DC Trip...LONG OverDue

One of the main issues I've already encountered from not blogging consistently for over a year is that I'm now having to play catch-up. So much to share, but not knowing where to begin...THAT is the dilemma!  I will do my best to fill you in on some of the more memorable things that have happened this past year...and let the rest take care of itself.

 

A year ago in April, Chris, Abby, Brittany and I took a trip to Washington, DC, primarily because Brittany had never been there before. Plus, it gave us an opportunity to make more family memories before she became a married woman. We all know how things change after that point...in a good way, though. Just different.

 

I would have to say a favorite, yet very humbling attraction for us was the Holocaust Museum. There are no words to adequately describe what you see and how walking through the museum makes you feel. It's hard to wrap your head around the fact that evil like that existed... 

 

 
A huge pile of shoes that were worn by Holocaust victims, young and old alike...

 
To see the faces of the precious, innocent people who lost their lives was beyond emotional. It's something that will forever remain with me. I believe each and every American, every human being, should visit the museum, at least, once...

 

We toured the US Capital, Library of Congress, and even the White House. The pics from our White House tour are still on my phone, so I'll try to remember to share them, sooner than later...

 

We, of course, visited all of the Smithsonian Museums and had a blast!

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There is nothing more moving, in my opinion, than visiting Arlington National Cemetery. To say that it makes you feel so proud and eternally grateful to all who've given so much for your freedom is such an understatement. As always, I had a lump in my throat the entire time we were there, especially, during the changing of the guard ceremony...

     

The Lincoln Memorial was magnificent at night...

 

 

Unfortunately, my SD card from my camera malfunctioned and I lost some of my photos, but am grateful for the ones I do have. We really enjoyed our 4 days in the our country's capitol. I cherish the laughter we shared while there and, as always, the memories we made.  

 

 

Easter Memories...

This Easter will be the first time in 19 years that Brittany won't been home with us to celebrate the special day. It's a really strange feeling, too...and one that I can't deny makes me a little sad.  Easter has always been a big day at our house.  The girls get up on Easter Sunday morning to look for their Easter baskets hidden somewhere in the house.  It's a tradition that Chris's family used to have, so we decided to do the same with our girls.  I think that last year was the first time I had their baskets just sitting out in full view. After breakfast, of what often consists of chocolate bunnies and Skittles, the girls and I hustle upstairs to put on our Sunday's finest to attend church...and we always sit together for the sermon. Then, when church lets out, we rush home so that I can prepare a dinner of baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls.  It's our typical routine.  This year, however, there will be an empty spot next to us in the pews and an empty chair at the dining room table.


It's true that life brings with it many changes along the way.  That's just the way things happen when kids grow up and start their own lives.  However, I feel incredibly fortunate for all the memories we've made on Easter...and so many other occasions, as well. I came across these pictures yesterday of some Easters that have come and gone...and I can't help but smile when I look at them.  We always make a point to take a family photo on Easter.

This first picture is of Brittany and me when she was about 2 years old...and Abby hadn't arrived yet.  



These next pictures show how we've all changed through the years.







I love my family with all my heart and would give anything if we could all be together for Easter.  I did send Brittany a big box of her favorite Easter goodies, so maybe that will make the missing us part a little easier on her. Thank goodness, it won't be much longer before she'll be home for summer!

I hope each and every one of you has a BLESSED Easter with your family and those you love. Cherish the moments...and hold them close to your heart. HE IS RISEN! 

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there!"~Clarence W. Hall







Taking A Detour...

I'm finding that after being absent from the blogging world for several months, I've become almost overwhelmed with everything I want to share with you. I know I promised to finish telling you all about our trip to Hawaii...and I WILL! Guess I just feel the need to throw in a few "extras", if you will, along the way. Otherwise, my mind is bound to forget, and I certainly don't want to take any chances of that happening!

