One of my favorite things about the summer, besides our trip to the beach to kick things off, is summer days at the lake. Growing up, we were spoiled with great friends and their amazing cabin! We would spend many hours and several weekends relaxing and playing at the lake. Riding boats. Playing around on wave runners. Watching fireworks. The boys fishing and swimming. There is simply nothing like Pickwick lake! Nothing!

After all the excitement Sunday, Russ and I decided to join Dustin for a nice Sunday afternoon boating experience. Special thanks to Lee for letting us borrow! What would we do without Lee? One day. One day, we hope to have our own and invite him to ride with us! Ha!

I should mention that I didn't bring a swimsuit or shorts. So I borrowed some of Dustin's! Ha!

Dustin and Russ shared the role of "mighty captain." And, I must say, they did a fabulous job!

As for our fun...we hung out. Literally, parked where we wanted, sat where we wanted, rode where we wanted, stopped where we wanted, and somehow managed free corn dogs from Grand Harbor. We didn't steal them. I promise. They were given to us. Ha!

Dustin opened his early birthday gift from us...the greatest t-shirt ever made, I'm sure. Ha! It was perfect for him.

Then, we just hung out. Staying on the lake until sunset.

Some of us played around...or worked out...or whatever this is supposed to be...

Oh, and we checked out Goat Island to see the goats. They were there. Just hanging out.

It was a fabulous ending to an amazing weekend! Lovin' these summers at the lake!

Gratitude

"I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Ephesians 1:16

We were honored to travel back home to celebrate my dad's 25th anniversary at First Baptist with a nice brunch in between services.  For those of you who know anything about Baptist churches, you know that this is incredibly rare to pastor the same church for so many years.  It was a very special day.  These are special people...a special part of our family.

During our home study interviews, we discussed what church meant to us.  My response was simple.  Church, to me, serves as an extension of my family.  I have been blessed to grow up in the same church all my life (well, the last 25 years of it) surrounded by Christian influences, mentors, and role models.  I grew up feeling at "home" in my church and forever loved.  This is how I feel about my hometown church.  As a PK (preacher's kid), everyone knows you...even if you don't know them.  They pray for you, watch out for you, and sometimes just watch you!  Your life is under a microscope in a way.  However aggravated I was during my teen years for the inability to sneak around, this is what I want for my children.  I want my children to feel the love and protection of a church family growing up.  This is what I was blessed to have and still have.  I am so thankful for my upbringing and thankful that I was raised in this church.  Never knowing or experiencing a "church fight" or split.  I grew up in a unified, loving church family.  Not everyone can say that.

Daddy preached on gratitude Sunday.  How often we fail to recognize the ordinary miracles all around us.  How a life filled with gratitude evokes happiness.  It made me want to go back and read 1000 Gifts again.  He spoke about gifts.  True gifts.  There are two ways to know if the gift is a real gift.  First, it is attached to people.  True gifts have people attached.  A gift of themselves.  I have a handmade rocker in our home that will soon be used to rock a sweet baby.  Everytime I look at that rocker, I am reminded of Matt Keith, a special church member who crafted every detail of that rocker just for me.  There is a person attached to that gift.  It is special.  Secondly, a real gift is worth the risk.  Have you ever gone to a yard sale only to find a gift you had given to your friend now for sale for $1?  A real gift is given...understanding the risk of rejection or that the person will not take it.  A gift of time.  A gift of love.  A gift of a hug.  A gift with much thought.  A gift of an heirloom.  All gifts with people attached and worth the risk.

Thinking about the gift God offered for us.  His only Son.  He gave His only Son to carry the sin of the world for us.  A true gift.  A gift with a person attached.  A gift worth the risk.  Imagine how He feels after offering us such a precious gift when we reject it, put it aside, never look at it or the gifts within that gift, or hide it.  All we have to do is accept His gift to receive the gift of eternal life.  We cannot earn that.  There is nothing we can do that is good enough to earn a place in heaven.  It is a gift of GRACE.  Accept His gift, look at it, explore it, and give thanks in all things!

After the service, Taft stood up and told everyone to stay put.  Ha!  You would just have to know him!  We did as he said.  He began to talk about Daddy's 25 years and what it has meant to him and the church.  Then he quoted Daddy's sermon about gifts.  Very convenient.  How true gifts have people attached and are worth the risk.  He gave Daddy one condition...that he couldn't return the gift.  He had to keep it.  And, he let us know that there are people attached - our church family...those who love him and are grateful for his service.

Then, he led Mama and Daddy outside while we all watched the video feed that followed them out...

Please look at Mama's face...trying to block her view!

That was pretty good!  A 1994 pickup decorated with "that other school" colors and paraphernalia.  Oh, how proud those men were to play such a fun prank!  Ha!

I mean, they worked hard on that!

Then, Taft explained that they would give Daddy a choice.  He could choose that '94 truck from "that other school."  Or he could accept the real gift.  This is what pulled around the corner...

Speechless, his face says it all...

