A Great Day In Jasper

This was the first thing we saw when we arrived at the cabin. They did not even move while I took these pictures.



Mom and the cousins on the front porch (Jacob was at camp).



Fun at the pool.

My brother has a cabin in Jasper that we have been going to off and on for about 14 years. We have so many memories there of the kids growing up. They have missed coming for many years because, well, you know, kids change our lives! My nephew Allan had tennis matches near the cabin this year so they were able to come. We met up with them on Tuesday. Mom came with them and we had such a good time swimming and cooking out. But GREATLY missed was my sister and her four children!

There's something about that cabin that just relaxes you. Boy, I could have used a few more days there!

I Cried, Jenna Didn't

Almost 2 months ago (wow!) we got Jenna's ears pierced for her 5th birthday. I could not believe how well she did. I got all teared up at my big girl in that seat smiling from ear to ear! She didn't even flinch. They gave you a sticker and a bag that said: "Just got my ears pierced." She loved carrying that bag around. She cleans them a couple times and day and I don't have to worry about a thing except making sure the back is on good. She has pretty little pink flower earrings and we're ready to put her new cross earrings in very soon.

Thank God For Insurance

I was thinking over the past 2 weeks at my house and I just want to thank God for insurance and for good health. I know so many people struggle with good insurance and times are tough for so many people. For the past 2 weeks Jenna has been to the doctor 2 times, Jared to the orthopedic doctor where he got a waterproof (insurance does not pay for) cast on his left arm (another result of our Staycation!), then David called me about 12:00 yesterday and said:

"Honey, you know how I haven't been feeling well for the past couple of days?"

"Yes"

"Well, we were doing a drill today at work and I started feeling really bad and couldn't make it through the drill so I'm headed to Eastside. I really feel like I need to be ckecked out."

I'm thinking: What? A man saying he needs to go to the hospital. He must really feel bad.

I fill up the van ($86.00) and head to Eastside. After a series of tests, paying our co-pay (which was not too bad), the doctor concluded that his thyroid was very low (he had his thyroid removed 10 years ago), he has 2 kidney stones on one side and one on the other. He also ordered a stress test.

So, we've had 2 doctor visits, 1 specialist visit, one emergency room visit, one chiropractor visit, and one annual check up yet to come.

No wonder it feels a little crazy at our house. AND, summer is almost over and it is back-to-school getting ready time!


We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. ~ Romans 3:22

What A Difference A Week Makes

Well, we did not have the best Staycation and we continued to struggle (and are still struggling a little bit) with Jenna's "tummy issues". Friday we tried to go to the mall and had to turn around and come home. Throw up at Ruby Tuesday was not all that much fun! But last week took a turn for the better. We had a fantastic day Wednesday at Lake Lanier. The weather was great, the kids did great, even played together. Jenna LOVED water slides. She went down with me on the inner tubes. Every time she got off she would say: "That was awesome!" and the people around us would just laugh. We stayed the entire day and had such a good time.

Best Parade Ever

Jacob drove PaPa's 4-wheeler this year.







"We miss you Daddy!"



If you were not in our neighborhood this year, you missed the best parade anywhere-at least that's what Jenna said! Every year our neighborhood has a "4th of July Tractor Parade" with tractors, horses, 4 wheelers, even golf carts! It really is fun. This year me, Jenna, and Jared rode in the back of PaPa's truck. It's fun watching how everyone decorates their stuff. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!


Paul Harvey's On Air PRAYER!

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your
forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word
says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have
exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness
and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We
have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to
discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called
it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and
called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of
our forefathers and called it Enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our
hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. In Jesus' name,
we pray, Amen!" (Amen)



Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio
program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this
program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this
prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that
we again can be called "one Nation under God."

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