Amy and I Got Crafty!

Amy and I have been talking about trying to make pillowcase dresses for the girls. She surprised me this weekend by buying and bringing the material to London (we thought it might be best to have Jackie there to help guide us)! Jackie told us what to do, and then we did it to the best of our non-sewing ability. We didn't start with a pillowcase, so it was a little more difficult than it had to be. But, the material is cuter than any pillowcase I've seen! I am NOT a gifted seamstress. I need practice. If you ever see Maggie in her dress, don't look close! It took us approximately 3 1/2 hours to make them, however, I can honestly say that we made them! I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed!

The Final Product! I still need to cut some of the ribbon off.

My Pa-Paw is walking with Jesus

I have prayed and prayed for this day. It has come, and it came exactly the way I prayed. My Pa-Paw went peacefully in his sleep early this afternoon. He wasn't in pain. He is no longer in pain. He no longer has difficulty breathing. He no longer has to walk with a walker. Through tears I am rejoicing. He is in a far better place than I am. He is home. There is no doubt where my Pa-Paw is today. He was a Godly man. One of unquestionable integrity. A faithful husband. A loving father and grandfather.

I know this is what my Pa-Paw would say:

"But don't cry for me 'cause I'm finally free

To run with the angels on streets made of gold to listen to stories of saints new and old to worship our Maker that's where I'll be when you finally find me..."

from Wish You Were Here by Mark Harris

MEGA Southland Youth Reunion

We had a nice time tonight at my youth group reunion. It was a Brewster years reunion, so anyone who grew up under him in the youth was able to come. It was wonderful to see old friends, hear tributes to Brewster, worship God together again, and laugh at old memories.

My Best Youth Buddies Casey and Amanda

Ok... this was a little crazy, and I didn't expect it at all, but we toilet papered a huge tree as a reminder of all the papering we did in school. Brewster used to say that if you used color toilet paper it was a friendly TP (they don't sell it any more). One memory I have is walking up on Brewster and some other youth at Winn-Dixie buying TP. Turns out they had planned my house for that night. Ha! They couldn't do it because I caught them and, therefore, would have known it was them! Another memory is Christmas in July. Some friends and I popped popcorn all day. That night we put it all over Brewster's lawn, with wrapped boxes, red and green crape paper on the trees, a snowman, and music on the porch. It was all in love!

My big brother Jason's friends

More of his friends

Robyn is one of my close friends from college, not youth. Small world.... she married someone I've known for years.

I can't put my love for Brewster into words. He holds many of my fondest memories of growing up. God used Brewster to greatly influence my life.

As Brewster would say, "Later, Love ya, bye!"

End of Vacation

We had a fun filled vacation this year. We ended our trip by playing in the ocean Thursday and Friday. Jackie bought two rafts for riding waves. We thought they were red and navy, but they were actually confederate flags. Oh well, they rode the same. The kids (and us adults) had a blast riding the waves. Matthew was a fearless champ! He got beat up many times by the mean waves, but he fought back over and over.

Saturday we headed to Jason's Aunt Wanda's house in Augusta. Aunt Wanda treats her guests with care! We swam, ate, and relaxed with family. The kids played like they were best buds even though they don't really know one another. We had great food including South Carolina BBQ! Yum!

A few of the kids

Maggie putting in some gum

She loves it! Unfortunately we had to cut some out of her hair this trip.

Matthew playing with Patrick (Jason's cousin's son, born 10 minutes after Austin)

Austin playing with Lydia (J's cousin's daughter- they have FIVE kids)

Sunday morning we headed to Gatlinburg. Yes, a long, fun filled vacation! We had a nice hotel with a pool and lazy river right off the Parkway in Gatlinburg. We watched the July 4th fireworks right from the pool. On Monday we rode the tram to Ober Gatlinburg. The kids really enjoyed the ride. Once there, they played in the kiddie land.

On the tram

Beach Family Photos

Here are a few photos Aunt Aprile took of us this morning at the beach.

Matthew Learned How to...............

....ride his bike without training wheels!

He was a natural! Jason took his wheels off, ran with him a couple of times, and then Matthew took off by himself! He said he was "like 10 years old" because he has a big bike without training wheels.