Anniversary Weekend in Indy

HAPPY 6TH TO US... (July 24, 2004)

Anniversary Weekend BLACKBERRY ALBUM

For even numbered years, we spend our Anniversary close to home and try to save up for away-trips on the odd numbered years, thus we enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing time together this past weekend, for our 6th.
On Friday night we went out for a BBQ supper with several friends, a little QT with Aly early in the day on Saturday (actual Anniversary date), enjoyed a very romantic Steak-n-Seafood meal and quiet time away that evening, with a little shopping that night on the northside, etc. I still feel like a Princess and plan to live happily ever after with my Prince!!!
(Aly loved this chance to spend time with her Uncle Mark, Aunt Anita and Nate... a special thank you to them for being the greatest babysitters of all time! Love y'all!!!)
Well..... why don't we just let the pictures (sorry for their pitiful quality, once again we used the BLACKBERRY and borrowed a few) speak for themselves???

Summer 2010 (thus far, anyway!)

SO much has happened since our last post on June 1st! Too many things to try and list them ALL, suffice it to say, we're having an incredible time, thus far!!!
We truly enjoyed our 'first' family vacation...10 days away from home, together! Aly experienced her first hotel-stay (other than the ones when she was still a baby!), her first time to go 'swimming' with her Daddy (in a BIG pool!), her first visit to Six Flags Over Mid-America, etc.
Then, we ended the vacation by spending time with Greg's family... Wesley was in the process of preparing to leave for his 2-year USAF stint to South Korea (on July 3rd) and it was fun before his departure date, to all be together, again! Mawmaw and Pawpaw even let Greg and I go out on a "date" while we were there and Aly had a ball making crafts with them, at the same time!
Aly's favorite moments of vacation, were without a doubt, the "BIG" kid rides at Six Flags, the "BIG" hotel pool (of course!) and the "Splashing Hole" (also at Six Flags!)....... Can you tell that she's in love with water and having a good time all the time???
We have also attended some great restaurants, concerts, revivals, birthday parties, etc. back at home, in Indy! Mimi and Papaw have joined us for several really fun excursions this Summer, as well... Aly always LOVES any second she can spend with them and the more, the merrier! We really enjoyed spending the 4th of July together... the Princess thinks we should have a 'fireworks show' every night, now! Aly's favorite weekly activity would have to either be Summer School or going to the Mall, Park, etc. with her Papaw!!!
Whitley and her friend, Katie came to town for a few days and we enjoyed taking them downtown, shopping at Circle Center, supper with Mimi and Papaw on Monument Circle, Incredible Pizza Co., Ritter's Frozen Custard, etc. Aly thought she was a teenager while they were here, too!!!
The Children's Department, at church, began a new program for the Summer and it's really fun... full of media, music, etc. and lots of work for Greg and I, but the kids are loving it and that makes it worth it all!
We are excited about our 6th Anniversary coming up, on July 24th, a special dinner-out is being planned; a trip to Port Clinton (and probably Cedar Point) coming up at the beginning of August; Greg's parents will also be here for a visit, over his Birthday weekend, in the middle of August; etc.
So, as you can see... our Summer has been and continues to be FULL UP with many fun activities, great company, neat destinations, good food, etc.!!! Trust you and yours are enjoying a great one, as well.......
P.S.~ We hope to add pictures to this (pitiful quality, once again a BLACKBERRY) Photo Album right away or possibly create a new one, so keep your eyes open for more pictures soon!

Summer 2010 BLACKBERRY Album

Aly, Thunderstorms, District Assembly, Etc.

Summer with Alyson, Our Anniversary Date, Etc.

