The exciting news

Okay, so I know I have been gone from blog land lately, but lots of things have been going on around here!!   Of course the big news..................

All kids have started school!!!!!!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I loved home schooling them, and do miss having them around during the day, but I am totally enjoying my time.  This is the first time in nearly 13 years that I don't have kids with me.  I have been able to do the grocery shopping- in peace.  Go downtown and stroll the shops- in peace.  Clean the house and keep it clean- for hours.   Have lunch with my girlfriends- in peace. 

Then,  I am refreshed and ready to hear all about their days and have some great snuggle time in the afternoons!!  I know it all sounds a little selfish, but it was time for a change around here, and we are all loving it!!!

I hope to get some pictures of the darlings posted soon.  My home laptop has been sick, and I just got the call that the hard drive is shot.  Which is the other reason for not blogging- no computer.  I only have access to one when Big Daddy brings his home from work.   For those of you who know me, this is a huge inconvenience as I do EVERYTHING online.  I am also, however quite frugal, so I won't be rushing out to buy another.  I will deal with waiting until my dear husband comes home to do whatever work needs done.  Unfortunately, by the time I get my work done, I am just flat out too tired to blog.  Sorry.

Otherwise, we are still here and as busy as ever.  T is in football,  J starts fall baseball tomorrow night, and A starts volleyball Tuesday night.  I get exhausted just thinking about it, but it will all work- somehow. 

Not sure if I have mentioned it, but after several years in competitive gymnastics, A has decided to quit.  Big change for our family, but we have come to appreciate having more time and money for our family each week!
L is also no longer doing gymnastics, but this was a really smart move now that school has started.  She can hardly function after a long day at school- I can't imagine 2  hours of gymnastics as well.

Enough babbling.  I am sure to be back with lots more updates.  I am getting ready to redecorate some rooms of our house.  I can't wait to share with you!

Aundrea

Just a quick post- literally.

Love bears ALL things, believes ALL things, hopes ALL things, endures ALL things.  Love NEVER fails.   (1 Corinthians 13)

Holding tight to this today. 

And that, folks, is all I have.

Baseball, desire, and attitude

If you are a baseball fan, you may have heard that the University of South Carolina Gamecocks won their second consecutive National Championship this year.  My husband, and therefore kids, are die hard Gamecock fans.

This past week, "J" participated in the All Carolina Baseball camp, featuring the coach of USC Aiken (Kenny Thomas) and the USC coach Ray Tanner. 

"J" loved the camp and learned alot.  I was able to hear the opening and closing talks by the coaches and fell in love with both of these guys.  They always focused the kids on making good choices both on, and more importantly, off the field. 

They also highly stressed that attitude and desire will always come before any level of talent.  I thought that was way cool.  I do remember after winning the College World Series, Coach Tanner (and some of the players) saying that he knew his team was not the most talented, but they had the best attitudes and most desire of any team out there.

The highlight of the week was the end of camp when Coach Tanner came out with the National Championship trophy and signed autographs for the campers and their families.

My boys with Coach Tanner(USC) and Coach Thomas(USCA)

Keeping kids fit

This summer we found an exercise program that the kiddos LOVE!!  Its called Kid Powered Athelete Traning (pretty much like Crossfit for kids).  

Its hot.
Its hard.
Its so much fun- my kids can't wait to get there!!

Can you believe it?

Kettlebells

Flipping big heavy tires

Hurdles for jump training

Squats anyone?

My kids honestly love it so much-

they totally

flip for it!!

I also flip for the adult Crossfit classes, but unfortunately, do not have the picture.  Although I totally did do the flip on the rings.  The kids thought it was awesome that an old lady could do such a thing.  I just kept looking around for the old lady to which they were referring.

Where in the world have we been???

Well, Wednesday was spent

on Pawley's Island, SC

with the IL's, throwing chunks of

raw meat tied to a string

to catch a few of these

And do a little posing, of course.

Happy Summer, friends!

Perfect, Powerful

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower;

the righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10

I have many friends that I have been praying for lately.  All for very different reasons, as each situation is unique.  As I was thinking and praying today, my thoughts went to a crosstitch that I did for my mother several years ago.  At the top was the verse above, and the many names of the Lord followed.

El Shaddai  -  The All Sufficient One

El Elyon     -  The Most High God

El Olam     -  The Everlasting God

Elohim       -  Creator

Adonai      -  Lord, Master

Qanna      -  Jealous

Yahweh    -  Lord (Jehovah)

Jehovah-nissi   -  The Lord My Banner

Jehovah-raah   -  The Lord My Sheperd

Jehovah-jireh   -  The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah-rapha    -  The Lord that Heals

Jehovah-shalom    -  The Lord Is Peace

Jehovah-sabaoth   -  The Lord of Hosts

Jehovah-shammah   -  The Lord Is There

Jehovah-tsidkenu     -  The Lord Our Righteousness

Jehovah-mekoddishkem   -  The Lord Who Sanctifies You

There are many more,  these are just the ones included on the cross stitch pattern.  I love that He has given us a way to personally call on Him when we have specific needs.

If ever a trial arises that is so overwhelming that you cannot get your thoughts and emotions under control, there is another perfect, powerful name that you can call out over and over.  It alone will bring perfect, powerful peace:   JESUS.   Simple, yet oh so effective.  I've tried it- it works.

Redneck Hot Tub

Do you have kids?

Do they ever utter the words "I'm bored"?

Well, here's an idea to get them NOT bored!!  Big Daddy has named this the Redneck Hot Tub, but you can call it whatever you want. 

Its cheap and easy.  All you need is a large, empty (and preferably clean) trash can and a hose!!  (Just don't worry about the water bill until it comes in the mail)

Happy Summer, my friends!!