Happy Birthday Frank

Today is one of my brother's birthday - the one and only Frankie. He is a walking encyclopedia, he is so incredibly smart. He is the oldest of us three kids, but that doesn't mean the most mature : ) There is about 6 and half years difference between us. He used to play some pretty mean tricks on me when we were kids. Our Mom has a hair salon and we had to bring the white towels home to launder them. We would have a "contest" to see who could fold the most towels in the afternoons before Mom got home from work. Some how, my pile would always be way larger than his measly two or three stacker. I was so proud that I had won the contest! Never fail, I got him back - When he started talking to girls on the phone; one called for him in the afternoon and I told her "He was on the pot" - He was in the bathroom! I thought he was going to kill me for that one! He had to take summer school one year - I said he was smart - just didn't apply his self back then - anyway, he had to ride his bike to and from school. On the way home he found a baby raccoon that got separated from it's mom and he brought it home for us to raise! We kept that raccoon for a while. Yet definitely the jokester, he was supposed to be painting the outside of our Mom's Salon ( back in the 80's) she was in an old house with a tin roof - and his initials ended up on top in HUGE letters with class of '86.

Today he has a wonderful wife and four great daughters of his own. He is an awesome Dad and a great brother.


Happy Birthday Frank
I love you!

Hmmmm.....I talk more than Doug......

This morning I was walking Luke to church for VBS and our pastor was in the field/lot next door and Luke yelled from across the street in our driveway "Hey Al!" When we finally got to where the pastor was standing and assembling games for the older children, Luke said it again "Hey Al" not Pastor Al, or Mr. Al, just Al. I just said, "he's not a quiet child." Well, Pastor Al said, "He is Your child isn't he?" What's that supposed to mean? Just like I always say......Luke got my outgoing personality ;)
Second story, Doug happened to be at an account that knows us both and they said I talk more......go figure..
Have a great day!

Hello All. Just a quick update, not much news here, just cuteness coming from Luke, Emma and Dougie. Luke is really starting to talk and learn what words mean, he remembers people, and he repeats everything! He walked up to me a couple of nights ago and held his arms up and said "Mommy, I want hold you".... awe how sweet. Now Buddy if you are reading this, THAT IS OK. We were back in Memphis visiting a while back and Luke really bonded with my brother Frank. He started calling him "Buddy". Frank just loved that!!!! He said it was his job to toughen him up, because I had babied him too much. He's only 2! At least I don't have an Oliver. ha ha
Emma is pretty bummed that she doesn't have a little sister, so she just dresses Luke up in her tank tops as a dress, and puts his hair in pigtails, and calls him Lilly Claire. He really doesn't mind at all. Emma has been promoted into the 6th grade! She made outstanding grades this past year. All A's..... I do believe she still has a evil sister streak in her though - we were on GA DOT website checking out the weight requirements to see if she could ride as a passenger in the front seat yet - and she noticed that if a child passenger weighed under 70 pounds then they needed to be in a booster seat in the back. So she was adamant that we go to Wal-Mart for Dougie a booster seat. No fear, I would never do that to him!
Now Dougie boy, he is the one really changing. Growing into a young man - He just finished an awesome season of baseball. He was First baseman, and loved it. Even if I am his

otha motha

he is a superstar when it comes to sports. He also has a heart for God. The boy is reading the Gospel of John. We are having to do some interpreting along the way, but he is in it!

Bloggy Fog Lately

Well it has been a while since I spoken to any of you invisible folks reading this computer screen via the blog world. I have just been plain ole BUSY or tired or mentally drained to write on here. But have no fear, I think I am back. I am feeling the need to communicate and record all the funny things our kids do on a regular basis again.
I also have new pictures that I will post of the kids. May do an entire wallpaper change and picture change to the blog. Tomorrow I am going to pick up the ones that we had taken recently. The proofs were AWESOME - I can not wait to get the real thing on my walls!
Dougie has been playing baseball these past few weeks. The season came to an end last night. They lost their final game by one run which knocked his team into second place. He has been an amazing ball player this year. He has really learned a lot and had fun on the field. I think back of the years that I attended our high school baseball games, and I am remembering how some of the parents acted or yelled at the umpires in the games. I don't and won't be a Mom like that. He will know I am there, but not making a scene. I didn't say I would cheer real loud for them when they hit or field well, but I won't be a screamer. Those moms were the worst. I often wonder if the kids feel embarrassed by their parents actions?
Do me a favor, if you are reading via the blog site, hit comment and leave me a comment. Thanks.

What is your Story?

Ok - You all know we are at the beach with several other people. To be exact, there are 15 of us all together. It was quiet humorous watching the trash man try to empty the can this morning by himself. He tried to lift the large green container and it wouldn't budge. We all giggled as he called his buddy out of the truck to help him pick it up to the lift gate. He looked up at our window and we all waved.

Also, with 15 of us in the same house most of the day, we get to see a lot of each other. I have met sisters, friends, children, and learned things about all of them that I did not know before. But the biggest thing that God has impressed on me this week is that we are to be an example all the time! Especially to these children - what a wonderful opportunity to have them in an environment away from school , TVs, game boys, and what not to teach them the values of 'doing unto others as you would have done to you'

As I look around and enjoy the sunrises and sunsets, the beautiful beaches, and the sound of the waves crashing into shore, I have to admit not only is this creation beautiful, but am I doing what I was sent here to do? What examples are you setting for those around you. It doesn't matter your age, or the ages around you. I am learning from the children alike.

"Water"

Well, Luke and I made it to the beach! We arrived yesterday with a group of friends and are here for the week. Much to my amazement, Luke traveled great in his car seat for eight hours! He was excited to see the beach - but instead he calls it "the water". He is playing in the sand digging holes making his own swimming pool by letting the ocean fill his hole he and the other kids dug. Then he just splashes and plays in his pool! He is doing his best to keep up with the other kids - the next one closest to his age is 8. I think all the junk food is by far his favorite part. With so many families here, we each take a night and cook dinner for everyone and all eat together! It is so much fun!
Well gotta go - I am sleepy!

April Fools or The Happiest Day of My Life

Many people probably wondered are they seriously getting married on April 1st? Well the answer is yes! Doug and I did get married on April Fools Day 4 years ago! A day much like today, it was raining all day up until the ceremony that evening - the rain stopped - and we were able to proceed with our union outside in the cool evening air. Thank goodness, it wasn't humid yet! I must say our four years together has been wonderful. We have experienced a lot of new things together. We have been scuba diving, motor cycle riding, camping, boating, and he has given me the experience of motherhood with Luke. I am blessed to be involved in Dougie and Emma's life as they are growing.
I will not ever forget our small intimate wedding - we only had a few close friends and family there. Everyone there made it a special memory.
Now for the real reason it was April 1 and not April 2 - if you look back on a calender, April 2 is a Saturday - there were two reasons, to be exact - my brother would not be able to bring his girls if we did it on the 2nd and the place we got married wasn't available on that Saturday. SO, we just moved it back a day! My hubby will never forget our anniversary!