As this is being typed, there is a raging thunderstorm outside and Aly doesn't care so much for it! Our electricity went on the 'blink' while she was having her brunch and she just couldn't understand what THAT was all about! Guess she's going to be like her Mommy and not like storms... now, don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a soft southern rainstorm. You know the kind, where the sheets of rain are soft as they come down from the sky at an angle, the sky is a hazy light blue and in just moments the sun is back out and warming the soul, once again. Lovely!
Thankful to God, for a wonderful hubby, a great God and between the two of them, the 'glitch' in our air condition from last weekend seems to be on the 'mend', now! Whew... what a blessing!!! Even though, I love the South and the warmth there, that doesn't mean that I want to live without AIR! (We actually have a ceiling fan on our porch, if that tells you anything!!! haha)
This past Sunday evening, we attended our District Ordination service and were able to see several people we hadn't seen in quite a while. Camp and Assembly times are just great for that sort of thing, huh? I told someone the other day, Camp should go on ALL Summer, but I guess that was just the 'kid' in me talking! We look forward to heading back to Camp Camby this week for Family Camp! We'll probably not make it to every service, but we'll certainly try!
Well, yesterday was a bit of a milestone for our little family! Aly 'joined' her friend, "Elmo" and began a process of 'more than just sitting' on her potty chair! We are so proud of her and though it doesn't seem possible that she's this grown up, we hope to have the 'training' completed before her 2nd birthday!!! She seems quite proud of herself, as well! LOL
Greg and I had an enjoyable date on our Anniversary and are getting quite anxious for our 'belated' Celebration trip coming up in September! These truly have been some of the best years, weeks, days and moments of my life. He is a wonderful daddy and an even better husband than I would've ever imagined! I stand in awe of our God and how He knows just who to put together 'in perfect union'...
Trust all of my Blogger friends, who are caught up in this or another storm, will stay dry and safe until our next post! "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." —John 14:27

Perfect Ending To a Perfect Summer: Birthday Parties, Kiddie Pools, Etc.

We don't have much news to share this week... with the exception of the unbelief that Fall is already upon us! UGH!!! Being that we're not fan's of the popular Fall color 'orange' and due to the fact, this is a 'voting year' for America... we've chosen to go with the good ole' red, white and blue for our blogging-background!!! God Bless the U.S.A.

Other than Greg's Birthday Party last Friday (the 22nd), it hasn't been all that eventful around our place... even though Greg's actual Birthday was Tuesday (the 19th), on Friday, we met the entitre family at his favorite Mexican Restaurant (in Indy), "El Azteca" for his favorite meal there...
Shrimp Quesadillia's, Guacamole Salad and Sweet Tea.
For dessert, we all went to Mamaw S's house for a slice of his '70's Tie-Dyed-Ice-Cream Cake'. It was a great evening to celebrate a great guy and spend time with a great family!
On Saturday, Greg and I bought Aly a 'Froggie Kiddie Pool' for next year... however, we put her in there for a few minutes and she absolutely LOVED it!!! She's our 'water-girl' and it doesn't matter if it's a pool, the tub or even a sink... she loves playing in the water no matter!

We haven't taken many pictures since our Anniversary Trip, but as we do, we'll post them! All of you know by now, that our picture-taking goes in 'spurts', one week we'll take a ton of them and another week will go by without our taking even one photo! Oh, well that's just the way are, I suppose... LOL
Guess this is it, until next week or the next piece of 'big news' rolls around! (Pray we'll have our camera handy when it does! wink-wink) Take care, ya'll...

Home, Home on The Range...

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

FOR OUR LARGEST-TO-DATE

ONLINE PHOTO ALBUM...

OUR ANNIVERSARY TRIP 2008!

(Can you believe that we're still experiencing trouble with our computer, uploading photos, etc.??? So, this is about the best way we can share photos with you for now.)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/OurBelatedAnniversaryTrip2008

