We love you, Emma Grace! 5 wonderful years!

As I sit here typing, Emma Grace is beside me in the next bar stool drawing "people". We have just returned from her 5 year old well-visit, and I'm pleased to say, she's as healthy as a horse! She weighs 41 pounds and 4 ounces. That puts her in the 60th percentile for weight. Her height is 3 feet 8 inches---82nd percentile. TALL girl. Hmmm....wonder who she takes after? I have been so blessed to have been home with my little girl for the last 19 months. A day never goes by where I do not learn something new about her. It's just amazing the way the Lord has knit her together.

Jason has been home for a week and a half (one of the wonderful things about having a Christmas baby is that daddy can be home for the days leading up to and the days after her birthday), and the conversations between father and daughter are worth recording. Honestly, there are meals I just want to run grab the camcorder and begin rolling. She just grabbed Jase under his arms and is carrying him around singing, "A thing, a thing, a ting ting ting. Tom, ta ting, ta ting ting ting." She told me this is called the "Thing Dance". So creative!! I am so glad the Lord has blessed us with a daughter and a son! What a difference girls and boys are; God knew what He was doing when He created us uniquely!

It has been my pleasure to teach Emma Grace preschool at home the last 5 months and to introduce her to the foundational stories of the Bible over the last 3 years. I really am looking forward to official Kindergarten in the fall of 2010! Curriculum searches are underway! I think it's funny to look over the "Normal Development" lists from the pediatrician's office today. One says, "Embarrasses easily, and cannot laugh at self." I haven't really noticed that about her...she is usually more than willing to laugh at her mistakes. She doesn't, however, like to get hurt. In this area, crying can go on and on, whereas our son has shown thus far that he is far less dramatic. Just some basic differences in girls/boys. Oh!!!! And one of the development bullets says "is curious about reproduction and birth". Oh boy, do they have that one right!! She was just nursing her baby earlier today! And she stuffed a baby up Kaye Kaye's shirt pretending like Kaye was "pregnant" earlier this weekend---I wondered how she was going to explain to her niece how the baby came out. I haven't had to explain that just yet, thank goodness. Guess I should be glad Aunt Kaye Kaye didn't TRY to explain it either!

Here are some of the things I LOVE about our little girlie:

*How she loves and smooches on her brother!

*LOVES music!! LOUD music, I might add. (thanks, daddy!)

*Tender and compassionate heart--I found her all out *bawling* watching the Mickey/Pluto Christmas movie!

*She entertains herself very easily---did I mention she is very creative?

*She gets along with all of her friends...such a blessing. Let's hope it continues!

*Her long, blonde hair and blue eyes. And I hate to be superficial here, but her long eyelashes (just like her brother) are adorable just like her glasses! Melt my heart!

*I love how she replicates lovingly taking care of her million babies just like I take care of Jase. Think your kids aren't listening to the way you behave and treat them on a daily basis? Think AGAIN. (This is how I know I am patient and fair in dealing with these kids. If I weren't, it would definitely show up in her mommy skills!)

*Her OCDness in cleaning up after eating or having a snack---definitely inherited from mommy!

*Loving to go out and ride her bike--she got skates and a scooter for Christmas and Birthday, so she's been trying those two out faithfully!

*How she cares so much for her daddy---she told him he was such a good daddy that she would take care of him when he got older! Wonder if that goes for mommy, too?! :)

Emma Grace, we pray that your heart will be open to accept the message of the gospel at a very early age. We also pray that you will choose friends wisely, learn to obey God and your parents, and be a very giving person of your time and resources. We pray for the young lady you will become as well as the future wife, mother, and grandmother we see in you. How EXCITING!!!!!! We love you, our precious daughter. XXXX OOOO

'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'
written by Unknown Author

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

"Bow"tique

My child loves to "do" hair. Here I am after a day at the "bow"tique!

