Will This Break Last Forever? Maybe.

I have not posted in a while, so I wanted to update you kind readers and share some thoughts. My shoulder is steadily improving! For that I praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayers and your gracious comments. Leslie is nearly back to normal! Her appetite is much improved! Laci is also doing well.
I have been feeling rather "blah" lately. I am wondering if the medicine I'm taking could be causing this. I have been questioning myself as to why in the world I ever started a blog! I often think that I am terribly vain for thinking that anyone would care to read anything that I write! Seriously, very few of you dear readers know me, yet you take the time to read my blog. I want you to know that I appreciate it so much. I appreciate those who do know me for stopping by!You know my faults and shortcomings better than anyone, and yet you check in here and read what I have to say. You are a blessing to me!
I'm burdened right now for several friends who are facing great trials. I am heavy hearted and I sigh a lot. A dear friend has a one month old baby boy who may not live very long. I am heartbroken for her and begging God to turn things around for him. A former Pastor's wife is facing serious treatments for a liver disease she caught from a blood transfusion over thirty years ago. A dear lady in my home church is having a portion of her jaw removed because of a cancerous tumor located there. Her daughter and I went to church and school together most of our lives. Another dear friend is facing great financial stress.
These burdens weigh heavily upon me. Words fail me. Of course, I am taking these to the Lord, but because I am very sensitive, I find it difficult to "move on" and shove it all to the back of my mind. I realize that being sensitive is sometimes good, sometimes bad. It's good because I can feel others' pain, so I'm more likely to pray and help when possible. It's bad when I wear my feelings on my sleeve (which I sometimes do). I have been finding out that, along with kind friends and encouraging words, having a blog also includes having some critics.
I am a nobody. I realize that. I'm so sorry if I have ever posted anything that might have sounded "know it all-ish". One thing I try to do here is be real. I'm being it now, I guess.
I am also terribly sorry for this very jumbled post.

Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting, thank you for caring...

thank you.

News from Us

I finally went to the doctor today for the pain in my shoulder. Dressing, lifting, and even closing a cabinet door were causing me immense pain for ten days. I do not remember injuring my shoulder, but something is causing the pain. I can barely do my hair each morning! My husband told me I needed to see the doctor. I'm in the habit of taking his advice.
The doctor prescribed a very strong anti-inflammatory drug for me, instructed to rest my right arm and apply heat to the area. He said that lifting a heavy toddler and caring for four children could easily strain my shoulder. My right wrist is hurting also. However, resting my right arm, even for a lefty, is going to be challenging. After all, it IS a right handed world! ;) I use my right arm a lot more than I had thought I did! If this treatment doesn't improve my shoulder, I will have to have a cortisone shot, and then possibly an MRI on the area. I humbly request your prayers. I have so much to do with homeschooling and church work and work in general. I decided that whatever the Lord has for me during this trial, I am to going to accept with as much gratitude as I can. I know from experience that every trial only leads me closer to Him and that's exactly where I want to be! I am hoping, however, that I will get there without being in the trial too long! ;) I suppose that's the human side of me talking.
Leslie is almost back to 100%! She is playing and laughing again with no recurring fever. She doesn't have the same old appetite she once had, but she is still on medication, so that might be the reason.
I am not sure about blogging. I am only able to use my husband's laptop because of my shoulder. All of my photos are on our desktop. I have them on CD, so I may be able to place them on here, I'm not sure. It may be a while before I get the kinks worked out. Thank you for continuing to to check in here, despite my irregularity in posting. I know there are a million places - literally - to surf on the Internet. Your stopping by here is much appreciated.

I hope you have a terrific day!

Just an Update...

Hello, friends and neighbors! I just wanted to check in and give you all an update. My arm is improving, praise the Lord! Thank you for your prayers! Laci is doing much better from her sinus infection, so that is a blessing. Leslie, however, is not doing too well. She has not responded to her antibiotics. Her fever has been about 101-102 every day this week. I called our doctor today and the nurse told me that she should have improved by Thursday. She told me to take her to the ER, since his office is closed today.
We just returned from a 2.5 hour stay at the hospital. After checking for everything, they told me she has a severe ear infection. Post nasal drip is causing the sore throat and coughing.
We are now starting a round of stronger antibiotics, as well as a decongestant. I am hoping she will be much improved my Monday!
Thanks for your patience with my blogging break. I hope to be back soon!

Real Life with Lucy...I Mean Valerie!

