Friends and Family Day at Second Creek

Sunday was Friends and Family Day at Second Creek. My parents began worshipping at Second Creek over 20 years ago. Sarah told one of our church members (who was there with us) that Second Creek as our home congregation. The member came and questioned me, they remember Sarah being born while we worshipped at Savannah:) I explained it was my parents home and in being so...it just seemed like a home away from home for us too.


My dad's "Easter" wish was for his children to be with him and Clara Ruth on this day. So, we tried, and we pretty well succeeded. There were 16 of mine, Sandy and her 6, Jennifer and her 3, Jon and his 4, so we did make a difference:)

It is always a bit bittersweet for me to sit in the pew around family and know my mother is not there. She loved having her grandchildren with her at church. She would really be so very proud of her children and her grandchildren. I never sit there and sing that the urge to just cry doesn't overwhelm me. The same is true of family gatherings at the farm. It is hard not to think "what if mom were here" thoughts.

Our friend and previous minister Chuck was speaking at Second Creek for the day. I find that to be incredibly bittersweet too. Chuck was there when my older kids all because Christians, he is a huge part of the reason they are who they are today. He introduced them to so much and today, in the absence of his love and service? Well, I find it much like the absence of my mother. I hope to see her in heaven and I miss her so very much! I think, even though I am the very first to say "put your family first and do what you have to do" I find that I feel, perhaps like a divorced family member would feel...I LOVE to see you, we miss you and but it's hard to enjoy the moment knowing it will be gone again too soon. Scott and I both are quick to say, "Chuck is wonderful" and along with Chuck goes his wonderful family. I suppose I have to simply wrap my thoughts around the part that says, I will hopefully see them in heaven and need to not be saddened about this life!


The reality of my blog is (in my opinion) the pictures. I love looking at the day...remembering the good and bad and silly. This day had a bit of it all....

Before church I took a few pictures. I don't know why that is such a huge ordeal to some of my children...the majority stop, fake smile and move on...it pleases me. I have a few like Rosie....



I asked, "Seriously, that's the face you want everyone to see?" You mom's know the look..it's called you-can-make-me-stand-here-but-you-can't-make-me-smile!! She said, with the below smirky look, "YEP!"


Or the Victoria picture where she had been throwing a fit and her tearful face is pitiful?


Then she comes back for take two...which is still not up to her usual par....



Then, thankfully the good pictures but sometimes funny kids.....















Dad and Clara Ruth completed the renovations on the "little house" and we have the majority of our family time there. This Sunday they had the family back to the house for cake and ice cream after the second service.






My brother Jon's son Zach is very gifted with the sax. Truly! Daniel held his book and we all listened to him ...what a blessing!


If my kids had thier way, they would spend all thier "farm" time in the yard and creek. It's hard to pull them inside!




I can't end my blog with a Sarah silly. She and Paden took these on the porch of the little house. I'm really not sure what they are suppose to indicate? As usually they are silly!

Mercedez!

Goodness this cheer leader is going to be busy ALL summer!! I sat at the parent meeting last night and was semi-exhausted just listening:) These girls are going to be busy. Mercedez is babysitting this summer for one of Seth's little friends and between babysitting and cheer leading and church activities? I think school time will be quieter!! She is excited and I am happy for her. I think the "keep'em busy" is on overload with Cedez!

Rosie!!

Rosie is in the High School Chorus. Last night was their Spring preformance and they sang so very beautifully!! Rosie tried out for Advanced Chorus and is waiting to find out if she made it. (Fingers crossed!) It is always so very nice to see your child being successful and loving it! Tonight was one of those nights:)

Rosie and Friends:




Rosie and her chorus director Mrs Tyson:





Rosie, happily doing what she loves:)

Happy Anniversary to US:)

Today is our 24th wedding anniversary. Sarah jokingly said, "You've been married longer than I've been alive!" haha:) I think it's suppose to be that way! We did manage to have lunch together....the rest of the day was filled with T-sap Proctoring(me), Work(Scott), CCFT session with Sam and worker, Ryan baseball practice, Tasha a home softball game, Mercedez cheer parent meeting, Rosie's Spring Chorus performance, and life:) A busy day which is pretty indicative of our past 24 years:) Hoping the next 24 will be a tad bit quieter? haha!

Mercedez Cheer Banquet! By: Sarah

I spent my whole life avoiding most everything that had to do with cheerleading. I mean I can stand and act silly and cheer in the stands! Why would you want to do that in front of a lot of people? Anyways, I had the (insert sarcastic voice) privaledge of going to Mercedez's Cheerleading banquet. Right when I thought I was experiencing the worst night of my life... Ms. Tammy came in and told us we were having butterfinger cake for dessert. I mean I know A LOT of people who would go to any kind of banquet for butterfinger cake. The cake had to have had drugs in it because by the end of the night I had actually had a good time! Ms. Tammy, Mercedez's cheer coach, gave a wonderful christian speech about honor.
H-onesty. She talked about how important honesty is in being honorable and about the right things.
O-wnership. You have to make things your own and be responsible for you own actions.
N-O!!! She talked about learning to say no to peer pressure.
O-n task about the right things!
R-espect. Respect is a very important part of being honorable. You must respect yourself and others.
I enjoyed Ms. Tammy's speech so much! She is a WONDERFUL role model for those girls!! People like her in the school system rarely exist anymore! Im so glad my little sister had someone like her to look up to for a year! I hope that Mercedez is very appreciative and thankful for the coach Ms. Tammy has been to her this year.
.......... Im beginning to think Ms. Tammy could not have been a former Cheerleader... lol

- Sarah

Fishers of Men Tournament

Michael has been fishing for over a month in the Fishers of Men Tournament with Mr Don Perkins. Michael has had so much fun and he had learned so much! It was a great opportunity and today my friend Paige sent me these pictures:

Sweet Moments

Chelsea stopped by last night and stayed the night with us! YEAH:) One of her college roommates is getting married and Chelsea is a bridesmaid. To night is the lingerie party and tomorrow the church tea, Chelsea made out house a stopping point between her home and Andrea's Kentucky home....we loved it!




This morning she went with Sarah and I to a lingerie brunch, we shopped a little and met Scott at Subway:) In the midst of my crazy life...these two girls (all grown up) bring such joy! Always makes me stop, smile and thank God once again for sweet moments with my girls!



My kiddos always reap the benefits of big sisters! Here are my oldest and youngest....love that they love each other so much!






Chelsea brought a beautiful dress for Mercedez! We laughed and listened to kid stories. Picked up Mercedez from cheer leading....



I sure appreciate big sisters...or in this case SARAH taking Seth to batting practice in the ice cold outdoors!