Dublin, Ireland- February 2015

Dublin, Ireland- February 2015

In February, 2015, Terry and I, along with Jordan and Christian, Jonathan, Kristin, Mia and Sophia, spent three months in Montecatini Terme, Italy directing Faulkner University's Study Abroad program. During a free travel week, Terry and I were able to travel to Dublin, Ireland, while the boys stayed home with their older brother and sister-in-law. It was a special time away, as we had had to live apart the previous Fall for two months while one of our children was in an eating recovery center in Texas, dealing with an eating disorder. The support from each of our grown children was incredible during that long and difficult time. They opened their homes, shared their vehicles, listened to my fears, and patiently walked alongside their brother who was struggling. Dublin was such a gift to us. We were weary as our journey began, and were renewed by our return flights home. We stayed at the Harding Hotel, which is in the heart of Dublin, and was an ideal location to walk to so many local attractions. We enjoyed evening vespers at St. Patrick's and Christchurch, tours of the Book of Kells, an all-day trip to the Cliffs of Maher, a road trip to Powerscourt and the beautiful gardens. Everywhere we went we were struck by vibrant greenery! At night we went to the Brazen Head Pub, the oldest in Dublin, for a wonderful evening of Irish storytelling, Irish music, and a delicious traditional Irish Stew served on long tables full of new friends from all over the world. From the Chocolate truffles from a little shop in the countryside, to the drive along the coast, followed by a meal by the fireside...we were grateful for each moment that was a reminder of what an amazing God we serve, and how he delights in giving us the desires of our heart.

Summer Tea Party- June 2016

Aunt Rema was the queen of tea parties. Many women of Tallahassee have enjoyed afternoons passing the orange muffins and tea sandwiches, wearing their finest dresses and lovely hats, with Rema. Her great-nieces loved to visit her in the cottage in her sister Zula's backyard, where she always made them feel special, and that there was no where else she would rather be. My sisters and I- and now our girls, and granddaughters- enjoy these special moments when we get out the china and remind ourselves that life is to be savored ( along with the cucumber sandwiches). This past summer, several of my grandchildren were in town at the same time, so we brought out Aunt Rema's violet china, and the last of the pretty paper napkins of their great-grandma Margaret, and enjoyed a special moment together. Making the moment even more memorable, the girls donned the hats and scarves that had been passed down from their great-great Aunt Rema. The gloves were quickly set aside, but the large hat boxes, from some of Tallahassee's finest hat shops, were thoroughly explored for the entire evening, and again the following day. The boys did not feel it was quite fair that they were being left out of this culinary feast, so with a little arm twisting, enjoyed a manly brunch in the adjacent dining room (and later served as handsome escorts for our lovely ladies).One of the many lessons I learned from Aunt Rema was that it wasn't about the tea, or the food (though all would agree her food was second to none). It was about relationships. It was, and is, about letting the people in your lives know they are worthy of the good china, and they are worth setting aside two hours of your day to listen to, and learn from.

Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach has become our favorite family getaway for several years now. It is hard to find a house big enough to hold all twenty-four of us, or twenty-six when Earl and Lora are able to join us. It is a week of wet swimsuits, seafood dinners, night time crab hunting with nets and flashlights, sand castle building and vicious games of Nertz. This past year the girls planned a surprise 60th birthday dinner for their Dad, complete with 1950's diner decor. Uncle Kevin, Aunt Lori, Sam and Seth were able to join us, which made it extra special. Del , a good family friend, was also able to join us. Memories were made on the arcade floor, singing worship songs together, trips to the candy store with Grandpa and Grandma, and filling up the hottub with too many young men. What a cherished blessing to have this time together to renew and strengthen our ties together.

Springtime in Europe

Spring is coming to Europe, and with it comes new beginnings in the life of my family. I am writing this in a hotel room in Zurich, Switzerland. Terry and I have gone away for a few days by ourselves. We are in a new stage in life. In December both of the boys finished their high school work, and are now high school graduates. Thus my twenty-four years as a home educator are behind me. Those years were years of challenges, mountaintop experiences, and

much growth in the lives of each member of our family. Blogging the days we were living became impossible as our family faced challenges in our lives. Our days are changing. Our family is changing. Tim and Katie and their five children are living in Calera, Alabama where Katie excels as a home educator to our precious grandchildren Gabriel, Maria, Julia, Luke and Noah, while Tim works as a web designer and Children's Minister for their local congregation. Brandon and Kristin work for the Lord's church in Wichita Falls, Texas, along with Charlotte and baby Duncan.Kristin stays busy teaching Charlotte, and caring for her sweet baby. Jonathan and Kristin also live in Texas, where Jonathan is a private consultant and owns the Memphis Zombie Hunt and the Dallas/Ft. Worth Zombie Hunt. Kristin stays home caring for Mia and Sophia. Their family also works with us in Italy for three months of the year as Assistant Director of Study Abroad. Justin and Chelsea live in Argyle, Texas with their three adorable children Jonah, Easton and Olive. Justin continues as a Regional Manager with Zywave, while Chelsea home educates her school age children. They are all actively involved in their local congregations, and are blessed with wonderful friendships. Jordan and Christian have both been taking dual enrolled classes at Faulkner University and will begin full-time studies in August. Jordan wants to focus on Business and Christian in the area of Clinical Psychology. Terry continues as a Professor at Faulkner University, and also directs their Study Abroad program in Italy. He serves as one of the ministers at the Dalraida congregation in Montgomery, Alabama. Over the past two years I began an every other month Cookbook Club, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Our church elders have been very supportive of my development of a classroom for our special needs children, and I look forward to expanding this work in the future. Tomorrow is a new day, full of hopes and dreams, and good intentions on my part. This is my record of how a life-giving home was created, and was built one day at a time, by never looking back and forging ahead.