Special moment

...hanging with my sister is always a special moment. She has so much to offer me as an advisor, supporter, cheerleader, critique-er, idea bouncer-off-er, confidante, secret-keeper and most of all...friend. It's great to have a sister to share life with...there's no one I'd rather cry or laugh with. No one understands me better...where I've been and where I want to go - and loves me anyway...

Recap...

Recap of our Saturday:

1.) Two pedicures...

2.) Family Time at the Reunion

3. ) Playing at the park

4.) Date Night at a local cafe...then to the lake for a walk...nice!

I am so grateful for this delightful day! We had a great time with family and friends. And, especially enjoyed spending husband/wife time together - so important! We hope for many more Saturdays like this one.

Now, next up is the planning and preparation for our camping trip to Tennessee. We are so excited - since Michael's illness, we have been staying home and relaxing more. Now, we've got the 'wild itch' to go camping again! Michael and the kids are going to be packing and cleaning the camper to get us ready this week . We leave Thursday afternoon. Someone asked us what we would do if we took the camper on the road and got a flat tire;) My answer was...we'll just fling it on top of the vehicle and keep going - hehe! Yes, it is a small camper - but we love it and have a blast in it. What a way to spend the July 4th weekend - camping, swimming -
can't wait to tell you all about it!

Well, Saturday...

...can be a pretty awesome word, huh? I love the ring of it. Sat-ur-day...it resonates with FREEDOM in my ears! My husband and I work hard all week...then Saturday is our day to just be...to spend time doing the things we 'choose' to do...not always what we are obligated to do. And, today, we choose to:

1.) wake up with children all around us in the bed - giggling, playing, story-telling;

2.) pick up and deliver a food box for one of our elderly church attendees;

3.) let mommy and Abby go get pedicures together;

4.) attend a family reunion;

5.) take the children to have a fun sleep-over at granny and papaws;

6.) have date-night tonight! Michael has planned a fun evening of dinner out in a small, quaint restaurant we've never been to, then we're going to the lake to take a walk and spend time together.
Fun!

I just love Saturdays...what a fun day God blessed us with! How about you? How are you spending your Saturday today? Whether it is work or play...make it a great one!

Let's get rollin'!

Real or not? Not.

It is no secret that I have embraced the techno world - welcomed it with open arms. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, I say! And, I have. Being from the generation that remembers the first computer delivered to my elementary school, this may seem hard to believe. I didn't grow up with computers in my home, took a "word processor" to college and bought my first official computer when I married 12 years ago. But, now I have a blog, facebook account, Blackberry and I 'tweet' from time to time. I do make an honest attempt to control it, however, not letting it control my life - but using it as an asset in my life. I can't imagine working in my career without a computer in front of me all day long and the first thing I grab in the morning on my way out the door and on my way is my Blackberry phone so I can call my children and pray for them or tell them something good to make their day better. My husband and I both admit that email has become our primary mode of communication in place of the home telephone. We pay bills online, shop online, get directions online, plan vacations online, book travel/schedule events online, order tickets online.

And, it fascinates me that my 7 year old boys have been familiar with computers since they were infants - and could move a mouse better than me at the age of 3! They say terms on a regular basis that I didn't know until my late teens or later - 'Log on,' 'Log off' 'Re-boot,' 'drop-down box' and much more. They truly are living in the age of technology...my generation saw it ushered in...they are living it and will never know what it is like to live without it, which causes me to wonder all too often...how much of the world that my children experience will be real? How much of it will be contrived through the internet, social networking sites, blogs...

I am completely aware that what you read and what you see on my blog site is only what I permit you to see...only a glimpse into the life I want you to see. Is it complete reality??...no. Is it complete??...no. Is it real??...yes, I pray so! I attempt to give my readers a real glimpse into the life God has given us to live...but, you must be keenly, sharply aware when reading that you can't (and won't) know it all. Despite our openness in sharing in the blog world, we are actually very private people. We love our lives, love our friends, love our families, love our church. But, we also are confident that some things belong in family - and should stay there! It makes us who we are and that is where they stay!

This is where I become concerned for others in our world. Often, as I do share myself on social networking sites, I read what others share and sometimes it makes me sad. I so wish I could remind them that others are reading, reviewing and analyzing their words, inflections, and inside jokes. They are looking at their pictures, sharing them with others and making their own interpretations. Why do we so easily fall back into the ways, the language, distractions, the filth of the world? We must be peculiar - different - real Christ followers - all the time. Every word - every picture -should be looked at - will this edify, witness, reach out, share Christ? Could this be misconstrued against the cause of Christ?

I speak not to condemn, but to remind myself - we are here, in this world, for a purpose.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord!"

The Dad's in my life...

I'm blessed...with wonderful dads in my life...

- a Christian father who loves the Word and served in ministry as a great model for my family now.

-a Christian father-in-law who surrendered to Christ after his oldest son said, "Now, dad, it's your turn." And, now serves as a faithful deacon and leader in his church.

-an amazing husband/father who leads our home with spiritual surrender.

But, thankfully, my Abba...my Heavenly Father...allows these blessings in my life.

