WAIT 4-28-10

Isaiah 40:28-31
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting GOd, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

A lady once told me that there was this thing that she struggled with...so she looked up every verse that had to do with that thing. I'm thinking I might have to start really studying the term wait in the Bible and come up with all the verses I can on it. If you have any favorites, comment them to me.

LEONA LEWIS- FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND (4-26-10)

I really needed this. I hope it blesses you all too.

DANCE RECITAL 4-17-10

The after celebration at Smoking Pig...this is one of my favorite pics of us.

Mommy putting lip gloss on Ella Grace.

Emma watching her sister get some pretty lips.

ready to go dance...

Ella Grace's first dance recital (3 1/2years old)

Emma's first dance recital (3 1/2 years old)

I love my little ballerinas! All of this brought back such found memories.

Mary Bennett was such a little darling.

MB doing her routine with the baby doll.

At one point she decided she would perform to the backdrop. It was hilarious.

shhh...

Sweet little Mary Bennett Dixon

Ella Grace...we thought she was going to perform for us.

Ella Grace and Emma with their twinkle twinkle prop

They weren't really into dancing today, but they sure did look cute!

Checking out their stars

And their off...

Running around the stage.

Caroline Hobby on the right. I can't believe how big she is getting. I nannied for her when she was 2 weeks old to 3 months.

These little girls were singing at the top of their lungs. It was so cute!

My friend Jenny Cochran's little girl, Charlotte.

Charlotte Cochran

Classic...Ella Grace "doing business" on Daddy's phone while Emma is enamored watching the big girls dance.

Gigi with her girls

The Butler's

Daddy and his angels

Emma was going in her wristlet after the grape flavored lip gloss.

showing off their new wristlets that I got them... best find yet...$1 each at the dollar spot at Target.

the loving moments of sisters

Tractor Sam with Ella Grace

Me and sweet Ella Grace with her purple lip gloss on.

Kristy is such a team player talking on Emma's "phone".

Aunt Susie, Bubba, Mary Bennett, and Emma

Emma entertaining Bubba

BATTLE OF THE BORDERS 4-9-10

Sorry I can't turn this right side up. It was an 8 1/2 by 11 so it's the only way I could scan the picture in. This was in 2008, Dad's last softball game with the Police Dept that he pitched. The family went back to the game in 09 and mom got to throw out the first pitch.

Stacey and me at this year's Battle of the Borders charity softball game...supporting the VPD!!! I watched all three games they played and cheered the guys on. (Stacey would insert a smart comment here about me being such a good "cheerleader" meaning I was loud and didn't stop!) All the wives and girlfriends were in the stands too. I'd forgotten what a great family the VPD can be. It made me feel a little closer to Dad.

2 YEARS IN HEAVEN 4-10-10

Thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too. I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories and a picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake, with which I'll never part. God has you in his keeping, I have u... in my heart.

I saw this poem and thought it was fitting for today. I know my Dad is in Heaven and happier than ever. I just still miss him terribly. My heart aches for him somedays worse than others. He gave the best hugs...ones that you knew you were loved, ones that you'd feel even when his arms had let go. I think that's one of the things that's so hard about allowing God to fill that void in my life...I long to feel his hug and the ridiculously silly way it made me feel like nothing terrible would ever happen. There are days when I feel so inadequate. I want to call him and say what do I do about this knowing he would always have the "right" answer. He and my mom did so much for me and my brother. He was my superman. Even if he didn't have the answer or ability for whatever the issue was, he always would find a way to figure it all out(or so it seemed). I remember he used to joke about retiring from the police department and them hiring him back as a consultant for all the knowledge he had in his brain. I always felt so safe and loved. I still do...thankfully God has blessed me with so many family and friends to fill in the gaps.

I prayed today and thanked God for the 26 years that I did get to spend with him. I had a conversation with a guy that lost his dad when he was only 9. He only has two memories of his dad. My heart broke for him. However, it also left me feeling incredibly blessed to have the memories, the pictures, the things about me that are so undeniably from him, the lessons that he taught me, and the unconditional love he showed.

I thought I'd get a little nostalgic with the pictures today. My earliest memories of me with my dad are at the beach. We went to Daytona Beach for vacation every year. We would play at the pool and beach all day and eat at the same places each time. I still remember his favorite cookie was oatmeal raisin because after we would eat a huge fresh seafood meal, we'd go for a walk to a bakery to get dessert. My mom didn't swim after having a near drowning accident when she was younger so he was the one that would be in the water with us.

