Life with my sister

In the great outdoors...It was a hot day today, but a sunny one. Beautiful really. Within our walls... It seems cluttered in the house to me. So, I've been throwing things away, and taking things to the storage until I feel less claustrophobic. Oh, the stuff! A heart of thanksgiving...I'm so thankful for my mom and sister. I can text one simple sentence and receive just the right words back from them. I realize not all families are like ours, and I'm thankful for mine. A heart of prayer...This morning our cousin Hollye's mother in law died. She had a stroke yesterday and died shortly after. It is a shock to everyone, they are a close knit family and I know will covet your prayers during this time. Random observations...I've probably said this before but I am continually reminded that nothing we experience is unique to us. No matter what the issue, marriage, school, friends, etc... Someone else has also had this experience, and knowing that makes my life easier. Shar...

Well, it's Friday and our last day on the beach. Our day began looking like this Oh, the people! And ended like this We had just brought everything of ours up to the room, looked outside and everyone was getting off he beach. A storm came and cleared everyone but his poor sailboat out! And it was just 4:00! We had a great time. I think I gained 10 pounds wih all the food I ate!  It was nice to be at our favorite place and spend time together with nothing on our minds but vacation! This is the only picture I have of all eight of us, and this Is what I have of Stephen and me. We are not a family of photographers!! We head home tomorrow, ready to do life together in Pine Bluff!

I am an introvert. I know people don't believe me when I say that and I don't know why. I don't appreciate big crowds of people, I don't know how to chit-chat, and I really need solitude to re-energize my soul.  All that being said, there are A LOT of people at the beach! And there are A LOT of people at the go cart track. But the most people were at the Blue Angels practice today. When we have been to the practices before, there have maybe been 200 people there. We drive right on base, park in the parking lot, and sit in bleachers. Today there were easily 5000 people there, it took almost an hour to get on base, we parked way at the end of the runway in a restricted area(with permission), and got near the bleachers but had to stand the whole time.  I know I sound like I'm whining, but the people. The people! The practice was terrific though! I love the Blue Angels! We went to Surf a Style today to get Anna a hat and David said he had never been there before, (that...

 One of the biggest decisions we make when we go on vacation is where we're going to attend church. The last two times we've been to the beach I've picked and it hasn't been good. So this time, Stephen picked and it was really good! I always want to get out of going to "beach church" but am always so glad I went. Today was no exception! . We always come to the beach with Stephen's parents, but they never go to the beach for various reasons. But today Charlie went for a little walk on the beach! I was so excited I had to take a picture! We played a little is afternoon.   And some of us complained a little bit. He really wanted to be up watching soccer and golf, so he didn't spend much time on the beach today. Tonight we ate at Tacky Jacks. I had shrimp and grits and they were so yummy!! Daniel shared a burger and shrimp tacos with David. He's such a cutie. It was a good Father's Day for my man. He got gifts, and got to do all the things he enjoy...

I'm not a morning person but yesterday I was up before 6:00! We were headed to the beach and I was excited!  Stephen drove, after a long day and a late night being on the streets of Pine Bluff. He was just as excited to being getting away from "life" for a while. We got to ride with these two. They love each other, and their laughter, and teasing proves it.  We stopped for lunch at our normal lunch stop and saw some people that brought up feelings we didn't want to have on vacation! I texted Mom and Abby, They were so great withy their comments, and then I told some of my preacher wife friends, and let me tell you that once those women started praying we have never felt better! We're used to coming to the beach during the off season, so this was not a welcome sight, it took us almost 3 hours to go what usually takes an hour. But there's something about the beach being my destination that made it bearable. The amount of people here gives this introvert (yes, an...

In the great outdoors...Today is partly cloudy, which is a change from the last several days of rain. Thankfully it stopped raining for a couple of days last week and we could mow our grass, but it has rained so much more since then we NEED/HAVE to mow again!  Within our Walls...We are making lists, I love a list, packing, and buying rafts, and beach things that we can get cheaper here than on the beach. Anna spent the night with her friend Audrey, D&D got haircuts, and Samuel is working. Stephen and I are also working, haha! A heart of thanksgiving...I'm thankful we get the opportunity to go to the beach. Stephen's parents are so gracious in letting us tag along with them.  Random Observations...I used to pack a different outfit for everyday on vacation. I don't know what I was thinking, now I pack two outfits for going out, and two outfits for staying in. It's a good thing, because with four golf bags, and suitcases, and beach stuff there isn't much room for m...

They came home!! Daniel (on the left) and David (on the right) left Monday morning for church camp. They were packed and ready to go Sunday afternoon. When all the boys were little I would pack for them and put each days clothes in a ziplock bag. I said when they were little! Samuel has stopped asking me to pack for him, but David and Daniel both asked me to help. For the last few years I've packed each days clothes in a Walmart bag, labeled it, tied it up and put it in their suitcase. Everything is in the bag. Socks, underwear, shorts, and shirt. It's easy for them, helps me know they have enough clothes for each day they're gone, and gives them something to put their dirty clothes in. It's a perfect system for us. I do the same with Anna.  Anyway....I missed these boys something fierce. They are around me all of the time, so them being gone for six days was a long time! David texted every night but two, Daniel never texted me but was the first one to meet me at he doo...

This morning we got up early(ish) and Stephen, Anna, and I headed to Little Rock. We dropped off our books at the homeschool book sale and then did a little shopping. While we shopped I found a couple of things for the boys and it didn't make Miss Anna happy at all. I told her life wasn't fair, and she came back with, " it would be if you'd buy me something." She's a real sweetheart!  And because we're going to the beach soon she got a lavender noodle. Don't think that was enough to make her real happy though. She knew how much we had spent on the guys and the $1.49 noodle didn't add up for her! She's pitiful. We then went to the book sale and bought all but 2 of the books I need for next year for not much money. Yay for us!!!  And then we had lunch at Chic-Fil-A, Anna's pick, of course! And now we're home. Doing nothing. Stephen is working, D&D are at camp, and the remaining three of us are boring and bored. Me taking a shower has ...

In the great outdoors...It's a sunny, muggy day. It's been raining for a week, which I've actually enjoyed. The grass is green and high, and needs to be mowed! Within our walls...Stephen had to move out of the office he was using, and now our kitchen/dining is lined with boxes of books. It looks like we're moving! A heart of prayer...Daniel and David are at church camp this week. I'm praying they have a fun time, and that God reveals Himself to them in a new and great way. Random observations...I know it's just Tuesday, but the house is cleaner than normal. I think I know who makes the messes in this house!! My silly children...Samuel and Anna are laughing and messing with each other since they're the only ones here. It's so fun to watch them. He loves her so much, but don't let him know I know. Thoughts from the kitchen...We are taking advantage of the boys being gone and eating the foods they don't particularly care for. Last night we had spagh...