Girls' Activity Garden Party

Tonight our Girls' Activity Group had a Garden Party. The girls have been working all year on manners, how to be a good hostess, and how to plan and carry out parties (from theme to guest list, invitations, program, food, etc). We had this party for our Moms to say thank you for helping us "grow" virtues such as faith, love, talents, service, and knowledge. It was a great night..made awesome with help from my girlfriends Lauralan (wonderful decorations) and Jackie (awesome chicken salad puffs) and daughter Patti (who took pictures and spent the entire evening uploading, printing and framing pictures of the girls with their mom to give as a gift at the end of the party)! My assistant, Katie Young Locklear, is precious and she is also super at decorating or anything artistic and so willing to do anything anytime!! It makes my calling so easy to have so much help...and I have the GREATEST girls...

Taylor, Sydney, Sarah Beth, Christina, and Tia...aren't they beautiful??? I love them!!Patti had Sarah Beth laughing at something... The girls had made such pretty handouts...
and Katie's mom, Sister Young, lent us her bench for pictures...it was perfect!

Katie with her Mama and Katie's little girl Kaylee

The room and tables looked gorgeous thanks to Katie, patti and ESPECIALLY Lauralan!!

Tyla came and was so sweet..as always!!! She is an angel!

Sweet Pazlan was sick but she wanted to come and Sarah Beth was sooo glad she did!!

okay these are NOT from the garden party...Owen came to play today and Peter just enjoyed him so! My boys love little children...
I'm not sure what they were cooking up but probably nothing good!!!

I have such a good life...so many blessings!!

Cinco de Mayo Fun

No, Patti hasn't taken up softball...we just decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a pinata... Sarah Beth whacked off a leg and so did J Conn...
Patti knocked the whole thing down so Peter nailed it back up and took a swing with his eyes closed...and busted it wide open...

Oh my...so much CANDY!!!!!

Sarah Beth was jumping with joy...

The big kids joined in our absolute silliness and were so much FUN!!! Maybe because Patti got a job today (at the YMCA...) and Peter has hopes of one (Yay for girlfriends!!!)

Such a simple thing and we had such joy at our impromptu celebration...

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!!!

Quotes...

I love quotes...maybe because I love words... anyoldway, here are some of my latest favs I stole from blogs, Facebook, conversations, grandparents, etc and they may be misquoted and I forgot some of the references...so sue me....

Don't let people drive you crazy...especially since it's within walking distance! (Darrel's FB)

We all have burdens...it's how we carry them that counts. (Marina's FB)

Girl, you think you have all the answers when you aint even lived long enough to know the questions! (Amy's Blog)

Do not let ANYONE tinkle on you and tell you it's raining!! (Mammy)

when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and use it as a foothold to rest until you can climb back up!!

I know he's the prince but he still has brown hair and I don't like brown haired boys! (SB)

Miss Jackie got us seats so close we could see their business!! (Pazlan)

It might have been your mistake but the problem it caused is ours and we'll face it together.

(my precious perfect-for-me husband)

I brought you into this world and I can take you out...(my Dad)

Always remember, every single person you will meet on earth has good and bad within..they may just have developed one more than the other..but the potential for good is within everyone, so instead of focusing on the bad, find a way to help them increase the good. (in my graduation letter from my Mama)

when you can't sleep, don't count sheep, talk to the shepherd.

Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be. (Lincoln)

A candle never loses any of it's brightness by lighting another candle.

It takes about 3 feet of water to get people in Church and less than an inch to keep them out. (my Dad, the Baptist Preacher!!)

Pray like everything depends on God and then get up and work as if it all depends on you.

If you need help, ask. That's what family is for...anyway, did you ever see a hearse followed by an armored car? You can't take it with you! (Granddaddy)

In case you haven't noticed, Mom, I don't run with a pack.

I was cut out to be rich...some dummy just sewed me up wrong!

Never be intimidated..he puts his britches on just like you do.

(ok y'all might find this one hard to believe so imagine back 30+ years, 100+ pounds, and add some long forgotten style and my grandparents' money....)

Ninna to me at the exclusive boutique where we were shopping: Perhaps you will want to buy a few things now and more when you see what the other college girls are wearing?

Me with some eye rolling: Phh...let them see what I'm wearing and then they can go shopping!

