Cozumel!!

A friend recently pointed out that I never showed her any pictures from our trip to Cozumel last June. I thought I better get some posted before our trip down again this summer!

 a tired traveler.....ready for some food and fun!

 me, Miss M, Cupcake Nana, and Aunt K

 the view from one of our 3 balconies!

 Nana & Miss M enjoying some music on the balcony

 towel animals every day, just like on a cruise

 The outdoor bed on the largest balcony. I just needed mosquito netting and I would have slept outside most nights! It was a fun spot for cards and taking a nap though.

 Me and my SIL with some of the Native American dancers from one of the shows we saw.

 Aunt J was brave to hold this big guy. Smaller iguanas were everywhere; kinda like squirrels are in my neighborhood.

 Mr C on an excursion to the other side of the island

 Miss M was usually in her swimsuit and had a red tongue from strawberry daiquiris.

 She was really excited about the braids and left them in for over a week after we got home.

 The view at night from our room.....

 Two "tour guides" showing the giant tiki type roof on the lobby.

 Enjoying one of 3 pools....

 Another strawberry drink!!

 I took this shot in the ocean to show how crystal clear the water was - almost more so than the pool itself! I enjoyed snorkeling a little each day. My dad and brother are the only two divers in the group.

 Another night view.....

 Last drink and stroll around the property before leaving the next morning.

 The waiters got to know my children well and started a carafe of hot chocolate with a dish of whipped cream each morning when we walked in.

Time to leave paradise.....we are looking forward to heading back again this June!

Spring Break!!

My mailbox is dressed for spring...the calendar says it's time...but the weather doesn't seem to notice! No snow here, but cold and rainy the last two days. It snowed just about 2 hours west of here and even parts south in Arkansas! Wow! (By the way...my mailbox decoration was salvaged from an old wreath while the ribbon and butterfly were tied on a gift I received. Yes, I have a hard time throwing some things away!)

The above picture was taken early last week on a beautiful spring day. So glad Miss M was out last week for spring break. We went to an Imax movie about the ocean with about 40 MOPS friends; met our adopted mother/grandmother for the day near where she lives now; saw an AWESOME free puppet show at the library; enjoyed some DQ with our best buds; attended a live production of Max and Ruby; plus Miss M and I enjoyed some studio time at a local paint your own pottery place. It was a great "staycation"!

Mr C and I will miss the big sister when she is at school this week...we kinda got used to having her around all day!

Thick As Thieves

I am not really sure what that means, but I think it is an accurate description of my relationship with the great friends we visited earlier in the week. You know that kind of person you love just as much (maybe even more!?) than your real family? Dwight and Judy are just those kinds of folks. They were our Sunday school teachers for a few years when we first moved here and we clicked almost right away. Their grown children lived away from our city, just like my folks, so we filled in for one another - so much in fact, we actually had people ask if we were mother/daughter. When Miss M was born, Judy was there! All was great until December 2006 when they retired and moved 4 hours away.
We try and keep in touch and manage quick visits when they are passing through, but it was time for a longer visit. The wee ones and I enjoyed two nights in the country at their beautiful place. We were blessed to have our good friend Jenny and her wee one as traveling companions. We stayed up WAY to late both nights, let the wee ones eat too much ice cream and cake, and just enjoyed the fellowship. We also promised that we wouldn't let two years pass between visits again. When we got home and the car was unloaded, I found Miss M sobbing in her room. "I just miss Dwight and Judy and Rosie and Rusty so much. When we can go see them again?" I am counting the days too Miss M.Miss M and Mr C got a ride around the yard. It was the first time Mr C has ever ridden but I think he liked it!
Even I got a turn on Rosie...reminded me of riding on my grandparent's ranch in Texas. Notice the beautiful surroundings...
Mr C is all grins with Dwight!
Fun times with Rusty - he was just a puppy during our last visit. Also, can you BELIEVE we are wearing jackets the last week of July?? We even wore long pants the next day.
Shucking corn with Judy and Jenny - everything tastes better on the farm!
Miss M is busy telling Judy some big plans, I'm sure!
Hi Rosie! I don't have any more apples for you today...eat this weed instead!

Another treat with some special folks happened today. The Stinkin' Bakers informed us they were about 1 1/2 hours away for his high school reunion. They don't really stink but we started calling them that when they moved to the other side of the world for 2 years. We met in 2001 in Dwight and Judy's class and have come to know and love them like family. Now they live in Florida, but return to our area a few times a year to visit his parents. Usually, they are able to drive on over and spend a night or two with us as well as attend church. This visit was already jam packed, so we made a day trip over the river to see them instead. I think Mr B got a few other pics, so check facebook if you are friends with either of us...maybe he will post there. Here is one good shot of Miss M reading to the little ones. As always, Mr B's parents were so hospitable...I would claim them as family any day!
If you are still with me, here is one more closing thought. My friend in real life posted recently about friendship and I really had that topic on my heart and mind lately. OK, honestly I was almost having a pitty party. Then I get to spend some time with very special friends and I was reminded of how God gave me a special gift in each of them - and not just one friend but FIVE in one week!
Also, at our MOPS steering retreat last weekend, I asked each leader to share with the group someone who was a person of influence in their life. Each story varied, but several qualities were repeated: encourager, generous, trusting God in ALL things, knowing what matters, positive attitude...I hope I can be those things to others. At the close of our sharing time, I encouraged each leader to contact their person and let him/her know how thankful they are for the influence. Why don't you do the same this week?

