It's CHRISTmas time!

Jesus is the reason for the season!!

Happy 14th Birthday, Wooten!!

I can not believe that Wooten is 14 today. It seems like yesterday that all the family was sitting in the waiting room playing games and awaiting his arrival.

We are very proud of the wonderful young man that he is. We are proud to be his parents and witnesses of him living out the plans that God has for him.



When I asked him how he wanted to celebrate his birthday all he mentioned was food. He wants tacos from Taco Bell and french fries from McDonalds for lunch and Buffalo Wild Wings for supper - topped off with a dirt cake for dessert. He informed me that he would like to eat the cake right at midnight. The boy is all about celebrating.


Happy 14th Birthday, Wooten!!! We love you!!

Mom, Dad, Anna Gracen & Christian

New Pictures

Christian at Jesus Jubilee at church. He was an ECU Pirate - AARRRGGG! Anna Gracen won the costume contest in her age group. She was a business woman. You go girl!

Wooten helped with the games at Jesus Jubilee. He dressed as a teenage, Yankees' fan - himself!

This past Saturday we headed to Raleigh to the State Farmers' Market. MeMa was out of town, so we invited PaPa to go with us. We met up with Aunt Jennifer (& baby boy Sloan), Uncle Matt, Jacob and Eli for lunch at the market. It was yummy - not to mention fun!

Thank you to all veterans!!

Our little gymnast

Anna Gracen is taking gymnastics at the YMCA. This past week it was parent visit week - so there I was with camera in hand. Anna Gracen and her friend and our next door neighbor, Taryn.

Check out that back bend.

Here is our girl in action...

Faux hawk

Wooten talked Christian into a faux hawk. He loves it!! Doesn't he look cool?

Christian turns 7!!!!

Happy 7th Birthday, Christian!! It seems like yesterday that we found out God was blessing us with a baby. You are that - a blessing from God!! We are so proud of the young man you are. Your smile (which can be mischievous), your laugh, your hugs, your sweetness, and your smart wit makes my day. I am so very proud to be your mommy.
Much love,
Mommy
XOXOXO

It's a BOY!!

We have welcomed a new addition to our family - a chocolate lab puppy. We have named him, Tank.

Here is Tank's dad MHR Deep Run Goose CGC JH QAA..."Goose".

His mom AKS's Red,White' N Blues "Glory".

The kids loving on Tank (while he is in his crate). Tank's first swim.

The first night we had Tank home - I gave him a milk bone and told him to go to his crate. He left all of us in the kitchen, walked through the den into the sun room and went right in his crate. We were amazed! He (and we) are adjusting well! He sleeps great in his crate and is doing well house training. He is very loving and likes to be with us. He is definitely getting his exercise playing with the kids.

There is just something about a dog in a crate that looks sad (I guess because they aren't smiling). He really does like his crate and is only in there at night and when we aren't home.

Growing Up

Christian lost his first tooth! He was going to pull it, but as he walked up the back steps - it came out all on it's own. He is proud!

Chris Sligh's Back to School Tour 2009

Last night was a great night of worship and fellowship. My friend (Laura), her daughter (Lindsey), Anna Gracen and I went to Raleigh Community Church last night for a concert. Christian concerts are so much more than just a good time - it is corporate worship that awakens you and draws you closer to God. The unity was incredible.


These anointed musicians have teamed with Compassion International to share Jesus with the nations. You can find out how you can sponsor a child and make a difference in their lives by going to the link.


Andrew Witt, Aaron Shust and Chris Sligh singing a song Andrew wrote about making a difference in one life. You can hear the song, "Compassion" on Andrew's website


Wilson, NC's very own, Meredith Andrews, is also on the tour. Her boldness is inspiring. The last song of the evening was "How Great Thou Art".

Anna Gracen with Andrew Witt - he signed her CD. He is a very talented, anointed man of God. Check out his music and blog at his website.
Andrew signed Lindsey's "Back to School Tour" t-shirt. The girls think Andrew is FOXY!

You may recognize Chris Sligh from a little show called American Idol. Chris was a 2007 finalist. This was his second "Back to School Tour". We went early for the VIP Meet & Greet and was treated with an acoustic session with Chris and Aaron Shust. They shared their faith and music.

