KAKI CELEBRATES!

Karen King whom I lovingly named KAKI a long time ago celebrated her birthday while we were in town. We ate dinner at Carrabba's. We celebrated with friends..old and new. Kaki, Chris, Myself, Brian, Danielle, Mason, Kyle, and Chad. The great things about birthdays is you get to reflect on the past year and what may be coming the next. I pray for Kaki many surprise blessings all through out the year!

Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Now I couldn't be in town during Valentine's week and not go work down at the shop. I had fun reminiscing about the good ol' days. I still worked though and figured out that I wired over 100 dozen roses. And yes, that is my Mike & Ed's sweet tea in the background.

Nate came to the flower shop and worked too. He made some great close up pictures of the flowers. Here is a great one of a lily.
Shawnesse and Jay

Now, I don't remember what they were talking about, but they work like a team.
Sky

My cousin. He worked extremely hard at the shop for the holiday rush. I did keep him on his toes by cutting jokes and making him laugh. As you see, he played back.

Monkey Joe's

Ashley and Amy took the kids to Monkey Joe's (an indoor bounce house) while we were in town. They all seemed to have a great time. I am not sure who had more fun, Ashley, Amy, or the kids. Now don't get mad at me, Ashley made these pictures and didn't send one of herself. As soon as she does I will add it.

You have turn your head sideways to see Julia in her

Cinderella shirt outside the "Princess Castle."

Abigail on one of the rides.

Caleb and Amy.

The entire time we were in Phenix City it was David who was constantly with Amy. I guess all those years of her spoiling him have created a wonderful cousinship.

David Zippin down the slide.

And for those of you who have seen how David doesn't like to ride these I was happy for the photo.

The May's

The May Family

The plan had originally been for the boys to stay with Brian and that me and the girls to stay at Parkers. And since those houses are so close, we thought this would be perfect. But, we didn't plan on the kids all wanting to stay with Aunt Judy and Uncle Charles. So our Aunt and uncle spoiled us by letting us have all the evenings to ourselves at Brian's. We got to spend some really good time with our family and friends while we were in town. It was a small act on Charles and Judy's part, but it made Chris and I feel spoiled!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It was Amy and Charles Birthday as soon as we got to town! We often feel like we miss out on so many activities, and celebrations, that it was nice to be present.

Julia and Paw-Paw.

We unloaded the car and Julia went straight for Parker. I find that ironic. I think she looks the most the May's. Parker seemed to really enjoy having all the kids there. He liked to watch Charles and Judy spoil them too.

Daisy and Leo

These are Amy and Ashleys dogs. At first the girls were hesitant. But by the end of the week they were giving commands like "hush dog" and "get down". They could even tell these matching dogs apart. I guess that is a twin thing!

Paw-Paw never seems to age. I thought this was a really good picture of Chris and Parker.

Here is Judy giving the kids presents for Amy's Birthday!

Sometimes I wonder just what we are going to do with her!

THIS SPOT RESERVED FOR A GOOD PICTURE OF ASHLEY!

The Crumbley's

Mom and Dad's dear friends from Marietta, Georgia came down to visit during the birthday party. It was so good to see them. I wanted to put some pictures of them on here. We have known them for 27 years.

Grandmother's 80th Birthday!

Grandmother Esther and Grandaddy JP with the centerpiece that Aunt Shawnesse arranged.

Grandmother And Grandaddy with their Children

(L to R) Cathy, Karen, Jan, Julie, Jay, and Kevin

How blessed am I to have this many Aunt's and Uncle's? When we get together I feel loved and try to soak it all in. Since we live so far away I have to make these feelings last til the next time. As individual as my relatives are I love them each in their own way.

Aunt Cathy and Uncle Billy always make me feel like their daughter. I feel so at home at their house, that if they rearrange, it FREAKS me out! Jsut ask them about redoing tehir den. My Aunt Karen and Uncle Steve are so kind. And Uncle Steve will always hold a special place in my heart for two reasons 1. He went with me to take the boys on their pirate adventure and 2. He alwasy remembers my brother's birthday. When you are good to my brother, you are good to me. Aunt Julie and Uncle Mark. They love my family so much. Uncle Mark and Chris were ordained as deacons together. So I share a unique bond with them becasue we worship together. Uncle Jay and Aunt Shawnesse. I worked for Aunt Shawnesse at the flower shop for years. So I had the priveledge of watching them date and then later when they got engaged. Uncle Kevin and Aunt Cheryl. They were the placed I hung out in college. They have always been willing to listen, and Aunt Cheryl gave some good dating advice!

Grandmother and Ms. Virginia Kennedy.

Ms. Virginia is the person I think of when someone says "missions". She served as our WMU leader for years. She makes sure everyone gets a birthday card on their birthday. I know there will come a day when I no longer get one from her. I will be sad, but will rejoice knowing she is at our Father's feet.

Me and Brian acting silly.

I like all those staged photos, but sometimes it is fun to be free and silly. And since Brian and I have always had that part of us that is "drama", it only seemed fitting to have a picture to prove it. He is like a brother to me. I enjoyed staying at his house. Chris, Brian and Myself had a lot of spiritual conversations and some fun ones too. I miss Brian a lot and Chris thinks of him as his "other brother". I share a bond with Brian that is hard to put into words. He is my cousin, and I think God knew we would need each other. I am blessed!

Me and Grandmother

I wanted a good picture of me and Granmother. She has been a rock in my life for so many years. For the first 8 years I was married Grandmother was a phone call away and less than 5 miles from my home. When I had all of my children she was there. Not always at the hospital, but the days later when I had questions about breastfeeding, baby food, and two babies! She was with me at ultrasounds. And Julia even waved to her from the womb. Her faith has been one that I try to model my life after. She is always a lady and handles each event in her life with Grace and Dignity. She will never know what a powerful influnce she has had on my life and the life of children. I tried really hard on this trip to memorize her face. I don't know why but I think I took her birthday hard. I don't like to think of her as aging, she seems timeless. And a part of me is selfish. The older she gets, the closer she gets to eternity. I am aware of the time I have with her. I hope when she leaves me, I will be able to handle that with the same Grace and Dignity she has shown me.

Joy's Last dinner

Our dear friends Joy and Kendall Helgren are going to be career missionaries in Zambia, Africa. Before they left to go to their International Training in Virginia, we took Joy out for dinner. The other girls in the pictures are some of my closest friends...Amy Hudson, my best friend since we joined Wedgwood Baptist, Rhonda Baker, who I began working with as a wedding coordinator and then we became the best of girlfriends, Joy, who is a huge AUBURN fan and we instantly hit it off, and my newest friend Vira, who also happens to be my neighbor.

Joy, Vira, Rhonda, Amy, And Myself

at Johnny Carinos!

More cutsie pictures

I just had to send out a few more pictures.

Snow Day

What an interesting afternoon. It has been cold on and off since New Year's. Today we had a surprise snow shower. The kids just had to out and see it. Of course, David encouraged them all to taste it!