I'm still adjusting to the fact that Brittany has moved away to another state and I'm not quite sure when I'll be seeing her, again. We talk on the phone just about every day and text each other fairly frequently. However, I'm slowly learning to allow her space so that she can enjoy this exciting time of independence for all it's worth. That's been a very difficult thing for me. The mother in me wants to do everything for her and make her world PERFECT. Brittany was really wanting to get involved with the Baptist Christian Ministries on campus. Back in my day, it was known as the Baptist Student Union and I spent a good amount of time there. Well, unfortunately, her practice schedule conflicts with the times that BCM meets, which was discouraging for her. So, I went online and searched for local churches that have college ministries. I found one that's only 4.5 miles from her college. So, I requested information from the church to be sent to Brittany. Yesterday, I received a very nice note from the Minister of Students there and he wanted to give Brittany a call and invite her to an event tomorrow that over 100 college freshman will be atending. They'll have the opportunity to check out the church and learn about what it has to offer them. I was beyond thrilled, so I'm hoping (and praying!) that Brittany will make plans to attend. We all know that college can be an incredible time of self-discovery, but it can also be fraught with countless temptations. Being grounded in FAITH gives you that coat of armor to remain strong!

I can hardly believe that Abby's an 8th grader this year! Will I really have to go through the high school years, again, so soon? Don't know if I'm quite ready for this! She loves all of her teachers and declared that science continues to be her favorite subject. She is still involved with her school chorus and recently auditioned for an ensemble group that's a lot like "Glee". She said she was very nervous during try-outs, so I guess we'll have to wait and see if she made the cut . We're keeping our fingers crossed because that girl loves to SING! Here she is on her first day of school (Aug. 9th).

We really have had so much fun together this summer! Probably because we knew that our time together was fleeting. I ended up taking a bunch of pictures...and I'm so glad I did! I'll let the pictures tell their own story...

Ahh, sweet memories...I wouldn't trade them for the world!

More Questions and Answers...

Hope you are all enjoying your week! With my girls being out of school since last Wednesday, we've been keeping pretty busy. Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been cooperating enough for us to hang out at the pool, but we've been in need of rain, so I'm not going to complain! Today, I've decided to answer some more questions, so let's get started!

OK, the next set of questions I was asked came from my sweet friend, Mommy Mac. She, first, inquired, "Do you think it is important for a mom to stay at home after her children go to school? Now, I'm certain that my answer is going to offend some of you, which is certainly NOT my intention! I'm only sharing with you my own opinion based solely on my own life experiences. Look out hot water...here I come!

Yes, I do think it's important, though not imperative, for a mother to stay at home after her children go to school. Why, you might ask? Well, when I was growing up, I had a mom who stayed at home with all three of her children. For me, there was no greater comfort than coming home from school in the afternoon to find her waiting for me with a huge glass of cold milk and a plate of chocolate chip cookies. She'd sit with me in the kitchen and we'd talk about everything that happened during the day. Those were special times because she made raising me (and my brothers) a top priority. She never complained about being a stay-at-home mom or "losing herself" because of it. She knew, we ALL knew, that it was her life calling...and we were very grateful. So, when I had my girls, I knew that I wanted to be at home with them, and for them, through all their growing up years. I've been blessed with the opportunity to go on field trips with them, be room mom, and to pick them up when they've been sick, or had a doctor or dental appointment. I think it's given my girls a sense of security to know that they can always count on me to be there. Now, this isn't to say that I don't feel mothers shouldn't have the chance to chase their own dreams, or that I don't understand that current economic times may not warrant a mother to remain at home. I'm not implying that at all! All I'm saying is that for me and our family...home is where I need, and want to be, until my girls are off on their own.
Do you have a housekeeper? Only in my dreams! LOL! Actually, I think I'm too picky about how I want my house to be kept, so I choose to clean my own house...free of charge! Well...ALMOST!

Do you live close to family or far away? The closest family we have nearby is Chris' mom and brother who live in South Carolina. It's about a 3-hour drive to their house. With my parents both gone, and one brother, I only have one brother left who lives in northwest Arkansas, so it's a long way from Georgia! I have many aunts, uncles, and cousins who live mostly in Arkansas and other parts of the south.
How do you keep your family dinners at the table TOGETHER with all your kids' activities? Well, that is not an easy task with Chris traveling 3-4 nights out of each week. Then, of course, the girls have all sorts of things going on all the time. So, we just do our best to eat an early or late dinner, if need be, so that we can have that time together without infringing on other plans and responsibilities. We do have a "tradition" of going out to dinner together every Friday night as a family. Brittany will even tell her boyfriend or friends that she'll have to meet up with them later because we're going out to eat. It gives us time to reconnect as a family.

