Things

I'm sitting here at home on the first quiet night I've had in a while... that would be because all of the teens are at Higher Grounds tonight and have somewhere else to hang out. ;-) But I'm really not complaining -- I like having them around. They're fun and easy to be with. It's interesting, though. I've been reminded a bit of what it was like years ago when I had babies and toddlers - and didn't get very much sleep. ;-) I thought that part of my life was over -- well, I'm finding out that it all comes back around again when you have teenagers. Especially when you have one that is driving. The difference is that I'm not up entertaining a little one who hasn't figured out that you sleep at night... now I'm just home waiting for my kids to get home safely from whatever they've been out doing! I understand curfews so much better now -- I used to think they were imposed on me to get me home and keep me out of trouble (and this is surely true) --- BUT, now I know that it is also about getting all your kids back in the house so that the parents can actually go to bed and stop worrying! :-)

Anyway, that's one aspect of what's been going on this summer. Actually, that's MOST of what's been going on - ha. I've been reading some good books - one by Francine Rivers called "Leota's Garden." This was a really good story and speaks a lot to the whole Mother/Daughter relationship. It was good for me to read and thought-provoking. Makes me realize how much perspective has to do with misunderstandings in relationships and how important it is to see the 'whole' story and especially to understand the other person's point of view.

The other book that I'm working my way through right now is "Prairie Tale." This is Melissa Gilbert's autobiography. (Laura, on Little House on the Prairie) I saw her on the Today show a couple of weeks ago and the book sounded interesting. Plus, that was one of my very favorite shows -- I just loved Laura and kind-of 'grew up' with her. So I got it the other day and it's really easy to read. One thing I didn't realize is that Melissa Gilbert is actually a year younger than me! It thought she was older... but anyways, it's made reading about her life all that more interesting because it's a little bit of a journey down memory lane of all the people and things that were popular as I was growing up.

So, other than reading books and keeping up with teenagers, I've been going to doctors trying to figure out why my hip won't get any better and dealing with that... Physical therapy hasn't worked, so I'm headed to an orthopedist on Thursday to see what he has to say... I hope they can figure something out. I really want to get back to my exercise routine sometime soon... I miss it - even though I don't relish the thought of running in this hot weather -- wow, summer has certainly hit in full force and it isn't even July or August yet!

So that's a little rambling update on things in my life... such as it is. Jack and I are off to Impact this weekend with Anna. She's very excited about her first trip to Impact and we're looking forward to it, too, since we didn't go last year. Should be lots of fun... maybe I'll have some pictures and stories to post when we get back. :-)

Opportunity

I saw this quote on a picture in Rodney's office yesterday and liked it:

"You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

Just something I'm thinking about...

Happy Birthday Mackenzie! (a little late...)

Wow has summer started off with a bang! I've enjoyed this afternoon because it's been the first time in quite a while that I've just been able to sit and spend a little time hanging out on my computer. :-) So I thought I'd spend a few minutes catching up on some of the 'events' of the last couple of weeks.

OK - I thought I was going to do this all in one post, but I'm realizing that I don't have time to do all that -- SO, I'll start with Mackenzie's birthday party and then try to add the other stuff that's been going on before I get too behind again. I wanted to start out by putting a baby picture of Mackenzie on here, but at the moment, we're in the midst of some computer upgrading around here and I have no access to my scanner... not that I'm complaining, because I'm also sitting out on my back porch writing this on a new laptop, :-) but that's getting off the subject... So, anyways, Kenzie will probably be happy to avoid some of the embarassing pictures from the past. ;-) (but she was such a cute baby!) Anyways, I'll just put a couple of pictures from her 'Sweet 16' party here:

We had the teens over after church for a big cook-out and had a good time with that. Then, most of the girls stayed for a sleepover and then we surprised Mackenzie with a Limosine ride around town. She was totally shocked. :-) This is the girls ready to get on their way...

And here they are inside the Limo - this is a pretty cool ride! If you notice, Mackenzie has a paper in her hand -- that was the first 'clue' of a scavenger hunt that we sent them on. At each location where we stopped, they had to get out and decipher the 'riddle' that helped them figure out where to go and what pictures to take. The girls had fun with that...

The first stop was at the church where the 'bride' had to throw her 'bouquet.'

Next, we took a little ride down to Big Spring Park where the girls had to do their best interpretation of a fountain. Very silly.

A nice close-up of everybody. Michelle, Brenna, Morgan, Jessica, Kim, Amanda, Mackenzie, Anna, Becca and Jessie. Just after we took this picture, I noticed a young man following us around. We took a picture on the bridge, and at that point, he asked if he could take a picture with the girls! Uh... NO, I don't think so! ha I politely told him no and said that we were leaving... at which point he said, "Well, then, can I go with you?"
Hmmmm..... guess you can't blame a guy for trying! haha

Our next stop was Bridge Street - where we happened to run into Sio'bhan on the bridge! So we took a picture with her and then the girls had to follow the 'clues' down to Brighton, where Mackenzie's birthday gift was waiting for her. She got a new 'charm' keychain for the key to the car that her grandmother graciously gave to her a little while back. (Thanks Grandma!!!) We went on from there to Maggie Moos and had dessert, then back to the limo.

The last stop was Huntsville High School. I'm not sure they really WANTED to be there since school is out!!

Showing a little at-ti-tude... Happy Sweet 16 Mackenzie!! :-)

Hopefully we made some fun memories that will last a lifetime. But most important of all, I'm so proud of the beautiful young lady, both inside and out, that Mackenzie has become. She loves God with all of her heart and her friends and family as well. She's a joy to be around and a blessing to her mom and dad (and sister!) :-) And all of the credit and all of my gratitude goes to God for that!