The Parkison Family- Scott, Kelly, Seth, Levi, Samson, Jack and Shorty

India 2011/2012

2011-12-29T07:33:00.001-05:00

Check out our church blog www.tbcmanchestergo.blogspot.com

Scott, myself, and 6 others are in India right now!

Pray for us!

Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-28T06:18:00.001-05:00

The boys waiting in my room before they could come out...

Candy is always a popular item

Levi was trying to eat the chap stick. :)

Daddy and his present from the boys and myself... it is a world map where we can put in push pins of our travels.

Seth loves the Incredible Hulk hands

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-27T05:53:00.001-05:00

We just celebrated Jesus' birthday by making Him a cake. Now the boys unwrapped some of Papa and Gigi's presents!!!

A Train Christmas

2011-12-26T05:39:00.001-05:00

This year the boys have shown a lot of interest in toy trains and the movie, Polar Express. So for Christmas, Scott and I took the boys on a special trip to Chattanooga.

The boys loved watching the Polar Express in 3D... Scott and I really enjoyed it too. We decided that watching a movie at the IMAX is the way to go!

Then we spent lunch and the afternoon with some dear family friends that are serving in ministry as well... The Thomas Family. I hate I did not pull out my camera while we were with them... but I was having a blast catching up with my friend Stacy... I just got carried away!

Next we took the boys to ride an actual train to the North Pole. Santa even got on and rode with us. It was pretty neat!

Standing in line outside of the station...

Levi boarding the train

The chef served us gingerbread cookies and Yoohoos.

Then one of Santa's helpers came through reading Twas the Night Before Christmas

After we made it to the North Pole... Santa got on and visited with each child.

Scrooge also made the train... haha

After the train, we took the boys to Rock City to walk through the Enchanted Gardens. It has thousands of Christmas lights and beautiful views of Chattanooga.

We even went down into some caves.

It was a fun day with the two loves of our lives!!!

Well, it wasn't exactly a "White Christmas"...

2011-12-25T15:31:00.000-05:00

But... the boys got into a huge box of diapers and started throwing them at each other and up in the air. There were literally hundreds of diapers on the floor, by the time I got back to the bedroom for them to tell me it was snowing. :)

Merry Christmas from the Parkisons!

Cool Place Close by...

2011-12-23T05:38:00.001-05:00

One day a friend of ours was over and saw how much Levi loves trains. He told us about this family in a near by town that a big set up with all kinds of model trains. It's free and the family loves to share it with others, especially during Christmas!

So off we went to a little town called Estill Springs...

This place was loaded with trains. There were trains going everywhere all through out the room. Trains close to the ceiling, and trains at toddler level. The boys absolutely loved it!

And, what I am most excited about is... this couple agreed to let me have Levi's birthday party there. So we can share this cool place with our other friends!!!

Being silly

2011-12-22T07:53:00.001-05:00

Seth found my old cell phone ear piece. He looks all business!

Special Visitor in Seth's Class

2011-12-21T04:36:00.005-05:00

Ms. Cathy let me know that there would be a special visitor in Seth class last week. She even said I could bring Levi to see him.

Levi was awe struck and hardly spoke. Seth, on the other hand, rattled through his list of wants and needs like a professional! He even asked for a kitten and keeps talking about getting one now.... I think Santa may wait on that request for a few years.

Santa left some surprises for the class. Each student including Levi got a certificate with their name on it stating they had made the "Nice List" this year!!! Wonder why I did not make it? :)

The kids are just waiting to see who made the list. See my boys sitting together?

Seth's class loves Levi

Seth made it!

Levi ran up saying in his gruff little voice... "let me see... let me see!"

Then Levi was called out!!! He made it!

Then Seth became Ms. Cathy's helper to hand out Santa's next gift... a Christmas bell!

Levi was investigating its authenticity! :)

Opening Presents with Mimi

2011-12-20T04:28:00.001-05:00

Cool Gun!

And here comes the big present... A Polar Express Train!!!

Levi's reaction was priceless!

Levi's reaction on video

2011-12-20T03:38:00.002-05:00

Christmas Fun with Mimi

2011-12-19T11:24:00.000-05:00

Bath time with Zoey

2011-12-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

My boys love dogs... they loved getting a bubble bath and playing along with Papa and Gigi's dog Zoey!

Papa and Gigi's House

2011-12-10T06:16:00.001-05:00

Papa and Gigi just moved back to SC, so now we will get to see them more.

