Oh how sweet!

The older I get the sweeter I find true family time. I know I get seemingly 24/7 family time, but there is a difference. When I have my chicks all in the hen house? Well, when I have the chicks I can find and drag to the hen house? Oh how sweet! I could sit all day and listen to my big boys talk. They are funny and they are witty and they remember every ones "worst possible moment" and "best possible moment". Pure Joy.

When my big kids show the little ones how big brothers or sisters are suppose to act? WOW! I LOVE those teaching moments that are really wrapped up in too much fun for anyone to think they are learning!

I am like the prodigal father who had a party and killed the fatted calf, except that my prodigal son is not a prodigal at all! Caleb is actually the opposite of prodigal...He's awesome. So we are really having a good time:)

I love that Sarah and Paden were at Opening Day with us, Sarah continues to be such a huge help to me!! I am SO SO SO SO going to miss her when Nursing School starts next week!!

I love that Doug brought home his buddy Nolan this weekend. Nolan's family lives in Florida (to far to go home for Easter). I love opening doors and living BIG...haha...which is what we do when we crowd more people in. But, there are times that MORE IS MERRIER and times JOY is multiplied.

And I love that Stuart went to Benton Kentucky to be with the church he will spend the summer interning with....I am so proud of him and the direction of his life and study!!

What a wonderful weekend!

PS I am expecting a wonderful lot of days....Chelsea and Bo will be here tonight...yeah!

Opening Day

Opening day was on Saturday at the ball field. We spent several hours there with the kids. Ryan and Seth both taking part in the Home run Derby, Fastest Pitch and Fastest Run competitions. Scott worked at the Fastest Run and I worked for a short time at the Home run Derby field.

These were from the Fastest Run....





These were from the Home run Derby field...



These are just some of my favorites pictures:





And these? Caleb passed out all the awards...



More? Caleb threw out the opening pitch.... The first pitch of the season:) Hummm.....Was that redundant? I think so:) Caleb grew up in Savannah (born here and lived here his whole life). Caleb, seemingly not long ago, played little league on these fields. So many of the parents and kids know him, it was a really neat homecoming! And he did a GREAT job!!!

CALEB!

We waited on Caleb at the Atlanta Airport....we being those people above plus me and Scott. Last August was a LONG time ago and we were so excited! Especially me (I can say that because I cannot speak for anyone else..lol)!!

Then we spotted him.....


Caleb did not travel in uniform (which Sarah said made the homecoming not nearly as tearful). I was not teary (surprisingly) I was so thankful and happy to have him here...I imagine tears when I take him back to the airport!



In a crazy twist of fate, Lisa Johnson, whose husband is the minister at the PTC Church and so dear a friend of Chelsea and Bo, was traveling back into Atlanta and Chelsea saw her. We talked and she waited with us. She has a son and daughter-in-law who are also in the military. She took the above picture and was so kind to Caleb too. Very special to be able to share your joy with others!!

Of course we took these pictures too:











Then we got his bag and headed home!!




We did stop at the Chick Fil A Dwarf House (a first for Scott and I). It was so nice to be able to share the first hour or so with Chelsea and Bo too! In spite of the long drive we were so glad to be close enough to have them with us!

Now we're just enjoying!!!

Caleb and the Gann family:)

I have blogged before about our friends the Gann's who live in Germany. Chris and David worshipped with us for many years when Caleb was young. David is also in the Army and we appreciate so very much having them close to Caleb when he is back at his home base. This weekend they took Caleb with church, fed him and took him sightseeing. They added these pictures this week...I LOVE seeing my fellow!!

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!