Vacation

We hit the beach a few weeks ago.  Before we went to the beach the boys spent a little time in Jackson while Fred and I toured the state for TBC meetings.  Seriously, we toured the state.  We had to be in Lexington by 9, Donelson by 2 and Crossville by 7.  Then we drove back to Knoxville for the night.  We had the best time together.  Fred left the next day while I shopped in Knoxville all day...good times!  We drove in Wednesday, packed and then loaded up for church.  Once church was over we drove to Jackson to sleep for the night and leave out bright and early.  We really have the best traveling kiddos on the planet.  We left at 6:00 a.m. and arrived in Gulf Shores by 3:00 p.m.  That's awesome, isn't it?!?  I think it might be a record.  We stopped two times...yes, two times. 

Once we got to the condo (which I would highly recommend, click here to see it...not great pictures, but a great price and easy to work with!) we dropped our bags and the boys hit the pool and beach while I went to the grocery.  Other than eating out for lunch that is pretty much what we did all day.  Below are a few pictures from our days...

While we were at the beach, Jack celebrated his 6th birthday.  Seriously, 6?!?  Where has it gone.  I may or may not have gotten a little teary as he blew out his candles on his birthday breakfast of beignets.  We celebrated all day long with all things Jack:  beignets, putt putt golf, go carts, bumper boats, an arcade, lunch at LuLu's, the tower of youth, ice cream and a roller coaster ride.  Could we have possibly squeezed anything else in that day?!?  I think not. 

As we were driving in to Gulf Shores I saw a billboard about a Hot Air Balloon Festival in Foley, Alabama (10 miles away).  We all thought it sounded like fun and it did not disappoint.  If I ever see one of those again we will stop for sure!

After five days at the beach we headed to New Orleans for the annual conference of the Southern Baptist Convention.  I don't have too many pictures from those days.  We did spend some time one day at lunch in the French Quarter...walking and walking and walking and walking...

Good times for the Shackelfords!

We rolled in late Wednesday night, just in time to get ready for Jack's party on Saturday.  And then to  roll out again for Seattle on Sunday.

Five on Friday

1.  Last week was beautiful in Paris.  Fred had the idea to go play frisbee golf at our local park.  We had the BEST time!  However, Fred was a little prone to tossing his frisbee in to the woods...often.  Unfortunately, we think he got poison ivy while searching the woods to retrieve his frisbee.  He is at the doctor now begging for a shot. Begging.  Here's to hoping he gets a shot...fingers crossed!!
2.  As you know I have been keeping up with loads of laundry for 2012.  As of May 31st, I am standing at 187 loads.  Good times. 
3.  Clayton has been saving for a Kindle Fire since the beginning of the year.  He is a little over half way to his goal.  While he has many good qualities that are just who he is, being sensitive to others and those around him does not come naturally.  This week while attending Bible School at FBC Paris they told him of a need for mediation for those in needy countries.  Before he left that morning he dug out enough of his money (almost 15%) to give someone medicine for 2 years.  This is nothing more than the power of the Lord working in his life.  Tears filled my eyes as I watched him leave that morning, not out of pride, but out of a testimony that God is working in his heart and life.
4.  Jack's birthday is June 16th.  We were recently discussing his party and what he would like to do, what to eat, etc.  We started getting specific about food and he requested, "Hot dogs, Cheetos, cookie bars, Frito twists, watermelon and that's it. (Brief pause...) Oh, and fried okra.  Yeah, that's about it."  Best.party.ever.
Also, Jack told me this week he wants to start collecting money.  I'm all for it.  Anybody that would like to contribute to his collection please let me know.
5.  I pray I never forget what Andrew's 2 year old voice sounds like.  He chatters all the time.  Some of the things he says right now that are particularly cute are: "What does that mean?", "Is that funny?", "Why you laughing at me?", "I wanna eat Dragon Gold today." (Golden Dragon is a Chinese restaurant here and he loves it.) and my personal favorite from the week...he was not getting his way one morning and he put his foot down, looked at me in the eyes and said emphatically, "I wanna go to Mimi's house!"

