My New Girls

Last night marked my official immersion into my new home. GIRLS NIGHT!!! I have definitely reunited with some kindred spirits here! I have quickly become friends with people I'd swear I knew before. It's such a comforting feeling to have friends that you can just be yourself with and be loved completely, where you don't have to start at ground level and build a friendship......like it's already been established and you can just pick up where you left off. Ever have that feeling? The plan was to have dinner at the Olive Garden and then catch a movie. But we were having such a good time laughing and talking at the table, we skipped the movie and moved our party to the parking lot. We all have our own trials...each of us share our life's challenges and do all we can to lift and strengthen one another. It forges a bond that is just invaluable. There is a peace in my heart today because I know my Father sent us here for a purpose and I am loving our new surroundings and friends. This is a shout out to my new girls!!!

Playin' Catch-Up

OK, I'm behind on my posts.....waaaayyyyyy behind. The past 2 weeks have been full of activities. I'm going to try to catch everyone up real quick.

• The 2nd grade at Alysa's school had a basketball night where several 2nd grade teams played against each other. It was so fun watching her on the court. She was so excited to play. But her competitive nature took a beating when her class lost both games.

• Marks' softball injury got worse before it got better. He was walking like a stiff, crippled old man. Sorry to say, everyone got a good chuckle out of watching him hobble around. He took a week off (the team) and now he's as good as new. I'll let you know how it goes after tomorrow nights' game! ha-ha

• Alysa's school held a Luau after school one afternoon. She and her best buddy, Hayley, had fun playing games, doing the limbo, eating snowcones and looking cute!

• Alysa received a trophy and tshirt for Accelerated Reader in her class. We're so proud she likes to read and, along with her competitive nature (again), she works hard to be at the top of her class. Here she is showing off her awards.

• Mark and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary last Wednesday. He sent me beautiful roses and the whole family went to dinner at Outback - yummmm!!
• All last week was filled with fun and adventure as Wes, Wendy and Skylar came for a weeks' visit. We had a great time at the park, shopping, playing putt-putt, cooking good foods and just hanging out. Skylar has really grown and for the first time EVER, she wanted Ya Ya to play with her, hold her, push her on the swing, etc. Of course, I was eatin' it up!! I started missing them 2 days before they even left! It was a great week for all of us.
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• Mark, Alysa and I visited Fort Boonesborough this weekend. This is the Fort Daniel Boone built back in the 1700's where he and other settlers lived and traded with the Indians who were already here. It was such a neat place to visit. Each cabin was a shop of some kind.....wood worker, candle maker, general store, etc.; or showed how they actually lived in that room, big fireplaces, lofts for the children to sleep in, kitchen counters, very little space. The courtyard was the "village" area where the blacksmith was set up, along with tents, musicians...everything was so authentic you would swear you were back in time. Here I am wearing a yoke holding buckets of corn and potatoes. Unbelievably comfortable!

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend was spent with Mark's parents, who came for their first visit from Virginia. We had a great time...the weather on Saturday was perfect. We visited a nearby town for an International Arts Festival, where they had not only arts tents, but also music provided by musicians from different countries, as well as dances and reenactments. Of course, any time there's a fair or festival, there's wonderful aromas floating on the breeze. We strolled, shopped and munched on kettle corn, listening to the festive music in the background. Sunday was spent at church and relaxing, as the weather was quite the opposite of the day before....cold, windy and rainy. But I received calls from both my sweet boys, which just made the day perfect; and I cuddled and baked cookies with Alysa. Couldn't ask for more.

Bugz!!!

Alysa's first play was last Thursday. It was called "Bugz"...she was a butterfly. But there was just about every kind of bug you could think of. They either had a speaking part or did a dance. Of course, the butterflies had to dance! She had the best time, showing off her butterfly beauty, and singing and dancing (2 things she LOVES to do)! Here she is with her new-found friend from Mark's office.

Feelin' His Age

Well, it's been a week since Mark started playing softball on a church league....first time since Alysa was a baby. He made sure to warm up before the game. But I'm afraid all those years of little to no exercise still caught up with him. He did great out on the field. But for the following week (almost) he's been feeling the effects. I was proud of him for giving it a go and he's having a good time.....that should be an indication of who didn't win!! Ha-Ha!!

Little Additions

In addition to the "things I LOVE" entry, I would just like to add I LOVE the Book of Mormon. And I absolutely LOVE (above anything else) the sweet feeling of the Holy Spirit. Wish I could have that feeling continually, all day, everyday. I also LOVE hearing my sons voices on the phone. I LOVE that they think of me and call me to tell me what's going on in their lives. They still call me "mommy" (both in their 20's). I LOVE that!! And I LOVE to rub my cheek on Alysa's cheek. It is sooooooo soft and sweet.

This 'n That

Just to let you know a little about what we've been up to.......last week we had dinner at a place on the river that was established in the late 1700's, in Daniel Boone's day. He's a real celebrity here. LOL There were stone walls on either side of the river and the restaurant hung off the side of one. Alysa had fun dropping food over the railing (we ate outdoors) and watching the garganchuan fish surface to eat the goodies. This past weekend we visited the planetarium on the EKU campus, fished, mini golfed, played wiffle ball, did the church thing and hosted a dinner with the missionaries. Also, Alysa started learning how to crochet, something she's been wanting to do for a while now. A group of ladies at the church have a group that meets weekly. When we realized they weren't having Achievement Days, Alysa squeezed right in and they set her up with needle, yarn and instructions. She can't wait for the next "meeting". Sorry, no pictures this week.