Our Beautiful Beginning

 It is hard for me to imagine myself married. Even a month and a half into this new adventure I find myself smiling in surprise.  Honestly, I didn't think that was in the cards for me...but then God placed me and my sweet man in just the right place at the right time.  I am blessed.  

When it came to having a wedding, we talked about a lot of options, but ultimately wanted just to celebrate "us" with our families and, of course, within Covid-19 guidelines. The ceremony was held in one of my favorite places, the courtyard of my church on the steps of the Parish Hall. The sun was shinning, a slight breeze was blowing through the trees and our loved ones were there to make it perfect.  

After what I would call a perfect wedding we had a wonderful reception at a local restaurant which was the perfect ending to a perfect day. It was all amazing and I fully believe it is a sign that the best is yet to come.  This is an adventure I never imagined but am so glad I am here. 

And just wait until you hear about the honeymoon!

A Very, Very, Very belated Birthday Wish....

How can my baby boy be 18?  How could I have not blogged it about it even in the month it happened?  It just seems time is flying by and I am trying my best to catch a moment or two of these memories.  In early September my dear son managed to turn 18 on the same day Hurricane Dorien decided to come for a visit.  Needless to say it kind of changed our plans for the day but...it did not keep us from celebrating with the traditional Birthday Fancy Pie - oh, and he got his birthday off from school!

I just want to say that this young man amazes me with this wit, sharp mind and kind heart regularly.  He loves me but not near as much as I love him.  He and I have been through a lot together, shared more laughs that I can count, lots of adventures and even some tears but I am grateful for every moment together.  I am blessed. Happy belated birthday to my heart; may all your wishes and dreams come true!

As Summer wanes - a recap.

I have alluded to the fact that this has been a bit of a crazy, unusual summer for me, but it really wasn't so much for me but my youngest son.  I have been waiting for his world to slow down a bit before I posted about all his adventures over the last couple of months.  This summer, the "last" summer before he graduates from high school, has been truly a summer of extraordinary experiences for him.  We knew going into the summer that there were a couple of fun things on the horizon but never, in our wildest dreams, did we see the special things that God would place in front of him.

First: Deep See Fishing with Gump

Almost as soon as school was dismissed for the Summer my parents came and my Dad and Mom really wanted to do something special for my son. They planned a day of deep-sea fishing.  Although we found out - too late - that my Dad apparently does not have his sea legs, I am so glad my son got this special memory with his Gump.

Second:  Palmetto Boys State:
My son, my super amazing youngest son, was a delegate to the American Legion's Palmetto Boys State Encampment.  It was quite an honor to represent his school among 1200 of the best and brightest South Carolina has to offer.  To say it was a week that changed his life would be an understatement.  It sounds cliche' but he learned so much and grew so much in 7 days I was amazed.  It was like watching God mold the clay as one might say.  Unlike some parents, I will brag that my son stayed in touch with me and kept me up to date as the week progressed and culminated with him being elected the 2019 Palmetto Boys State Lieutenant Governor (from 1200 other amazing young men!) and being inaugurated on the steps of the South Carolina State House Steps along with the current South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, Pamela Evette and South Carolina Governor, Henry McMaster.  If a race down Main Street in Columbia by almost 2000 (including Palmetto Girls State) outstanding young people and American Legion Staff and then being escorted down the Statehouse steps by the current Lieutenant Governor wasn't enough, my baby boy also was allowed to address the crowd of over 2000 people in attendance.  The icing on the cake came when he was selected as one of two delegates from our great State to represent South Carolina at the 2019 American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. for 8 days. Out of 20,000 young men across our nation, he was one of 100 to be given this honor. Yes...I was/am a proud....VERY PROUD...Mama.

Picking my boy up and ready to have him home, at least for a few days!

Third: Puerto Rico

I think somewhere my sweet boy hit the summertime vacation jackpot when an out-of-the-blue invitation came for him to join a friend and his family in Puerto Rico. He had a wonderful vacation and a great deal of fun with his friend and his family.    I am so glad he got to experience and see new things and was able to see the beauty of Puerto Rico but also that there is great poverty and sadness as well. He text me at one point as he was seeing the differences within the culture, "the poverty here is insane."  Although he has been on mission trips and worked with Life Changers in areas that needed help this opened him up a little bit differently.  He was taken aback and it led us to some great discussions and thoughts on poverty here and in other areas of the world.  I am glad that even on holiday his heart was pricked and God was working.  I am so thankful to his friend's family for including him.

Fourth: Mission Trip with our Church to Chattanooga, TN
Yes, all these events were basically back to back. He was home packing just to turn around and head back out.  He also went on a much anticipated mission trip with our church to Chattanooga, Tennessee.  It was a week that really again had my young man looking at his heart and realizing life isn't fair for so many people.  He spent time working in a downtown soup kitchen, working in a warehouse and also spending lots of time in fellowship and studying with his youth group.  When he called during this time I could feel him struggling and God working.  It was a good week.  The only downside is he had to fly home a day early because he had to fly back out the next morning for Boy's Nation in Washington, D.C.!!!  Yes, this summer has needed a calendar all to itself!