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."~Desmond Tutu

When I Was A Little Girl...

Today is Friday's Favorite Family Foto hosted by Deborah of Pictures, Pots, and Pens. It gives everyone an opportunity to showcase some of their family pictures, which I always enjoy doing! Pop over and take a look around!

I'm pretty sure this picture below was taken when Mom and Dad took me to Six Flags Over Texas one summer. I just love Mom's hair...the beehive "do" was in! I can still remember going with her to the beauty shop on the weekends and watching her get her hair rolled, then having to sit under a dryer. Her hair stylist would take the rollers out and tease her hair until it got as high as it possibly could go. Then, she'd spray it with a ton of hairspray, which made her hair feel like it was covered in liquid cement! A windstorm could have blown into town and it would not have moved! Oh, I can feel Mom looking down from Heaven right now saying, "I can't believe you shared that picture of me for the whole world to see!" Thankfully, she had a great sense of humor...she'll always be beautiful in my eyes!Here I am with one of my best buddies, Teresa (she's on the right). She lived right down the road from me in Hot Springs, Arkansas and we'd play together all the time. I'll never forget one particular day when she asked me when my birthday was and I told her it was May 14th. It's NOT...it's August 13th! Yes, I told the biggest fib ever! Anyhow, about a week or so later, I was at her house playing with her and she ran inside and came out with a birthday present for me...May 14th must have been very near. I didn't utter a word. I accepted it graciously, and tore into it with full-fledged excitement! To my amazement, it was a loom kit, which I'd been wanting for so long! I had visions of making all sorts of pot holders with it. I couldn't have been happier...UNTIL...Mom found it in my room and asked me about it. I fessed up and told her that I'd lied to Teresa (who's daddy was a minister!) about it being my birthday. She had me march myself down to Teresa's house and apologize to her mom! Not only that, but I had to give my loom kit back to her! The injustice of it all! Mom had no mercy on me that day...and it was an experience I won't soon forget!

"Pictures are like money in the bank - they're worth more over time and you can never have too many."~Ed Napier

Hope y'all have a nice, relaxing weekend!!! Spring is just around the corner...or so they say! The temperatures are supposed to drop and rain is predicted all weekend long. Guess where I'll be tomorrow? A track meet! Just pray the rain holds off. They, typically, carry on with business, as usual. Last year, Brittany ran in a full-blown snowstorm! I have a feeling it's going to be a REALLY bad hair day! :)

Bye, Bye Turkey Day...

I'm telling you, if I see another slice of turkey or ham, I'm going to lose it! It was nice while it lasted, but I've had enough. Let's see, we had turkey and ham on Thanksgiving Day, of course. Then, we ate it for breafast and dinner the next day. You CAN have too much of a good thing, and I'm way past that point. Chris is taking us out for dinner tonight at our favorite Mexican restaurant and I can't wait! The very thought of eating chips and salsa makes my mouth water!

So, we had a good Thanksgiving...hope all of you did, as well. We had my brother-in-law (Sandy)and mother-in-law (Diane) here, along with their two dachshunds. We met them at an outlet mall on Wed. afternoon on their way into town. They wanted to get a little shopping done. Chris was not big on the idea as he IS NOT into shopping in the slightest! After a couple of hours of walking in store after store with them, Chris, the girls, and I decided to call it a day and head on home. Sandy and Diane stayed another couple of hours at the mall, which was fine because it allowed me some extra time to get a few more things done.

Here I am, the happy little cook (yeah, right!). No, in all honesty, I did enjoy preparing the Thanksgiving meal. See the smile on my face...happy, happy, happy!!!

