Congratulations Amanda!!

Amanda, we are SO proud of you!!

Amanda got accepted to Western Carolina University last week! She will begin in January. I can't believe that she is old enough to be going off to college--boy! does time fly! It seems just like yesterday that Gene and I were pulling her around in her little red wagon while she kept saying "u-duh, u-duh"!! Great memories! Maybe I'll have to check around in a little while and see if I can find that picture.
Way to go Amanda! We love you!

and it's not even Christmas yet

With all the uncertainties of life today--gas prices, election, stock market, economy in general--it can get a little unsettling. This morning when I was having my quiet time, the Lord brought me a scripture that we usually hear at Christmas but I found more fitting today:

Isaiah 9:6 - "For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

What a relief to know that He is all we need, our lives are not dependent on Barack Obama or Sarah Palin or any other official. HE is our counselor and protector. I was looking at my sister's blog this morning at all the "bird" pictures she had taken at the fair and reminded of the scripture in

Matthew 23:37 - "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

The Lord l-o-n-g-s to protect us and yet we continue to refuse His help and do it our way. We take on our worries and try to figure them out ourselves. The Isaiah scripture reminds me that He is the Mighty One and He is my Everlasting "Daddy," why would I try to take on all of this? Quite honestly, being nestled under a large, protective, feathery wing sounds very peaceful at this moment. Don't you think you?

Luke's Dream car...

Luke's dream is finally started...Gene and Luke are beginning to build a downhill racer car. Luke is so excited! My dad gave Luke a book that was my grandfathers' with the design in it, so Gene took Luke a few weeks ago and bought all the supplies. They were able to borrow some tools from one of our friends, Mr. Wayne (substitute grand-dad) and began the project before the football games. Luke was sick this past weekend, so it may take a few weeks to get this project completed. Keep watch for updates on this great project.

It must be football time!

This is what my den looked like last Saturday as college football seasoned kicked-off. Brett had to work--just like every other Saturday this summer. So Gene and Luke were left to watch football together. They look a little intense as they shove their lunch in without even taking their eyes off the TV (and Tennessee wasn't even playing!).

Last Sounds of Summer

When you think of summer, what are some sounds or smells that can take you right back to your childhood? I am a person that loves sounds and smells--they transport me to some great (and some bad) times. When I smell chestnuts trees (that awful Chlorox smell), I can remember my mom having headaches just from the smell. I also remember me sliding down a hill, by accident of course, on my bottom and hands supporting me as Chestnut "thorns" poked me--bad memories!! But then there are those wonderful sounds like the churn of an ice cream maker churning that wonderful homemade ice cream. Somehow, I let the summer of 2007 pass without one batch of homemade ice cream. I am sure for many of you this is an amazing surprise. But guess what...I almost let Summer 2008 slip by the same way. But last weekend, I was determined to not let that happen again! I got a recipe from Brianna Johnson (old Biltmore buddy!! and former high school pal) for Blueberry Cheesecake ice cream--YUMMY!!! Me and the kids loved it! Gene liked the taste. But he is used to me cooking my ice cream first and having more of a smoother texture. Anyway, it brought back great memories of Mom and her friend Judy churning vanilla ice cream with all the fixin's on the side like Mom's homemade freezer strawberry jelly--YUM!!