improvements. If the house needs Augusta...and the one in Laguna...and the one $1250 in new insulation in the roof, just do on Pine Ave in Orange...and I would move it... you will have awesome renovation Karma back to the one in Newport, too. I can’t choose.” if you treat it like your own home!”

How many homes have you flipped?

What are some things that most people don’t know about renovating houses?

Do you have any funny stories about flipping one of your houses?

“Most people seem to think you just switch out some counter tops, paint, and then resell.

But for me, the renovation process is very personal and more complicated. I am very choosy when picking a home to renovate because I am very particular about end result.

I pick well-built older homes in good neighborhoods (I love Duncan built homes), and then I think of how the future family will love and live and relax in the home. Even in the middle of the messy remodel chaos, I will move in a comfy chair or two and a coffee table and

“There have been countless hilarious stories, but honestly, what I think about most when I look back at it all is that we have learned to trust each other and count on each other. I started this about 20 years ago in Orange County, CA, and my children have always had renovations as a backdrop in their lives. In the process we have moved a lot...okay... a whole lot. But they have learned that a home is not the walls. It is how you live and love inside those walls that counts most.”

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Taliah & Alvin Vander Leest How many homes have you flipped?

What do you love most “We have flipped four houses since 2008. We started with one about flipping homes? duplex in Brookhollow in 2002. Most people buy a first house; we bought a duplex instead. It was hard to convince my wife to sacrifice that ‘first home dream’…the perfect house with the white picket fence. However, after that first renovation, we were hooked. There’s just something addicting about bringing life back to a place that was falling apart. That one duplex led to another, and then we got into flipping houses in Crown Colony shortly after that.”

“There’s just nothing like that feeling of making something beautiful out of nothing. I mean...it’s just so rewarding!

To know that you took a house that no one wanted and turned it to the house of someone’s dreams! It’s addicting! The challenge to make the parts of the house that are undesirable become the parts that sell that house is invigorating! Honestly... there’s just nothing like it!”

Did you have a favorite home? If so, why was it your favorite?

Do you have any advice for people who want to start flipping homes?

Each house was special to us for different reasons. We liked certain aspects of each home, but if I had to pick my favorite, it would be our most recent renovation: 204 Sonterra. It has been, by far, our largest renovation, but every single room has something special about it. We love the open concept that we created by removing two walls that caused the area to feel chopped up and dark. We also love the white marble counter tops and the gray cabinetry throughout. It’s a very warm and inviting home now, complete with all of the desired upgrades today’s buyer is looking for (along with the Kitchen Aid appliances that my wife insisted on having).

“I would encourage people who are interested in house flipping to do several things:

What do most people not know about flipping houses?

“I think most people are so fixed on having the American dream right away - the large, perfect house, the brand new car, the designer clothes and accessories. They just dive right in and don’t count the cost...literally. They want it all now and don’t know about the reward that comes with buying maybe the UGLIEST house on the best street, fixing it up, and then selling it for way more that you bought it for. So they get into so much debt so fast that they no longer have the finances to invest in flipping a home. Most buyers don’t know how to purchase a home with the end in mind. I am forever ruined because I now walk into every potential purchase wondering, ‘What can I do to make this house great? How much can I make on this house?’

1. Build up your savings. You need money to not only buy the house, but to renovate it! So don’t spend all of your money on the purchase of the house.

2. Start small. Don’t dive into a huge, expensive house if you’ve never done this sort of work before.

3. Don’t lose money at the purchase of the home. What I mean is...You have to get the house CHEAP enough to do the renovation AND make money afterwards.

4. Figure in the cost of the realtor. If you are in a good location with your flip, try selling it yourself ! We sold two in Crown Colony ‘for sale by owner’. We have found that Crown Colony is a great neighborhood for flipping homes. Faster sales, and home sell at top dollar.

5. Stay neutral. Don’t use outlandish colors and quirky designs in a flip. Do it with the general buyer in mind. Stick with neutral colors, and avoid things that are too trendy. Stylish is good, but trendy can minimize your buyer pool.”

I also think, for many, it’s scary. Let’s be honest, tearing apart a house is risky if you don’t know what you’re doing. People have to be willing to take a risk, to do things maybe ‘unconventionally.’ But they also must be sure to talk to the right people before buying the house. Knowledge is critical to the success of your flip.”

before

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after

Clean-Out

written by Amanda Poole of Amanda Grace Consulting

COMMUNITY : Closet

5 Tips

C

32 | H o m e 2 0 1 6

leaning out your closet genuinely strikes fear into the heart of most women that I know. I take that back, all women that I know. We immediately begin making up things to do instead; suddenly jury duty doesn’t sound so bad.

However, it really can be quite liberating!Â

for Cleaning Out Your Closet TIP One: Put a sticker on the hanger every time you wear something. At the end of the year, if there is an item with no sticker, it goes. Honestly, if you haven’t worn it in a year, you truly don’t need it, or even like it that much!

TIP Two: Get rid of “goal clothes.” I have been guilty of this, too. We all have a tendency to keep our “top-physical-condition” jeans, so I get it. However, it’s not good.

It clutters up your closet. Just go ahead and reward yourself with a brand new pair of jeans with a modern cut and a great fit whenever it’s time!

TIP Three: Examine your shoes. Do you have a pair of shoes that you love, but they have scuffs on the toe and therefore

prevent you from wearing them? I know, me too. So either take them to a shoe repair person or chunk them. I believe you, they’re really cute, but if you don’t wear them, they’re just taking up space in your closet!

TIP Four: Organize! Whatever system works for you, implement it! Personally, mine is all color coordinated. I know people who organize by sleeve length or by season, just get a system in place!

TIP Five:

a Louis Vuitton that my grandmother passed down to me, and I cherish it.

TIP Six: Give yourself a timeline…. and a reward! Give yourself a deadline, say two weeks from now. Write it down in your planner and schedule time like an appointment. When you reach your goal, reward yourself ! Splurge on a new watch, (to replace the old one you just cleaned out, right?) go out to a new restaurant you have been wanting to try, or go see a movie! Cleaning out your closet is no small feat, so you should treat yourself for accomplishing the task!

Clear out your accessories. If you haven’t used these in a year, it’s time for them to go. Sometimes we hang onto pieces for sentimental value, so keep a couple of those pieces. With the rest, pass them on or give them away.

The only exceptions to this rule are (real) designer bags. Those are an investment. For example, I still have

Amanda Poole is a Nacogdoches area local who recently moved to The Woodlands, Texas. She grew up working in boutiques and has had a love and eye for fashion since the beginning. When she graduated from Texas A&M, she opened Grace Boutique in Nacogdoches which really developed her taste for the business side of fashion as well.

Since then, she has been a stylist at Madewell and eased herself into image consulting in The Woodlands area. Find out more about her service at amandagraceconsulting. com, and make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

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Bake

photography by Lisa Crow

PLACES & FACES : Waffle

Interested in purchasing a photo you see? Visit lisacrowphotography.smugmug.com!

34 | H o m e 2 0 1 6

COMMUNITY : Organization

TIPS ON A CLUTTER FREE HOME

E

very person has a different idea of what makes a ‘house’ a ‘home,’ but I think we can all agree that a house rarely feels like home when it’s full of clutter. Having an organized and tidy home creates a more relaxed environment for your family to make memories and have fun. However, sometimes our homes get overwhelmed with clutter – all those toys your kids can’t seem to part with, an accumulation of gifts and knickknacks growing in the closet, way too many pairs of shoes…

Whatever your “clutter problem” may be, there are some simple ways to start paring down your stuff, and organizing your home.

Jennifer Core is a stayat-home mom and a pastor’s wife with a passion for discipling women, helping them to live in the way that God has called them to live. In Jennifer’s words, “It is hard to bask in God’s peace when you are literally surrounded by chaos.”

For this reason, it is not only important to live a de-cluttered life for your family’s comfort, but also for your relationship with the Heavenly Father.”

Many people may not even realize the clutter in their homes is a problem. The first step is to recognize the issue, then you can start creating your plan to deal with the clutter. According to Jennifer, there are several different types of clutter that will determine the best plan of action.

“The pile by the door that looks like clutter might really be your shoes, keys, purse, coat, and mail that you weren’t able to put away when you first walked in the door. Aside from throwing away the junk mail, you just need to put these things in their place. If they don’t have one, make one and you’ve solved that clutter problem.