It began one very hectic Friday evening. Our friends, Jeremy and Amanda Tyler, missionaries to Brazil, were coming to visit us for a few days. I was about to begin preparing supper, a Mexican Lasagna, when I decided to do a quick clean up first. I started picking up things and putting them away, ordering (sweetly of course) that my children do the same. I found several ornaments that had been knocked off of our tree and began putting them back on. That's when I noticed that the cardinal ornament that my Aunt Kathleen gave me had gotten a broken tail. "Super glue!" I thought at once. My Hubby got it for me. Being a "Mrs. Fix It", I quickly spread some on and began holding the tail in place.
Well, you guessed it. I found that I had not only glued the tail on, but also my thumb!

If you are an I Love Lucy fan, then you will recall the episode where Lucy accidentally glues a beard to her face...I sorta felt like that. I am glad, however, that I glued the bird to my thumb and not my face! That would have been worse!

We quickly began trying to remove the poor bird from my really poor thumb. We tried dabbing nail polish remover on the area. Nothing. Terry even tried to use his pocket knife to separate my skin from that bird - but the ringing in his ears from my shrill sceams put a stop to that!

Finally, after a quick web search, we discovered that I would have to soak my thumb in nail polish remover to get the cardinal off of my hand.

Hey, I love cardinals, but not enough to be glued to one.

I hope you get as many laughs from this as we have!



Yep, Valerie glued a cardinal to her thumb. I can now testify personally that super glue lives up to it's name. I could endorse them! ;)

The soaking begins.

And yes, dear friends, we're still soaking!

Finally, after about 20 minutes of soaking and pulling, the cardinal is removed from my poor, sweet, innocent thumb- who was only trying to repair the beautiful ornament! You can't trust wild animals, though. I learned that the hard way! They don't understand when we're trying to help them.

HURRAY!! Laci's happy for me, too.

There was minimal damage done to my thumb. The bird, however, had some paint removed due to his nail polish bath. I went against my usual OCD tendencies and just took red sharpie, colored him in and hung him back on the tree. I think I heard him breath a sigh of relief. Or was that Terry?

I was so busy getting the cardinal off of my thumb that I didn't get to prepare the Mexican Lasagna. Thankfully, we have several good restaurants in Hope. We took the Tyler's out to eat, and I made the lasagna the next night for them.

And, lest you think these "Lucy" moments are rare for me, I'll just share this. When I got ready to make the Lasagna, I realized I'd forgotten the diced tomatoes!

Ah well. Such is my life.

So Much to Praise Him For!

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I am reminded of how much I have for which to be thankful. The Lord meets me every morning at our "spot" and we have such a good time. Some days, I talk more than He does! Other days, I am rendered speechless as I soak up His Word, or as I sit quietly and let the Holy Spirit intercede for me. (Romans 8:26)

As I look back across my life of 30 years, I see how His hand guided me and comforted me. You've already heard more than you would probably like about my Dad's homegoing. You've heard how devastating the loss was for me. But my heavenly Father was there, all the time. He cared. He comforted. There was another tragedy in my family that happened two years after Dad's death. It was a deep wound to me, my husband and children that I won't soon forget. The Lord's comforting hand was there again. He saw my tears. He felt my anguish. He proved Himself faithful again. We have been serving in full time ministry for three years, but we have always been at least part time in the Lord's work for our entire eleven year marriage. We have faced job loss (more than once), financial reversal and stress, sickness and hospital bills and even threats on our lives. Through it all, He was faithful. He never failed me. Ever.
The Lord has not only seen us through hardships, but he has also lovingly blessed and rewarded us far more than we deserve or expect. We moved, rather suddenly, here to Hope last May. The church is letting us use a very nice parsonage. It's the nicest house we've ever lived in. Not only that, but my husband and I both agree that it is exactly what we would look for in a home that we wanted to buy, if we ever had the opportunity to buy one. The church put in a new stove before we moved in and the oven has a delay timer. You can pre-set it to come on at a certain time. I've always wanted an oven like that! They put in a new washer and dryer for us because before we moved, mine had "bitten the dust"! :) In October, the ladies of the church came to me and told me that the church wanted to buy me a new dining room table. My old one had been handed down to me by some family members. I had repainted it every time we added a child. It only had four chairs with it, so we used folding chairs to get us all around it. The men of the church handed me a check and said "Go pick one out that has enough chairs for your whole family." What a blessing! I don't believe any of this is a coincidence. I believe God blesses His people. These blessings are too specific for them to "just happen". God knows us. He knows how to show love better than any human can!
He also provides for His people. We've never missed a meal. Not because we've always had a full pantry, but because God has always provided what we need.
I have lived very far away from family at different times in my life. Each time the Lord gives me a friend, or many friends. He also enables me to get to see my loved ones. Three weeks ago I found out that my older brother, who pastors in Florida, would be coming for Thanksgiving! I haven't seen his family in two years! Not only that, but my sister is coming this week, also! That is just another of God's many blessings. I love my family so much. I'm so thankful to be able to see them again.

