Thanksgiving as it should be...Surrounded by Friends and Family. Just look at all of these people having fun!!!
Every year we have a Thanksgiving parade in my neighborhood. Here is one of the floats. This year we had 101 people, 4 floats, 10 dogs, and 1 miniature horse. Don't tell anyone or we may have to get a permit next year!

All of my neices and nephew (except my brother Kevin's two girls) were here from Tennessee. Look at this crew!! I was soooo happy. We had soooo much fun. We have a new tradition now. Wiffelball. Friday afternoon, after the shopping. Kids VS Adults. Serious competition. There were some wounds and perhaps a little whining on Saturday morning from various sports injuries. Good Stuff!!


Down here we have "Miss Priss" and her best friend "for only forever mom"!! KB & CC are BFF's. They like to dress up, they like to ride horses, and they are both pretty tough little chicklets. These girls have been best friends since preschool, and we, as adults, could learn a lot from their relationship. They have fun and can't wait to see each other, then they get mad and go to their own homes, then they call and say sorry, and that's that. Isn't that beautiful?? She and her father and grandmother have joined us for Thanksgiving dinner for the past couple of years and we are so greatful to have them as friends.

Our friends Jenny and Fern (in the plastic Elvis hair) came from Orlando for our parade. We're big I tell you!!!
OK, so maybe they stopped by to see Jenny's parents, however....they DID come to our parade:)

This was perhaps my best Thanksgiving ever. I had my house full of family, friends, laughter, and love. Our home, hearts, and parade are always open. Please join us next year!! AB

HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO ALL OUR HEROES

Living in a "Vacation" state certainly has it's advantages. For example, Florida residents get a discount and special rates on season passes to most attractions in Orlando. My little family has passes to Seaworld/Aquatica for the year. This in mind, we took a little road trip for V-day to Seaworld.

First of all let me say that, in Orlando, there is no difference between Tuesday and Saturday, and even Sunday. They are all busy at the "Happiest Place On Earth!". Still, a Tuesday at Seaworld is better than a Tuesday at home. Secondly, any place that gives out free beer is O.K. with me. And lastly, we really enjoyed just spending times with our BFF's!!!

A DAY AT THE LAKE!!

ALTHOUGH we have saltwater in our veins, a day at the lake is always appreciated. We took time to go riding jet skis with our family and it was a blast. LBB, The Poser, got to ride with his dad and had a great time. KGB, The Princess, took her best friend along and had fun too. Thanks to Auntie DS and Uncle CS for buying new jet skis this summer!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

MEMORIAL DAY

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MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND

Although Mother's Day is always on Sunday, we celebrated on Saturday for two reasons. 1. We were going to a golf tourney on Sunday, and 2. Nanny had to work on Sunday.

Our Saturday was wonderful. My husband's family came over, as did my parents. Pappaw's birthday was on Monday, so we got to go shopping for him too!!! KGB was completely in charge of the shopping. She said, "momma, let me pick out Nanny's gift because I know what she likes and doesn't like". She also picked out Grandma's gift and picked out new Crocs for her pappaw's birthday. I think all were pleased with their treasures.
As for me, Mother's day is not the same since my mother passed away. But since it's apparently not "all about me", (at least that's what DAB keeps telling me), I try to make it special for my kids. The gifts they gave me this year were really sweet. KGB says the M in mother is for "MRakyls", which is, as you know, Miraculous. LBB says the O is for "Because you're getting old". Isn't he precious???
The golf tourney was great. Besides the $6 beers and $10 sandwich, I did a little father's day shopping....too bad KGB wasn't there to help, but I think I did O.K. After we got home, the only thing I did was get in the pool with my little girl. My son (LBB) was washing & drying my car, his idea. I guess he is precious.

JD STOKES WOODEN KAYAKS

Make a Smilebox postcard

IT'S 5 O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE !!!!!!!