Levi was imitating Hudson eating his toes

We had several takes... here are my favorite two

Fishing with their new poles and Pops

2011-12-09T04:58:00.001-05:00

Our Annual Thanksmas with my Family 2011

2011-12-08T11:14:00.000-05:00

Seth helping Grammy pass out gifts

Seth was into helping everyone open their gifts... including Baby Hudson

Now he is helping Courtney

Levi is all things train right now! He loves his new Clemson train!

Papa walter opening his gifts

Playtime with Baby Hudson

2011-12-07T05:54:00.001-05:00

A Visit with the Reeves Family

2011-12-06T11:55:00.002-05:00

While in Greenville, we went over to my Aunt's house and visited with my cousins.

Levi and my cousin Crawford were into a train movie.

Seth and Evan got into it too.

Then we went back to Grammy and Pop's new house and started watching Cars 2. :)

While in SC for Thanksgiving...

2011-12-05T13:28:00.000-05:00

We visited Greenville's new Children's Museum. We also got to hang out with my cousin Laurie and her family. It was the first time I met her second daughter.

"Alvin"... is what Levi calls his second cousin Evan. They are playing in the wind tunnel

Laurie and Evan

Seth up in this cool jungle gym thing.

Evan and the boys

Working together in the construction area

Levi driving the recycling truck

Outside the fountain at the Hyatt

Here is sweet Elliot

Back to the water part of the museum for more fun

Nick and Elliot

The boys in the broadcasting room

It was a great day!

Seth the Soccer Star.m4v

2011-11-19T13:15:00.000-05:00

End of the Season Soccer Party

2011-11-19T05:48:00.002-05:00

Well, the Fireballs were undefeated!!! They are enjoying their victory pizza!

Seth is proud of his trophy

Halloween 2011

2011-11-18T17:47:00.000-05:00

My Handsome Heroes.. Bumble Bee and Captain America.

Levi was even making the sound effects that Bumble Bee makes. :)

Then Seth asked if I could take some action shots... I believe his words were "Mom please take a picture of how cool I am."

Levi was tired of pictures and was ready for candy!

But not Seth... "One more cool picture Mom! In this one, I am throwing my shield like the real Captain America!"

Now onto the Trunk or Treat at church. I love Halloween, because I get to eat my kids' candy! :)

Big Rig

2011-11-13T03:26:00.001-05:00

A dear man in our church is a truck driver, and he recently got a new truck.

He invited the boys to come and see it. They loved it and thought the truck was the transformer Optimus Prime!

Pumpkin Patch with Seth's 4K Class at Westwood Elementary

2011-11-12T04:38:00.001-05:00

Lining up to get on the bus

Levi joined Seth's class for story time before we went out to the patch

There were pig races

Another corn maze

Seth and his class

Halloween Treats

2011-11-11T05:16:00.001-05:00

Bonnie Boo (Scott's Step Mom) came to see us! She brought lots of goodies and it was fun getting to know her better!

Grammy, Mimi, and Gigi sent Halloween Packages by mail... Here is Seth modeling his candy Vampire teeth. :)

Painting Our Fall Pumpkins

2011-11-10T15:07:00.002-05:00

Pumkin Patch with Church October 2011

2011-11-10T14:09:00.001-05:00

Seth and his buddy Trenton

Levi and his buddy Nicholas

To the Corn maze!!!

Last night in the Smokies...

2011-11-09T17:24:00.001-05:00

We took the boys to Dixie Stampede.

The pre show was as good, if not better than the real show!

They loved all the horses, but were not nearly as in to as I thought they would be... It was still fun to do once.

Cades Cove

2011-11-08T05:00:00.003-05:00

We woke up real early one morning and headed to Cades Cove to check out the wildlife.

Here is a buck

Another bear behind her breakfast :)

Lots and lots of deer

and turkey.

Once again, the boys loved being out doors!

Ober Gatlinburg

2011-11-07T14:14:00.000-05:00

We took our boys to Ober Gatlinburg and had a great time. The extreme heights on the railway over... were a little unsettling, but the boys thought it was cool!

Here is Levi and I riding a ski lift to the top of the mountain. You have to look close but that it us. :)

Seth loving his ride with Daddy

Then we decided to go on a Alpine Slide Sled race down the mountain. Seth and Scott won, but the boys loved their "race cars" as they called it.

Bear with me...

2011-10-25T10:04:00.000-04:00

Well... we made it to the top of Clingmans Dome. I guess I was so out of breath from the steep climb and carrying a child on my back half the way, that I never pulled the camera out to take any pictures of our steep hike.

Here are the boys checking out the view.

Then on our way down... we stopped and hiked a small portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Then as we were leaving Clingmans Dome we saw something we had never seen before... well I should say, that we have never seen this outside the confines of a zoo.

