Sunday, January 25, 2009

PETA Fans May Want to Bypass This Blog


If, by chance, you are a member of PETA I would recommend you not read this post! Okay, there's your warning.

So, Keith, Uncle Jeramy, and Mr. Lance all took a trip to Missouri last weekend to go duck hunting. The weather was so cold, though, and they spent much of their time cutting through ice!! They were even able to ride 4-wheelers across the frozen tundra (they're crazy if you ask me!) So, according to the mighty hunters "there weren't many ducks flying," so they came home with only 6 little creatures.
Monday was going to be a lesson in "the circle of life" (A.K.A. field dressing the little suckers!). I was certain that my highly sensitive 6- year old would either cry or get squeamish. Either way, I headed out with the boys with camera in hand. Much to my surprise I think I might have a second generation "mighty hunter" on my hand! Carson gladly plucked feathers, handled the duck, and even used his handy dandy pocket knife to uh, how do you say it nicely, "prepare" the fowl! I have to say, I was quite impressed! Campbell, on the other hand, might not be so "into " the whole hunting thing!!








Saturday, January 17, 2009

New Year's Resolutions

If there's one thing I love about the new year is the thought that one can "start over and try again". It's a chance to learn from one's mistakes, a chance to improve upon the previous year, a chance to look at last year and thank God for the many blessings in my life and the chance to look forward to what God is going to do. And that's what I'm doing!
I obviously have much to improve upon---- one of those being my weight. This is something I've struggled with since having babies and it doesn't seem to get better with age (like a fine wine or even cheese!). So, this year I have a goal to lose significant weight, but to also be healthy about it- which includes exercise.
As I look back on last year, I'm not sure that the choices I made were necessarily "mistakes," only life lessons. As many of you know I've been praying for boldness over the last few years as well as the Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10). In that prayer I have asked God to "enlarge my territory" (and, no, that's not a sales position-HA!). Well, God has certainly done that. He grew me in ways I can honestly say I probably wasn't prepared for--- but when are we ever fully prepared when God is working! This process has required me to reflect upon where I'm spending my time and examine my relationships. So, this year I have made it a goal to try and surround myself with people that will encourage me and help me grow spiritually-- as well as I do the same for them. I hope that doesn't' sound conceited in any way--- I don't mean for it to--- I only mean that our time is valuable and limited here on this earth. I want to be intentional for every minute that I spend on it.
I also have to reflect on last year and thank God and give Him all praise and glory. I believe in a God that is a God of healing and restoration, a God of hope. And although, this arthritis still seems to be "hanging out" with me, I believe with all my heart that God's healing hands are wrapping themselves around me at this very time. I am anticipating His healing power and being a testimony for God's love for all of us.
So, this is just a post to say what I'm anticipating in 2009. Our nation is going through a lot of changes (most of them not good) and I can't help but believe that our time on this earth is limited--- I want to make the most of it!!







Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Fun in Savannah!

In our short visit to Savannah to see Keith's dad and his family, we were able to do some fun things! After a visit to Tybee Island on Friday we made it to the Savannah Wilderness Center. It reminded me of Grassmere (for those of you who have lived here a while). This was a learning center funded by the school system in Chatham county. It had several different animals native to the Savannah area, including alligators, cougars, foxes, black bears and wolves (yes, I said wolves). The wolf exhibit was amazing! You walked into a shelter with one side being glass. The wolves were on the other side--- in other words you were only a thick glass pane away from being eaten alive!! It was so cool! FYI- wolves are huge!!!!
We made it to the River District for a quick walk. We took a ferry ride ( I'm not sure who liked that more- me or the boys!) and then it was time to head home with a car full of VERY tired folks! We will have to go back in the Spring and do some of the many fun things that friends had suggested--- Leopold's Ice Cream Shop, The Lady and Sons restaurant, etc.
We had a great time visiting with our family and look forward to our next trip down south!!
Downtown Savannah

Fun on the ferry!



Savannah Wilderness Center






Hey Ya'll!


I wanted you all to meet my BFF, Paula. She may look a little familiar to you. She has a little television show, a magazine, a few zillion cookbooks, a restaurant, and a couple of "easy on the eyes" sons! Okay, okay, she's not my best bud- matter of fact, I've never met her nor did I even get the chance to eat in her restaurant while we were in Savannah! The closest I got was a picture of the sign of The Lady and Sons restaurant and a walk through the gift store. Oh well, maybe next time!
Savannah was a beautiful city! You knew for sure you were there the minute you saw the moss on the trees! My in-laws live in a beautiful suburb of Savannah called Richmond Hills. It's only a population of 12,000, but is absolutely beautiful. Just a side note: Oprah has a summer home at the Ford Plantation just less than a mile from their house! Too Cool! Our first stop on Friday was Tybee Island. Although it was fairly cold on the island and many things were closed for the winter, we got to walk on the beach and collect seashells and sand dollars!!! The boys had a blast!













Monday, January 5, 2009

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"!

I sure hope not! Of course, with a house full of boys you never know! If you're wondering what in the world I'm talking about, Carson got a BB gun for his birthday. I'm not sure who was more excited- him or his daddy! Either way, we felt Carson was old enough to handle the responsibility of such a powerful weapon (snicker, snicker). We have some friends that gave us permission to go out on their land and do some target practice. We had a great time out in the "open range" shooting at cans in a target that Pop made. Although he's got some practicing to do, Carson's a pretty good little shot! Little brother, Campbell will soon follow in Carson's footsteps as well. Who knows? Maybe there are some scholarships in their futures?? Better yet, just some good times hunting with their daddy!


Friday, January 2, 2009

Merry Christmas!

Well, another Christmas has come and gone, but not without a lot of wonderful memories. It started for us with Christmas Eve service at church. This is a really special time for me because Keith and I usually get to serve communion. I always love being a part of this ministry. I, of course, get very emotional as well. I love seeing all of the families together and being able to share in such a special time.
After church it was off to Nana and Papa's (my parents). Everyone was there- except poor Keith. The Christmas season is especially busy for us because it's an especially busy time at church. This usually means we have to celebrate Christmas Eve at my parents without him. Although this year was no exception, he was able to come later that night. We ate a delicious meal and then spent the next couple of hours watching the kids open their gifts. What fun! You would have thought Toys R Us blew up in their living room!
That night we headed home and stayed up just long enough for the boys to set out milk and cookies for Santa and spread out the Reindeer food in the back yard.
Christmas morning was just as exciting! The boys came and woke Keith and me up and found that Santa did indeed leave them some gifts. They enjoyed all of their gifts! Some of the highlights were: a pocket knife, digital cameras, hat/scarf sets, STAR WARS figures and remote controlled cars. As we were opening our gifts the power went off in our whole neighborhood. That made getting ready interesting!
Later that morning it was off to Gramm and Pop's. Let me just say that when you get this family together there is usually the biggest spread of food you could ever imagine! Christmas Day was no exception. After stuffing our faces and bellies we all opened gifts. The boy grandchildren all got these HUGE Nerf machine guns. Looking back, I'm not sure if those gifts were for the kids or the dads!! Either way, they ALL had a great time with them.
All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas! It makes me, not only appreciate my family and the fact that they are all close by, but the blessings that our Lord Jesus Christ bestowed upon us all!






Carson, Keith and Campbell on Christmas Day at Gramma and Pop's
Ella Bean and Carson

Christmas morning- before the power went out!



On the way to Christmas Eve service- not before a Kodak moment though!




Campbell and cousin Chloe- you're going to have to watch out for these two- Double Trouble!