Home - Safe and Sound

The last of our crew is finally home. Jamie didn't get in until 2 am this morning, but he did finally arrive safely. His flights were delayed due to the storms, and he said that it was pretty creepy to fly with lightning all around. As you can see from the pictures, he really got a lot of good experience from the conference. He showed Tyler the picture of him and Mike and Tyler asked him who the lady was with him! Funny!

Jamie and Mike - Gene and Paul better watch their competition!

Looks like it was a rockin' show

Home at last

Today was another long travel day, and the house is no longer quiet anymore! Today was pickup day at Asbury Hills. I met Joyce at the church at about 10, and we were off to get the boys. We got up there a little after 12:30, and to my surprise, they let us load up the boys' stuff while they were eating lunch. It wasn't terribly hot, and I was glad because I had to get Tyler's stuff from one cabin and then go to another to get Tommy and Corey's. We got down there just in time to walk down to the closing program. I couldn't find my camera this morning, so the pictures from today were taken with the disposable camera that I sent with Tommy (since he failed to take even one picture). I think that they all had a great time. The weather was probably the best week of the whole summer. We got home at about 4:30, and even though they had pizza for lunch, Tommy begged for it again for supper! Now it is back to our lives of mahem!

Tyler is happy to see Mom!

Tyler with his group

Tommy and Corey with John from last year

Joyce reunited with Jordan and Zachary

Freida reunited with Corey

Me reunited with Tommy and Tyler

Tommy reunited with Bobo and Casey

Whirlwind day

Today was quite a whirlwind of activities and emotions. We were late getting to bed last night, and Casey was not content to stay shut up in the hallway, so I ended up putting her in bed with me. I was worried that she was going to scratch up the door of Mimi's house.

We got up pretty early (6:30) and got ready for the funeral. The funeral didn't start until 11, but we were going over to Aunt Beth's house in case she needed some help and support getting ready. When we got to Aunt Beth's, she was out with a friend taking a walk. I can't imagine the pain that she must be feeling. We picked up Uncle Gerald at 9:30 and headed over to the church. We sat in the library until time to go in with all of the family.

The funeral was very moving. Wes (Quentin's younger brother) spoke first. God must have given him the strength and the words because I can't imagine being able to do that in the pain that he was enduring. I know that Quent would be so proud of him. I didn't know Quent well, but after the service, I wish that I had known him better. He really did live a meaningful life. He was very active in his church, was devoted to his family, and from the turnout at the funeral, must have been well liked at his job.

After the funeral, we ate at the church and went back over to Aunt Beth's for a while. Thankfully, she was resting and several of the sisters visited in the kitchen. I hitched a ride back to Mimi's with Aunt Iva Jane because I had to get back to Lexington to register Tyler for school. We got back to Manning at about 3:20, and I changed and loaded up and hit the road by 3:45. Registration was from 4 to 6, so I didn't have much time to spare. I got home and dumped the dogs out and gave them some water and made it to the school at 5:30. I was relieved to get there in time so that I could get everything taken care of without having to take more time off of work later.

Tomorrow I will be heading up to Asbury Hills to get the boys. Freida will not be able to get off of work in time, so I will pick up Corey as well. I am looking forward to seeing the boys. I hope that they took some pictures because there haven't been very many of them on the website this year. Jamie will be getting home late tomorrow night as well, so it will be back to our hectic household on Saturday. I must say that life has not been very restful this week after all. One thing that has been reinforced in me this week - we need to treasure our time together with the people that matter to us.

Tyler in line for ice cream

A hard day

Today was a very difficult day. Jamie's first cousin, Quentin, passed away on Monday from a massive heart attack at age 31. He leaves behind a wife and two small children and parents and siblings that are devastated. We have visitation tonight and there were so many people there. We got there about 5, and it wasn't supposed to start until 6 and people were already there. We didn't leave until after 10. They said that the line went around 3 buildings outside. We will definitely be praying for the families as there will be a big hole in their lives now.

I called Jamie to try to touch base after we left, and could barely hear him. He is at a Kiss concert tonight at the seminar that he is attending. He said that he got his face painted, so maybe I will have a picture tomorrow.

I looked at the pictures from camp when we got home, and there was finally a good one of Tyler. That is a good thing to close with after a day like today.

Looks like Tyler visited the camp store!

Overpackers Anonymous

Well, after browsing the pictures on the camp website, one thing became glaringly obvious to me. I have overpacked for my kids again. Here they are in some pictures from day 2 at camp in the same clothes that they wore up there. I hope that they are having a great time! The weather has been great for them. If they can manage to escape rain later in the week, this might be the best weather of the summer to be there.

The house is definitely like a different planet without them here. I don't think the animals know how to act with the quiet and calm atmosphere. They were definitely glad to see me get home from work today!