Wild Bears... A Mama Bear and her two cubs. It was awesome!!!

Way behind!!!

2011-10-24T12:15:00.001-04:00

Sorry the blog has been slow, but that means life has been happening! And, lots of great things happening... I might add! So I will try to catch you all up on the last month...

Our school system here takes a week off for Fall Break, so we decided this would be a good time for our family to also get away and take a break. We love the mountains and we found a very inexpensive rustic, but nice cabin to stay in near Pigeon Forge.

The boys loved it, especially Scott. I thought the view from our cabin was spectacular. (Pic to come) However, I did step on a scorpion in our cabin. I was really thrown off by that, because I was thinking they only lived in hot and dry places. Thankfully I was not stung!!! I have been meaning to google about it, but like I said earlier we have been busy in a good way! I also heard mice or squirrels running in the attic of the cabin... and it made me a little unsettled.

But the boys thought all of that was cool. :)

One of the favorite parts of the cabin for the boys was the Hot Tub. They had their own little pool, and it was warm!

This little breakfast place below was near our cabin, and we could not wait to try a Cathead biscuit!!! It was delicious! And filled us up so that we could head to hike a bit and climb up Clingmans Dome... the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River

Starting a hike on a little trail.

Levi saying... don't make me leave the woods!

Don't worry Levi we are getting ready to hike up Clingmans Dome!!! Coming soon... to a blog post near you!

What do you get when you have friends that live on a farm?

2011-10-12T08:54:00.000-04:00

Tons of fun!!!

This play date was put together for Levi and his buddies Kasen and Harrison. Harrison was moving a couple of days later and they needed to play one more time!

So we headed to the Shores' Farm for a great time!

Checking out one of the cows.

Levi and Harrison

Kasen cutting the field for his Dad.

Boys!!!

Then they found Kasen's older sister and they jumped and slid off of hay bales.

We will miss you Harrison! Thanks Shores Family for the great day!

First Field Trip

2011-10-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

Seth had his first field trip two weeks ago to the Fire Department. He had to spike his hair up for the occasion... therefore little brother did too. :)

Mimi Visits Seth's School

2011-10-08T14:42:00.000-04:00

Coming for lunch

Seth explaining to Levi the rules of the cafeteria line

Seth picked a special friend from class to join us for lunch at the guest table... Cameron

We love his teacher Miss Cathy!!!

Seth showing Mimi around his class room

Miss Cathy says that Seth's favorite center in the class room is the Science Center. Notice the magnifying glass. :)

Seth's family portrait

Levi even got to play on the play ground with Seth's class. :)

The girls in Seth's class took right to him!

The water table

We also love Miss Mary, his teacher assistant.

We are blessed!

Halloween Sneak Peek

2011-10-01T05:46:00.000-04:00

Grammy and Pops have always sent the boys their costumes... Here is Levi as Bumble Bee. :)

He is a cute Transformer!

Another Soccer Game

2011-09-30T05:13:00.000-04:00

Seth's #1 Fan!

Playing some mad defense!

We won again!!! Now it's time for snack! His favorite part!

It's that time again... Time for the County Fair

2011-09-29T05:16:00.000-04:00

Last week we had our County Fair. We took the boys last year, but it was amazing how much more they could do in one year!

On the Merry Go Round with Daddy

Then Seth picked a ride that he just barely met the height requirements for... I was kind of shocked. He kept calling it the boats. The seats looked like little buckets and it went high in the air and spun around really fast. Daddy rode with him, and I just knew Seth would cry or something. But, he never did. The only thing he said when he got off... "My tummy started hurting." Daddy said his did too! You won't be able to make them out in the picture below... but I couldn't not document Seth's first big ride!

Now to the mind scrambler

And the Ferris Wheel

A Fishing Game

And the real boat ride

Petting farm

Then I was told by some locals... If I really wanted to see something, I needed to catch the Mule Races at the Fair.

Waiting on it to start

Cuddling with Mimi

Old Glory

Then before the real races... they had Stick Horse races for kids. Seth brought his stick horse. And then the announcer said anyone could run... so we put Levi up there too.

Here is Seth rounding the corner. It was so cute to watch them run!

Here is Levi... he was close to last... but not completely last! Precious!!!

Technically my son, should have won the race, because the rules stated you had to have a stick horse to race. :) (I am not competitive or anything!) While the winner was an older girl who ran with out a horse and I think she got $5. All the participants got $1 for running and the boys thought that was pretty cool!!!

Now all the boys want to know is... "when is the fair coming back???"

