Cal-i-forn-ia, Here She Comes!!!!

To everyone who knows my mom, she received her mission call yesterday! She'll be going to the San Diego, California mission. She is set to leave July 28, headed for the MTC in Utah. She's been preparing for some time for this and is so excited. California is one place none of us even thought about. This is her second mission. Her first being 12-13 years ago to Cape Town, South Africa. This is a work she truly loves. I think, given her choice, she'd serve a mission continually for the rest of her life. She's a beautiful person with a great love for her Lord and Savior. Congratulations, mom. We love you!

Happy 4th!!!

Although I am most grateful for this special day of the year (even more so now that I have a son in the military), our 4th this year started out waaaaay yucky. My sweet little honey, Alysa, woke up promptly at 7 a.m. complaining of having a stomach ache. We played it off because she'd been complaining for a couple of days because she'd "stretched" a little too much while dancing with some friends, making the muscles along her sides sore. That was most definitely NOT the case today (boy, did we feel like heels!)! Let me just say the situation went downhill rapidly. She was sick as she could be the entire day.....no breaks. Finally, I got wise and "introduced" some medicine for just such a problem and she quickly fell asleep and slept peacefully the rest of the night. We tried to rouse her to watch the fireworks, but she just wasn't in the mood. However, she was regretting that decision the following day. Speaking of the fireworks........Richmond does the 2nd largest pyrotechnic show in the state, just across the street from where we live, over Lake Reba. We were going to watch from a blanket beside the lake, but under the circumstances, we watched from our back patio instead. We are located up on a hill and had a perfect view. It was beautiful and truly tugged at our patriotic heart strings. We'd invited friends over and grilled burgers and dogs and even had angel food cake with strawberries and blueberries and whipped cream (creating a yummy red, white and blue dessert)! We even heard from both boys, Wes and Perry (via internet). Just to hear Perry's voice from so far away and know he's doing well eases my heart and mind tremendously. I have always been a crybaby when I hear the National Anthem. But I boo-hoo'd through every comment and song during church on Sunday. My heart is so full of gratitude to live in this wonderful, free, blessed country and for all those who made and continue to make it possible to have all that we have. I love my family more than words....each one of them....and feel so tremendously blessed to be able to share my life with them. And I'm so grateful for all the wonderful friends I've made throughout my life. I thank the good Lord for them all every night. May God continue to bless America!

James Family Vacation

Here we all are.....on the beach of TopSail, NC. We were all together at our yearly vacation for an entire week! It was wonderful to have no responsibilities, time restraints or set schedules. Just total freedom to come and go as we pleased, snack throughout the day, laugh and play and visit. Isn't that what families should be about (besides, of course, the seriousness of "teaching/learning" from one another)? I am a true believer in the fact that vacations and family time really do bring us all closer together. It is soooo important in our own homes, as well as with our extended families. Keeping our children closer to their cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents is very important to me. If they can't be together on a regular basis, special times, like vacations, become hugely important - at least in my mind. I am so thankful for Marks' parents, who have made it a priority to have as many as their children/grandchildren as possible together every year to reinforce the bond already created. Their message on the importance of family togetherness has obviously been received. We all have a terrific time and look forward to the coming years' trip.

Keepin' Up With the Girls

OK, Lynetta, I've read all about your workouts and how so many of you gals meet at SPAR, admiring you and your perseverance all the while. My gal pals here have all started meeting at the YMCA...at 8:30 am!!! We do "Triple Threat" class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and we will be doing Palates on Tuesday and Thursday......until week after next, when we will do Group Circuit for the following 4 weeks (which I've been told is a real KILLER). I've done pretty good at keeping up, but I HAVE made my share of modifications. BIG DEAL!!! At least I'm moving! And we all get an A for effort!! Right?

Mommy! Sissy!

Last Wednesday my mom, sister and niece came from Texas for a visit. I was so happy to see them. We did some fun things, but not as many as I would have liked. 3 days is just not enough to catch up and see everything there is to see! We took the ferry across the river (again). It is just so neat and unusual, I want to show everyone. Did a little shopping, of course, spent a day at the water park, cooked out on the grill and some other spur of the moment things. We ended up in my bedroom late Saturday night. I was singing my heart out to Christina Agulara, while Jeri Ann busted her moves....all to entertain my mother (and embarrass Ragan as well). It was so much fun. It was a long trip for them (and they may never do it again), but I totally loved having them around. I miss them already!!

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!!