Happy Father's Day, Dad, Charlie and Michael!

I love you, all and am thankful for you!

Ballerina Abigail

We were so proud of our little Abigail this week as she participated in her first-ever, debute ballet performance! It was quite exciting to see her come out of her proverbial shell...enjoy being a little girl and dance her heart out. She was lovely in her bright pink leotard and tu-tu. She thoroughly enjoyed getting all "dolled" up in hair and make-up. It was a busy week of rehearsals and preparations, but it was worth it to see her enjoy the performance so much!

My beautiful little girl...where does the time go?
She had such a great time with all the other little girls. She did happen to be the tiniest one in this years spring show, however!
She had a great time backstage preparing and playing with the dance troupe.
So proud...a big accomplishment for a 25 lb., 3 year old.
...giving it her all!

Precious little feet in little ballet shoes - I love it!

Her daddy, grandparents and Aunt Tracey, Aunt Ashlee, and her brothers and cousins gave her flowers after her performance. Can you see the surprise in her smile? She was purely delighted! Her daddy also gave her a giant ballerina doll! She squealed with excitement! Nothing like a daddy showing his love and pride in his little girl.
Abigail and her new ballerina doll were worn out after all the excitement...sleeping soundly in the car seat on the way home. Great memories for us all!

Special times...special memories!

Our May and June have been filled with some great family fun...we have enjoyed spending some celebratory time with our youngest niece who had her 1st birthday party in May. We had such a great time enjoying this day with her and Mike's extended family. It is such a joy to see her growing and developing before us into such a sweet, young girl. She is delightful to be around and brings such joy to our family. She enjoyed her party just as much as those of us who came - especially digging into her first little cake! Jonah, Abby and Isaac had a great time at party, playing outside, eating, and enjoying family.

Our niece is such a blessing - Happy First Birthday Baby Girl!

Abby learned to blow and catch bubbles with the wand at the party.
Isaac had a blast riding his big wheel - he's actually almost too big for it now, hard to believe.

Jonah played until he was exhausted...can you see it in his eyes?

I must say, though, that the highlight of the day for me - as a wife - was seeing my husband back to his 'ole self this day. He was finally feeling relief and was able to laugh, enjoy his family, relax, and enjoy the sunshine - and that for me was a delight!


Another great highlight recently has been attending our twin nieces final season soccer game. They absolutely gave it their all. They played so hard and had such a great time. But, the best thing I love about these young ladies is their ATTITUDE! They are winners on and off the field and I couldn't be prouder of who they are becoming. They are often baffled when others demonstrate poor sportsmanship because it truly is just not in their repertoire. The girls are so fun to watch, but even more fun to be around...man, I love these girls!

And, what do you say about the most darling nephew in the world? There are no words to describe our love for him. He is definitely our gift from God. He loves his family, is in love with his sisters, adores his parents and grandparents and thoroughly enjoys his life! I often wish I could see life as he sees it...enjoy it as he enjoys it. Recently, while Mike was in the hospital, he got the opportunity to ride in the hospital elevator. Upon entering our hospital room, he said, "Michael, I just blasted off in a space ship." No one had planted that idea in his mind...he just experienced it - and I just love that about him!

Finally, I must share a beautiful experience that Mike and I had last weekend as we celebrated with a long-time mentor and friend. Many of you know that Michael and I were great friends in late elementary and all of high school, but never dated until AFTER college. However, we were fortunate enough to be in the high school band together for 3 years. And, our high school band director is retiring this year. So, thanks to a former band member that I graduated with, Facebook technology and email, she was able to get the word out to many that she would like to plan a final farewell party for him and his wife following his last spring concert. I thought this was a wonderful tribute to give to a couple who had give so many years of their lives to the development and maintenance of the arts/music programs of the county. Because I did not play sports in high school, the band was my outlet...my extracurricular activity...my social network...my thing. And, I loved it! I learned music, yes. I played and instrument - flute. I marched on the field, I played in spring concerts, I went to competitions and gave it my all. But, I learned so much more. This band program gave me so much and I am grateful for what it meant in my life at such an influential age. Over 80 alumni from 1978 to the present came back to honor Mr. Robert and Mrs. Wendy Saylor for their years of dedication. In my opinion, this speaks VOLUMES for what they meant to so many people. The alumni surprised him by marching in behind the high school banner at the end of his spring concert, providing a standing ovation and then having a reception afterwards. We pray God continues to bless him and his sweet family for many years to come! Alumni travelled from all across the state to come and pay tribute to our former high school band director and his wife!
We appreciate all Mr. Saylor did for us as young people and his friendship today.

The upcoming week is full...we look forward to Abby's 1st ballet recital on Friday. The boys have their spring concert at school on Tuesday (with Daddy as their teacher of course) and the last day of school is on Thursday. They will then have two days of basketball camp at school while daddy finishes up his school year. Mommy is still adjusting to her new job in rehabilitation management, but loving everything about it. We look forward to a great summer, camping July 4th weekend in Gatlinburg and lots more fun! Have a great summer...