If your entry closet is so full that you cannot easily put your coat away, it is time to de-clutter the closet. If there is a space for your things, but your things are not in their space, you need to tidy up.

If your things are jumbled in their space, you need to organize. If you have more things than you have space for, you need to pare down.”

This is basically summed up into two questions: Is this piece of clutter simply out of its place? Or is there no space for this item? Once you’ve answered these questions, it’s time to take action! Here are Jennifer’s simple steps to tackling any clutter issue:

1. Narrow your focus.

You can’t de-clutter your entire house in one day, so ask yourself, ‘What area or room frustrates me the most?’ If the answer is “all of them,” start with the front rooms of your house. Take a picture with your cell phone so you can see your progress later.

2. Gather your supplies.

3. Get yourself ready.

Pull your hair back, put on your running shoes, and play some fun, upbeat music.

4. Set the laundry hamper in the doorway and loop an empty grocery bag on your arm.

Set your timer for five minutes and work your way around the room picking up trash and tossing dirty laundry in the hamper with your mad basketball skills. You are looking for obvious trash.

Don’t touch those piles of paper or mail! When the timer goes off throw away your trash and hang a new bag on the doorknob.

5. Next, stand back and look for the biggest, easiest, fastest thing you can tackle.

Set your timer for five minutes and get it done.

Now look at your room. In less than 15 minutes you’ve made visible progress!

Jennifer’s method consists of working around the room in 5, 10, or 15 minute intervals, tackling each pile of clutter. By splitting the room into sections and taking a break after each interval, even the most chaotic spaces seem less overwhelming!

Maybe you have tried so many different ways to get rid of clutter in your home, and even these few steps seem out of reach. In these situations, Jennifer suggests that overcoming your own hurdles with clutter starts by “envisioning change.”

“Some of us are haunted by our past failed attempts. You know, that day you told your family you would finally clean the guest room? You raced in with gusto only to find yourself completely overwhelmed. You started with one pile only to get stuck in the tedious and slow task of sorting papers. You worked to exhaustion with not much to show for it and were so bored and embarrassed you just couldn’t bring yourself to try again. Trust me, I’ve been there. Even if tackling clutter is the last thing you really want to do, go ahead and give this plan a try.

Now, close your eyes. The imagination is not just for the little girls who wants to be princesses. It is also for the tired peasant woman who wishes to be queen of her beautiful castle! Take a moment to imagine what you want your space to look like when you stop today.

If your space has never been tidy or it has not been tidy in a long time, take an extra few minutes to envision change. What often holds us back is fear. Fear of change, of letting go, of failing, and of the unknown. So instead of saying ‘good bye’ to that cluttered space in front of you, say hello to the one you are imagining.”

So, recognize the clutter, tackle the clutter bit by bit, and don’t let fear or discouragement stand in your way. Remind yourself of all the family movie nights, relaxing Saturday afternoons, and beautiful moments with God that will happen in your newly de-cluttered space. Now, get to work!

The beautifully organized home of Connie & Wes Welch. | photo by Jenni Blackledge

COMMUNITY : Reader

Allyson Langston

I wished I would have known the daunting amount of choices. It can be overwhelming as there are so many options for EVERYTHING (including grout and lightbulbs!) Thanks to apps like Houzz and Pinterest, you can see all the options at the touch of your finger.

Also, when you are given a timeframe for something to be completed, plan on it to take at least double the time.

That will keep your frustration level down. Keep things in perspective: yes, you'll have surprises along the way, but what a blessing it is to be building a home!

Response

old doors to the master bedroom area. They are unique and add a little character to the area. I also like that we put pendants over our night stands in the bedroom. I usually have quite a few books on the nightstand so a lamp would just be in the way and it's less cluttered. I met with friends that had built and got tips from them. It's not that it all went smoothly, but we didn't experience too many surprises. One of the best choices I made was using Cathy Marberrry. We spent one hour together and chose every paint color I needed for the entire inside, outside, and ceilings.

Julianne Greak

Ashley Pigg

One of my favorite parts of the house is the openness of the kitchen and breakfast area. We home school, so we spend a large part of our days in these areas. The area has large windows that overlook the backyard so we like all of the natural lighting and the view. I love our tall,

The kitchen and the master bath are my most favorite parts of our home. The kitchen is very open, and I love the truss beams and copper vent a hood over the gas range. The master bath is very calming, and I love the groin ceilings. Also, I am glad we selected the steam shower. I am glad we decided to add Epoxy flooring in our garage. It gives the flooring of the garage a nice, finished look. I would have liked to have had a better grasp on

room sizes and covered porch space. Seeing your plans on paper and actually walking the space to have a good idea on the comfort of that area.

Meagan Morehead

My favorite part of the house is the open kitchen/ living room floorplan. It provides a great situation for me to cook dinner while conversing with or catching up on a TV show with my husband, Justin. I can still feel like I'm right in the mix and not stuck in the kitchen!

The thing I'm most glad that I did is go with a fun kitchen backsplash. I started to go with more of a neutral subway tile but, instead, I opted for an arabesqueshaped mosaic tile with iridescent tiles sprinkled in. It's really my favorite detail! The most frustrating part for me was determining the floorplan. We spent about 9 months deciding on a floorplan that was both what we want now and what will best transition over the years. And also the DETAILS. I thought I was prepared for how many details we would have to consider, but I was not. There are so many!

My advice for anyone

38 | H o m e 2 0 1 6

building is to look at as many actual homes as you can first. Even if to learn what you don't want. I had several people allow me to come in and look and even measure to get an idea of exactly what I was having drawn on a little piece of paper. I had also measured all the rooms in our previous home because it's so hard for me to judge space. I did a lot of swiping through the houzz app and pinning on Pinterest, but I feel like knowing what your working with space-wise is so important.

Stacey Squyres

Our master suite is my most favorite. It's a place to go relax and unwind in my soaking tub after a long day.

I love the beautiful custom built closet, and nothing beats a warm, dark and cozy bedroom to crawl into on those rainy days. We had our game room and media room in our floor plan. But, along the way, we have decided to finish it out more and more and I'm so glad we did! I'm excited to spend family time in there as I know it will be our second living area to make memories throughout the years.The

The Home Building Experience biggest thing that I have learned is not to have set dates in your mind about the completion on things it will ALWAYS be longer than what you think

All in all it was a great experience and we are very pleased with the end product.

We are so glad to finally be out on our land where our kids can run around and play.

Jennifer Winston

Kammee Wilson

Other than the location, my favorite part of building has been watching everything come together. I'm indecisive and didn't really know my "style" before this process, so it has been a growing experience. I love the kitchen! I was optimistic as far as time frame and did not anticipate set-backs and delays. There were setbacks for laying the foundation due to the spring rains and also changes we made to the floor plan. We never had a long-term goal of building our own house, so we hadn't thought through a lot of the "details" and decisions we would had to make. Looking back, I would have started collecting pictures of windows, flooring, floor plans, granite, tile, doors, etc that I liked, so that we could have more easily made decisions. A list of how things flow and a time frame of when we needed to know specific decisions would have been helpful too - the granite, paint, doors, etc..

Kari Spurgeon

The favorite part of our house is the outdoor patio and being able to wind down from the day in such a serene place. We decided last minute to include an outdoor fireplace and that is the one thing we were so glad we did.The advice I would give to someone when building your own home is pay attention to detail, but don't sweat them. We all have a dream of the perfect house, but when it's all said and done it'll be YOUR HOME that makes it perfect.

Something I wished I had known before building is to be a few steps ahead of your contractor in the decision making. Ask them what decisions will need to be made next and choose them.

This way they're never waiting on you and keeps the building process moving right along.

I have built homes before and worked part time for a home builder in college, so I feel like I should have been more prepared. The thing I wish I would have remembered or that others should know--things take time. The building process rarely stays on schedule and most items are dependent on the item before, so if one subcontractor is late the subsequent ones will be late, too. If you miss a window of opportunity it could end up costing you more time than you realize because most subcontractors and contractors alike have other projects going.

Leslie Ball

We have truly enjoyed the process and have been amazed at how it all comes together. I worked for a home builder years ago; however, until it's your own, you really can't appreciate the process. These guys are very talented individuals.

