And Now All is Right with The World

because these two are back together.

What poor Carter probably has not realized is that he is experiencing his "lasts" with Hunter this year.  Hunter will graduate in May and I don't know what this little guy is going to do.  However, we are not going to dwell on that right now (don't need tears on the first day of school).  We are going to LOVE this year and cherish precious moments like this.

OUR FAMILY IS COMPLETE AND WE ARE SOO HAPPY!

He Who Tolled the Bell

Pop had another BIG day today.  FHU honored him in their first chapel service of the new year.  The past few years they have selected someone who has given to FHU to be the Master of the Bell.  This person gives a short speech and then rings the bell (one of the first school bells from FHU) one time for every decade the school has been in existence.  The freshmen are also honored and take the following pledge:

As I become a student, I will honor the Christian heritage of Freed-Hardeman University.

As I strive to live the Christian ideals of this university, I will seek excellence in all my pursuits.

As I join the alumni of Freed-Hardeman University, I will leave a legacy of service for those students who follow.

It was a lovely day for a lovely man.  So glad we were able to be there to help him celebrate.

Walking In . . .

President Wiley and Papa

Tolling the bell 14 times (or a few more)

It was a great day! Thank you, FHU!

Getting Closer to Being Back Together

Well, our little world is beginning to get back to normal.  We have missed our college kids so much this summer.  We took the leaf out of the table this summer and when we sat down for the first time Carter declared that it was weird.  I believe his exact words were, "What is wrong with this table?"  So, needless to say, we are glad they are starting to trickle in.  The past two Sundays have just been filled with wonderful sounds of laughter and voices that have been missing.  I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Possibly the BEST silly face picture we have EVER taken!

Carter was glad Seevers was there so he wouldn't be the only boy!

The girls!!!

So glad they are making their way back!!!!!

We are GLOWING with excitement!!!!

It is that time of year again!!!!

SOCCER SEASON

has officially begun and we are just so excited

we are glowing a 

BRIGHT ORANGE color!!!

I mean, seriously, we get the WORST colors EVER!!!  There was last year where we were florescent yellow (with hunter green and black - ew!), before blogging we were peach with navy blue - sounds ok, but looked HORRIBLE!, and it just continues.  However, the girls are great and Cathy and I are the "lucky" ones who get to coach them.  The AYSO was obviously desperate because I have never coached (or played) soccer a day in my life!!!  We have had fun though and that is what counts.  That and how cute do these girls look here is this picture waiting for their second - yes, I said SECOND - game of the day!!!!

Let's Go, Firecrackers!!!

L2L Kick-off

We had our church's big L2L kick-off the other night.  Everyone dressed in their football gear and the line-ups were called out telling us who was going to lead us to victory!!!!  We tailgated with some great food and fellowship as we signed up for the different events we were going to participate in this upcoming year!  I did not get many pictures but here are a few of the wonderful night we had!

crowd waiting as our "team" was called out during the starting line-up!

Mrs. Debbie cheered for everyone holding her "John 3:16" sign!
This was the best part of the night!

Even though we root for different teams during college football season, in life we are on the same team!!!  I love Arika even though I DON'T love that jersey she has on!!!

No, I Did Not Drop Off the Face of the Earth . . .

instead I landed in a third grade classroom a week after school started!

Yes, I am back teaching. Never thought I would do that, but I am.  I will write more about it later but I have a lot to catch up on here at the blog.  So . . . hang tight . . . please pray for me and my family as we make this transition and maybe this week I can catch you all up on my life!

An Apple Lunch for the Teacher

We have always been so blessed to have such wonderful teachers for our children.  We have always had that at the top of our prayer lists and I know God has heard and answered those prayers.  We always try to make the teachers feel special and to let them know Damon and I are behind them 100%.  This year, we thought we might do something a bit different for our teachers the first full day of school.  We mades some of the same things we had for our Apple of My Eye supper and put them in baskets for the teachers to enjoy.  My sis-in-law, Amy, helped me pick out the baskets (there were too many cute ones to choose from) but we decided to continue the color theme from the supper.

An Apple for the Teacher Lunch Basket:

yellow and white daisies

line green silverware tied in a red napkin

chicken salad

(I put the chicken salad in a clear cup then placed that in a clear bag tied at the top.)

