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!)

Fishing Tales...

Today Joey and Alex went fishing at the lake. It was such a beautiful and cool Spring day and I must admit that I was a little bit jealous at not getting to go. You see, last time we went fishing was last Wednesday - the same day that Snuggles died so I was a little down in the dumps...Well, Joey and I planned a fishing date for yesterday when I got off work and wouldn't you know it poured rain just about the time we were to go - just my luck. (I'm not complaining, though, I know we so need the rain and I was grateful.)

Well, back to my story - today Joey and Alex went and I was

excited for them and for Alex to get to go. Just after lunch I

got a call from Joey and he had bad news...They'd caught just

one bass - just about 3 pounds and Joey got so excited. He
put the fish in the boat and showed Alex where to cast and
about the time Alex cast his line the fish Joey'd caught started

doing this major flopping around in the boat with hook still attached - landing the hook directly into Joey's right thumb! The fish continued to flop and flounder around as he's trying to get un-hooked only for the hook to break off into his finger. As much as I'd missed him today the ER at work was not my first choice of meeting places but I was still glad to see him. The wait was extra short this afternoon and Dr. Summers got his finger numbed up, opened up to retrieve the broken fish hook, and sealed back up in a very short time. Prior to coming to the hospital, Alex was such a great sport and was able to drive the boat back to the landing when it happened and got them safely back to shore, the boat loaded up, and then they came to the hospital. I told Joseph we have to stop meeting at the ER - just show up at my office like yesterday just for fun for lunch! Ha!

What a sport Joey is, too, and what a sweetheart he is to our family. We'd planned to have a small fish fry tonight and even with his injured finger we had a delicious feast tonight consisting of the fish caught the last few trips (Joey filets them as he cleans them!), hushpuppies, and Mom's famous coleslaw. It was great -- even the one that almost got away! That one is probably one expensive fish - hope we all got a bite of him at dinner-time!

Happy Memorial Day and reflections...

It's been a very beautiful day today for Memorial Day and I took the day off namely for some quality family time and I can honestly say it was a day well spent. I am very grateful for those who gave their lives in service so that we may enjoy the privileges we do today. With all that's going on in the world that is negative with crime and the price of gas being at the top of that list there is so much good that we have to enjoy. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech (without that we couldn't blog -- GEEZ!!), and so many other things that bring us happiness are just a few of a long list of rights we as Americans have because of those service men and women who fought for these rights for us and continue in the fight for others all around the globe. I hope we all take the time before closing our eyes tonight to pray and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for so many blessings He has given us and pray for the safety of those who serve our country.

Because I haven't blogged in over a week I'm going to include some photos and just highlight some of the activities we've been involved in recently:

Wednesday, 5/21/08 - Joey picked me up from work and took me fishing to Dale's. It was fun but I was not really in a fishing mood because Snuggles, our outside dog we'd had for 8+years got run over and killed that evening. It was a sad time for our family and we'll miss Snuggles. Chloe was going to the door and window looking for Snuggles the first couple days after the accident but I think she's realized now that Snuggles is not here. On the fishing trip, though, we brought 9 really nice size bass home - I'll be more in a fishing mood next time so you better watch out, Joey, you may not catch the most next time when I feeling a little more chipper!

Sunday, 5/25/08 - stopped by Tiawanna and Ginger's for a while to check on them and their move they're making and the boys had such fun outside for a little while. They enjoyed racing both on foot and then on their toys. They're so cute!!!

Today, Memorial Day, 5/26/08 - Ethan, Addison, and I enjoyed some time at the neighbor's pool just sunning and swimming (well, not me for the swimming - the water was still too cool for me!) and Wesley and Melissa joined us in the afternoon. After a few hours in the sun we get ready and went to Mom's for dinner and it was delicious. Daddy had barbequed hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, barbeque chicken, and rice and hash with all the trimmings. Yummy! Joey ate with us before leaving for his last night on night shift. We had a fun day!

Wesley's family (except Cole) at the ATEC Awards Day and National Technical Honor Society Induction - Tuesday, 5/20/08. He has such a great family! Joey and I used to date with Bubba and Karen and we've all been friends for a very long time. It's neat that Addi and Wesley are dating (even though I still don't feel like we're all old enough to have kids all these ages! ha!) They are so much fun to be around. On Sunday, 5/25/08 Wesley was baptized at their church. Addi and I attended and then had lunch over at their house and it was so good. Karen had an absolute feast and we had really nice time. Her red velvet cake is nearly sinful it's so good! Thanks, ya'll, for a such a great lunch and an enjoyable afternoon - we sure enjoyed it!

