Giggles

What a whirlwind weekend! Thanks for all the prayers this weekend. I made it to St. Louis in time to grab a quick sandwich for dinner and get parked and to the airport. I have to admit flying out at 9pm was pretty nice...there weren't any lines at security and the plane was only about a third full. I love Southwest airlines, and only wished they had a closer hub to Paducah! My sister and Karmen were waiting curbside and we were off. I enjoyed the trip home with Karmen in the backseat holding onto my finger while she dozed. (It was way past her bedtime.)

We had a great time together and there are few other people that I would get up at 6am with on a Saturday morning! We enjoyed lunch with family to celebrate my grandmother's 87th birthday. I hope I am still going so strong when I am 87. They still live on their own and are in great health. Here she is with Karmen.



Later that afternoon we enjoyed a photo session. I just love these pictures!










The best part was right before my sister and Karmen left, I lifted her over my head and brought her down to my face. She thought that was the greatest thing ever and just laughed. Well, that was all it took for us to get the video camera out and do it over and over again! She thought it was great everytime.

It is also great to be home. Mike was wonderful and picked up the house before I got home because he knows how much that means to me!

Only a few more hours.....

I can't wait to spend some time loving on my niece Karmen this weekend. I haven't seen her since Thanksgiving and she is almost 4 months old now. My sister tells me how she is smiling and cooing and I can't wait to experience it too. If only the interstate cooperates and the roads are clear...I will get to be there before bedtime tonight. Unfortunately, I have to drive north into southern Illinois and get to St. Louis by 8:15 tonight to catch my 9pm flight! Hopefully there are no big stories to tell tomorrow! Pray for safe and quick travel!

Swamped

Goodness Gracious. I was just getting started with blogging and then everything felt crazy. I can definitely tell that it is February at work. It has been dreary and cloudy for weeks on end and everyone really starts to feel it! However, in Gatlinburg this weekend we were able to enjoy 65-70 degree weather everyday!

A few things about the trip.....

-Charter buses are the only way to travel! It was the best trip yet because we didn't have to worry about keeping 4 15-passenger vans together and stopping every two hours to fill up. I called our bus the "Rockstar" because it was really new and sleek.

-Standing in line was almost fun because we weren't freezing our tails off!

-All of our kids were very responsible. They were where they were supposed to be at all times. Most of the time they were even early!

-The drama and art was really moving. I think Sunday morning was the best session by far.

-Our chaperones were incredible! They really work to make the trip an awesome experience for our kids. They are willing to do whatever the kids want to do.

-I was so proud of the way the students opened up and shared their hearts during our devo time Saturday night.

-We got to witness one of our own dying to their selves and being raised into life with Jesus! We are so proud of you Casen.

-The worship time on the bus Sunday night was spontaneous but moving. I think we even impressed our bus driver, Mr. Don.

-Topaz really stunk after a weekend at the kennel. He must have had a good time!

-These weekends totally wear me out. I was exhausted when we got home and crashed early.