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.