And it wasn’t even laundry day.

Y’all see all this? Sigh. This is my life. Actually this is only my life when I let laundry get “away” from me…..just a few days without doing any laundry and I face this.

~CB~

July 4th Fun!

Caution: Long post. Lots of pictures though!

On Friday when I got home from work, we threw things together and headed to the family's river house on the Suwannee for 2 days of fun in the sun, errr...I mean fun in the clouds and rain. Not so much sun.

First though, we were starving by the time we made it half-way there...so we had a quick stop at SONIC! It was all of our FIRST time eating there and it was SO SO SO GOOD! The kids had their FIRST, SONIC slushie (or whatever you call those things).




On Friday night, Cecil's brother, Edward, and his girlfriend, Jenni, came down to stay with us. They brought a box full of sweetness!! These cupcakes were SO SO SO GOOD. Trust me. I had 2. And that's all I'm going to say about that. They were SO GOOD until I remembered I had to get into a bathing suit. Um. 2? Not such a good idea!


The boys had never seen cupcakes that came in a nice box. They weren't so sure about them.
Nolan was a no-go on the cupcakes, but Carter helped himself to a chocolate one. That's my boy!

How cute is that?! I'm sure my face looked like that after I finished mine too!
After eating cupcakes and lounging, (and waiting for the rain to slack off), the big boys decided it was time to light some fireworks. Here is Cecil and his brother Edward setting them up for the big show!
I have to admit that the fireworks above the water were beautiful! These are probably 2 of the best shots I got Friday night.
Isn't this one just GORGEOUS????????????????
Saturday morning dawned bright and early (minus the bright part)--but that did not deter everyone from having some water fun (well you know I don't get in that water, but everyone else did).

The boys had fun playing in the shallow area in the morning, while the big boys (Grandaddy included) worked underneath the house on a few projects.

After projects were done and snacks were had, we decided it was time for some jet skiing and tube riding!

Cecil & Carter getting ready to tube!

YES! This is my Carter tubing by himself!! Cecil was with him, but fell off, and Carter just held right on and kept on going! And YES, in case you were wondering, I was TERRIFIED!!
After tubing, it was time for jumping.....(and yes, that is Nolan diving off the dock)

More jumping....
Flipping......
Tossing.....


More flipping. Um. Yes. That is the hubs. Doing a back-flip off the dock.
Late that afternoon, the hubs and I left to attend my brother's annual 4th of July party which is always a smashing hit!!! How can it NOT be with all these fireworks???

My brother and I.....


Me and my awesome SIL...and the hubs with SIL.

Lotsa fun at my brother's party...balloon tossing....fireworks, the whole nine yards!



By far, these are some of the neatest and most "different" pictures I took at my brother's party!

This was garland on the edge of a table and right when I went to take the picture, the wind blew slightly and gave it this cool effect! I love it!

This is actually a paper plate......you would have never guessed so, huh?
And last but not least....fireworks!!!!!!!! What a great night!

Happy 4th!!!

~CB~

High Seas Expedition!

VBS 2010!  Our church is so blessed to have so many people that truly care about “our” children!  Our VBS typically runs in the hundreds, and this year did not disappoint!  I know we had at least 300 CHILDREN each day!  Can you imagine?

This was the first year I was unable to help with VBS…..Since I’m working full-time and such, I just was not able to get off.  I’m already off in a few weeks for 2 weeks, and could not ask off for this whole week too.  Bummer.  I was able to bake brownies for the after-program social and a few other things, but that’s nothing like actually being able to help during the week.  I really felt so bad that I could not do more to help.

Both my boys went though, and they had a blast!  Each of them knew their crew leader personally, and that really helped.  Friday night was the VBS finale and the kids did GREAT!  It was so touching to see all those children singing about JESUS!

 

I pray my boys stay close to HIM and allow HIM to guide their lives when they’re on the “high seas”……I’ve had some rough times in my 30 years, and I know more are still to come—I cannot imagine going through those times without HIM.

~CB~

FREEDOM!

Let Freedom Ring!

(photo courtesy of www.babble.com)

I am SO thankful to all the men and women fighting so that we can be FREE!

My brother was in the Navy for several years (he is out now) and survived a lot! Not only the day-to-day grind of being in the armed forces, putting up with the bureaucratic mess, but also being away from his family, knowing he could give his very life for others to be free.




































All of the above, plus this....he was aboard the USS Cole in Yemen when it was bombed by terrorists.

(photo courtesy of sfcmac.files.wordpress.com)

I am so glad he survived this terrible nightmare, and am reminded that not every soldier comes home....

(photo courtesy of 1americansong.com)

Happy 4th--Thank a soldier today!

~CB~

Summertime, Back-Yard Fun

We bought the kids a slip n slide a few weeks ago and they decided to try it out this week. So far, they have enjoyed it and are having so much FUN, slipping and especially sliding!

((I will confess I never did quite learn how to slide--hence the reason I never did play softball.....I played Little League, but picking flowers in the outfield was my position. HA! I'm sort of glad too, because let me tell you, those tight white pants the softball girls wore would NOT be going on my body! We need fans AT the game, not leaving it! ha!))

My boys are gearing up for the beach and if you thought I was excited.......whew! That is all they have talked about this week!

~CB~