Gratitude

I am so grateful for God's provision, His love, grace, and mercy. I am grateful for every gift He has bestowed me, including my wonderful family. He has gifted me with a husband who is willing to sacrifice so much in order to provide for his family. He will not, however, have to sacrifice this thanksgiving with his family and for that I am also grateful. I am ever so thankful that all of my kids are growing up strong in faith, mind, and body. I am grateful to be living near my oldest sister, Roxie, and her ever-growing family. It is such a joy to know her children and their gorgeous children. I am particularly grateful for Roxie's inspiring example regarding parenting grown children and being a grandmother. This stage of my life will be coming around soon enough and her excellent example is truly appreciated. For that matter, I am grateful to have such wonderful and inspiring examples for each stage yet to come in my life. Thank you Papa, Mama, Grandaddy, and Nanny! I have been blessed with so much and I pray that I will approach each day with praise and thanksgiving.

Happy Halloween!

The porch is decorated...

The pumpkins are carved...

The costumes are on...

Halloween is here and there is trunk-or-treating

at church to be done.

The family joined us at church for trunk-or-treating

and a little dinner.

Maceo checking out his booty...

Then on to a little trick-or-treating in the community

before we head to Sonic for...

...50 cent corn dogs!

It was a good evening!

Happy Halloween!

Looking Forward to Some Pirate Fun Tonight

Maceo has been cast as a pirate in the musical Treasure Island at the Springfield Little Theatre and tonight is OPENING NIGHT! Yay! Maceo has had six weeks of rigorous rehearsals and several promotional performances in order to prepare for this moment. Bishop will be accompanying me to tonight's performance and we are so looking forward to it. Aaarrrggghhh!

He Did It!

Last Tuesday Maceo tested for his orange belt and we have learned that he did it! Maceo is an orange belt in ATA Taekwondo! Good job, Maceo!!!

Happy Birthday to...Me!

My 43rd birthday...

and I get to celebrate it...

in my backyard...

with family and friends.

We ate a BBQ feast together...

and fond wishes were sent my direction...

as Keegan presented me with the cake that she baked...

and I made my wish for the year.

The cake and ice cream was enjoyed by all...

and the iced watermelon was found to be refreshing on this muggy August day.

My birthday gifts included a painting by Maddox,

my favorite girl scout cookies, homemade bread with her recipe...

and these fun pins (not shown is the great 'ant' pin) from Roxie.

From my immediate family I received a beautiful vintage croquet set

and we enjoyed it together this evening.

Thanks for such a wonderful birthday celebration, everyone!

It was perfection!

The Fair is Here!!!

Oh, how we love this time of year - the fair is here!!!

The boys discovered the big rides last year. Bishop is quite the adventurerer and discovered that he loves a little speed. Maceo likes to play it a little safer but he loved the bumper cars. Both were greatly anticipating this years fair - Maceo for the bumper cars and Bishop for the water ride. And, I must say, that this years fair was not a disappointment. The boys started with the rides they loved most last year.

Then they met a couple of fun-loving fair-goers who encouraged them to branch out and try some other rides. They loved to race down the giant slide...

and they rode the rollercoaster, after which Maceo declared that he should have written his will prior to coming to the fair.

They hit the fun house...

and some other crazy and fast rides. It was a blast!

We cooled off with fresh lemonade and enjoyed funnel cakes...

and foot-long corn dogs.

Then the food was gone and the fair fun was over.

Great memories were made!