I am not as faithful to the Lord as I need to be. I fail Him often. I am happy to tell my church family that I make lots of mistakes. I want to be honest, and real, with others. The Christian life isn't always a time of reaping blessings, but there are benefits every day. (Psalm 68:19) I am thankful that even though I do fail my Lord, He is merciful and loving to me. Even when He must correct me, He does it with love.
I could go on and on praising the the Lord for his goodness to me. I am so unworthy!
Whatever may happen, I have a reason to praise the Lord. I praise Him in the midst of trial because He is in the trial right along with me. He stands beside me. I praise Him in times of blessing because, truly, all blessings come from His hand. As an old song says, "I have so much to Praise Him for!"
Indeed, I do.

Simple Pleasures

My family is rather strange. Yes, we admit it. We are unique; independent. Weird, okay? My family is weird. Putting a fancy word on it doesn't change the result. We don't go mixed swimming, we don't go to dances or the like and we don't go to movies. See? I told you we were weird! Instead, we enjoy "homebody" things. We like talking together, playing games together and of course, eating together! ☺ Since we will be out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to do something special a little early just for the six of us. I am cooking our Thanksgiving meal tonight!! I enjoy doing things for my family. I only wish I could "go all out" every night for them!
There is one movie that I enjoy watching at this time every year, but I haven't been able to see it in quite a while. I first watched it with my Mom and Dad when I was about 14 years old or so. We all enjoyed it immensely. I had once owned it on VHS, but alas, the tape finally bit the dust. That was about four years ago! I had mentioned to my husband that I had seen this very movie for sale on Amazon.com, but it was almost $20!! I was hoping to save up and buy it for myself at some point.
Well, two days ago, as I was planning things for our family dinner, Terry told me that he ordered my movie! In fact, it wasn't just the movie I had wanted, but it was an entire set! He had found a set of movies that was a better deal. Yippee! I have been eagerly watching for the UPS truck to stop by ever since. I have told the children that after our family meal, we'll pull out "my favorite Thanksgiving movie" and watch it together. They have been grilling me for the title since then, but I wouldn't give in...till today! That's right, I just warmly greeted my UPS lady and received my special gift!!

Here's a hint: DORIS DAY!!! Don'tcha just love Doris Day?? ♥

This is the cover of the entire set which consists of seven movies!

Here they are!! The titles are as follows: Romance on the High Seas; My Dream is Yours; I'll See You In My Dreams (biographical movie of Gus Kahn, the man who composed such hits as "It Had to Be You"; "Pretty Baby" and "Carolina in the Mornin'"); On Moonlight Bay; By the Light of the Silvery Moon; Lucky Me

Can you figure out which one we'll be watching?

Here it is!

This is such a touching story. It is inspired by Booth Tarkington's Penrod stories. I love the way it makes you feel afterwards. It doesn't leave you depressed and "blah" the way some newer movies do. It makes you feel good. It makes you want to have a close-knit family.

Here's the sequel! It is equally good!

And here's the man who made it possible!

My husband and I do not have many material possessions. The ones we do have are not as precious to us as our children. Our dear children are eternal possessions! You can't get better than that! Recently in a sermon, my husband said he couldn't think of anything that he wouldn't give up to help one of his children stay close to God. Some would say we're anti-social. Some would say that because we homeschool and refrain from certain practices, that we are trying to shelter our children too much. We disagree. They see plenty of the outside world as we go soulwinning, as we interact with people in businesses, and in their homes, and so forth. Someday they will be able to go out and forge their own path in the world. Our desire is to prepare them for that day, and then be here when they need us. You would never see our U.S. Military sending a new recruit to Iraq without his first having finished Basic Training! No way! The first thing a soldier learns is how to fight and how to have the highest chance of survival. That's what we're doing with our "new recruits". We're training them rigorously in God's Word and by example. We're trying to teach them the way to have the highest chance of survival in the world.