12 hours in Jackson, MS

2011-09-28T09:45:00.000-04:00

Last week, I had a great opportunity to share with a ladies group in Meridian, MS. This event also allowed me the opportunity to see family... well not all of them, because it was so quick.

Levi and I got into Jackson... we had dinner with my nieces and nephew and we left the next morning for Meridian... but we took Mimi with us. :)

McKensie and Levi playing at the table. My beautiful niece is a senior this year and she healing wonderfully from her life threatening accident... you may have read about last Thanksgiving on the blog or on facebook. I am trying to talk her into coming to school in Tennessee!!!

Levi with his other cousins... McLain and Wyatt... They are growing up so fast!

Then when we arrived in Meridian, I saw a dear friend that used to live in Greenville, SC, but now back in Mississippi. And, she just had her first son... Holden! It was a super trip!

Climbed in bed with Mommy

2011-09-27T18:13:00.001-04:00

In to the hand soap

2011-09-21T04:43:00.001-04:00

Things got quiet and what do you know...

Levi decided to wash his hair with hand soap. He did smell wonderful afterwards!

Shoo Fly

2011-09-20T08:23:00.000-04:00

Grandparents' Day at School

2011-09-19T05:52:00.001-04:00

Seth's school had Grandparent's Day and it was the same time Papa and Gigi planned their visit... great timing!

We all ate lunch together... and for school food it was delicious!!!

After lunch Seth walked us back to his class to show us his room.

He showed us the "time out" chair. "Those are the thingumajigs, and they are not nice"... he said. :)

His class sang a few songs for us...video to come!

And, he showed us his play ground!

Thanks for coming Papa and Gigi! Come back soon!!!

Seth's First Soccer Game

2011-09-17T09:26:00.000-04:00

The Ref is making sure they have shin guards and their shoes are tied. :)

I love #8!

You can't see him really well here, because I don't have a zoom lens...but he just kicked a goal! :)

Half time

Phew, he is tired.... the last one back down the field. Don't worry we will run some drills to take care of that! ha!

Good Game!

Fireballs on 3... 1-2-3!!!!

Fireballs!

Seth's team won!!!

My little helper

2011-09-13T05:46:00.000-04:00

Levi asked if he could vacuum the other day. Of course, son... and you can plan for this to be your weekly chore now. :)

Boo Boo

2011-09-12T05:31:00.000-04:00

Levi was playing very hard with his Daddy and his brother and ran straight into the corner of a wall. Ouch!

We remember!

2011-09-11T05:45:00.000-04:00

Hanging Out

2011-09-10T05:22:00.000-04:00

Soccer

2011-09-09T05:07:00.000-04:00

Seth started soccer for the first time. He really likes it, but he also asks if they can have a water break about every 5 minutes.

They have their first game this week... I am sure there will be more pictures to come!

He is the one sitting on the right.

Reading

2011-09-08T05:35:00.000-04:00

One day the boys were very quiet... and normally that means something is not right! :)

But I found Seth reading to Levi. Preschool is rubbing off on him!

Prize Packages

2011-09-07T09:34:00.002-04:00

I know I am waaaaaaay behind on posting, but it doesn't mean things aren't happening!

Here is a picture of the boys excited about their surprises that came in the mail from Papa and Gigi!

Preschool Round Up

2011-08-17T18:24:00.000-04:00

Seth started his first day of 4K today at Westwood Elementary. He was so excited... he woke up early, got dressed quick, packed his back pack with his Gamecock folder that I am sure Aunt Court picked out for him. He was ready!

Surprisingly... I handled it okay too. I cried more two weeks ago just thinking about him being gone from home. I also think I am emotionally dry right now... with the passing of my sweet Nana a few days ago.

So, now I am just more excited for him to have this incredible opportunity!

My big boy!

Daddy walking him in.

The theme for Seth's class is Preschool Round up for the next few weeks. Here is the entrance to his room.

They had a boo-hoo breakfast for the kids and the parents. I overheard Seth telling the little boy next to him that "S starts with Seth" :)

His little cubby

Levi didn't want to leave the fun class room or his big brother!

Best Buddies

Here is a schedule of their day posted on the parent board.

I had to force Seth to stop playing for one last picture! So happy for my little man. He is going to have an awesome year!

You know you are the mother of boys when...

2011-07-31T17:30:00.001-04:00

You tuck your child in bed at night and he is sleeping with a jar of lightening bugs tucked under his arm.

It was precious!

Kids Camp with TBC

2011-07-22T08:35:00.000-04:00

Our church Children's Team hosts their own summer camp each year. One of our leaders writes the whole curriculum and organizes the whole thing. She does an awesome job! The kids have a blast and their are hearts changed for Christ!

