She's Wearin' Shades

From this.....Mel as our flower girl in 1991 (5 years old).


To this......graduating from University of Kentucky, 2008 (with her boyfriend Tom).

My niece graduated from the University of Kentucky on May 4th and I'm finally posting about it. Jenna and I were able to go and I'm so glad we did. We went to a nice party for her at my brother's farm (where we also watched the Kentucky Derby) and to the graduation on Sunday. She's a very special girl who has a great head on her shoulders and I know she will succeed in everything she does. She graduated with a finance degree with honors! Way to go, Mel. We're very proud of you.

You're future's so bright....you gotta wear shades!

Let's Get Real! Staycation?

OK. So most of my posts are positive but not today. I'm just being real and expressing my feelings. David is on vacation this week. This year we couldn't really go anywhere so we decided to try a "Staycation". There is nowhere to go that does not require a lot of money (movies, water parks, Six Flags, etc...) so we're trying to make the most of it. Monday we went to a small water park, Tuesday David took the boys to White Water (are you kidding me? running around all day from slide to slide or siitng at the kiddie area with a 5 year old does not appeal to me). Three nights of Georgia baseball college world series. I think that adds up to about 12 hours. I like sports but three nights in a row? Then, at 5:30 this morning Jenna starts throwing up. All this time I am trying to stay positive and keep remembering that God is in all things in our life, you know, all that spiritual stuff!

No Place Like Home? I need to rethink that title. Who came up with Staycation anyway? Probably those people with pools in their backyard!

Then, I got up this morning and read this quote on a friend's CaringBridge site. She is struggling with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:

"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances." Martha Washington

Wow! That really stung. Forgive me, Lord and help me be content whatever my circumstances (Phil 4:11). Now, I'm going to clean up throw up, hold my child, and be so thankful for every minute of it.

There's No Place Like Home

A Great Week

The traditional "muscle" picture.


Celebrating Jared and Daddy's birthday at Red Lobster.


Aunt Jonnie and Jenna at the pool.




It seems like I am always catching up with my blogging. We had a great time at my aunt's a couple of weeks ago. The weather was great. David and I would start the day with a 3 mile walk which I really enjoyed. It's amazing how much you can talk about in such a short time without kids! We would spend all morning in the pool and then do some fun things in the afternoon. Thursday we saw Kung Fu Panda for Jared's birthday and Friday the boys saw The Hulk while the girls went shopping. We're always so thankful for our time with Aunt Jonnie (Uncle Don is in Kansas helping out with the family farm). Thank you for such a great time!

My Favorite Spot

"Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go for to You I lift up my soul." Psalm 143:8

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"
Isaiah 43: 18 -19



This summer I have really been working on a more consistent quiet time and not just squeezing it in when I can. During the school year it's usually in my van after I have taken kids to school. I have discovered a favorite spot to meet with the Lord-my front porch. I'm sure you have that favorite spot-one where you can just try and get in His presence and hear his voice. If you have little children (or even if you don't), it gets difficult, doesn't it?

It's hard getting up.
If you get up, the kids get up early-what's up with that?
If you get up, get started, and are really get going good-the kids get up!
If you wait until night, you fall asleep!

To me, it's just doing the best you can. There could be a lot worse things than your kids waking up and seeing you in the Word, right? I remember several years ago Jacob told my mother-in-law: "When I get up, Mom is always reading her bible." Well, always is stretching it but it sure meant a lot to me that he noticed that. I decided this summer that I would not have a list of "wants" for the Lord. My prayer every day has been for Him to be the center of my life and to invade every thought and EMOTION (I'm a very emotional person) that enters my mind. The rest will fall into place.

So, consider yourself tagged if you are reading this. What is your favorite spot? When is your best time for a quiet time? What has the Lord been teaching you? Post on your blog and leave a comment so we can read yours!

Outrigger Island 2008, June 2 - 6

Each year our church has about 500 - 600 kids during the week of VBS. I am in charge of the worker's kids and we have about 100 in that area. VBS is always the best week of the year. It's so fun and tiring at the same time.

This is a DVD we made but it only includes the worker's kids. This is the third year we have done a DVD and sent one home with each family. Many thanks to my friend Melody for the many hours she put into this. She also put it on GodTube which I thought was a great idea.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11

Happy 10th Birthday Jared!

Thursday, June 12th Jared turned 10. Since we were at my aunt's (and I was without a computer) I didn't have time to post until today. We actually had his party on May 18th so we could catch his friends before everyone started going out of town. We had a great time at the bowling alley with several of his close buddies.

Jared,
From the moment you were born you were my snuggle bunny! I know this will be embarrassing to you later, but it is one of my favorite things about you. You always hug me and tell me you love me. You always encourage me with kind compliments! You are kind and sweet and are always thinking of other people! I'm watching you grow into a wonderful young man. I love you so very much.

Love,
Mom

Happy Father's Day

Hit the "stop" button on my playlist and enjoy this video. I cry every time I hear this song. It's by the Annie Moses Band . This is an incredible group made up of brothers and sisters.

I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and awesome father to my children. He is so good at letting our kids know how much he loves them. I'm amazed every day at the fact that the Lord allowed me to have such a great family. I soak up every minute (most of the time-ha) and can know that they will not have to go through what I did growing up.

WE love you Daddy. Happy birthday too! I hope we make this a great day for you!

We're Off!!!

Tomorrow we leave for my Aunt's in South Carolina. This is always a treat for us. She has a pool, great food, shopping, great food and we always have so much fun! Did I say great food? Ha. Let's just hope I don't gain too much weight this week.

They're Baaaaaaaaaaaaack!

I don't know about you guys but David and I loved listening to Journey, well, 20 years ago. Yuck! Recently they named a new lead singer, Arnel Pineda, who sounds just like Steve Perry! We listened to some new songs last night along with the oldies and I could not tell a difference. I still can't figure out how to get YouTube embeded on my blog so check this out when you have time-you won't believe it. The song on my playlist is "After All These Years". I LOVE this song. It certainly is the case for me and David.