Wow, now that's a great hairdo, right?! And yes, that would be a wand from Emma Grace's closet that Jase was waving around in his Cabe*la's overalls. He got off good if his sister didn't attack him with the tiny hairbows. I might add that now that she's spotted the "baby" bows (from when she barely had any hair), she's asking to wear those instead of the nice, big pretty $5 ones! YIKES. Looks like it's time for Emma Grace to take a hike to the barn with daddy (or spend a day with a friend or at Bibbi's) so I can go home and clean out all the baby things we need to sell. Yes, I said sell. I'm just ready to get rid of all the clutter and baby things we no longer need (ssshhh...Jason doesn't read this anyway!). We need cash for clutter, don't you know? And I know how to get it! Cha-ching!

Visiting Ms. Emmy & Poinsettia Pics

One of the AWESOME things about homeschooling your child(ren) is being able to go out and visit places while everyone else is still in school! YIPEE!! Our morning breakfast/schooling/chores routine is usually over by lunchtime, so we are able to head out right after Jase wakes up from his nap and we get in a little lunch. This week, as you can see, we went and visited one of the dear elderly ladies from our church who has moved to Bail*y Manor in the last 9 months. Her name is Ms. Emmy. She is actually Madeline and Alex's great-grandmother, but she might as well be Emma Grace's and Jase's also! We really have missed seeing Ms. Emmy since she has moved an hour away, so it was an EXTRA special treat to be able to go and see her new apartment and take her some goodies! Bail*y Manor also has 61 Christmas trees done by various people, vendors, businesses, and donors....and thanks to a TORNADO warning where we were in hiding with all the elderly people....we will just have to go back and see them ALL! Makes for a great excuse to go see her one day this month before they take them all down in the new year!

Also, you see that Julie and I took the kids to Br*ce's Greenhouse in Blythew*od to capture a shot or two of our little ones! Jase is quite a booger for capturing any sort of smile unless you plan to have someone behind you tickling his nose or the top of your head with the feather duster (and YES, I did bring one of those!!). Hope you enjoy the pics of the little ones! We're heading to P*rtrait Inn*vations on Tuesday to do the $9.95 special deal---this time in their Christmas pajamas. We've never done PJ's before, but I just thought they would be extra special pics (and because we need some current ones of the kids besides the ones Ol*n Mills took for the church directory). You all have a super week and we pray you can remember the reason for this blessed Season as you go through the month's festivities, events, and parties---Jesus!

Thanksgiving Fun

We did go down to Dad's in Charleston on Thursday just for the Thanksgiving Day! It was such a nice, relaxing day for me! Dad, I thank you for all of your hard working in putting together and preparing all the food for such a great meal! Nothing was left out! We actually had to put two TV tray/stands next to the table because we were overflowing with food! Not a bad problem at ALL! Everything was DELISH and we were glad to be able to spend it with you and Kaye!

On Friday evening Dad came back up to Winnsboro for the weekend and we were able to roast marshmallows, grill out steaks, grill out brats (on Sat. after the horrible CU/USC game!), play some ping pong, and just generally have a SUPERB time with our family! I truly had an awesome weekend with my family and was a little hesitant on how today (Monday) might begin for us as we got back into the schooling/daddy-goes-to-work routine. It's always a challenge when Daddy's been with us for 4 full days to go back to mommy is in charge mode. :)

But, I am happy to report that we were able to complete school happily and learned much in our lessons including our verse for the week, "Pretty words may hide a wicked heart" from Proverbs 26:23 and our math lesson began skip counting by two's up to 20. This will lead into (eventually) division, multiplication, and a whole other host of math skills, so we'll be spending a good 2 weeks probably on this skill before moving on to lesson 18. School goes much quicker at home than in public education, so we were able to get a ride in to town to return a video to the library we had checked out and get some Christmas tree branches for one of my crafty, homemade gifts we are making!

I have to share with you a few pics of Emma Grace playing photographer today. She makes me laugh most days with her surprising humor and "acting"...today "The Bear Family" was having their photographs taken in her studio. Here she is telling Mr. and Mrs. Bear where they should sit and which way to face and how to put this arm right here on Papa Bear's shoulder, etc. And then you hear, "O.K. On three....a one, a two, and THREE." Then she said, "Now I just want the children." You can just hear her mimicking the Olan Mills photographer that was at our church doing the church directory photos last week!! So hilarious! I do often wonder what she will become in life---she "plays" many things at home from Dr. to teacher to nurse to artist, but the one thing she remains intent on becoming is a MOMMY. And for that I am forever grateful. May I always portray to her that it is such an honorable and noble job and one she should be thankful to become one day.