Bistro crackers

Sister Shubert rolls

(both the crackers and the rolls were placed their own clear bag tied at the top)

an apple

a slice of apple cake

We hope our teachers enjoyed their special lunches and, more importantly, that we love them and are lifting them up in prayer each day!

The Apples of MY Eye

I sent my "little" ones off to school today.  They are not so little anymore, but they are still my babies (and always will be).  

Carter is off to second grade!!!  He has the new teacher (our new minister's wife) and his adopted grandmother from last year, Mrs. Stella.  He has a classroom FULL of his friends and he is ready for a great year!!!

Laura Beth has graduated to the MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!! That is fourth and fifth grade here.  She has one of our dear friends, Diane Holdren, as her teacher.  She is so excited! She always has said she wanted Ms. Diane and that Ms. Diane would probably scream when she saw her name on the roster.  Well, she did!!!!  Laura Beth is continuing with four of her friends that she has been with for the last FOUR years as well as a few others.  All three elementary schools have merged into this school, so there are a lot of kids in her class she does not know.  We have faith in her though!

You are the apple of my eye!

That's why you'll always be in my heart!"

- Stevie Wonder

LB with Ms. Diane (or Ms. Holdren as we now have to call her)

Carter and Mrs. Judy

Carter and Mrs. Stella - his class' grandmother

For the Apples of My Eye

Last night we celebrated the end of summer with a back to school supper just for our family.  I wanted each person to know how much I love them and how they each are the 

Apple of My Eye

I had been working on the dinner for a few weeks trying to gather ideas and recipes.  Knowing I would be at school until 3:30 this day, I kept it very simple.  I think they were all a little shocked that a Monday night dinner turned into this, but they all loved it in the end. Here's a little peek . . .

I used a tablecloth I already had to bring out the colors I wanted to highlight - lime green and red.  I had bought a lime green tablecloth, but did not like it.  So, I cut it up to become the "chargers" behind the plates and napkins.  For the centerpiece, I just used a galvonized bucket filled with the lime green and red tissue paper overflowing with apples.

Apple Delight Menu:

Chicken Salad

(with added raisins and apples)

Cheese cubes and crackers tray

Carrots and dip

Apple Tea

Apple Cake

1 1/2 c. oil

4 eggs

1 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

3 c. flour

1 c. nuts (optional)

2 c. sugar

1 t. soda

2 t. baking powder

3 c. raw apples, grated

Prepare apples and set aside.  Beat oil, sugar, and eggs at low speed till creamy.

Sift flour and measure. Sift again with salt, soda, and baking powder.

Add small amount of flour at a time to creamed mixture.

When batter becomes stiff, remove mixer.

Add vanilla and fold in nuts and apples. Put in bunt pan or 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour in bunt pan (less in a 9x13)

Caramel Icing (optional)

1 stick melted margarine

1/2 t. salt

2 t. evaporated milk

1 c. dark brown sugar

powdered sugar as needed - 

Mix and spread on cake.

We all enjoyed our time together as we delighted in each other

- as well as the food.

Reunited . . . and It Feels So Good!!!

This is the last night of summer in the Welch household . . . sigh!  It has been a great summer with some wonderful memories.  One of the best parts of the summer was being able to reunite with some of my friends I had not seen in FOREVER!!!!!

First, BFF from high school, Jennifer showed up at Carter's All-Star tournament because her nephew was on the team.  Why have I not seen her in forever?  She is currently living in INDIA!!!!!  She was able to come home for part of the summer and I am just so glad our paths crossed.  She and I traveled to New York together - twice.  We lived at any Broadway play that would come our way and if we could not get to a Broadway play we would sing it at the TOP OF OUR LUNGS!!!!  Jennifer changed me "For Good" and I am a better person because of her.

This weekend I was able to spend some time with former college friends.  I will spare us ALL the embarrassment by posting pictures then, so here is the NOW!!!!!  Not too bad for 3 thirty something moms!!!! We had so much fun catching up, telling stories from days gone by and promising to keep in touch in the future.

Connie and Jennifer were two of my friends in college. Both lived down the hall from me at some point in my college career and we were part of the same social club.  Both these women are two of the kindest women I have EVER known in my life.  Again, blessed to have known both of these women and have them still in my life!!!