Let's Have a Look-See

I like to look back at the Summer and pick a favorite memory.   I have been thinking about it. I have had a magical Summer and I can't pick out just one. But I did love spending time with these little people. I started school this week. Worst day:  The first day of school is sooooo hard. Best day:  The day when I walked past last years students  and they hug me like a long, lost friend. Most hopeful day: That moment when I know that the little ones I have will hug me like that next year. So we were off. I have two students who have just arrived in the country. They work hard, as do their parents. Sometimes we read or hear that immigrants are here for free health care or food stamps or whatever, I will tell you that it has been my experience they are here to work. They were so proud when they came in with their school supplies. They are on time, they have a backpack.  In the winter, they have a coat. They ...

So after a week of fun and sand, we ventured out. I was so excited to find a Piggly Wiggly on my birthday. Happy Birthday to me! We stopped in Nashville on our way home. We visited the Grand Ole Opry on our way to church. It was beautiful. Next time, we need to plan better so we can see a show. We then went to Memphis and visited Graceland. Hallmark was filming their 3rd movie of  Christmas at Graceland. They said the decorations were from Elvis's estate. It was pretty. This room had 350 yards of fabric covering the walls. I found this room interesting. It was fun tour.   If you're in the neighborhood, you should stop. Our tour included the plane. Let's just say, I wouldn't complain, if I had to travel in it. We were lucky to have Callie with us on our way home. She found us some really good food. And we stopped in Oklahoma to visit the Pioneer ...

As hard as I try, I can't get my family together, however, I will take all but 2. What a blessing that all of these people came together., even the one whose tongue is sticking out. We spent a week in Duck, North Carolina on the Outer banks.  The theme was Sand. These little people spent hours filling up buckets of water with sand. Scott, well, not so much.  He did find some rather strange creatures on his walks. These two were missing the same teeth.  Watching my crazy family in the waves,  made my heart happy. Peter was pretty good on the boogie board. He went out a couple of times with Grandpa. This one, didn't love the water,  but he did love the sand. My boys still found joy in digging holes. This was a 'step on the sand pile' contest. She had aspirations. Lucy spent hours, and hours, in the surf.  She would float on her back...

After the girls and their parents got on their way, Wes and I got on our way. --we were all going to the same place-- We started a road trip to North Carolina. We had a great plan to see some new places, but had a hiccup when the air conditioner in our car needed repaired in the middle of Nebraska.   Nebraska is not my favorite place.  We were not planning on coming home through it. They didn't have the parts that our car needed. After weighing all the options,  I'm pretty sure we did the stupidest thing: We changed our plans, Got up at 3 AM, and went the most direct route to North Carolina. The mornings were great,  The afternoons were hot. And we stopped at 3 each day. But we made it and had the car repaired while we were at the beach. Our important appointment was to see this baby be blessed. And to hang out with the rest of my grands. It was worth it. Later that day we went to Duke to visit the c...

We had the opportunity to bring home two grand daughters. I will not lie,  we were terrified. It was by far the longest travel day of the year. But we made it. We had so much fun. Turns out life with toddlers is exhausting  and completely lovely. They ended up staying for 3 weeks. There parents did come and pick them up. But not before we had some time with their sisters. It was quiet when they left. I find that everywhere I look there is a memory of them. They were happy to collect pine cones, swing, go to the park, have squirt gun fights, and just play with the toys.  Not a bad way to spend the summer.