Yes, that is my boy in the dumpster...don't say he isn't willing to get down and dirty to get a job done!

Fifth: 2019 American Legion Boy's Nation
I am not sure what I can truly say to explain this experience.  Of course, I wasn't there and have only heard lots and lots of amazing stories, but my son had a truly life altering week.  He learned, stretched and competed with the best of the best led by the best of the best.  Being one of 100 chosen from 20,000 young men across the Nation made for quite the young think tank.  I am proud of the hard work my son had to put in to attend and participate in Boy's Nation.  He had to draft, submit and defend a bill as an American Legion Senator and he was challenged by young men from all over this great Nation and opened his mind and heart to others like him and some very different.  To truly learn more about Boys Nation, check out this article about my young man that appeared on the front page of our local paper: Local Teen Headed to Washington, D. C..

So, yes, this has been the post to end all posts....more like a novella.  There have been a lot of exciting things going on around here and I have not be more humbled than by the proclamation that I received last week that my son proposed to the American Legion 2019 Boys Nation Legislature:

These few words might not see like they would mean a lot, but, as a single Mom who literally has to make every decision and deal with every detail they mean everything. It is just the two of us and a lot of the time I don't feel like I am getting it right, but either way I know I am blessed to have the opportunity to try.  I am so proud of my young man and all the work he has done and as he begins his Senior Year of High School....I can't wait to see what God has in store.

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3 (NIV)

Happy 2nd Sunday of Lent....love this song!

An Amazing thing happened 20 years ago today at approximately 4:25 PM...

This handsome man made his early and unexpected entrance into the world!  He has kept me on my toes since. He is talented, smart, funny and strong.  I am so glad to have been able to share in his life.  I love him more than he will ever know and ever let me I am sure!  I am so grateful to God for this young man and what he brought into my world.  I am blessed.

Happy 20th Birthday, sweet baby boy!

Thankfulness Recap!

I am proud of myself as I have kept up my daily thankfulness shares on Facebook so here is my recap for you:

• Thankfulness, Day 7: I am thankful for the 2 fur babies I get to share life with! They complete our family...not to mention are a continual source of loose fur.
• Thankfulness, Day 8: Today I am incredibly thankful that I live in a nation kept safe by heroes of many kinds that wear many uniforms and I have the freedom to be involved in choosing my next President! What a HUGE blessing!!!
• Thankfulness, Day 9: I am thankful for friends. What is life without those special people?
• Thankfulness, Day 10: Thankful for my job. At times it feels overwhelming but I do see God's hand in my work path. I am especially thankful for my sister Managers and all their support, encouragement and the things they continue to share and teach me. 
• Thankfulness, Day 11: I am so very thankful for all the men & women who have served to protect our great nation. If it were not for our Veterans we would not have the privileges, opportunities and freedoms we take for granted.
• Thankfulness, Day 12: I am thankful for a trip to the Southern Christmas Show today. It is a tradition I love and always puts me in the spirit of the holidays. 
• Thankfulness, Day 13: I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to attend great Christian schools. They have been blessed with a Biblical World view and amazing teachers!

Worth repeating....as my Thankfulness, Day 14 (5 years later!)November 14, 2011 · Florence ·

30 Days of Thankfulness, Day 14: I am so very thankful for the policemen & firemen (and women) that risk their lives daily to keep us safe.

 

• Thankfulness, Day 15: I am thankful for the access to medical care. We have the best, most caring professionals around!

Live Thankfully!

The Beach was Calling...

All week I have heard my name being whispered on the hot breezes blowing through the trees.  Today, I could ignore it no more.  I packed the cooler and beach chairs and my youngest and I headed to sand and the surf.  It has actually been a long time since we have been to this particular beach, as it held memories that I wasn't sure either of us would enjoy revisiting but all we found was freedom.  It was wonderful. 

We played in the waves and I only nearly drowned once (but managed to save my sunglasses from doom!) We ate Peanut Butter M&Ms and Sour Patch kids and we sat, sunned and watched the tide roll in with our feet in the water.  It was a good day...a very good day.  It was a day for counting blessings and smiling at the memories we made.  I am very blessed!

Blessed and Seizure Free

New Years 2014

Yesterday marked a very special milestone.  My DS2, who many of you have prayed over and followed his story, hit the 2 year Seizure free mark.  I can't tell you how far in the future that seemed at one point.  There was so much fear that we would not see it...but yesterday was the day!

DS2 has really gone through a lot in the last two years, especially since we chose to go a somewhat non-traditional treatment route by going on the Modified Atkins Diet (version of the Ketogenic Diet.)  It is hard to be a kid on a very restrictive diet.  There are so many events that are food focused, particularly high carb food focused!  I am so proud of him and how well he has handled it all.  We have just weaned off the diet and so far, so good.

As Micheal in A Sound of Music, A Salute to the Tony Awards, The Center Players, NC

One really cool thing that came out of the last couple of years is my sweet boy discovered he had quite a talent for the stage.  It has been such a great experience for him as he has had to make adjustments in his life. He found an escape from much worry and stress through performing. I am so proud of him.

