On the Road Again

Well, we loaded up the first load of our things to take to Branson. We are going from the furnished condo to another temporary rental that is unfurnished. So, we had to go "home" to get some of our things. Our next rental isn't large enough for all of our stuff, so we left some things behind in the house (which we are still waiting to sell.) We used a company that drops a trailer for you to load and unload yourself, and they do the driving.

Since Sam had to load that big baby up himself (and since I'm toting a big baby these days), we were so thankful to have family and friends help us! Sam's folks and youngest brother came to help and our good friend Marcus Jackson gave up his entire day to help...and sweat! LOL I tell you, I miss a lot of things about Mississippi, but the humid, suffocating heat is not one of them! Anyway, thanks for all the help everyone!

We were so thrilled to see lots of familiar faces on this quick trip over. We seemed to have a steady stream of friends and students stop by, and it made my day each time. Monticello and the people there will forever have a special place in my heart!

The big trailer

Reed, Sam and Marcus hard at work

Mac and Mrs. Joy. She was a big help keeping Mac occupied as we worked.

Oh, my sweet Mac has no idea this is the last time he will get to play in his favorite toy for quite some time. We had to leave it at the house since it won't fit in our rental. Sad day...that ball pit has kept him happy and occupied for hours and hours!!

A Lily Legacy

This past Thursday I celebrated 29 wonderful, blessed years of my life. Sam, Mac, and I were in MS packing and loading a trailer to send back to Branson. And when we arrived, I could not have been more excited to see what was blooming in my yard...day lilies, or "my birthday flower" as I've called it my entire life. Years of memories flooded my mind as I walked up to the delicate bloom.

You see, my great-grandfather, Papa Cha-Cha, brought some of his day lilies to plant at our house when I was a young child. And every year, they bloomed the week of my birthday. Never early, never late. Even if other people's lilies were blooming, ours always waited. So, since I absolutely loved my birthday week growing up (and insisted on celebrating all week), I would pester my mom if it was almost my birthday. She always advised me to go and see if the day lilies were getting ready to bloom.

Those flowers have been transplanted over and over to many places along the journey of our lives. My mom took some to Texas, I've had them in Magee, Pearl and Monticello, and my grandmother has them at her house on the coast. And they've never let me down, including this year!

Wow, just the sight of them brings such joy to my soul as I think back on all the wonderful years I've had the privilege to celebrate a birthday. And I'm also always reminded of what an amazing family I have. They, like the lily, never let me down and are always there for me!

I guess next year we'll see how the day lilies like Missouri weather!

ZZZ's

Everyone meet "Doggy." Mac's favorite animal friend that doubles as his pillow. His faithful friend joined us on the long trek to Mississippi to load up a moving truck.

He also has his other favorites...his loochie or "ouchie" as Mac says it and his blankie. I think its mostly hidden by Doggy, but its there somewhere!

Mac and His Teddy Bear

Practicing his "cheese" face

Sweet little toddler stance with his teddy tucked under his arm

I just love how he carries that thing around under his arm!

Blankie in one hand, bear in the other...its a good day!

This Is How We Stroll

While I am huffing and puffing walking up and down hills about to send myself into preterm labor, this is the happy, having a big time face you see riding with me! Love my walking partner!!!

Mr. Independent Monkey

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Me and sweet Baby Mac (and my other sweet baby!)

Sam is not throwing Mac in, just helping him reach the water :)

Sunday afternoon we went to eat at the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks with some of the church staff. It is such a neat experience with delicious food. Afterwards we took advantage of the beautiful outdoors for a bit and snapped some photos. I am so very blessed to have the most amazing mother as my number one fan, teacher, and best friend. And I am equally blessed to be a mom to the sweetest, most tender-hearted, loving little 19 month old...and one to join us in July!

The Branson Landing

Playing on the playground at the Landing

"Driving" down the Landing (an outdoor shopping area)

Part of the crew and their sweet rides :) We're missing the twin's double stroller and Eldon's wheelchair!

All three enthralled (but not with the candy) with the train that goes all the way around the top of the store.