My boys came up for a few hours one day at camp. They loved hanging out with the bog kids! Seth keeps asking me if he can go back to camp. :)

Seth played in the water slide

I am getting down with my small group during worship. We were fighting hard to win the Praise Stick!

My cute men!

My small group

Levi swimming

My little man almost age ready to go to camp! :)

4th of July Parade

2011-07-20T12:56:00.000-04:00

Our family attended our town's 4th of July parade and fireworks show. We had tons of fun... and the boys are sad the parade does not happen more often. They loved getting all the candy thrown at them. :)

We listened to great country music by Georgette Jones (Daughter of Tammy Wynette and George Jones) while waiting for it to get dark.

Former Miss SC Brunch

2011-07-19T21:52:00.002-04:00

We had a fun Former Miss SC Brunch during Pageant week as well.

Here are a few candid shots. The lady in the middle is Vickie Harrel Miss Sc 1984... she is a Pastor's wife in Memphis. I thought that it was cool that there were two former Miss SCs at Pastor's wives in TN!

A pianist played all of our talent songs that we performed when we won while we ate and talked. I thought that was special.

All together

Here I am with Kim Aiken Cochran (I hope i spelled her married name correctly. She went on to become Miss America 1994.

Another dear former friend Miss SC 2000 Danielle Davis Burnette

75th Miss South Carolina Pageant

2011-07-18T12:37:00.000-04:00

This was a milestone year for the Miss South Carolina Pageant. It was tons of fun to see old friends and make new friends during pageant week in Columbia, SC.

I always enjoy getting to see my sisters... former Miss SCs. I also love our new Miss SC and look forward to cheering her on at Miss America.

Here is my sister and I getting ready to go to the big Gala. My sister is a former Miss Teen SC. On the final night of pageant week, they asked all of the formers to walk the run way and be on stage. I could see my dad standing up and beaming from ear to ear. I told him later that night I could see him from the stage. He said I am the only Dad in the room with two Miss SC's. I thought that was pretty cool!

My sister with some dear pageant friends

They had a display of all of the formers wardrobe and various items from their year... Above is Dawn Smith Jordan's Miss SC 1986 and famous Christian singer, author, and speaker.

Here I am with another former... Erika Powell. She and I both held the titles of Miss Golden Corner before we won Miss SC.

This was the first Miss SC and her family had made some memorabilia in her honor.

All of the formers that were at the gala

This is Danielle Wilson, she was my Teen Miss SC and we served our year together! She is an incredible dancer and just got accepted in to a dance company in Ohio.

More former Miss SC's and good friends.

Dancing and enjoying the evening

More former friends!!!

The guy in the middle was one of the judges and he is in the band Hootie and the Blowfish. Plus I know his girlfriend from back in the day. Small world!

Here is my sister with the New Miss SC... She had not been crowned yet.

Here I am with former Miss America Kirsten Haglund (she was a judge) and her boyfriend.... who has been a long time friend of mine... Ryan Smith.

It was a fun week!

Children's Museum, Columbia

2011-07-17T06:58:00.000-04:00

The boys loved the kid museum Grammy took to them to in Columbia. I think it was called Ed-venture

The boys are checking out the butterfly garden.

This is Eddy... a huge play ground. The kids can climb inside of him and learn about the different organs, bones, and other parts of the body. Seth was a little scared of the heart. :)

Checking Eddy out

Courtney and Levi playing a huge game of Operation

This was one of the cutest parts... this section teaches kids the importance of work and earning money to pay for things needed to live. The little carts and scanners were super cute!

I think Levi is a Carb man. :)

Seth is my kind of shopper... Steak!

Milking a cow

Plowing the fields

Firemen

Learning that it costs money to pump gas

Construction men

This was some water thing outside... that showed them how water makes energy

News Anchors

Now we are in the physical activity part... learning to snow board

Artists

Worn out with their hands in their pockets. Super Cute and a fun day!

Great Great Aunt Cat

2011-07-16T04:27:00.000-04:00

While in Columbia, we visited with my Great Aunt Cat. The boys loved getting to swim in her neighborhood pool! And, I loved seeing her!

Welcoming the Gamecocks Back from Omaha... National Champs, Again

2011-07-15T05:49:00.000-04:00

Levi still talks about seeing Cocky

Aunt Courtney is teaching them how to be Gamecock fans!

Loving on Nana and Papa while in SC

2011-07-14T12:22:00.000-04:00

Greenville Friends

2011-07-13T10:56:00.000-04:00

While we were in SC, we went to visit some dear friends of ours. They used to be our next door neighbors when we lived in SC. They adopted to precious children pictured here with my boys. Oh, how I wish we were still neighbors so we could have play dates all the time!