Temps & Tops, Salute to the Tony Awards, The Center Players, Elizabeth City, NC

As Sebastian in The Mermaid, Impact Children's Theatre, Florence, SC

I feel so blessed!

If you are not familiar with my DS2's story and you want to know more, catch up HERE.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

~Psalm 136:1

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day one and all, but especially the man with whom I have been blessed to share my life.  He is truly my best friend, and I can't imagine walking through life without him.  He is patient with me, has more energy than I can comprehend and is the best Father I have ever seen.  I see so much of what is good in him developing in my boys and that makes my heart sing.  These last few weeks have been difficult, to say the least, but I am so thankful he has been here with me and don't know how I would have made it without his love and support. 

Happy Valentine's Day to my most amazing husband. 

Love is the condition in which the happiness

 of another person  is essential to your own."

-Robert Heinlein

Easter 2010

I hope you had a blessed Easter Celebration!  Here are a few photos taken from our day.  Sadly, I realized that we didn't get one single photo of the entire family together! 

 This is one of my favorites...what a Southern Boy....laying on the porch swing waiting to go!

Serenbe with friends...

Last weekend I had a FABU time! I say FABU because I like to, and it makes my children's eyes spontaneously roll up into their heads. 

Last weekend I was blessed with some quality time with some of my dearest friends for a "girls weekend".  After meeting up with Eve and Nancy ~ at Nancy's house, we headed out to pick up Suzanne who was visiting from TX (you may know her from her blog Southern Inspiration http://www.southernlivingatitsbest.blogspot.com/ .)

Then we four girls headed to Serenbe for the day http://www.serenbe.com/ . I had read about Serenbe several times but never visited and it was a wonderful treat to be sure.  It is a unique and tranquil place and I can see why someone would want to live and work in this community.  It is described as:

"Serenbe is a 1,000 acre community located under 30 minutes from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. It is a national model for the future of balanced development in the U.S.—focusing on land preservation, agriculture, energy efficiency, green building, walkability, high density building, arts and culture, and community living for multiple generations."

We had a great lunch at the Blue Eyed Daisy in downtown Serenbe and then enjoyed a sunny walk to see some of the residential area.

Of course, no "girls weekend" is complete without a bit of retail therapy so we spent some time in the shops at Serenbe. My favorite was Repurpose. It is a really cool shop showcasing new life for "found objects" with some lovely fresh flowers thrown in for delight! Everything had so much character and was unique

 as only a "repurposed" item could be!

I love this photo of Nancy,  She is apparently like the Pied Piper, but with the cats of Serenbe!   

So, after our jaunt around Serenbe, we headed back to Atlanta and a stop at Ballard Designs http://www.ballarddesigns.com/ to see what might be lurking in their outlet.  Then back to Nancy's where she treated us all to a delicous dinner.  We finished off the night in the wee hours after much laughter, sharing, liberal servings of Eve's Homemade toffee and, of course, a Chick Flick!  It was sad to go our separate ways on Sunday morning....but I went away happy and content and knowing the God has truly given me some very special friends in my life.  I can't wait to do it again!

Me and My Boys...

I meant to share this photo yesterday; it is a shot taken of me with my boys on our porch before leaving for the wedding. I am so blessed an I am trying to treasure each of these simple moments. It seems I sometimes forget how wonder filled just today is!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

The Bells of Ireland are on the table, a beef brisket is simmering, I have the makings of potato soup, it is warm and the sun is out...life is so good. I hope you are feeling blessed today, because I surely am.

"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long."

--Irish Blessing

Happy Father's Day - 2006

DH & "the other one" -Mohawk Trail-Florida, Mass. 2003

Happy Father's Day, sweetie!

Father's Day was a great day around here! We went to church in the morning and dear husband and I spent the afternoon doing some errands around town. In the evening we (the children and I) treated him to dinner at 'Chez Mommy'. The menu consisted of Ultimate Grilled Steak, Zesty Grilled Veggies, grilled corn on the cob, some cloverleaf rolls and for dessert, dh's recent new favorite dessert....Mango Pie. Unfortunately Dh had to be called in to run the grills as I am not a "griller". The last time I actually tried to grill something (hotdogs on a night when dh was out of town) I burned the hair off my fore-arms. Oh well....I think he enjoyed his grill time. LOL It was cool enough to eat on our newly redone deck so that was nice. After the kiddos were tucked in their beds we took the dog for a walk and then spent an hour or so, snuggling on the front porch in the cool of the evening.
Yesterday wasn't just Father's Day for Dh. He actually had one of those "grown up" moments, as he had to get his 1st eye exam and found out --- not surprisingly--- that he needed some glasses for close up stuff. I have heard this happens in the 40th year! I think he is struggling with the concept a bit but he does look nice in the pair he picked out.
My dear, sweet husband is an amazing Father. He is engaged, involved and shows sacrifical love to our 3 wonderful children. They wouldn't be who they are without him and his guiding hands. He is the kind of Father that I think all children should have. I am such a lucky woman.