Cedar Creek Beach

Yes, it's not Destin, but is 10 minutes from my house and the kids can entertain themselves. If you can stand the occasional big woman in a bikini or the old man in the speedo, then this is the place you. I will try an take pictures of these kinds of people for my next blogging opportunity. Ok, just kidding, but it is fun and you can build sand castles too! It's four bucks and you can bring anything you want. Call me if you want to go...I'm always looking for cheap fun on a boiling hot summer day!

Jake is 7 and Father's Day

This year the 21st was full of events. For our family it was Jake's birthday, father's day and my parent's 51st anniversary. Whew, I had a lot of calls to make. In all this madness, I didn't get any shots of Jay and the kids, but I just want to say that it is a blessing that jake and riggsy have a dad that really cares for them and rushes home to play with them and just "be" with them everyday.

on another note, it is hard to believe we have a seven year old! He is getting so big that it is hard to pick him up anymore, which makes me sad.....sniff sniff .....on to important things about Jakey

Things I Want To Remember:
* he would watch TV all day if I let him; his brother is the opposite
* totally done with pre-school Disney stuff, likes Zach and Cody, Hannah Montana, Camp Rock, Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato/Selena Gomez kinds of stuff
* if he wants to impress, he will try to dress like Zach and Cody and put on jeans, white undershirt, and a unbuttoned shirt over that....we think it's funny that he thinks he's "stylin""
* still isn't too interested in the "learning" part of school, but is definitely into the "social" part
* favorite foods- still likes spaghetti and tomato basil soup, any kind of soup really....and loves milk (opposite of my other child)
* he can sing really well still and on key
* he will still cry and beg for forgiveness if he thinks he has hurt me in any way..he can't stand for us to be upset with him
* he is a great swimmer
* he still wakes up earlier than the rest of us, but that's ok becuase he, as well as other 7 year olds, is self sufficient and doesn't wake anyone else up!
* he is mostly sweet to his brother, although I am sure that it can be really annoying to have someone constantly copy everything that you do..i guess that happens when your less than 2 years apart!


Sometimes I still look a him and I can't believe he is mine...I try to treasure all the sweet moments, but time is going sooo fast...we love you little buddy

summer opry

We took our family to the Opry last night and it was a fun night. I had never met Little Big Town (pictured above) and my niece was really excited about them being there. They sing that song, "I was born and raised in the boondocks..."They were very nice..We also met Trace Atkins too; he was super polite and hung out in the hall with the rest of us normal folk.His guitarist went to Harding with us; it's a small world!His picture is below. The purple dressing room below was just designed in memory of the great Porter Waggoner. It was neat to see the pictures on the wall and his boots behind glass. I met him soon before he died and I wished I had a pic with him. I definitely wasn't as bold then as I am now when asking for pictures. The show went really late; even Carrie told us she was sleepy and yawned before walking out on stage. I don't think I could ever be that relaxed before going on stage! We didn't get home until midnight and I was so keyed up, it took me a while to finally rest....oh, and there's some videos below..enjoy!

St. Jude Benefit Concert

CBRL sponsored the St. Jude run a couple of weeks ago and the concert afterwards was at the Wildhorse featuring JoDee Messina and Point of Grace, who are apparently trying to go country. Their protocol was different backstage and they were supposed to email the pic I made with her..never happened. They wouldn't let me take any of my own. I was like..look..she ain't that famous....anywhoo. The concert was very exciting; they passed around a hat and raised more money during the concert. Being from Memphis, St. Jude has a special place in my heart. Jay went last week to take them a check and received a grand tour of the facility along with the Target house. I don't think he realized that the families don't necessarily have to pay anything for their treatments. The children all came out and were sooo sweet and excited to see him. I think it had a strong effect as it always does.

The Best Day

We decided to camping last night..
They always have the best time!
I think camping is their favorite.
Jake always says, "This is the best day of my life!"
 and it always reminds me of this song........

We loaded up my old station wagon
With a tent, coleman, sleeping bags
Some fishin' poles, a cooler of cokes,
3 days before we had to back

When your 7 and your in your 7th heaven
Going campin' in the wild outdoors
As we turned off on that old dirt road he look at me
and swore

Dad, this could be the best day of my life
Been dreamin' day and night about the fun we'll have
Just me and you doing what I've always wanted to
I'm the luckiest boy alive
This is the best day of my life