And the Rains Came

Hello again from Seagrove Beach! Wish you were all here! Above is the house we're staying in. It is so nice and just the right size for our family. It's especially great for Ralph and I-- we got the master bedroom this year! Below, is Pressley in her nightgown and Poppy's hat. Cute, huh?

All four G-babies eating breakfast together. Poppy gets up early and fixes their breakfast--and lets the rest of us sleep a little longer. See why they all love Poppy so much?!

Evan and Pressley.....

Abby and Evan.....

Will and Miss P.....

Poppy and Pressley.....

We had a great time at the beach and at the pool this morning--but then the rains came.....

We came prepared, though, with rainy-day activities! They all enjoyed the sticker fun and everyone got to be very creative with their "day at the beach" picture.

Well, hopefully, we'll have better weather tomorrow! Can't complain, though--life is good, and we are so blessed! Goodby for now!!!

Hello from Seagrove Beach

We're here! And enjoying being together so much! We arrived yesterday afternoon, ate pizza together for dinner, and then took a walk on the beach, looking for sand crabs.

Today, we spent time together at the beach and at the pool. The house we're staying in is super nice and we feel so blessed to be able to be together here! The cousins love each other so much!

Last year Pressley was still a baby, but this year she is right in there with the other three! She truly believes she is Ariel( the Little Mermaid ). She is swimming like a fish, but if we tell her that, she emphaticly corrects us and says, " No, I'm NOT a fish, I'm a mermaid!"

Today, at the pool, Beth was floating on her back, and Pressley ran up to her at the side of the pool, and said, " Aunt Beth, Don't worry, Ariel will save you!" She then, jumped in the pool! W e have to watch her carefully, because she really believes she can swim well enough to save anyone. Here, two girl cousins are eating a little snack before going to dinner.

GranNan and the kids waiting for everyone to finish getting ready to go out to dinner.

A tired girl after all that swimming!!!!

Pool Fun with Our Cuties!

Now that Ralph is retired, we can BOTH enjoy fun days at the pool with all our G-Babies! We went up to Buford today, ate lunch together, and spent most of the afternoon at the pool. All four of the little ones are swimming "like fish". Pressley doesn't like us to say that, though- she says she's not a fish--she's a mermaid, like Ariel!

The girls are really enjoying each other this year--now that Pressley isn't a baby anymore!

The pool really gives Evan a " bad hair day"!

Pressley loves to wear Poppy's CSX cap!!!!!

Will examining the diving toys......

Abby jumping into the pool....

Will trying to ski on the innertubes.....

Great fun! We're SO blessed!

Boomerang Express- VBS 2009

This week has been that WONDERFUL week during each summer when each of us has a great, exciting, and rewarding time. But it is also SO intense, that we are relieved when it's over! Ralph and I had made the commitment months ago to lead the Preschool Snack group ( this group does snacks for approximately 150 preschoolers and 150 teachers ) At that time, Mother was in great health, and we had no idea what we would be experiencing by VBS time. As the time approached and Mother was so ill, our Children's Director made arrangements for someone else to lead the group. We didn't know whether we would be able to work at all--but it turned out that Mother was in Rehab by the time VBS began, so we were able to work after all. (She came home to Kings Bridge Wednesday). Above, is a picture of Pressley at VBS. She had a ball, and really got into the music. Her age group( the 3 year olds ) even got to do "rotations". They moved from their class to art, music, missions, and playground. Below, is Evan's class doing an activity. We really missed Will and Abby this year. They went to their church's VBS earlier in the summer, and had Art Camp this week.

Last night, we had the VBS Family Night Cookout. All the children's families were invited to eat a delicious meal, and then experience the Worship Time that the children have enjoyed all week. This isn't like the Bible School I used to go to when I was a child! They still learn great Bible truths, but it is much more upbeat and fun! Here is our Pastor, Tommy, serving his plate and chatting.....

Pastor Tommy's wife, Elyse, and Sadie, one of our youth, are getting a quick bite to eating before leading the Worship time.....

Here is the entire worship team leading the kids( and adults ) in the "Boomerang Express" song.....

Amy and Evan both had a great time at Family Night-- and showed off their VBS shirts....

Here, Pressley and Evan are doing the motions to "The Boomerang Express" song with the other preschoolers. Pressley really got into the motions!

Today, we had a special surprise-- a baby kangaroo visited "the land down under"!!!! The kids have been learning about all things"Aussie", so Rachel, the baby kangaroo, made an appearance. The kids got to touch her and learn all about kangaroos. They all loved it!!!!!

Torn Between

Praise the Lord! My sweet mom is doing so much better! She's still in Rehab, but still needs some visits from my sister and I. But since my sister was involved with her high school reunion all weekend( at the governor's mansion, by the way ), I had the full responsibility for the hospital visits. Here are some of the beautiful flowers Mother has received.....
Many months ago, way before Mother became ill, Amy and Corin had asked us to keep Evan and Pressley this weekend so that they could attend a friend's wedding in Highlands, NC. Well, I wondered how this was going to work out, but because my wonderful husband is such a great
"Poppy", things went very well! I was naturally very torn--wanting to be with Mother, but also not wanting to miss out on the fun at home with the "Grands".

Is this not the most adorable face? Amy and Corin brought Evan and " Little Miss P " to our house Friday around 2:00 and the fun began. I went to the hospital and spent some quality time with Mother, but still returned home in plenty of time to do baths! Here they are "squeeky clean" and " Oh, so lovable!"

Poppy and Evan worked on this " masterpiece " Saturday, and had so much fun doing it!

Later, we all baked a cake! Ralph and I had lots of help! They loved licking the beaters.....

and icing the cake!

We worked so hard, " Little P " really needed a rest!

Even though I was very torn between home and the hospital, it turned out to be a special weekend! The children were especially sweet, and Mother continues to improve. Look for her to be returning to Kings Bridge before you know it!

Ralph's Retirement Has Finally Come!

It was with very mixed emotions that Ralph and I went to Jacksonville this past Thursday - to attend the luncheon to celebrate Ralph's retirement from CSX, after 30 years. I came extremely close to staying home, but knew that my sweet mother, who was still in ICU, would be very upset with us when she recovers, had we not gone. Also, it was such a special occasion for my wonderful husband-and something I would have really regretted missing. So, with an ache in my heart( and stomach ), we went.

It was such a lovely event! The food was great( Ralph's favorite menu--even though they didn't realize it), the attendance was inspiring, and everything was so much fun. So many people had funny things to say, as well as very touching things. Also, the President of CSX Real Property, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chairman and CEO of CSX Corporation made very nice comments on video about my dear husband! A video slide presentation was shown while everyone was "mingling", and while we were eating. Here are some shots of some of the 45 to 50 people who came.... The meal was delicious......

as well as the cake......

Ralph was presented a plaque recognizing his years of service-- and they even gave me a presentation for being part of the CSX family