Later during the concert Chris said he was going to answer some questions that he is always asked.

*Yes, that is his real hair.

* No, he does not have a perm.

*What you see with Simon is what you get. The contestants don't see him outside of the show.

*He said he is asked if Paula is always high. He said he never saw her drink and left it at that.

*American Idol was fun.

Chris has an awesome personality and made us laugh (a lot). Laura said he reminded her of Jack Black - we agree.

More on Back to School Tour

Lindsey made the observation that "Woody" on Sweet Life on Deck looks like Chris Sligh. "Woody" pictured above. Chris below. Chris and his "Mini Me".

This is a poster that was hanging in the sanctuary of Raleigh Community Church. Laura and I thought it looked cool.

I met Aaron Shust! He is very nice and personable. I was laughing when the picture was taken. The camera was not cooperating and this was about the fifth try (not to mention I am not photogenic). Whatever! I met Aaron Shust !

Fish Fry Friday

Today is the annual Shriner's fish fry in Wilson. Read here for more information.

I grew up going to Greenville, SC to the Shriners' Hospital. I was born with my left femur shorter than my right.

My parents were given 3 choices: 1.) amputate my left leg; 2.) do nothing and I would wear a built up shoe the rest of my life; or 3.) surgery - putting a device in my leg to lengthen it. This device was made in Germany and had not been used in the US. My parents made the decision and I was the first person to have the Wagner leg lengthening device in the United States.

I had several surgeries over the years to lengthen my left leg. These surgeries were done at no cost to my family. I know that God used - what people would consider a birth defect - to strengthen me. I am so very thankful to Him, to the Shriners' Hospital in Greenville, SC and to the Shriners who raise money to provide other children with the same opportunity I was given.

Family Pictures

Here are some new pictures that I took over the weekend. Here is my brother, Bennett, and his son, Carson Thomas (I call him CT - his football nickname should be CT Scan Jones). Here is Christian getting ready for his first day of school. He is styling!

My niece (Bennett's little girl), Sydney Bennett and Anna Gracen looking sweet.

Little Miss Sydney Bennett starts kindergarten this week.

Here is my 8th grader, Wooten, looking all handsome.

First Day of School 2009

Christian Worldview Academy is back in session. We started school on Monday. It is hard to believe, but this is our 5th year of homeschooling. Wooten is in 8th grade; Anna Gracen is in 5th grade; and Christian is in 2nd grade.


We have joined a new formed homeschool group in Wilson - CHOW (Christian Homeschoolers of Wilson). You can learn more about CHOW here. We are excited about the possibilities that are before us.



Wooten is active in First FreeWill Baptist's youth group and hopes to play baseball in the spring.

Anna Gracen starts gymnastics tomorrow at the YMCA. She is excited about being in the same class as our neighbor, Taryn.

Christian is playing fall baseball in the 7-8 year old league. He will be starting practice in the next few weeks.

The kids have been asking about getting a puppy. Tom and I feel they are old enough to help with the responsibilities of raising a pup . We are prayerfully looking and researching. It is a miracle that we agreed on a breed. We talked about several different ones (Great Pyrenees , Beagle, Siberian Husky). We decided a chocolate lab is a good choice for our family. Now if we can just agree on a name. There may be a new addition to our family in the next few weeks....

Time for Figs

Wooten, Anna Gracen, Christian and I decided to try some figs. Mammy & Papa (my grandparents) have a huge fig tree in their yard. We picked and ate several - pretty good. I decided we would try a fig recipe. Both of my grandmothers (Mammy and Mimi) made fig preserves this year - so I wanted to make something different.
I found a great recipe for GATEAU DE FIGUE (Cajun Fig Cake). This recipe goes back five generations in the Guidry family of Church Point, Louisiana. It was a hit with the Dougherty family also.
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped fresh figs
3/4 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup buttermilk (I used whole milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a Bundt pan and set aside.In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, blending after each addition. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, soda and spices. Add these dry ingredients, alternately with the buttermilk, into the sugar mixture. Stir constantly until all ingredients are well incorporated into the batter. Add vanilla extract, pecans and figs. Stir well and pour into the prepared pan.
Bake for approximately 1 hour or until cake tester comes out clean.