Random Pics from the Beach

2011-07-11T05:36:00.002-04:00

At our beach house, there is a loft that growing up we always called the Pirates Nest. Levi and Seth loved climbing up there... because most of the time I would not let them go up there. Here is Levi screaming down below.

On the coveted stairs. :)

Mom forgot her reading glasses so she wore her prescription sunglasses. :)

While at the beach, Aunt Courtney and I took the boys to see Cars 2! They loved it and loved getting to eat pop corn. :)

Puling for the Game Cocks while watching the College World Series.

They wanted their picture with Cocky. :)

They loved the water!

2011-07-10T05:36:00.000-04:00

The boys LOVED the beach! In fact it made me a little nervous, because they wanted to be in the water a lot!

Aunt Court proudly supporting her Game Cocks that were playing in the National Championship!

Seth catching waves.

Worn out!

Litchfield Vacation 2011

2011-07-09T05:09:00.000-04:00

We started off our beach vacation, by visiting with my cousin Jamie and her family. Jamie and her husband are stationed in New Mexico and we rarely get to see them. I even met her second child for the first time.

Here is Levi with his cousin Andy playing at the Chik Fil A play ground.

Getting to meet precious Abby

The cousins together again!

The boys thought the cow was great!

Then we headed to Putt Putt.

The adults got in on some Putt Putt too!

Cooling down with some ice cream

After visiting with my cousins, we got to go and visit a dear friend that used to be one of my pageant directors way back in the day. He owns the Blockade Runner in North Myrtle Beach.

It was a great day of visiting friends and family!

My new nephew, Baby Hudson

2011-07-08T04:12:00.000-04:00

After the hamburger fundraiser, we drove to South Carolina to visit family for two weeks. Our first stop was to see Baby Hudson. He is so precious with a head full of hair!

The boys were so excited to meet him too! They brought him a McDonalds Toy from their Happy Meal. :)

They both wanted to hold him.

Pops loving on his third grandson. :)

First Adoption Fundraiser

2011-07-07T04:53:00.000-04:00

Scott and I sold Hamburgers at our Community Gospel Fest to help raise money for our international adoption.

After a couple of hours the weather got really bad , and Levi had to go to the ER for falling and cutting open the back of his head. (He is totally fine).... but we were able to raise $800.00 We appreciate all of friends from church, the Rec Center, and the Manchester Arts center that turned out to support us! We love you guys! We also had some great friends from church that helped us run the tent!

Scott grilling away

Collecting the money. :)

Hungry customers. :)

The Gospel Fest Concert getting set up

VBS 2011

2011-07-06T09:28:00.000-04:00

Right after Bonnaroo, our church had their Vacation Bible School. It was a blast!

We had a missions competition between the boys and the girls, and both groups did a great job! They all collected food for hungry children in our county... with Back pack Buddy Program.

I am reveling the results in the picture above, but the girls brought in more than the boys, but there were about double the amount of girls at VBS than boys... so we called it a tie.

Ms. Leslie giving Pastor Scott a pie in the face!

And Scott was getting ready to get her with one, and she pushed it back in his face... so he got a pie in the face twice. The kids went wild and loved it! :)

Here is Seth with some of his friends singing at the VBS musical

Scott sharing at Parents Night

Grammy made it in time for Parents Night

The next few shots are from during the week at Worship rally

Some of the food collected from the boys

Food collected by the girls

Bonnaroo 2011

2011-07-04T13:19:00.000-04:00

I mentioned Bonnaroo earlier in my blog, and have been out of town for two weeks... so I am playing major catch up!

Bonnaroo is a huge music festival (similar to Woodstock) hosted in my sweet little town. Over 150,000 people come for about 5 days and camp out in a bunch of pastures and jam to all types of genres of music.

Our church works with other churches in the community to minister to as many Bonnaroo participants as possible. Every year there is at least one death... due to the drugs and often dehydration with all the heat.

We host a tent that has free drinks and fruit and several snacks... as well as "air condition" and free place to charge their cell phones.

A good friend of mine, Tera, and I volunteered for an over night shift. It was awesome and I was able to share the gospel with several people. Looking forward to next year!

Tera and I on our way to our first Bonnaroo experience!

At the tent

Outside the tent

Another volunteer and I sharing Jesus with a Bonnaroo attendee.

Bonnaroo attendees cooling off and charging their phones.

We had markers on every table and attendees could write and draw messages. It was interesting to see everything that was written. Most attendees were very appreciative of our free service to them.