Addi with Sherrill at the end of her intership for the Community Internship Program. She learned so much and Sherrill is such a wonderful mentor teaching Addi so much about the newborn babies. Addison even got to watch a real birth which was a great experience.
Addi with Darlene, her mentor at the dentist office where she spent the first half of her internship program. Darlene was also an excellent mentor - so patient and so kind to Addison showing her so many aspects of dental hygiene and what to expect in this profession as well as giving her some hands-on experience. This is something Addison will always remember and we are so grateful for this experience and the kind people she had as teachers and mentors to her.
Congratulations to Joey and Alex for placing among the top 20 out of more than 100 participants in the "Take a Child Fishing" tournament on Saturday, 5/17/08. Alex was so excited about his trophy he won and Joey was quite the proud papa! They had a really great time and did a super job placing like they did! Way to go, Joey and Alex!!!
Addi with Mrs. Vidal, her Health Sciences teacher who taught her so much this past year. Thanks, Mrs. Vidal, for the valuable lessons you've instilled in these students and for the encouragement and enthusiam you demonstrate which helps them to choose their career paths. It's been a fantastic year for Addison!
Addison and Wesley at the ATEC Awards Day and Technical Honor Society Induction, 5/20/08. Wesley was named Most Outstanding Student in his class (Building/Construction). Way to go, Wesley!

I was so excited that my parents came for Addison's Honor Society Induction at ATEC. It was a very nice program and Addi felt so special to have them there! They are so incredible. Thanks, Mom and Dad -- YOU'RE THE BEST! Congratulations to you, Addison, for all your accomplishments your junior year - you're an amazing young girl! I love you bunches!

Other news for our family the past couple weeks:

• Ethan began his job recently for the summer at Patterson Fans in Blythewood.
• Erika and Jack are loving their stay in Wilmington. Jack's work is going really well and Erika is working part-time in the office which is all right close in the same apartment complex. They didn't make it home this weekend but plan to come some time next week. It's so near knowing they're that close!!! (I wish gas wasn't so expensive so we could visit more often!)
• Ginger and Shaun and Tiawanna have made great strides this weekend with the move and it should be complete very soon. I know it's been a lot of work for them but will be so nice when it's completed.

Hope everyone has a happy and safe rest of the week!

Laughing with Darla and friends...what could be funnier?! Ha!

After not feeling great today we had a girls' night out to El Palenque Mexican Restaurant and I have not laughed so hard in a long time! Anytime Darla's there it's a party and she kept us in stitches laughing! Karen's son, Cole, is a natural entertainer and we laughed about things he's said that Karen shared with us. We got to the restaurant at 7 PM and finally at 10:35 they were cutting the lights off and we finally got up to pay and leave - I couldn't believe it was that late. It was Darla, Tiawanna, Karen, Jackie, and me. Thanks, Jackie, for being our chauffeur to dinner then Karen drove us to Walmart to do some late night shopping. My stomach still hurts from the laughing! Thanks, ya'll, for such a fun night - we have to do it again soon. "Hey, Darla, do you want to go to the office? Answer - it ain't crowded!" High school memories - they're the best! Thanks for all the laughter - it truly is the best medicine!

Happy Mother's Day!

With my mom...Happy Mother's Day to the greatest mom and grandmother

in the whole wide world!

Having all my family back together for Mother's Day

was the greatest feeling I could imagine! It had been

eight months since we'd been together!

My firstborn child - we like being goofy!

Grandmother with Carson - her youngest

great-grandchild and how he loves his Grandmother!

Joey, me, and Jody - she'd made the absolute best

homemade 8-layer chocolate cake to bring to Mom's!

Jody is just like her mom (Aunt Elma) in so many ways

and is such a pillar of strength. I love you so much, Jody,

and I need to take lessons from you.

Addison with Ginger - my beautiful niece

whom I love just like she was my own child!

She's so amazing and is such an awesome

Mommy to her three precious boys!

Joey and me with Uncle Mac - Uncle Mac is both

my uncle and Joey's uncle. He is the brother of my grandma

on my mama's side of the family and he married Joey's great

aunt, Aunt Fannie. Uncle Mac and my MaMa (Lula) could have

really passed as twins, they look so much alike. Addi and I

attended Joey's church today because Joey was playing a song

on his guitar and singing "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle"

for Mother's Day. It was GREAT! He is so talented and I

believe his mom was very proud.

Joey performed his song again at Mom's

My beautiful sister, Tiawanna - also my "other" mother. She has always been such an inspiration to me and even though we've "fussed" about her "mothering" me over the years I know I wouldn't take anything for her always being there to help me and guide me. She's such a beautiful person both inside and out and I am so thankful that she is not only my sister but also my dear friend. I love you, sis! Happy Mother's Day!