My favorite feature is our

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kitchen. I'm so glad we added all of the details to the island, cabinets, lighting, etc. because I believe this is the most frequented area in someone's home. I am also glad we added the upstairs bonus room. I think it will be a great place for the boys to hang out and also spend time with their friends as they get older. And last, our outdoor kitchen and fireplace--that is where we entertain for the most part, so I look forward to having that area as well!

Amanda Lawrence

My favorite part of our house is the open concept of the kitchen and living room! I am so glad I put our fireplace in the corner of our living room. It gives a lot more space to the room. The most frustrating part of building was staying in budget! The best advice I can give to future home builders is to look at as many homes as possible and different layouts before starting your house plans.

I wish I had known how time consuming it was to build a home and how many decisions there are to make!

We love our home, and are so happy we did it!

PLACES & FACES : Brookshire

Alzheimers Association – Houston & Southeast Texas

Angelina Arts Alliance

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council American Cancer Society – of Deep East Texas (ADAC) Pineywoods Cattle Barons Gala

CRRC of Canyon Lake

East Texas Alliance for Children (Harold’s House)

Junior League of Lufkin

Brothers Gives Back

Court Appointed Special Friends of the Ellen Trout Zoo Advocates – CASA in the Pines

The Joseph House, Inc

Lee County Youth Center

Coldspring – Oakhurst CISD Education Foundation

Junior Achievement of Angelina County, Inc

Lufkin State Supported Living Center – Volunteer Services Council

Lufkin ISD Education Foundation

Not Pictured: The Dublin Goodfellows

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The Mosaic Center, Inc

Salado ISD Education Foundation

in East Texas

Model: Hollyn McMullen Hair Styled by: Shelby Adaway Makeup by: Ashley Conlon Jewelry provided by: Michelle Briley - Stella and Dot Photo by: Jenni Blackledge Black Dress with Crochet Sleeves

Clothing available at Bella Salon and Boutique in Downtown Lufkin.

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42 FASHION | 46 LIFE LESSONS | 48 STRETCH MARKS | 50 SOMETHING ABUNDANT | 52 {DIY} | 54 HEART HEALTH | 56 WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENTS

LIFE

LIFE : Fashion

Model: Micah May Hair Styled by: Brenda Weaver Makeup by: Ashley Conlon Jewelry provided by: Michelle Briley - Stella and Dot Photo by: Jenni Blackledge Navy Button Down Blouse with Brown Collar

Clothing available at Bella Salon and Boutique in Downtown Lufkin.

B

THE RUNWAY

ella Salon opened their doors in 2013. That year, owner Brenda Weaver was inspired

by Aveda. Aveda is a company that believes in giving back, and Weaver wanted to do the same.

We are bringing more talent to the show and will also have plenty of things for the guys to get excited about, too. For example a car show, monster trucks, etc.

We wanted a fun event that multiple businesses and students could be a part of while still showing off our Talent.

their products along with the way people care for the world we live in, Bella Salon will continue to support the Gulf Restoration Network (healthygulf.org).

Plans are already in place. The Model Call has taken place and the models Fast forward to March 2014, Bella have been chosen. The boutiques Salon hosted the first Fashion are busy planing their wardrobe Our mission at Aveda Show for Lufkin. “I can remember for the evening. Boutiques parmy Aveda Rep Kawanza drove in ticipating are Ruby & Jane, Wild is to care for the world we from Houston and her telling me F lower Boutique, Spring & live in, from the products we how nervous she was for this Prince, and Bella Salon. There make to the ways in which we event. She didn’t want to leave will be performances by Tall her new little family at home Timbers Gymnastics Studio give back to society. while she attended a country along with a few entertainers. bumpkin show in good ole’ East Outside the Civic Center there At Aveda, we strive to set an Texas. I smiled at her and said, 'You will be a car show and two food example for environmental trucks with a delicious array of are in for a treat.' Her honesty was leadership and responsibility, greatly appreciated and amusing. At food along with alcoholic beverthe end of the show she came up ages provided through the Civic not just in the world of beauty, to me almost in tears and said she Center. “I do not want to give all but around the world. was blown away. She had no idea the surprises away. I can only there was so much talent in ‘good promise that if you like fashion, ole’ Lufkin, Texas. She thanked beauty, and a good cause, you me for inviting her to come and need to make plans to attend the Horst Rechelbacher told me that the show was so well show. I could have taken the easy Founder, Aveda put together and it delivered a route when it comes to giving wonderful message.” back to Earth Month and just This was an opportunity to bring our hosted a cut-a-thon at the salon, but Bella Salon has hosted another great community together for a good cause.” that was simply too easy, and I wanted show in 2015. If you have been to either to challenge myself and my staff to one of the last two shows and loved it, This is a great opportunity to get a group think outside of the box. The Fashion you will be in for a real treat this year. together and a great excuse to dress up. Show takes months of preparation and Weaver says, “This year’s show will be “You can really enjoy yourself while doing sponsors to make happen, but all the bigger and better than before. It will be something to give back for our good hard work pays off and everyone involved held at Lufkin Civic Center and the cause.” Because Aveda’s mission revolves gets so pumped up and excited for the theme is Futurism:: Fashion Revolution!! around environmental responsibility with next one.” (below, left) Brenda Weaver, Owner of Bella Salon & Boutique / (below, right) Model call for Bella Salon & Boutique's 3rd Annual Fashion Show

Tickets can be purchased at Bella Salon & Boutique /105 W Shepherd Ave. / Lufkin, TX 75901 The VIP tickets are $35 and General Admission are $20

written by Cami Rhome

LIFE : Life

Lessons

Becoming a Homeowner

B

– The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly –

ecoming a homeowner is a momentous occasion.

It ranks right up there with all the other big life decisions – graduating college, getting married, starting a family. Why? Because it represents a tangle of other milestones all wrapped up in one HUGE purchase. It means (hopefully) that you have come to a new height of financial responsibility. It means that you have decided where you want to settle your family, even if it’s just for the time being. It means that you are ready to create an environment for future memories – having a Bible study or small group in your home, hosting your family’s holiday gatherings, planning parties and showers and so much more!

This past year, my husband and I embarked on our own first-time-homeowner journey. Of course, we dreamed every day for months about walking through the door of our new home for the first time. We planned and saved and searched, and finally, we found our home in Bryan, Texas in March 2015.

So we were set, right? We found the house, it was perfect.

Done deal.

This could not be more UNtrue.

Though many people experience smooth-sailing during the closing process, ours was a major headache. There were so many unplanned expenses. The seller’s insurance refused to cover a new roof. We also had the unfortunate coincidence of finding our perfect home during tax season – greeeeat. We spent more hours than I can possibly count on hold with the IRS. All that said, we finally moved into our house at the end of May. Though our closing period was quite literally the most stressful time of my life thus far (I was also finishing up my final semester of college – YIKES!), I can honestly say I NEEDED to experience that stress. Not only did we end up with the perfect house for us, at the perfect price, but we also came out on the other side with more knowledge and a deeper trust in God. So here’s my advice for all of you preparing to purchase your first home:

SAVE. Save more than you think you need, and then, save some more. There are often unexpected costs when you first buy a house, so be prepared.

Seek out the wisdom of those who know more than you do. We were so fortunate to have the Godly, sound counsel of friends and family who had been through this process. They gave us such good advice, and they lifted us up in prayer when we needed it the most.

Think of your new home as an investment. Think of the potential of your new home. What purpose do you want this house to serve for you and your family? My husband and I also intend to make our first home our first rental property!

It’s a process, so take everything one step at a time.

In some of the most stressful moments of buying our first home, I held tight to the words in Matthew 6:34, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” One day at a time, one expense at a time, one renovation at a time…

Include God in this big, life decision. He will bring you to the perfect home for your family, if you seek Him first and remain prayerful throughout your search.

We’ve been living in our new home for about 8 months now, and every headache and hair-tugging moment throughout the process was well worth it. I hope our experience gives you confidence to face your own firsttime-homeowner journey, and I hope your closing period is an absolute breeze!

written by Melissa Radke

LIFE : Stretch

W

Marks

Are you following me on Facebook? hy aren’t you following me on Facebook?

It’s like watching someone get a root canal every single day; yep, that’s how I would describe my life.

