Wordless Wednesday

Multitude Monday

121.  My daddy...so thankful that he came to know the Lord in the last years of his life...I miss you, Daddy.

122.  Paul, a loving husband and father!

123.  The little boys picked flowers for me!

124.  Safe travel for Lauren, Paul, and the older boys this weekend!

125.  So thankful that the van's air is working once again!

126.  My younger boys surprised me by making my bed...sooooo sweet!

127.  An afternoon at the theater....cute movie!

 128.  A visit via phone with my niece and Megan during the week...nice to catch up!

129.   A weekend with the little guys...they waited patiently while I was getting my hair done and then on to shopping!  We enjoyed game time when we finally got back home!

130.  Lightning bugs...they bring back wonderful memories!

Happy Father's Day!

 When I think of my daddy, the word strength comes to my mind.  It was not by means of stature that provided this strength; for he would not be considered a big man.  But he was a strong man, a protector, provider, and defender.  He did not have to express in words...it was by his actions that proved it true.  I am thankful for all that he did for me and I honor his memory today...how I wish I could say these words to him.  I love you Daddy!

My husband also brings the word strength to my mind...and his stature brings it to those around him as well.  But it's not because of his height or size that I think of strength...it is Christ within him.  He exhibits the love of Christ in our home and there is nothing on earth stronger than that!  I am so thankful for you, Paul!  Happy Father's Day!  

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.      Ephesians 6:4

Oh God, who art our Father, take my human fatherhood and bless it with thy Spirit.  Le me not fail this little son of mine.  Help me to know what thou wouldst make of him, and use me to help and bless him.  Make me loving and understanding, cheerful and patient and sensitive to all his needs, so that he may trust me enough to come close to me and let me come very close to him.  Make me ashamed to demand of him what I do not demand of myself; but help me more and more to try to be the kind of man that he might pattern after.  And this I ask in the name and by the grace of Christ.

 Walter Russell Bowie

What gift has Providence bestowed on man that is so dear to him as his children?

  Cicero

Douglas Macarthur: By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder – infinitely prouder – to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle field but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, 'Our Father who art in Heaven.' 

Anonymous: Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. 

For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison.
Theodore Roosevelt

May God bless all the Fathers today! 

Multitude Monday

111.  Being welcomed back home by many smiling faces and hearing about their adventures!

112.  Lauren and the boys for taking good care of the younger ones while we were away!

113.  Andrew who took his two little brothers on a few errands...how they love going with him!

114.  My hydrangeas are blooming...I started with a cutting from mama's bush so every time I look out my back window, I think of her!

115.  Cowboy boots...and the little boy that loves to wear them!

116.  Living in the south...AIR CONDITIONING!!!

117.  Answered prayers for a friend...so wonderful to see what God is doing!

118.  Movie night...we love Roy Rogers!

119.  Iced Tea with lemon....mmmmm!

120.  Plenty of help with my Sams run on Friday!

Wordless Wednesday

Vicksburg...Anchuca Tour

Monday...our last day in Vicksburg!  I really could have spent a few more days touring the beautiful antebellum homes but we needed to get back home today.  We did manage to squeeze a couple of stops in before we left Vicksburg.

Anchuca (1830), a Choctaw word meaning "happy home," was first on our list...we ate brunch here on Sunday but were unable to tour the home.  I'm so glad that we took the morning to go back over there!  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Greek Revival landmark represents the first of the columned mansions built in Vicksburg and was the last home of wealthy planter Joseph E. Davis, brother of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy.

The balcony was the site where Jefferson Davis greeted neighbors and friends while visiting his brother in 1869.

Next we visited the Vicksburg Battlefield Museum which houses the Gray & Blue Naval Society.

Vicksburg will be a future field trip for our boys....there are so many more things to see here!

Multitude Monday

101.  Paul's birthday...we love you!

102.  Paul & Ethan's week at Teen Pact N.C...how the Holy Spirit moved during the week.

103.  Movie week with the gang...I finally talked the boys into watching this wonderful series!



104.  A wonderful day out with Lauren and the boys!

105.  Freedom...and for those who paid the ultimate price to secure it for all of us!

106.  The way our older guys look out for our little guys... :)

107.  Our anniversary...I thought Paul had forgotten when he drove off for work...he came back 30 minutes later to bring these...

108.  A wonderful anniversary weekend trip...much needed!


 

109.  Nature...we spotted this killdeer protecting her eggs at our local Wal Mart!  The boys were excited to see how the mama protected those eggs!  Can you spot the eggs among the rocks?

110.  Lauren's birthday...we love you!!

Multitude Monday

(This is my list from last week that would not post due to technical difficulties)

91.  My faithful, hard-working husband, Paul!

92.  My children...God has taught me so much through them!

93.  My parents who have gone on before me...looking forward to seeing them again one day!

94.  The babies who we will meet in heaven...I can't wait to see you!

95.  My brothers and sisters...and for the ones that have gone on before us.

96.  My Aunt Vida,(called Vidy) also in heaven...you were a grandmother to me and I can't wait to see you again!

97.  Sunday School teachers, school teachers, and many others in our community who challenged me, prayed for me, contended with my endless questions, and told on me every chance they got!!!

98.  A few hours spent with a friend in need...and knowing that she will be there for me as well!

99.  Magnolia trees...I just love them!

100.  Laughter...it truly is the best medicine!

Sunday in Vicksburg

I can't believe it is already Sunday!  Wow...our anniversary weekend is passing by way to fast.  We slept in this morning...perhaps because we have been staying up late talking or watching movies.  Our day began with brunch at Cafe' Anchuca....simply elegant!  There was a formal luncheon at the mansion today so we'll have to go back tomorrow to tour the home...I can't wait!

Christ Episcopal Church (1839)  During the siege of 1863, the Rev. W.W. Lord conducted daily services in spite of the shellings.  It features two Tiffany stained-glass windows.  We didn't get to take a peek inside...maybe next time!

The view around the church...

Next... time for a little refreshment...so we headed to the Biedenharn Museum of Coca-Cola Memorabilia (1890)  Coca-Cola was first bottled here in 1894.

Our final tour of the day was at the Old Court House Museum (1858-1860)  It is a beautiful antebellum structure which houses thousands of artifacts ranging from pre-Columbian implements, Civil War artifacts and beyond.

The lovely dress on the right was worn by a local Vicksburg lady during the siege.