Goodbye,

Yesterday, with just the family,  we had a little service and said goodbye to Papaw. We talked about how our earthly body is just dust, but Papaw has a new body in heaven! Saturday we will celebrate your life with others. This day we said goodbye, really just see you later.
 We love you Papaw. We are sad, sad that your not here, sad that we have to have death, sad that your great granddaughter is sad and trying to deal with the emotions of it all. Sad that there is now an empty seat at the little blue house that wont be filled with a man waving at you as you arrive. Sad for the hole that is left in all of our hearts.
 But we also know this is life, 90 years of life, 70 with Nana, many years of love, affection and kindness that wont be forgotten.  You now know life to the fullest, life without any physical ailments or limitations, and a mind that is clear again! Your now side to side with Savior, the one who shined out of your life. May my life shine with the love of Christ like yours did!

First Tooth!!

Katie lost her first tooth! She was so excited.  Well until she was so tired after a long , full day and started crying before bed that it felt funny and she wanted it back in! lol!

Started 4 H this year. First of the school year, kick off meeting. We will be meeting once a month. We are with a homeschool 4 H club in Wilsonville.  We are excited for the year ahead.

back at it

I went back today looking for a recipe and found my old blog and loved scrolling through all the memories. I loved doing this but got behind and then perfectionist me had a hard time just coming back and forgetting all the missed posts I didn't do. But doing it is better than not. So here we omg. Maybe I will post often, maybe only some. We will see.

Buck's Pocket State Park

In October we went camping in north eastern Alabama at Buck's Bocket State Park. It is a beautiful place off the beaten path. We met up with Ben's family and stayed the weekend.

Fun around the campfire
'ungle Ben' and Patrick

Like I said Lots of fun!!!

One cute big boy

This was so cute. The boys were afraid Midnight would get cold and were covering her up and telling her night night...She just sat there and watched!!!

King of the Mountain

Some beautiful fall colors

On top of the mountain overlooking the pocket where the campground is.

picture perfect!!!

another cute big boy

family walk

My life in pictures...October

Had a great Ladies retreat this year. A year ago I had knee surgery and wasn't able to go
Here is a pic of our church ladies that attended. A great group I tell you!

I made this pillow for my sister Aimee for her birthday.
She is doing her room in black and white and it fit perfectlyOur first introduction to the game of Catan
We have been hooked ever since
Got it for Ben for an early Christmas present

October was pastor appreciation month
We have a great Pastor and wife (and Kayla)
Our whole church went out to O'Charlies for pastor appreciation dinner

The cakeMy beautiful Zinnas lasted till November
Here some beautiful moths came to my flowers

An experiment turned beautiful
I planted some moonflowers. They took off and looke beautiful!

Susan G Komen Race

In October we participated in the 5k Race for the Cure in Birmingham. It was a neat experience. So many people just walked so you didn't feel bad for being in the shape you were but I tried to walk/jog/run all through the race. I didn't think I did too bad. It was fun except that Ben beat me by 3 minutes:( and I didn't even see him pass me!

My class- 1st and 2nd grade activities

I have a great class this year. I only have a little class but I love them.

An aunt volunteered to do a fall art class.
They painted leaves on t-shirts. They loved it.

Having fun blowing bubbles, Wilson-1st grade, Joel, Randi, Devin, and Olivia- 2nd grade!

Grandparent's Day, doing crossword puzzles together

This is everything they told me about their grandparents! click on it to see closer! Pretty cute!

Deputy Smith came for Grandparent's Day.
Here he is testing out the handcuffs!

Prayer at the Pole!

We went to Stevi B's Pizza for our field trip. We joined 3rd and 4th grade.
It was a real neat experience. We got to walk in the back where they make dough, let it rise in the cooler and then watch them roll it in a special machine. They then went and finished their own pizza with toppings of their choice. They thought it was such a blast and I did too!

My kids -in yellow- with the pizzas they made!

A dental hygienist came and talked to us about taking care of your teeth. She even brought her friend, the snake and showed us he brushes!

Battle at Tunnel Hill, GA

In Septemeber we went to Tunnel Hill, GA. We love this reenactment. It was the first one that we ever participated in. We enjoyed it as well as the boys that went along with us.

Two cute guys!!!

Our company!The younger boys went out to the house for the battle.
They were able to watch it up close and personal.

After the battle. This was Jorden Messner's first reenactment that he was a soldier in.
He enjoyed it!

The boys 'camping out' under the fly.
Note they started the night up by the chair and slowly slid down the hill!

We visited the old train tunnel at night!!!

My life in pictures...August/September

Our YAC game Night!
We had a great time with our young adult's class at our pastor's house
Here Ben and Joe are in a hot game of Rook against Leonard and Christy.

And when you run out of tables you use whatever else works....ironing board Rook anyone?

We down to Montgomery to our friends, Richard and Anna's house.
We had fun eating steaks and watching football!
Here is proof that Auburn and Alabama people can be friends...well it was only September, not Iron Bowl time yet!!! LOL

While in Montgomery, I drove my Old Alabama Town. It was really neat.
Here are a two pictures of some of the old, beautiful houses!

I want this one in the middle of about 100 acres!!

Who says they just grow stuff bigger in Texas?
Now that's a steak!!

The electric went in the whole city of Tarrant, so we had service by generator, running a few lamps and a few window units for air conditioning! Making memories, having church in our basement.

We also had the dedication service for little Madelyn Rose
It was a very precious service

Here is part of the decorations in the church for the dedication
I like how they used my quilt, very pretty

Celebrating Leonard's birthday was a 'smashing' success!!
My little bandito!!

A precious little girl!!!