Now "driving" the bus

Poor, sweet Ellie has had her share of shopping. Ramsey, on the other hand, is ready to keep right on going...and did his best to wake his sister up!

Love this face when he gets tickled.

Momo's Heaven on Earth

If you've ever been to Branson, I'm betting you visited the famous downtown store, Dick's 5 & 10. The store has been here since 1961, and I remember going with my grandparents on our vacations to Branson as a kid. Here's my description of the store: a really neat, packed tight, old time store with lots of novelty and old fashioned items. Here's Sam's description: a junk store. haha Truth is, it really does have some neat stuff, but it has its share of junk that is packed in so tightly you can hardly pass another person on the aisle!! You can find anything there...anything!

Well, my grandmother happens to love this store. She especially likes to see what good deals she can get on quilting supplies. Our whole crew piled up in Dick's for a little tour. It wasn't long before we were ready to leave the claustrophobic aisles and head to the next stop. Not Momo buddy, she said, and I quote, "I could spend all day in there!" Not with this group, Momo...not with this group! All our youngins (and Papa) were needing more space and snacks! LOL

Look close, Parker is back there too!

No surprise that Mac wanted to spend the whole time on this aisle with the balls! I think he piled about twenty in the buggy. And look down that aisle...tight and junked up!

Trying to occupy the little ones while Momo makes her final selections.

Mac thought Papa should wear his little Bass Pro hat.

Me and my little Bass Pro model. Thanks PePaw for the gear!

Open The Floodgates!

Prior to everyone arriving, it had rained numerous times that week. And then continuous rain started on Friday. And it didn't stop for days!! In fact, Tuesday was the first day that there was a break in the rain long enough for us to go out and do something in town. Well, all of the record rain caused record flooding. With the multiple lakes and dams in the area, there was some major flooding going on! So, my family came just in time for record-breaking rains and floods. Go figure...but it ended up being a good thing for us anyway. Since the sky was dark and rainy everyday, there was no pressure to go out and sightsee. Just plenty of time for us to spend time together at the rental house.

This is the Bass Pro restaurant at the Landing. There should be dry ground where you see water. Obviously, it, along with all the other restaurants there, were closed due to the water. The marina actually broke free and floated away!

Again, where you see water, you should actually see mostly dry ground.

Right past the turn for the rental house, this is what you saw. Tons of water!!!

Egg Hunt

The cousins had a blast hunting eggs at the house (still pouring rain outside). Big thanks to Aunt Cheryl for the eggs and candy!
Mac loves finding the eggs. See the orange one flying in the air mid-throw? And yes, my child used a happy birthday gift bag in place of a basket.

Um, reckon Parker likes the candy and marshmallows he found in the eggs??? Look at those chipmunk cheeks!

Even Ellie and Ramsey had a good time with the eggs.

Mac used a gift bag, Ramsey is trying with a net...I mean, whatever it takes!

The boys resting after the big hunt.

Sights and Sounds on Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus Christ at a wonderful church service with FBC Forsyth. The service was held at the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson. This is the theater where "Noah" is currently showing and happens to be the largest theater in Branson. It was a great service with amazing worship and message! And it was a wonderful outreach and service to the community and tourists.

Since the skies opened up to pour down rain starting Friday and continuing to Sunday, everyone joked that it was so appropriate for us to have church at the location of the Noah show...we needed an ark just to get to church! haha After church we went from the largest theater in Branson to the largest Golden Corral in the world!!! haha Now, how many of you can say that for your Easter lunch??? It was definitely an unforgettable day, from the worship to the all-you-can-eat buffet!

All of us in the theater after church

The Singleton Fam

Sweet cousins. I love this!

All the grandkids.
You have no idea how hard it is to get just one of them to look at the camera

Taylor Family Pic on the Golden Corral stage. Yep, there is even a show at the GC in Branson!

Well, Mac kinda had a blow out at lunch and was left wearing his long shirt...not a dress! haha

Mac reading his Sunday School material on the drive home, still minus his pants :)

Ok, here's my candid shot. Its funny to me because Jess, me and Dad look like we're busting out the robot. Sam and Mom, however, are posed and ready. Everyone else, well, you see the craziness. haha