I found another recipe that finished off the cake with a glaze. I mixed it up and poured it over the warm cake while it was still in the pan.

Glaze: Combine in saucepan: 1 cup brown sugar; 1/4 cup milk; 1/2 cup margarine. Bring to a boil and simmer 2 1/2 minutes.

Allow to cool. Remove from pan.Serve with ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream if desired.

This cake reminded me of a Christmas spice cake. Would be yummy with coffee or a big glass of milk.

The Veil

Let me preface this post by saying that I dance during worship, but I am not aware of what songs will be sung. Only those on the Praise Team and in the sound booth know (I am not a part of either).

This morning during prayer time at church I wrote the following:

I confess to my Lord - all that is not of Him has to leave - has to bow before Him. Jesus tore the veil. There is nothing - NO THING - separating me from God except that which I allow to be there. Judgemental thoughts and words - pride (when I am not obedient to the Lord I am in essence saying that I know better than He does - that's pride).

I don't have to keep fighting, working my way through the veil - it's torn - it's down. I can wrap myself in it and stay bound or I can leap over it right into His waiting arms.

In Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38 and Luke 23:45, we read that the veil was torn from top to bottom. If the veil was still joined at the top then something big wouldn't be able to get through - it would get stuck at the top. If the veil was still together at the bottom I could get tripped up on small things. But NO - it was ripped from TOP to BOTTOM - making clear the path - the Way!

After writing this, Praise and Worship started. I was dancing and worshipping. After a few songs "At the Cross" started and I started crying and praising!! Listen to the words of this song and see how it applies to the word I received. God speaks to us!!

Be blessed!!!

The Quilt Holes

I received this in an e-mail from Betty, my mother-in-law. It is wonderful. The e-mail asks you to forward this to 5 other people - instead think of 5 people (stop, close your eyes and pray for the first people that come to your mind).
Blessings!!

'The Quilt Holes'
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Lord Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.

'May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.Father, bless all my family and friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

Emerald Isle 2009 - updated

Sunday we returned from our family vacation to Emerald Isle. We had a great time - great memories. There were 15 of us. Bill and Betty (Tom's parents); Tom's sister, Colleen and her family - husband, Ronnie and children, Rebecca (12) & Josh (10); the five of us; and Tom's younger sister, Jennifer and her family - husband, Matt and children, Jacob (9 almost 10) and Eli (18 months).

We had a blast at the beach, in the pool, in the hot tub, in the theater room, at the water park, playing games (Outburst and Taboo for the adults) (Scene It Jr., Cranium, billiards and poker with the kids) and just hanging out.

We took turns cooking dinner.
Sunday night: Bill & Betty cooked some yummy spaghetti with a side salad and bread and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.
Monday night: Colleen & Ronnie grilled hot dogs and hamburgers with pasta salad and a wonderful warm potato salad and a very yummy blackberry wine cake for dessert. (The hamburgers were wonderful for lunch the next two days also.)
Tuesday night it was the Crab Shack's turn to serve up dinner. Amazingly, Anna Gracen and Rebecca did not even order seafood - they ordered chicken tenders. Wooten loved the soft shell crab and shrimp. I also had the soft shell crab and some delish crab cakes (Christian wasn't so sure about the crab cakes).
Wednesday night: my turn. Fruity drinks (as the kids called them) - strawberry slushies made with frozen strawberry daiquiri mix, Sierra Mist, sugar (to sweeten) and ice. Fried chicken (from Lowe's Foods), popcorn chicken, green bean casserole, bacon/cheddar potatoes and ice cream sandwich cake for dessert.
Thursday night: More fruity drinks (as requested by the kids); port wine cheese with crackers, pretzel wedges and pita chips for appetizer. PaPa ordered pizza from Michaelangelos Pizza. Everyone was happy!
Friday night: Jennifer & Matt served the ever popular Mexican night. Ginger ale margaritas (served with salt on the rim) were popular with the adults and kids. Chips and salsa and make your own burritos with hamburger, chicken, black beans, Mexican rice, guacamole, homemade pico de gallo (extra yummy), tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and cheese. Blueberry crunch with ice cream for dessert.
Saturday night: Back to the shack - Crab Shack for more seafood (and chicken tenders for Anna Gracen; Wooten ordered the same dinner he had on Tuesday night. Christian decided to try the shrimp and loved them).

