Fun at the river

Vacation

The day has arrived. Today we take the boys to Camp Chatuga in Mountain Rest SC for a two week camp. That means that after we take them this afternoon we are off until July 11th 8:00PM. Man, words cannot describe how bad we need this. So, let's load the vans, have everyone help to a general cleaning and we will leave for camp around 12:00 Noon. This afternoon TC and I will then start packing for our trip. Oh yea!!!

More Older Scanned Pictures

Be sure to Scroll down for the Photo Hunt Post

This is me at Waco Volunteer Fire Department. This is where I spent most of my time the first year we were married and yes it did cause problems.

That's Christie playing with a friend. That is a 1964 Forf Falcon that we bought for $450.00, it was our first family car after having a Ford Pinto.

Fort Drum, NY Me and my Blazer

Me and my best bud Wesley out in the field. We found this stray dog and took it as our own. Notice who has the big gun!

Photo Hunt: Bright

While I look three sheets in the wind (which I am not) look how bright she looks. Those intriguing eyes and what a lovely smile. I guess that is what being married to me for 25 years will do....or not!!!

Could not help but post these recent pics. Bright sunlight off a waterfall.

And of course if you could only see how bright their faces were.

That was fun. Well yesterday we spent a lot of it packing the boys for camp. You see they go to Camp Chatuga for two weeks and we take our vacation while they are there. Everything has to be packed precisely by the packing list so after that we went to Walmart and bought the rest of the stuff needed to fill their bags. Instead of a water bottle we decided to buy them a real canteen complete with desert design. Now, I am their favorite. After that we went to Anderson SC to Golden Corral and then to the Castle Playground and to watch the ducks. What Joy!

PhotoHunt

What Fun!

Yesterday was very busy here was our schedule:
8:00 Breakfast (Wash Pee sheets from one boy)
9:00 Impact-Two of the boys
10:15= Leave for 1st Baptist Pendleton SC
10:45-12:00-Play games and eat lunch with Senior Adults at 1st Baptist Pendleton(Awesome)
1:00- Help load donation boxes on pick-up(does not fit)
1:15- Help load Donation box on another truck.(It fits and now I am sweaty)
1:30- TC and I take kids to local restaurant for the Sertoma club meeting to raise money. Boys lead group in Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. (Awesome- We get Banana pudding and then we leave)
6:00- Boys picked up for Son Sports at Foothills Church by support staff; TC and I lay down and rest until they get home around 8:45. Wait we have to go to Walmart, Here we go again....

We have the best life in the world. Yesterday we found out that now all four boys that we now have, their parents will have their parental rights dissolved by the courts within 6 months and will be up for adoption; that means that we will probably have them for a while; while all four of the boys still think their Mothers are saints and can't wait to go home. My heart just tears sometimes.

This Just In- Reservations have been made for camping at Pigeon Forge next week and tickets have been purchased for the Dixie Stampede and Dollywood. YES!!!

More Exploring

Well folks this is how we spent the day Wednesday. After some counseling sessions we left for a picnic on the ground(I love watching those boys as ants and flies bother them and they are eating on the ground). Nothing like eating on the ground!!! Well you get my point. After exploring down the wonderful cascade a bit we found another 30 foot waterfall that dumped into a great swimming hole. The boys loved and did not want to leave. I do however have to give them some props here because as soon as we said let's go, they went. Good boys we have..... No words necessary the pics speak for themselves, I only wished I could show you their faces of pure excitement and joy!!!







There is one thing that I now know, I am getting older and rounder for some reason, but I also know that while my back and knees are hurting this morning as I write, I enjoy what we did yesterday even more so no than ever. God gives us health to continue.

Wordless Wednesday

Birthday Parties

Today was "A"'s birthday. He is now a teenager. A simple party but good none the less. "A" is really in to the "transformers", so that was his theme and his gift choice. Just a little look into our world today.

Heading back to work

Heading back to work today we stopped at Table Rock State Park here in SC. Not a bad view at all. It's almost time to get back to work. It's gonna be a hot one here in SC this week so we think we be heading to the creek soon. I'll be sure and get some pics of this magnificent creek we found. This week the boys are going to Foothills Church each night for their VBS and we will be back to our summer numbers of four. All is well here in SC!