Again, this church is our family.  They excitedly, proudly, and selflessly gave of themselves so that this gift could be possible.  Such an incredibly generous act of love for their pastor.  Of course, I was bawling my eyes out as we watched the video feed in the sanctuary.  The congregation applauded and cheered as we watched.  It was quite a moment.  A loving moment that can only happen there.  Probably could be imitated, but never duplicated.  This was a gift from our "extended family."

A true gift.

Oh how thankful we are for you, FBC!  As the PK elder of the church, I suppose I'll leave the younger PK's my "two cents."  So...Elena, Brianna, Daniel, Hanna Joy, Jude, Peyton, and Presley...listen to the wise words of this elder PK.  This church will love you forever and forgive you of anything.  Sometimes they will even forgive your parents just because they love you so!  Ha!  Just make sure you love them back.  Love them for me too!

And, what do you imagine this "first family" did after such a great Sunday?!  Went for a ride of course!  Did I mention this ride is a perfect fit?  All 7 of us fit!  Perfect for tailgating I'm thinking!

Three Musketeers

With a heart filled with gratitude, I thank God every time I remember my FBC family!

Typical Family Adventure

 I love my family!  Nothing is taken too seriously.  We always try to laugh at ourselves...and each other.  All the way down to our spectacle leaving Nonnie's funeral giggling from our typical family adventure.  So, this adventure should be no surprise.  But, I still laughed.  All night.  And I wasn't even there!

No, I wasn't present for this adventure, so I will try to accurately tell the story.  I should conduct a formal interview with our family friend, Bill Stewart.  But I'll just try to get it accurate myself.  Feel free to add embellishments at any time.  I'm sure someone else already has...several times!  Ha!  I've heard the longer time goes, the bigger the story becomes.

I'm sure you have seen my Uncle Howard on this blog from time to time.  He is a big man.  Tall and big.  Hilarious.  No filter.  Will do anything for anybody.  Well, he and his friend, Bill, set out fishing last weekend.  I'm sure it was like any other day fishing with the guys.

Until....

 Uncle Howard fell in!  Yes, he did!  I'm still laughing thinking about it.  He fell in...

...lost his camera, glasses, and hat.  Oh, how I wish I was there to witness the hilarity!  Or maybe I'm glad I didn't hear what he had to say!  Ha!  Apparently, his first item of business was finding all his belongings.  And he did...

His next item of business...getting back in the boat.  Which couldn't have been an easy task for Uncle Howard.

Once on the boat, all is well.  The good news?  He still got the fish!

Just another typical family adventure.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Let's see....On August 18, 1957, my Nonnie turned 30 years old.  Then, the very next day she gave birth to her little girl.  That little girl, born August 19, is my mother.  I'm sure that was quite a birthday gift!  Yesterday, our family celebrated the 54 years of laughter that Mama has given to everyone who knows her.  Ha! 

We made plans to have dinner in Memphis, and Mama chose Bonefish Grill.  Oh my!  Talk about yummy food!  We met at the restaurant, talked over each other all night, laughed til we hurt, ate til we popped, and enjoyed watching Mama open her gifts.

Dustin, Kristin, and Lee

Me and Russ

Mama and Daddy

After stuffing our faces with some delicious Bang Bang Shrimp, filets, lump crab soup, potatoes au gratin, seamed veggies, and more...we ordered DESSERT!  Ha!  While we waited on our dessert, we let Mama open her presents.

Family portrait puzzle from Russ and me

Mama LOVES puzzles!

Pretty bow!

CUTE shoes from Lee, Kristin, and Daddy to go with the outfit they gave her!

Dustin's card

The purse from Dustin to go with her new outfit

Just as we finished up with gifts, the desserts were there!  The big hit of the night....

Banana's Foster!

Kristin accidentally used her birthday card as a napkin!  Ha!

After dinner, Mama was dying to see The Help.  I had already seen it during a "girl's night" this week, but I was happy to see it again!  It was SO good!  Just as good the second time!  It's also so fun watching all the landmarks from Jackson that we recognized.  Our favorites were the scenes shot at the Mayflower in downtown Jackson.  The last time Pops took Nonnie out for their anniversary was the Mayflower!  So sweet!

The girls before the movie

So, here we are 54 years later.  Many more years to come...and TONS of memories to be made!  Happy birthday, Mama!  Hope it was great!

Date Night at Range USA

Tonight, we had a great date night with friends!  Russ and Jake have been dying to try out Range USA, a shooting range in Memphis, for some time now.  I am very much not a fan of guns.  I won't even touch Russ's.  So, when Jake and Russ had this discussion at church a while back, I was glad he found someone to join him.  That is until Jennifer walked up.  Apparently, she finds shooting guns liberating.  Ahem.  Enter my participation.  When Jennifer and Jake decided to come for a visit, I worked up the courage to enjoy my date night at the shooting range.

 

 

My first shooting range experience!

The best dates ever

What's great about "Date Night" at this shooting range is that for one great price, you can have one hour in a lane, two boxes of ammunition, and two meals.  There is a restaurant there too!  So, while we waited until our name was called, we enjoyed a nice dinner full of conversation.  Jake was like a kid in a candy store gobbling his food so that he would be ready when our names were called!  Ha!  Jen and I let the boys have a little "boy shooting time" while we finished up our meal and girl talk.  Then....we joined.  Oh my!

