Last days of my summer!

This is Thursday, Aug. 6th, and I have not blogged for a couple of days. Becky used my camera one day for a visit to the dentist....Maggie's 1st visit! I haven't had much going on so I didn't miss having it.
Becky and her wonderful co-worker, Jessica, have been going into work since last week, so the boys have been to daycare and I have had "Miss Maggie". We went to see mamaw and papaw last week for a short visit. She didn't warm up too quickly so she wasn't her same "wild girl" self. I have loved being with MJ, she cracks me up.
We had our neighbors, the Rice's, over on Tuesday for a meal. It was rainy outside so we sat in the kitchen. I had planned it for the patio, but the food, conversation, and time together was just as good inside. We enjoyed having them. They are the perfect neighbors...we are blessed.
Last night was Wed. so we got to go to dinner with Jason. We all try to make this a weekly visit to catch up and just get a hug! We usually go to Cracker Barrel, but sometimes we go to Cheddars or Logans with him. It's his choice! He lives in Winchester and has been wanting to move back to Lex. to be closer to work, us and church. So, we spend lots of time looking for that right house for him. We thank Aunt Martha (great realtor!) for being so patient with him and taking us from house to house....this is a need I pray for daily, God's guidance and wisdom.

Yesterday I took mom to her friend, Lena Davis', funeral. She was a Godly woman and one mom said "if Lena isn't in Heaven, none of us has a chance"....meaning Lena is in Heaven. This has been her hearts desire for many years. She was a prayer warrior and prays until she has an answer. I want to be more like her. Mom met Lena years ago in Okeechobee, Florida and lived in the same mobile park. She is Tricia's aunt. She was loved dearly by her family and host of friends.

Becky may blog this, Maggie's first dentist visit. They really like this dentist a lot. I think MJ got a good "checkup"!

Austin sat very nicely Becky said for his cleaning.

Maggie at nana's house while mom was at work.

Maggie dancing to Sesame Street music.

Maggie is watching me as I blog and I am signing off to spend a great day with my favorite little princess! She is a doll. We are very thankful for her! I love you Mag.

Lord's Day

This is the day "IT" came to Southland. So far this day has been special to me, because ALL my family was present! That is IT to me.....great service, good music, and a perfect weather day AGAIN! We just ate at Red Robin, good fellowship....and now I am quickly blogging some thoughts....and, of course, a few photos of lunch!

From the things I remember from Jon's sermon, "It" is a "radical commITment" to a radical power. A radical commITment to a radical new mission. We need to completely surender to IT. We need to serve ALL people; in Luke 4: 18-19 Jesus served poor people. Jesus invited people to join his family....He was radically inclusive....radical compassion and love.

We need a "new church"...like the 1st church in Acts 2. Jon said "if we live like everyone else, we will wind up like everyone else." "It" is the chance for us to start over, and get IT right.

For four weeks, we have placed yard signs out about "IT", we have had bumper stickers, and other stickers to place on things we own....for the next four weeks, we will hear the message God has placed on Jon's heart about "IT". I can't waIT for IT. One quick thought and I will think longer about my goals for me this school year; I want my behavior, my spirIT, just any action/reaction I have with my co-workers and the students I serve, I need to be more like Jesus. They need to see Jesus in me.

When I asked Matthew what he learned in church today, he said he learned to make good "choices". His mommy said we call it good "decisions" and he said he understood!

Satisfying Saturday!

Today was sunny and mild for the first day of August. We started it with breakfast on the patio, sitting and planning our day. After breakfast, CB did a little picture framing while I did a little gardening. Then we got cleaned up and took off for the afternoon in our little red car. We drove Old Richmond Rd. (US 25) to Berea.

Becky gave her dad the book titled "Eating your way across Kentucky", so when we have the afternoon free, we try to drive to one. Today we ate at a place named "Papalenos" which was Italian. The pizza was good, the side salad wasn't anything special (package dressing). They hand toss their crust and it was good. We got one with all the toppings, and we enjoyed the meal. We then walked around the block downtown Berea, then went out to the Artisan Center. Everything was Kentucky made and neat, but expensive. The ride was the best part of the day!

This was a big hanging basket in front of Boone Tavern.

I am working on talking Clyde into building these flower pots (containers?) for me. Wonder what kind of wood would it take for them to endue outdoors? Either cedar or just treated lumber? I sure could fill them, if he will build them!

Food, Friends, and Fellowship!

Friday started at Panera for brunch with Michelle. It was so nice to sit, in no hurry, and catch up about our families. Many times we try to chat while on the run and don't really listen. I am thankful for Michelle, who asks and listens....thanks friend!

We ended the day with another "patio experience". This month it was at Regatta's. The food was great, the service was wonderful...no complaints at all. The night temp. was perfect....all in all a very good evening. As always, these friends are like family. After we ate dinner, we came back to my house this time for dessert. I made blackberry cobbler (everyone was very complimentary and asked for the recipe...it's in an old post on this blog)....I made Raspberry chocolate brownies and zucchini bread. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Fred who celebrates #54 on Sunday. His granddaughter, Olivia, turned two today. Happy birthday sweet girl!

Thanks Susan for organizing this and Michelle for calling in the reservation. It would be easy to lose touch with "old" friends now that we all don't attend the same church. Tricia and Susan work hard to keep that from happening. I am grateful.

Normal day in paradise!

Early this morning (not that early!), I hear the garage door come up and I see the sweet faces of my grandkids! They had been to "bread and butter" (Austin's name for Great Harvest) for breakfast and he had gotten his shirt dirty. Becky brought them by the house to wash and dry it so they could go to gymnastics at 10:30 and on to lunch with daddy in Georgetown. So, here are a few pictures of them this morning. I loved it! They brought in an Elmo microphone with all these songs they were singing. Maggie was dancing to the music. Austin was doing the motions while Matthew was singing and vice-versa. So cute!

Head and shoulders, knees and toes! Knees and toes!

Miss Maggie is starting at an early age!

Playing Rook!

For as long as I remember, my parents played Rook. They have played with their siblings (Uncle Bob) and later in years with their very good friends (Connie & Daisy) and many others. For about two years, I have been mom's partner against dad and Kent on many occasions. Although I spend time there when I should be walking (exercising) or doing other things I need to be doing, I would not trade these times for anything in the world. We started when daddy was in pretty good health. He was able to walk and get around fine. Now he uses a cane and moves much more slowly. However, I thank God daily that he still has a very sharp mind. Most of the time (although mom wouldn't admit it!) they beat us! So, here are a few photos of us playing Rook today. We eat chocolate, fruit, cheese puffs (dads favorite) or most of the time, we just play!

Summer Nights...So nice!

Summer nights are long, and just right for friends and dinner then a late night bonfire!

I am very thankful for the time off school and being able to have friends over on a weeknight....these are quickly coming to an end. However, a paycheck will be welcome!