We had an incredible weekend... if it just hadn't have gone by so quickly! We began the weekend, on Friday evening, by taking Alyson to attend her first wedding... she did a fine job, too. (Thanks to Uncle Danny and Aunt Ronda for helping out!!!) On Saturday, we stopped by Paradise Cafe' and Bakery for Brunch. After arriving at our destination and before we could 'pick up our keys', we did a little shopping. We then went to see our Room for the weekend... it was BEAUTIFUL! (Thanks to Mama and Daddy for such a sweet Anniversary gift!!!) Some day we would love to have an old fixed-up house with antiques similar to the ones at the Inn! For an early Supper, we had yummy BBQ with all the fixins at "Trolly's" (AKA: "The Trolly"). This, followed by wonderful Hor Dourves at the Inn (provided every day in the late afternoon/early evening). Later that evening, we attended a light family comedy Play downtown and were able to get some good laughs in (following the Dessert Bar at the Inn... which is also provided on a daily basis)! Sunday morning, we had a lovely HOT Breakfast which included delicious homemade Pastries and fresh Fruit (also provided daily) at the Inn. We spent most of the day driving through the hills of Brown County, Bean Blossum, IN. (the Bluegrass Capitol of the World), and a variety of State Parks, wound up in Bloomington, IN. where we grabbed a late lunch/early supper, before heading back for a little strolling. (We'd like to add, that Nahsville is a bit of a Ghost Town on Sundays, but very nice and quiet!) Again, we were able to enjoy the Hor Dourves that evening and on top of that, a little later that night, we grabbed some of the Inn's 'to-die-for' homemade Desserts... TOOOOO much food for one weekend! On Monday, we were again at the Dining area for another wonderful hot Breakfast, before hitting the road for a little more shopping. After 'turning in the keys' at the Desk... (we sure are going to miss this place with it's lovely atmosphere, Staff and of course the incredible FOOD!)... we were once again, out for a bit more shopping and strolling. When we felt it was about the time to head home, we directed our car for the Highway... even though a wee sad, we were anxious to see our little Aly-girl!!!!! We grabbed a bite of late lunch/early supper at "On the Border", did a little 'Mall-walking' and then you'll never guess where we went!!!!! (Ugh!) Well, long story short, Greg's back had been 'out' all weekend, so our last stop found us at 'the Doc's'! However, all in all we had one of the best weekends we've had in a very long time and are grateful to once again be "Home, Home on The Range"!

The Start of the End of Summer... ALREADY?!?!

Aly playing "Tag" with her friend, Jacqueline

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AlyWithHerSummer2008Company

Click on the LINK above for a look into Aly and some of her Summer 2008 company playing together... (We're still experiencing trouble with our computer, uploading photos, etc. So, this is the best way we can share photos with you at this point.)

Greg and I at our Wedding Reception

Well, it truly is the start to the end of the Summer and we can hardly believe it's already almost GONE!!! We've had a very busy Summer with lots of company, events, day trips, etc. going on but, we've enjoyed every second of it!!!
Aly has changed more in the past month than in the previous 8 months... we celebrated her 9 month Birthday on July 30 and are looking forward (in some ways) to her 1st Birthday! It'll be lots of fun to plan even if a bit sad!
Greg and I are looking forward to our 3-day "Belated-Anniversary-Get-Away", coming up this Saturday, it'll sure be nice to relax and have a 'pretend' 2nd Honeymoon! We both need a 'wee' break right now, that's for sure!
We trust all of you will enjoy your week and weekend coming up... we'll be sure to BLOG about our trip and post a picture or two, ASAP!

P.S. If you, your family or even your Church group have never seen the movie, "Facing the Giants", PLEASE do so THIS week... in our opinion, it's got to be one of the best films Hollywood/Goldwyn has ever put out!!!

Alyson Dawn Turns 9 Months This Wednesday... UNBELIEVABLE!

As hard as it is for us to believe... Aly will be 9 months old tomorrow!!! She's growing so very fast and it's quite fun to see all the changes in her as the time goes by! She's made many changes in the past 2 weeks or so... she's 'getting around' a room now (though not by crawling or walking, but by 'rolling', 'scooching' and 'lunging'!), she's actually been sitting up on her own for a while, she waves at everyone and I do mean everyone (whether she knows them or not! LOL), she points at things, she can now pull herself up in bed and her vocabulary includes "Mama", "Dadda" and "Bye Bye"! Who knows but what she'll just skip the crawling and go right for the running! LOL
Being as 3 next months will pass by like lightening... we've already begun to think about a small family '1st' Birthday Party for her. Themes, cakes, etc. will be such joy to plan, even if a bit sad at the time, that the year has slipped by so quickly!
Whitley is here for the week... she and Aly are having a ball 'bonding'!!! They love to play 'tag' around the couch, 'peek-a-boo' around the corners, 'basketball under the basket' (Aly rolls the ball out of her lap and onto the ground then, Whit dribbles it before making a basket and 'sending' it back to Aly for her 'turn'!), she also likes to 'bottom-bounce' on Whitley's bed, etc.
Well, Greg and I are certainly looking forward to our little 'belated' Anniversary Trip in a couple of weeks... (*sigh*) It'll be SO great to get away, if only for a couple of days and relax after an extremely busy Summer! We'll do our best to post pix for ya'll toward the end of the month.
Here's to another wonderful week for all of our Blogging friends and to a great end of a fabulous Summer!

