A "Picture" Perfect Place

There is a local bank that just has the most beautiful landscaping. Those of you in the community will know just what bank I mean. I had been wanting to use this as a place to play "photo shoot" . We like to play around taking pictures, sometimes they're pretty good pics, sometimes - well - not so good. Some of these turned out pretty. Being that this place is a bank I knew in order to do this we'd have to go on a Sunday or a National holiday. So last Sunday I made sure no one's outfits clashed too bad and after church there we were ready for the spotlight, which the sun so nicely provided in the middle of the day. We had to take all the pics in the shade. Anyway just wanted to share.

Our Memorial Day

Our Memorial Day was one of great accomplishment. I know many people use this day to get together with their loved ones, we did that too (and all day Sunday), and relax, but we used this day to get out and accomplish some things. Noah and Mags (and Daddy too) accomplished their greatest fishing experience to date. I have no idea how many fish they caught, but apparently the Blue Gill were in the mood for crickets! They got up at 6:30 got dressed, packed the fishing gear and some cold drinks and they were off. Chloe & I are not as enthusiastic about early morning fishing adventures. We slept until 8:30, got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, straightened the house then about 9:30 we were off on our big adventure. We decided to walk to my grandma's house. My grandparents live 3 miles from where we live, and it's a walk full of hills. I was hesitant, this would be the first time I'd attempted this feat with her walking the whole way. When we've done it before there have been strollers or wagons involved. She did awesome, she didn't whine one bit, we had to stop and check out the creek and pick some wild flowers. I gave her a piggy back ride at one point but that didn't last long, once it was time to go up the next hill Mom was done. We all met up at grandma & grandpa's house and it was a very fun day!

You Little Rat

Mags, Chloe', Pick, and I went on a walk today. Pick by the way is our dog, part Beagle part - lets just say - not Beagle, the name Pick was decided when we got two cute little puppies instantly we wanted to name one Banjo, a wonderful name for a Beagle (Banjo was a full blooded Beagle), we no longer have Banjo, anyway, when we first got them and had decided on Banjo but needed a name for the second puppy our friend Andi said "every Banjo needs a Pick", so that's how we got the dog with the strange name. Apparently the strange name fits a strange dog. Maggie talks to this dog all the time, just carries on conversations with her like she will answer her. While on the before mentioned walk Pick kept walking into a small ditch to get herself a drink. All of a sudden Maggie tells her, "Pick don't be a rat. I know it's hard to be a dog, but sometimes you're a rat. But sometimes you're not, because you are in fact a dog, so ... (long pause) just don't be a rat." I don't know if this idea entered her head because the dog was drinking out of the ditch or what but I nearly laughed out loud.

Tina is 30!

Today is my baby sister's birthday. I say "baby", Tina is a whole 17 months younger than I am. We used to not get along so well. That's putting it lightly. When I tell the stories, I always add, "we weren't Christians back then". When Tina & Kasey got married and moved to Texas I suddenly missed her, and we became friends over the phone. I went to visit them one time while they lived there and when I came home I missed her so much, and was at a point in my life that I needed something different and I actually pondered packing up and moving there. But God had different plans for me, and for Tina & Kasey. They moved back home just a few months later. She and I are much closer than we used to be and I thank God for that. I can't imagine not having her for my sis. I love you Tina! Happy Birthday! Oh yeah and welcome to the 30's club!

Two Little Girls-Too Big!

Well the pre-school year is over and the pre-school/pre-K "Graduation" ceremony went off without a hitch. Tuesday night Noah's Ark was full of parents and grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins, and I even think a few animals from the Ark itself made an appearance. All the kids did great, much better than the practice sessions, much to the pleasure of all the teachers, including yours truly. Maggie's pre-K class actually had the graduation ceremony. They first filed in and stood across the stage and said the pledge to the Christian Flag and to the Bible, they then recited all of the memory verses that they had learned throughout the school year. Then they sang a lovely rendition of "Let Us Pray" & the butterfly song, I don't know the real name of it. After all that they filed out of the Sanctuary, and in filed the pre-school classes (3-4 year olds), they said the Pledge of Allegiance, recited their memory verses, sang "Zachaeus", "The Little Fishy Song", & did a lovely (though not all together) version of The Itsy Bitsy Spider. When their turn was over the Pre-K class was back again, this time sporting gorgeous royal blue graduation caps. They lined up in alphabetical order on risers and as the director of the Noah's Ark called their names they received their diplomas. Maggie and Chloe' both were beautiful, though Mags did look a bit funny in her graduation cap, it was down too far and was covering her eyelids. They both were so excited! Thank you to Mamaw Linda and Mamaw Barb (who came all the way from Tennessee to be at the BIG event), Aunt Tina, Uncle Kasey, Jax, Mason, & Owie, Bubby, Aunt Valerie, Macie, & Logan, and Uncle Tom for coming to their graduation. It means so much to have a wonderful family who are there for you, even the silly stuff. We love you all. I can't believe Maggie & Chloe' are so big already. If I think too long on it I'll cry, so no more on that!

Wet fish

Yesterday while at Mom's working on the garden the kids were entertaining themselves looking at the fish pond. The hose was on as the water in the pond was a bit low. Noah decided to pick up the hose, though surprisingly he wasn't spraying his sisters. When he was instructed to put the hose down and leave it alone he said, "I'm just trying to get the fish wet." ????

"Fertilizer"

On Saturday Eric "broke ground" for his garden. He has wanted to have a community garden to benefit the food pantry, Manna Market, that our church has opened for the people in our community. The Manna Market opened this week as did all of Hope Central which also includes a literacy center called Pathways and a free clinic called the Abba Clinic. Eric has tried to get this garden going but every place he turned to have the garden wasn't a fitting spot for one reason or another. So the garden has gone from a community garden to a family one, but 90% of the food will still go to the Manna Market. We also have asked if anyone else in the church plants a garden to plant a little extra to give. So I think it will all work out. Yesterday as Eric was tilling the garden the kids were assisting him by putting "fertilizer" on it for him to mix in. The "fertilizer" is pig poop!
Yes they are sitting on and playing in pig poop. Oh my husband assured me it is no longer poop, it is decomposed and now is nothing more than dirt. So why is it such good fertilizer if it's just dirt? Anyway, they had a blast helping dad, and all were a filthy, smelly, mess afterward.