Random Catch Up

Things have been moving around here and there's a lot I need to catch on, so here goes...

1.  Fred has meetings out of town occasionally, but the boys and I rarely get to tag along because of school.  Well, since school let out Fred had a meeting at Linden Valley Retreat Center (a.k.a. Camp Linden...I spent a week here every summer for years).  The man in charge of the meeting asked us to come with Fred and we did.  Apart from a rough night in a hotel room, we had the BEST time together!!  We hiked to the water fall, canoed the Buffalo River and I even read a book.  I didn't have to cook or make up a bed and it was incredible!! 

 I have no pictures of the canoe trip, because Fred and I decided it was not a good idea to take electronic devices on a 2 hour canoe trip.  Bummer, right?!?  Those would have been some great pictures.

2.  Andrew lost his night night and we FINALLY found it after a week.  FINALLY!  Is this not the sweetest picture?!?  That's some true love right there. 

 3.  Andrew does not like the water.  Does not like it one bit.  He screamed on the canoe ride listed above.  He screamed at the pool.  He screamed on my brother's boat.  When we are at a pool he just walks the perimeter until I finally just force/pull him in.  Before you start sending me hate mail, please know that when he is out of the water for over an hour, it gets hot.  Plus, I just held him above the water, in my arms.  Needless to say this did not go well.  We are working on a plan to get through this. You can't tell by this picture, but this is where he is happiest...in a raft, with his floaties on, on the side of the pool.  Good grief.

 

 4.  My brother took us out on his boat for Memorial Day.  By us, I mean my parents, Jeffrey's family and my crew.  It was a blast!  (Minus Andrew screaming over everything.)  I'm pretty sure we reached the weight limit on his boat, but it was totally worth it.  The boys in the tube below could not have had a better time.  By the end of the day they were exhausted. 

  

5.  Our church is going on a mission trip to Seattle, Washington this summer.  Fourteen people are going, including Fred, me, Clayton and Jack.  (Andrew will stay with grandparents.)  In an effort to reduce the financial burden on those going we have had several church wide events.  One of those was a yard sale at our house this weekend.  It could not have been a better weekend for it!  I was so blown away with the generosity of our church and friends with items donated.   We all counted it a success! 

 

Fred and I like the show Antiques Roadshow.  (I know, what are we, like 72?!?)  Occasionally, Clayton will see it.  Well, during the sale Clayton found a vase.  He is convinced that it is worth some money.  I think he thinks we will show up on Antiques Roadshow to be one of the success stories.  He is so proud of that vase. 
6.  June is going to be a fun month!  We have Vacation Bible School, a trip to Aunt Janice's house, vacation (which will include the beach and a trip to New Orleans), Jack's birthday and a mission trip to Seattle, Washington.  July looks just as exciting! 

I heart summer.

Five on Friday

1.  Fred's sister is graduating from Union this weekend with her Master's Degree in Social Work.  We are so proud of her and her accomplishments over the past two years!  Can't wait to watch her walk the line and begin this new season of her life.
 
2.  Last weekend we went to Nashville to celebrate my precious grandmother's birthday.  She now lives in an assisted living facility, which she refers to as, "the hotel".  She is so happy and well adjusted.  I actually did not cry when we all left.  While we were there I asked her how old she was and she responded with, "I have no idea how old I am.  I'm thinking at least 100."  She is 84. 

 Is this picture not classic?!?  I love these people! 

 I took a cake for her birthday.  She ohhed and ahhed over how beautiful it was and then gasped and said, "I've never had a cake with my name on it.  Look at that."  She is just precious.

 3.  This boy just completed the 3rd grade.  I cannot believe how he's grown in every area of his life.  He continues to amaze me at the way God is working in his life. 

4.  This boy just completed kindergarten.  Kindergarten?!?  I can't believe it!  He is still full of smiles and personality.  Again, I love watching God work in his life.  I know God has big plans for him and I can't wait to see them unfold. 

5.  Andrew lost his night night.  We have looked EVERYWHERE!!!  My mom has offered a $5 reward to the one who finds it.  It has been gone almost a week now.  The precious lady that gave us the blanket brought another one by to help ease his pain.  How sweet, huh?!?  Having said that, we are still looking for, as Andrew calls it, "my old night night". 