The girls and I surrounded by all the food I cooked BY MYSELF!! Yes, you heard me correctly! The menu included turkey, ham, homemade sourdough bread, green beans, mashed potato casserole, homemade mac~n~cheese, cornbread and squash dressing (to die for, if I must say so myself!), festive cranberry relish, blackberry cobbler, and Black-Bottom Pecan Cheesecake Pie. I'm telling you people, I completely outdid myself!! Chris and the girls with his mom and brother...I think I had just taken a big bite when I heard Chris say, "Cheese!" We're all stuffing our faces...After the meal we had, we decided it was a good idea to go for a walk... I love the scenery...The girls playing the Wii...they're very competitive!Abby challenging my mother-in-law to a cow race...Chris getting ready to do his thang in a game of bowling...I so whipped up on him!!!
My in-laws left to go home about an hour ago. We had a nice visit with them, but I'm glad to have my house back. Now, I can clean myself into a frenzy! Nothing makes me happier than pulling out my Hoover and giving the house a good going-over. I just like to have everything in order. Of course, I need to make it snappy...chips and salsa are calling my name!!!

My Bucket List

I'm sure many of you have seen the movie, "Bucket List" with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. It's a good movie that makes you think about your life and what you would want to do if you had only a short time left to live. My blogging friend, Liz, started her own "bucket list", so thought I'd do the same.

First of all, let me say that I think it's so easy for any of us to walk through life thinking that we're immortal and we have forever on earth to live. Well, life as we know it will come to an end for all of us, sooner or later. As the saying goes, "We're not getting out of here alive!"

Now, if I found out that I had only 6 months to a year left to live, here are a few things I would like to do:

1. I would write heartfelt handwritten letters (no e-mail!) to my closest family members and friends telling them exactly how much they've meant to me over the years.

2. I'd make videos for my husband and daughters telling them how much I love them and how they've impacted my life. I would encourage them to find comfort in knowing that I'm in a better place. I'd remind them that, one day, we'd be reunited, again.

3. I would take a trip to Ireland with my family. It's one place in the world I've always wanted to visit.

4. I'd share my faith with as many people as I possibly could.

5. I'd eat chocolate anytime and every time I pleased with absolutely no guilt! Calories...fat grams...who'd care???

6. I would travel with my family to New York City to see an actual Broadway production. If I were really lucky, maybe someone would allow me to just stand on the stage for a few minutes to soak it all in . If I were even luckier than that, maybe I'd get the opportunity to sing, "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent. Man, what I'd give!! I wouldn't even care if I got laughed right off the stage!

7. I'd take my girls to Disney World and ride any and every ride they asked me to (yes, even roller coasters!) without saying I was too chicken.

8. I'd smother my husband and girls with hugs and kisses. I wouldn't let a single moment slip by without saying, "I love you".

9. I would seize every second to have fun and to not worry about what others might think.

10. I'd spend much less energy and time wishing for things I didn't have, and more on being thankful for those I did.

11. I'd take lots pictures of my family and I together so they would have those to cling to when I'm no longer around.

12. I would definitely want to see the ocean one last time. Just to stare out into it's vastness has always brought me immense peace.

13. I would stop sweating the "small stuff"...things that don't really matter in the whole scheme of life.

14. I'd go white water rafting down the Colorado River!

I could probably go on and on, but I think these are some of the things at the top of my list.
So, what would you do and how would you live if you found out you had only a short time left? Maybe we should all ask ourselves the question..."Why are we waiting?...seize the day!"

Trick-or-Treating Fun!!

I came across some pictures of Brittany and Abby over the years dressed up to go trick-or-treating. They made me smile! It's something they've always looked forward to, just as I did as a kid. I still remember my mom taking a huge brown paper grocery sack, turning it upside down, cutting holes in it for my head and arms and...VOILA! I threw on my brother's football helmet, Mom scribbled a number on the front of the sack and I became a football player!! Hey, girls can play football, too, ya know! I thought I looked awesome! Then, there was the time I went trick-or-treating with my best friend, Marni, when we were about in 7th grade. She went as a skinny pumpkin and I dressed up as a "pleasantly plump" pumpkin. Creative, I know! Well, we went to the home of someone she knew and the lady invited us inside her home. Would you believe that I got stuck in the doorway and couldn't move? Marni had to give me the ol' Heave Ho! We had the biggest laugh over that!!

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of the photos I came across of my girls.

Spider and black cat...

Hippie and bunny...

Ladybug and tiger...

Black cat and bunny...Yes, I recycle costumes! :)

Hippie and ghoulish cheerleader...

Granny and Ugly Betty...

The Black Eyed P's (Peas)...


Great fun...great memories...EXCEPT the one with Andrew in it! Sorry, but I just couldn't resist!! :)