Reunited

My good friend, Laura, and her family were back in town for a visit this week, and we were lucky enough to get to spend an entire day with them! You know they say that friends come into your life at just the right time? Well, Laura was my across-the-hall teaching buddy during one of my hardest years in teaching! I was so blessed to have her right there whenever I needed advice, a pep talk, or prayers! She and her family moved to Jamestown, Virginia, 2 years ago, but they love Alabama so much that they keep coming back for visits. I love that!!

Sitting out by the pool doing what we do best--chatting!

Laura's husband, Tom, kept the kids entertained in the pool for us.

And a visit to Alabama wouldn't be complete without a trip to Rosie's with some of our other teaching friends!

Back row L to R: Katie, Laura, Patti, Teisha & Cole, Thea, Sandy, Shelley, Susan

Front row L to R: Jake & Harrison, Tanner, Saige, Caitlin, Me, Julie, Leah

When Daddy's Away...

..Mommy gets kicked out of her bed at 5:00 in the morning!!!

Need a great date night?

I found this website today, and I think Randy and I are going to try it! I'll let you know how it goes...

Prayers for Stellan

I have been following MckMama's blog for quite some time now. She is mother to 4 beautiful children. I really enjoy reading about their adventures, however her youngest child, Stellan, is in need of prayer. He was diagnosed with SVT while still in the womb and that has continued since his birth. He was flown to Boston earlier this year for an ablation, but apparently that did not work. They are now awaiting an air ambulance flight tomorrow to take him back to Boston for more heart surgery. I urge you to lift this family up in prayer.

Lake Weekend

We spent this weekend at one of my favorite places--my aunt and uncle's lakehouse at Lake Martin. We didn't think we were going to get to go because Harrison came down with the worst ear infection he has ever had! But by Saturday morning, he was ready to go! When we got there, we were met by my Aunt Bobbie and Uncle Joe, my cousin Olivia, her daughter, Laci, and her boyfriend, Bobby. My Mom and Dad were already down there as well as my sister, Dana, my brother-in-law, Scott, and my nephew and niece, Daniel and Stephanie. It was a house full!! We missed my Aunt Pat and her family who weren't able to come.
We spent our weekend swimming in the lake, talking, eating good home-cooked food, shooting off fireworks, playing games, and just catching up with each other at the beautiful setting of the lake.

Camping...

in the backyard is so fun and easy! We didn't have to pack, travel, set up an entire campsite, or start a fire. It was great!! We just walked out our back door after a yummy grilled supper and went to bed in the tents.

Caitlin started the night in the little yellow tent, but somehow she wound up in our tent by the morning. I can't say I blame her!

Countdown is On!!!

Yesterday we picked up Caitlin and Harrison's backpacks and lunchbox tags for the new school year. Yep....the countdown to school is officially on!!

I am so very sad because this means our fun-filled, family summer is about to be at an end! Also it means that my baby boy is starting Pre-school!!! How did this happen?!?

Alabama Adventure

On Tuesday, we travelled to Alabama Adventure in Bessemer for a fun day trip. Randy and I had taken Caitlin when she was younger, but this was Harrison's first trip there. It's such a cool park because there are amusement park rides on one side of the park and a water park on the other side. We went to the amusement park right when we got there, and after getting all hot and sweaty, we headed over to the water park. Of course we had to go back to ride some rides again like the carousel and the roller coaster because we couldn't get enough of them!

The race car ride must have been a lot of fun because Harrison rode it 5 times! We also rode the train several times, but the ferris wheel was just too scary!

I only took pictures at the amusement park because a) we didn't want the camera to get wet, and b) I didn't think anyone wanted to see my big boot-ay in a swimsuit!!

Look What I Got Today...

Harrison's initials for his wall!!!!

I just love them!!! I hung them over his bed, and they go really well with his "Bama Room." Maybe they will help keep the "sleeping all night long in his bed" streak alive for a little longer!

I Love You More Than....

Harrison and I like to play a little word game together.
Me: "I love you more than air."
H: "I love you more than my nose." A lot of times his don't make much sense, but they are awful cute!
Well...last night as I was tucking him into bed, he made my eyes well up with tears when he said this one.
Me: "I love you more than coffee."
H: "I love you more than chocolate milk."