I'm thankful for my close-knit family. I'm thankful for the simple pleasures.

To The World's Best Mom ~

Today, my Mother, Carolyn Courtney, has a birthday! I love the way her birthday is October 10. I've always loved that. Her birthday is 10-10. It's so ordered and alliterated, if numbers can be alliterated. It defines who she is perfectly. She is orderly, neat and complete! Even her birthday bespeaks that about her.
I've written about my Mom before here and here, but I could write many more posts about her and still never tell you all of her wonderful attributes.
My Mother knows no "excuses". I've seen many folks stop various ministries, or not try to serve the Lord at all, because of weaker excuses than my Mom could come up with. I've known people who don't go soul winning because they are tired. My Mom has gone every Tuesday night, after teaching school or working as an Elementary principal all day long. I remember that she didn't make homemade biscuits or prepare fresh baked apple pies, because she used her time and energy to go out and witness for Jesus. Sometimes, she would buy clothes for a needy lady in our church. Every week, she and my Dad would prepare a sack of food and a note with a little money included and leave it outside my Pastor's office door on Sunday mornings. My Mother has continued this loving gesture for Bro. Graham even now that Dad's in Heaven. I remember my parents both memorizing this little poem. They recited it at breakfast many days, and I learned it too! It says: "It's not what you'd do with a million, if riches should e'er be your lot. It's what you're doing at present, with the dollar and quarter you've got." My Mom and Dad tried to use their "dollar and quarter" for the Lord, and for others. It has reaped them many heavenly dividends.
My Mom and Dad took a two mile walk together every morning at about 6:00. My Mother still rises early each day and walks her two miles, even though she walks alone. The reason she continues serving and walking alone, is because, in fact, she is not alone. My Saviour, whom she and Dad introduced to me years ago by living just like Him, is walking with her. While Dad had to move on to Heaven first, we know we will see him again someday. In the meantime, Jesus has promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). He will continue walking with Mom, and with me, until we see Him face to face.
If you don't know for sure that you will be Heaven someday, please settle that question today. Click here for a video message that can clear up any doubts you may have about attaining salvation. This is what my Mom and my whole family live for.

Happy birthday, Mom! Thank you for walking faithfully through the trials of life. You are my inspiration when I get low. Thinking of you keeps me going when I would rather quit. I am so blessed to have been included in the Courtney family.

Happy Birthday to a Great Guy

I want to wish my nephew, David Allen Pledger, a wonderful 11th birthday today!!! I can't believe he is eleven years old. I was only eleven myself when I became an Aunt for the first time. For about 9 years, I was a professional Aunt. I had no younger siblings, but I had two nephews and a niece before David Allen was born. When he was only three months old, I was married. When he was two, I had my first child. I can remember how sweetly he would play on the floor. I remember not wanting to put him, or any of my nephews or niece, down! I wanted to hold them constantly! :) I enjoyed being the babysitter!

Time is flying by, and I am so thankful for every moment I've been able to be a part of your life, David Allen. I hate that we are separated by so many miles and mountains! I'm so thankful that we are saved, for one day, there will be no more separation!

Have a wonderful birthday today, and eat some cake for me, too!

Love,

Aunt Valerie :)

PS I miss you guys so much!!!!

Enjoy these photos taken this past summer in beautiful North Carolina.

This one is kinda blurry. He's speeding by me, and I think he's giving me the "peace" sign. Is that what it is? Or maybe he was doing a "V" for his wonderful Aunt Valerie!! Or maybe that's how many laps he'd taken. Hmmm. Whatever it is, it's cute!! :)

We Didn't Like Ike

Along with posting stories from my past, devotional thoughts, and photos of the family here on my blog, I also want to keep you abreast of the latest news in our fair city. Recently, we, along with millions others, were visited by Hurricane Ike. Needless to say, we could have done without that visit! We are thankful that no one here was injured or without power for very long. The Lord was very good to us. We did have some minor damage to trees. In fact, I was surprised at how many, and how large, some of the tree limbs were that fell. I thought you might like a peek at some of the damage in our yard.
We all went out and pitched in cleaning up. The city graciously comes by and picks up and limbs, leaves, etc. and hauls them away for us at no extra charge!! I started out helping, but then I got a little carried away taking pictures of the others helping. I know this was invaluable to them. Of course they wanted photos of their own labor! And I was there to meet this need! I was there cheering them on and encouraging them to bend the knees to protect the back while lifting. Like I said, I was a great asset that day! :)

This limb was the largest one that fell. Only the Lord stopped it from landing on our trampoline, or worse, our children! I saw the rain and wind coming like a troop, drenching all that was in it's path. Our kids, and some neighbor friends were out on our trampoline. I ran out on the back porch and ordered our kids inside, and to hurry!! They scampered inside, as quickly as possible. My little Leslie was the last one in, and was pretty wet. Just then, this giant branch fell to the ground where my little ones had just been. The Lord was so good to us!
A better view. Not sure where that bucket came from. I think it was on our porch. Hmmm.

