Summer Time!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah!!!!!!! I am so excited that summer is here - although the weather here seems much more spring-like. I'm not complaining though, because I know in a few short weeks, it will be plenty warm! We are finished with school except for math. We have about 2 more weeks of that. But, I feel as if the slower pace of summer has already begun. This afternoon, I got to drink coffee and read out on the deck. It was glorious! Will is still playing ball (for a couple more weeks) and we will be going to Louisiana this weekend for a Bible Conf. But, summer reading is right around the corner. I am still looking for a few good books to read! I like to several books going during the summer. I like something a little challenging -- maybe a good Bible study and then some light, fluffier reading. That way, when I tire of one, I can read something else. Let me know if anyone has any great suggestions!
Happy Summer!!!!!!!!!

I decided a month or so ago that I wanted to host a girls' Bible study for my girls and some of their friends. I wanted to make it a time where we can focus on some issues very pertinent to their lives and where they can encourage one another. Our first meeting was yesterday and we had a great time (well, I did anyway -- I hope they did). They are a very sweet group of girls and I hope that that they can grow closer together during this time. We made some very "girlie" snacks -- lots of chocolate -- brownies and chocolate covered strawberries. Yummy!

For our first few meetings, we are studying modesty. There is so much in our culture trying to influence young women and their choice of dress. There is also much said in the scripture about what we choose to wear. I hope to encourage them in this area!!

Here are the girls stamping their folders for their papers.

Baby Gift

These are some gifts that I made a couple of weeks ago for a baby shower for a couple in our church. They were so quick and easy and they turned out really well. For the blanket, I used a nursery rhyme flannel for one side and another type of textured flannel for the reverse. It was so soft and cuddly. I used the instructions that I found here.

For the burp cloth, I just cut out a size that looked right and used the flannel for both sides of it.

I really want to make a baby quilt next.

Homeschool Rally Day in Nashville

The Highschoolers at our homeschool co-op are studying Government this year. We decided that the Homeschool Rally Day at the capital in Nashville would be a great field trip. We decided to go up the night before and spend the night. We had a great time.

This is the group of kids that went.

These are the moms. I am very thankful for these ladies and the support we can give each other!

This was at the end of the program. The honors band and choir included homeschooled students from all over Tennessee. The soloist sang "God Bless America".

Our first representative to meet with was Senator Bo Watson. I really enjoyed this meeting. He was very friendly and great with the kids and the questions they asked.

Our next representative was Jim Cobb.

The kids in Sen. Andy Berke's office.

Some of the middle school girls outside of Sen. Bo Watson's office.

We were blessed to have a beautiful day. This is after all of the meetings before we headed home.

Hannah' Big Day

Hannah's Big Day of getting her braces off was yesterday. Of course, as her mom, I had to take pictures. I suggested that I go back and take pictures as they were actually taking them off, but she vetoed that suggestion :-).

Before:


















After:

I Samuel 8

This morning, as I was reading I Sam. 8, I was reading about when Israel decided they wanted to have a king. At first, in vs. 5, the elders of Israel tell Samuel that they want a king because Samuel's sons are not like he is -- that they wouldn't be Godly leaders. But, I thought it was interesting after Samuel talks to God and then tells Israel all of the reasons that they shouldn't want a king, the REAL reason that they want a king comes out.

I Samuel 8:20 -- "That we also may be like all the nations;...."

Wow! The reason they wanted a king was because everyone else wanted a king. Sounds like today. I struggle in wanting to be like everyone else. My kids struggle with wanting to be like everyone else. That struggle has been around since the beginning of time. And, that encourages me. To know that my struggles and my children's struggles are not anything new.

As I shared this with my children this morning, we talked about how God had a perfect plan for the nation of Israel, but they messed it up in wanting a king. Did God still take care of Israel? Sure he did, but it was never as good for them as it could have been if they had chosen to keep God as their king. We will have the "best" in our lives when we do things God's way and not our own.

Prov. 14:12 -- "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Ready for Spring

I am ready for spring!!! I am ready for the new life. I am ready to see green. I am ready to see flowers and trees blooming. I am ready to smell spring! Thank you Lord for seasons and for new beginnings. Thank you Lord for "Grace". Thank you for giving grace to me and for the opportunity to give grace to my children. Spring is in the air.

Happy Thanksgiving

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:" Ps. 92:1

We will be going to mom and dad's house in just a little while (the kids are already there -- they spent the night last night). I love Thanksgiving -- I love that we can have traditional food, I love spending time with family (and seeing some family that we don't get to see too often), I love looking at black Friday ads after dinner while we drink coffee, I love the familiarity of it all.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Election Day

"The future of this Republic is in the hands of the American Voter." -- Dwight D. Eisenhower


I read this on the blog, Gathering Grace, yesterday. These were my thoughts exactly and I wanted to share them here -- "If Obama wins, we are going to drink up and keep right on truckin' because we are mamas and wives and Christians and we have better things to do than wring our hands over spilt milk. God won't be knocked off His throne "even if." "

But, if Obama does win, I am going to keep right on doing the things that I need to be doing for the Lord. I am going to trust the Lord. I am going to serve Him. I am going to enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas with my precious family. Etc.

