CALEDONIA DAY!

This next weekend promises to be a fun one. House full of family, including those two seet babies, Gracie and Nathan, and who can forget Caledonia Day?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yep, Today is Mom's Birthday! We believe she's Still "GOT IT"!!! Check out this photo from a few years back. Mom, we all love you very much and hope your day is great!

Georgia Aquarium

Hey there, I hope everybody is having a great Saturday. I know that Laura, Jay and Deb and Ken are all unpacking today and tomorrow. That's so much fun, I really wish I was there :) Mom and Jan are recovering from a week visit by Jeanie -- not that Jeanie wore them out, but, they definitely played more games and stayed on the run all week. Meanwhile, I'm doing house work - cleaning, dusting, vacuuming and trying to watch some football. Last weekend Matthew and I went to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. It was really cool here are some pictures:

Prayer

Pray.

Remembering

Wow, it's hard to believe that the years have gone by so fast. I've missed dad just about every day of those past few years. I've tried to put the memores of Dad into one box in my mind and have tried to see if I could find one word to explain who my dad was... that has been very unsuccessful!! I think of the things he told us over the years, the advice, the love he gave, the hard work to provide for his family, his faith in God, and his amazing ability to get along with just about everybody and I realize that 1,000 words would not explain who my dad was. He had such a simple way of living - -work hard, love his family and provide, but what he actually left us was way more than that!!! Not a week goes by when one of his sayings, or some of his advice, pops into my head and makes me smile. The memories keep getting sweeter as the years go by. I realize this is rambling some, but, these are the things I'm thinking about on this special day. Speaking of memories, Here's one of my favorite memories of dad and our family:

Family

Well, we made the trek to Vicksburg to see little Gracie. (well, and Becky, Jim, Laura, Ken, Josh and Nathan too of course). The trip was a quick one but was well worth the drive. Gracie is barely two weeks old and is so sweet !!! She just wanted to sleep and sleep. It was really emotional seeing Great Grandmother and Grandmother hold her. That little life with all that potential ahead of her. There's something very special about when the grandmoms get to hold their grand babies and great grand babies. Nathan was a big ole charmer. He's so funny and just had the biggest amazement at every part of life. He was always so amazed at everything that happened. And that heart-warming smile!!! very adorable! It was a great weekend (well, a great 24 hours). Enjoy some of these great poses:

Be sure to click on the photos for a full screen view:

Oivia Grace Dennis Arrives

Welcome Gracie!!

Hot August Day...

Hey family! As we really enter the dog days of summer, the temperature is in the 90's, Mom knows that better than any of us right? But this year hasn't been quite as bad as last year. Remember the four or five days in a row of over 100 degree temperatures last year? and, I already see a sign of relief. My dogwood tree just off of my front porch is always the first to start changing colors. I think it's because it doesn't get enough water in the spot that it's located and it starts changing colors way before I think it should.

Josh has returned from his english teaching mission in China. It was an incredible journey for him and the kids were so sweet. Josh, we are glad you are home and in time for Gracie's arrival too!

Finding Joy in Life

I found this great video about Finding Joy, and thought I'd share. (Since we're all expecing a little bundle of joy this week!!!).
Just click the photo below to watch the video - turn on your speakers!

Hope you like it.

Becky, Get Ready!

Wow, time really does fly doesn't it? Grandmother, remember this picture -- and how we all flew up to see Becky!!!

Dad has some nice sideburns didn't he?

Nathan Enjoying The Swing!

Thanks Laura of this great video. Just as we suspected, Nathan is already a star!!!

As Laura, Jay and Nate keep traveling back and forth from Kentucky/Canada and soon Japan!!!, we just keep waiting for more photos of that baby! Thanks for the video Laura! Becky, better get ready! Time is flying by! ;)

Blog

Well, Time sure flies. Since the last post on this blog alot has happened. The passing of one of our favorite Uncles, and brother in laws was really rough to deal with. Joe was such a great person and I know that I for one will always think of Unlce Joe and his personality and "Style".

I hope that Jeanie is doing ok - I can't relate to exactly what she's going through, but, I can imagine it's pretty lonely and will be for a while. Mom can shed some light on that I'm sure, can't you mom. But, thank God that we are a faithful family and that we all know that live is presious and that we should live each day as if it were our last. Why groan and moan about ourselves, when we know that God is in control and He has given us this life to enjoy. So be happy. Push through your struggles and you'll enjoy life much more!! I've been thinking that I've really been too busy at work lately. Not sure how to change that but, the days are going so fast, I barely have time to enjoy them. I'm going to work on that. And tell the folks you love that you love them -- yes, family members, but, also your friends, neighbors, etc. Everyone needs to know that they're loved.

Well, that's the post for today, I'm going to try to keep this blog rolling -- Watch soon for a Gracie Countdown!!!

Faith

As all of our thoughts and prayers go to Joe and Jeanie during this tough time, I got to thinking about faith. Can you imagine the faith that it takes to get through situations like this? Some of you know what that's like. When it comes to trusting in Jesus and just pure faith and believing that God will take care of you, that can really be tough sometimes. I tend to be moved more by music in times like this and there are a few songs that I've been listening to that really get the point across of faith and trust and what's really important in this ole life. I've uploaded them here for you to listen to.

I especially like the Hold Me Jesus song and the lyrics:

"Hold Me Jesus, cause I'm shaking like a leaf,
you have been my King of Glory, come and be my Prince of Peace!"

I can just imagine that feeling of being terrified and needing that peace that only God can provide. When our loved ones are going through situations like the one that Jeanie and Joe are now, it helps us learn to lean on God.

Anyways, here is one of those songs for you to listen to:

Workday in Columbus

Well, we finally all made it over to Columbus to plant some flowers and clean up the beds some around Mom's house. HEre are a few photos: