Gardentime w/ Grandaddy

My Grandaddy is known for his garden. He has people come from all over to get his peas and other vegetables. He always plants enough for the whole county and loves every minute of it. I'm talking, about 1800 sweet potato plants, squash, 3 different crops of peas, melons, tomatoes, etc. and still does all the work himself at 75. I believe that's what keeps him young. He loves to take the boys in the field to ride around and see everything. Today, they looked for watermelons, picked blueberries and checked on cantaloupes. I can taste it now!

Following in some mighty BIG footsteps

Homeward Bound

We got up and loaded up everything and then headed over to Gulf Shores First Baptist for early AM service. It was very enjoyable. They did a great tribute to America with patriotic songs and bells. Thank you God for this wonderful country of freedoms that we so often take for granted! Help me God to be ever mindful of those men and women whose lives have been forever changed by their sacrifice they made for me and my family! We then had lunch at Lambert's and a little more shopping and back to the big metropolis of Berry. The boys did so good traveling. Houston slept for over 4 hrs, almost the whole way home. Levi slept for about 21/2 and we made it back in time for our WONDERFUL church service. My Grandaddy was baptized tonight and I could have just shouted to the roof top!! He had so many family and friends there tonight and it was great to see all of them. He even had a man that he grew up with, come all the way from Bessemer to see him. The joy that has been bubbling over in my soul is unexplainable! The look of relief and happiness that now covers his face is awesome! Ain't God Good?! The old man has been buried and the new man is now living! Keep him in your prayers and KNOW that God still answers prayer! "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:old things are passed away;behold, all things are become new."2 Cor 5:17

Gulf Shores-Day 4

SLOW SATURDAY! We could not get up this AM. We spent a little time out at the beach and pool and headed in to get ready for SHOPPING! We decided on "LUPPER" around 3PM and then Josh and the boys headed for a Par 3 course to play, Luke and Ben opted for a nap and study time and the girls headed to the Outlet! The boys had their own little sets of clubs and everything. Levi even got to drive the cart around. Josh did inform me however, that the trip he had planned for the boys on Tues. to the Country Club had been cancelled. LOL Honey! Try keeping up w/them everyday! We shopped and headed back for the ever infamous "Family Beach Pictures". You know, you have to do that every year! Josh and Luke of course offered their wonderful seal of approval by groans and rolled eyes, but they cooperated in the end. I do love to take pics. I think about how the last 15 yrs have flown since I graduated and how fast the last 6 yrs have flown since my children have been born, and I want to seize every memory that I can! Bottle it up and always have something to remind me of the great, blessed times we have been able to share as a family! I love them with all my heart and want nothing more than to have them and our memories!!

MY HEART & SOUL!

Gulf Shores-Day 3

It's Friday , already! But we are having a ball! Slow getting started this AM. A little pool time and Josh and Luke headed to Kiva Dunes for more golf. The ladies and little ones headed back to the pool to bask in the sun and chlorine! That pool was so chemically treated I thought it would eat our skin off! But the boys loved every minute of it and hey another one of those Mom moments, if there was ANYTHING contagious in there, I don't believe it had the chance to grow and mutate! We did meet some nice people and the boys made new friends to play all their little games with. Sun, snacks, and swimming, that's the good life! Josh and Luke played with Zach Phillips(Berry) who is the Asst. Manager at Kiva and had a great time. And then Zach and his fiance Rebecca(July wedding) joined us for supper at Cotton's. Another one of our favorites! We did have an hour wait and Josh did lose about $10 that little paws kept spending on Arcade games, but the meal and company were great! Another dish you MUST try, "Cotton's Stuffed Grouper", delicious!! I know, I'm talking a lot about food, but if I don't gain about 5 lbs. while I'm gone, that just don't seem like vacation! More putt-putt after supper and a little midnight snack of ice cream and off to dreamland again. I told Josh that I should just take all that ice cream and rub it on my tummy and thighs b/c that's where it was going since I had been eating so late and then going straight to bed.HA

Ben the Beach Hunk

Beth the Beach Babe

KK with her favorite boys

KK with her favorite "little" boy

Houston had a hole in one!

Gulf Shores-Day 2

Today, the fam arrived! Luke, MK, Ben, Beth and KK! PePaw, MeMaw, and Jeremy had to set this trip out. Sorry Guys, we sure missed you! They were a little tired and slept in and off to the beach we went. The water was a little rough so we played in the sand more than anything. We went in for lunch and then Luke and Josh headed off to golf and the ladies and kids soaked up the rays, and then Ben soaked up everything else because we had no swimmers just diapers. That's right, another one of those "other Mom" moments. Just recently I remember thinking, "How hard can it be to buy swimmers, why do Moms let them wear diapers in the pool that's just gross (after seeing a child walk around w/ a 10lb weight attached to his behind and leaving a trail of little pieces of "stuff"), don't they know that poor baby will sink w/out floaties, a ring and a life jacket?! OK, that was us this trip, enough reflecting. But anyway, we had a great afternoon and off to "The Hangout" we go. MISTAKE!! First we arrive to find NO PARKING spots open, so we have to pay $5 to park in the "Public Beach Area". We do get seated fast but wait and wait and wait for a human that speaks English to come and take our drink order, then we wait and wait and wait for our drinks and wait and wait for our order to be taken and you know the rest of the story. An hour later, food arrives, a few kids have been threatened, 15 packs of crackers have been eaten and we need refills that we wait,and wait and wait on. By this time my children have learned the "Cotton Eye Joe", the "Mackarina" (have no idea how to spell that) and the "Electric Slide". Great for those FWB children! They were entertained for a little while by playing outside,of course I had to snap a few pics., the tricycles and the bubble machine. But ANYWAY go for the atmosphere and if you are in no hurry! We, then went and played putt-putt and had some ice cream and then off to dreamland for a lot of tired little munchkins and a few big munchkins, too. A LONG evening but in the end, any time's a great time when you're with the ones you love!

Houston loved the Lazy River

Levi loved playing with his new buddies.

" Cutie-Pie"

The guys just "Hangin-Out"

Gulf Shores-Day 1

We decided to travel a little different this trip. We left late and arrived early. Then slept until about 9 AM and the boys were ready for the beach. I am so amazed at how much they have matured since our last beach trip. Levi is all over the place and Houston doesn't even need me in the pool anymore. Just some floaties and off he goes. They are loving it and so am I! You know those Mom's who you watch and think to yourself, "How in the world can she just lay there like that, doesn't she know they could get hurt by those bigger kids, what is she thinking a tan over toddler time?!" OK, I was THAT MOM for a LITTLE while! Just let them have a little independence, let them make new friends, THAT was my new thoughts this trip, and yes I chose a little tan over toddler time this trip. Is that wrong?! Hope not, cause it sure felt nice, for a LITTLE while. We had supper at DeSoto's and what a yummy supper it was. If you have never tried it, you MUST try the Hawaiian Rib-Eye from here. Make you slap your Momma, as they say, that is YOUR Momma but not mine!(LOL MOM)

They loved catching crabs.

FAREWELL

That's the end of Coach Pitch Baseball for Levi. I can't believe he has played his last game in this age group. Time really does fly! I just LOVED every minute of it! The All-Star games wrapped up last night and now we are FREE!! Free to swim all day, sleep late, stay up late, "loafer" and eat all the sugar we want and not have to worry about practice or games. I know, we've got it made and don't even know it as I am reminded often, but I definitely know it. BLESSED with healthy children and a hard working healthy husband, close family and friends that love our boys so much, yes we've got it made and I'm so thankful! But, back to summer fun. We're headed for the beach, I'm fixing to pack and we'll be headed out soon. Farewell to baseball and to BERRY!! Not that there's anything wrong with Berry, but you know what I mean.

My All-Stars

Levi's last at bat in Coach Pitch(double)

Levi on base during his first at bat

Well-Deserved, "Best Sportsmanship Trophy"

Houston will be playing next year! My babies are growing up TOO fast!

They Look Like ALL-STARS to me! Good Job Americans!

