Gatlinburg 2009

What a great getaway!! We loaded up on Thursday and left out for Gatlinburg--COUPLES ONLY!! This was our 6th year to go and we had a blast. The guys of course made their annual golf trip and even added a day of fishing. The girls of course did our shopping and caught up on a few movies. The nights were spent with some great meals and even our competition of girls vs. guys in some games. We are sitting on ready for our trip next year!! The lord has blessed us with some great friends--Staci and Bart, Keith and Molly, Brad and Melissa, Rodney and Amy, and Chris and Lorrie! These group of friends are more like Family to us and we are so thankful for them.

Happy Halloween

What a busy Halloween season--we went to several fall festivals and of course had to carve pumpkins. Bailey thought she was to big to trunk or treat, so she and Macy just decided to dress up and give out candy this year at church. But-- of course when Payton got home with all her candy--Bailey wanted some of hers--we had to discuss the sharing issue!! Halloween is just the beginning of the busy holiday season that we are fixing to be in--the girls are already gettting in the spirit of the holidays. This year we just carved pumpkins in the living room floor since our house is still turned upside down from the toliet running all day--hopefully the new flooring will be put in SOON!! I am not liking the topsy turvy that my house is in--yes I know I will be getting new floors but it is total CHAOS!!!!

Women's Conference

This past weekend I along with several friends attended the E Women's Conference. What a blessing!! We heard Mandissa--AWESOME!!. Laughed with Chanda Pierce and cried with Karen Kingsbury. To hear each women express how God has worked in each of their lives and taken the battles that they have grown through and they are still praising him for all he has given them was such a blessing.

Women

FALL DAYS

It seems as though this is always such a busy time of year. The girls are involved in so many things and school is in full swing. Bailey enjoyed her first homecoming week at the middle school and all the crazy days--PJ day, Hippie Day, Tacky Day and of course show your school spirit day. Payton didn't understand why Bailey got to have so much FUN!! She even went to the homecoming dance--of course daddy was in full supervision. I don't know how much of a chaperone he was--I think he had just as much fun as Bailey did. We went to several Fall Festivals, Bailey ventured out with her friends and we didn't see much of her--am I ready for those days--not really but I believe they are here.

PUMPKIN PATCH

We enjoyed a great Sunday afternoon at the pumpkin patch. Believe it or not--the sun was out and their was not a cloud in the sky. Of course the pumpkin patch was very muddy!! Just more fun for the girls.

Soggy Soccer Season

Rain, Rain Go Away--Payton is ready to play Soccer!!

The rain continues to fall during Payton's soccer season. She has been lucky to play a few games and has enjoyed every minute of them. She just loves this sport! This year she is playing on a bigger field and is learning a little more about the game. She is becoming a little more aggressive (Surprising to anyone??) and is such a joy to watch. Hopefully spring season will not be so rainy and we will be able to play a little more.

Ole Miss Football

We have enjoyed several Ole Miss Football games this season with our great friends The Strawns. It has been so rainy, but we have weathered the storms and cheered for the Rebels. Bailey, Payton, Macy and Charlie have had so much FUN!! Their season has been pretty good so far and we will continue to yell some HOTTY TODDY!! (Kid style of course!)

Back to School

Where did the summer go???? Bailey and Payton started back to school the first of August, I think they both were kinda ready, but they just wouldn't admit it. Payton is is first grade, we are so excited that she got Jennie Beth Creely (she was Lee County teacher of the year last year). She is already reading faster than they can send books home. Let's just hope she continues to be that excited about reading. We have signed her up for the swim team this year and is ready for soccer to begin. Bailey started the middle school this year---OH MY GOODNESS!!! She has grown up toooooo fast. She was kinda nervous about starting and I wanted to walk her in and I don't think she was really wanting me to. So when we got to her room, she was ready for me to leave. She is really enjoying this year, and has classes with alot of her friends. She is already back in gymnastics, having cheer practice and will start tennis in a couple of weeks. It looks like we are in for a very busy school year: But we wouldn't have it any other way!!!

