Random photos...

Daddy demonstrates his plow in the garden.
Joey opening his Father's Day gifts (he looked so different for a few days without his gotee!)
Jenny and Brandon at Jenny's birthday party at San Jose'
Wanda and Marie - aren't they beautiful! Wanda has such a gorgeous family!
Erika and Jack in their favorite disguise! Ha! They're so cute!
Chloe taking a nap after a long afternoon at the groomers' and getting her "summer do"
Marshall and Lindsay on Marshall's first father-to-be Father's Day
Lindsay looks so cute and is due in October.

Lessons learned in the garden

My how time flies...

Wow, it seems like forever since I've blogged anything or had the chance to read everyone's blogs and I have some more I want to read and get caught up! It's so neat seeing what everyone's up to from Laresa's great news about her son's mission call to Connie's adventures and her fun writing to Ginger's great photos of the boys and on and on - what fun I've had the last half hour "catching up!" A few things we've been up to:

Addi attended YW camp and had a great time!

My friend, Janet, came to visit from Washington state, interviewed for teaching jobs here in SC, and got a job so she's moving here!!! Yippee!!! While she was here we went to Isle of Palms and took Addi and Wesley with us and had a fun afternoon on the beach last Saturday.

We finished ball season losing the Championship game by ONLY ONE RUN! It was so fun and so close! What a great season!

I went back to Wilmington with Erika and spent a night and day with her and Jack. We had a fun time and did some shopping. I purchased the Randy Pausch "Last Lecture" on CD to listen to on the drive home and yes, it's the best - highly recommend it. So uplifting and motivational!

Work is okay - could be better...long story for another time - could be worse, some people don't have a job...

Joey asked my parents about the big "M" word...more to follow...

Last night Joey and I had dinner at Bubba & Karen's house and had a lot of fun. Karen does such a fantastic job and their home is beautiful out in the country and overlooks a gorgeous huge pond. Dinner was great and Darla and Tommy were there, too, so you know there was entertainment - anytime Darla's there you know you're going to laugh. Thanks, Karen, that was so fun!

Today I had a garage sale with Jackie and made a few dollars -- that's always a good thing. My was it hot, though, so afterwards I spent the afternoon out by the pool with Michelle and Shane - what great neighbors they are -- thanks, ya'll!

Addison has a new job at Evans Heating & Cooling and is doing a great job according to her supervisors. She's a fast learner and is always willing to go the extra mile - I'm proud of you, Addi!

Ethan is working at Patterson Fan in Blythewood for the summer and has to leave before 7 each morning and I'm so proud of him because by nature he is not an early riser and had all his classes last semester after 9 AM. He's done an amazing job getting up and going and has been a tremendous help to me this summer break so far. Thanks, Ethan, you're so awesome, and thanks for cleaning my Jeep today - love you bunches! (We have this little inside joke about him being jealous of Chloe - it's almost comical even though I think he believes I've lost it because I love this puppy so much. It's pretty funny.)

Chloe, well, she's our little princess still and I just love her to pieces. She is so smart and knows each of our names and if I ask her "Where's Ethan?" she perks her ears up and trots down the hallway to his room. If I ask the same about Joey she jumps onto the back of the sofa and looks out for Joey and same for Addi-she'll find Addi in the house. After Erika and Jack leave she looks for them in the family room and looks confused when I say their name after they leave. She loves to play ball and yesterday retrieved her ball from her toy basket when I asked if she wanted to play ball. I think she's a little Einstein baby but I'm probably just a little biased. (Or maybe like Ethan thinks - I've lost it over this puppy!) Whatever--she is so sweet and is so much company and brings much fun into our home and family.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe weekend and keep writing all the fun things - I loved reading them all today!

Play Ball...

Tonight we played our last season game and WON 8 - 4!! Yay, go team!!! Even through the pouring rain, the thunder, the lightening (which delayed the beginning of the game) and getting soaking wet we played and had such a great time! It has been a super fun season and we all had such fun together - WATCH OUT NEXT YEAR! Below are photos from tonight's game and all the fans we had that cheered us on:

What a great feeling having my family here tonight! Addi is at Girls' Camp but Erika was able to stay a few extra days with me to attend the game and Ethan made it there tonight, too, along with Joey, Mom, Dad, Brandon, Tiawanna, Spencer, Andrew, Carson, and Maddie along with many other friends and family. Thanks, ya'll!

Friendshipping...

Each morning when we wake up Chloe is so anxious to go outside first for the obvious reason, to do her business, and the second is the most fun one - she LOVES to chase the squirrels and birds. Most mornings she does the latter one way before the first and I end up getting frustrated on the mornings I'm trying to get ready for work or church or whatever and I'm trying to get her to do her business and come back inside. Well, on with my story as to why I have this on my mind...

No matter how long Chloe stays out and chases the squirrels when she comes back in she hops up on the back of the sofa and looks out the window and just whines like a baby when she spots another squirrel or bird. At times it really pulls at my heart strings and I can't help but wonder if she's thinking, "Why won't they let me play with them? Won't you be my friend?" Her whine is really sad sometimes and I think she knows I feel sorry for her and will get an extra treat for her before leaving for work but at the same time it makes me think sometimes...Is that what we're thinking sometimes? Why don't others let us catch up to them? Am I doing all that I can to help bring back those who have wandered and may be just waiting for someone to go just a little out of their way to friendship them or welcome them back? The lesson in Relief Society Sunday that Sis. Adams taught really touched me and I've been thinking alot lately about all those who are missing in our meetings and what may be going on in their lives that may be keeping them away from not only church but some of the blessings they could be enjoying. What is it that they may be chasing or searching for that we could help with? Do they just need a friend? My daddy has told me on different occasions that there is a season for everything and we all are in different seasons of our lives. However, without the love and support of my friends, my family, and my church family I don't know where my life may be right now. I know that so many times we all get caught up in the daily hum-drum of life and the day slips by and then it's a week then a month and before we know it a year has passed or more. I have the greatest of intentions at times and think about people and friends I miss but I don't always take the initiative to write a note or make a call just to let them know I'm thinking of them or that I miss seeing them. I hope that we will all take Sis. Adams challenge seriously and write a card to some special friend that just may be needing a little pick-me-upper this week. Who knows what bounteous things grow from one tiny seed planted with kindness. It only takes a moment...

Before closing I just want to say to all my blogger friends that I am grateful for you all and for your friendships. It means so much to have a sweet comment left and it's amazing how far one positive comment will go in a person's life.

Sometimes I just tell Chloe when she's out chasing squirrels on a morning we're not so rushed, "Go, Chloe, go make some friends!" And sometimes it looks almost like she smiles back at me!

What a catch!

WHAT: A 7 lb. 3 oz. Largemouth Bass

WHERE: Lake Wateree, South Carolina

WHEN: June 3, 2008 2:25 PM (while Valencia was working -- just my luck!)

WHO: Joseph Hornsby (who said he couldn't have landed him without his side-kick, Alex, his son who netted the fish for him)

Great job, honey! (Maybe that's the one I let get away yesterday when we went and I just saved it for your great day! Ha! Ha!)