Brandy Grigson has her son empty the dishwasher, feed the dog, clear the table after dinner and vacuum the tile and baseboards! Good grief ! Get in line, ladies. (Wait.... baseboards? So that’s not just one of those “once a year” things?)

Not that it’s always tragic. Granted, there was the time Remi showed me the talent she had spent the last hour in her room working on (she came out and juggled knives.).

Sometimes it’s filled with really concrete parenting advice (“spank ‘em”) or really profound marital advice (“spank ‘em”) and sometimes I pose really deep questions to make myself look like I’m still evolving as a person when in truth I’m lying on the couch watching Bravo TV. Take this question I wrote a few months ago...

Stella Nikole actually uploaded a picture of her color coded chore chart with each child’s name highlighted and in all caps. (Personally, it made me feel like less of a person, so I didn’t read it and I de-friended her.)

I’d like to admit something to you all, my kids don’t do chores. It’s not because they won’t. I have just never made it an “official rule” around our house. I realize this is on me. I mean what child in their right mind is going to say, “I really feel like we need to establish a system of chores around this house.” (And then one day I fully expect to receive a card from their spouses that says, “Return to sender: Here they are. Thanks for nothing!”) So tell me... do you? Do you really make your child do chores every day? Do you stay on them until they’re done? Or do you, like me, just shrug your shoulders and say, “I know how I want it done, so I’ll just do it myself.” I just found out the other day that Rocco doesn’t even know the difference in the washer and the dryer. Somebody help me!

Jill Gerland thinks chore charts are too complicated. She believes everyone should respect other people’s things and eventually they’ll grow into responsible adults. (I, personally, think she’s inhaled too much Pine Sol doing it all herself.)

Oh the responses I got! I loved it! Granted, I clearly didn’t love it enough to do anything about it; I’m pretty sure my children have not lifted a finger since I posted that question on Facebook. I continue to load the dishwasher the way that I like the dishwasher to be loaded. But everyone gave me such great ideas that I cannot wait until the day that I’m no longer OCD and I actually begin to implement them. I mean, just look at these comments....

Micki Johnson says they have a Sunday chore day where they all work together to get their house ready for the start of the week. (But when do they take a nap? I’m confused by there being no Sunday nap. Where’s the nap, Micki?)

Kristen Hay has devised a system that, if I can be honest, is similar to how they train at NASA. It exhausted me just reading it. She even has the little ones cook with her. (Which you have to admit is pretty stinkin’ adorable if you like small children!!

I do not care for small children.)

And this is why I LOVE women. Their resourcefulness!

They can change diapers, make transactions, run meetings, manage employees, give makeovers, tutor math, check blood pressure, teach homeschool, fix dinner, and still have time to color code a chore chart! Ladies, I bow to you....I admire you....I don’t know how you do all you do....and you do it all while raising your children to be functioning, contributing members of society. Which is why I’m going to keep posting hard questions and you keep posting real answers, ok? I’m also going to keep this couch warm until a Bravo reality show starring YOU finally comes on.

Barbara Gilbreath says each child has their own weekly assignment and they are not paid for these duties! She also wants to be able to walk through their room! (But I see little paths like that on Hoarders, so I don’t know how I feel about this, Barb.)

Melissa Radke is married to the best looking man in town, whom she affectionately refers to as The Attorney General. They have two children, Remi and Rocco; you have probably seen their picture in the Most Wanted list at your local schools. She loves movie popcorn, telling her friends what to do with their hair and being the center of attention. You can find her anytime at melissa@lufkin.org or Chik-fil-A. You are encouraged to ask for her autograph. In fact, she insists.

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Melissa

LIFE : Something

Abundant

written by Angie Nichols

welcome

Home If the saying, “Home is not a place, it’s a feeling” is true, how can one describe her home?

Home is where your story begins.

My first feelings of home must have included...

Mom. Her pretty hands holding a sticky face. Her warm presence in our kitchen on cold mornings, wrapping sandwiches in plastic bags, tucking them into respective superhero and pony lunchboxes. Singing, ALWAYS singing--wiping a counter, brushing her teeth, driving--to the embarrassment of us as teens. Her resilience, the pain she’s endured gives her beauty, a softened edge and a fragrant peace few can pull off. If you get to come near her, she heaps it out on you in a thousand ways.

And Dad. His short life in no way diminished his influence over our home. Although his life on earth ended when a plane crashed into a dirt field, for my first eleven years home was his clean, pressed shirt pressed against my face in a bear hug. Sitting in the church pew, white tights bunched at my ankles, his arm my pillow and strong tower. The backyard swing. His ridiculous claim, “You are the prettiest girl in the world,” when I emerged in the morning wearing crooked Wonder Woman underoos, my hair in curlers.

But then you grow up and...

Home is where the laundry is.

As a mother myself now, I pray my daughter’s home is sweet home. My hope is she will know me and her daddy as her safe place. Where we give her freedom to be herself and boundaries to keep her safe. The place she keeps her stuffed animals and charges her cell phone. Where Daddy mows the grass under the swing that hangs from the tall promise tree’s branch. Where I say mom things and she rolls her eyes, thinking I don’t see. Where we watch all the movies, eat all the chocolate, and feel all the feels of a hot mess family.

And Him. That man of mine, who is so much better than I even knew him to be the day we married--barefoot on a Jamaican beach--eighteen years ago. Oh, make no mistake.

Sometimes home feels like a battlefield. When young, dumb laziness throws out the “d” word, when cancer takes a mean hold of your baby, when the grass looks greener. But when I make him want to run, he stays. I remember how he never missed a single one of our baby’s chemo treatments or a day of work afterward. He provides for my every mission field’s dream, but draws me back to his arms. The ones I love to punch, cuddle up in, and admire when he shrugs on a clean button-up. Home is never far away when his scent lingers on my skin.

There’s no place like home.

Mental illness is [Even when you can’t see it.]

Mental illness is real, and it’s all around us. Depression. Anxiety. Bi-polar disorder. Eating disorders. One in four of us will face a mental illness in any given year. Yet, too many people are afraid to get the help they need or even talk about it with their friends or family. We need your help.

Visit myburke.org/REAL to get the facts, learn how to help those in need, and read stories of people right here in East Texas that are taking control of their mental health.

To make an appointment with a mental health care professional, call 936-634-5010.

IF YOU’RE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, CALL BURKE’S 24-HOUR CRISIS HOTLINE AT 1-800-392-8343.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You believe in God, believe also in me.

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” --Jesus (John 14:1-3)

Where did your story begin? What memories make you feel home?

Whether home is where the pants aren’t, where the bra comes off, where your crazies are, your dog is, or where you park it, home is the nicest word there is. Home is where we feel welcome, free, able to take a deep breath, watch Netflix, look ugly and enjoy it.

Because for all the beautiful chaos of our homes here, we know it. Don’t we? This can’t be all there is. For all the blessings we can count and quote about home, there is a Love who whispers with each one, “This is only a hint.” Everything we love about our homes, it is just a taste. Whether you put it in needlepoint upon your heart or not, the truth of the matter does not change or fade.

This carpenter, this savior. He knew this broken world had nothing to offer.

So He came a baby, lived a sinless life, took the punishment I deserved and died, nailed to a tree. He defeated death and hell because they had no right to a Holy God. Then He gifted me, sinful from birth, His label of “holy” and is building me a home, a chamber for His bride.

of His rest in our eternal home, I ask Him to bring His kingdom to my piece of earth as it is in heaven.

“How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young--a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.” Psalm 84:1-4 Home might not be a place. But I don’t think it’s entirely a feeling either. Home is a knowing. Knowing the One who dwells in light. Home is being known

by Him. Love is home.

Do you know the hope of Home? It comes only through the person of Jesus Christ--faith in His life, death, and resurrection. It comes because we know the twisted soul we are behind the walls of our own flesh. It comes when we cry for a Healer. He always calls back, “Sinner, come home.”

And, you should know, He doesn’t just stand at the door of heaven and wait.

No. He runs for you. He comes running with a robe, a ring, a feast and the eternal embrace of the Eternal Father (see Luke 15:11-32). That is what Grace is, and why we say it around our home’s table. Until I enter the fullness

Angie Nichols is the founder of Something Abundant Ministries, serving women through worship, ministry, and Biblical teaching and the author of Something Abundant: growing from a child of God to the bride of Christ. Her passion is for women to know the beauty of an abundant life knowing Christ as Bridegroom. She is married to Chris and they have one daughter, Mycah. For more information, to read Angie’s blog, or book speaking events visit: somethingabundantministries.org

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Do-It-Yourself

written by Majal Minguez

LIFE : {DIY}

SANITIZE...