Our tent must have been better than theirs'... so they camped out in our tent. :)

This is about 6 am in the morning now...

This is just one shot of some of the attendees and their tents....

My friend Tera serving breakfast

Another friend from church Ms. Nancy... got their to help serve breakfast

All of our volunteer shirts say Peace Love Journey...so we were demonstrating that in the picture. :)

The four of us below were the overnight shift. We had a great time serving with each other!

Ms. Heidi is another volunteer from my church that got there for the morning shift.

Worn out, after no sleep. But already looking forward to next year!

Baby Sitting

2011-06-21T04:49:00.000-04:00

During the week of Bonnaroo, our church helps at a ministry tent to minister to the people in attendance at the music festival.

One of our members is a single mom and she volunteered to work the tent during an all night shift. She asked if I could baby sit her sweet little girl and of course I said yes.

This sweet little thing was the best baby! Never cried one time. Laid to down to sleep and never woke up until about 15 minutes before it was time to take her back to her mom.

I was almost sad, because I wanted to play with her more!

But Levi got the chance to play for a few minutes. When he saw her he started shouting "BABY! BABY!" He walked over and cupped his little hands together like he was holding a little baby bird and asked me... "Can I hold her?" :)

So the picture was our best attempt at Levi getting to hold the baby. :)

Seth also came running out of his room screaming... "Is this our new baby sister?" Can you tell he is excited about the adoption?

But he realized this sweet little one was from church, but he was happy to play with her for a few minutes as well.

Pick-A-Roo

2011-06-19T15:07:00.000-04:00

Our tiny town of Manchester is home to the largest music festival in the world... Bonnaroo.

I experienced my first Bonnaroo last week, and I have some pictures coming, but I didn't want to forget about another fun musical event... Pickaroo!

Pickaroo is hosted by a sweet family from church. They have a love for blue grass. The weather was perfect to come and sit out and listen to great blue grass music in their back yard!

I was excited to experience my first Pickaroo as well!

The snacks weren't too shabby either! :)

Treats for the Sweet

2011-06-18T04:23:00.000-04:00

Last week we had our first home study meeting for our adoption. The boys have been so patient with me as I have spent hours on the phone and computer doing paper work, and handling various fundraising projects.

Scott and I decided to take them out for some fun! We headed to Chuck E. Cheese.

Riding the big Monster Truck

Rising a roller coaster ride with Daddy

Shooting Games

They had a good time and Scott and I did too! Scott is good at some Skee ball... you better watch out! :)

Swamp People

2011-06-16T04:32:00.000-04:00

My family really enjoys watching the reality television show Swamp People together. One special night we set up a tent in the living room for the boys to sit in and watch. They loved it!

More Strawberries

2011-06-15T22:44:00.001-04:00

The boys and I went back for more strawberries. We just can't get enough they are so good!

This time we brought along are good buddies the Wells.

Seth and Sydney headed out to pick.

Micah wasn't so sure he wanted to walk that far! :)

I accidentally flipped some switch on the camera and everything got a little fuzzy??? I didn't know, because I was wearing my sun glasses.

Until next Strawberry season....

Boys and the Adoption

2011-06-10T09:39:00.000-04:00

I think Seth really grasps what our family is doing as far as the adoption goes. He asks a lot of questions and he talks about his sister quite a bit.

When Scott and I first asked Seth how he felt about us going to India and bringing a little sister home, Seth asked... "Will she have one of those bumps on her head?" (referring to the Hindu dots)

Then he started asking a lot of questions...

Where will she be born? Will she be in Mommy's belly? Where is she now? Why can't we get her now? Can I hold her in my arms when she gets here?

My favorite question... "Can we buy her a Barbie car? She won't like Iron Man."

Seth has started collecting pennies and change for his little sister. I guess since he is so much closer to the ground than I am ... he can spot loose change everywhere. He collects it all and puts it in the jar. Both boys also raid my wallet, our change bowl, and the change drawers in the car to fill the jar.

Seth has also collected a few shiny rocks and shells in the jar that he has found on the church playground. He told me she would really like them.

It is amazing to me how he already thinks about her. If I give both boys a sucker, Seth asks to save one for his sister. Very sweet!

Scott and I often asks Seth what we should name his sister, and he often says we should call her India. (Original, huh?)

I do think that name is actually pretty, but don't think that is going to be it.

Levi talks about his little sister some. I don't think he quite grasps all that Seth does, but he too collects things for his sister.

Just yesterday he found a nickel and walked up to me saying "Sister, Sister."

This precious little girl is already a part of our family. To quote Seth in his prayers for her...

"I just love her so much."

