Spring Cleaning for the Soul

I was blessed to be asked to be the speaker at the Seven Oaks annual Ladies' Night. Their theme for the night was Spring Cleaning for the Soul. It was a lovely night and the ladies did such a great job with everything. Melissa and I met up with the Spann ladies. We had all gone to church

together in Henderson before I got married. Jenny and I did our

student teaching together.

Another friend, Amanda Carson, and I

Amanda and I were in the same social club and I gave her

her first campus tour when she came to FHU!!

My dear friend, Melissa, who came with me last minute so I would not

have to go alone. She also kept me awake driving back and navigated through

the TORRENTIAL downpour we went through!

Go, Javy! Go, Javy! Go, Javy!

The other night the kids and I met some friends at the local minor league baseball field for a night of baseball. It was a great night for baseball but the real reason we were there was for one man and one man only -

JAVY LOPEZ!!!

Javy was the catcher for the Atlanta Braves and one of my most favorite players. He was there to meet the fans, sign autographs, and take pictures. He was so much taller than I realized and so so nice to us all.

The kids meeting Javy Lopez.
Me and Javy - I know I look like a giddy school girl,
but I could not help myself!

Katy and Javy - When Katy was a little girl,

she would stand in front of the tv and say,

"Go, Javy! Go, Javy!"

Kim and Javy

Carter, Kim and LB in our seats

Me and my baseball babies!

We missed Damon because he was working but plan on going back very very soon!

100% Girl . . . . Maybe Not

Laura Beth has never been a 100% girly girl and I like that. I like that she can play with her dolls and be a mommy one minute and the next minute be catching bugs. I have tried to encourage her to be well rounded. Over spring break, she was able to go camping with her dear friend, Madlyn. Needless to say, they had an amazing time and I am so thankful to Cathy for capturing these moments. . . .

Photos by Cathy and Greg Maples

Homerun Hero

Since it was Spring Break, we decided to head to Jackson to see our Lion baseball team play a double header. It was a beautiful day for baseball and we enjoyed ourselves. During the game, Noslen Labrada hit a homerun. Carter believes it is his job to go and find the homerun balls the guys hit. Carter found it and gave it to Nos. Nos was so gracious, gave the ball to Carter, and signed it for him! We have enjoyed getting to know Nos and enjoyed watching him play. He will be missed next year! Thanks, Nos, for the memories!

BTW - We were searching for a pen so Nos could sign it. I found a High School Musical pen and gave it to Carter. He looked at me and said, "I am NOT giving him a girl pen! How embarassing!" We found another one to take its place.

Makin' Music and Friends

We love Makin Music at our house! We were able to enjoy Makin Music and the people who came this year so much more this year than normal. I love these people in these pictures so much! Carter, Ashley, Alex and Laura Beth
Laura Beth loves her Alex

The Welch kids with the Pate kids

Laura Beth, Jessica Steele, and Carter

LB with host David Lee

My oldest daughter, Nicole Osment!

My Jenny and Me

Me, Megan and Ashley

Finally together but for not long enough!

Easter Lunch and Hunt

The thing I love best about Easter is lunch and the big egg hunt afterwards. This picutre is why we come home after Lads to Leaders on Saturday . . . . .

Charlie, Matt, Hunter, Carter, Phillip, Melissa, Tyler, Laura Beth, Riley, Alex and Ashley

Half of these kids in the picture live at least 8 hours away from home and because of Makin' Music and baseball they were unable to go home. They all stayed for lunch and then a few stayed for the hunt. Makin' Music retreat had worn the rest of them out!!!! The baseball boys stayed for the hunt and hunt we did!

No, Matt and Charlie are not grilling - they are looking for eggs (and NOT staying with their partner!)


Hunter and Carter count their eggs.

Charlie, Laura Beth and Seevers count their eggs.

We had 2 hunts and 2 ties - what are the odds!

Easter Morning

I love Easter morning! We came back from Lads to Leaders Saturday night so we could be home on Easter. I just love it! The kids look so big this year. It makes me sad in a way but also happy at what we have to look forward to in the upcoming years.

a rare picture of me and the kids!

I love these 3 people with all my heart!

L2L LB Style

Laura Beth is my child - there has never been any doubt. The older she gets the more she becomes like me, bless her heart!!! This year at L2L she took her own camera and captured some great pictures of the weekend. Here is a view of the weekend - LB style!

I actually took the picture of her but she posed herself and the background.

She took the picture of Carter. Both of these were on our balcony.

Kennedy Kerr, Katy Scott and Carter


Katy and Carter relaxing while I was judging scrapbooks.

A Special Ride with RoRo

This year RoRo took the kids on the Delta boat ride. They had a great time with RoRo seeing the sights of Opryland from the boat.

They will always remember this trip. At the end of the boat ride, they got a picture of RoRo with the kids. Sorry I don't have one for this. Thank you, RoRo, for always making special events even more special!

Carter's L2L Speech 2010

Carter took a BIG step and gave a speech this year for Lads to Leaders. We talked about what the theme was and how he could talk about that. Of course, he related it to baseball. We are so proud of him. I love baseball. I love to play it, talk about it and watch it. I am so sad when November comes and baseball is over. One part of baseball I am learning about is trading. I have learned that the Yankees have a lot of money and they want the best on their team. When they wanted the best pitcher, they got CC Sabbathia. When they wanted the best first baseman, they got Mark Texiaria. The Yankees had faith in these guys and they won big in the end!
In our lives, we are given a team to help us get through life. On my team, I have great parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who help me. I also have good friends. I know as life goes on, I will have to trade some friends for better ones if they don't do what is right. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, "Bad company ruins good morals," and I only want the best on my team.
There is one player I want on my team who is the very best of all. Hebrews chapter 3 tells us He is better than Moses and Moses was great! Hebrews chapter 4 tell us He is a better high priest, and they were very important. Who is the best player I want on my team? JESUS! I have faith in Jesus that He will stand with me until the end and we will win the biggest victory!