This weekend, I made a trip down to Jackson for a weekend with friends and family. I had a baby shower to attend, and I decided while I was there I could catch up with some friends. Good choice! I RARELY make a trip to Jackson with extra time on my hands. I have lots of friends living there that I never get to see, and I had decided I would at least see a few this time! I drove down Friday night and met family at a Mexican restaurant. My mom, sister, and Rhonda were there doing business. So, I met them on the downswing of their busy-ness!

Me and Clancy

Mama and Rhonda

Kristin and Lee

Aunt Patsy and Uncle Howard

We had a great time! In fact, we just decided to move the party to Kristin and Lee's for the night. We visited, laughed, and goofed off until midnight. Eventually, we all drifted off to sleep in random places.

The next morning, Kristin, Mama, and Rhonda had a business meeting at Kristin's house. So, I made my catch-up plans with some precious college friends. Kelly and Rachael both live in Jackson now. Neither lived there while I did! Oh well! I met them and their sweet boys at Newk's for an early lunch. Other than our life circumstances, we haven't changed. Kelly still laughs at my choice of words or food. Rachael is still as laid back as ever. It's just we've got two mini-me's that add to the fun now. We had a great afternoon visiting and catching up on life.

Rachael, me, Hunter, Kelly (and Baby #2), and Clark

The rest of the afternoon, I spent resting from the night before and joined the business women at a Melaleuca barbeque. It was very yummy! I came back to get ready for Felicia's baby shower. Felicia is near due to have her baby boy #2, Nate! We are super excited and hoping our babies won't be too far apart in age. Or maybe she can just hurry up and have baby #3! Ha!

We met at Julep for her sweet shower. Felicia was looking cute as a button as always. She literally looks like someone just put a basketball in her shirt. TINY! We enjoyed a nice supper and conversation. Then, it was time to open gifts!

Precious reverse applique gown and sweet burp cloth

Felicia showing off her baby pics

After gifts, we all downed some good ole chocolate cake! Yummy! I unbuttoned my pants to make room for more! Ha! Really, I did this before I ever started eating. I had a great time. Thanks, Felicia, for your sweet friendship. And for not giving up when I don't answer my phone and return calls! :) Love ya!

The whole crew

All in all, I had a great weekend trip to Jackson. Sunday, Kristin, Lee, and I made our way to the cemetery. More on that trip in my next post...

Loved from Coast to Coast

Thank you to everyone who has sent pictures wearing your shirts in all these fun places! I canNOT wait to show sweet Baby J how loved he or she already was...even when there was just the HOPE of him/her!

Praying for More on Rodeo Drive

Praying for More when meeting the Duggars!

Praying for More in Chicago

Praying for More on top of Mt. Evens

Praying for more in Cozumel

Praying for More in Beverly Hills

Praying for More in Hawaii

If you haven't already, I'd LOVE to have a picture of you and/or your friends/family wearing your shirt to add to our collection! I've been completely overwhelmed with the response so far. And if you're on vacay and feel led to take a pic in your shirt...even better! You can email pictures to mssmith_14@yahoo.com. We love you all and are so thankful for each prayer lifted on our behalf.

Still praying for more...

Smith Fourth of July Games

Sunday, Russ and I spent the day with my side of the family. After church, we all relaxed and enjoyed a casual Fourth of July cookout! The boys grilled while the girls stayed in the cool kitchen. Ha!

It doesn't get more American than this!

We enjoyed brats with toppings, kielbasa, cheese, salad, tenderloin, carrots, crock pot mac and cheese, pimento cheese, and more! We finished it off with homemade banana pudding, pound cake, Gigi's cupcakes, or fruit. It was a smorgasbord!

Yummy!

Russ and I at lunch

During lunch, we began our talk of the rest of the day. We decided wiffle ball, croquet, and water balloons would be a fun way to spend our day! We sent Dustin to Walmart for supplies. Scared of what he would buy, we were thrilled with the supplies he got...

Game Day supplies

The best part of Dustin's return was his attire. He returned in full Fourth of July spirit! Uncle Sam was ready to play ball!

Me and Uncle Sam

We spent the rest of the day outside enjoying the sunshine and HEAT! Daddy set up some fans on the deck for our relaxing pleasure. While the girls cooled off by the fans, the guys got busy. When I say got busy, I mean played frisbee with the dogs, had batting practice, etc. Well, except for Daddy. He was on poop patrol! With two grandpuppies home, we needed to clear our ball field. Ha!

Poop patrol

Russ practicing with Dustin

Frisbee

Practice time!

When Daddy finished with his other duties, he got in on the batting practice before the games began! Of course, any he missed were the pitcher's fault I'm sure! Ha!

Daddy and Russ

Farley had a great time chasing down the balls!

Let the games begin! We decided to divide up girls versus boys. Not sure what we were thinking! Me, Kristin, and Mama against all the boys...Dustin, Russ, Lee, Daddy, and Kyle. Not a smart move! First of all, we didn't even have enough people on our team to bat and fill bases at the same time! Secondly, once we ran the bases, we were back up to bat and ready to run again. Don't you remember how my "exercise induced asthma" is!? Ha! We are all out of shape!

Dustin batting

Kristin running bases

Go Mama!