Family Time

On Friday, we decided to spend some quality family time together. So we took a picnic lunch up to Monte Sano Mountain, and then let the kids loose on the playground. It was such a beautiful day with temperatures only in the 80s. We played and walked around for a long, long time. We were all worn out by the time we got home!

Those long legs come in handy when you have to jump over the sand!

WHEEEEEEE!!!!

Two beautiful children taking in the sights

Posing with Daddy

Sitting with Mommy on the overlook

I think Harrison is going to be as scared of heights as his Mommy. He kept saying, "Now, this is scary!"

Busy Doing Next to Nothing

This week has already gone by, and I feel like we have been busy doing next to nothing! We've definitely had fun, though.

Harrison started swim lessons. Isn't he the cutest little fish?

We spent almost every day at the pool and met up with some great friends while there. Here are Caitlin and Annie after jumping off the diving board.

And we had some of those great friends plus others over for a night of pizza and board games. Harrison and his friend, Alex, enjoyed the freshly baked cookies right from the oven.

Not to mention being entertained by some very talented singers...

and a group of highly energetic actors and actresses!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

We celebrated my parents' (Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa) 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday with a fancy schmancy dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House. As I sit here thinking about how much fun we had together and how delicious the food was, I realize just how blessed I am to have such a wonderful example of marriage set before me. My parents never ever fought in front of my sister and me and never let on if there was a worry in the household. They kissed good night every single night and usually held hands on our family neighborhood walks. Daddy always bought Mama a dozen red roses for their anniversary and took her out to eat at one of two restaurants: Boots or Fogcutter. I love them dearly, and I am so very happy that we were able to celebrate this important milestone together!

My parents on their wedding day--July 12, 1959, First Baptist Church, Eclectic, Alabama. She was 18, and he was 20 years old.

My parents on their 50th wedding anniversary--July 12, 2009, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Huntsville, Alabama

Look at that smooch!!!!

The entire clan together: Dana and Scott, their children Daniel & Stephanie, my Mom and Dad, Me and Randy, my children Caitlin & Harrison

My sweet family

Big Bugs

Since the Big Bugs Exhibit at the Botanical Gardens ends next week, we decided we needed to pay them a visit. We had such a good time all over the Gardens! They have added some new features since we have last visited there. I have to say that the Kids Park with the water features (watering can, dinosaur shower, sprinklers) was one of the highlights with Caitlin and Harrison. And, of course, the water rocks were a big hit too! Luckily they got to wear their swimsuits under their clothes! I took so many pictures today that it was hard to narrow down my favorites to share. Enjoy!

Finder of All Lost Things

This has been my nickname from Randy for several years now because I am the one who finds the "hidden" olive oil, socks, keys, shoes, etc. Well, today that title is now official because I found my friend, Shannon's lost dog!! Roja (Spanish word for red) has been missing for exactly one week today. Her girls were so very, very sad to lose their sweet little puppy (she's only six months old), but luckily I was driving along the right street at the right time to find her! So just call me, Heather, next time you lose those all-important monkeys or letters at your house. Ha-ha:)

Missions Week Fun Day!

First of all, Caitlin FINALLY remembered to take her camera to Missions Minded Kids today, so we have pictures of her group too! The Missions Minded Kids were divided into countries this week. Caitlin's group was China, and today they were able to learn a little bit more about each country by participating in an International Taste Fair. That was fine with Caitlin because she absolutely loves Chinese food!

This is Caitlin and her sweet friend, Madelyn. They have known each other since they were about 2 weeks old! Madelyn's mom is one of my oldest friends. She and I were friends through middle and high school, so it's neat that our girls are such good friends too!

This is Caitlin's "China" group in front of their display table.

In Missions 'n Me, we started the morning like we have all week with worship led by Mrs. Meredith. She asked for volunteers this morning to help sing the songs, and Harrison decided he wanted to perform today! He is third from the left. They are singing a beautiful song, "Day by Day." Then we celebrated all the missions work we have done this week by playing at....

Pump It Up!!!! It's a big indoor building with lots of inflatables for the kids to jump on and completely wear themselves out!! We played and had lunch with his friends, and the Mommies even had a chance to talk and visit while supervising the kids. It was a great way to end our busy work week!

