Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!

Mountain Top

As I was getting ready to blog today, I saw that this would be my 100th post. I am stunned. I can't believed that I have written, and you have read 100 different writings. Thank you.

Well, I won't let my 100th post be a waste. As you know, part of my job is to attend Relay For Life's all over the state of North Carolina. With over 125 Relays and 12 hours from one end of the state to the other, I am fortunate that I have the ability to meet such diverse people, and even more so, see diverse places. Yesterday was one of them.

This Relay was going to be even more exciting then normal, as a representative from our National Home Office was flying in to travel with me, to visit our number one in the nation per cap Relay, called "Mountain Top." Mountain Top, is truly as it sounds, up, very far up, the top of a mountain. Surprise, Surprise...

It is always fun to travel, but I would never have expected, even though I was warned, what the travel would be like up the mountain. We were even asked, prior to coming, if either of us tend to get car sick. Well, you know, people can exagerate. Haha, not this time. I don't get car sick, but by time we reached the top of the mountain, I sure didn't care if I ate.

The relay itself was okay, though the sheer fact that fifteen teams raised over $220,000 prior to the event night was amazing. The people there had some AWESOME stories to share. In fact we were even directed to look up, way far up in the distance, to see the owner of Home Depot's house. Lots of money, and even more character, in that area, which leads me to tell you some of the interesting signs we saw...

"Animals Fixed Cheap - $20.00" - SCARY
"FarmDog Restaurant" - Which had a 10 foot fork and spoon out in front of it
"DairyBar" - Apparently a phrase heard in more parts of the country then I am familiar with
"Boiled Peanuts" - which I have heard, being in SC, but what I haven't heard is a taxedermist in the same place...hmmmm

I will say, though my colleague from NHO and I had a great time traveling, of course, it couldn't have ended without drama. After coming down the very curvy and steep mountain, we knew we would have to eat, though nothing sounded good, except for Dolly's Dairy Bar. We both had some sort of homemade icecream for dinner and it was YUMMY. While heading to the hotel, my colleague looks at me, and says "...I think I am having an allergic reaction to something.." and continues with "...well, if my voice starts to go, then we have to worry about my breathing. Otherwise, I will just take some Benedryl and it will hopefully go away." (If I didn't quote accurately, my deepest apologies.)

At 8:30am (after being on the road for three hours) I was so excited to get home to see Shawn and the boys. I am fortunate to have a job like I do, but I am even more fortunate to have the family I come home to.

A New Home For Us Maybe...

We have been visiting a church for a couple of weeks and we really seem to like it. It is really big though. Shawn and I have only been to smaller size churches, so this is a HUGE change for us.

One of the things I am excited about in going to a bigger size church is that there is soooooooooooo much more to do. Yesterday, they had the ministry blastoff, with Clay Cross from Jars of Clay performing. It was AWESOME. Though out of that, here is what our schedule already forcasts for us.

Sunday Morning - Sunday School followed by Worship Service
Sunday Night - AWANAs for Tyler
Monday Night - Women's Bible Study
Tuesday Night - Men's Bible Study
Wednesday Night - Children's Choir for Ty followed by RAs (Royal Ambassadors) for both Ty and Dad
Thursday Night - A Financial Planning Guideline (who couldn't benefit from some prayers when it comes to home finances)
Oh and before I forget, there are small groups for us to choose from. We don't have many days of the week left, so I am not sure where that is going to go.

I jokingly said to Shawn that this is where we need to be. They keep you so busy, that there is no time left to get into trouble.

Please go visit the site, http://www.fbcrockhill.org/, and tell us what you think. We truly would love some opinions. Finding a church home is so important.

Tyler

Tomorrow is Tyler's first day of 1st grade. I say this with such mixed emotions...

Of course, I am so proud of Tyler. He is already reading and writing (still working on shoe-tying though,) and really loves to learn. This year is a big deal year. It is FIRST Grade!!! and as Tyler says, "I've never gone in it so it is more funner than my kindergarten school."

We have gone school shopping for the HUGE list of must-haves for school (it really is amazing what they must have for school.) And, thanks to Nana who totally spoiled Tyler and took him school clothes shopping during an unexpected trip to the beach on tax-free weekend. So we really are ready.

But then I think...

I can't believe he is already six years old. You know, I remember when my parents used to say, "Don't try to grow up so fast." I tend to wonder, was that advice for me, or for them?

It breaks me apart that TyTy, doesn't want me to call him Ty Ty any more. Or that hugs and kisses are a no way in public. Ty's always been my sensitive child, and still is, so it is especially hard that the little guy who was always a "Mama's Boy" is now starting to be so independant and do more boy stuff. But that is what we strive for.

Tomorrow my baby starts first grade and today is my day to be emotional about it.

I Have Been Tagged

I have been tagged by Teresa, so here are my answers...

5 things in my freezer: Waffles, Ice Packs, "Uncrustables," chicken and steaks

5 things in my closet: Shoes, Boxes, Clothes, Pictures and Relay Gear

5 things in my car: cell phone charger,cd's, Car Seat, DVD Player/DVD's and Baby Toys

5 things in my purse: I don't carry one

5 things in my wallet: license, Block Buster Card, PetSmart Card, Credit Card and Insurance Card

People I tag to do this list:
Karen and Cindy Copy these questions to your blog.... then comment me so I can go over and see your answers.

Family Game Night Update

We have created a "Monopoly Monster."

We used to have "Family Game Night, 2 nights a week, after Joshy would go to bed, but now it is an everynight thing, sometimes two or three games since Monopoly has come into our house.

You know what? I haven't won one yet. Oh well.

Today has been a very hectic day at work as we are all preparing for our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Corporate Breakfast. Please follow the link below to help make a difference in the fight against breast cancer:

www.cancer.org/stridesonline