Plenty of room for two at the Love Shack

When we are off from Collins, this is where we live. Lots to do yet but we are getting there.

Hey Sarge Charlie, that don't look too bad huh? No meat but it was good. Fried squash is my favorite but Tc had to boil some too.

Doctors and Dentists

Today has been full of dentist appointments, doctor appointments and stuff like that. All in all today has been fine, although it did have a rocky start. Tonight, we are off to Bounty land to eat supper and because they are have their VBS kickoff at a nearby pool, we are going to come home and get ready for our break starting tomorrow. Can't wait!!!

Some Reasons to be Proud!

So many reasons and I am counting my blessings!!!
Here you will see our latest addition. This is big "I" and he is our guest this week while the other house is on vacation. He is two and is a great child. I wish you could see his hair as it is flaming red!

Below you will find the reasons I am a proud Father and Father-in-law. These kids make me happy and for that I am grateful to my Heavenly Father!!!

Exploring Waterfalls

A great day indeed. Because we had a staff for 10 hours today we were able to take the day off, so along with Christie and David we took the day to explore some waterfalls in our area. This area has quite a few, like this one that we saw today; and this one that we went to the other day with the boys. I hope to add some more pics but for some reason blogger will not allow it. I did get this one to post, so I will try again later.

TC and I relaxing after a rather long walk down to the pond at Reedy Branch Falls.

Hey, we got a Scanner now!!!

Howdy folks, We just got out scanner hooked up (thanks David) and our first project was to scan a picture that is over 25 years old, at our wedding. Look how beautiful she is!!!

And the two shall become one....

Counting Our Blessings

Happy Fathers Day to all, especially those who are serving overseas. My prayer is that they will soon be returned to their homes and families. God please keep them safe!
We just returned home from church where I was really challenged to look at all God has blessed me with. Our daughter Christie and her husband David will be here soon to enjoy a great meal prepared by TC but my son is in Missouri still in AIT. Our blessings are abounding and our cup is running over. I have to say that I am very grateful for my father and he has always been there for me. Happy Fathers day to all, I only wish my son was here and it would be awesome, but God has His plans. The pic is what I got for my Father and I am not sure if you can see it or not , but at the bottom it ways, "Counting His Blessings". It says it all.

Photo Hunt

Trying for the first time to do this linking thing. It is about emotion. One of my problems in life is that I am sometimes too emotional.

Need I say more about those emotions!

The emotion of seeing something you had wanted for a long time.

The emotion of seeing the ocean for the first time!
Being emotional at our 25th anniversary party.

No Plans

Saturday morning and we have no plans. The week has been pretty busy so this morning the boys are going to sleep until they wake up or 8;30. I just can't let them sleep past 8:30, that would be ridiculous. Anyway, we have no plans today so we will just be letting it flow natural like. Should be a relaxing kind of day. I have already enjoyed the break in temperatures this morning. As I was having my first cup of coffee and just sitting outside, it was actually rather cool. Benji enjoyed it as he was acting like a little puppy outside for the first time. So I think I'll just enjoy a day of no plans.

Hey Dummy, Don't forget the eggs

The boys finished up their VBS and New Hope Church yesterday and they will have their little graduation tonight along with a hot dog supper and a big water slide. This morning we have guest coming as Scott and Jennifer are coming for breakfast and some fellowship. After that we are gong to another waterfall near Westminster SC and then the party is tonight. Just regular fun things. Funny thing, I went to Walmart yesterday to get some eggs and decided to shop for a few more items. I would up getting a whole buggy full and when I got home, what was missing? The eggs of course so, I had to run back to Wally World for the eggs. Another day in Paradise.

Work Work Work

The last couple of days have been OK as they were filled with meetings and stuff. An assessment where I had to to be there was yesterday while TC and Mary Beth took the others backup to stump house tunnel and to the yellow branch picnic area, our favorite spot. The twins had never been there so it was a treat for them. Meanwhile, yesterday I cut the grass at our house and the office and attended the meeting. I had to take our newest van, a 2005 E-150, to the shop for A/C service but unfortunately the compressor s beginning to go out and it only has 43000 miles. Things just don't last these day. Well I guess that's enough for now.