Ronnie, Colleen and I took our bicycles down to the beach. Ronnie rides much faster than Colleen and I (Lance Armstrong style), so he did solo rides Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Monday I rode solo to the point of the island and back "home" (20 miles). Tuesday, Colleen and I rode to Fort Macon (30 miles round trip). Wednesday I did a solo trip to both ends of the island (map here) - 50 miles. I took Thursday off. Colleen and I rode to the point and back. We rode part of the way on the bicycle trail which was adventurous - lots of curves and hills. Several times we could be heard yelling "Weeee". I have now ridden 1000 miles since we bought my bicycle at the end of April. Wooo Hooo!!

Some of our favorite moments/memories:

• Telling Eli to "show us happy" and seeing him turn his head and say "Happy".
• Playing Outburst and the intense competition.
• How good Jennifer is at Taboo.
• Candy fruit slices
• Tom hunting for seashells.
• All of us hearing the elevator and knowing that Ronnie was the one in it.
• Me bribing the kids to go down the big, tunnel slides at the water park.
• How Josh was always the last one to get up in the mornings.
• The way Eli says "tomato".
• Christian taught Eli the word "mine" and how to use it.
• The awesome waitress at Crab Shack (between the time we were there Tuesday and Saturday she became a grandmother to a healthy baby boy).
• Jennifer recognizing a distant cousin at Crab Shack.
• Tom, Anna Gracen, Christian and I seeing our church friend, Lou, at the Food Lion at Emerald Isle.
• Betty and Bill seeing Lou's son, Mark and granddaughter, Brook at Food Lion.
• Colleen seeing Brook and her friend riding their bicycles in Emerald Isle.
• Colleen and I seeing two Bambi's on our Friday ride to the point.
• MeMa taking the kids to get ice cream at Dairy Queen.
• Fruity drinks (the way Jacob wanted to make sure he had the recipe right)
• Jacob talking with a gum ball in his mouth - made me laugh - the funny thing is I totally understood what he was saying.
• Shark week (on TV and on the beach)
• The night I cooked dinner - hanging out with Rebecca while I cooked. Me throwing cheese all over the kitchen (by accident).
• The never ending supply of red solo cups. Did they multiply?
• Colleen's friend, Robin (from PA), and her nephew, Will, coming over to visit and hang out at the beach with us.
• Realizing that the house we stayed in two years ago was just a few houses down from the one we stayed in this year.
• All the laughing!
  

Fun, busy summer

We've been having loads of fun this summer. We've been going to the pool; hanging out with friends and family; visited with friends that moved out of state; VBS; Wooten went to Camp Vandemere; and lots of bicycle riding. We leave tomorrow afternoon for the beach for a week with Tom's family. There will be 8 adults and 7 children. We are sure to have loads and loads of FUN!! I'm looking forward to it!!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Lillian!!!

We wish Aunt Lillian a very Happy Birthday! She is such a blessing to us and all who know her!
We love you!!


So just for you (and everyone else who sees this) here is Simon Baker sending birthday wishes to
YOU!!!

Happy Birthday, Carson!!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Carson Thomas!!!! (My brother Bennett and his wife, Jennifer's little man).

We love you!!!

What have the Dougherty's been up to?

Enjoying our summer!! We've been swimming at the pool, playing ball, watching movies, playing games and visiting with family and friends. Celebrating Father's Day, Sydney's 5th birthday, GG's (Tom's grandmother) 90th birthday and the 4th of July.

I've been doing a lot of bicycle riding (getting geared up for the Whirligig Festival in November). I ride solo some and with my friend, Laura. Having someone to ride with makes the miles go by faster. This past Saturday I rode over to Laura's house (5 miles) at 6:30 (yes, a.m., can you believe it?). Then we headed out for a 31-mile ride. For those familiar with Wilson - we rode past Acid Park (the birthplace of whirligigs). I rode back home for some good ole H2O and then to Elm City and back - finishing up the day with my longest ride to date 52-miles. A great big thank you to Laura and Tom for the encouragement! I better get to bed - Laura will be here in a few hours.

Tom, the kids, and I are looking forward to visiting with Tom's grandmother, Nanny, from Pennsylvania, who came down for a week or so.