Country Mouse, City Mouse

The wee ones and I, plus a friend and her wee one, are back from a road trip to see friends who are just like family. Actually, they are better than some of my family! HA!! Once upon a time, these friends lived in our fair city but moved to the country a few years ago after retirement. They are too busy to come visit us, so we had to go to them.I will post pics later, but check back for:

• recipe and directions on how to make THE BEST party mints
  
• pics of a sweet horse named Rosie - with my two wee ones riding her!
• pics and supply list for my latest project

I also had the best time with my MOPS steering leaders over the weekend. We wrote a vision statement and goals for our group. MOPS is gonna ROCK this year....excited God is allowing me to be a part of the plan!

OK, bags to unpack and then off to bed. I stayed up WAY too late both nights with my friends. I told them when I got up this morning that my bags were already packed - in reference to my eyes!!

Vacation & Lost Teeth

Having so much fun out of state at my parent's home....too bad my camera and the folk's computer can't "talk" or I would show you the fun! We have spent time in my parent's pool each evening, having to literally drag Mr C out each time for dinner. Miss M and Nana plan to make a heart shaped cake tomorrow for my brother and sis in law's 2nd anniversary. We also plan to hit goodwill and another thrift store in town tomorrow. I have such fond memories when my cousin would come to visit from Texas...we would spend an hour or so trying things on at the thrift store and she would tell her friends back home all her great finds came for a "cute little boutique where her cousin lives." We also went to the salavation army the day before a sack sale. (All you can fit in a paper grocery sack for either $2 or $4...it has been over years now and I can't remember!) We picked out what we wanted to buy, then hung them all on the rack in one spot so when the store opened the next morning, we just went to straight to our stash and shoved in our sacks! We also learned that you could fit even more in a sack if you tightly rolled each item. Yes, the money went to to a good organization but remember, we were just high school students with a very limited clothing budget!
Also, when I get home next week I can't wait to post pics of the craft Nana, Miss M and I worked on for Miss M's 6th birthday party next month...cute and fun!! Oh yeah and Miss M lost her first tooth yesterday - when we get home next week we will use my old tooth fairy pillow. She asked me last week if the tooth fairy was real and I asked her what she thought. "Probably not, but can we just pretend anyway?"

Vacation Pictures & Catching Up

As mentioned last week, the wee ones and I met some of the family in Branson for a little vacation. Mr C enjoyed the pool and tram ride in the Silver Dollar City parking lot the best! As you know, Miss M has a need for speed and that was met by some of the bigger rides, although she wasn't tall enough for the big coasters. (I don't think she would have ridden them anyway!)

Miss M being "robbed"
on the train. I was
a little scared of this
as a child, but she
took it in stride.









One of the few rides
Mr C could go on,
but he still found
plenty of fun
things to do.









Miss M, Aunt Jennifer,
and Uncle Nathan on the
kiddie coaster.
























Relaxing with Nana...notice Mr C is holding Nana down so she won't get away! (Like she would...with a cutie like him sitting there!!)



Pool Time!

























This shot was NOT staged - he crawled into bed, set up his pillow and dog Bob, pulled up the blanket, and asked for "me read Mama" - then crossed his leg on his knee and proceeded to check out the brochure for the animal show we were going to see in the morning.


The MOPS garage sale didn't raise as much as last year, but we were still pleased and very blessed by the proceeds. I have only been to the airport in Nashville and I am looking forward to exploring the city a little.

Finally, I think our strawberry plants are just about spent for the season. I was able to pick enough after church though for this VERY fresh strawberry pie! The green beans should be ready for picking in another week or two and the cucumbers are looking good too. It has been a little wet for the okra, but it will do well in the dry and hot days later this summer. Our tomato plants are looking a little weak though, so I might give them a boost with some additional fertilizer this week. Also, about fertilizer...I have been thinking about having a compost bin for the garden....any of you have experience in this area?


I will leave you with a shot of the above mentioned berry pie....Andy and I had a slice after I took the picture...YUMMY!! Safety fair in the morning and then working on a paper mache sheep for VBS tomorrow afternoon with a gal from church. Depending on how they look, we might post a picture or two of that later!

"so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19