14 Years and Counting...

I forgot to mention on my last update that on the first of this month- we celebrated our 14th year of marriage! I know-I can't believe how fast the time has passed! I wish we could do it all over again! Read on about what a wonderful guy Adam is.... so you all know that I am in school to become an esthetician... and so while Joey (cousin) was here last week I talked him into coming in for a spa treatment. Adam has already been in for a facial and he really enjoyed it, and so I had them both in for a European facial. I worked on Adam and my friend Rosemary worked on Joey. After the treatment- Joey wanted to have his back waxed and HE talked Adam into doing it as well! Now- Joey had a sweater- meaning he had a lot of hair to remove, but Adam... had none- but still wanted some of the fine blond hairs removed. We just had 3 new students start 3 weeks ago and they needed the experience- what good sports they were!!! Last Saturday we took the kids to see the house that Adam grew up in and we also did some geo-cashing. This past week was not really eventful other than last night Makenzie was in the Young Womens talent show. She did an amazing job of singing! ( The pictures above show Adam and Joey at my school, all of us Geo-Cashing- a pretty road in Bowden, a really old grave, and a slaves grave marked with a brick, and the Falcons vs Miami Dolphins game) Hope all is well-Love and Hugs-

This past weekend, Adam had some work to do in Charleston SC and of course we all wanted to tag along. We left late on Friday night so that the kids wouldn't have to miss any school, but didn't take into account that there would be so much traffic to get out of the city. We didn't get in to Charleston until 1am! Uggh it was so hard to want to stay awake. We stayed in a sweet hotel (Embassy Suites ) in the downtown area and it was awesome! It was the Old Citadel school from 1822 till 1921 when the school was moved into a bigger facility down a few blocks. It remains the same with a few upgrades(like private bathrooms and airconditioning) but it was set up as a fort to protect Charleston from the slaves who came over from Denmark. In that time the blacks very much outnumbered the whites. In the dining room- the original gun windows that the soldiers would put the rifles thru to shoot out are still there. It was so cool to see all the old artifacts that were found when the Citadel was being turned into the hotel. We loved it there. We went to Folly beach- not one of our favorites but the kids still had fun. The waves were REALLY rough and it was super windy on Sunday, so we only stayed maybe about 3 hours which if you know us.... you know when we go to the beach, it is ALL DAY LONG! So we packed it in, and took the kids shopping and to On The Border! Ummm, when did my Taylor become such a clothes freak? My gosh- that girl tried talking us into buying her everything her heart desired. I am immune to such cuteness but alas- her dad is not! Monday Adam really wanted to go to Patriot Point which is a Museum dedicated to our War Heroes and it is on a decommissioned war ship- The Yorktown. All I have to say is... AWESOME. I am really glad we went even though I complained (a little) I even found my Great Uncles name on the wall of "Above and Beyond the Call" wall. Then I was able to pull his name and photo up inside the Fallen Heroes museum and read his story. He died in the Korean War at the age of 24 when he sustained massive wounds while distracting the enemy so that his troop could get away. Being able to see that was worth the day and it made me feel good... I always knew about him but it was so awesome to see his name... right there with all the others. In the Aviation Memorial there was a quote that read "When you go home tomorrow, tell them of us and say- For your tomorrow we gave our Today." Killed me to watch all the videos and see all the original men who were at one time serving in active duty on this huge aircraft carrier ship because I kept thinking- they were so young... some of them just boys. I wondered- did they think one day that ship would be a museum and that so many people would look at them with awe? So I guess my message tonight would be- be grateful for the many privileges and freedoms you are able to enjoy! God Bless our Troops and the USA! Love and Hugs-