A

s a mom, I consider hand sanitizers as one of the coolest inventions ever … just squirt, slather it on your hands, and BAM … your germs are gone! I used to buy those giant bottles of hand sanitizers and have them at every room in the house and in our cars. But when we started detoxifying our home and made a commitment to just make our own stuff from safer ingredients, I realized that while store-bought hand sanitizers can kill germs, they can also create other health issues.

I am tempted to list the top 10 harmful ingredients found in your hand sanitizers (which are researched to cause hormone disruption, allergies, skin irritation, alcohol poisoning, immune system dysfunction, and even cancer), but I’ll just invite you to google it and see for yourself.

Instead, I’ll share an interesting story that captivated my “DIY imagination” as I was trying to figure out how to make my own hand sanitizer that is free from toxic ingredients, yet unfriendly to germs.

DIY Hand Sanitizer 4 oz. Aloe Vera Gel 2 oz. Witch Hazel 15 drops Young Living Rosemary essential oil 10 drops Young Living Lemongrass essential oil 5 drops Young Living Thyme essential oil

As told by a fellow oil enthusiast, Vicki Opfer … “In the 14th and 15th centuries, a great plague ravaged Europe and millions of people died. According to historical archives, there were a group of men who were able to walk among the dead and the dying and steal from them. When they were caught and brought to the king, he offered them leniency if they would tell him how they were able to do this.

They told him they were spice merchants, trapped in the city because the ports had been closed, and they had run out of money to support themselves. So they had resorted to stealing. They knew that if they anointed themselves with herbs and oils, they would be immune to the plague.”

This story is the inspiration of my recipe… I have utilized the essential oils that the thieves in the story used. If it’s good enough for them back then, it will be good enough for my hand sanitizer.

5 drops Young Living Peppermint essential oil 3 drops Young Living Cinnamon bark essential oil 8 oz. squirt bottle or pump bottle Put Aloe Vera Gel and Witch Hazel in a squirt or pump bottle. Add all essential oils.

Shake gently to mix all ingredients.

Majal Minguez and her family live in Lufkin. Her youngest son in on the Autism Spectrum. In their journey to recover him from Autism, the family has learned that detoxifying his body and their house are major pieces of the puzzle to Autism Recover.

For more information, please follow me on Facebook at “WhollyMerry Majal Minguez” or email me at whollymerry@yahoo.com.

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the Natural Way! Tips: • If this hand sanitizer comes out a bit sticky, just add more Witch Hazel. This will depend on the brand of Aloe Vera Gel that you are using.

• You can replace all the essential oils in the recipe with 30-40 drops of Thieves essential oil blend.

• Make this batch and divide it into several smaller squirt bottles for travelling (car, purse, gym bag, kid’s backpack etc.)

Essential Oil Workshops: Introduction to Essential Oils – Every Tuesday of the Month at 5:30 pm Make and Take: Healing Oils of the Bible – Feb 5, 2016 at 6 pm Make and Take: Emotional Trauma Clearing – Feb 12 at 6 pm, March 4 at 6pm Make and Take: Oils for Kids and Babies – Feb 19 at 6 pm, March 11 at 6pm Detoxify Your House: How to Make Your Own Household Products – Feb 26 at 6 pm Make and Take: Oils for Aches and Discomfort – March 18 at 6pm Raindrop Technique (This Class Includes a Demo) – March 25 at 6pm

Contact Majal at WhollyMerry@yahoo.com or 936.634.4282 to register for the workshops. For more information, follow her on FB at WhollyMerry - Majal Minguez. All workshops are held at Oil Drops DIY shop at 911 Ellis Avenue in Lufkin.

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LIFE : Heart

Health

KEVIN COLE shortness of breath, and by that night, he was suffering congestive heart failure after experiencing a heart attack.

The now 49-year-old Lufkin man had surgery to reconstruct a torn artery and spent the next several weeks on a ventilator. A second surgery in January repaired more arteries running from his heart. A third surgery was necessary due to bad blood flow in his legs.

But it was the fourth surgery that Kevin said he had the hardest time accepting.

L

ife can change in an instant. For millions of Americans heart disease is a daily, at times terrifying, reality. Weakness and fatigue sets in, eating and lifestyle habits must change and the fear of another cardiovascular event – such as a heart attack, balloon angioplasty, or even heart surgery – is a daily fear.

Patients often need specifically designed rehabilitation to significantly improve cardiac health. The CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation program offers specialized care. Research indicates that patients who undergo cardiac rehabilitation have 25-30% reduction in heart attacks and strokes. Exercise can provide great benefits for those with cardiovascular conditions.

“Thousands of men and women in East Texas are heart disease survivors and could greatly benefit from cardiac rehabilitation,” said

by Medical Director Ravinder Bachireddy M.D., FACC. “Our program focuses on the individual patient -- like Kevin Cole -- to get them to their very best health.”

For Kevin and Charlinda Cole, December 18, 2014, was a day like any other. The couple headed south for Charlinda’s daughter’s basketball game. Kevin complained of

“We literally watched his leg die,” Charlinda said. “The doctor came in, and explained they had to amputate part of his right leg.”

On January 26 – more than a month after Kevin’s initial heart attack – Dr. Clint Warren amputated the limb just below Kevin’s right calf.

“I took losing my leg a lot harder than the heart attack,” Kevin said. “It’s still rough now. It’s a day to day thing. I try to keep my mental state right, and just keep on going.”

Kevin left the hospital in a wheelchair and was fitted for a prosthetic limb. The couple had been married a little more than a year before Kevin’s heart attack, and the stress of those few months wore hard on them.

“At the time, I did not understand why this would happen to me,” Kevin said. “It was stressful on my wife and on her daughter. It was real hard, but everybody around me kept my spirits up, especially my wife. She was drained and tired, but she did a tremendous job with me. You just can’t repay a person for putting everything on hold and taking care of someone in a situation like ours.”

But with a can-do spirit and the realization he would also have to help himself on the road to recovery, Kevin entered the CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation program.

“In the beginning stages of cardiac rehab, Mr. Cole showed difficulty with his prosthetic leg by limping; he had an unsteady gait and was favoring his good leg. He was also using a wheelchair,” Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Coordinator Nancy Sanchez said. “By the end of three months, he had greatly improved his functional mobility and was able to walk backwards, do lunges and squats and advanced to exercising on the treadmill and rower.”

During the course of his specialized treatment, Kevin advanced to lightly jogging on the treadmill. He no longer needed his wheelchair, walker or cane. He improved to 60 minute exercise sessions, vastly lowered his bad cholesterol and improved his good cholesterol, and stopped smoking.

Kevin’s resilience, willingness to work and a specialized cardiac rehabilitation program led to where he is today.

“The Cardiac Rehabilitation staff was really great,” Kevin said. “They started out slow, and they pushed me to get my heart in condition. They showed me what to eat and what not to eat and how to keep my strength up with exercise. Now I try to take a walk every day.”

Something he never dreamed possible before graduating from Memorial’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program – and a dream come true for more than 170 men and women who have graduated from the program since its inception in March 2014.

The individualized cardiac rehabilitation program typically lasts between 6-12 weeks and consists of 2-3 exercise and/or education sessions per week. The team uses a multidisciplinary approach to meet the needs of each patient, including continuous heart and hemodynamic monitoring to ensure healthy progression and cardiovascular wellness.

For more information, contact the Memorial Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at (936) 634-8840.

