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!)

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!