Love her fashion sense, don't you?

Making Up the Miles

I guess I'm making up the miles on my low-mileage minivan since almost 3 weeks ago I wrote about our spur of the moment trip to Charleston just for Jason's 10 year college reunion and last weekend I also made the trip with a college friend Lydia to Charleston once again (this time in her car, thankfully) for Girls' Weekend with Lydia and Michelle. What an awesome time being with friends and having adult conversation! Every SAHM needs an outlet whether it be time to work out and exercise daily away from the kids or a trip with girlfriends every 6 months. I am not ashamed to say that I had a fabulous time despite our oldest child's shocking diagnosis of pneumonia just 2 hours after I left town. I won't be winning mother of the year, but I can tell you I came home a much more alive mommy and watched as my hubby showed he can be just as awesome of a care-taker and organizer as I am! I'm so proud of him, and I can tell you our daughter thinks the world of her daddy!!!

So tomorrow we venture into the minivan as a family once again for the day traveling to Charleston to eat a yummy, fattening turkey dinner at my dad's. I am so excited to NOT be cooking for the first time in 10 years!! Usually we gather with part of my family and Jason's parents next door for holiday dinners, but the inlaws are in San Antonio visiting Bubba, their younger son, and his girlfriend. This allowed us time to not feel bad about taking a much needed trip to Charleston to be with family. So I will have to update about our trip later and how the "trip-toe-fan" affected our ability to drive back!!

Prayers for a Sister in Christ

So much has been going on in my mind this last week. I almost hesitate to write anything at all. I mean, I am drained emotionally. It was all I could do to finish homeschooling each day knowing that all I really wanted to do was to sit down at the computer, my refuge, and read updates about a dear sister in Christ, Kelly Rambo. I'll try hard to make it through this post without completely soaking the keyboard.

Kelly and Peter and their 4 boys (who are all under the age of 14) are such precious children of God. They live about one mile away (they actually have biked to my house) and Peter works with my F-I-L at Pope Fun*ral Home. Pete is an ARP Pastor and Kelly homeschools the 4 boys. She's one AWESOME woman! Kelly lost her hands in a skydiving accident in her 20's before marrying Peter while they were both in the Army. So she has lived through much adversity already, but now she is fighting her greatest fight ever.

I will allow her newly created Caringbridge website to speak for her ongoing story. Click this link to read more www.caringbridge.org/visit/kellyrambo . I ask that you add Kelly to your prayer list and not only know her as a name, but honestly lay her at the feet of Jesus. The family hopes to get further information from the CDC on Monday or Tuesday regarding exactly what is attacking her body as she fights in the ICU at Palmetto Baptist Hospital. They are 99% certain it is a very rare type of H1N1. Not even enough cases for them to know how to treat her. Such a sad situation that God alone is being glorified in and through! Praise be His marvelous name!!

Free at Outback (and I'm told Applebees)

Here is a little something free for those wonderful folks serving ( and those who have served) our country —

THIS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11th – ———As a special thanks to our Veterans, this Veteran’s Day all Veterans and Active Duty Military will receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and Beverage.

Got a Wild Hair?

Friday I became excited as Jason entered the house from hunting (greeted by warm biscuits and sausage gravy of course! I'm such a wonderful wife...ahem....) and then began to tell me how he would regret it if he didn't make the trek down to El Cid (The Citadel, for those of you who aren't familiar with that terminology) for his 10 year reunion. So we got a wild hair (it didn't take much convincing for me to go) and loaded up the kids in the van after lunch.