Stay tuned for more updates to come......

Milestones

Well, this makes my 200th post!! What a milestone (no, not really just a good lead-in to this post). We reached a milestone last night at our house. I know Wooten is 13 (14 in November). I know that his voice has changed (I am reminded every time I ask him a question and a man's voice answers).

But, last night takes the cake. I do not know what part of reality stung the most. The fact that he told me that his favorite actor in "Transformers" is Megan Fox. From the picture below (which I might add was one of the more family friendly pictures I could find of her) you can tell her acting talents are probably not what appeals to him. Yikes!!
Then there's the other part of reality. The fact that my telephone rang at 11:45 last night. I did not answer, but caller ID revealed that the caller was a young lady calling to speak to my boy. Again, YIKES!!!

Now there is the question the man voice asks, "Mom, do I call her back even though she didn't leave a message?" Do I respond as a Mom ("No, you don't call her back she called at almost 12 o'clock at night") or as a former young lady ("I'm sure it would make her day to receive that call")?

In reality, the time of the call really does not bother me. It's just the fact that she is calling at all. But, who can blame her - what a catch he is!?!?

More baseball

Below the pictures are two videos. One of my nephew, Josh from last night's game; the other is of Christian's home run June 12th.

Here are some pictures from Christian's last game of the spring season.
[Back row left to right: Tom, PaPa (Tom's dad, Bill), Nana (my mama), Mr. Bobby (Mama's friend), Mimi (my grandmother), Uncle Brad (my baby brother), Wooten

Front row: cousin Jacob, Anna Gracen & Christian]

Tired Christian and my nephew, Jacob.

We went out to watch our nephew Josh's baseball game last night. The Rockies are playing in the Minor League playoffs. They won 6-5. Josh batted in the winning run!! Way to go, Joshua!!! Here it is:

Christian finished up his spring baseball season June 12th. He hit a home run to start the game.

It takes forever to upload videos. I'll post some more from this game later. Christian had 2 triples and 4 RBI's this game. I also caught the out he made on 1st base on video. The Nationals won 17-11. They finished the season with 6 wins; 2 losses and 1 tied game. Looking forward to fall ball!!!

Shirley Goodnest & Marcy

Another cute e-mail I received. Be blessed!!!

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school.
He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe.
So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.
She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week.
As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, 'Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?'
Timmy nonchalantly replied, 'Yeah, I know who she is.'
The little girl said, 'Well, who is she?'
'That's just Shirley Goodnest,' Timmy replied, 'and her daughter Marcy.'
'Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?'
'Well,' Timmy explained, 'every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!'

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you,and give you peace. May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always.
I know you smiled! I sure did, Pass this on and brighten someone's day!

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy 5th Birthday to Little Miss Sydney Bennett!!!

We love you!!!!

HOME RUNS & Life lessons

Last night's game was great!! Christian hit his first HOME RUN!!

The Nationals were up to bat first. Christian was the first batter. He had some great swings, but did not make contact with the pitches from the pitching machine. Out comes the tee. He swings, the ball flies out to center field. He runs to first, second (there is scrambling in the outfield), third and then HOME. The next two Nationals, Ethan and Chase, hit great singles. Then comes NySheed with a HOME RUN. Nationals are up 4 runs. Kyler comes up to bat and hits - you guessed it a HOME RUN. 5 minutes into the game and they already had 5 runs.

The Orioles scored their 5 runs. Christian got two outs at 1st base. The Nationals score 5 more runs the next inning. Orioles are up to bat. Christian made two more outs at 1st and Oakley made an out at home - stopping the Orioles at only 3 runs that inning. 10 to 8

Top of the 3rd - Christian makes a powerful hit to center field. The center fielder did a great job of stopping the ball. Christian gets a single. Ethan and Chase continue with powerful singles. Bases loaded - NySheed comes up to bat. He hits a grand slam past the center fielder! Bases are loaded once again - Jacob knocks a single bringing in the 5th run of the inning.

Orioles come up to finish up the inning and the game. Christian makes an out at 1st. 1 run is scored. McRae makes an out at 2nd. Christian makes the last out at 1st. (6 outs for the game). Nationals win 15-9.