My 3 Musketeer's...

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

(As all of my blogging friends are aware, we're in the middle of V.B.S. this week... and many of you will also understand THAT enough to know just how busy we are right now!!! LOL Needless to say, I've not any 'extra' time to write a very lengthy blog. However, there is ONE very important and most happy Event coming up... on July 24th and I refuse to ignore it!!!)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BABY!!!

It's hard to believe... time has simply FLOWN by, hasn't it, Greg? God has been so good to us, we are the best of friends and the best part is that we're more in love today than we were then! WOW!
Well, being as we're both quite busy this week at Church, I thought I'd post a few lyrics to OUR wedding song. (These bring back such wonderful memories!)
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
Greg, I want to say, "THANK YOU for being the best husband I could have ever dreamed of... I'll love you 'till the blue bells forget to bloom. I'll love you 'till the clover has lost its perfume. I'll love you 'till the poets run out of rhyme. Baby, I'll tell you true... Until the twelfth of never I'll still be loving you."
Due to a 'nasty' computer with quite an attitude and lots of problems, I've posted a LINK below to our most recent Album, just a few photos that were taken at our Faith, Family and Freedom Rally (at Church), a couple of Wedding (Engagement) Memories, etc. I'll also continue to add other pix of our July happenings to this album over the next couple of weeks, as well.

(Just 'copy and paste' the LINK below to enjoy a look into our lives!!!)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/AVeryPatrioticJuly2008FilledWMemories

A Wee Break Before V.B.S. and More Company...

Greg, Aly and I enjoyed another of his 3-day weekends together! Friday evening, we were invited to 'Cuz' Cassie's "Fancy Nancy" Birthday Party and boy did Aly ever have fun... with all that girly stuff to look at and play with! So much pink and purple, lots of balloons, delicious food, a darling cake with decorative purses and rhinestone encrusted eyeglasses on it, etc. On Saturday, we 'hung out' at home for most of the day before hitting Wal-Mart for groceries. Sunday Morning and Evening were both spent at Church - with an 'Ice Cream Social' following the Evening service. YUM! We slept in a little on Monday morning, stopped in at "Charlie Brown's" for a late breakfast and then 'hit' the town for a little shopping. All in all, it was one great and relaxing weekend... perfect for just a wee break before V.B.S. week and upcoming company that will be visiting us over the next few weeks. While working at the church this week, I stumbled along the lyrics to a song by "The Steele's" and even though July 4th is over... our Country is in 'Patriotic Limbo', so I wanted to share these with you!

Something is wrong with America.
She once held the Bible as her conscience and guide.
But we’ve allowed those who hold nothing to be sacred,
Like Sodom of old, to push morals aside.
Where are the men who once stood for right?
And the women who championed their cause?
We must return to the values we lost,
Before this country we love is totally lost.

(Recitation:)I love America. But I do not love what she has become.Our children are asked to attend public schools that in many cases resemble war zones,without even the most basic right of any soldier…the right to pray to the God of heaven.Many times a wild-eyed, drug-addicted, gun-carrying teenager is allowed to stay in school,while our Supreme Court decided to expel God from the classroom over thirty years ago.Something is wrong. Television daily bombards the senses of our nation with the idea that wrong is right,that the abnormal is normal, that the abhorrent is acceptable, and that what God calls an abomination is nothing more than an alternate life-style...and it’s had an effect. Thirty years ago, the number one television program in America was “The Andy Griffith Show.” Look what we have today. Something is wrong.When our government can pass out contraceptives to children is school with out parental consent,and yet the Gideons can no longer pass out the Bible on campus…something is wrong.When our leaders can tell your children and mine that premarital sex is alright as long as it’s safe…yes…something is wrong.
And I for one am ready for a change. I will say to my government, “I’m not raising dogs at my house; I’m raising children…created in the image and likeness of almighty God.And I’m going to teach them the Bible. If the Bible says it’s right…it’s right.And if the Bible says it’s wrong…it’s wrong.”The only hope that America has is that Godly men and women will stand together as one might army and declare to the immoral, the impure, the obscene and the foul,“Your days of unlimited access the minds of America are over.The army of God, that has been silent for too long, is taking America back!”

