Under the Sea...

We got up early this morning and headed to Atlanta. Jeff had some time booked with Walter Brueggemann, and we also hit the largest aquarium in the world while we were in town.
During Jeffs visit with Walter the girls and I played at a park and spent some time in the library. After a picnic snack at the park and lunch in the van, we headed to the aquarium. Good times.
Here's some pic's.

Picnic snack in the park...



Lunch in the van...



The Atlanta Aquarium...



Hanging out in the penguin's tunnel...



"Touch Pools" with baby sharks and sting rays...





Probably our favorite exhibit...

Botanical Gardens...

Just wanted to share a few pictures of our weekend with Jeff's parents and his brother Mike. We of course took them on a tour of the Samford campus and then spent some time at the Botanical Gardens. They are huge and totally beautiful. I'm glad we headed out early because it was a scorcher!

Memorial Day Thoughts....

Living in the States at this time in history has been quite disheartening for Jeff and I. After some time of trying to put down my thoughts on the war, on the fact that even Christians pledge allegience to a flag, on patriotism and politics, I quit!! Everything I wrote sounded arrogant and I hate that. So, Jeff has attempted to blog our thoughts, questions and ramblings on his blog. Check them out here if you care to.

As for my tribute to Memorial Day I'll share a poem written by Carly, a sister who lost a brother in this most recent war, and a couple of verses, written by the person that wrote Chronicles, that I have prayed for years regarding this nation.

Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done.
They call him a hero, you should be glad that he's one, but,
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son.

Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
They say he must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies.
The only thing he allows himself are long, deep sighs.
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries.

Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say he died so the flag will continue to wave.
But I believe he died because they had oil to save.
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?

Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?
Our leaders want to keept you numb, so the pain won't be so deep.
But if we the people let them continue, another mother will weep.
Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?

II Chronicles 7:14.

If my people who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and
heal their land.

May God have mercy on us. Ang

Our Toothless Wonder...

Bethany has been keeping the tooth fairy very busy since we've come to Alabama! While we won't be leaving our hearts in Alabama, Bethany has left a few teeth. We think she's just trying to take advantage of the exchange rate while she has the chance!

Madison's 11th Birthday...

This past week has been a very exciting one! School officially ended for the girls last Thursday, and we celebrated Maddie's birthday. Jeff's parents came for a few days from N.C. and that made it a very special birthday for her. Here's some pic's of the special day.

Maddie opened her gifts from the Nickersons during breakfast. This is the card from Caris. Both her and Phoebe made the most beautiful cards.



Maddie's fine choice of cake....7 lbs. of solid chocolate...dreamy...my friend R.K. should be drooling!



Gifts from Mamaw and Papaw...





Our sweet 11 year old...

Knoxville Whirlwind...

Last Friday we took the girls out of school early (I know, poor things, I'm sure they'll need some counseling now!) and made the four hour drive to see lots of family and enjoy some very special moments. Bethany's class had a picnic in the morning so we left after she had some fun there.





The minute we pulled into Knoxville we celebrated the graduation of our beautiful niece Hannah. She is thrilled to be done and left yesterday for Cairo to have a special graduation with her friends there.




Uncle Kenny, Auntie Marie, Papaw and Mamaw...



After the grad party we headed out to camp for the weekend with my parents in Uncle Greg and Auntie Kelly's camper. We did the typical smore making, marshmallow burning, bacon frying, ball playing, barely sleeping, good time having camping!! The camper is very sweet, we were "roughing it" in style!!

How many Canadians does it take.....





Tucking in...






Grandma recruits some helpers...actually, not to be rude, and I almost hate to point it out but do you notice the little yellow box in the right lower corner?? How much help does Grandma really need when making pancakes for her grandchildren with Bisquick?? A mix??
She may want me to point out the she has never used a mix before, but that's just what she says!!











Saturday was spent hanging out, eating BBQ (a typical Southern meal that is basically meat cooked for a really long time, sauced up and shredded! Delicious.) In the evening we went to watch our nephew Tyler play baseball. I may be a proud Auntie and a wee bit biased but he really is an amazing player. He's the best hitter on the team, consistently whacks the ball and is the cutest catcher I've seen. I found myself literally jumping up and down and cheering every time he hit. A little Auntie excitement I guess.

The proud Grandparents...








"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." (Proverbs 17:6)


Just had to include this last one. Tyler is just the right height to tuck under my chin when I hug him. We're a perfect fit and I love it. I wanted to get this picture before he grew another inch!


Finally, on Sunday morning we went to church with Uncle Mike and Auntie Steph. The best part of the morning for both of us was participating in a Sunday School class taught by Mike. He's a very gifted teacher, (and humble to boot!) and we wish we could attend all his classes.

Happy Anniversary to us and Reid, Cyndi and the Mansfields...

We've had an amazing 15th anniversary! Mike and Hannah came over yesterday from Knoxville and it was great to visit them. Jeff and Mike went to see the beautiful Chapel at Samford this morning and then Mike took us out for lunch. This evening the kids had Awana (kids club) at church so Jeff and I went out for Mexican, and I do mean, MEXICAN!!! I almost teared up because it was soooo authentic and brought back so many great memories of our time in Mexico.

Church and lunch with the Millers....

Happy Mother's Day!!! It's been a bit of a marathon Mother's Day for me with a whole weekend extravaganza!! We decided to have the official "day" yesterday because we were spending today with Calvin Miller and his wife Barbara. We went to church together this morning and then spent the afternoon at their beautiful home, eating lunch, touring their gardens and visiting. They are just darn nice and I'm hoping for a house next to them in heaven.

Jeff with Calvin, Barbara and a book that Calvin gave him...



Enjoying the garden, and Calvin too....







Signed books for the girls from Calvin...