I mean isn't that sweet!!

He's probably up there saying...are you really posting that picture of me?

Even when I was younger, I wanted to be just like my dad!

another precious moment

As long as I can remember, I can picture him in the kitchen!

Ok so it was the 80's! I promise to try to never take another day for granted!

I know I've told y'all about Dad working our school dances and events. This was at Chris' senior prom with Heather, his now wife. I remember thinking I was so thankful we could take this picture. He was always watching over his family.

This is probably where I get my superman/hero thoughts about him. He was a motorcycle cop before Chris and I were born. Yes, that's a Harley Davidson and yes this is probably why I loved watching the tv show "Chips" growing up.

I love you Daddy and always will!!!

EASTER WEEKEND '10

Friday- I started out my weekend in Jacksonville, FL. I needed a break from Valdosta and had plenty to do in Jax. I did a little power shopping mainly looking for a new Easter dress. After I worked up an appetite, I met my friends Rebecca and Terry for dinner. I heart Rebecca. We don't have to talk often, but when we get together it's like no time has ever passed.

Rebecca and Terry at Bonefish Grill. The food was so delicious!

Rebecca being silly while I showed Terry how to use my camera.

Me and Christi Robertson. She lives in TN now so I get so excited when she gets to come home. I took this on my camera phone Sunday am before church.

Saturday...I went to an Art Festival looking for potential vendors for Merry Marketplace. After that I met Emily and her family at their new apt to help them unpack.

I did happen to get to the apt after all the heavy lifting was done so I just helped unpack boxes and arrange things. Emily's dad needed a little nap after all the work and her brother Josh tooka break to read the paper.

Heath, Emily's husband, setting up their entertainment center.

We had Emily's Mama stuck in the closet unpacking all their clothes. She was such a trooper! We ended the night with some yummy barbecue and a quick trip to Target. My friend Missy talked to me on the phone while I drove home...so sweet.

Easter Sunday-Chris brings the girls to the house to see what the Easter bunny left them.

Checking out their stuff

Ella Grace in her pretty Easter dress

A happy little Emma

Ok, so I had to post this picture because I think it's hilarious. My Aunt Susie will take a picture of anyone at any moment even if you are by yourself. So since I was by myself, I decided to pose. The funny thing is I have pictures of me posing exactly this way as a child. I remember one in specific at Patsy's wedding with my cousin's Holly and Whitney. I guess I always have and always will be a priss!

Kristy, Sam, and Baby Annyson

two big cheesers!

How sweet is this!

Sam swinging Emma. She kept saying GDaddy look at me.

It has been so long since I've seen Kristy! She's been out of town and so have I. I was super excited to give her and Annyson some love!

Heidi and Gary

Thanks to my wonderful sister in law for being so encouraging and sweet to me today! Love You!

Aunt Susie and me

Chris bargaining with Ella Grace about eating a little more dinner before getting down to go play.

Aunt Susie and Jay

Emma hunting eggs

checking out the eggs

Daddy helping Emma with her eggs

One of the sweetest moments...The girls dyed eggs with their Mama and they knew which ones belonged to which. Ella Grace found one of Emma's eggs. She hollared for Emma to come over to her so she could give it to her! Made my heart smile.

the sisters...

Ella Grace running after Jay to get eggs...

I don't know who was having more fun!

Emma playing with GiGi and I got it on camera. So funny!

Precious

Ella Grace giving her Great Grandmother a bye hug. (Gary's mom)

One of the eggs they dyed.

Precious moment with her Daddy. I hope she remembers it forever!

Heather, Gary, and Heidi

Emma opening her present from me.

Ella Grace's turn

They are such a mess! It's so hard to get a good pic of the two of them together.

Mommy and Ella Grace

Mommy and Emma

No, I'm not vain. I got Heather to take this pic of me so I can keep track of my weight loss progress and keep me motivated.
Me and my sweet cousin Jay. Love!
Sam, Aunt Susie, and Jay

It was a great busy weekend! I love my friends and family so much! I hope you all had a blessed Easter! Thank you Lord for dying on a cross for my sins and rising from the dead on the third day!