Happy 18th Birthday Kate!

This one, my only girl child... she turned 18 in February. 

Yeah, 18. I can't believe it either.

Visit with the Little Boys

We had a visit from our little nephews just after Christmas. These are the little guys we had in foster care when they were 2 years old and 9 months old. We had them for about two weeks while the Lord was making ready their forever home. If you missed it, you can read about that  here.

sweet brothers

Will's 15th Birthday!

This is what happens when you neglect your blog. You spend countless hours trying to catch up on life that has already happened. You write posts about birthdays that have come and gone. You sit in front of a blank computer screen thinking, "Geesh, It's the end of July and I'm writing about my son's birthday that we celebrated back in November." Don't be like me. Don't neglect your blog!

Will's First Year of High School at Home

Well, this school year has come to a close, and the new one is just around the corner. Well, kind of :). This year will be the first in a long time that I am choosing not to follow along with the school calendar (public or private) for our homeschool. Kate graduated in May and will be starting college classes at the end of August, so I'm thinking Will and I will probably wait to start school when she does.

Getting Caught Up!

I'm still trying to play the catch up game. I haven't kept up my blog like I need to. For some reason, I've not really felt an urge to blog, and that makes me sad. Because this blog is sort of like my journal. It's just a place for me, really, more than for readers or followers. I use this place to chronicle my family's life, the big moments yes, but mostly just the little day to day moments that make up our lives.

Myrtle Beach After Christmas

I thought I'd share some highlights from our recent trip to Myrtle Beach. We had some points left over from our vacation club, enough to book a 2-bedroom unit for 3 nights, so we decided to pack up and go. The boys didn't want to tag along, so it was just Mike, Kate and me. Kate had some Christmas money and she wanted to hit up the outlet mall, I wanted to see the Christmas lights and decorations at Broadway at the Beach, and Mike... well he said he was just along to be our chauffeur :).

Welcome to South Carolina!

Christmas

Christmas...

Just the word conjures up so many memories, so many emotions.

 

The tree, the lights, the food, all the decorations, the carols, the fellowship with family and friends, the traditions.

I just love everything about Christmas!

 

*Auburn University Tigers Football Fan Day*

On August 11, 2013, Auburn University hosted its annual Fan Day.

We love our Auburn Tigers, and when we get an opportunity to go home for Fan Day, we are super excited! I mean what's not to love about your favorite team's fan days?? You get to meet the players, get their autographs, and have your picture taken with them if you want. You get to meet the coaches, the mascot. Mingle with all the fans. Wow! The excitement is almost palpable!

Summer Fun 2013

Well, summer is over and school is back in full swing around these parts. I really hate to say good-bye to summer! I love the lazy, laid-back days of just doing much of nothing :).

Of course, I do enjoy the fall. The nice mild-weather days. The structure and habit of daily routines. Well... we eventually get there!

I've been looking back through my pictures from our summer travels and I thought I'd share some of our highlights.

Just My Thoughts...

With all this racial controversy regarding the Zimmerman/Martin trial this is something that has been on my mind and in my heart of late...

John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

A Birthday and My Frustrations

My oldest child celebrated his 22nd birthday back in April.

Vacation to Orlando

It's been a while since we've been to Orlando, Florida, so that's where we spent a week at the end of May. It rained and stormed our first day there, but only for a little while. We were able to get out and explore the resort late in the afternoon. What a lovely place!

view from our balcony on a rainy afternoon

 

May Highlights

Well, May was a busy month for us, as it probably was for some of you. Finishing up with school and all the end of the year details that go along with that, and trying to squeeze our family vacation in too, kept us hopping!

2013 Lady Eagles

Back to the Blog

Wow! I haven't been around here in quite a while! I can't believe it's already the end of June and the last time I was here was near the end of April. Wow!

I have to admit... I've kind of gotten caught up in the Instagram craze. Kind of easy to keep up with friends and family through the posting of pictures. But I realize I sure have missed blogging. A lot has happened around here since April.

My Broken Toe

Well, I've done it again!

 

In my rush to answer the ringing telephone, I hit my pinky toe on the edge of the ottoman in front of the sofa. Ouch!

 

I've done this before, several times (I'm sort of clumsy). So I didn't think too much about it. But immediately, the right side of my foot all the way around to the ball of my foot began swelling, and turned a dark blue.

 

Charleston, SC - Part 4 - the Aiken-Rhett House

This is the last in the series of Charleston posts.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this historical port city, but as the saying goes -- "All good things must come to an end."

On our last day there we toured the Aiken-Rhett House. I absolutely love touring old, historic houses and in my opinion this one is a must see.

 

Finished!

We are finally finished with everything that had to be repaired and re-done from the water leak!

And I stress had to be because I am now getting ready to begin redoing some rooms that I want to redo. :)

 

Actually, all the rooms need new paint. Until now, the only room that we've repainted in the almost 12 years that we've lived in this house is Kate's bedroom.

 

We've been on Spring Break this week, so I've used the time to finish up everything. And I've cleared out more "stuff" from my house, including a few pieces of furniture. I've mentioned before that my house is small, and it's amazing how much roomier it feels now!

Charleston, SC - Part 3 - Fort Sumter

 

Fort Sumter

Where the War Between the States began.



In 1829, Charleston Harbor was selected as a location for one of the forts in a series of coastal defenses that became known as the Third Coastal Defense System. The fort was named Fort Sumter in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Sumter, Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina.

An Update on the Repairs/Remodeling

This sure has been a long, drawn out process. But thank goodness hubby is now out of the outage schedule and back to normal working hours. So we're almost done with these repairs.

 

hallway painted and carpet ripped out

 

Charleston, SC - Part 2 - Sightseeing

Some of the sights in Charleston...

 

Rainbow Row

 

The homes at Rainbow Row were once the center of Charleston's commerce in the mid-1700s. Merchants had their stores on the first floor and they lived on the upper floors with their families.These old row houses are very popular to Charleston, representing one of  the first styles of Charleston homes. I love that everything in this city has so much history behind it!

Charleston, SC -Part 1- Lodge Alley District

Mike and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina for a few days back in December, actually during the week before Christmas. We had some points left over from our yearly allotment in our vacation club that couldn't be "rolled over" and saved for the next year, so rather than letting them expire, he decided we would use them for a mini-vacation for just the two of us. I love it that he likes to plan things like that. :)

And I especially love that he likes to take me to explore places that are rich in heritage and history! And I must say, this trip did not disappoint!

Frugal Homemaking

Just some things in the frugal homemaking department...

 

I've been busy throughout the months of January and February.

 

Another batch of taco seasoning.

I'm still trying to perfect this recipe. It's still very spicy. I have to admit, I've been tempted to give in and go back to purchasing the little packets. But then I remind myself of why I'm doing this.

 

It's Not Really Work

I babysat this little fella for one day last week. Hasn't he grown so much?!? Of course, that's what babies do! Until last week, I haven't kept him for about 3 and 1/2 months. Due to some paperwork errors, his mom was out of work for that long.

 

He is the cutest little thing.