This weekend, the staff at Zerita's school where she has taught 5th grade for 11 years, threw her a shower. All the bridesmaids were invited, too. We were all asked to wear chocolate brown and pink to go with the theme! Here's some pictures for your enjoyment.




Shower Hostesses with Zerita
The amazing thing to me is that all theladies who hosted this shower are former staff members at Zerita's school. They have all moved on for different reasons (retirement, maternity leave, promotion, changing to a new school) but they all love Zerita so much that they wanted to host the shower!



Zerita and her sister, Myra, sharing a laugh








This is the wedding cake topper.






Here's Zerita's favorite gift bag!


What's next on our plates? We have a Bachelorette Slumber Party this weekend and then only two weeks until the wedding! That's when the real fun beings - bridesmaid luncheon, reherseal and dinner, wedding and reception!

Laurie posted some great pictures of things her kids made with their toys. I thought I'd do the same.

Here's what Henry and Jonathan made when they dumped out all the Legos and pulled all the toys out of the wagon (our makeshift toybox).



Here's what Henry and Jonathan made when they dumped out all the books and puzzles on the floor.

The boys obviously haven't mastered the skill of cleaning up one things before you play with something else. Their mother obviously hasn't mastered the skill of cleaning up after them every night.

This weekend, my oldest nephew, Drew, is in Nashville at the 2006 Tennessee State High School Swimming and Diving Championships. He is competing in the 100 meter free style and various relay events. Doesn't that sound like a fun weekend! We are all very proud of you, Drew!!

This picture was too sweet not to share!

Also, tonight when I was putting the boys to bed, Henry did something very sweet. Jonathan was already in his crib, and Henry walked up to him, patted Jonathan's back and said, "Night, Night Jah John." (By the way, Jonathan calls Henry, "Eny")

With Brian and Zerita's wedding less that a month away, it's time for the fun to begin. We hosted Zerita's church shower today, and it was a blast. When you're throwing a party for the "Party Planner" herself, you've got to have a theme! We decided on a French Theme, and everything was pink and brown to go along with the wedding colors.




"Z" bride-to-be arriving




Shower Hostesses
Back - Michelle, Suzanne, and Ara Front - Shelley, Laura, and Kristie




The Food Table




A shot from above all the action






Our friend, Marcia honoring Zerita







Laura's games were very creative and thematic - not your typical shower games! Here's a shot of Zerita when she figured out an answer in one of the games.




Laura planned a game called, "How well does 'Z' Bride know 'Z' Groom?" It was a Jeopardy style game that had questions about Brian. On the couch is Brian's mom, Zerita's mom, and Zerita's sister.







Z Bride and her gifts















Even the cakes were pink and brown!

Yesterday, Ally celebrated her 2nd birthday! We enjoyed having pizza and cookies at her house.








Henry and Jonathan waited as Ally opened her presents.









Caden enjoyed the pizza, too!

The boys and I had an enjoyable dinner with my friend, Johanna, and her daughter, Ada, at Backyard Burger. Our husbands were working that evening, and we decided to meet for dinner. We ate, and the boys played outside in the play area. (It was in the high 50s). Soon it was time to go. Just as I saw Johanna pull onto the road I realized that my keys and my boys (who were strapped in their car seats) were locked in the van. I didn't know what to do. I was hoping that one of them had the keys in their car seat and would push the right button on the keyless entry device. No such luck. After a lady offering to go in the restaurant to get help, borrowing an Auburn fan's cell phone and being resuced by the Knoxville City Fire Department, we are now safe at home. The boys did very well in this crisis. Henry started crying only after strange men were messing with the van. Jonathan didn't make a peep other than to say "keys!"

Kudos to the Fire Department. They didn't make me feel like an idiot. Kudos to the Backyard Burger Staff and the strangers who served me in my time of need! If you ever lock your child in the car and you are in Knox County, the police or fire department will come to your aid. I'm sure it's the same in other places, too. Rob said that Pop-A-Lock will do the same for free. I was grateful that it was such a nice evening.

Here's an updated picture of (left to right) Josh, Jonathan, Noah, Gabe, Samuel and Henry.

Just in case you didn't know - the University of Tennessee's Mens Team is having an unbelieveable season. I don't ever remember a season like this. They are 19-3. Henry and Jonathan have decided to join in the fun. Yesterday when I went downstairs to get the phone, I came back to find the boys doing this:

Jonathan decided that he wanted to sit at the table. Henry followed suit. My boys are growing up too fast. Before you know it they will want to sleep in a real bed and not wear diapers.