Boys and Boxes

2011-06-08T04:29:00.000-04:00

A family in church called last weekend and wanted to know if we wanted a big box for the boys to play in, and I quickly said YES!

My grandparents owned an appliance store, and as a child we always had a big cardboard box to play in.

Watching the boys play in the box brought back a lot of fun memories. My cousins and I would build forts, play house, play elevator (the box would lift up and we would pretend we were in different places), or just tumble around in the yard.

The boys got pretty creative themselves... connecting their tunnel to the box for an entry way.

Skyping with their new cousin

2011-06-06T08:19:00.000-04:00

The boys are excited about their new cousin Hudson! Seth prays for him every night.

We can't wait to see him in person in a couple of weeks!!!

TBC Pre School Choir Spring 2011

2011-06-04T12:42:00.000-04:00

Kiss the Cook

2011-06-03T08:18:00.000-04:00

At least once a week, Scott will make us all a nice country breakfast. We all love it... especially the bacon!

The boys always watch him cook.

Strawberry Farm

2011-05-31T16:16:00.000-04:00

Our family goes strawberry pickin' every year. This was our first time in Tennessee. Through a recommendation of a friend we went to Vally Home Farm in the town of Wartrace...which meant we also stopped and ate for the first time at the famous Bell Buckle Cafe. Yummy!!!

We always sample the berries! :)

We need to know if they are good!

I was playing with my camera here and I am not sure what I did. First the strawberry was out of focus then in the next shot it was in focus and Levi was not.... wish I could remember how I did that.

Levi is protecting his ears from the cicadas. They will dive bomb you around here. :)

Checking out the chickens

Sunday Mornings

2011-05-29T05:02:00.001-04:00

Papa and Gigi bought the boys these cute outfits for church.

Seth added the tie on his own stating, "I want to wear a tie like Daddy."

They look sharp!

He knows her name: He knows her name...

2011-05-27T11:03:00.000-04:00

Please check out this link for our family's exciting news!!!

He knows her name: He knows her name...: "Scott and I are pleased to announce we are in the process of adopting our daughter from India. We don't know who she is, how old she is, w..."

Seth's 4 Year Birthday Party

2011-05-26T14:34:00.000-04:00

I love that the girls are posing.

Levi playing on the play ground

Seth got the first ride!

It looks like Scott is telling an interesting story

Kiddos on the playground

More horse rides

My good friend Janet holding another friend's sweet baby, Addie

Ms. Rachel is Seth's Sunday School teacher. You can see why the kids love her so much!

Levi getting a turn with Sarah

Ms. Dee Dee playing with the kiddos

Cake

Scott got a turn

Pre Party Festivities

2011-05-26T05:43:00.001-04:00

For Seth's birthday party, a dear friend in our church is bringing her Tennessee Walking Horse for the kids to ride. Sarah (the horse) came a day early to check out the location and make sure everything was set.

You can imagine the glee and squeals that came out of the boys when they looked out the window and saw a horse in their back yard. :)

They were all hanging out at the play ground. Levi asked Sarah if she wanted to slide.

Seth showing Sarah his balancing skills

Levi giving her a little pet.

Opening some presents

2011-05-25T13:43:00.000-04:00

Seth turned 4 last week. When ever we have birthday parties for the kids, it is our family's custom to ask for donations to a certain cause instead of presents.

Often are friends jokingly tease us about feeling sorry for our boys not getting presents... I am always quick to let them know that all the grandparents, great aunts, and others make sure the boys are spoiled on birthdays!

So here is proof... :)

On his birthday he woke up to some presents from Mimi. Grammy and Pops, Papa and Gigi, and Paw Paw Tom and Bonnie Boo's presents had already been opened!

Thanks Grandparents!!!

Levi wanted his picture taken. :)

A quick but great stop on the way home from the cruise...

2011-05-25T09:42:00.000-04:00

Our boat left out the part in Galveston, TX. It was quite a long drive from home to Galveston. Lucky for us... Mimi was the half way point. So, on the way there and on the way back we stopped and stayed at Mimi's house. It was never long stay... less than 24 hours each time. We didn't get to see hardly any other family. Our niece, McKensie did drive over and see us for a couple of hours one morning.

Glad we got to see you Mimi and Kensie... even if it was quick!

Pictured below the boys playing with one of the prizes we brought back from Cozumel. At most of the stands along the streets in Mexico there were thees little wrestling masks. I guess they are from the movie Nacho Libre. (One of my favorite stupid comedy movies to watch)

The boys loved them, especially since they were Spiderman masks.

Shooting webs. Notice Seth teaching Levi how to do it.

We love McKensie

We love you too, Mimi!