While I was busy outside picking up limbs, snapping photos and being a great help to my husband, Laci sweetly stood at our front door watching...and enjoying smashing her face against the glass!!
Great job, guys! I gave them the wonderful idea of using the wagon! I told you that I was a great help!! ;)

Go, Lauren, GO!!

Wow, Mitch, you're strong!! Keep up the good work!
Terry is under there. He's asking me to put down the camera and help out. He didn't realize what a great help I was already being by preserving these moments for all our posterity to enjoy.
Teamwork. It warms a Mom's heart! :) This experience is also teaching my children an excellent work ethic.
Our limb pile by the street is growing!!

Whew. I'm worn out. I think I'll go get a glass of tea and put my feet up. Child rearing is hard work.

Can It Be?

Today, our precious Lauren turns nine years old. I really can't believe that my time raising her is halfway over. It brings tears to my eyes. I've tried so hard to be the right kind of Mother to her. She is strong willed, but, so am I. My home pastor, Bro. Ken Graham, always taught us that we should break the will, but not the spirit. I don't want to break my daughter's spirit. I fear that I have come close at times.
There have been days when I have lost my temper, shouted or sounded extremely irritated with her. I have gone to ask her forgiveness when this happens. I want to teach her that we all fail, but when we do, we should make it right. I hate that I fail. I am so worried I will ruin my children. I bathe my children in prayer whenever I think about them.
The desire of my heart is that my children grow to love the Lord. I want him to be real to them. I want them to serve the Lord because they know Him for themselves, not just because "that's what Mom and Dad did." I want it to be personal.
The only way for me to accomplish this is through the power of the Holy Spirit. Only God can do the true work on their hearts - from the inside, to the outside.

Lauren has already had to face some struggles in her life, but even so, she has a tender heart. She stood proudly in our Sunday night service to give her salvation testimony. I am so thankful that she isn't afraid to tell the church and her friends what Jesus did for her!
I'm not the perfect parent (Oh! How I long to be!) But Jesus is the perfect Savior. I pray He will do the work in her life that only He can. Now, I must go dry my tears. I hope you enjoy a look back on our sweet Lauren Kassidy.

Happy Birthday, Lauren. I sure do love you. I don't deserve to even be a Mother. I am so thankful that God is merciful and gave what I didn't deserve.
I am so very proud of you.

Vacation Journal: Part Three

On July 26, Melanie and I had made plans to go to Olive Garden with two of her friends. I'd already heard many nice things about Angie and Wendy, but it was so nice to put a face with the name. Right as the server was bringing our salad, Mel's cell phone rang. It was her husband, Walter. He called to tell us that Stephen broke his leg while jumping on the trampoline, and it looked bad. We didn't know what to do. Leave right then and go to the hospital, or stay and eat and then go?? Well, we finished our meal, but it was definitely a meal shrouded in fear. At one point, Walter called to say the doctors had said Stephen might need surgery. We praise the Lord that he didn't. He got a cast, and some heavy pain medication and was able to go home.
I hope to one day get to return to Mayberry...er, oh, I mean, Winston-Salem and visit with Melanie and her friends again. Maybe next time I won't take my little ducklings along!

Thank you for visiting with us, Angie and Wendy! It was so nice to finally meet you!

July 27 was Sunday. We were able to attend Gospel Light Baptist with Melanie. (Walter had to stay with Stephen) We were privileged to hear Melanie's Pastor, Bobby Roberson preach the morning service. He preached a wonderful message! I really admire that man! He's so humble, so genuine! I will be posting more about that soon. Sunday afternoon we went home and the kids played in Melanie's gorgeous backyard! I used to be so jealous of North Carolinians when I lived in Texas. But now I live in Arkansas!