Summer Begins

The Tomatoes or "maters" are growing nicely indeed.

Well Summer is here for us. I do not mean in weather as it has been way up in the 90's for more than a week, what I mean is the kids are now out of school. Yesterday they started VBS at a local church from 9:00 in the morning until 12:00. We had our intern with us yesterday so she helped do some things around here like separate some donated clothes. TC took the twins and another one shopping as the DSS clothing allowance has come in and I separated a large food donation. Things are busy around here even though it is the summer. The best thing is that I don't have to wake the boys up at 6:15 AM no more.

Nice Break

This break was very nice. TC and I worked around the house a little and spent some time at South Mountain State Park walking around in the nice and cool Jacobs Fork river. Sunday morning I preached at my daughters church in Brevard NC where the pastor was on his way to the SBC convention. We are back in Seneca SC now and this week is cranking up nicely. Three of the boys have visits tomorrow while another is going to VBS. A lot of things on the schedule this week so we will have to organize that on our calenders along with at least one meeting on Tuesday. This summer is gong to be awesome Oh yea, throw in me going to see the doc some time soon as I can hardly put any weight on my left knee and there is bulge sticking out. We'll see about that.

Benji is getting better each and every day although he still has to wear the lampshade so he want lick it and make it bleed again.

Chad is doing awesome and he got his orders the other day. Looks liek after jump school he will be stationed at Fort Bragg NC, 82nf Airborne. Bad news is that the unit he is being attached to is deploying to Iraq in August. Will he be ready to go to war by then I am not sure but with the Army all things are subject to change. All for now!

Goodbye Flying Flynn

This morning our hearts are again heavy. Today as we drop the boys off from school and leave for NC on our four day break, we say goodbye to three more of our boys. Little D will be gone come Friday and so when we we get back Sunday evening there will only be four left. Daniel and Jared will be leaving for the summer but they should be back at summer's end. This is the toughest part of the job as we have grown so close to "D" and quite frankly he will be missed. I know it's part of the job but this ole country boy has for certain shed some tears this morning. It's time for a break.

Man, this is fun!

Just too much fun and to think we get paid for this.

Did I say the kids enjoyed it.

TC and I took a few hours off this morning and went to the county park and hung our feet in the water off the pier. That was fun and relaxing. A quick trip to Walmart and we got a nice three lane slip and slide. This afternoon the kids helped pull weeds, haul off some dead limbs and cleaned up outside a bit. TC completely cleaned out and organized the food pantry. It's been a good day especially because our support staff took the grocery list and went back to Walmart. The boys have loved the new toy and are still playing out there as I write. These half days aren't too bad. Enjoy the video of the beached whale!

Just Another Monday

Monday and we spent most of the morning in a meeting discussing our boys with the supervisor and director. After that it was off to the bank where we deposited our homes monthly check and also our own paycheck as we get paid on the 15th and the 1st of each month. After a quick salad at Wendy's we came back to the office to go through some more donated food. A another meeting with our house's support staff and then the boys came home. Today was a good day except Crystal locked her keys in her car and it took me quite a while using a hanger to get it unlocked. TC read to the boys and now everything is nice and quiet. Tomorrow the kids start their half day's at school and then the last day is Thursday. This is going to be interesting.

Wow, What a Week

Here we are just arriving at the Zoo. The older gentleman paid for the trip and many more things around here. Originally from Michigan he has settled here and does many things for many people.


Now this one was just too funny. I missed the pic but they actually gave each other sugar through the glass.

Since the last post things have been crazy. We've had hearings and court dates, kids gong home and many other events. We did get to go to the Greenville Zoo as a home. Everyone from the home went and it was great. That was from 9 Saturday Morning until about 3:30 in the afternoon. After coming home and resting just a bit I went to Band practice where I am trying out for a praise band as the drummer. We will see in the next few weeks how that goes. Meanwhile TC dealt with some tired kids. That is all as today we have church this morning and then it's resting today.