Oh how we miss Birthdays :(

One thing we definitely miss bring here in Georgia is birthdays...I've always been really close to my family, not only brothers, but cousins and aunts and uncles!  Back in North Carolina was a large part of my Dad's family, we'd get together on holidays and especially birthdays, resulting in 20+ people!  This time of year is especially difficult for me starting in May: my Dad's birthday & Sis-in-law Diana's birthday; June: Mom's Birthday, my Brother Matt's Birthday, July: my other Brother Josh's Birthday and then my niece Ashtyn's Birthday in early August, not to mentions both Mother's Day and Father's Day!  We call and sing to them on their Birthdays, but it's not the same being able to be there, go out to eat, eat cake & ice cream and just hang out :(  I try my very best to wish them Happy Birthday on the blog...know we miss you guys and so wish we could be there for every single Birthday!!!  

If you live near family and have the opportunity to celebrate with them, don't hesitate!  For those of us not close to family we cherish the moments we are able to be with them and celebrate the milestones:)  

Happy Birthday Mom/Wanka!!!

We hope you have a FANTASTIC day today!!!  

Wish we could be there to celebrate with you!!!  

We love you and miss you!!!

Mom & Dad with the kiddos on Easter this year :)

Graduation 2011

This past week/weekend was graduation for our seniors!!!  I teach the senior sunday school class, so this year is especially exciting and sad at the same time!  This year we had 12 seniors that graduated throughout last week (our church serves several different high schools).  Two Saturdays ago we had a dinner to honor them...

(pictured are 9 of our seniors as well as Sunday school teachers and youth pastor :)

The following Sunday morning we recognized our seniors during our 11am service.  They each wore their schools cap and gown, tassels, cords & medals (academic achievements) entered to the graduation march, were called up one by one and given a graduation gift while showing a baby picture as well as their senior picture on the screen behind them :)  What a fun way to recognize this huge accomplishment in the lives of our students!!!  

Jody was able to see 2 graduation ceremonies and see 6 of our seniors actually walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.  I was able to go to one graduation and see 2 of our students walk :)  Each graduation required a ticket, since there were so many students, tickets were very limited!  We were thankful our students were able to snag an extra ticket or two for us to go and share this special moment!!!

Forgive these pictures, I took them with my phone and it was dark both inside during the ceremony and outside!  These are the two I was able to see!

Congratulations to all our graduates, we're so proud of you!!!

Our "New" things...

As we pulled in the driveway Sunday after church we were so excited to see our "new" camper and "new" Suburban!  Jody's Granny had mentioned (when we were there visiting on Spring break) that we could have her camper that they no longer used.  Jody was beyond excited that we could now go "camper camping" instead of "tent camping" I too was excited :)

The camper has a king size bed on one side and a queen on the other.  The table can also be a bed as well as the couch!  It has a refrigerator, microwave, stove and it even has heating and air conditioning!!!  We're so excited to be able to go camping, we just have to figure out a time to go :-/ 

We couldn't get the kiddos out, they played in it Sunday afternoon and again Monday!

 Jody's Uncle called us late last week and wanted to know if we wanted their Suburban, they had just bought another car?!  Of course!  We were actually inspired to buy our black Suburban because of their Green Suburban!

So Sunday the Green Suburban pulled our new camper to their new home, our driveway!  Now Jody and I both have a Suburban :)  We are so very thankful and grateful to have them!!!  Thanks Granny, Jeff, Uncle John & Teresa!!!