Garage Sales, Gardening and Playing With Friends

Derrick had Elise and Milla laughing at the garage sale!

I love having garage sales!  The past 3 garage sales 

we have had have left us pleasantly surprised... we find 

ourselves saying-- "I can't believe we were able to make

 that much!!"...well, it was a different story this past

 weekend...we had our annual Garage Sale with our friends 

Derrick and Adrienne---and after about only 15 people

trickled in and out the whole time guess what our profit 

was...... $40!!!!  ha ha!  Better than Nothing!  At least we

 had fun being with our friends and 

watching the girls play! 

Becky came up to visit a couple weekends ago while
Brandon and Christian were out of town
turkey hunting.

You would never imagine that a "veggie sandwich" would

be on the menu for a guy's hunting trip....but, Brandon came

home raving about this sandwich that his friend Marty made 

the group while they were on their trip!  It was made on 

ciabatta bread--piled high with cucumbers, tomatoes, orange peppers, onions and spinach marinated in Italian dressing with

 a little mayo and spicy mustard.  He was proud when he 

came home and recreated it!

We got to join some friends to get the kids together to play...

 here is Audrey with Asher and Laney Jo

Jessica holding Faith

Emmett and Sterling cozy in the corner

Meghan and little Josey

Heather with Harlan

Liz (the hostess) with Claire

Elizabeth, Will and Emmett-- first trip out with big
 brother Will and newborn Emmett!

Laney and Faith... Faith was eyeing Laney's baby pink
painted toe-nails!!!! Fun!

Mia turned 2 and had a Garden Birthday Party!
The guests got to decorate their personalized pots with
chalk and plant a flower to take home!

Here is the Birthday Girl....Mia Lynn!

attempt at a group shot

Blakeley and Will-- parents of little 2 year old Mia---
they are expecting twin boys next month!!!!!

My high school friends.....Allison, Brittany, me and Blakeley

we went over to visit with the Sanders Family--- Lauren
had a bunch of activites for the little ones-- her is one of
Faith sitting in the driveway watching Haley and Milla paint
rocks and ride bikes

Happy 40th Birthday to Denise!  Denise is one of
my co-workers-- she is everyone's "go-to" person.  She is
 a wealthof information.  She is one of those people that
knows so much about so many things.  She knows the
answer to any medical or parenting question you have.  She
 is a hard worker and has a great attitude.  A quote you will
 often hear her say is--"it is what it is"!!!
Here is a picture from her party... back row: Donna,
 Elizabeth O., Cassie, Me, Ashley, Christina
front row: Elizabeth L., Denise and Laurie

We got to go visit my friend from high school Heather--
and her 2 sweet girls Anna and Sarah at their new house in
Cumming.  They just made the move here from LaGrange.
Heather made those cute cupcakes in ice cream cones and the
 girls got to decorate them. Here is Milla and Anna making
their finishing touches with Jelly Beans.  We ate lunch over
there and I was so glad that Heather opened my eyes to a
really good chicken salad that is so conveinient-- it is the
"rotisserie chicken salad" from Ingles.  We have an Ingles
close by and I never knew they had this little treat!

I've Got Sunshine On A Cloudy Day...with My Girl(s)

A Dad with his daughters....

I read this funny quote-- "The father of a daughter is nothing but a high class 

hostage. A father turns a stony face to his sons, berates them, shakes his antlers, 

paws the ground, snorts, runs them off into the underbrush, but when his daughter puts 

her arm over his shoulder and says, 'Daddy, I need to ask you something,' he is a pat of 

butter in a hot frying pan" -Garrison Keillor

Milla catching a ride on Brandon's shoulders

Brandon stealing a kiss from Faith

although they were shivering and had goose bumps...

Brandon and Milla

took the first dip in the lake for the year in April!

Faith watched from the shoreline...looking forward to hot
summer days and getting her turn in the water!

 our schedule was a little off on Sunday-- we didn't think
we could make it to church on time-- so, while Faith took her
first nap-- Brandon, Milla and I watched church online
while we ate pancakes on the porch

Brandon has such an awesome office in a neat part of town... he has a 

huge, industrial window...and this is his view.  My mom watched the girls 

and I got to go to meet Brandon for an early dinner date.  

Spring is Blooming Bouncing Baby Boys

We got to go over to meet newborn baby

"Emmett Charles Lineberry"
born March 30th... 7#4oz

CONGRATS to Elizabeth, Austin and Will!

Elizabeth looking adoringly at her baby boy!  

I got to hug on this sweet little guy.  We have all been
praying for Emmett because at his newborn visit at the
pediatrician his Dr. heard a heart murmur and sent him on
 to the Cardiologist-- they learned that he has a VSD--
which is a hole in his heart.  Sometimes they close on their
own-- sometimes they are small enough to function
normally with-- and sometimes they require surgery.
They have his recheck appointment next week...it
would be so wonderful for the Dr. to check him out and
 reveal that the hole is now closed! I hope so!