We had a super afternoon of watching the chorale sing, which Jason even got to sing the Alma Mater with the chorale, and then Twilight Parade followed by dinner with about 12 or 13 of his Alpha Company classmates from the Class of 99. It was just a great time (minus the number of trips I made to the bathroom at Southend Brewery for either Emma Grace, myself, or Jase who seems to have a stomach bug). The food was OH MY GOODNESS delicious. I had shrimp and grits that were to DIE for and Jason and Emma Grace had woodfired pizzas that were worth bringing the extras home for lunch today! We had forgotten how good that place is!

I think more than anything I enjoyed watching my husband walk around the place he knows like the back of his hand and just feel and see all of the vivid sights, sounds, memories that flood his mind from the 4+ years he called The Citadel home. Boy, do I have some memories of my own....Hampton Park, the library, speedy trips back at midnight, countless parades, church services, and football games. The sacrifices I made for this wonderful man are well worth it--every minute of it! He made some sacrifices of his own, yet I know without a doubt He is forever grateful for the time he had at The Citadel. God knows what He's doing and His perfect plan cannot be thwarted even by my poor "planning". Such a comfort to know we sit right in the PALM of HIS hand! Those were trying times, but I would not want to take back a single minute of the memories we made and the ways God used that time to shape and mold us into the parents we are today. What a MIGHTY God we serve!

I hope we can be able to take more "day trips" like that out of spontaneity every once in a while! Sure makes life FUN.

Harvest Festival at Church

We had a SUPER time at the Harvest Festival! Enough cannot be said to thank those that helped to prepare the games, food, decorations, treat bags, etc. Joeli certainly went above and beyond this year and we thank her for what she adds to the CE Committee. There were several families absent this year (I know of one on vacation...the pastor) and I know that those who couldn't be there really missed a blessing.

I will throw one more thing out there since this IS my blog and I can say what I want....if you attended a secular Halloween event, I so think you missed out on a wonderful time with God's people and a time to stress to your children through your lifestyle what your most important priority is. Would you dare miss a Christmas program at church for a secular one? I don't think so. Funny how we slight this time of the year to do what we want just because we have "always done it this way". Think we didn't have fun at our Harvest Festival?! Think again! We salute those great saints of the faith and pray for those who use this holiday to focus their kids minds on ghosts, witches, goblins, devils, and all things evil and train them up to do what they've "always done". But our God is bigger and He will reign and be praised even through our wrongful actions. Did I go trick-or-treating when I was a kid? Yes. Was I warped through it? No. Do I wish I had been able to go have fun with God's people and shown how important our God really is instead? Of course. So I choose to try and turn all experiences into times of learning for my children (and for me, of course!!).

I wished I had been able to get pics of the square dancing of both kids and adults. It was such a riot!! But I was part of the fun and Jason was the watcher of the little guy, so, sorry, no pics of that, but I hope you enjoy the pics I did take (notice no one really dresses up---the focus is supposed to be on All Saints Day/Reformation Day).

Once in a while a song comes along and grabs me...

Every once in a while I hear a song on WMHK and am just blown away by the lyrics I hear. The song below is called "More Beautiful You" and it is by Johnny Diaz. It is a christian song. I had never heard of this artist, but I tell you, this man has Truth. And it's truth that our young girls and daughters need to hear desperately in this society. Not only the lyrics, but the music is just so moving. I found myself blaring the words loudly in the van today as I drove to Wa*Mart by myself today and I was crying as I tried singing along (I did not know the words, so I googled them and here they are below). Having 2 sisters and a daughter of my own, I "feel" the words to this song about how girls feel and how they just want to feel special. I think it's important that our girls know God created them with a special purpose in mind and that there could truly never be a more beautiful you. Love, LOVE, LOVE this song!!!! Please listen to it on my playlist at right.



Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world

He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light
He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl

The Wedding

Today all was quiet in the house---that's when I knew something was going on. Usually silence is a bad thing when both children are up and playing. I appeared out in the living room to find Emma Grace putting a "wedding ring" on Jase's finger. I asked her what was going on and she said, "We're getting married!" with a big 'ole grin on her face. Then she showed me which ring was her "gregagement ring". It was the CUTEST thing you have ever seen. She had gone and gotten a skirt, dressup heals, a bracelet, a necklace, and SEVERAL rings. Girls, I tell you, there's nothing like them! I just LOVE having a daughter. And she has such a vivid imagination.