Smith Lake

What a great week to end our vacation week. We went to Smith Lake to spend the weekend with Keith, Molly, Macy and Charlie. The kids loved riding the inner tube and jumping off the big rock. David thought he was in high school once again and tried everything on the water--the wake board, skiing on one and even jumping off the rock!! I went back almost twenty years and got up on water skis. I could even get out of the bed the next morning. It took me four times to get up but I did it!!

BEACH FUN!!

The sand between your toes, the sound of the waves and the sun beaming down!!! What fun!! Our family beach trip this year was so much fun. We loaded up with 12 of us going to Gulf Shores, mostly Gillentine's and Mamaw Di. We stayed in a condo that had a water slide and lazy river in it. The kids didn't want to leave the pool, of course the men enjoyed it just as much as they did. The weather was great and we enjoyed some pretty fun beach time also. One night we went to the beach hunting crabs, but mostly got wet. We have decided that next year can not come soon enough.

Take Me out to the Ballgame!!!

This past weekend we went with some friends to Memphis to watch the Redbirds play baseball. We had so much fun!! We went to eat at Huey's before the game and the kids just love that place. It is so funny to watch them try and shoot toothpicks into the ceiling, (in case you have never been that is the thing to do). My family and friend surprised me with a Happy Birthday wish on the big screen at the game!! I just loved it!! The game ended with a fireworks show, in which Mason was not very happy about---he does not like the loud noises!! We might just be planning a trip to St. Louis next year the group to watch the Cardinals play ball--now that will be FUN!!

A Date with Daddy

The Father Daughter Ball was this past weekend. The girls have been every year and this year they were just as excited. They kept asking all day "Is it time to put our dresses on?" Several of the dads (Randy, Brad and Keith) surprised the girls with a limo ride. Oh how happy they were!! When we pulled up and they saw it, they couldn't believe it was for them. They even left the dance early so they could go ride some more in the limo--I guess the ride was better than dancing the night away with dad. Let's see if they expect the limo ride again next year!!!

FORE!!!

David and I used to play golf alot---pre-children!! However we are trying to get back in the swing of things. We met Mike and Amy and enjoyed playing a round of golf. I was very surprised that I still played just about the same as usual. (which is not really alot to brag on) We played a scramble, so David actually did most of the playing for our team. I did realize how much I miss playing and hopefully we will continue to try and get back in the swing of things.

Happy Father's Day

How blessed Bailey and Payton are to have such a godly man as their father. I thank God each and every day for placing David in our lives. He is their cheerleader, coach, listener, friend, supporter and even the one who keeps them straight at times. I couldn't make it without him raising the girls. I knew he had been wanting some new Maui Jim sunglasses so we surprised him with the money to go ahead and purchase them and stop watching the bidding on Ebay!! Yes, he was so happy!! David even goes the extra mile to make the weekend be special for me since I lost my dad. June is a very hard month for me cause my dads birthday was June 11th. We love you David and know that you are the VERY BEST DAD IN THE WORLD!!!

Hot Summer Fun!!!

It has been way to hot this summer, and it is not even July yet!! The girls have really enjoyed the pool. They stay in it almost all day!! This past weekend we had a Father's Day cooking at the house and of course all the kids were in the pool. They had so much fun with chicken fights. Bailey and Anna Claire were usually the ones on the boys shoulders. What a fun way to spend the hot summer days.

Water Slide Fun!!

We had Vacation Bible School this past week at church. On Saturday we had a kick-off party with some pretty big water slides. Bailey and Payton had so much fun!! It was a great way to start a busy week of Bible School.

Let the Games Begin!!

Ball Season is under way!! Bailey is playing fast picth and Payton is in her first year at coach pitch, with her daddy coaching--I hope they don't kill each other on the field. When they both signed up, I told myself that I hoped they didn't have alot of games on the same night---we'll my wish came true only two games on the same night; and they follow each other at Mooreville, but we are on the ball field every night of the week, except Wednesday and we have church that night. But how fun it has been--Bailey is enjoying her first year without her daddy as her coach, even though we held her back in her age division and all her friends went up. And Payton and David have only had one incident at a practice when David called me and asked me to come and get Payton to bring her home. Summer wouldn't be the same if we didn't begin it on the ballfields.