The back story to NySheed's grand slam is so sweet. One of the Nationals got out at 1st in the 2nd inning. He made a fantastic hit, but the first baseman made a great catch. NySheed was sitting in the dugout and saw this. He said, "When I'm up to bat next I'm going to hit a home run for Carson." When NySheed finished rounding those bases and came back to the dugout, he wore the biggest smile. He looked at Carson, pointed and said, "That was for you, Carson." Not only are these boys learning how to play baseball, they are learning how to be a team - how to reach out to others (life lessons).

I have seen several instances like this on the baseball field this season. I have seen players go up to check on a teammate that is having a "moment" in the field (they are 5 and 6-yr. olds and they have moments). Last week Christian was having such a moment before the game. The encouragement he received from his fellow teammates and coaching staff was awesome! He went right out there and did his best.

I have so enjoyed watching Christian and the Nationals play baseball. Watching them interact with each other on and off the field has been priceless! Those are the things that will stick with them.

Weekend Getaway

Tom and I had a weekend getaway this past weekend. It was the first time we have left the kids for more than one night. Usually when we go on trips it is as a family. Tom was off of work, we had a place to stay, so I thought a beach getaway would be GREAT! It was!


After dropping the kids off at MeMa & PaPa's house, we headed to the OBX (North Carolina Outer Banks). Growing up we always went to Emerald Isle/Morehead/Atlantic Beach. Last year was our first visit to OBX and we loved it.


My dad and stepmother have a condo in Manteo. Before heading there we decided to check out the Dare Day Festival. We had a wonderful lunch from Tom Thumb's Cookout. For someone who claims not to like seafood - I sure did eat a lot of it this weekend. Here is my soft shell crab basket (soft shell crab on bun, fries, hush puppies) from Tom Thumb's. They batter and fry the whole crab. Because it is soft shell you can eat the entire thing - legs and all. You should have seen the little girl that was sitting across from me. Her eyes were as big as saucers as she watched me eat the crab legs. I had to look away so I wouldn't laugh. Tom enjoyed a shrimp basket (shrimp, fries, hush puppies).


Saturday night, my dad and stepmother, Tom and I ate at Kelly's. (I can not say thank you enough Jennifer for this recommendation!!!) I did not order the Smoky Fillet Oscar that Jennifer did (even though it sounded tempting. Didn't think I could handle the cheese sauce). I ordered one of the specials: Blackened Tuna with grilled shrimp drizzled with a wasabi/soy sauce served over a bed of rice and green beans. Delicious!!!! Not to mention the homemade sweet potato biscuits and other rolls that filled the bread basket. Kelly's has a birthday club that you can join. You receive a coupon to use towards your dinner. (I'm all about a coupon!!) Then we went to the movies to see the new "Night at the Museum" movie.

Sunday morning we attended Nags Head Church. What a blessing!! Check out the links on their website for podcasts, Pastor Rick's blog, teaching series and The Milepost 13 band. The Milepost 13 band is led by Nate Lawrenson (Confessions of a CF husband). Tom and I got the chance to say hello to Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth Rose. If you haven't checked out their blog - take the time to do so- you will be blessed.

We headed over to Grits Grill for lunch. Jennifer said they served large portions. Tom's omelet was HUGE! I stuck with the seafood theme I was on and ordered a crab cake sandwich. Yummy!!

We visited Jockey's Ridge. One of my favorite places. I wanted to get some good sunset pictures. Tom turned down some random road at just the right time. Check them out in the slide show.

We used a coupon Sunday night at Rita's,. They have a birthday club, also - buy one get one free. Tom and I ordered the cream ice. He had cookies and cream which tasted like snow cream. I had the fudge brownie. Very yummy. It was interesting seeing what other people were ordering. The most disgusting I saw was blue raspberry Italian ice, vanilla frozen custard and Oreo pieces all mixed together - YUK!! The girl fixing it didn't even flinch - I bet she has seen all kinds of weird combinations.

Monday morning (later than Tom wanted I might add) we went to The Dunes Restaurant. We ate there last year and loved the buffet breakfast. They renovated it over the winter. It looked amazing. The food was still as wonderful as we remembered.

