He's Growing Up too Fast

Just this morning David and I were talking about some of the girls and guys that formerly were involved in our church youth group. Two of them will graduate from college this year. Wow how time flies! I can remember both of these kids being in our children's ministry and then of course going on to the youth group. Just as I was telling David that it didn't seem like these kids should be graduating college it dawned on me that he will graduate just next year. Impossible! I even admitted to him that it was hard for me to fathom that he would be a senior in the fall. It's a sobering thought to think about him graduating and going to college. And I try not to think of it that often. It was just this morning that I registered him to take the ACT Test on the 8th of April and after that we will register him for THE SAT. I'm just not ready for all this!


But it is inevitable that he will leave home. I'm proud of the young man he has grown into and continues to grow. Not every mother of a 15-year-old son can say that he is a remarkable young man. David is remarkable and has a very good head on his shoulders. He has a faith that is unshakeable and will share his faith with others. He stands firm in the things in which he believes. He's an encourager, a friend, a servant and so much more. I am proud very proud of him!

My Weekend

I'm back from the AYSO Section Conference. What a great weekend. Only having been affiliated with AYSO for 1 season, I did not know what a big organization this is. I was impressed to learn all that I learned at this conference and feel like I am joining a great organization. But at the same time I was over whelmed with the responsibility I am about to take on as treasurer. The other 5 board members that attended had a great time as well. The resort was beautiful and very friendly. Our schedules were non-stop from Friday afternoon to Closing Ceremonies. It wouldn't have mattered if I could squeeze that massage into my budget or not (which I found out I couldn't anyway) I wouldn't have had time. And as for the bike ride or walk, the weather solved that issue. But it was a great weekend and I took a lot away from the conference!

4 Days & Counting

Only four more days until I travel to Orlando for a Soccer Conference! Not that sitting in classes for most of the day is very exciting but it really shouldn't be that bad. After all it'll be great going away for the weekend with the girls and having it paid for by AYSO. Looking at the schedule we should have some time on Friday night to go out for dinner. But then again, after looking online at the services and amenities the hotel offers we might decide to stay at the resort for dinner. They have some good looking dining options right there. We will be staying at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort where the conference is being held. Classes for me will consist of three sessions on Friday from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. Saturday morning I'll have a break in the morning. Then lunch provided by AYSO. Classes resuming at 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a dinner provided by AYSO. On Sunday morning it's back to class at 8:00 a.m. until the closing ceremonies at 11:00 a.m. While I have free time on Saturday I plan on taking advantage of one or two things:

1. A rejuvenating massage (if it fits into my budget).
2. A bike ride or 9 mile stroll around Lago Dorado.

David & Angela will get to spend the weekend with their grandparents while I'm away which they always enjoy doing.

Love All Year

So yesterday was Valentines Day and even though I am blessed this year to have a "significant other" in my life I just have to say this. It's not that big of a deal. Come on aren't we supposed to be showing others that they matter to us all year, not just waiting for "the big day" to arrive to express how we feel. We see the advertisements year after year urging us to buy the flowers, candy, cards, etc for our sweethearts. I'm telling you, I'd rather have my significant other show me I matter all year than just one day out of the year. I'm not going to argue, it's nice receiving the flowers, the candy, and the cards but it doesn't mean anything if this is only time I'm shown I am loved. So as we say farewell to Valentines Day this year let's begin to think about how we can celebrate the day all year!

A Valentines Poem

A friend of mine e-mailed me this Valentines Poem and I just had to share it. . .

Collards is green,
my dog's name is Blue
and I'm so lucky
to have a sweet thang like you.

Yore hair is like cornsilk
a-flapping in the breeze.
Softer than Blue's
and without all them fleas.

You move like the bass,
which excite me in May.
You ain't got no scales
but I luv you anyway.

Yo're as satisfy'n as okry
jist a-fry'n in the pan.
Yo're as fragrant as "snuff"
right out of the can.

You have some'a yore teeth,
for which I am proud;
I hold my head high
when we're in a crowd.

On special occasions,
when you shave under yore arms,
well, I'm in hawg heaven,
and awed by yore charms.

Still them fellers at work,
they all want to know,
what I did to deserve
such a purdy, young doe.

Like a good roll of duct tape
yo're there fer yore man,
to patch up life's troubles
and fix what you can.

