December 2013 Recap

Our December was filled with so many wonderful memories.

I will pull out a few to highlight in their own posts.

These pictures give you a glimpse of the wonderful month we had!

We love our college kids!

Meeting Jasper Cross for the first time . . .

Going to Mr. Buddy's to see Santa and Christmas Carol.

Going to see The Nutcracker

Our small town Christmas parade with our friends the Youngs...

It just doesn't get much better than all of this!

Race for Hope

Today was a very special day where we got to honor a very special lady.

This lady, Mrs. Hope, has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old.

She directed girls' part of the church leadership camp I was able to attend from age 12-18.

Then, I was able to be a staff member and worked under her from the age 19-27 (with two years off).

Next, I was able to work beside her as a co-director from the age of 27-32.

She has always been a huge supporter of mine.

She has always shown love to me and my family.

She has always been there for me,

and today was our day to that for her.

For a few years now, Mrs. Hope has been battling cancer. 

We thought she had beat it, but news a few months ago was not good news.

In spite of all of this, she has continued to run.

She has continued to serve.

She has continued to look for ways to help others.

She has seen a need in the last few months in our community 

where children were leaving school and not having food to eat over the weekend.

So, with support from our church and the school health officer,

she and others have been filling bags of food for these children.

These bags are put into their backpacks on Friday.

This project needed money.

This project needed support.

So, some amazing people with such vision

decided we should all

RACE FOR HOPE.

All the money raised in her honor from this race would go towards

buying food for this project.

The goal was simple - $2000.

The goal was exceeded - $4500+.

Our family can't do much, 

but we figured we could run (or walk in my case).

We could be there.

We could be supportive.

We could show love.

LB, Mrs. Hope and Carter before the race began.

Good friends are the best people to run with!

We were blessed with a great day for January.

71 degrees.

A little overcast.

Mrs. Hope started the race for everyone.

and they were off . . . 

Now, LB and I were suppose to run/walk the One Mile Fun Run/Walk.

However, LB "left me in her dust."

That is ok - she warned me she would.

AC, Jessica and I started out together running.

Then, Jessica "left us in her dust."

She did not warn us.

We saw Carter passing us ON HIS WAY BACK!

This is when AC and I realized we had gone past the turn around for the mile people!

So we kept going a little further.

and on our way back . . . 

LB (who had decided to go ahead and run the 5K) passed us.

In this way she is NOT my daughter!

We all finished.

We all cried.

Some of the Horizons' girls who came to Race with Hope!

We all cheered.

We all celebrated!

LB won first in her age group! (ran in about 30 minutes)

Carter came in second in his age group (ran in under 26 minutes)

I hope they will always remember this day.

I hope they will always remember this lady.

How she loved them.

How she cheered for them - not just today, but every day.

How she looked for how she can help others.

How we and 200 others helped her achieve her dream

as we all

Race for Hope

It' That Time of Year Again

when Henderson's population doubles!!!!!

It can only mean one of two things

and, since it is October and not February,

that means it is

Chester County BBQ Festival Time!!!

I love this weekend.  I love how our town looks it's best.

I love how everyone and their brother comes out for it.

The courthouse never looks so good!

It brings out the best in everyone.

Families get together to spend quality time together.

Lovely, honey!!!

Friends gather together 

and parents realize that kids are another year older

which means they can run around with friends

without your being there.

(sniff . . . sniff)

Smiles the whole time.

Until we have to leave

and we all realize that we will have to wait another year . . . 

We Love the Big Red Dog

In our little town, we are blessed with so many things to do.  In the month of June, the public library does a great job of having all kinds of programs for the kids.  We began the program this year with a visit from one of our FAVORITE book characters - Clifford.  I thought Carter might be a bit old for this visit, but OH NO!! We all still love Clifford.

LB missed the visit with Clifford being at camp, but I am sure she would have declared herself too old!!! Thanks, Clifford for a great visit!!  You will be at our house a lot this summer!

The Love of a Small Town

Only in a small town can you leave a baseball game 

and step into a lighted alley

full of friends, neighbors and wonderful fun . . .  

music that brings some people out of their seat

and onto the dance floor . . .

Where friends of all ages can meet together . . .

LB and Micah with the bear balloon

where imaginations can run wild . . .

and creativity is at its highest level . . .

Carter with his twist hat and Drew with his anteater.

Where you can step into a little bit of Italy . . .

to enjoy real gelato ice cream - any flavor of your choosing!

LB enjoys her birthday cake gelatto

So thankful for our sweet small town and all that it enables us to do.

Who said we would be bored here?

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Henderson Style!

 These two CRAZY boys want to wish you a very Happy

St. Patrick's Day!!!

How did we celebrate?  What? We celebrated St. Patrick's Day this year - usually just wear the green and leave it at that.  Thanks to our amazing Henderson Arts Council we celebrated in TRUE small town fashion - Arts in the Alley style!!!  The alleys around one block of the city were closed and the celebration began.  Friends of all ages gathered for the first Arts in the Alley of the new year . . .

We enjoyed yummy hot dogs and hamburgers grilled to perfection!! Along with conversation with friends who we see each day and friends we hadn't see in a while (yes, that is possible in a small town), dinner was wonderful!

After eating, we walked the alley to see local artist's vendors - a little of everything.  While we walked, talked and shopped, we listened to live music in the corner.  The kids enjoyed just being out in the beautiful weather, being with friends, and seeing the great artist work.  After walking, talking and shopping, we had to stop at our small town's own Italian gelato shop for amazing Italian (even though it was an Irish holiday) dessert.

 Carter enjoyed Cookies N Cream

 LB enjoyed Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

and we all enjoyed being with the Allen family for the night!

The kids had a great time and have already asked when we can go back! 

We will have to wait for April, kids, but we will be back!

A Big Day for a New 5 Year Old

In our county, when a child turns 5, he/she can receive a very important card. Carter had been telling everyone, "When I turn 5, I am going to have a baseball party and I will get my own library card!" So, needless to say, when we walked into the library Tuesday morning, that was one of the first things he told Mrs. Nancy (who was also celebrating her birthday on Tuesday). Carter signed his name on the line and proudly waited for Mrs. Nancy to hand him his new card. He immediately picked out his own 5 hardback books and 7 paperback books - because the could. He even got his own movie for the next two days. We talked about the importance of being responsible and what that means. Hopefully this will encourage him to read even more and to learn about being responsible in life. Congratulations, Carter!!!!