Memorial Day MUD!!!

RAIN! RAIN! RAIN! That seems like all we have seen for the past couple of weeks around here and boy is our back yard getting muddy. On Memorial Day we had a family cookout and what started out being a fun game of "Monkey in the Middle", turned into a fun mud bath. David, of course was the first to take a dive through the mud and then Bailey, Payton, Wesley and Mason had to follow. They had the best time. We just let them get as muddy as they could. We just took the water hose and gave them a good bath in the yard.

Splash Pad Fun

Splash Pad is a new water park that Bailey and Payton love going to. It opened Memorial Day weekend and of course we had to go!! I am sure it will be the first of many trips this summer.

End of another school year

Can't believe I will have a 6th grader and a 1st grader next year. Bailey ended the school year with all A's and B's and she was even elected Student of the month for May!! Payton had a great year in Kindergarten and is reading just about everything in sight!! We are so proud of our girls. They have both enjoyed school this year, but are ready for SUMMER!!!

Flip-Flop Gymnastics

Payton has had so much fun doing gymnastics over the past years. She gets so excited to show us new things that she has learned. She has been at Flip-Flops for 3 years and was so happyto get her third medal from Ms. Misty this year.

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day was such a very special day. I got to spend time with my mom and Bailey and Payton tried to spoil me all weekend. Which I really enjoyed!! I have been blessed to have a mom who has always supported me in every decision that I have made and been by my side in every journey. I only pray that I will be that for the two beautiful girls that God has blessed me with.

Gum Tree 5K Run

David and I have really tried hard this past year to change some habits and become "Healthy!!" He joined the Wellness Center and I have been meeting a friend for the past year each morning at 5:00a.m. Nell and I started out walking every morning and then when it turned cold we would meet in the church gym and work out with BOB!! (from The Biggest Loser) She and I decided that we wanted to do the Gum Tree Run---Clay and David just laughed at us!! It turned out they decided they would join us!! It was our first time ever to partcipate in a run, much less 6.2 miles. The morning of the run it was pouring down rain, a pretty severe storm and we really thought what have we gotten ourselves in to!! But we had a blast!! We all finished the race and didn't come in last (which was our goal). Proud to say our time was 1:25:24!! We all think we might add more runs to our list in the future!! We are all going to keep working on staying healthy.

Marching into May

May is almost over but boy have we been busy!! Between ballgames, end of school, Mother's Day and everything in between---we are all in need of SUMMER VACATION!!! The honeysuckle smells great at our house and I got to wondering if Bailey and Payton had ever tried it--we have now. Bailey didn't want to try it at first but she finally did and she actually liked it. It is hard being a little sister when big sister gets to go every where so we took Payton fishing one afternoon for some special one on one time--She had so much FUN!!

Meredith Mae Keith

A new baby for the family!! David's sister Janelle and John welcomed Meredith into this world on Tuesday, April 21st. She weight 7 pounds and 11 ounces and 191/2 inches long. We took supper to them last night and spent some time with that sweet baby. Big Sister Annalyn was more interested in feeding Uncle D french fries than showing off her little sister. Payton wanted to go to the Mooreville baseball game with Mason so she didn't get to see her, I know I will have to go back. (That will be so hard) Seeing Janelle with her new baby reminded me of when Bailey was born and Janelle stopped by here every afternoon on her way home from school to come and see Bailey. With Meredith being cousin #8---it is hard to believe that Bailey was the first born. Congrats John and Janelle and Annalyn--we love you!!