Today, may we all experience the peace that passes all understanding!

Halloween Cuteness!!!!

This was definitely the funniest costume of the year!















Thanks Mom and Dad for having us over once again and making everything special! It was great having Billy there with us since most years, he has been working. Yeah for a day shift job!!!

Pumpkin Carving

We have had two sick kids this week, so we were not able to go to church last night (as we had planned to do). We decided to carve pumpkins while we were home. We have not carved pumpkins for several years because we are usually not home on Halloween night. We usually go to my mom and dad's house for a weiner roast and trick-or-treating. Well, last year, I felt the "mommy guilt" that my kids hadn't carved a pumpkin for the last several years. So yesterday, I thought why not. We went and bought pumpkins and had a fun time carving. I was planning to do one or two, but the kids each wanted their own and daddy said that was fine.

Gifts 16-17

16. Being able to spend the weekend in Pigeon Forge with my mom. This was the first time since before I had kids that I have gone away for the weekend with just my mom. We had a great time! Mom was teaching at a women's retreat and I went with her to drive and keep her company :-). We had a wonderful time of sweet fellowship with each other and with the other ladies, relaxation, eating out, and shopping. My mom defintitely spoiled me. I felt refreshed both spiritually and physically. But, despite the great time, I really, really missed my family! Saturday afternoon, while in the hotel, I was able to watch a little bit of the Georgia/LSU game. While watching it, I was imagining Billy and Hannah cheering on the dawgs, Kristen hanging out and sort of watching the game and being on the computer, and Will coming in and out watching the game for a little bit and then going off to play some more. It was a nice feeling and a good reminder --that is where I belong -- right at home with my sweet family. So, thanks mom for a great trip and to my family for letting me go and being able to carry on with me gone. I am glad to be home!















17. My parents. I feel so blessed to have parents who are still married. They celebrated their 4oth wedding anniversary this year. I am very thankful for each of them inividually, but I am also thankful that they are still together after all of these years. I love that I can go visit them together and that we can sit and drink coffee and enjoy being together. They are a great example and testimony to me and to others of committment in a marriage even when it wasn't easy. They have also taught me to stand for what I believe even when it wasn't popular or easy to do so. I am so thankful for all of the help and support that they have given to me and Billy over the years. Thanks mom and dad!!

Gifts 14-15

14. Being able to go camping. My dad and mom have a camper and took the kids camping all last week. They had a great time. Then, over the weekend, Billy and I got to use the camper and camp with the kids. What a blessing! It was cold, but we had a good time. Thanks mom and dad!!! I forgot my camera, but I think Hannah took some pictures. Hopefully, I'll be able to post some of hers.

15. Three great kids, who amongst ipods, cell phones, and computers, still like to swing at the park. :-)

Fun Night -- Going to get Ice Cream

Thanks to our sweet friends, Robbie and Kim, who had so sweetly given us a gift card to Cold Stone Creamery, we went out for ice cream on Thursday night. The ice cream place is right next to the aquarium, right on the river, and right across the steet from a playground. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed the evening! I think often of how soon these times will pass -- the kids still being at home and us all getting to "play" together. I want to slow down and enjoy this time as I know how fast the seasons of life change.































Wow, that was a big cone that Will had! He spotted it as soon as we walked in. And, yes, his hair is red. I took him to get a hair cut and they lady asked him if he wanted it colored. Of course, he said yeah! For anyone worried, it all washed out. :-)










Sisters, never too old to play on the playground.

Hannah's fans

Kristen and Sarah

















Will and Clari

















Taylor and Kelsey

















Mammaw and Conner

















Mom and Dad

















Rebekah and Kristen

















Mrs. Amy and Seth

















Roger and Granny Da

















Hannah as an Eagle Spirit

















Hannah with Jamie who played Black Elk


Last weekend, Hannah was in a production of "Black Elk Speaks". It was the story of an Indian named Black Elk who was retelling the history of the Indian people. It was very fascinating and I learned a lot about Indian culture and religion. I did not realize, that there are still a lot of people who are still practicing the religion of the native American people.

The night performances were pretty chilly. It was fun to bundle up and get out our warm sweat shirts and fleece blankets. On Sunday, the performance was during the day and it was quite warm -- you've got to love fall in the South. :-)

Thanks to all of our friends and family who came out to see the show.