Tommy with the Wrangler crew!

Tyler (from the back)

Camping fun

Our kids posted today on Asbury's site

The Wayfarers

Does anyone see Tyler in there?

Zachary enjoying circle time

Zachary with his group

Jordan having fun

Asbury Hills, here we come!

The house is finally quiet!!! After much shopping, packing, loading, and unloading, the boys are finally settled in at Asbury Hills camp for the week, and their dad is off at Networkers in California. I am just not going to know what to do with myself this week!

Jamie left at lunchtime on Saturday, and the boys and I were off to Kohls and Wal Mart to pick up some last minute things for camp and also some back to school stuff. I had to take full advantage of my 15% off coupon, after all!

Today, we just went to to 9:00 service at church, then off to the gas station to fill up and wash the car, and then to Larry's Giant Subs to eat before loading up back at home. We met at Freida's house at 12 and were off to Asbury Hills! Tommy rode with Corey, and Joyce rode with me and Tyler along with her two boys, Zachary and Jordan. In my car, the boys had a great time all playing their Nintendos against each other in the back seat, and Tommy and Corey had a good time in the other vehicle watching "Anchorman". I am sure that Randal and Freida will not soon forget the serenade of "Afternoon Delight" that they got along the way.

The weather was surprisingly comfortable, and the cabins were all close, so it wasn't so bad dropping them off. We had to make a couple of trips to the office to sign some forms for horseback riding, and we had one little hiccup with Tyler's cabin, but we were still out of there by about 3:45. I have already emailed them, and I am anxiously awaiting some pictures to be uploaded to the camp website!

Oh, the love between Mother and son . . .

Tyler was not in the mood, either

Finally at camp!

Tyler kicking back while Jordan plays Nintendo

Tyler checking the dvd out with Zachary

Tommy and Corey watching a dvd

Freida and Randal putting up with Mom paparazzi

Tommy and Corey at their cabin

Tyler waiting to find his cabin

Tyler with his counselor, Preston

Joyce is glad the boys are settled!

Visit with Papa J and Mama Rhette

Tonight we went to Barnwell for food and family time with Papa J and Mama Rhette along with Mama Rhette's many sisters. The boys did not know that you could actually cook fried chicken at home, so they really enjoyed that experience! Aunt Wendy had lots of fun catching everyone at their best on her camera phone and posting the pictures on her blog. Check out Don and Wendy's blog to see the fun had by all!

Last Day at the Beach

Today was probably our last day on the beach :( It was supposed to be really hot, but there was a nice breeze, so it wasn't really that bad. The sisters were down on the beach early, and I went down about an hour later. The boys didn't go down until 5 when they could take Casey back. While they were there, Tommy ran into a few girls that he met last year, and Cara came over to the house for dinner. It has been a wonderful week - we will have a busy day packing, loading, cleaning, and unloading tomorrow.

The sisters getting ready to head to the beach

Casey lounging on the comfy couch

Casey basking in the sun on the deck

Mimi joining in a game of horseshoes on the beach

Mimi got a ringer!


Tommy and Cara on the beach

Mass Exodus

On Thursday, we saw most of our friends and family departing with one new arrival. Stephen and Melissa left first at about 11, then Cyndi and Liam at 12 followed by Brad, Beth and Yates and finally Nadene, Nancy and Erin. Later that evening Aunt Deborah and Aunt Iva Jane arrived for a visit. Casey really enjoyed the water as you can see, and is getting braver and braver!

Erin saying goodbye to "Miss Kim"

Erin saying goodbye to Bobo

Tyler catching a wave with Casey

Casey's ears flapping in the wind as she gallops in the waves

Casey bringing Dad some seaweed

The guys with Casey

Mimi enjoying the mahem

Sisters - Deborah, Sherrille, and Iva Jane

Happy 4th of July!

We had quite a full day for the 4th of July. We started out on the beach at about 11:30. Cyndi and Liam arrived at about 2:30, then Beth, Brad and Yates arrived later in the afternoon. It was a great day at the beach - the weather was perfect. We had a cookout with hamburgers and hot dogs when we all got cleaned up, then we went down to the beach to watch the fireworks. Stephen and Tommy also gave us our own show. It was a really great day!

Tommy relaxing on Stephen's float

Erin and Yates playing with the tractors

Nana Nancy sitting in the shade

Erin strikes a pose

Castles in the Sand

Tommy and Liam catching a wave

Liam running along the shore

Me, Nadene, and Beth

Cyndi and Tommy

Liam and Tyler

Brad the Master Barbecuer

Erin in her July 4th outfit

Fireworks on the beach

Stephen looks nervous!

Me, Melissa, and Cyndi

Nadene and Me

Jamie and Me

Nadene and Nancy