Fall Ball- Lake Monsters

After a little rest Sam is back into the swing of baseball. He is playing on the Lake Monsters. Let's Go #22!!

School Snaps

They are having a great first week of school!!

First Day!!

It is finally here - our first day of 3rd grade and kindergarten!! We spent the night with Nana and got up all excited about the day ahead. Idrove Sam to his new school (Leon Sheffield) to get a few pictures which did not make him so happy, but I told him just get over it --Mom's getting a picture!! Sam and his 3rd grader teacher- Mrs. MorrisThen Penny and I headed back to her school for her first day of KINDERGARTEN!!!a sweet good morning hug from principal, Mrs. Greer.

One last photo before walking down the hall to Mrs. Hand's room.. Love this BIG smile!!
And just like that we are standing right in front of her door... Penny is so happy for this day and all I can think of is my baby girl is walking into her first day of Kindergarten... one kiss and one hug goodbye then she was hopped into her classroom for a half -day.Out the door I went to only count the hours until it was time to go and pick her back up. Look at that SMILE - thinking she might of had a great day!She could not wipe that smile off her face-

Lots of snapshots to remember this day!!

I think this one is my favorite--- We left Eastwood and headed right back to Nana's to tell Nana and Daddy what a great day she had.
Sam rode the bus that afternoon.. these are the excellent pictures of his first day-

Behind that hand is a SMILE - and Yes he had a great day first day as well. Hope this is a good sign for the school year to come!

The Night Before School ...

all kids are excited ( celebrated with a cookie cake)


all book bags are packed


all clothes are ironed and laid out


all baths are taken and hair blown nice and shiny...

We are READY for the Big Day!!

Meet the Teacher

On August 12, Penny got to take her school supplies and meet Mrs. Hand. She was super excited -Jordan tagged along with us to help. Penny went straight to her chair and noticed that she was right beside Zoe and Ross, that put a smile on her face. She took the tour of her classroom and learned where to put all her things before she left. She gave Mrs. Hand a big hug and told her she would see her next week!!!(oh I am not sure I am going to make it throught this)

A Very Sad Week-

August 7 will be forever etched into my mind as a sad day. Penny, Sam, and I stopped by after church to say hi to Nana and Papa-then Penny and I came back around 3:00 that afternoon to sit with them some more. I am forever grateful for the time we had with him that day. We took him to the hospital that night around 6:00 and Nana kissed him goodnight and told him to get some rest around 11:00.... Now there is no more cancer, no more hurting, and there is sure no more pain where he is. We are the ones left with the sadness. He fought for so long- that is what you call a HERO.

The days following were spent with family and friends - I heard so many amazing stories about him and not one did not put a smile on my face and make me so proud that I have had a chance to be around him and call him my father -n-law for eleven years. He treated me like one of his own.

The funeral was perfect - more of a celebration of his LIFE. This is what Shawn said about his dad- (he wrote this after leaving the hospital early Monday morning to all his buddies)

Last night at 11:30 I lost my best friend, my Hero, and most importantly my dad. After a 3 year battle with cancer it was finally good to see him at peace and in no pain. It was a special moment because just 45 minutes before he passed away, he took my hand and told he loved me and to "take care of mom" . Thank you to for all the prayers and well wishes over the past few years, and most of all, thanks for being a friend.

Baseball Camp

Sam went to a baseball camp at Calhoun College sponsored by Integrity Sports. They were using all the proceeds to help his father fight cancer..

Sam thought that was very neat to hear that others are fighting cancer like his Papa. The camp was great and I think Sam loved every minute of it. They worked on hitting, catching, and pitching drills.

We stopped by Nana and Papa's so Sam could fill them in about how much fun the camp was and to tell them about the dad with cancer. Papa was not feeling so well but always had enough energy to give the kids a high five -