Simple Sunday

There are so many things in life that happen and we never capture with camera. These everyday things are the events we will look back on with fond memories. Last week I decided to take my camera to church to record some of these everyday happenings. Mrs. Janet looked like the Pied Piper of babies when I left to get the camera. When I came back only two remained but this is a frequent happening between Sunday School and preaching. The little ones rush over to see Mrs. Janet.

This particular Sunday had a potluck meal following service. I only took pictures of the kids because for some reason the adults don't seem to like it if I take their picture when they are eating. ;-)

These big ole boys always sit at this table left over from Sunday School class days. {Children stay with their parents in one class now.} I guess they like the privacy, I know that I overheard at least one Scooby Doo conversation.

The other end of  the fellowship hall was Baby Grand Central Station. Mrs. Lisa always has kids with her! There is no telling how many children have received Christ due to Mrs. Lisa's involvement in their lives. Related or not, if you know Mrs. Lisa you will be coming to church with her one Sunday ...soon!

While the adults cleaned up, the party moved back to the auditorium. We aren't a very big congregation but we have a lot of kids. In fact, the under 18s outnumber the adults quite often. Right now, most of our littles are girls. I love boys but these little girls are so sweet. For the most part they play nicely and act like little ladies. The boys were probably outside climbing a tree!

Hay-ving a good time

This year was a tough year to plan a hayride but I'm so glad we did. Most of our family and tons of our friends joined us for a good time.

We started the evening off with weenie cookin' and marshmallow roasting. The weather was perfect. Just warm enough you didn't need to bundle up but cool enough for no bugs and a fire was welcome.

The kids were super excited that Uncle Scott and Mrs. Hannah were going to make it. I think getting to be part of Clara Beth's first hayride might have had something to do with that. ;-)

We planned to have potato sack races but the tater sacks didn't make it. Griffin had a mini break down over the idea of no games. Thankfully, Daddy came to the rescue and suggested garbage bags. I don't think this will be a permanent change.

Garbage bags aren't made for the roughness of jumping people even though they are made to hold a falling piano. ;-)

Egg toss is another game we tend to play.

I think Uncle Scott and Uncle Kirk are training for the extreme egg toss games. ;-)

Since I was very pregnant and barely walking, I opted out of the hayride portion of the activities.

I have to say, it's a little more comfortable to stay behind. ;-)

But I do believe I missed out on a great time!

Last year, the picture I shared of Scott and Hannah was a newlywed shot. Now they are 3! What a difference a year makes. {Clara Beth is all bundled up under there.}

Ty's Baptism

This past Sunday, Ty was baptized. Kent went to the church early to start filling the baptistry. He figured out a way to run the water through his steam cleaner. I think it was the first non-freezing baptism we've had in 15+ years!

The boys were fascinated with watching it fill up.

Henry is getting so big and pulling up to everything. He crawls just enough to get to something and pull up.

We could tell the water was warm as Kent was a little windier than he was when Madisyn was baptized. However, when it's your kid being baptized, you tend to get a little excited.

I love the expression on Kent's face! You'd think Ty was a 500 pound man who can't bend. :)

Ty isn't as touchy, feely as Madisyn but he didn't seem to mind the seemingly never ending stream of hugs that came his way. Kent told him that when Nana started playing and people starting coming to the front he'd realize just how loved he was.

Ty is extremely found of Mr. Mark and Mrs. Janet {or Mrs. Mark as Ben calls her ;) }. He went home with them one Sunday afternoon and the way he keeps talking about it you would think he had been there at least 1,000 times.

Madisyn was awful proud of her "little" brother.

I think this is one of the few hugs from Uncle that didn't end with one or the other trying to see who could squeeze the hardest. One of these days, Kirk won't win. :)

I think I have cried as much as Madisyn and Ty's baptisms as I did at their births. I can't express how precious it is to see one of my children accept the Lord as their Saviour and follow him in scriptural baptism and church membership.

I have no greater joy than to hear that

my children walk in truth.

III John 1:4

Witcher and Co Moving

On the nastiest, coldest, wettest day of the year Nana and Papaw moved to their new house! Everyone from oldest to youngest pitched in to help.

Henry's main job was entertainment though he also made sure that the noise level never got higher than what he could sleep through (which is really high).

Uncle Kirk, Mrs. Janet and Mr. Mark all carried more than their share of boxes.

The new house isn't finished (no interior doors, cabinets, etc) but it's very liveable and now Nana can collapse in her chair after a long day and not have a commute.

A Christmas Duet

Madisyn recently had her first Christmas recital. She played Go Tell It On the Mountain as a duet with Nana. Here are the stars of the show before the performance began.

I think Madisyn and Nana had more fans that anyone else. I really appreciate how Mr. Mark and Mrs. Janet always encourage and support our children. In fact, this morning in Sunday School Ben was begging to go sit with Merta Mawk.

I think they perform well together and I think Madisyn has plans for many more duets in the future.

Mrs. Sue and her friend, Mrs. Thelma, also played a duet. They played a very spirited (and loud) Carol of The Bells. As you can tell, noise doesn't bother Henry one bit.

Fly On The Wall

****Warning this is an attempt at mobile blogging.*****


Tonight we were eating with Mr. Mark and Mrs. Janet. The kids were telling Mrs. Janet that they would like to go to California again. She asked if they would fly and Ty told her no because he's afraid of 'bad guys with bombs in their underwear'. Madisyn then piped up and said 'We listen to talk radio'. LOL


What can I say, we're raising them 'Right'!

Work, Work, Work All Day Long

Over the Christmas holidays I was asked how early the kids get up on Christmas morning. When I replied that they slept until 7:30 - 8:00 the inquirer was shocked. I told her that Christmas has nothing on auctions. LOL If there is an auction and the kids are getting to go they will get up at 5 AM and be cheery about it!

This auction was no different. We had attended the open house and had found the lots we desired. We were aiding a school district in disposing of unused materials. The buildings were we conducted the auction had been empty for a few years and vandals were laying claim.

Madisyn loves to be Nana's assistant. I don't know which one of them is looking forward to Nana retiring the most!

We had a good turnout, especially for such a chilly day. Most people arrived in their "huntin' clothes" and were quite pleased that the entire sale would be conducted in the auditorium using a power point type presentation.

Ben was working hard! I had Henry wrapped so I could chase Ben. He isn't quite old enough to stay where he's helping so Henry and I had to be extra mobile.

The auction company is a family business. Kent is one of the owners along with his dad and brother.

Kent and Kirk calling bids.

One of Griffin's favorite places to be. (He's frequently called little Kenneth.)