Once we finished the first inning, the girls decided it was time for the boys to play against each other. We were soaked, tired, and dying! I still wanted to play some, so I became a designated hitter for the boys. I thought that meant I just stood there and hit balls all day while the boys ran! Wrong! I had to run too.

Designated hitting!

I quickly became too winded, and needed a rest. So, I basically was a designated hitter when I recovered from my previous runs. I just came and went as I pleased pretty much. Ha! Maw Maw critiqued a little as we played. For example, she told one of the boys after they swung at a strike, "I believe I could do better than that!" So, when she wanted a turn at bat, we were all very interested to see how well she would do! She had her turn and on the third swing, she hit the ball! Not quite as easy as it looks I suppose.

Notice Kristin and Russ on either side ready to catch her if she fell!

Every once in a while before, during, and after the game, someone would sneak a water balloon on the deck and throw it. Mama started it by throwing one at Lee's face that didn't bust. Ouch! Dustin and Russ joined in the fun. We didn't care. We were HOT! Cool water needed.

Russ filling up a balloon

A few shots from our wiffle ball game

After wiffle ball, we took a break from our activities. In fact, we all showered and changed our stinky clothes. We watched a movie and grazed over the leftover food. After the movie, Daddy started setting up the croquet game.

The sun was going down, and the temperature wasn't quite as bad. It was time for another Fourth of July game! We all grabbed our colored croquet sticks (not sure what the technical name is) and began whacking away!

Dustin trying to get through the first set of hoops

Russ started out pretty far ahead of the rest of us. Don't worry. He didn't last long. My dad and brother are much too competitive to allow it for long!

Russ started out far ahead of the rest

I started out and STAYED way behind everyone else! Ha!

Towards the end, all the boys were close. They started trying to hit each other so they could whack the other balls far away from the course. It got pretty gritty! Lee aimed at Daddy's ball but we weren't sure it actually hit it. Instead of just giving him the benefit of the doubt, Daddy pulled out a dollar bill to check for space. End result? They were touching and Lee whacked him far away! Ha!

Competitive boys!

Daddy ready to start heading back to the starting point

Shots from our croquet game

The winner was...no surprise...Dustin! I'm not sure of the other places. Just know that Kristin and I decided not to even finish for fear of midnight coming soon! Ha! We were way behind!

Another Smith Fourth of July Game Day

The next morning Russ and I came back over for Mama's Fourth of July breakfast! Although Russ and I had showered and driven over, the rest of the house wasn't necessarily awake. When we walked in, Mama was singing "The Star Spangled Banner" as she entered each bedroom to wake the masses. The volume became louder and louder until we all met in the kitchen. Quite the wake up call, I'm sure!


Our breakfast was delicious and very patriotic. We had cheese grits, breakfast casserole, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes. For a brunch dessert, we had a Fourth of July flag cake. YUMMO!!

I pledge allegiance...

This Fourth of July proved to be one to remember. It's always such fun to get our families together and celebrate, visit, and enjoy the festivities! I am so thankful that we have the freedoms to do so.

God bless America!

A Johnson Fourth Celebration

Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! Well, I guess all holidays are one of my faves. Ha! But, there's something about the Fourth. Summertime. The lake. The heat. The food. Casual. Family. Fireworks. You get the idea!

Russ and I traveled back home to celebrate the long weekend since he was off Monday. We got in town very late Friday night. Russ's family planned to grill out Saturday night with the family. I always love when the whole family gets together! We are never short of conversation, laughter, and fun times! Russ's parents had a yummy spread of hamburgers, hotdogs, brats, and dessert. Roan and I both brought corn dip! Great minds think alike! But, they were two different variations at least.

Aunt Julie, Jenny, and Jeff

Roan, Sam, Seth, Olivia, Julie, and Clay

Will and Elle

Russ and Jimmy

Me and Russ's mom

Sisters

Grace and Leah

After we all stuffed our face, we relaxed and visited. Guys usually head to the sun room. Us girls stayed in the dining room while the kids ran around. Olivia and Julie are getting to the age where they spend a lot of time in the room visiting with the "older girls." I still don't feel like a "woman!" Ha! We got on the subject of our adoption and home study process. For those wondering, our individual interviews are next week...so start praying! I go to Oxford on the 12th and Russ goes on the 15th. Anyway, Olivia asked what I was going to wear. She suggested I dress like a "mom." Ha! We kept on talking and had even changed the subject. I realized Jenny had been missing for a while, but I didn't know when she had gotten up or where she had gone. I took a trip the restroom and when I returned, I heard all this giggling and squealing coming from the dining room. I was called in to see what Jenny had picked out for me to wear to my interview...

Jenny modeling the latest in 90's fashion

She had gone up to her closet and pulled out an outfit from high school. Complete with tapered leg, very high waist, pleated fronts, and matching decorative sweater! First of all, my big toe wouldn't be able to fit in that! Secondly, no thank you! Ha! Russ quickly told her that she was missing the "mom pooch."

She fixed that...

That's more like it!

Yep. They've got me ready! Love all my support from the family! Ha! Of course, Russ's mom just loved the outfit and thought it looked so cute on her! I agree. Maybe Jenny will wear this to church on Wednesday. She'll need a matching pair of Keds to match.

We all had a great visit, and everyone stayed around much later than normal. I love family nights like that! We had a wonderful time at the Johnson Fourth Celebration!

The View From Here

Such a hard life...