Amory Railroad Festival

Each year the girls enjoy going to the RR Festival. When we got up Saturday morning and it looked like rain, they were a little disappointed, but we headed out anyway. And the rain held off, we had a great time. We took Jordan with us, she and Bailey had already gone on Friday night so they were letting Payton know the fun rides. Of course I like to go and shop but I had fun at the carnival watching their faces light up. Payton wasn't really sure about some of the rides---they were tooo scary! (This coming from someone who said her favorite ride at Disney was the Tower of Terror!!!)

"HE IS RISEN!!!!"

Easter Sunday---a time to remember what we have to be thankful for and know in our hearts what Jesus has done for ME!!! We had a great service at church and then went to mom's for family lunch and she even had all the grandkids stay the night with her, so David and I enjoyed a date night and enjoyed a movie.

Hunting Easter Eggs

Easter weekend began with a busy start. Good Friday was spent dying eggs and took the girls to see the new "Hannah Montana Movie". They loved it. Saturday we started the morning off at our church egg hunt. To quote Bro. Clay,"It looked like the Easter Bunny had thrown up all over the softball field!!" There were eggs every where and they were gone in 5 minutes. After we finished this egg hunt we drove to Oxford for our family egg hunt. The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun!!! After a busy day of enjoying family we made our way back home and waited on the arrival of the Easter Bunny!

SOCCER is OVER!!

Payton finished her second season of soccer. This is going to be her sport. She loves it!! We have had so much fun watching her get so excited playing her game. I am going to miss watching her face light up as she scores a goal and making sure that she protects the goal so the other team doesn't make a goal. I think she maybe a future goalie. Can't wait til next fall for her game to start again.

Scavenger Hunt Party

We had Bailey's birthday party for her friends a week late this year (just to much going on in our busy lives). She had a fun scavenger hunt party at the church gym. The kids had a blast looking for 15 items in the church. They wanted to do it again! We talked them into having a fun game of wiffle ball outside. That was even more fun in the mud! Bailey had a great time and is already planning her party for next year.

Present Bibles

Bailey has been competing in Bible Drill this past month. She has really worked hard . We are so proud of her for learning so much about the Bible. It makes mom feel bad that I don't know as much as my 5th grader does. It has been really touching to watch her grow in her spiritual life. Our prayer is that she continues to have the thrive to excel with God being number one in her life. We are so proud of you Bailey!!!

Bailey is 11!!!!

They say time goes by so fast, and each year that I celebrate a birthday of Bailey or Payton I believe that saying more and more. Where has the past 11 years gone? As I look through scrapbooks I can't believe that my first child is already 11. She has grown into so much for David and I. All the smiles, laughs and sometimes tears have brought so much happiness into our lives. Bailey is so much in a child that I can't begin to express how thankful I am that God blessed us with raising her. I can only pray that she continues to surpass all our expectations and all our prayers are answered in having her dreams and wishes granted. I only wish time would slow down just a little so I want watch the next 11 years go by in flash. Happy Birthday Bailey!! We love you!!

Spring Break Beach Trip

Spring Break 2009----What a fun week. We left for Gulf Shores on Thursday morning with our great friend The Strawns. 4 kids and 4 adults ready for a great weekend in the sun! And that is what we had. We had perfect weather, great food and made some great memories. Macy and Charlie had never been to the beach so they were very excited. Of course Bailey and Payton thought they were old pros at all the beach fun, so they entertained all weekend. We went on a dolphin cruise and caught a few crabs one night. (Charlie wasn't real sure about that) It was a perfect weekend and a great way to spend spring break.

A Snow Surprise!!!

What a great way to wake up Sunday morning--SNOW!! SNOW!! SNOW!! The girls popped right up out of the bed and bundled up for a morning of FUN!! Church was cancelled so we met up with some friends and off to the hill we went. We hooked the sled to the 4-wheelers and had so much fun. The bigger kids put a car hood to the back of the 4-wheeler and were a little braver. (We all laughed and said only in Mississippi can you see a car hood being used as a sled while trying to avoid the fire ant beds in a field of snow) After about 2 hours of playing in the snow, the girls feet were in need of some thawing out. We headed back home and made some hot chocolate and popcorn and the girls pilled up and watched High School Musical 3.