To vote or not to vote??????

I guess I should begin this blog by saying, if you think I am talking about the November elections, you are so dead wrong. That is a no brainer..I can't vote at all. I am not happy with either choice so I guess I am out of that conversation. On to the bigger picture here.......

Hi, my name is Debbie and I am a HGTV junkie. For the last several weeks, I tune in to find out who is the next design star. Sarah Kate and I deliberate..who is the happiest..who has the best designs...who would we want to watch week after week...this is a very hard choice.

Both Jenifer and Matt did a great job on the homes they remodeled in New Orleans. I am not sure it is fair though to have their fate in America's hands. We saw what happened to American Idol last year with Sanja..please..America is not always the best and brightest!! I have to cast a vote by Wednesday and I am not sure which wasy to vote...Can anyone help me make up my mind?? I love them both!!

Trees should be upright......

We got startled on Monday morning at 3:30 am to this falling on the back of our house. I heard the rain and was about to go outside to get the pool stuff off the patio when I heard this huge noise and when I went to go out my back door, could not. The tree went from my back patio door, to my kitchen window...Thank God for having it fall when it did or else I would have been under it.
The biggest part of the tree was in the yard and on the patio. thankfully, the only damage was my gutters because the power lines from the house to poll were able to hold down most of the weight. We did not have power for 15 hours. Thank you to Chris who kept my frozen foods and Kara who sheltered us from the heat. trust me,cooking dinner was the least I could have done. I totally do not know whatI would have done without my friends.
Daniel..this is my public acknowledgement to you....I will never make fun of you for having a generator or multiple generators ever in my life!!!

We are the champions.....

Well, they did it!!! Corey's team won their final championship game on Monday and won their division for their age group! They beat the number one team in a total shut out!! They only lost one game during the season...to us..and we came out swinging.... This is Corey getting his trophy with the head coach, Scott Wilson. He is the most amazing coach. He is so wonderful with the kids and they have learned so much under his direction...He not only teaches them about baseball, but to be a good person too.
At the end of the first inning, we were up by 8 runs and had to repeat the batting order. It was great! The kids played with such heart!
They got Scott with the water jug..good thing it was a good night for it!! It was a great season and we are so proud of the whole team!!

What A Week......

Today is the first day in 8 days that I feel like I can even take the time to post something. It all started last Sunday with our church's VBS kickoff. We had a country fair theme with games, food, rides..all the good stuff.

Monday was the first night of VBS. We had over 300 kids this week with over 50 accepting Christ. That is huge for our church so we are so thankful. We also had baseball this week on Monday and Wednesday. We went into the week in 2nd place and came out with two wins and now are playing Monday night in the finals. We play the number 1 team with only one loss...yes to us so they are coming for blood!! Corey is the starting pitcher. he had two no hitters last week so we hope he can go out and play with confidence and no nerves and win again.

Tuesday, in addition to VBS was a surprise party for our pastor's b-day with all the kids after VBS. He loved it and it is so nice to do something for your pastor because they get left out of the loop on somethings sometimes. Thursday was VBS and Buzz got his ears smoked. trust me..that is a whole different blog. More to post on that later.

Friday was the end of VBS with all the kids performing and we got to experience what there week was like. the kids also got to "shop" the country store with the points they earned during the week (learning versus,wearing team color,brings friends.etc..)

Saturday night was had a Tastefully Simple party here with friends. There is nothing better than to sit around, talk and eat and laugh with friends and I am so greatful for the ones I have. It was a great night and am looking forward to our Mexican night!!

So here it is Sunday. I went to church,straightened up the house and am planning on watching a baseball game with Corey while I knit a purse. Buzz is golfing and Sk has a siter-chick over. I am thankful for Sunday's.

Oh yeah....it all starts again tomorrow!!!

First pick of the summer....

This is my first strawberry plant. I have never planted one before because they require as much care as my children. Like I need more to do. Well, Ella Grace really wanted this so I got it.
Well is our friend Julia. She has been waiting for the berries to turn so she could have the first one. Pappy was here for a month and was hoping it would turn while he was here, but sorry Pappy, you were a week late.
She said they were sweet, then sour. I am sure I will not produce enough for a pie all at one time so I guess we will have to enjoy them as we get them. Anyone else do a garden and have produce in their backyard??

Two goof balls....

Well, tonight Corey had a game (which we won 17-7). I know the score and most of who did what because I had to focus on the game entirely because Stacie and Kara whined about having to keep score. Running the electric scoreboard took too much effort because my two cackling hens next to me were talking away and asking my input and you all know this pollock can not do two things at a time after 6 pm.

You know, it is one thing to keep score with rocks, it is another to be responsible for all those buttons..agree with the umps on their calls...and keep an eye on the girls. So, to Kara and Stacie I am NOT keeping score on Saturday. I am sure if Stacie bats her eyes, Maynard will make sure she is exempt so watch out Kara.

I will met you at 8 am Saturday morning...go to the Farmers Market and then sit back and relax and watch the game. GO METS!!!
Oh yeah ladies, check out the new quotes....I did not assign any because you all are so special to me!!

Chillin with the family.....

Well, the kids had a big day on Sunday. Uncle Don & Aunt Trish came over for the day. My brother and wife have benen married for 25 years and are taking their first trip without any kids in celebration of their event. Needless to say, it is about time. Jessica is 21 and Ryan is 19.

They are spending a week in a cabin in NC and decided to drive north 8 hours to see us. The guys all went golfing..the girls went to the pool and hang out. We then met up for DiCarlos Pizza (the best ever) and spent the evening hanging out. It is hard to believe, but I did not get one photo the whole time. I guess time was too short and sitting down and talking and laughing was more important.

It is odd, because you do not realize how much you miss people, till you spend time with them again and forget all that you miss out on. So, it is making me look forward to Christmas because we are getting all of my family from Florida to my house for the holidays. I am excited about baking cookies with my niece....going shopping with Trish....and going to service on Christmas Eve with the whole family. I will pray ahead for snow cause we love to all play like kids again..I am so excited!!!!

Perfect in His sight.....

I took these pictures of my LuLu today and as I was downloading, I kept thinking" how beautiful and perfect I believe she is. I know as mom's we think our kids are the best and the brightest and sometimes we are right (just kidding). We look at pictures like the one above and think, "boy am I blessed to have this kid".
Then, God crossed my mind and it made me think that he feels that way about all of His kids. No matter what mean things we may have thought or said. Or the things we could have done, but choose not to. The actions that were not so nice. And believe it or not, he still loves us.
So as I tuck my kids in tonight and say prayers with them, I will also not only thank Him for loving them...making them beautiful, but Beautiful in HIS sight.....

A Day at Deercreek....

We spent the day at Deercreek today with Pappy and Grandma. The water in the lake was cold to start with, but it got warmer the longer the sun was out. The kids love to come here because I think it reminds them of going to the beach in Florida.
This is Pappy, Sarah Kate & Mallory fishing over by the dam. The current was strong and they got a few bites, but nothing to bring home. It was so relaxing and great to hear the kids laugh and enjoy the day.
Poor SK, she was bound and determined to catch something, but it was not the day for it. Corey took his pole and left us. he thinks he is too experienced for any of us!
This is Corey out in the middle of the lake. I kept telling him he looked better from this view anyway!!!