50th Celebration

This past weekend, we went to Virginia and celebrated Marks' parents 50th wedding anniversary. They are wonderful people and such great examples to their children. As a gift, we all wrote our own letters to them (real tear-jerkers) and compiled them in a hand-made album with an 8x10 black and white of them on their wedding day in the front. We also gathered almost the entire family for a special dinner. Mark's mom wore her original garter on her leg. Showing that off really set the place ablaze with laughter. The trip up and back was incredible. West Virginia is a breathtaking state, if you ever get the chance to see it. And it was wonderful coming back home to Kentucky. We enjoyed ball games with his sister, Lois, and her family. I almost got discovered (ha-ha!) when we were confronted right inside the stadium about singing for our supper - karaoke on top of the dugout, where you get applauded or boo'd by the audience. I almost took a shot, but I waited too long and they found 2 other suckers. But we had a great time and were thrilled to be close enough to his family that we could enjoy such a wonderful and special occasion with them. I love my family.

going....Going......SOLD!!!

Well, it finally happened! We sold the house in Louisiana!! We're officially "homeless". ha-ha! What a miracle it was, too. The first offer (ever) came in on a Saturday and 2 weeks later it was CLOSED! They put a contract on the house the Wednesday after their first offer and a week and a half later it was a done deal, 1 day after our contract with the realtor expired. WOW! I'm still reeling, but so grateful our prayers have been answered, just in time to prevent us from having to pay 2 mortgages. Never stop praying!!

Hey, Bon Bons!!!

Hello to the Bon Bon Club!! There's a play group here in Kentucky. But I got to thinking about my gal pals in Louisiana and just wanted to shout out to them! Miss you guys! Have a fun summer!!!

Must be Me!

OK, we've barely been here two months and they've just announced they're splitting the wards! Well, 1 ward, 1 branch. Now I know that's supposed to be a good thing (and it is). But I am just starting to know some names and faces, who belongs to who and what calling they have! Now I feel like the rug's been jerked out from under me and I'm going to have to stay on top of this gigantic feat of learning new people and all about them. This is not the first time this has happened. When we moved to LC, they had just recombined the wards, which I liked, and then a few years later, busted us up into 2 wards again, then combined us!! Geeeeeez! Not only that, but everywhere I have lived, TX, Utah, LA, they began re-doing the roads right after I got there. And what do you think they've done here in KY? Yep! I'll bet we weren't here a month and they started ripping them up. Thankfully, here they work at night, while I'M sleeping, and get quite a bit accomplished. So it doesn't seem to be taking quite so long and we've got new roads! Yeah!! I figure it must have something to do with me, since these things seem to happen wherever I go.

My Second Score (I updated)

72 words

Speed test

First of all, let me just thank Andrea for giving me one more OCD thing to do before I can start my day! It is going to drive me crazy if I don't improve on that number, especially since your first post was 78! Call it friendly competition or personal competition. It really doesn't matter.....I want a higher score! Plus I don't like when I misspell and the word turns green! Makes me feel like I've got to start all over right then. Eeeeeeesh!

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!