Purple Heart for Mr. Lawson and county commission southern style

One of the boys in Zachary's Boy Scout troop has a grandfather who was being awarded the Purple Heart. The family invited anyone who was in the scout troop to come to the ceremony.

It was very moving and beautiful.

I was also impressed by the fact that the crest of Blount County, TN had education, industry, and religion on their county seal. The county commission meeting was started with a prayer and then called to order with "God save the United States, and God bless the great state of Tennessee." I was very pleased.



In which Emily turns twelve

Really? Twelve? How is that remotely possible? This sweet girl was just wearing pigtails and showing me her hula dance yesterday. Now she's a pre-teen who also thinks I'm going to let her be in grade seven next year. "Ha!" says I.

Oh, wait. She really did turn twelve. That would make me....never mind.

Here are some pics from Miss Emily's birthday party.

 

She wanted to have an American Girl themed party, with a camp out. We improvised.

 

 

 

 

For a craft we made "nature candles" like in Samantha's time. The girls hunted for leaves and flower petals that they wanted to put on their candle. Then they painted melted paraffin over the top of each item. They turned out really cute. And they just had so much fun making them.

 

 

 

 

Happy 15 year old joins the fun.

 

 

Rachel, Rebekah, Emily and Elisa showing off their finished products.

 

 

 

 

Happy birthday, my sweet butterfly girl. I love you so much!

 

***Emily's birthday is in May, but due to technical difficulties, I am just now able to post pictures***

Playing catch-up

Well friends, just in time for Independence Day, my computer has been made well. (Thank you Luis!)

 

So the next several posts will be catching you up via photos and commentary by yours truly about what has been going on here since...well, whenever it was that my laptop got sick.

 

Hope you haven't missed our smiling faces too much!

Great things about the south vol. II

Well, I've made a new friend. Yeah, I know, go me!

 Actually, I've known about Colette for quite a while. She is a friend of my sister, Beth. In addition to the many wonderful things Beth would tell me about Colette, she would always tell me about Colette's amazing bar soap and laundry soap. I have been lucky to have a chance to meet her and get to know her a bit. She is lovely and very easy to talk to. She has six children and is a dedicated Catholic homeschooling mom. But what I would like you to know about Colette is that she has a soap-making business (and more) that is really awesome. All of her products are completely natural. You can read about her business, how she started it and how her family is involved by going to
Rainwater Farm. (Please, please click on those blue words and bring some south to the northwest.)

I can tell you that I have been using her bar soap for a few months and just love it. I started using her laundry soap. Really love it. It smells, well, clean. There is no need to use fabric softener. We also used "bug balm"  last weekend when we were camping. No bug bites, and it lasts all day (two gold stars for that one). It's all natural folks. Nothing bad for those little (or big) bodies. The body balm is wonderful and I also have some sunscreen.

All I can say is that she really knows her stuff when it comes to natural vs synthetic products. All  her products are completely natural; safe for the environment and us (more gold stars).   

But really, no home should be without Healing Salve. This really is amazing. Seriously. I fell in the garage a few weeks ago and really hurt my elbow, right on the joint. I was getting concerned because the joint was hot to the touch. Now I have to tell you that it didn't hurt to move it but it had been extremely sensitive to touch it to anything though, like the armrest in my van. I happened to be at Colette's the day after I discovered the heat (I had been icing it every hour). she said to keep icing it, but also to put some Healing Salve on it several times during the day. This particular day was very busy, however, I did put the salve on about five times before mid-afternoon. At the end of the day, when I got in the car and put my elbow on the armrest, I realized that it didn't hurt AT ALL anymore. I have not had any problems with it since. Amazing. And it smells great. We have been putting it on any kind of scrapes, burns, any boo-boo at all. Love It.

Her products sell at Mast General Store and Blackberry Farm (think Snoqualmie Falls Lodge). Head on over to her online store and check out the selection. I promise you will not be disappointed. You can tell her that her new friend sent you over.

Let the summer activities commence

Well...You might not be hearing from me over the next week. I am chaperoning a CYO trip. I may not have

          internet access. I will be helping prep food for 10 high school guys and gals. We will be doing a service project. I will really be busy.

What? Oh. Where are we going, you ask? Well, remember, I'm going to be working really hard. At Myrtle Beach, SC. I really mean it. Prepping food three times a day for teenagers is hard work. We have to keep them in line. I will even have to accompany them to the beach and pool. Please, pray for me.

(I've got a new beach cover-up, flip flops, sunscreen, beach music on the ipod and a pile of books)

I'll tell you all about it when I get back.......see ya!

The happy dance has begun

This is how I look right now (minus the long black ears and nose). I just finished grading the final paper of the year. Tappity, tap. All I have left to do is copy the papers I have to send in. Tappity, tap.

I. love. summer.

This regularly scheduled blog has been interrupted by

a virus.
Of the computer varitey.
A nasty one at that. Blech!

So, dear friends, I have been missing you as much as you have been missing me (I'm sure).
I have so many things to tell you and show you, no way to upload pictures, and limited time to blog.

We only have eight more days left in the scheduled school year. Not that I'm counting, or anything like that. It's just that if you want to see me do the dance of joy, be here on May 31. Said dance will be performed at approximately 11am. (I may post a video if you are lucky).

Rachel, my darling first-born, got her driving permit today. Lots of red tape, too much to mention actually, to go through, but by-golly, she's officially a Tennessee driver. Whaaa? She can't possibly be old enough to drive! Before and after pictures to follow.

Rachel and Zachary will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation tomorrow evening. So exciting. Can't wait to blog about that. And, on a very cool note, our friend Erin Burns, will also be Confirmed tomorrow evening as well. She'll be in Virgina though. Almost like they are getting Confirmed together! Please pray for all of them, will ya?

Another prayer request. Will you please join me in praying for the soul and family of Zachary Sobiech? The impact he has made on so many people will never be forgotten. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

And for those who were killed in the tornado in Oklahoma yesterday. May God bless their families with peace that surpasses all understanding.

Hopefully, I will be able to get some more posts with pictures included up soon. I haven't forgotten you. I just gotta get my computer feeling better.

Love Ya!