Surprise Baby Sprinkle

One of Vanessa's very good friends (Stevi) organized a surprise baby shower for her August 30th. Her due date is September 16th so we are getting close! The baby's name will be Korin Faith (pronounced core in) and in keeping with the other two children will be spelled with a "K". The name is in honor of Vanessa's best friend Michelle. It is her middle name. The origin is from the word "Corinthians"





The shower was held at a local Mexican Restaurant (one of Vanessa's favorites) called Pulido's.

Not everyone had arrived yet when this photo was taken.

Although looking good enough to ea,t the only thing edible on this table is the pink cake. The others are decorations made with baby socks, wash clothes and such. Isn't it cute?









some more decorations on the other tables.

She actually had no idea and was totally surprised! I don't know how she didn't find out.

Nikki (in the red) helped Stevi plan the shower. Another very good friend of Vanessa's.

Not the best of pictures but only one I had of Mom and Vanessa. My poor friend Jean on the left of Mother would shoot me for posting this picture. Good thing she doesn't follow my blog!

Vanessa was very timid about cutting the cake!

My dear friend Teresa who is like a mother to Vanessa and two of her daughters Damita and Leslie (in front).

(L to R) Jeanette (Vanessa worked for her in her real estate office). Dru (family friend) and Vanessa's Stepmother Jan.

(L to R) Lisa, friend from high school, Nikki and Jackie, friend from the days when Vanessa worked at the bank.

Vanessa and Stevi.

A bracelet made by Dru.





She had a nice turn out and got some nice things. Now we just have to "hurry up and wait"!

Have a good one!

Remembering 9-11 for a Different Reason

For a lot of people 9-11 is a very somber day but for me its a day of celebration.  27 years ago today I married my sweetheart. He isn't perfect and neither am I. Like anyone else who is married we've had our share of difficulties and heartaches but one thing I have never doubted....his commitment and love for me. Considering he met me at the end of a broken marriage and pregnant I still shake my head at why he wanted me. My God had a plan and it was a good one. I could see love in his eyes when he looked at me long before he ever said the words. It took me longer to come to the place but how can you not love someone who loves you whether you love them back or not?! God used Doyle to show me His love.

We married two weeks before Vanessa's 2nd birthday September 11, 1987.

In April 2011 a friend of mine (Sandy T) was trying to build her portfolio to have her own photography business and asked if she could photograph us for practice. Doyle and I hadn't had our pictures made as a couple professionally since we had gotten married! I jumped at the opportunity!

Sandy did a fabulous job! Thanks so much!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband Doyle!

Have a good one!

Long Overdue Visit

Mom had mentioned going to visit her Uncle Benny (her Mother's brother) and some of her cousins. I told her if she would let me know when she wanted to go I would try to go with her. I had connected with one of her cousins on Facebook and we had talked by phone. I remember visiting them as a child but haven't seen them since. (Embarrassing, I know!)

So three weeks ago we went. I took off from work and we drove up on Friday. It's about a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive. Mom had told me to bring along some of my music CD's to listen to but they never got played! We talked the entire time all the way up and back! (Imagine that?!) It was a great time!

My cousin (I won't get into if she was my 1st or 2nd...for simplicity I'll just refer to her as cousin) Lee Ann had invited us to stay in her home while we were there.

A little while after we arrived Uncle Benny and Aunt Frances arrive to visit. When they had left Lee Ann said it was time to get in the pool! With the temperature outside at 100 that seemed pretty inviting. I managed not to get a bathing suit packed but Lee Ann had one just my size and loaned it to me. The water was great and it was a nice relaxing way to cool off!

Later Steven fixed a wonderful dinner for us. I discovered Lee Ann even likes to scrapbook! Once the table was cleared of dishes she showed me what she was working on and well...it was late when we went to bed!

The next morning we had a fabulous breakfast of bacon and eggs. I managed to spend a little time outside before it got hot to enjoy the backyard. There were some Morning Glories that were attractive to a butterfly and a hummingbird. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the hummingbird.

After lunch we went to visit Uncle Benny and Aunt Frances at their apartment. We looked at old pictures and heard stories of the old days. It was then time for us to go home.

Lee Ann and Steven (seated) were the most gracious hostesses. The food was wonderful and so was the conversation!  Lee Ann and I have committed to trying to Skype one another and share ideas on our scrapbooking. Now to make sure I have a web cam and download Skype!

Thanks again Lee Ann and Steven. I give the "Slater B & B" a 5 star rating!

Have a good one!

What a Difference a Year Makes

August 22nd last year we adopted "Gracie" from our local Animal Shelter. She was extremely thin and had huge callouses on her elbows and hocks. My post about her adoption is here. This is what she looked like then.

Here she is today. Enjoying my side of the bed I might add! When she first started sleeping on the bed she would sleep at the foot. The last month or so she has decided she likes to sleep between me and Doyle!

Kaidence didn't like her at first but then she is jealous of anyone who tries to get my attention! They are both moping because they know I'm getting ready to leave for work.

Doing a little ear cleaning. Kaidence used to do this to Kajen when he lived with us.

Kennedy had spent the night. Doyle was at work. I slept on the other side of Kennedy. Bed hogs!


Gracie is happy and we're happy!


Have a good one!

Encouragement Cards

In a previous blog I had posted pictures of some cards I made to send to ladies who were in my Bible Study class for encouragement. There are 22 women in my class! It took me a couple of days to make them. Then I had to decide who would get what card and write something in it. Here are the remaining cards I made. All of the cards were created using scraps from other projects.

Have a good one!

Retreat Sunset

Sunday night of the retreat was my last shot at getting sunset pictures and it was shaping up nicely for a photo opportunity. I evidently missed the group photo! I didn't even know they took one until I saw the blog! This is a sad picture indeed. This is what remains of the "lake" at Mitchell Resort. It was once FULL of water.

Nice way to end the retreat!





Have a good one!

Sunset Sabatoge

The scrapbook retreat I went on started on Friday. Doyle worked Thursday but had to work mandatory
overtime on Friday. I wasn't counting on that. This meant I had to come back to town later in the day to feed horses and take care of dogs. Good thing the retreat is less than 20 miles from home.

 On my way back to the retreat the sun was starting to set but clouds had developed.

You can see some shafts of rain in this photo.

I liked how I captured the sun reflection on the highway. You can she shafts of rain in the right of this photo.

I get back to the retreat and walk out where I can see the horizon and hope that I might get to watch the sunset but the clouds were thickening and I began to hear thunder.

Doyle called me to say that from the looks of a radar it appeared the shower that had developed was heading toward the retreat and was just a few miles away.

I may not have gotten to take sunset pictures but I found the clouds pretty as well. There is always another night!



Have a good one!