JUST THIS SIDE OF PARADISE: We, as in myself, my husband, my friends, our families, are Parrotheads. We have travelled near and far to see a Buffet Concert. This was one down in Tampa, FL. We were prepared. We had our grill for the cheeseburgers, our grass skirts, and, of course, our Margaritaville Margarita Machine. (We even have a small generator we take to run the margarita machine). We had a very large time.
A couple of summers ago, we flew up to Chicago to see Buffett. While there, we did some touristy things, went to the Navy Pier, caught a game at Wrigley, and had the most incredible pizza in the world. The concert, while great, was a memory in the making. We had to take the train from Chicago to the amphitheatre (45 minutes) that the concert was going to be in. Since the train stopped running long before the concert would be over, we made arrangements with the taxi driver that took us from the station to the amphitheatre to come and get us after the show. Little did we know.... I would guess that, as the night grew, more and more people made the same arrangement with the same LOOSER taxi guy, only at higher rates. After the concert, we were stranded. It happened to be my brother-in-laws birthday, so we sat there and sang. Unfortunately, we had no cooler as we were travelling by train. We had no chairs. We had no ride.
As we looked around the parking lot at all of empty bottles, we saw more people who, like us, had been duped by the LOOSER. We saw the band leave in their million dollar busses. We saw the tractor trailers leave with all of the gear for the band. We saw police who, (let me remind you, we were NOT in the South), were afraid they couldn't help us.
As it crept upon the 2:00 a.m., hour, my wonderful sister-in-law, talked a limo driver into taking us back to Chicago. You see, there were 7 of us, and his limo was not a stretch. It was only for 3 passengers. As we crammed into this car, people were sitting on laps, I got to sit up front, you know, "in the middle", of a car that was not built with a seat there. The driver was so nervous. He could've lost his license. As he drove, I kept thanking him, urging him to drive faster, and telling him how proud I was every time he made a good strategic "Traffic" move. I actually made him laugh.
By the time I got in bed, it was after3:00 a.m. The bus to take us to the airport for the flight home was picking us up at 6:00 a.m.
It was worth it all, however. It was, after all, Jimmy Buffett

HOLY HOME EC!!! Would you just take a moment to feast your eyes on this incredible, actually edible, campfire cake??? I am the first to admit that the kitchen is absolutely, positively not my most favorite place to be, but my dear son needed a cake for cub scouts. I want you all to know that WE sifted, added, mixed, blended, and iced our little fingers to the bone!!
I know what my sister is saying to herself, but don't you people listen!! This was not store bought. I'm so proud. I think a need a moment alone...

DEAR JESUS, I was at your house yesterday and I can't quite overcome this confused feeling I am having. You know, (of course you do), I love my church. I really do. There are so many things there for my kids to do. They absolutely love it there. Anyway, as I was sitting in the Sanctuary, I was overcome by this feeling of complete security. I felt so safe. I remember thinking, "If I could just sit right here, all the time, I can't possibly do anything that would disappoint you." We both know that is impossible. I can't stay in that beautiful, safe, peaceful place all of the time.

Just before the end of the service, I found out that the music minister is leaving. As you already know, my favorite preacher is leaving in soon. Now i'm feeling "not so safe". Is it the building I feel safe in? Is it the leaders who make me feel this way? I couldn't believe this was hitting me so hard, quite frankly. It's just music, right?

So I went to your house again last night. I listened to my favorite preacher. He is so honest and so raw, so funny and insightful, yet I feel like he could've been a great friend had I gotten to know him better. I guess there it is, huh? I should've taken the time to get to know him better. As I sat there and listened to him last night, he said something that did make me feel better. He said, "I'm not here for those of you who believe. I want to reach those who don't". It brought me back to my morning, in the security of our Sanctuary. A room full of 2,000 people. This was not where he was needed. It made his leaving somehow more acceptable for me now.

I suppose it is both the building and the ministry team that I am so drawn to. As I gazed around the HUGE Sanctuary at Christmas, each row was filled to overflowing capacity with gifts for the needy, and as I look over tearfully and watch as another becomes baptized, I know you are there in that building. As I listen to the voices that sing praises to you, the musicians who play so beautifully, I know that is where I belong. **Let's just keep the fact that I really can't sing a note our little secret, OK?** Lord, I just pray that you help can help guide me. Please help me find a little more time for me to show others how much I appreciate them, and a little more time for me to tell YOU how much I appreciate You,



Love, ME

"GRANNY SMACK DOWN?"

LOOKS SWEET, DOESN'T IT?

These precious little ones have taught me about a new game. Not 24 short hours after this loving brother/sister picture was taken of KGB finding the golden egg, it was showtime.