"DOUBLE-DECKER"

Well, we started All Star games tonight and WOW was it interesting! We lost the "Double-Decker" as Levi called it, first game to Gordo and second game to Fayette. These teams were loaded. We had 2 teams to choose our players from. Fayette had 6, and Gordo had 4 or 5 I'm not sure. SO, maybe that explains it. Our little "Americans" did great, though. We play again tomorrow and on Monday, so say a little prayer for our team. I mean, Bailey(our pitcher) had to break out a mask and chest protector, the other teams were hitting so hard! She's one tough little girl! Levi was put at 1st base, where he has NEVER played before. So, I've been on pins and needles, but he seems to have adjusted just fine there. He even had all 3 outs one inning, but it is so hard to compete with other places who have so many more teams. BUT, we will show up again and try our best, good Lord willin' tomorrow night. Thanks to all the fam who showed up tonight, they even had to pay to get in, pay for expensive gas and anything else at the concession stand, so THANKS. It was great to see all of you. Remember, say a little prayer for us.

Sizing up the competition

First bat as an American All Star

Is he ready or what?!

Our Little "Home-Run Bandits"

FATHER'S DAY FUN

We enjoyed our day with you! The boys had so much fun playing golf and I even enjoyed the little lesson you tried to give me. Lord knows, I'm not "golf inclined"! We had a little US OPEN in Alta Pines HA!, in the pines was where Josh had to look for my golf balls HA!! But, we did have a great lunch and afternoon with you. We love you to the moon and back!!
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, JOSH!! I'm so thankful that our boys have an example like you. I couldn't ask for a more dedicated, godly, caring man for them to pattern their life after. You're the BEST!!
I thought this morning about how we rush around and try to find the perfect gifts, cards and make the day so special. That's great and I believe that is one way that we can "honour our father" as commanded. But, I was convicted about how much time and priority I give to My Heavenly Father. Do I get all excited about serving him? Do I try to give him the most perfect gift he would like? That would be to love and serve him with ALL my heart, ALL my mind, and ALL my strength. I know that I will never be perfect but I also know he wants me to strive to be more like him everyday. I would never want my Daddy to be ashamed of me and most of all I never want My Heavenly Father to be ashamed to call me his child. Lord help me to remember that everyday is a gift from you and that I should be thankful for a listening, always present father that keeps me in the palm of his hand.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO MY DADDY, POPPY and GRANDADDY!!
You are living and leaving behind a GODLY Heritage! What better "thing" to leave behind to your family! THANKS for all you have ever done for our family! WE LOVE YOU!!

HAPPIEST FATHER'S DAY, EVER!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the precious men in my life! I would have to say, even though I'm not a Father, that this has got to be my happiest Father's Day EVER! My Grandaddy(75) has been coming to church with us since Levi's 2nd Easter Sunday(he was 71). He has been faithful to come EVERY Sunday/Sunday Night but had never made a profession of faith until TODAY!! It just so happened my MawMaw came with him today(she attends Berry Baptist) and KK came to surprise Daddy. So, a lot of our family was there and he did it. He took the first step and down the aisle to the altar he went. HALLELUJAH!! I'm shouting right now! Never quit praying! I have prayed for his salvation for years and today was the day!! He was not raised in church but has always been a GREAT man in my eyes. As tenderhearted and thoughtful as a man can be, but he just needed JESUS! And today, he found him! I hope my PawPaw got the news in Heaven because he prayed for him so faithfully and wanted so bad to see his soul saved. If he doesn't know now, he will one day because my Grandaddy is now on his way to Heaven! Is that AWESOME or what?! GOD IS SO GOOD!! I could go on for hours but I'm having a hard time containing myself!! Keep him in your prayers because I'm sure the devil has already tried to make him doubt it, but I know God is faithful and just and is so proud to have another place set at the table!! Happy Father's Day again!!

TEAM PARTY

We had the Red Sox team party tonight at Nana's. We had a few refreshments, gave out trophies, pictures and then into the pool! They all had a ball! Remember the post about jumping w/out floaties? Well, one look at a few of his teammates jumping off, Levi never thought twice about it. Off the diving board, wide open, like a little fish! We had a wonderful season with some precious children and wouldn't take anything for the memories we made! Thank you God for our beautiful life!

Are they cute or what?!

"CANNONball!"

"Tater-Time after that CANNONball!"

"NO FEAR!(Except for Hunter, he had double protection HA)