Well, I had to get pictures of their hands with wedding rings! Jase, of course, was being forced to marry his sister. He had no idea what she was doing. Aahh...I just love how she loves her brother so much that she'd want to marry him. I asked her if the preacher had said, "And now you may kiss the groom!" She just laughed!!! More or less, she was dragging him around and he was just being quiet since his sister had placed something shiny on his thumb finger (go figure) and he was trying to figure it out.

I must tell you, though, this led to a whole discussion. I then asked her why her mommy wasn't invited to the wedding?! She said they videotaped it and did I want to see it? Well, that's when she took me to the kitchen and showed me (pretending) that she had a video complete with sound on her phonics/learning computer game. :) (see above pic) I completely went along with the charade. That's when I asked her if she wanted to see mommy and daddy's wedding video. *What?* A video of you and daddy?! Yes, we marched right in the living room and found the tape dating back to 2000! It was so neat for her to watch us "pre-children". She asked, "How old were you, mommy?" "Who is that lady?" (referring to my two grandparents there---granny Barrett and Great-Grandmother Allinger). I have to say I got tears in my eyes when I saw Grandmother Allinger in the video and told Emma Grace that is who she is partly named after (Grace Beatrice Allinger). I miss her terribly. She would have been 110 this past May. I pray Emma Grace can have a full life like Grandmother living to 102!

There have been lots of those teary moments lately...even Saturday when Emma Grace was watching the show "Little House on the Prairie" on TV with her daddy for the first time (which she LOVED!!!!) and then we went to find the novel Little House on the Prairie that I had from when I was a young girl. Guess what was written inside the first page? "With Love from Grandmother Allinger, Christmas 1985" My grandmother loved those books, and she loved giving them as gifts to her great-grands. Such a memory for me....amazing what a legacy she left for us. I pray that I can be that to my children and grandchildren and greatgrands. It takes work, though, and intentionality. And lots of thoughtfulness. That she was.

Our Visit to the SC State Fair

Instead of Going Through the Motions

I'm not exactly sure how so much time has passed since I last posted, but we've been plugging along....homeschooling every day (except Sat. and Sun.), trying to save money doing thrifty shopping (which requires research and work), enjoying this awesome weather, and I must say, doing LITTLE cleaning. I shared with our small Tuesday morning prayer group that meets at 6am, I have tried to maintain that delicate balance between maintaining an orderly/clean home (we all know God is a God of order) and trying to enjoy each day to the fullest without letting everything go to pot.

Our children are so young, and they won't be this way forever. Lately, I have tried so hard to not just "go through the motions" in rearing our children. We've been praying harder than ever about everything in our lives, reading fun books, playing outside every day, baking, trying to do "fall" decorating, and just generally enjoying each day to the fullest. I guess you could say I have had a life altering event in my life (although I'm sure much more life altering for those directly involved) in the daily struggles my friend Catherine has with the news of battling cancer throughout her body. She's 35 with a 6 month old daughter and a 3 year old son. WOW. Life is so precious, such a treasure. How can we NOT take each breath captive for the Glory of God? Why would we want to just go through the motions? Why does it take something so horrible for me to see this and claim what is mine and has been mine?

I've just gotten to the point this week that the toilet just H.A.D. to be cleaned. There was no way around the ickiness (is that a word?). So between Thurs. afternoon and Friday morning, I have gotten word from the Lord (!!) that now is the time to clean so that I do not cross over and make our lives unbalanced. Boy, it's amazing how much better I feel. Now, we didn't play outside much those two days, but when it's 85 degrees outside plus humidity, who really wants to? Besides, Daddy and Granddaddy have taken up the slack and allowed me time to actually MOP the kitchen floor without little feet scurrying over it while wet. Ask me how long it stayed spotless and I think you know the answer. Just impossible to keep a clean floor with 3 meals a day and 3 snacks a day. And know what?? This too shall pass, but the memories made with my babies are for a lifetime!