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LIFE : Wedding

Announcements Mr. Walter D. Pride & Mrs. Kimberly Starks-Pride

December 5, 2015 Wedding: Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church Reception: Behannans Dress: Bonny Bridal Makeup: Kellsey at Makeup Junkies

Rachel & Reagan Walker

January 23, 2016 Photographer: Cassidy Miller Photography

Kellsey Lynn & Robert Kaylan Saltzman

November 14, 2015 Venue: Bella Sera Ranch in Palestine, Texas Dress: Badgley Mischka Photograher: Sarah Williams “The Silhouette Studio�

in East Texas 60 INSPIRING THE IMAGINATION | 62 PRETTY BABIES | 64 LOOK AT ME

GROWING UP

Lacey and Chase Luce's son Griffin reading a book in his soon to be sister, Emma Jane's nursery. photo by Jenni Blackledge

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GROWING UP : Inspiring

the Imagination

creative spaces

for the

Kids

I

n a world driven by technology, sometimes it seems like parents are in a never ending game of tug-of-war with their kids and the TV. Have you ever called for your kids with no response, only to find them glued to their cartoons? Have you ever experienced the wrath or tears of a child after finally pulling that tablet out of their little hands? Well the key to ending the tug-of-war might be hiding in an undiscovered space in your home. To get the kids away from the technology and start engaging their minds creatively, try designating a specific area of your home to be the CREATIVE space. Think about it – there is a room in your home specifically for relaxing and vegging out in front of the TV, right? Why not have a space for creativity? Here are a few steps to get your kids’ creative space started!

Determine where you want your creative space to be. Do your

kids love the outdoors? Maybe consider building your creative space out on the patio. Is there a corner of your home just waiting to be cleared of all the junk? Well here is the perfect motivation to start getting rid of the clutter.

Establish the purpose of the creative space, and share it with the whole family. In order for this space to work, you have to set some guidelines. You may want to have a “no technology in the creative space” rule or set aside one hour of each day to be spent in the creative space.

Decorate the space, and get the kids involved! Let them make the space their own; this will spark their creativity even more!

Try to incorporate your kids’ hobbies, interests, and favorite colors into the space. Maybe hang some quotes from their favorite books on the wall or some of their own artwork.

Still need some inspiration for your own creative space?

HERE ARE A FEW IDEAS:

Make a mini library.

If your child is an avid reader, the purpose of their creative space could be to read and write. Challenge them to read one book per week or to write their own stories while spending time in their creative space. Decorate the space by printing out the covers of their favorite books and framing them.

Make a stage.

This space is for the children who were born to perform. Hang up a curtain using a collapsible shower rod and have a basket full of props. The kids can write, rehearse and perform their own plays in their creative space… and just think of all the wonderful memories they will make!

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Make an art studio.

Fill your creative space with paint supplies, markers, coloring books and an easel. Put up a large piece of butcher paper on the wall and encourage your child to spend time each day creating a beautiful mural.

GROWING UP : Pretty

Babies

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1. Blake Kevin Jackson. 7/6/15. Proud Parents: Kevin & Paly Jackson. Proud Grandparents: Jesus & Paulina Lopez / Rick & Annette Jackson. 2. Finley Faith Miller. 10/7/15. Proud Parents: Matt & Jenn Miller. 3. Kinlee Karter Owens. 4/7/15. Proud Parents: Quincy & Nikki Owens. Proud Grandparents: Pam Harper Bookout / Rick & Mary Zoshak / James & Elizabeth Owens. 4. Luis Enrique Romero Jr. 9/3/15. Proud Parents: Luis & Kristy Romero. Proud Grandparents: David & Juanita Rodriguez / Antonio & Juana Romero.

Photographer: Shawna’s Photomagic.

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5. Allie Lynn Rosales. 10/10/15. Proud Parents: Haley & Kevin Rosales. Proud Grandparent: Tammy Williams. 6. James Rodolfo Sarabia. 7/19/14. Proud Parents: Rodolfo Sarabia Jr. & Idalia Vera. Proud Grandparents: Rodolfo & Ofelia Sarabia / Reyes Vera & Fabiola Santoyo. 7. Ezequiel Maximum Valdez. 9/14/15.Proud Parents: Sergio & Vicky Valdez. Proud Grandparents: Sergio & Glenda Valdez / Rosalio & Maria Ibarra. 8. Matteo Aiden Vasquez. 9/3/15. Proud Parents: Angel & Elizabeth Vasquez. Proud Grandparents: Homero & Juany Vasquez / Alfredo Padilla Jr. & Socorro Concha.

E-mail Pretty Babies submissions to prettybabies@tjmag.com. Please include name, date of birth, parents & grandparents.

Submissions are free of charge.

Joy.

Prepared for your little bundle with advanced care.

The region’s only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is here to help your newborn get a healthy start. Should you need high-risk pregnancy care, we’re also home to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic.

Schedule a tour of our birthing center today. Call 936-634-8311.

Trained, caring staff Spacious private labor and delivery suites Skilled OB/GYN physicians Free childbirth and infant feeding classes 24/7 neonatology coverage

505 South John Redditt Drive, Lufkin • WoodlandHeights.net Woodland Heights Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

brought to you by Smoothie King of Lufkin

GROWING UP : Look

Jaslynn Martinez is a 1st grader in Ms. Segura’s class at Pineywoods Community Academy.

Stacy Winzenried Coats.

Nursing LVN. Panola College.

December 2015.

at Me

Brianna Colvin, 1st grader in Ms. Segura’s class at Pineywoods Community Academy, prepares for the homecoming pep rally.

Lillyana Moreno, 1st grader in Ms. Segura’s class at Pineywoods Community Academy, prepares for the homecoming pep rally.

St. Cyprian’s Archery Team: Aidan Ehrlich, Nick Hodges, Christopher Sellars, Carter Warren, Colven Williamson, Cruso Crager, Luccassee DeLafosse, Adam Llewllyn, Kash Martin, Jansen Warren, Carson Allen, & Ty Allen. Coaches: Billy Jack Duncan & Barbara Peterson.

Ms. Segura’s 1st grade class at Pineywoods Community Academy.

Asia Whitaker and Colten Adams are 1st graders in Ms. Segura’s class at Pineywoods Community Academy.

Makayla Burks, 1st grader in Ms. Segura’s class at Pineywoods Community Academy, prepares for the homecoming pep rally.

St. Cyprian’s Archery Team had five students qualify for state! Aidan Ehrlich, Nick Hodges, Christopher Sellars, Carter Warren (ranked 1 of 31 in the state), & Colven Williamson (ranked 1 of 101 in the state).

Cheer friends, Mattie Nicholson, Hope Scarborough and Claire Berry, show off their national champion award at the American Showdown ACA Nationals Cheer Competition in Fort Worth on January 24th.

Smoothie King • 4505 S Medford Dr. • (936) 632-5464 • Like us on

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in East Texas 68 CHAMBER NEWS | 70 IN THE KNOW | 72 SMALL BUSINESS

BUSINESS

State Rep. Travis Clardy and Scarlett Sloane, Chair of the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee, on the porch of the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library.

Sloane and Clardy are working with many in the Nacogdoches community to plan the 2016 Lone Star Legislative Summit.

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BUSINESS : Chamber

News

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Stage Department Store.

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Heritage Land Bank.

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Merry Maids.

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for AT&T.

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Texas Urological Clinic.

Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Kamcare Home Health Services.

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Fish & Still Equipment is coming to Lufkin! with quality equipment and a best-in-class warranty

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1

BUSINESS : In

the Know

LOCAL NEWS & LEGISLATIVE UPDATES TRENT ASHBY TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE Advocating for Rural Transportation Needs With our state’s population continuing to swell, the Texas Legislature has responded by providing additional funding to meet our transportation needs. As a result, much of the conversation and focus is centered on meeting the needs of the fast growing areas of the state. Recently, I sent a letter to the members of the Texas Transportation Commission and the Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation reminding them of the importance of our rural state highways and Farm to Market roads and the impact they have on our state’s overall economy. There are over 80,000 centerline miles of state roadways in Texas, and over 65,000 of those miles are in rural parts of the state. My hope is this letter will serve as a gentle reminder of how essential our transportation infrastructure is across rural Texas and that funding allocation decisions by the agency continue to be distributed fairly and equitably.

House Interim Charges: House Committee on Appropriations, Part 2 As we continue our look into the House interim charges, here is part two of the House Appropriations Committee.

The Committee will take a deep dive into state contracting and monitor the implementation of legislation passed last session that will make state contracting more transparent and accountable to the taxpayer. The Committee will also examine historical trends in the Texas Medicaid program and propose policy initiatives designed to deter and eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse, while reducing cost and improving the quality of care for the participants.

The Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over education funding, on which I serve as Chairman, will review public education programs and make recommendations regarding many programs based on measurable performance and effectiveness. We will also review the funding formulas for community colleges and universities. Changes to these formulas could have a major impact on the community colleges and other institutions which are educating our students, and I look forward to working to improve access and affordability for all of our graduating students who will attend an institution of higher education.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. We look forward to the opportunity to hear your concerns and help you navigate state government. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.

