5 months from today....

Just 5 months from today, my middle girl will be getting married.  Yesterday, we had the opportunity to go over to the venue where she and Brad will exchange their vows.  It was exciting!  She got to look at all the decorations they offer and see the set-up for the reception.  So the plans are getting in to full swing!  A couple of her bridesmaids, including her childhood best friend, Jessica, were able to go with her.  We had so much fun!
Then the rest of the girls joined her at David's Bridal to pick out their bridesmaids dresses.  It was a success and Lindsay is so excited!

Looking forward to finishing up this busy week and then sitting back and relaxing for the remainder of the Christmas season. 

Very soon, she will say "I do"!

25 and counting.....

25 years, 5 months, and 11 days to be exact!  October 2nd was a day we have waited for for about 12 years now!  Our 25th wedding anniversary trip to Hawaii!!!!  We thought about going this past summer but it was too busy to fit it in, then we hoped for Labor Day week and the flights never worked out.  But let me tell you that God's timing is ALWAYS perfect!  October 2nd was our day of departure and it was perfect.  THE BEST vacation that my husband and I have ever experienced; AND well worth the wait.  12 years Scott has saved his USAir points that allowed us to fly first class for $20.00.  That was the start of a perfect vacation, as well!!

We spent our honeymoon there so it made it extra special to go back.  We were able to see the Pearl Harbor museum, go to a luau, do some snorkeling (well, Scott did...I observed him to make sure he was doing it correctly..haha), hiked up Diamond Head, walked, walked and did more walking.  I would usually say we ate a ton but we're on a health kick and surpassed the usual gorging!

I can say it was the first time that we have been extremely depressed to leave a place and come back home.  We looked like sad little puppies that Tues, October 9th, evening as we walked the Waikiki strip for the final evening.

Better start saving our points again because we plan to head back there on our 50th :)

Best part of the day...Mornings!  And having a hot breakfast included with the hotel...

 Pearl Harbor

 Hiking up Diamond Head (an 8 mile round trip walk from our hotel)

 Our favorite spot for lunch (3x)

 Grilling our dinner one night

 Our favorite restaurant (Duke's)

 Night life on Waikiki Beach!

 Our snorkeling trip

  Okay, we did gorge one night...LOL!

 More night life...the 7 person bicycle around the strip (such fun!!!)

 Luau!

 Mime on the strip

 Another snorkeling picture (that was my minute of glory in the water..haha)

 My man surfin'...looking good babe!!!

 Heading to our luau!

 Beautiful scenery.  Yes, this is what we looked at each evening!

Empty Nest:

Well, it is officially here...the Vail's empty nest.  And I must admit, I've done alot better than I expected.  I told Lindsay and Caleb right before leaving this past Saturday, "I am not going to cry.  I'm going to act like I'm dropping y'all off on a missions trip".  Well, that lasted until I hugged them and the tears poured.  But, that was the end of them.  Haven't shed one since.  I adore my kids, but I am loving the time with my man!  We came home Saturday night to a quiet house (after making a trip to Sweet Frogs for our favorite yogurt).  But it was a nice kind of quiet.  And then yesterday morning, I did the tiniest load of laundry.  WOW!  I guess it's the little things that still thrill me ;)  And our house is clean people.  I mean...CLEAN! 
God really answered a mighty big prayer too.  I prayed all last year that God would give Caleb a great roommate.  I've heard that can really make or break your first year.  Well, out of all the guys that could have roomed with Caleb, God gave him one that is also a competitive cheerleader.  I mean, I couldn't have hand-picked one more perfect.  God is so into every tiny detail!  Caleb isn't cheering at college but he is cheering here in Charlotte and traveling for one more year.  So nothing about cheering was even on his college application.  His roommate cheers for the gym in Greensboro so they will get to travel the states and compete, just on opposing teams.  They have their workout regimen all in place at the college fitness center to keep themselves in shape (something very important for my son).
My prayer now and has been that Caleb will be a leader at school.  That his roommate will know of Jesus, not only because Caleb will talk about Him, but he will also live it out!

The last leaves the nest! UNCG here we come...

This is how you see him....

This is how I see him....

Yes, I'll be fine with this empty nest thing.   Just don't ask me today :)

Here's a song that I love that pretty much sums it up:
There are watercolor ponies on my refrigerator door, and the shapes of something I don't really recognize.
Brushed with careful little fingers, and put proudly on display, a reminder to us all of how time flies.

Seems an endless mound of laundry, and a stairway laced with toys
Gives a blow by blow reminder of the war.
That we fight for their well-being for their greater understanding
To impart a holy reverance for the Lord.

But baby what will we do, when it comes back to me and you,
they look a little less like little boys everyday.
Oh the pleasure of watchin' our children growin', is mixed with a bitter cup,
of knowing the watercolor ponies will one day ride away.....

And summer comes to an end...

Hate the heat but absolutely LOVE summer!  I love when my family is all together.  And I LOVE family vacations.  We just returned from our annual Myrtle Beach vacation and once again, had THE BEST time.  Only this one will be a vacation we will never forget...and I'm sure our Lindsay will never forget it either.  Her boyfriend of 3+ years called Scott about a month ago and wanted to take him to breakfast.  We figured we knew what that conversation was going to be all about...and it was!  He was asking for our daughter's hand in marriage.  He had every detail planned and we kept it quite the secret...even from our family and closest friends (it was about to kill me)! 
So this past Saturday night, August 11th, we went out on the beach to take our traditional pictures but after it was all over, Brad knelt down and proposed.  It was a sweet moment and we're blessed that he wanted us to be a part.
After that, the remainder of the time was spent being lazy, resting, playing games, eating, and more of the same.  What a great end to our summer!

Skinny...

Um, no, that word definitely does not describe me!  It's a new blog I've stumbled across:  http://www.skinnytaste.com/; everything healthy and low calorie.
When you get a chance, grab a cup of coffee and browse through her many recipes.
One you have to try:  Lemon Cheesecake Yogurt Cups!!!!

Enjoy!

You can't be 18?

Well...yes, he is!  My "baby" turned 18 yesterday.  Caleb, you can stop having birthdays now!!! :)
You are truly a blessing...a God-send to your Dad and to me. 
The saying that little girls wrap themselves around Daddy's finger?  Well, the same can be said about little boys and their moms.  Yep, I admit it!  He's got me.  The joke around the Vail household is that if the girls need or want anything they say, "have Caleb ask mom".  LOL!  No, I have no favorites when it comes to my children.  I love them equally and never show favoritism, but they do joke and tease me about it.
Caleb is one of the most well-mannered, polite young men I know (yes, I am partial!).  He loves to help and he never wants to disappoint.  AND he loves the Lord and wants to please Him!  And for that I am truly thankful!
Happy Birthday, Caleb.  Your mom loves you to the moon and back!!!

In a blink...

How did 13 years pass by so quickly.  It seems like yesterday I was attending this event:

And then just yesterday, I attended this one:

Caleb, you are such a blessing!  We sailed through the school years without ever an issue.  You are a pleaser, a giver, you never want to hurt mom and dad's feelings, and you love the Lord with all your heart!  We don't deserve you but are beyond thankful God gave you to us anyway!

It was a great time of celebration.  My sister and brother-in-law, my parents and Scott's parents were able to attend and spend a couple of days here.  It went by way to quickly but it was a great few days celebrating our son!

His sweet sisters!

Heather

Lindsay

Gramma and Grampa Smith

 

 Grandma and Grandpa Vail

 Grandma Robison

 Aunt Karen and Uncle Randy

The family!

With Dad

and Mom

We love you, Caleb!