Last night, my precious children were playing "Granny Smack Down". I don't know much about this game. I don't know if Smack Down is two words or one. Their Tennessee cousins, (I was raised in East By-God Tennessee), came down and spent spring break. Apparently, they brought this game along with them. Let me be the first to say that I love my family. I've gone one HUGE, HUGE family. My grandmother (Would that be granny?) had 6 children, and their children had 6 children, and their children....anyway... I'm not sure what this game involves, but it ended last night with LBB's mouth bleeding, his permanent tooth chipped, and KGB being grounded. That's right, GROUNDED. I'll spare you the details, but I do want to share with you the apology letter, as written, that was taped on my bedroom door.

"I am very, very, very! sorry I threw a rock at LBB's tooth. I was stupid enough to do what I was not spose to. I haven't seen my friend in years and I haven't talked to them in years too!! I'm so sad I don't want to eat or talk. If I have to talk I will make a sign. I'm very, very, very, 100% sorry for everything I've done bad. Please, please, please forgive me. Write a note back. Your best, best, best daughter, KGB"

The only part you didn't get was the picture she drew of the little girl crying on the last page with please written all over it.

This girl's got skills. When she turns 13, I'll be 50. I might have to start drinking Scotch at that point. ADB

THIS IS GINGER LYNN-

She's a red golden retriever, she's 2 (March 9TH), and she's huge. She weighs over 75lbs, making her bigger than both of our 2nd graders. She catches moles, stalks lizzards, and, unfortunately, eats prescription glasses.

She unwillingly took a dip backwards into the pool when she was about 7 weeks old, and promptly went straight to the bottom. The 2nd step is as far in as she'll get. The peacocks hang out on the roof sometimes and drive her crazy.

She had heartworms last summer, and, in order to cure this horrible situation, we had to keep her quite and "still" for about 6 weeks. I don't know if you've ever had a golden retriever or not, but the chance of her being still was slim to none...The vet successfully sedated our whole family, and, 1 year later, she's heartworm free. She is a very important part of our family.

ADB

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...RAB

This is our oldest. He's 22 and very, very sweet. His little brother, LBB, is so much like him that, at times, I am amazed. This is the one who taught LBB the importance of Monster Trucks, the GATORS, and hair gel. He taught his sister

that: 1. She IS a princess,

2. She IS always right, and,

3. She WILL BE 35 when she starts dating.

It's funny when older kids have much younger

siblings. I've had to teach LBB that, when RAB brings a girl around, there are certain things you don't discuss, i.e, "his other girlfriend is prettier", and "are you gonna marry my brother?". Both of these situations have caused a bit of discomfort for RAB and are to be avoided at all costs. Actually, I think the one about marriage caused discomfort in me...

If he brings a girl over and his little sister doesn't give her the "I don't like you and you're not good enough for my brother" stare down, then she has passed the test. Little sister says what she thinks, like it or not.

Stay tuned and I'll introduce you to our dog, Ginger Lynn, named after her aunt Patti.

Seriously.

OUR GIRL, (THE ONE ON THE RIGHT)

You've seen LBB, now let me introduce you to KGB. This little bundle of joy is actually my heart walking around outside of my body. She's 7 going on 27, very articulate, and very dramatic. She loves horses and gymnastics and sleeping in. She hates going to bed, getting up, and being told no. I'm very proud of her.

She's not sure if she's ready to be baptized yet because she doesn't think they will let her wear goggles. I'm sure you understand.

She is absolutely hilarious and is already writing songs. This is KGB and her friend, Cowboy.

HE CHOOSES THE LORD!!!

Hello everyone!

I'm gonna start my blog now. Please don't tell DB as I plan on doing this while I am at work and he's very sensitive about silly little things like spending time wisely, wasting money, blah blah blah.

I would like to start out by saying that I have great news to share. Our son, LBB, was baptized on Sunday, March 2, 2008. That was also his 9th birthday. He had been asking me questions about it so we went to a class and did some study work on our own. He wanted his hair cut for the event so that "everyone can see my eyes when I have my sins washed away". I am so proud of this little man (he has an old soul). If you logged on earlier and looked at this, you will know that I had help fixing this picture. You used to have to turn your head sideways to look at him. Not anymore!! Thanks Dad.

After church, several people came over for lunch and we had an incredible day.