Missions Week Thursday: "The Best Day Ever!"

In Harrison's words, "This was the best day ever!" Today our Mission focus was Jerusalem or Our Hometown. Officer Mike of the Madison Police Department came and spoke to the children about the armor of God and showed them the police armor he wears. Afterwards, we decided to pay a visit to our local heroic firefighters.

First we made them a Thank You poster to hang up in the fire station. Here are a few children in our group: Shelby, Harrison, Carter, Will, and Jack, with our group's cute poster.

Firefighter David dressed out in all his gear to show the children what one would look like if they came to rescue you.

The firefighters gave each child a red fire hat before letting them walk through a "real-life fire truck!" And then came the best part.....

WASHING THE TRUCK!!!!!!!!! The firefighters filled each child's bucket with soap and water, and the children got busy cleaning that dirty fire truck.

Most of the Missions 'n Me group that has been doing activities all week long. Stay tuned for our really fun day tomorrow!!

Uh-Oh!

You know this super cute t-shirt that Harrison and the other Preschool children have been wearing all week? The one that says our church name on it? The one they wear while learning about Missions Work?
Well...Harrison "accidentally" took a Matchbox car from a play area of a local store this afternoon while wearing his t-shirt!!! Great publicity, huh? Oh, we did return the car and apologize to the owner.

Missions Week Wednesday

On this day of Missions 'n Me, our focus was on Judea or Our Country. Mr. John, the Missions Director for Asbury, came to speak to the children about one of our partners in the local mission field: the Downtown Rescue Mission. He explained that they help out families who have lost their homes for whatever reason. Afterwards the children decorated backpacks with markers and then filled them with toiletry items that they had purchased earlier in the week. These are to give to the children that arrive at the Rescue Mission with barely anything but the clothes on their back. Harrison and I had a great time picking out our items. He made sure to get a giraffe toothbrush for a boy. (That was his main request.) The older children will be delivering the backpacks to the Rescue Mission for us tomorrow.

Sami was really concentrating on her drawing. She and her mom purchased baby items for her backpack. There are children of all ages who arrive there, so all kinds of toiletry items were needed.

Bryce and his mom, Courtney, finished up decorating their backpack and were starting to fill it.

Here is Harrison with his beautiful backpack. He drew a rainbow, 2 suns, and a large bug underneath the rainbow. He was very proud of his handiwork!

This is Harrison's Group with their filled toiletry backpacks.

1st Row: Sami, Shelby, Bryce, Calli, Jack

2nd Row: Luke, Will, Harrison, Carter, Kate

Missions Week Tuesday

On the second day of our fun Missions Week, we learned about Samaria or the forgotten. We colored puzzles and took them to the residents of a local nursing home.

Each morning we start our day with worship. Ms. Meredith leads us in fun songs where we get to clap and even dance a little.

Here is Harrison's group coloring their puzzles to take to the nursing home. Harrison is already done with his puzzle.

When we got to the nursing home, the children got to pick who to give their puzzle to. Harrison, Bailey, and Sami all crowded around these sweet ladies.

After handing out our puzzles, Ms. Lori, our Children's Ministry Director, led the children in a few songs. Here they are singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

These sweet little girls, Emma Grace, Sarah Grace, and Megan, are singing "This Little Light of Mine." Their parents are in our Sunday School class.

They also sang "Jump, Jump, Jump Into the Light, Light, Light." The residents really loved visiting with the children, and I know Harrison enjoyed being there. It was all he could talk about all afternoon long!
Caitlin's group of Mission Minded Kids went on a field trip also. They travelled to CASA Garden to pull weeds and clean it out. CASA Garden is a community-sponsored garden which provides fruit and vegetables for the elderly who cannot get out there and plant their own or get to the grocery store and buy their own produce. She said it was VERY hard work!

I am just so proud that they are learning about Missions at such an early age! I went on several Mission Trips throughout Middle and High School, and I want to take Caitlin and Harrison when they get old enough. For now, we will concentrate on doing local mission work. I am just glad they are excited right now, and I hope they will look forward to going on an extended Mission Trip!