Easter Fun & Spring Happenings (2010)

We will not bore you with the "story" of the past weeks, since our last post, but we would like to add a slide show. This will give you a 'taste' of our Easter weekend of fun and MORE!!! (Click on the center of the slide to be taken directly to the photo album. BUT, NOT ON THE ARROW, because that will only begin the slide show.)
On a personal note, I would like to add, how happy we were to have a portion of the Louisiana family with us over the weekend! Our only regret, was that they were not ALL able to be here, but for those that were, thank you, we love you and we can't wait to see y'all again!

Aly's Mid-Summer's Dream Come True

We were all happy to 'welcome' Mama and Daddy home, from their trip to Orlando for General Assembly, this past week. Aly was so excited when she saw her Memaw and Papaw... she just about came unglued! LOL I honestly believe that she thought they had moved away and were gone forever or something! I am personally grateful, that when the business side of things in Orlando were completed, they ALLOWED themselves a tiny little bit of 'vacation' time in the sunny South-Lands of Savannah & the Smokies! If anyone ever deserved to take a break, the two of them certainly did! Though it was an extremely short vacation (following a very long Assembly), I know after spending every day, all day in (Assembly) meetings, in addition to the year they have had thus far, this is just the kind of thing that had to be done! While jealous of their time to some of the most beautiful places in America, I'm indeed thankful that they were able to come back to the hum-drum of everyday life, feeling a little more relaxed and ready to face what had to be faced! Upon their arrival home, it was such fun to watch both of their faces brighten up when they saw Aly and her face just absolutely GLOWED at the sight of them!
On Saturday, Cousin Cassie held an all-girl Birthday Party and Aly was 'in her prime'! While being one of two of the youngest in attendance... she didn't seem to notice or care, she was 'just as big as the next one', in her own eyes! It was adorable to listen to several little girls enjoying themselves, there was an abundance of giggles and lots of Cinderella-talk going on! They each brought their own dolly and the dolls had a table of their own, as well! The girls 'pinned' the crown on Cinderella, sang Karaoke and just GIGGLED! Thanks, Cassie for a fun time... Aly had a 'Ball' no pun intended)!!!
NOW, FOR THE BAD NEWS OF THE WEEK!!! Unless, by some miracle of the dear Lord above, it appears that we have either lost our camera or it has been stolen! We were able to take pictures of Mama and Daddy's return (which were loaded to picasa that same evening) and we were also able to take pictures of Cuz Cassie's Birthday Party. However, sometime between taking those and getting ready to load them onto picasa... IT'S GONE (the camera, that is)!!! We don't know what we're going to do without it!?!?! It's a big part of our lives... how can we 'Blog' without it? Well, we 'made do' this week, by borrowing a few shots for our slideshow below. For a larger picture, you may want to click on the center of the slideshow and it will take you to the actual Photo Album. We'll have to wait and see what happens from this point with our camera situation!

'Great' (My) Papaw J. also celebrated a birthday on Saturday and while we were unable to attend, Daddy drove over for a little while and enjoyed time with the family. We are SO blessed to still have Papaw and Mamaw with us!!! (As well as Mamaw S.!) God is good, to not only give us this kind of heritage, but to ALLOW us to keep them for a while! Papaw, we love you (Mamaw, too) and we are sorry that we weren't there to celebrate with you!!! We are proud of you and can't wait to see you, again! Happy Birthday!
Well, we were looking through our calendar on this morning and realized that our Anniversary (July 24th) was a mere 10 days away!!! One of two of the best days of our lives... our Wedding Day, (with the second being the day of Aly's birth)! We plan to 'hold off' on a celebration trip until Labor Day weekend, thus giving us a longer weekend (or if Greg's job requires, we may have to wait further into September). GREG! "You're still the one I love, the only one I dream of, you're still the one I kiss Goodnight. You're still the one I run to, the one that I belong to, you're still the one I want for life... and after all this time, you're still the one I love."
Last evening, (the 13th), I opened our home for an event called L.N.O (Ladies Night Out), which began with my local 'Facebook Family' a few months ago. This particular event was called, "Shelly's Spa" (because it was held at my house) and hosted by a dear friend of mine. Thank you, America, for an amazing evening! Everyone in attendance felt relaxed, revived and rejuvenated at the close of the evening. (I know I'm still 'feeling' it today, as well!) We were treated to foot soaks, foot rubs, instant manicures and facials... a PERFECT "de-stresser" for any girly-girl, especially comforting with 50+ candles burning throughout the house, 'zen-like' music in the background and a Spa-inspired menu!!! The menu consisted of Tossed Salad filled with Dried Cranberries, nuts and drizzled with (Paula Dean's) Southern Peach Pecan Dressing, Pita Chips and Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Cucumber Slices with Ranch and a Fresh Fruit Salad. YUMMY!!! Boy, I can barely wait til the next Spa... but, more than that, I'm excited to find out about the upcoming 'end-of-the-summer' L.N.O. event! (If you are a 'local FBer' and are interested in our group, just contact me and we'll put you on the guest list for receiving event invites and information.)
Til next week...........

Marvelous Mother's Day Moments...

What a wonderful Mother's Day Week!!! It is so much fun being a Mommy, a Daughter, Grand-Daughter and a Daughter-In-Law! Mother's Day was an exciting day for Angel-Alyson and myself... we were able to spend it with my darling Mother and my precious Grandmother S.! What a wonderful heritage I have been given and hope to hand down to Aly as time allows! We missed getting to be with my sweet, sweet Grandma J. and favorite Mother-In-Law (along with Greg's side of the family this year), though! However, we'll be with his family next week and are looking forward to it with all of our hearts! We actually spent the day, Sunday, with the entire Indiana side of the family, which made Aly very happy, being as she firmly believes that Cousin Cassie hung the moon and maybe the stars, too! One of my favorite quotes on Mother's would have to be that of Abe Lincoln, when he was spoke of his Mother. "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother" and that is exactly the way I feel about my beloved Mother! Mama, I love you and I owe you more than I'll ever be able to repay you!

(Mother's Day 2009 with Alyson & Mother)

There have been several activities that have kept us busy this past week... in addition to Wesley joining the USAF and his upcoming High School Graduation next week, Whitley and her Track Team have been breaking all sorts of records lately! All Conference 4x100, 4x200, 4x4oo and the 400 Meters Individual are the most current stats we have. She is incredible on the track and we can't wait to see what will happen over the next two years! You go, girl!!! Greg's brother, Chad, recently received his Masters in International Business. Please help us pray for he and his wife, Sunny, as they go forward in their educational journeys. Also, our Cousin Nate became a College Graduate, from Ivy Tech this past Saturday. He plans to continue his education next year with yet another degree! Nate, we are so excited to see what God has in store for you... Love ya!

(Cuz Nate, Our Whitley and Our Wesley)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/MarvelousMotherSDayMoments?feat=directlink ...Click Here! for our Marvelous Mother's Day Moments Photo Album!

(Aly and I on Mother's Day at Mamaw S.'s house)

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!