One of the best!

This past week we spent our 3rd annual vacation at Myrtle Beach. Our family thinks this was THE BEST vacation ever...I would have to agree! It was nothing fancy...didn't spend any money (except on groceries and Krispy Kremes :)... but played lots of games, laughed, swam, and even "went to church". I think that was the highlight for me.

The past 3 years this is the one vacation where we let our kids each take a friend. 8 of us in a 2-bedroom condo...and we love it! For the first time in quite a long time, I actually got in the sun...stayed in the sun for more than 5 minutes. I boogie-boarded, played volleyball in the pool (attempted to play), played bocci ball, walked on the beach...all with my Neutrogena 100 SPF. And the greatest thing...you would never be able to tell I went to the beach!

We stayed from Thursday evening through Tuesday evening. Sunday morning we all woke up and had our own church service...right in our condo. Scott did a devotion on being a person of our word; having integrity; letting our "yes be yes" and our "no be no". Then several of us prayed. It was a very special time.

We're already looking forward to next summer...

(It really would be tragic if Caleb smiled in a picture!)

(Our George Washington hairdos)

Time with family...

Scott and I have been in New York the past 3 days...returning late last night. We went to visit with his family. He hasn't seen his brother in 5 years! They talk quite often but haven't been able to visit. Scott's parents are up there all summer visiting (they now live in Florida) so they flew us up there and it was such a great visit! We arrived late Sunday afternoon...Scott's brother and sister-in-law picked us up from the airport and we went to the Cheesecake Factory to celebrate her birthday. What a way to start a trip!!! On Monday, Scott and his brother, his Dad, and his uncle played golf while all the ladies sat around the house and relaxed. I was able to meet my great-nephews for the first time. My niece, Danielle, was the flower girl in our wedding 23 years ago. Now she has two children of her own. That was so hard for us to believe. Monday night, all the family with our nieces and their families got together for a cookout. We also drove around Rochester so Scott could show me the house he grew up in before they moved to the lake. We reminisced a ton which was great for Scott. Yesterday morning we went out for breakfast (wow, we sure ate alot...my friend and trainer, Atilla the hun, is not going to be happy with me) and then spent the day sitting at my in-laws motor home park (their motor home is nicer than my house :) Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end...we boarded our flight and headed home last night. We came home to a very clean house...with clean laundry. Have I said lately how wonderful it is to have grown children? Praising the Lord this morning for family, safety, and wonderful memories made this week!

3 down, 0 to go...

No more trips to DMV for learner's permits. No more trips to DMV to wait for your child taking the road test. No, all that ended today.
Our son, Caleb, our youngest, is an official driver as of 2pm today! With license in hand, he dropped me off at home and has already "hit the road". And he knew....he knew that when he drove away, I'd be looking out my window, with the tears streaming. After all, I had done that with our girls in years past. And being the sensitive kid he is, he waved at me. He couldn't see in the window since I had the blinds pulled, but he had the feeling that I was there. And I was!
Now, I can relax....he just called to let me know he's arrived at his destination. I'm heading to a chair with my cup of coffee to read :)

Happy Birthday to my "baby"!

Can 16 years have passed already? It's so hard to believe.

Caleb, you are one of our greatest gifts! We are so thankful that God chose to bless us more than we could have ever imagined when He gave you to us. It has been amazing for your Dad and me to watch you grow into such a godly man...a leader! You are such a joy and we are so proud of you!

Happy Birthday, Caleb! We love you!

Memories and a legacy....

The past 3 weeks I've attended two funerals and two birthday celebrations...celebrating life and...life again! Both of my sister's came into another decade; my younger sister, Kristi, turned 40 on June 27th and my older sister, Karen, will turn 50 this coming Sunday, July 11th (I know they wouldn't mind me sharing that with you :)
I was able to travel back to Virginia Beach to surprise Kristi for her surprise bday party and then turn around this past Tuesday to travel to Goldsboro to surprise Karen for a day with me and Kristi. We had an amazing time laughing and just sharing memories (my husband would tease me by saying we share the same stories over and over (and over) and still laugh at them! He would also tell you that being with my sisters and my mom is like being a guest on The View...because we all talk at the same time!!! It was a lot of traveling in the midst of working and taking care of my family, but I would not have missed it for the world.
It was all about making memories. In the past several weeks, I've been reminded why making memories are so important. I've attended two funeral services in these same two weeks. One was a mother of a dear friend who lost her battle to ALS. Her family and friends celebrated her life and who she was. She left a legacy. Her daughter and her husband spoke. I was amazed at their courage, but they wanted to be sure and share with everyone memories their mom (and wife) had left them.
This past Saturday, I attended the service of my boss' father-in-law. He lost his battle with alzheimer's. Our daughter, Heather, sat with him and cared for him on the weekends for about 9 months. He never lost his spunk and more importantly, never stopped sharing his faith with others. As Heather and I walked into the church this past Saturday for his service, Heather asked me if I thought this would be sad. I said "definitely not. We are going to celebrate Hank today". I knew Hank's family and I knew they were excited that Hank was healed and with his Jesus! One by one, each grandchild came up to the podium and shared memories about their granddad...the legacy that he left. They sang and led us in beautiful hymns, Hank's favorites. My boss' husband, Hank's son, is a pastor here in Charlotte. He preached...and boy, did he! He laughed and he cried...we laughed and we cried! He shared the legacy that his father left. He said that no matter what came Hank's way, Hank would say over and over "My God is so faithful". What a testimony...what a legacy!
As I sat there, I thought "this is exactly how it should be". "A celebration of life...not death".
I pray that when Jesus takes me home, that is exactly what my family will do...celebrate! All I can take with me are memories...and all I can leave are memories and the legacy I've created. I'm so thankful that I live my life each day (not perfectly, I must say) for my family and for my Lord.
And I'm thankful I took the time to celebrate my sister's birthdays these past two weeks...great memories!
What legacy are you leaving?