Award's Day and Donuts

Tuesday started off with Jack's Award's Day.  He tried his best not to smile.  I think he succeeded.  After the program Ms. Linda gave us a scrapbook that she has compiled throughout the year.  Love that lady!!  We have had the best year!  I told her to hold on and stay at Rhea in kindergarten.  There is one more Shackelford boy coming through!! 

 Wednesday morning was our last full day of school for the boys.  We celebrated with Nene's donuts.  Andrew was a little disappointed because he thought I was saying Mimi, not Nene's.  Then we got donuts and he was satisfied.  Fred met us from the gym.  What a fun tradition! 

 After we dropped off the boys at school we headed to Clayton's Award's Day program.  We were in the back of the auditorium so the picture was dark, but he was precious.  We are so proud of him!  He has had a great year with his precious teacher and new friends. 

We pray each day on the way to school.  It was so encouraging to take them to school on the last day and offer praise to the Lord for bringing us through this year.  I cannot believe I now have a 1st grader and a 4th grader. 

Five on Friday

1.  Fred got our garden planted this week.  Yippee!!  Who has two thumbs and is ready for some fresh tomatoes from our garden?!?   This girl!!
2.  I haven't updated my laundry totals in a while.  January through April has yielded 150 loads.  150 loads of laundry.  I have a new appreciation for my washing machine and dryer.  In fact, each time I pass them I try to speak an encouraging word or two to them.   They are almost 12 years old, after all.
3.  Clayton has a tendency to argue and I try REALLY hard not to engage him, but sometimes, like a moth to a flame, he just sucks me in.  This week he started telling me that the last day of school was Monday.  I knew it was Wednesday and told him so and he would not accept my answer.  He/We continued on for about 10 minutes.  He told me I would owe him a dollar if he was right.  I told him he could me five dollars if I was right.  Guess who won $5?!?  Ahhh, it's feels great to be correct!
4.  Jack was getting ready for school this week and wanted to wear flip flops.  He asked Fred if this was okay and Fred told him to come ask me.  Jack's response was, "Why?  Is mom really the boss here?!?"  bahahaha!!
5.  Andrew and I were singing on day this week while I was working around the house.  In the middle of a song he asked me to hold on and he ran off.  When he came back he had my turkey baster turned upside down and was singing in it as his microphone.  It was precious.  I wanted to take a video, but I knew he would stop as soon as I starting taking the video

Five on Friday

1.  Last weekend sweet Fred stayed home with the boys while I went to a retreat.  As if it was not enough to leave him with all three boys, I got to Linden with both sets of station wagon keys.  Bless him.  He was home with three boys and no car.  He's my hero.  
2.  Several of my friends and I have been working diligently to get a 5K ready for the end of school.  Ahhh, the end of school.  That sounds nice, doesn't it!?!  I digress.  The 5K @ Rhea is May 12th and I am so ready to get it going!  If you would like to participate click here for a registration form.   
3.  Clayton has had TCAP testing this week.  He was pretty pumped about it.  When he got in the car Wednesday he reported to me that he mistakenly bubbled in all of his science answers in the Social Studies section.  I think his teacher about had a stroke.  He got it corrected before the time limit was up.  Clayton thought since his week had been so trying with all the testing we should celebrate with donuts this morning.  I agreed and went to the donut shop around the corner. 
4.  Jack had his kindergarten program this week.  He was a dinosaur.  Actually, he was the big dinosaur on the back row that totally stole my heart.  He had a big audience of people of love him:  Renee, Dale, Tim, Leeta, Mun, Janice and of course all of us.  Thanks to our family who is always supportive.  Mun treated all of us to Jack's favorite meal after the program...Mexican!  See Jack on the back row?  The big, cute dinosaur with the black shirt on?!?

5.  Andrew discovered the water dispenser on our refrigerator this week.  He kept taking his cup to it and filling it up.  He would get a drink and then dump it in the sink.  After about four times, he looked at me and said, "Mom...it's like a water fountain."  Sweet.