Family

Thankful Banquet

This is a banquet our church gave for the children to thank parents and grandparents by serving them dinner. The children spent weeks making the decorations i.e. place mats, centerpieces, etc).
The boys served us just like waiters in a fancy restaurant. It was adorable. The dinner was delicious and a nice night out.

After the dinner [...]

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Boys Make Life Interesting

This is what was on my kitchen counter when I went to make coffee. Someone wants me to think GI Joe is seeing my lady salt shaker.

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Boomerang Express VBS

Last month, our church Fair Haven Baptist had Boomerang Express VBS.
We hopped on board the Boomerang Express and took a train ride across the Land Down Under discovering the vastness of God’s love, and learned that no matter where we go or what we do in life—it all comes back to Jesus.
The church was [...]

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RC Cola & MoonPie Festival

Every year on the third Saturday in June, Bell Buckle celebrates the South’s two most honored traditions are celebrated RC Colas and Moon Pies.

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Our Two New Shichon Puppies

We went to choose our Shichon (pronounced She Sean) puppy from two different litters and ended up with one puppy from each litter. We named the white puppy Frosty but we need help naming the second puppy. Submit your dog names in the comments for a chance to win the prize listed below.

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Christopher’s 8th Birthday Party

Anthony turned 18 and Christopher turned on May 15. Happy Birthday Boys! Anthony was home from college and celebrated with friends. We had a party for Christopher at home.

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Kids and Clutter: Teach Kids to Clean Up After Themselves

My boys are messy. Lord, Grant me patience to endure my blessings. I spend way to much precious time picking up after them.
Yesterday I took them at by the hand–room to room–to remind them of basic instructions.

I started the tour using my Nice Mommy Voice, “You are not house guests. You are members of [...]

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March Snow?

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
Edith Sitwell
March 1 and we have snow. I’m a Florida gal. I can’t wait for spring. But the boys had a ball [...]

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Barrel of Fun Cures Cabin Fever

Last week the temperature in the single digits. I was in the hospital while Ronnie was inside with two very active boys with Cabin Fever.
This week the temperature rose to the 60s and we loved every minute of it. My brother gave me a drum to burn leaves in and the boys played with it [...]

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Grandson’s Word Association

Our daughter, Tammy, was catalog shopping with our 2-year-old grandson, Tyler. When he saw the John Deere toy tractor he said, “PaPa?” Is that too cute or what? He hasn’t seen us for months and remembers PaPa’s tractor!

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Fall Family Tradition: Pumpkin Patch

Our family looks forward to a pumpkin patch visit every year. This year we went early Cedar Rock Pumpkin Patch. We had a lot of fun. We’ll probably go back after the leaves change.

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A Busy Week with Grandchildren

What a great week we had with children and grandchildren. Tammy, Neil, and the three grandchildren were here from Maryland for a week.

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4H Youth Day at Our County Fair

This has been a super week. We’ve been going to the Agriculture Center every day for the Bedford County Fair.
Tuesday night the Horse Whisperer spoke. We learned a lot about connecting with horses and working with them instead of against them.
Yesterday afternoon was 4H Youth Day. The participants played games, ran relay races, [...]

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Pregnancy and Childbirth Links

I began this list of pregnancy links when and found out I was pregnant (my eleventh pregnancy and ninth child) at the same time two of my married daughters were pregnant. (I was 46) I thought it would be useful here. Includes lots of Freebies!

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VBS Outrigger Island Photos

Here are photos from Outrigger Island VBS mainly 1st and 2nd grades. Bible study, games, crafts, snacks, and music. We loved it. The children ask to play the music CD daily.

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Beat the Heat Pool

We had an above-ground pool installed this week in our back yard

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Vacation Bible School

This week we will be busy at our church with Outrigger Island Vacation Bible School . I’m teaching first grade. Based on Psalm 86:11, the goal of this tropical adventure theme is to help kids develop faith in God and His Word.
Here are my boys singing about being unshakable in a world of shifting sands.

Just [...]

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Miniature Horse Driving School

Two weeks ago my miniature horses started driving school. Today my sons and I began our training. The trainer, Dale, put his horse, Smurf (the black horse), with Comanche for awhile and then Toby. We rode like the wind! I had a blast. It was even better than riding for me.

Here is a [...]

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View from the Back of an Ambulance

I began this week hemorrhaging and went to the Shelbyville Emergency Room where they immediately sent me to Vanderbilt Hospital in an ambulance.
There is nothing more sobering than an hour ride in an ambulance with flashing lights and screaming sirens.
Read about it there

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Signs of Spring: Daffodils and John Deere

Time to tackle the lawn. I LOVE this weather! I’m looking forward to the smell of fresh cut grass. My daffodils came up nice but next year I’m going to tipple the number I plant around this tree. A few tulips are popping up too.

We are really enjoying the Great Pyrenees pups. [...]

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Photo of a Soon-to-be Accident

This is the before photo of an soon-to-be accident. My son got creative. Do I allow him to keep his invention and wait for the inevitable? Or do I confiscate it before the disaster?

His name is David. David and the slingshot…sound familiar? I named him David because it means “beloved of God” not because it [...]

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Rare Photo: My 5 Sons

My five sons (ages 6 to 28) and I in one photo. We rarely remember to get such photos when we are all together. This was taken on the swingset in our new TN backyard last week. Anthony was hiding behind me, so below is a shot of him on the trampoline.

If you enjoyed this [...]

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Thinking Like a Child

We’ve been taping (TiVo) episodes of Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth to watch in the evenings. After dinner and the dishes I asked the boys which episode they wanted to watch: Deep Oceans, Great Plains, or Caves. They voted on Great Plains.
The world’s plains are home to massive herds of animals. This episode reveals [...]

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Full Quiver Blessings and Challenges

Last month I had dinner with my six youngest children at a restaurant (ages 6 to 22). It had been a long time since we were all at one table. I loved every minute of reminiscing and laughter. Midway though the meal I realized and announced, “If I practiced birth control, I would be the [...]

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