A few better pics of Ashley's wedding

Ashley's aunt took these...

Ocean Breezes feel great but are rough on hair...Sweet! They looked so happy...Tommy looks so much like CJ...
The new Ewert Family..what a great looking family!!! Tommy will be such a great Dad for Carter and Carter adores him!!

I love love love being at the beach!

Brilliant but unemployed...

He had surgery...and a serious reaction to anesthesia and pain meds...and an illness while recuperating...and therefore missed three entire weeks of college..and returned in a ton of pain without meds to alleviate it...and STILL he managed 4 A's and 2 B's...at Clemson University.

He is extremely smart. He is determined. He works tirelessly at accomplishing seemingly impossible goals. He has a 2 summer track record of working 6 days a week with never missing a day and always being the top producer...He has sent out 100 resumes and made numerous follow-up calls. He has followed every lead and begged for favors (as have his parents) but still...no internship in sight...and no internship = no graduation next May. He is not alone...Clemson will accept just about anything as a construction management internship this year due to the bleak economy...and still he remains...

brilliant but unemployed.
We sure would appreciate any help...

Sheridan Streak continues...

I remember back in Charlotte when the Pinewood Derby was serious competition at our house!! Our boys carved, sanded, and painted and then Mr. Jeff applied the graphite, the weights and aligned the wheels (he said, "it's all in the alignment of the wheels") and each and every time they raced...THEY WON!!!! Now it was Connor's 1st Pinewood Derby...and Pete helped carve, Connor sanded, Pete LABORED over inserting weights, and they both painted. It was much less stress and they actually enjoyed working together...but Pete had some serious "missing his best friend Jeff" moments...Peter came home in time to apply the graphite and adjust the wheels...he agreed with Jeff's philosophy and explained to Connor why they needed to be perfect...I wish I had a pic of the two of them squinting as they watched the wheels spin!!!
All my boys make an inclined plane...Peter says it's aerodynamics...not the sharpest to look at but usually the fastest!!

So it was race night and Connor's purple and orange car raced into 1st...3 times in a row and he easily won the Wolf/Bear event and went on to win race after race in the overall
In the last two races, he was edged out by a webelo...just barely but believe it or not, CONNOR was wildly excited for his two buddies and was thrilled with 1st in the wolf and bear, and placing in the overall...he is really cool like that and it is a joy to watch!! The winners!!!! and Connor showing off his ribbon, medal, car and prizes. A fun night...and we sure missed Jeff and know he was there somewhere grinning at Connor's fast car!

Going to the beach and we're gonna get married...

Ashley is now Mrs. Tommy Ewart...she and Tommy were married by Bishop Adams on Folly Beach yesterday. Pete and I were so excited to be there! I forgot my camera so these are phone pics...not so good but you can get the idea...it was a gorgeous day!!! I am NOT a decorator but CJ's fiancee Christina, Cindy's sister-in-law Penny, Charlene Adams and I did our best...it looked really pretty, the wind is blowing hard in this picture and makes the swags look straight but it wasn't like that!!! I fell in love with this beach house...


Ashley wanted everyone in khakis, sundresses, and beach clothes...gotta love Bishop Adam's white shirt and tie with flip flops!!! He was AWESOME...what a sweet Bishop!

Carter escorted his Mama across the street to the ocean...he was so very cute..and obviously happy!!! He also reminded me of his grandpa..we missed Jeff all day!

It could not have been a prettier day for a beach wedding!!Cindy did a great job decorating the arch...Carter was the ring bearer and CJ and his fiancee were the witnesses.

Pete and I were so happy for them!! I wished I could have stayed on the beach instead of returning to work...doesn't Pete look great? I love the summer dress my girlfriend Jackie picked out for me...absolutely love it!

They are such a cute couple...and so very happy!

Cindy looks FABULOUS...she is in love with Phillip from Catawba ,who had to work and couldn't come! :( and I expect another wedding before year's end!!! Yay for romance!!!

Pete and I did the wedding buffet as our wedding gift..of course we had some help from Ricky and his famous lowcountry bar-b-q....it was soooo good!!!

The wedding cake was beautiful and delicious...chocolate with vanilla icing...Pete's favorite!

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ewart!!!!

May your happiness endure throughout eternity!!!