All in a Days Work

Well- we are heading into the third week of school and so far... so good. I really can not believe that a year ago we were still in Utah! We still miss our home but have made the best to make Georgia our new home. We have really been blessed because we are in a great area, have already made great friends and are in a terrific ward. Today, Taylor had to give a talk about being an Eternal Family. She spent the last week working on a drawing of us on the Temple grounds. She chose to do it in chalk and it is precious. She is giving it to the primary for the Stake Conference Art Show. She did a great job on telling our story about when Adam and I were sealed which was August 26th 1998. She recounted on how when we lived in Utah she would love to go to the Temple grounds and walk around the beautiful gardens. She also told the primary kids how she would love to do Family Home Evening and go to the visitors center. I must admit that I miss that too! It was funny because she didn't fail to mention that what she didn't like about the Temple was that she couldn't go in yet, but that she knows that someday she will! Then after she bore her testimony she said she had one more thing to add and that was "Temples unite families". It was so cute. She is looking forward to the day the Atlanta Temple will re-open and she will be able to go in. She says "you can bet that I will be one of the first people in line that day!" I hope that each of you feel of Our Saviors love and that you are happy and loving life! Love and hugs.....

Finally! We are Back on Track

As you can see- I got a new camera! I love it and I am SO happy that I can now post pictures of our days here in the south. For our last hurrah to close the end of the summer- we took the kids to the Atlanta Zoo. It was a lot of fun, even though it was one of the hottest days here... 104!(I know! You all out there in St.George can give me no sympathy) I don't think I have ever seen Parker so excited! He could not wait to see the kangaroos and we made sure that we saved that for last. He loved it and loved hopping around like them. We had a great time, we even became members of the zoo and can go back anytime in the next year for free! We had a great week here, as it marked the first week back to school for the kids. Parker is at a different school this year from the last school. He seems to really like it and his new teacher. Today at church one of the boys in our ward was so excited as he was telling me that he sees Parker at school now! Taylor is also in a brand new school (not the same as Parker though) and she loves it and her teacher! Makenzie came home after her first day radiant and full of smiles! She loves all her teachers and has a lot of friends in her classes. Everyone loved her new hairdo and that made her feel really good. Seriously- I could NOT have asked for a better day for her! Adam is doing well.. he spent Friday night with the missionaries knocking on doors of inactives and then Sat morning doing a service project. The South is doing some good for us and we hope to do some good for the South! Hope all is well-Love and Hugs

Last Trip of the Summer

Adam had some work to do in Hendersonville NC which is about a half hour outside of Asheville so we decided to go with. Asheville is the home of the largest home in America- The Biltmore, which was built by a Vanderbilt. It was something I have wanted to see for a while because I hear it is amazing! We took the two little ones -(Makenzie stayed at home with a friend because she didn't want to miss the Beehive sleepover)and realized that when we got there.... it was $55 per person and we only had 2 hours before Adam needed to head to work! No way was I gonna pay that amount and not be able to view everything. We plan on going around Christmas time because that is when it gets decked out with lights galore. You can read all about it at Biltmore.com. The entire downtown area near the Biltmore is awesome... the Mickey D's was the NICEST one I have EVER seen!! It was gorgeous and there was even a grand piano playing while we ate. Taylor said "this is wonderful"- she is sooo like her Grandma Pam! There was an art festival down the street from our hotel so we took the kids there.... that was a joy! Not... Parker was hot and tired form walking.. so that lasted about an hour! That was fine... art festivals tend to bring out some weird,eclectic people don't you think? We went back to the hotel and had a rest while Adam worked. Of course I had to take them swimming... and get them really tired for the night. Finally at about 8 Adam was back and we headed to The Grove Park Inn. Amazing!! You need to check out the website under the same name. I wish we stayed there but I doubt Vita Mix would want the 700-900 a night bill!! I WISH I had a camera... you would NOT believe that rock work at the place... it was like a castle. It dates back to the late 1800s just like the Biltmore. Beautiful! In all our travels I am still amazed at how green and lush and beautiful the south is. After touring the place for an hour and deciding that none of the restaurants were kid friendly we left- headed to Texas Roadhouse, and finally filled our hungry bellies! It was a great weekend but.... not long enough! Adam leaves today for Maine and I am dreading it!! Hope all is well in your world.... love and hugs-