We did a little shopping/browsing. I definitely wanted to make a stop on the way home. A little place in Jamesville caught my eye - Mackey's Ferry Peanuts. What a nice store! The cashier was very friendly and full of information (and free peanut samples). You can stop by the shop on your way to or from the OBX or you can order online. The homemade peanut butter, the salted in-the-shell peanuts, the blister-fried peanuts, the flame thrower peanuts and the dark chocolate peanut clusters were the samples we tried. All were very yummy!!! I wish I had bought some of the peanut butter! Guess I'll just have to make another trip to OBX soon!!

Getaway Slideshow

Birthday, birthday, birthday

We celebrated my sister-in-law, Jennifer's birthday (5/29), my mother-in-law, Betty's birthday (5/30) and my birthday (6/4) with a joint birthday party complete with not 1 not 2, but 3 cakes (one for each birthday girl).

Jennifer's husband, Matt, made a scrumptious Hershey Bar cake. Betty had her favorite - store bought birthday cake with sweet, sweet icing. I had a lemon supreme cake with lemon pie filling in between the layers and smothered in lemon icing.

We had a great time eating, visiting, swimming, eating, opening presents, eating.

I had a wonderful 38th birthday. (38? It seems like yesterday that I turned 18 or 28. I guess tomorrow I'll be 48.) I did have a wonderful birthday filled with friends, family and love!

Baseball update

Homemade sugar cookies that we made for snack for the team.

2009 5&6-yr. old Nationals

(Back row:) Coach Jim. (Middle row:) Chase, Tyson, NySheed, Christian, Jacob (Front row:) Peyton, Carson, Andrew, McRae, Ethan, Oakley (Not pictured: Kyler and Cayden).

Christian is serious about playing 1st base.

The new baseball complex in Wilson is open! Christian has played two games on the new field. The Nationals won on opening day (5/30/09) , but lost to an undefeated team (by only 3 runs) the following Monday. Christian plays 1st base and is doing awesome! The game opening day he made 8 outs (all 3 in 2 innings); and hit 3 singles. The last game he made 5 outs (all 3 in 1 inning); had an RBI and hit 2 singles.

This week wraps up the spring baseball season. The Nationals face the Orioles tonight and the Mets on Friday night. This will be the third match up with the Orioles. The Nationals won the first game and lost the other. The previous match up with the Mets ended in a tie.

Christian is a little disappointed that the season is almost over. Luckily, there is fall baseball to look forward to. Depending on the birthday cutoff, Christian might still be in the 5-6 yr. old league.

We are very proud of Christian!! He has made friends and worked hard. He has received compliments for being polite and listening to the dugout mother. He is really in his element when he is playing baseball.

Cherry Time

I have fond memories of my grandmother (Mammy) baking me a cherry pie when I was a little girl. She would let me know when the cherries were ripe so I could come pick & eat 'em right off the tree.

Well the tradition is still going on - only now I have some helpers (or at least some company as I pick). The kids and I have been out twice this year to pick from the overflowing cherry trees. I can't say that the kids actually help me fill up the bucket. They definitely fill up their bellies and have a blast spitting cherry pits at each other.

We made a homemade cherry pie, cherry sauce to go on ice cream and kept some fresh cherries to eat from our first cherry picking trip. This time we made homemade cherry muffins and a cherry cobbler. I must say the muffins are delicious!! Probably my favorite cherry recipe this year.

We enjoyed the cobbler also. Very yummy with some vanilla ice cream on top. Too bad the cherries don't stay around long. We had an angry mockingbird "yelling" at us as we picked. I'm sure he and his buddies enjoy cherry season also. I explained to him that there are plenty to go around. My children got a good laugh at me fussing back at the mockingbird. Oh well, he needed to know that I wasn't going to be intimidated and scared away from enjoying such a tasty treat.

As I was typing this I started singing a song from my teen years "Sweet Cherry Pie". I thought about adding it to my playlist. That thought quickly went away when I pulled up the lyrics. Funny how lyrics back then seemed so harmless, but now that I'm a Mommy they really make me cringe. Those of you who know the song I know are singing it now...Ha! Ha!

Family Pictures

As you celebrate Memorial Day....

Thank You, Lord, for those who died fighting for our freedom. May we honor them and You in all that we do and say. We praise You for Your hand of protection upon all in the military who continue to fight for that freedom in Jesus' name, Amen!!