Anyone have an idea for getting black permanent marker off the hardwood floor?? My first thought was the MAGIC ERASER. I don't have one. I meant to get one today at Wal-Mart. If it's not on the list, I don't remember it.

You would think after the wedding album incident that I wouldn't leave pens sitting around my house. We going to be putting hardwoods in the living room/dining room and replacing the foyer so it will match....so if it doesn't come out, it will be fine.

Another Sweetheart Banquet (sponsored by our church) has come and gone. Here's some pictures of the event.





Rob and me





Tom and Heidi
Matt and Kristie won the GRAND PRIZE for entering their "pet names" for each otherin a contest. You'll have to ask them about that! The prize was a stay at The Maple Grove Inn. Sounds like a great place to celebrate their 10th anniversary.





Brad and Chandra




Aaron and Laura
Thomas and Johanna I promise there wasn't any alcohol at this event. Thomas and Johanna were just having a good time.

Today marks the 11th anniversary of my mom's death. For those who don't know, she was killed instantly when a 16 year old driver slammed into the back of her car pushing her into oncoming traffic. This is the first time in 11 years that this day falls on a Thursday - just like in 1995. I don't know why, but it seems a bit more difficult being on a Thursday. To my friends out there who have lost a parent - Amy, Jenn, Johanna, Jill, Nicole, Marcia, Sandy - you know what this day feels like.

Not many of you had the opportunity to meet her so I thought I would tell you about her. Simply put - my mom was such a joy to be around. She loved to make people laugh. She was always smiling. She was very funny.

She truly loved people! There were over 800 people at her funeral.

She was a loyal and dependable person.

She was a very hard worker.

She had very curly hair...unlike mine - my hair doesn't even curl with a perm for more than 3 weeks.

She had horrible vision. She repeated 2nd grade two times. After the teacher finally figured out that she couldn't see, she got glasses. As a former teacher, that really makes my heart sink.

She once fell off the back porch steps and injured her foot really bad. She was thankful that our nosey neighbors were being nosey that day. They ran across an acre to help her.

She was "Aunt Mary" to more than just her blood nieces and nephews.

She loved to mow the yard.

She loved her children and grandchild, Drew.

She and my dad were married for 33 years. They married in 1961.

She successfully taught me how to drive. My dad and I didn't do well with this task.

She was an extremely patient person (thus the above comment).

She could whistle like no one else. My cousins lived about 100 yards away from our house. She would whistle to let us know it was time to come home.

She is now rejoicing in heaven with her Lord!

For those who knew my mom, please comment on your favorite things about her or your favorite memory!

Our Elmo sprinkler has turned into Snowy Time Elmo. Why do we have a sprinkler out in February? It's been moved there by the boys.

A BIRTHDAY PARTY!
Henry and Jonathan recently went to a birthday party for their friend, Jackson. It was at a gymnastic center for kids. It's pretty obvious from the picture above that they didn't prefer the air jumper. I had the camera ready to capture their squeals of joy as they bounced up and down. However, they started screaming in terror the moment blower came on, and that was the end of that. So much for jumping!

This hymn is one that I've been singing for several years. Recently, the truth in the lyrics affected my heart all over again.

A DEBTOR TO MERCY

VERSE 1
A debtor to mercy alone
Of covenant mercy I sing
I come with Your righteousness on
My humble offering to bring
The judgments of Your holy law
With me can have nothing to do
My Savior’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions
From view

VERSE 2
The work which Your goodness began
The arm of Your strength will complete
Your promise is yes and amen
And never was forfeited yet
The future or things that are now
No power below or above
Can make You Your purpose forego
Or sever my soul from Your love

VERSE 3
My name from the palms of Your hands
Eternity will not erase
Impressed on Your heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace
Yes I, to the end will endure
Until I bow down at Your throne
Forever and always secure
Forever and always secure
Forever and always secure
A debtor to mercy alone.

“A Debtor to Mercy”, Original lyrics by Augustus M. Toplady, music and alternate lyrics by Bob Kauflin. © 1998 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.

"Well, Ally, she's as pretty as them angels when they sing. I can't belive we're out here on the swingset in our swings just a swingin'." Spring 2005


I like to title this picture "Jail Birds." I think Ally has found a way out. Summer 2005


Here they are at a tour of our new church in July. Summer 2005

Can you say "Veggie Tales?" Did you notice that the shade on the lamp is missing? That's because my boys kept knocking the lamp over and popping off the shade. The shade has been put away until another season. Fall 2005

This picture is from the October archives. Cuties! Fall 2005





Because Caden is only 7 months old, I don't have a lot of pictures of him with the older three. I thought one of him alone would be good enough. Does he look like his daddy or what?? Winter 2005