Jake trying to teach Jen about the gun, but it was so loud!

It was so loud!  Jennifer went straight in, grabbed the gun and began protecting her babies.  I was quite nervous about the experience, so Jennifer told me that she just imagines someone coming in her home and she needs to protect them.  And, she did a great job!  Don't ever try to attack her.  Not a good idea.  So....she and Jake took turns shooting and loading. 

 

"Liberating!" she says.

 

Jake's gigantic gun!

While I wiped the sweat from my hands and steadied my shaky hands.  I would hold the gun, freak out, and put it right back down.  Russ was quite patient.  (Probably because we were with Jennifer and Jake! Ha!)  I'm sure he was dying on the inside!  Finally, I pulled the trigger and shot with a scream!

A nervous wreck!

Once I shot a few, I became more and more comfortable.  I never was completely confident, though.  I had to work up my courage every single time I shot.  I would shoot a couple and let Russ have a turn.  I did decide to pull up my hair, put my big girl panties on, and deal with it though.  

Now, I'm getting down to business!

Jennifer and Jake were the first to run through their two boxes of ammo, since I took ten minutes of prep before each shot!  Ha!  They were good sports about watching us finish up!  Plus, Jake went back to retrieve more targets.  They had lots of bullet holes to admire!  Ha!

Sweet friends

Look at that aim!

Russ and I got busy finishing up our ammunition as the range began shutting down.  I was still a little slow and not interested in many shots in a row, so Russ finished up the box for us.  He hung his target upside down and shot the "bad guy's" face off pretty much!

Getting a little better at my aim.

Russ is a pro, however.

 We had such a fun date night with friends!  It was great to try something new and enjoy laughing, encouraging, and visiting with each other.  We have missed Jennifer and Jake very much since our move, and we are SO glad they came up for the night. 

Not bad!

 

 

 I guess this was Jennifer's late birthday celebration!  Ha!  And what a celebration it was! We ended our evening with a late Target run and sitting around the apartment until midnight before they headed back home.  Thanks, Jen and Jake, for helping Russ get me out of my comfort zone and for being the great friends you are to us!  We love ya!

A Big Week

This week turned out to be a big one for us.  Our adoption training was scheduled for Thursday in Jackson, and we made plans to stay with our dear friends, Pat and Felicia, to soak in sweet baby Nate.  We got in town Wednesday night around 8, and the Robbins family all stayed up to greet us.  Toby couldn't wait to show us his baby brother!  So tiny!  

We had a great visit until way past bedtime before we all put our heads on our pillows.  Sweet dreams until our alarm went off the next morning.  Usually I'm not much of a morning person, but when someone is in the kitchen cooking you a deliciously incredible breakfast of biscuits and tomato gravy, it would be hard to keep me under the covers!  Oh. My. Gracious!  It was SO good!  If you've never had Felicia's tomato gravy, please just knock on her door and tell her I sent you!  Ha!

We spent all day Thursday at the adoption training.  It was a great experience, and we had a chance to connect with other prospective adoptive parents who were at the same place we were.  During the adoption training, we all discussed and asked questions on the topic of birthparents, legal matters, search and reunions of birthparents, post adoption depression, realistic expectations, and deciphering between adoption and normal child development among other things.  There were guest speakers including the Bethany attorney and a mental health professional.  The best part of the entire day was at the end when a panel of adoptive parents, birthmothers, and a "Bethany baby" shared their stories. Needless to say, we needed tissue once the first sentence was spoken. It was very touching and helpful to hear personal stories of families who have worked with Bethany through this journey on ALL sides.  We were able to ask questions, laugh together, cry together, and hear encouragement from them.  I am so appreciative that they felt led to share their time with us.

Once our training was over, we headed back to Pat and Felicia's for Russ to take some newborn pics of Nate.  He took Toby's baby pics too, and we were thrilled to do the same for Nate!

Plus, Russ can get in all his practice and experience so he will be ready to take pictures of our little one!

We mustn't forget big brother!  We tried with all our might to get him in pictures, and we were successful at times!  Ha!

 I love this picture!  It pretty much sums it up! Ha!

 Robbins family portrait

Mommy and Daddy got in on the fun too!  We love these two so much!

Thank you SO much, as always, for being such great friends!  We miss you terribly and can't wait to watch our children grow up together!  

But, this isn't the end of the big week!  Nope.  We got a phone call from Elizabeth yesterday letting us know that our home study has been APPROVED!!!!  Yay!!!  We are so excited and ready to get our profiles out there!  They should be here by Monday, and I will send them directly to the Bethany office for the showing!  Thank you all SO much for your prayers and encouragement through this part of the journey!  They have been invaluable.  Now, we are prayerful throughout our wait...however long or short it will be.  Prayerful for the birthmother, the child God has chosen for our family, and for our patience as we wait.

Thankful for a BIG WEEK!