In a blink...

How did 13 years pass by so quickly.  It seems like yesterday I was attending this event:

And then just yesterday, I attended this one:

Caleb, you are such a blessing!  We sailed through the school years without ever an issue.  You are a pleaser, a giver, you never want to hurt mom and dad's feelings, and you love the Lord with all your heart!  We don't deserve you but are beyond thankful God gave you to us anyway!

It was a great time of celebration.  My sister and brother-in-law, my parents and Scott's parents were able to attend and spend a couple of days here.  It went by way to quickly but it was a great few days celebrating our son!

His sweet sisters!

Heather

Lindsay

Gramma and Grampa Smith

 

 Grandma and Grandpa Vail

 Grandma Robison

 Aunt Karen and Uncle Randy

The family!

With Dad

and Mom

We love you, Caleb!

More travels and celebrations....

Since my last post, we've celebrated our middle child's 21st birthday on June 1st, traveled to Nassau (I know....someone has to do it), had our oldest return from a mission's trip to Bolivia, and now prepare for our youngest's graduation from high school.
Lindsay turned 21 on June 1st and we were fortunate enough to spend it in Nassau.  We made a commitment to take our kids to a destination of their choosing (within reason...and somewhere that we have travel points :) on this momentous birthday.  We spent Heather's last year in NYC.
Nassau was great!  In fact, when we got home we told Caleb we hoped that is where he would choose and we would take the entire family (I don't think we will give him a choice) :)  We stayed at Comfort Suites right across the street from the Atlantis Resort.  Scott has Choice Hotel points so our stay was free...which makes it even more wonderful!  It was an amazing trip where lots of memories were made.
Heather returned from Bolivia with some of the kids from our church college group on May 28th.  She said it was the trip of a lifetime!  God really worked in the hearts of those kids.  I've always known that Heather has a heart for missions.
This Tuesday we will attend Caleb's high school graduation!  Really hard for me to believe.  Looking forward to spending a couple of days with family.

Team Bolivia

 They really did work hard :)

 Oh yes they did! (Heather, you are definitely my "mini-me" :)

 Breakfast in Nassau!  Yes, I DO love mornings!

 Scott and Brad in a race!!

 Happy Birthday, Lindsay!

 Graduating seniors @ Calvary Church (There's Caleb in the middle)

Until next time....



Travels and updates...

I know...it's been a while.  Part of me thinks "does anyone really care about what our daily lives have been up to?"  Well, there are a few friends and some (a) family member who do!  My step-mom checks my blog often and says "I'm patiently waiting for a post".  I like that she's my greatest blog fan :)

Anyway, as I said many months ago, this is the "year of travels" for the Vail family.  Scott and I spent 4 weekends straight traveling a minimum of 3+ hours.

We enjoyed an overnight in Savannah:  Took the Paula Deen tour (yes, my husband loves me...ALOT!).  Scott was 1 of 3 men and we were basically the only 2 that didn't have white hair...LOL.  Had so much fun.  The following day we traveled to Florida to cheer on Caleb at his final cheer World's competition.  They ended up in 6th place.  Pretty impressive considering teams from all over the world competed.

The following weekend we traveled to Lynchburg to witness a beautiful, God-centered wedding of my dear friend's son and his bride.  When we returned, we were welcomed by our children who sent us to a beautiful restaurant to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.  Upon our arrival home, we were greeted by friends (including one's from Wilson), a beautiful scrapbook, and more food.

Fast forward to the next weekend:  we traveled to Durham to see the Broadway musical "Wicked".  Amazing, is all I can say.  If you ever get a chance to see it...go!

One of the highlights of our travels was traveling back to our former church on Sunday, May 20th (hard to believe it was 5 years ago this past weekend that we left).  Peace Church celebrated their 50th year anniversary and they asked Scott to preach and me to sing.  It was extremely humbling and a blessing to see our "family" and friends.

Now we rest for a short time until we head out again.

Byrd's Cookies in Savannah!

 Outside of "The Lady and Son's" Restaurant

 See how "excited" my man is?  Hahahaha!  Love that man!

 World's competition

Tyler and Christy's wedding with the proud parents 

 Our 25th anniversary surprise!

 Dinner before "Wicked" (and just given my beautiful heart/diamond necklace)

"Grandma", a/k/a "Aunt Pimmy" with her children @ Peace Church

Coming soon:

Nassau, Bahamas to celebrate Lindsay's 21st!
Caleb's graduation!
Rochester, NY, to celebrate our niece's wedding
Beach family vacation
And saving the best for last...HAWAII!!!!!

Aloha, y'all!

God, your grace DOES amaze me!

Grace: God giving me what I do not deserve! Mercy: God withholding from me what I DO deserve!

The first time I ever heard this song was when our Pastor of Worship at our previous church sang it. I remember when he got to the tag line..."It's deeper, it's wider", tears began streaming from his face. Then he had our sextet sing it a few times; one of those times being one of our last Sunday's at that church before God would move us here to Charlotte. So, you see, it has special meaning to me. Because we sang it? No, because if you look deeply into the words, it reminds us that we serve a Faithful God. One so faithful that loves us despite of our sins. THE One who forgives daily, over and over and over again - continually offering us His grace!

I basically am extended His grace the minute my feet hit the floor in the morning. I'm extended His grace everytime my mouth opens and something pops out that isn't very loving. For every time I promise God that I will allow Him to comfort me instead of food, and fail once again.
I'm extended God's grace everytime that my husband has forgiven me. His grace does overwhelm me because of His great love for me, I get to spend eternity with Him!

My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence I stand in wonder once again

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there’s no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
‘Cause Your grace still amazes me

It’s deeper, it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher
It’s deeper it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher
than anything my eyes can see

A precious gift....

January 28, 1962! Yes, that was 50 years ago. AND that was the day my husband, Scott, was born!

The definition of a gift: Something given to show favor toward someone; definition of precious: something of great value. This is exactly what my husband is to me: a precious gift! This is the best way I know to describe him. Besides the fact that he is my very dearest best friend, he is a precious gift to me.

Here he is the day I met him. It was at a church volleyball game with the singles' class. I saw him and thought "oh be still my heart!" But what got me the most was at the end of the evening, he was asked to close in prayer. That did it people! I was hooked; fish, line and sinker. I thought, "he will be mine". I'll have to share that story in about 4 months...when we celebrate 25 years of marriage.

But today we celebrate his 50th birthday! God has truly blessed me and my children more than we ever could have imagined. I can honestly say that since I have known Scott, he has NEVER put one thing ahead of his family...except for his time with the Lord! What a blessing. Honey, we celebrate you today and this weekend. We thank God for you. What a big year 2012 is: We celebrate your 50th, our older daughter graduates from college, our middle turns 21, our "baby" turns 18 and heads off to college, and you and I will celebrate 25 years of marriage together (Hawaii, here we come). And all because God blessed me more than I could ever have imagined in Feb. 1986...the day He introduced me to you.I love you more today than yesterday and I thank God that I get to spend every day with you. I look forward to celebrating 50 more birthdays with you :)