My New Blog

Well it is officially Fall!  Hopefully the cooler weather will arrive and we will all stay away from the flu bug.

I had an exciting summer.  First, me and my son Hunter went on an African Safari in South Africa.  What a trip we had!  This was a passage into manhood trip for my 13 year old.  We spent a week traveling and doing something we really enjoy.

Next I went and spent a weekend with my wonderful bride Pam.  We went to Fredricksburg, TX for a relaxing weekend and a wine tour.  We found some great vino in the Texas Hill Country.

Pam and I also skydived for the first time.  Can you believe that we actually jumped out of a perfectly good plane?  This was so much fun and I encourage you to do this and mark if off from your bucket list.  We jumped at 14,000 feet.  Then we were able to freefall at 120 mph for 5000 feet.  The real enjoyment came as we did a canopy ride down to the ground.  Pam is the one that deserves an "attaboy".  She is absolutely frightened of heights.  However, she overcame and made a great jump.

My daughter Tori continues to sing and dance.  She was very active in Christian Youth Theater.  They performed several plays over the summer.

A special thanks to all of my clients and referral sources!!!  We had a great crawfish boil for all of you.  If you did not make it this year, make sure that you attend next year.  It is a pleasure to work with such wonderful people.  I am truly blessed to have the privilege of helping people to achieve their dreams.  We had to change our residential lending name to Bluewater Mortgage so we can process FHA loans.  Yep, I was thinking of some offshore fishing when I named the company.

It has already been the best year since I started lending in 1997.  God has richly blessed me and I thank him for the success.

Hope all of you are doing great!  Just remember a positive attitude will carry you far in life.  Those who remain in stinkin thinkin will never achieve their goals in life.  Believe and you will receive.

James Ricks

Nov 2008

It has been a fun year!  My family has been very busy.  My oldest son, Hunter is about to race for the national championship in BMX.  He recently won the 12 yr old boys state championship.  This is his first year in public schools.  We have home schooled him and my daughter prior to that.  Hunter also played 7th grade football this past season for Tomballs A team.  He also made all A's on his first report card. 

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Tori is my little princess.  She is active in the 5th grade at school.  She has received the title class president.  I am very proud of her leadership skills at school.  Tori is very active in Christian Youth Theater.  She loves to sing and dance.  She will soon be trying out for the production of "Narnia".

Gunnar is my youngest son.  We just celebrated his 2nd bday.  He is a handfull.  Full of energy and smiles.  He is teaching himself to potty.  Yes, teaching himself.  He can not stand to have a dirty diaper.  He loves to give kisses and hugs to all of us.  He also feels that every stranger needs to stop and talk to him.  Never a boring minute with this guy!!

My wife Pam is like most moms.  On the go- ON the go!!!   She is busy transporting kiddos to all of their events, doing laundry, cleaning etc.....

She is also active in the ladies ministry at Magnolia Bible Church.  She will be in charge of the next ladies retreat.  She has a real servants heart.  Also her special chocolate chip cookies are awesome. 

I am in my fall ritual.  It is hunting season and I am in the woods as much as allowed.  I recently completed two father/child ministry hunts at a ranch in Kerrville.  It is so cool to see dads bond with their children in God's great outdoors.  Pam and I also had our first safari adventure to South Africa.  What a blast other than the 22 hour plane ride.

 The Lending business has been challenging.  However, we have had our best year ever.  Thanks to all of my referral partners!  However, the market has been brutal.  Lending policies are changing every day. 

The good news is that our local market is in much better shape than in other areas.  God is good and we continue to do loans and have fun!