During our visit Emmett's big brother Will shared his
awesome playground with Milla.  Austin designed and built
 this swing set...it has swings, a climbing wall, a picnic
table, slide, ropes to climb...etc.. It is so nice and kept
 the toddlers occupied!

although we haven't gotten to meet this little one yet--
 I had to introduce Krupa baby boy #3...
"Graham Anderson Krupa"
born on March 27th... 8#8oz in Charlotte, NC
Congrats Chanler, Ander, Marshall and Harrison!

And-- last but not least--Congrats to Elizabeth,
 Robbie and Harper--
"Robert David Wentz" born April 10th weighing in
at
 a whopping 9#7oz!!!
We are thankful for these precious babies...
"fresh from heaven" as my aunt always says! 

Remembering What Jesus Did for All of Us

Easter 2012

The Legend of the Dogwood flower says-- "In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember."

Family Easter Picture...
We went to church Easter morning---but, we didn't get to hear the music because the music is a little too loud for Faith's little tender ears...so, we don't go in to the sanctuary until the music is over...We missed singing! Thinking through some Easter Hymns... it always puts a smile on your face to sing "He Lives":
"He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart."
Faith

Milla... (deciding on her own to pose!!!)

Faith giggling in the bunny ears

Milla taking a turn in the ears....
one of my coworkers shared the idea for Easter morning to tear up cotton balls and leave a trail from your child's room to their Easter basket... and leave a carrot with a bite out of it!! Sounded cute so we tried it.... but, it just so happened that the night before I had just taken off my toenail polish and used cotton balls-- so, Milla walked out of her room Easter morning- she saw the cotton and said "these for our toes?"... I said "it looks like the Easter bunny was here!"... she said "No, these for our toes!"

Hunting for Easter eggs in our neighbor's yard

Dying Easter Eggs

Impromptu Indiana Adventure

My exciting, adventurous Mom called at the beginning of the week and told us that she was headed to Indiana on Thursday and would love to treat Milla, Faith and me (Brandon had to work) to buddy passes to join her. I LOVE going to Indiana to be with our family and get to spend time at the farm--so, (although I was a little overwhelmed at first thought thinking of all of the prep/packing and wondering how we would make it through the airport) we had to make it happen! So, just a few days later we found ourselves heading to the Atlanta airport!!!

Here we are at the kiosk checking in!
Mom, Milla and Faith

2 roller bags+3 carry-ons+a stroller with a baby+a toddler=we could have used one more hand!! I know people do it all the time (and with more children than 2)-- but it really takes some planning and organization--I will try to figure out how to pack even lighter next time! Some tips-- just pack the diapers you need for the airport and then buy some when you get to your destination* be prepared when you go through security to take your baby out and break down your stroller to put up on the conveyor belt * Know that they do allow you to bring milk/breast milk/formula through security even if it is more than 3 oz. *
Everything was lush and in bloom when we arrived in Indiana. This is the view from the kitchen window at the farm. Aunt Connie brought the outside in by filling the house--the tables--and the windows with fresh lilacs and Japanese magnolia blooms. It was beautiful! The farm truly looked like a fairy tale or a dream!

Milla lucked out and got to ride horses twice in one day!!! Aunt Connie's friend Cheryl teaches lessons and was nice enough to let us come to her barn and get a quick ride!

Even Faith got to take a ride...you can't go to Indiana and not ride a horse! With hands surrounding them they got to make half of a loop around the ring together on a really calm and gentle horse! (Love this shot of sisterly love!)

In the afternoon Aunt Connie's friend Kelly-- who boards her horses at the farm was so generous with her time and gave Milla a little lesson. At one point the normally docile horse got spooked and Milla got tossed off the side!!!!-- but, Kelly was right there and caught Milla in the air and immediately put her right back on! Milla was tough-she didn't shed a tear--it only took a few minutes of getting comfortable and her smile reappeared!

Kelly also introduced Milla to (and let her pet) one of the chickens.

There are about 12 chickens at the farm-- they get a bunch of pretty, fresh eggs daily!! You would think you are looking at Easter eggs--but these are the way they find them in the chicken house.

Mom was having a photo session with Faith in the lilacs!

Grandma, Faith and Mom going for a ride on the golf cart. The town of Centerville is so laid back and the traffic is slower-- so, you can actually ride the golf cart on the road if you are headed somewhere nearby!

Milla admiring the horses in the field

Milla and Faith enjoying the breeze on the front porch

Some great memories are made in the kitchen at the farm...singing, dancing, great talks...etc...

Aunt Connie, Cousin Sara and Mom (Crisann)
*So many people get my Mom and Aunt mixed up because they look so similar-- they are not twins-they are 2 years apart!

Faith and her Great Grandma Rhodes (emphasis on the GREAT!!) Her mother's name was "Bessie Townsend McConaha"... my middle name is Bess, Faith's middle name is Townsend, and Milla's last middle name is McConaha!

We always insist that Grandma play us a tune on the organ when we visit with her! One of the songs she plays a lot is "Known Only To Him" that has the great line... "I know not what the future holds- But I know who holds the future".
We are so thankful that we got to spend "Spring Break 2012" in Centerville, Indiana having a Girl's Weekend with our family! It was refreshing and cherished!