Below are some random photos from the day:

While in North Carolina, we discovered that Leslie loves to swing!
Oh, and she never stops talking either. But, we already knew that she loved to talk, so that was no surprise. She takes after her Dad in that respect. He just talks and talks and talks...;] Yeah, right! :]
Here's our little invalid. At least he's smiling...that's a good sign! He has a smaller cast now, but I bet it's still a pain. :[

Here's Terry's "artwork" on Stephen's cast. I thought it was so cute. But, I am a little biased. :]

Well, I'm still not done chronicling my vacation. I hope you're not bored to death. This is all I have time to post right now, but no worries! I shall return! :]

Hurray! We Survived Our First Week!

Our first week of school went quite well, actually.I was pleased that both the kids retained some of what we learned last year! ;] I am sooo happy to be schooling Lauren myself this year. It was really hard keeping up with her and my other kids while she watched the DVDs. I know she wasn't giving it 100% when we were not in the room with her. It's great knowing what she's up to all the time! And, the best part, is that we've been finishing up in about 3 hours. It took her five hours with the DVDs, and sometimes more. It's nice not having to "wait" on the other kids on the DVD. I finally feel more relaxed about school too. I am somewhat of a perfectionist, and that was true for my homeschooling technique too. Every problem, every question, every page needed to be done. This year, I've decided that if I'm convinced she understands the concept at hand, then we'll move on. I have let her choose what subjects to do when. (Except for Arithmetic, I insist that it will be first each day, while we're fresh.) If she doesn't like the way we review or drill something, then I let her come up with a better idea. It's really helped her attitude, and mine, quite a bit!
Mitchell has done well also. He is definitely hyper-active. He is also definitely a kinesthetic learner (he learns best by moving or doing) . I am so thankful he is not in a Christian school! He would get in so much trouble for moving, and he would get bored. Homeschooling him gives me the ability to keep him moving along and working fast. We counted to 100 by lying on the floor and twisting back and forth for each number. No, that wasn't my idea. It was his. He had fun and did his numbers perfectly. He would have never been able to that in a classroom setting.
We had several interruptions throughout our days, but I'm trying to take them in stride. I could tell I was a bit tense this first week; anxious about how it was all going to play out. By supper time, I was really tired. Getting dinner for six people wasn't exactly what I wanted to do. Or laundry. Or bathe kids. But then, those are never my ideas for fun even when I haven't been homeschooling. :]
It was hard on the kids to see their neighbor friends playing outside this past week. The schools here in Hope don't start until this coming Monday. I wanted to get a head start though, because you never know what may come up during the school year. I already know that we have a revival scheduled in October, so I'll want some time off then. I really enjoy being flexible.
I want to say thank you to those of you who shared your reasons for homeschooling with me! I agree with you all!
Oh, and one more thing! I've added music to my blog! If it annoys you, you can stop it by just clicking the stop button on my playlist.

Have a wonderful week!

Vacation Journal: Part Two

On Friday, July 25, Melanie and I took the older kids to the SciWorks Museum in Winston-Salem. Terry stayed at Melanie's house with Laci.Walter slept that day because he is on third shift at the plant he works at. Originally, Leslie was supposed to stay home too, but she asked so sweetly about going that I said she could go too. Melanie bought us lunch at McDonald's and brought it over to the museum so we could eat in the cafeteria at SciWorks. McDonald's put our food in the world's largest McDonald's bag! I should've taken a picture! You wouldn't believe it! Others in the cafeteria were staring at our huge McDonald's bag. I kid you not. While I was eating, I sat and looked at that bag and got so tickled I could barely eat. But only for a minute or two. I don't let much stand in the way of me and a cheeseburger, even an enormous McDonald's bag.
The kids had a great time. FINALLY, here are some photos! :]

I just love these pictures! My three little astronauts!

Leslie enjoyed the golf. She and Stephen and Mitchell also loved the play room. They had a toy cash register and small groceries. They played there a long time.
Don't let it eat you!
Whew. I'm glad I have a strong nephew and daughter! That was close!
Here we are in the planetarium waiting on the show, which was so interesting, by the way. The man let everyone hold a meteorite.

One thing Lauren couldn't wait to do at Aunt Melanie's was ride the boy's go-cart. She had so much fun...and so did a few other people! :]

"Can I please have a turn, Dad?"
"Thanks!"

Even Terry got a turn on the go-cart. No, I didn't give it a whirl. Though I seriously considered it.

Well, I better get started on the day. Thanks for stopping by...there's more to come!