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TRAVIS CLARDY TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE

I

am proud of our county and district clerks who keep things rolling at the courthouses in Cherokee, Nacogdoches and Rusk Counties. Speaking to the County and District Clerks Association of Texas in San Marcos was a highlight in the month of January. Judy and I enjoyed visiting with them at their annual training conference.

Looking ahead to March 2-3, Senator Robert Nichols and I are excited about hosting the 2016 Lone Star Legislative Summit at Stephen F. Austin State University. This past month has been a busy time of planning with the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce “to bring Austin to Nacogdoches” during the Tricentennial anniversary of Nacogdoches’ founding.

We are grateful to our presenting sponsor, the Texas Healthcare Association for making the event possible. More than twenty five legislators and other statewide leaders will be in town to discuss a range of issues including the changing demographics of Texas, educating our children for the 21st century, ensuring economic development , the future of healthcare, and the historic role of Texas music in shaping our culture.

As the breakfast keynote speaker, Michael Morath, the newly appointed TEA Commissioner of Education will address his vision for public education in Texas, and at lunch, Comptroller Glenn Hegar, the state’s CFO, will report on the state of the Texas economy. I encourage community, education and business leaders as well as the general public to register for this excellent opportunity to meet policy makers and learn more about the issues important to the future of Texas. Check the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce website for more details on the 2016 Lone Star Legislative Summit.

It’s going to be a momentous week with the Nacogdoches Film Festival on Feb. 25-27 , then the Lone Star Legislative Summit on March 2-3, followed immediately by the Nacogdoches Music Festival, March 3-6. Come join the oldest town in Texas as we celebrate our rich heritage and plan for a bright future.

BUSINESS : Small

Business

SALUTES Charlaine Harris, Featured Guest and Panelist at Nacogdoches Film Festival

Shafer Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Feb 19 | 11AM | 600 N John Redditt

Charlaine Harris is a true daughter of the South.

She was born in Mississippi and has lived in Tennessee, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Texas.

After years of writing poetry and plays and essays, her career as a novelist began when her husband told her to stay home and write. Her first book, Sweet and Deadly, appeared in 1981.

When Charlaine's career as a mystery writer began to falter, she decided to write a crossgenre book that would appeal to fans of mystery, science fiction, romance, and suspense. She could not have anticipated the huge surge of reader interest in the adventures of a barmaid in Louisiana, or the fact that Alan Ball would come knocking at her door. Charlaine is a voracious reader. She has one husband, three children, two grandchilden, and four rescue dogs. She leads a busy life. | photo by D. Woldan

McWilliams and Son Announces Successful Acquisition of AR Services “Combining McWilliams and Son and AR Services is all about giving customers more choices for great HVAC and refrigeration services for their home and business,” said Crystal Williams, Business Development for McWilliams and Son. “We’ll now be able to meet consumers’ future HVAC needs, whether they want traditional residential service, Preventative Maintence plans for their business, refrigeration services for their business or the most energy efficient systems; we will have them covered.”

This transaction allows McWilliams and Son to significantly expand the commercial business services, which is a perfect complement to the company’s current residential coverage. “We’re now a more equipped company with a diversified set of capabilities and businesses that set us apart from the competition,” said Williams.

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Congratulations to Fish & Still Equipment on the new locations in Lufkin, Texas 900 S. Medford Drive

RayAnn Baker was awarded Diplomat of the Year at the 96th Annual Chamber Banquet & Meeting.

Rufus Duncan was awarded the Golden Anvil Award at the 96th Annual Chamber Banquet & Meeting.

CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial’s new da Vinci Xi Surgical System is used for of gynecology, urology and general surgery procedures. Pictured from left to right with the robot are General Surgeons Darry Meyer, D.O.; Gregory DeArmond, M.D., F.A.C.S.; and Alan Bassin, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Ellen and Buddy Temple were awarded the prestigious Angelina Award at the 96th Annual Chamber Banquet & Meeting.

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NOT FDIC-Insured NO Bank Guarantee

MAY Lose Value

in East Texas

Get to Work T

his can be a depressing time of year for hunters. Hunting seasons are ending and the off-season stretches out before us like a desert.

I learned a while ago that to keep myself from falling into a pit of despair, I have to shift my perspective.

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76 NATURE'S EYE | 78 ROOM FOR HIM | 80 ON THE MOUND | 82 STARTING LINE UP | 84 FITNESS | 86 TACTICAL | 87 TROPHY ROOM

SPORTS & OUTDOORS

written by Emily Courtney

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Nature's

Eye

Get to Work /// Continued Instead of focusing on the fact that I don’t get to hunt for several months, I get excited about the opportunity to get some habitat work done. The late winter – early spring period is primetime for some of our favorite management activities, a few of which are listed below. Timing is everything; so start planning now to get these jobs done while the conditions are right.

Burning – Fire is an essential component to healthy forest ecosystems. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective methods of clearing unwanted plant life and has the added benefit of regenerating the understory. It also reduces the fuel load available for spreading wildfires. Fire scarifies seeds in the soil’s seed bank to promote germination. The new herbaceous growth that results is some of the most desirable forage for deer and other wildlife. The weather conditions and timing of the plant life cycle make this time of year ideal for burning. Planning and safety are the keys to a successful burn. A burn plan from a certified burn manager is required by most states.

Tree Planting – Planting trees is one of the most effective habitat improvements you can make. Anybody can do it, and it can contribute greatly to most any type of habitat.

Late winter is the best time to plant trees. Planting trees while they are dormant avoids the possibility of damaging them during growth periods and allows them time to get acclimated to their new environment before they begin spring growth. Your strategy will vary depending on which type of trees (hardwood or pine) and which type of seedlings (bare root or containerized) you’re planting, but across the board, this time of year is ideal.

Another task to consider is applying for an agriculture tax valuation for your property. Texas landowners have the opportunity to receive a special valuation on property tax if they use the majority of their acreage for a qualified agricultural use. The application deadline is April 30 each year, so now is the time to think about this option. We handle this process for many of our Texas clients. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love to talk with you about qualifications and the application process.

These are just a few of the most common activities for this time of year. Depending on the vision you have for your property, there may be others to consider. Regardless of what your goals are for the year, now is the time to start planning to make them happen. If you don’t have a management plan or a quality property map, take this opportunity early in the year to get those things in place.

Once you get started making improvements around your property, you’ll realize that this is actually the fun part.

And you’ll be glad you did when next season rolls around.

We’d love to hear from you! info@natureseyeconsulting.com (888) 381-4638

Wood duck boxes – Wood duck boxes are man-made nesting structures. Wood ducks nest in cavity trees near wetlands, but in some areas these natural nest sites are scarce.

Providing these artificial structures have contributed greatly to the recovery of wood duck populations. Now is the time to get boxes constructed and in place before nesting begins in early spring. Boxes should be made from rough-cut lumber and placed on a wooden or metal post with a predator guard. If you already have boxes in place, this is the perfect time to clean them and replenish the nesting material.

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for Him

Bryan Harkness' Man Cave | photography by Jenni Blackledge

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Room

Man Cave Essentials

Hear it from the men themselves! These items are essential to every home’s Man Cave.

Whether you’re relaxing alone, watching TV, or having all of your bros over for poker night, according to these guys, your Man Cave won’t be complete without…

“A pool table! And a bar. And a big screen TV. And wildlife mounts, of course.”

– Chris Ward

“Projection screen, some type of gaming system, popcorn machine, pool table, poker table, old school juke box, big time fireplace (probably 2k square foot for sure if I have big time money), dart board, shuffle board - just to name a few.”

– Chris McClendon

“Big flat screens, recliners, bar stools, a few neon signs, mounts, ice machine, and a cold cooler for refreshments.”

– David Abney

“A Kegerator, a fully stocked bar, the biggest flat screen TV that you can fit, pool table, lots of speakers, and a big comfy couch for watching that TV.” – Kasey Clifton

“One thing that is essential to any man cave is a mini fridge.

That way, you never have to leave…even when you’re hungry!”

– Case Rhome

“A good sound system, a video projector or just a big screen TV, plenty of seating for friends (recliner for yourself), refrigerator, drink bar, and a pool table or poker table (or both). For me, personally, I would want a piano and other instruments to jam on!”

– Alex Fleniken

“I’ll just list out my dream man cave, if I could ever afford to have one: Three big TV’s so you don’t have to flip back and forth between football games, surround sound, of course, recliners with cup holders, pool table and dart board, a fridge, and I think a healthy collection of sports memorabilia is a must too.”

– Chase Luce

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : On

the Mound

Riley Smith #44 Pitcher Louisiana State University

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I am so excited to start this season with the Baylor Bears. You can definitely feel God's presence on this team.

I can't wait to see what's in store for us this year.

The fans can expect to see a lot more confidence in myself and my teammates behind me. I am so thankful to be a Baylor Bear!

Kelsee Selman #16 Pitcher Baylor University photo courtesy of: Robert Rogers, Baylor Photography

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Starting

E

Line Up

Baseball & Softball Student Athletes ast Texas is blessed with very talented athletes. That may mean great genes are grown along with our pine trees or there is a strong work ethic in these young men and women. Either way, the youth that look up to these student athletes can be thankful for the foundation that has been laid to put East Texas athletes on the map for college and university programs across the area. Here are a few student athletes you can look for this spring.

Softball CENTRAL

HUNTINGTON

Katelyn Boles: Northwestern State University

Madison Graham: Weatherford Junior College Heather Hollingsworth: Stephen F. Austin State University

DIBOLL

Jade Sones: East Texas Baptist University

Sydney Hurley: Northeast Texas Junior College

Ashley Wright: Texas State University

Kayla Trekell: Trinity Valley Junior College

Erica Wright: University of Texas

HUDSON

LUFKIN

Madison Jeffery: Nicholls State University

Rachel Hill: University of Houston

Bryli Lee: Angelina College Adrianna Mosley: Kilgore Junior College KK Parker: Pensacola Junior College Kelsee Selman: Baylor University Madison Selman: Northeast Texas Junior College

Will Boozer

Parker Ford

Hunter Haley

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Brigham Hill

Patrick Ledet

BASEball CENTRAL HEIGHTS

HUDSON

Hudson Arrant: East Texas Baptist University

Audy Clary: University of Arkansas at Monticello

Hunter Haley: University of Oklahoma

Gentry Ford: Lawson State Community College

Chandler Muckleroy: Tyler Junior College

Caleb Hanks: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

Zach Nortch: University of Texas at Dallas

Kristian Morado: University of Arkansas at Monticello

Alex Phillips: Baylor University

Riley Smith: Louisiana State University

CUSHING

LUFKIN

Camron Burk: Missouri University of Science & Technology

Tyler Abney: Tyler Junior College

Michael Robey: Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Trey Cumbie: University of Houston Parker Ford: Mississippi State University

DIBOLL

Jerry McCarty: East Texas Baptist University

Alex Aguilar: North Central Texas College

Cort McPherson: Angelina College Jesse Philp: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

DOUGLASS Taylor Schroder: Centenary College of Louisiana

Will Boozer: Stephen F. Austin State University

GARRISON Kaleb Kirk: Centenary College of Louisiana Andrew Russell: Newman Kansas Tanner Wisener: Tyler Junior College

Bryli Lee

NACOGDOCHES

Jerry McCarty

Brigham Hill: Texas A&M University Patrick Ledet: Stephen F. Austin State University Hunter McClellan: San Jacinto College Dakota Phillips: Alvin Community College

Chandler Muckleroy

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Alex Phillips

Erica Wright

brought to you by XILE Fitness

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Fitness

EXPECT BETTER

P

regnancy does not have to be a miserable nine months of high blood pressure, excessive weight gain, or extreme exhaustion. It does not have to end with hours and hours of torturous labor, complicated delivery, or months of recovery and battling with those extra pounds. There is a better way. When Kim Graham found out she was expecting, she decided to continue the weight training and workouts that she had been doing for two and a half years. This decision stirred lots of controversy with family and friends.

She heard on a daily basis how dangerous this was for her and the baby. Kim was careful and very smart about her training. During her pregnancy she and her coaches modified movements that they felt were unsafe. In place of box jumps, she did step ups. She never did any upside down work, and as she got farther along, she stopped doing any lifts that would interfere with her growing belly. She decreased her load on all lifts, never going over 70% of her maxes. Even on days she felt bad, she would come to the gym and make herself do what she could.

She always left the gym feeling better and more energized.

Kim did not have one complication during her pregnancy and her blood pressure stayed perfect.

On October 16, 2015, Kim gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby girl. She experienced a very easy and very short (less than five hour) labor. She says that the mental toughness, as well as the physical strength, she gained from her workouts helped her through delivery. Kim attributes her uncomplicated pregnancy, speedy labor, easy delivery, and fast recovery to her being able to maintain her physical fitness during pregnancy.

Kim’s advice to expecting moms or those wanting to be is, “Stay active while pregnant. Even if it’s going for a walk. You will feel better and the benefits will pay off in the long run!”

XILE Fitness • 7001 E State Hwy 103 • (936) 465-0186 • Follow us on

written by Luke Tarbutton

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Tactical

SECURE YOUR HOME

S The last thing on your mind it what is going on outside those walls. According to the FBI, in Texas alone there is a minimum of 422,921 home invasions every year. How did that hit you? Now look up from this magazine around your new home. Do you see things a little differently?

The question you should be asking yourself is what makes this house secure? Some people think a security system is the way to go, some people think that a top notch lock is the way to go, and others think simply owning a firearm is home defense at its best. The truth is that none of these are the answer to that question.

The answer is that the only thing that secures your home is YOU. You are the one that has to make the choice of what is best for your family.

However, I have a few home security tips for you. First, your outside door should always be either metal or heavy wood like Oak. It should never be a

hollow core door. This is one thing you need to check right away. Second, are your lock plates standard lock plates with 1” screws? You always want to replace those with 3” deck screws. The deck screw is coated so they will not rust or compromise the integrity of the lock.

The 3” screw actually goes into the frame of the door to hold them into place so no one who kicks the door will be able to break through those. Home security cameras are actually a great idea, but everyone seems to think they cost way too much. You can purchase a complete set of night vision cameras with the recorder on Ebay for $275.00.

It is your responsibility to keep your family safe and secure.

Here at Perfect Shoot, we also offer a home defense course. You can come out to the range and qualify with every weapon you will use to defend your home. Then one of our instructors will accompany you to your home and show you how to defend yourself. There are

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o you and your family are finally in that new house. You’re decorating, you’re painting, and you’re getting the new furniture put into place.

a ton of different tactics to be used depending on the home you live in. All of our instructors are combat vets and are well trained through the NRA and the state of Texas. The whole course is $250.00 with a $10.00 range fee. For every firearm you bring you will need 50 to 100 rounds depending on the firearm. To schedule your course today message us on Perfect Shoot or call us at (936)414-9513 and ask for Luke.

Just remember, it is your job to secure your home. Your house is simply a bunch of wood, mortar, and sheet rock.

There is literally nothing it can do to prevent you from getting hurt. It will always be YOUR responsibility to protect your family. Whether you go with one or all of the suggestions, remember we are here to help. Perfect Shoot’s goal is to make sure we are always safe and knowledgeable. Always keep learning and training; the goal is to be proficient and safe.

SPORTS & OUTDOORS : Trophy

Cooper Horton, son of Rayburn & Kelli Horton.

Hog. South Texas.

Cooper Horton, son of Rayburn & Kelli Horton. 8 pt buck. South Texas.

Room

Tre’ Luce. 9 point. Scored 150. South Texas.

Blake Hamilton killed this buck with a bow in Angelina County, Texas.

Blake Hamilton killed this buck in Clay County, Mississippi.

Blake Hamilton killed this buck in Trinity County, Texas.

Gavin Sikes, 6 years old, killed his first deer December 29th on private land in Lufkin while hunting with his daddy.

David Hendry, a 5th grader at Hudson, took this doe during youth weekend at Rayburn Valley Hunting Club in Brookland, just outside of Jasper.

David Hendry, a 5th grader at Hudson, took this doe during youth weekend at Rayburn Valley Hunting Club in Brookland, just outside of Jasper.

Send a photo of your trophy hunt & information to photos@tjmag.com.

Submissions are free of charge.

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