Yo're as cute as a junebug
a-buzzin' overhead.
You ain't mean like those far ants
I found in my bed.

Cut from the best cloth
like a plaid flannel shirt,
you spark up my life
more than a fresh load of dirt.

When you hold me real tight
like a padded gunrack,
my life is complete;
Ain't nuttin' I lack.

Yore complexion, it's perfection,
like the best vinyl sidin'.
despite all the years,
yore age, it keeps hidin'.

Me 'n' you's like a Moon Pie
with a RC cold drank,
we go together
like a skunk goes with stank.

Some men, they buy chocolate
for Valentine's Day;
They git it at Wal-Mart,
it's romantic that way.

Some men git roses
on that special day
from the cooler at Kroger.
"That's impressive," I say.

Some men buy fine diamonds
from a flea market booth.
"Diamonds are forever,"
they explain, suave and couth.

But for this man, honey,
these won't do.
Cause yor'e too special,
you sweet thang you.

I got you a gift,
without taste nor odor,
more useful than diamonds...
IT'S A NEW BOAT 'N MOTOR!!

Heart Ball

The Lions Club hosted the Heart Ball on Saturday night. All proceeds from the event went into the Dan McCarthy Scholarship Fund. Dan McCarthy served as a Lion Club member for numerous years prior to his passing last year. Bubba and I got all dressed (semi-formal) up for the Ball and had a wonderful time. Many of our friends were there and we had a great time. The Jukebox Band was awesome and we enjoyed getting to dance the night away. I just need someone to teach me to do the Electric Slide before I go dancing again. I have to admit. . . I had the best looking date for the night!

Blessings

I have been blessed to have family live close by all my life. I can't think of a time that I didn't have my family living in the same town I lived in or at least some of them. But, I'm about to discover what it's like not to have family around. When we moved here 10 years ago, my sister and her family were already established here. That's why we came here. Then 3 years ago my parents health was declining and we moved them down here with my sister and her husband. Our parents health has now improved and my brother-in-law just got a new job in Tallahassee. The four of them will be moving back to Tallahassee where the rest of my family is. They still have to sell their home here, but it's going to happen.

Even though I know I'm going to miss my family, I am reminded how blessed I am that I have friends here. At times there are certain friends that are so close that we look to them as an extended family. I think about people that I've met that have no family and think of how hard that must be. Some I have even met that don't have family but lack the circle of friends that God has so richly blessed me with.

We know it's going to be a sad day when our family moves away, but at the same time rejoice in the fact that we have an extended family that will still be here.

Skeet Shoot & Super Bowl

Saturday was the 10th annual Camp E-Tu-Makee Skeet Shoot. This event helps raise money for the Educational Program at Camp E-Tu-Makee. This just happened to be the first year that it has rained on the day of the shoot. But that didn't keep shooters from coming out and shooting. The rain held off until about 10:00 a.m. and shooters did get in some time, but didn't get to complete all the stations. Thus, the advisory board committee and camp personnel decided it wouldn't be fair to hold the competition. So after lunch the shooters had the opportunity to receive a refund on their entry fee and to stay in the drizzling rain to shoot for fun. Several people stayed to just shoot, but some chose to return next year to compete. I don't think anybody requested a refund. Camp still served the delicious lunch and held the drawing for door prizes and two raffles. It is always a good time seeing everyone that comes out for the shoot. This was my third year being at the shoot, hopefully next year will be sunshiny skys for the shoot.

Sunday was the big day! "Superbowl Sunday". Not that I'm a big NFL fan, but whatever it's an excuse to get together with friends and eat as well as watch a football game. Bubba and I went over to Chief Steve's and his wife, Pearl's house to watch the game. Several camp personnel were there and some old friends stopped by as well. David hung out with Tommy, Nick, and Ryan at Tommy's to watch the game and play their favorite game. . ."Balderdash". Angela went with Jeri Lynne to New Harvest Church for the Superbowl Night there. I picked Angela and Jeri Lynne up from New Harvest around 9:00 p.m. and they hung out with the rest of us at Chief Steve's.

A Cat's Life

Every day we will find our cats , Whiskers and Vanilla, sleeping or lazing on my bed. I couldn't resist this afternoon snapping a photo of them. Ah to have a cat's life.