Unspoken Prayer Request

Have you ever been present at church, Circle, BSU, RUF (or otherwise) when someone mentions an "Unspoken Prayer Request"? I often wonder just why they mention it if it is unspoken? I mean, really, what does this mean? Are we not brothers and sisters in Christ and able to share all that burdens us? If your answer to that is "yes, we are sisters in Christ", then why is there the need to keep requests veiled from those that can bring your specific area of difficulty before the Lord? If your answer to that question is "no, we are not sisters in Christ", then I would first pray for your unbelieving heart. Perhaps that is what is at the root of someone listing an "unspoken" request...or maybe it's too much pride??

Often during prayer list time, I've wanted to blurt out..."unspoken? then why did you bring it up if you don't want us to speak to God about it?" He tells us to pray specifically...to name it by name. I don't mean blurt out all your personal business. But it would suffice to say, "There's a decision I/a friend is making" or "There is a relationship that is in strain" or "There is a sin I am struggling with" or "I have medical tests/problems I need you to be in prayer about that I don't want to go into all the specifics about" or whatever. But just to say "Unspoken" seems to superficial and unChristian.

I just don't understand what it will take for us as brothers and sisters in Christ to break down these walls that divide us and keep us from sharing our deepest hearts (at least with one or two of our closest Christian brothers even if not the whole lot of them). I'd be interested to know what your thoughts are regarding the "unspoken".

Sand-n-Surf

One Big Happy Family!

Pedicures at the Inlet Square Mall
Guess whose toes are whose?

Papa loves to take Jase out to ride his car!

Emma Grace says she took a nap in the stroller.

Mommy & Jase on the beach
Hmmm..wonder if I'll like the sand?

Bubba catches the football thrown by Jason--Necia gets in on the action, too! Emma Grace tries to play, but isn't successful.

Uncle Bubba and Emma Grace catching up on old times.

My family--beautiful, aren't they?!

Jase trying to keep out of the sand.

Mommy and Emma Grace at Atalaya Castle.

Monday morning sunrise--God paints masterpieces!

Lunch on the deck

Our family just returned last night from 7 nights and 8 days at Garden City Beach here in SC! It was such a needed vacation and one that we will treasure always!! I remember so many things from the week that I wanted to share, but I first went to our daughter Emma Grace and asked her what she thought I should share. She wanted you all to know that she L-O-V-E-D the ocean and getting in the water! Being 4 years old, she really went at this full force this year and even thought she could "surf" like Daddy and Uncle Bubba! Quite a funny girl!

The things I remember most from this vacation were:

1. Beach volleyball with Bubba and Necia
2. PEDICURE--my feet will thank Necia for at least 6 months or more!
3. Children sleeping through all 7 nights peacefully--such a blessing! (Thanks to Hannah and Chris for allowing us to use their extra crib!)
4. Reading out on the deck in absolute quiet. Aahh.
5. Making cookies with icing & getting Painter's Ice Cream.
6. Playing bocci ball.
7. Jase not liking the sand or water! BOO.
8. Watching the boys (Hennies, Bubba, and Jason) "surf" and throw the football.
9. Having the foresight to plan at least 3 meals ahead of time and take them with us. :) Frugal vacations are the bomb when you only have 1 salary!
10. Watching Bubba and Necia--boy, I don't miss dating at ALL. So glad that season of life is OVER. {{papa jeep coined the term "smackey mouth}}
11. Looking for seashells with Emma Grace.
12. No horseflies this year!!!! YIPPEE!
13. Watching Papa Jeep as Jase whines---he always thinks Jase wants to go out and play; he usually obliges and takes him out!
14. Lunches on the porch
15. Visiting Adalaya (castle) at Huntington Beach State Park.

We did make some fabulous memories and took some super pictures. We have come home charged up and ready to head into this fall season which begins Tuesday, by the way! And we missed our church family. So good to be back this morning worshipping with those who know us best! Better go fold some laundry (like 4 loads waiting for me) and get ready---tomorrow is coming and school will be back on!