We want America back.
We want America back,
From those who have no self-control,
We want America back.
This nation is like a runaway train,
Headed down the wrong track,
It’s time for the army of God to arise,
And say we want America back.
It’s time for the army of God to arise,
And say we want America back!!

MAY GOD HELP US AND BRING AMERICA "BACK"... We are having a special service THIS Sunday Morning at our Church called, "God and Country" with Andrew Phipps, You're all invited for more information, please refer to the Southside Kidz Link below.


Being as this was our weekend to do pretty much 'nothin', we'll look forward to posting a much more 'news-worthy' blog next time around... this should be a fabulous week coming up (even if we're in the middle of V.B.S. on our Wedding Anniversary Day)!!! Trust all is well with you and yours, bye for now.

NOTE: We didn't once have our camera with us over the weekend, thus the picture I've posted at the top of this blog, was taken just after I gave birth to our little Alyson Dawn. However, it's one I'm rather certain I've never posted on a previous blog... we WILL post current photos again, next week!

June... What A Full Month Already!

June is a very busy and full month for our family! There are many birthday's, anniversary's and such during the month of June. We'd like to wish all of our 'June-Bugs' a very Happy Birthday and a very Happy Anniversary to our 'June-Lovebird's', too! Ya'll know who you are and we celebrate each of you at this time. (Greg and I have an Anniversary coming up in less than 5 weeks, ourselves!)
Alyson Dawn is really growing and changing every day... her personality is just adorable! She about gives herself a whiplash simply people-watching at the Mall or Walmart. She'll be 8 months old on the 30th! That is so hard for us to believe!!! She loves to be outside, she loves to go 'out'... whether it's to church or shopping... she's NOT a homebody, that's for sure. She loves spending time with her Daddy and her Memaw and Papaw, too... she is truly the 'Princess' and is she ever more getting used to that fact!!!
Greg ~ (During this Father's Day season...) I want you to know that little Aly and I are as happy as two peas in a pod to have you in our lives... you're the greatest husband anywhere and the bestest Daddy in the world, too. We love you dearly and look forward to many more happy days spent with you!
The three of us missed spending Mother's Day this year with my parents, due to a trip to Mexico but, were able to spend Father's Day with my them and had such a wonderful time... what an awesome heritage we have and are privileged to pass down to Alyson! Happy (belated Mother's Day) and Father's Day (a day late) to you both. My own life has been near perfect because of ya'll. We all three love the two of you more than you'll ever know!
We're sorry to have missed being with Greg's parents this time around for Father's Day! (HOWEVER, Mother's Day was spent with them and was quite nice)... We will also be with them here at our place, over July 4th and are looking forward to an exciting time together!!! I'd like to thank them for helping to raise Greg to be the best husband I could've ever asked for and an incredible Daddy to Aly, too. Love ya'll!
We would also like to mention what a fun time we had in Dayton, yesterday! It was so nice to be able to spend time with Mamaw and Papaw Jewett!!! Aly did a fine job on our little road trip (of course, being as it was a time to get out and about, see people, show off a bit, etc. LOL)! Thanks, Ohio-bunch, for the good times...
Mama and Daddy ~ Greg, Alyson and I would love to say a SPECIAL Happy Anniversary (June 16th) to ya'll... you have always been there to show me what 'true love' is and that true love is the 'joy of life', itself! I'm so grateful for the many lessons you've each taught me through the love you have for one another! I only pray that I'll be the type of wife and mommy that you've taught me to be and teach Aly the same.

Here is a brief Photo Album - - - some old and some new and that'll be it for now - - - until our next BLOG!

Early June Greetings and Such