Last but not least, Chloe wishes me a Happy Mother's Day - she's our sweet baby. Tonight it was tough seeing Erika and Jack leave to head back to Wilmington because it was so wonderful having them here today for Mother's Day, but it sure is a great feeling to know they're not too far away. Ethan also gave me a set of beautiful magnolia prints that I'm going to put on either side of my Scarlett O'Hara picture and I was so excited. It has been such a beautiful and heartwarming day. I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day.

Happy 20th Birthday, Ethan - Reunion with Erika and Jack!

What an eventful day -- Ethan's 20th birthday (wow how time flies!) and reunited with Erika and Jack after 8 months (this time did not fly!) and we had so much fun! We arrived in Wilmington at around 1:45 AM - stayed up laughing and catching up until after 3:30. Jack and Erika's apartment is gorgeous and there is so much to do and so much fun shopping within walking distance! (Probably a good thing we were only there a day! Ha!) After sleeping a while we enjoyed a big breakfast together before Jack left for work and then Erika, Ethan, and I enjoyed some shopping, sight-seeing around Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, Birthday Dinner at Hiro's Japanese Steakhouse, and just had a blast just being together again...

Ethan drove us home (which was such a luxury for me) and upon arriving home around 11:15 Addison (who wasn't able to miss school and go with us) had gotten Ethan a red velvet birthday cake and card and had it on the dresser next to her. We sang and Ethan blew out the candles making a very sweet end of his birthday.

It is such an awesome feeling having all my children so close for the summer! It's going to be a fun one!

Great Mother's Day already...I'm so thankful...

I am so thankful and excited - Erika has arrived in Wilmington safe and sound and is there with Jack. It was tough not to get into the Jeep and drive there this afternoon and be there when she rolled in but I know she was exhausted and it would've been tough to visit a couple hours and drive 3 hours back home. I'm off Wednesday so we'll either head there Tuesday night and spend the day Wednesday (which also happens to be Ethan's 20th birthday! Yippee!) or she'll come here and spend a few days. Regardless, she's close and reunited with her dear husband and just being within a few hours driving distance is just a great feeling! I love you, Erika, and I'm so grateful and give such thanks for your safe arrival through the snow and ice and storms through Wyoming and Nebraska - I love you and I hope the next two days pass quickly so we can be together! I've missed you so much! What an awesome way to begin the week of Mother's Day!

Ethan had a dirty day removing the alternator from his Jeep and doing some automotive repairs. It was a messy job but he learned so much and I'm so proud of him. In the process of taking it to the parts place Ethan and Grandaddy (my daddy) came by the hospital and had lunch with me Friday and it was so nice. I enjoyed "showing them off!" This photo was taken at the end of the job - yuck, Ethan, you can't come to supper until you clean up some! Ha! He did a great job repairing his Jeep.

Addison enjoyed a somewhat quiet weekend but did some great things. Friday night she had a date with Wesley and some friends to Sandhills. She was a wonderful help with some household chores Friday and Saturday and then Saturday evening she thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at the Special Olympics. This is something close to Addi's heart, especially after caring for her precious step-sister who was handicapped and passed away 2 years ago. Addison has such a giant heart, especially with those with special needs. Thanks, Addi, for making a difference.

My weekend started off and ended well. After picking up Joey from work Friday night he and I went "car looking" and then to Arby's for dinner. I tease Joey about having a hard time getting into his truck and this time he made me close my eyes for a surprise when we were done with dinner. I opened them to find his ladder from the back of the truck for me to step up on - it was hilarious! (Check out my flip-flops with scrubs - I'd shed my Dansko's already not knowing we'd be getting out anywhere! ha!) He's so full of surprises! Saturday I cleaned both the house and washed all the vehicles (including Joey's truck to surprise him) then he and I had a date when he got off work. We went to a new place this time - Schiano's for a greek salad and pizza and to do a little brousing at Sandhills. Church was good today (Testimony Meeting is always wonderful!) and then Ethan, Addi, and I had a nice slow Sunday afternoon even getting a nap in. We didn't go to Mom's today (doesn't seem like Sunday without going there - but we had a nice slow day at home) then tonight we had dinner when Joey was done with work and he entertained Addison, Wesley, and me with some guitar playing and singing after dinner. He is so very, very talented and his playing and singing melts my heart. It's been a very nice Sunday.

This week will be a busy but very fun-filled one with much to look forward to. We'll see Erika and Jack, tomorrow evening we plan to get our garden planted for Family Home Evening, Ethan has a big birthday on Wednesday and also has jury duty beginning tomorrow. I have ball practice Tuesday (if I'm not in Wilmington with Erika) and a game Thursday. Addison has a temple trip Thursday with the youth and Mother's Day is this weekend. I have a busy week planned at work with all the festivities which have been organinzed for Nurses' Week and a celebration I hope all will enjoy.

I hope everyone has a wonderfully safe and happy week!