Bon Fet, Jamalyn!

Jamalyn celebrated her 40th birthday last week with Dave and the kids before Dave left for a week in Haiti. Such a cute family!

She continued the celebration with pedis, before bringing her friends Buffy and Mary to the lake for an overnight.

I had a few decorations to make things a little more festive.

The banners went up on Thursday...

with the Jamalyn heads added for a Friday morning greeting.

Since Dave was gone all week doing God's work in Haiti, Jamalyn invited friends to join her at the lake any time during the four day birthday extravaganza. Buffy and Mary left Thursday morning, and Jessica arrived Thursday evening. The three of us then made the trek down to Nashville to enjoy a meal at Big Woods Pizza.

We took a walk around town after dinner, and found a wood carving shop with this motorcycle outside.

Much safer than the motos in Haiti!

Jamalyn's smiling face turned up all around the lake house.

Bon Fet, Jamalyn!

Jamalyn posted this photo on Friday morning with the hashtag #40aintsobad. Her theme for the week (month).

The morning was MOST exciting when we got all set up with computers, phones, and iPad to attempt to secure tickets to see Jimmy Fallon in NYC. Jamalyn and Jess have tried before, unsuccessfully, and we hoped that the birthday/lake/multiple computer method would be the ticket (literally).

We ended up moving inside where the internet signal was stronger, and then the real excitement began. We all connected to the 'in queue' page for Tonight Show tickets, but only JAMALYN received the 'order tickets' page from there. So. Very. Exciting. Jim was on a conference call trying to concentrate while all heck was breaking loose inside. We even have video documentation of Jamalyn's excitement as she "agreed to everything", entered the necessary information, and CELEBRATED this occasion of all occasions! Hey hey hey hey!

We had a few showers off and on during the afternoon, but we had fun with Deb and her kids, Lisa and Colin, Jamalyn, Jessica, Jim and myself, enjoying the water, playing Taboo, and sharing a meal (and Darci's delicious birthday treats) together.

Jessica posed for a photo before she left on Friday evening.

As did Lisa and Colin, who are expecting their first child in early December! So exciting!

On Saturday, we were joined by Brad and his mom Gail, who were with us in Haiti in November, and Brad's son Jorison. Gail is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, and I would invite you to pray for her. Such an inspirational woman!

Saturday was chilly, but sunny, and Jamalyn's parents also came, with Margaret and Nathan, to finish out our guests for the weekend. Margaret and Nathan wanted to go tubing, and Mr. Jim complied by driving the boat for a good run on Big Mabel.

Jamalyn's parents, Jamalyn, Nathan, and Margaret.

'Miss Susan' posing with Margaret and her mommy.

The birthday girl and me. Or as my boys say it, my 'bff.' It is a blessing to have her in my life, and to celebrate big (and bigger) birthdays together. Here's to many more.

I took this photo in Haiti, and had it printed for her with Psalm 121:1-2:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

It is a special verse, which always makes me think of Haiti, 

which always makes me think of my friend, Jamalyn. 

Happy Birthday, Jamalyn! 

Bondye beni ou! 

#40aintsobad #indeeditaint

Sweet Days at Sweetwater

I'll be attempting to do a little catching up on my blog this week. It seems that summer is busy, busy, busy! I like it, but it doesn't give me much time to catch my breath between activities, and I sure don't want to miss anything! I think the saying is, 'No blogging while the sun shines.' Or something like that. :)

We had a sweet weekend at Sweetwater to celebrate Father's Day with Andrew and Darci and our friends the Leach family from Louisville. Haleigh and Ella (and Gumbo) rode to the lake with us on Friday morning to get things started. It was raining when we left, but that didn't dampen our spirits.

The girls got into their suits and enjoyed the little 'beach' our neighbors put in this year.

The rest of the gang arrived in time for supper on Friday, and were anxious to get to tubing when the sun came out on Saturday morning.

 The little girls spent some time on Bucky the pirate ship. Yo ho ho!

Of course, there is also rope swinging and dock jumping and swimming across the cove to be done. Oh to be young and brave! I was young once, but I'm not sure I could have made the jump from the railing or the swing from the rope even then.

It is nice we have neighbors who don't mind us jumping from their high dock. There she goes!

And all that jumping makes kids hungry! Here they are waiting patiently for their lunch to be delivered. Now that's service!

We took a late afternoon ride on the pontoon boat.
Matthew, Riley, and Carter.

Haleigh, Darci, and Ella.

Shelly, Makenna, and Abbi. And Gumbo, of course.

The young dads were celebrating Father's Day with a late afternoon nap back at the house. Good thing we had Grandpa Jim to pilot the boat for us. With a little help from Makenna.

Thankful for fathers and sweet days at Sweetwater.

Jesus Loves the Little Ones

It was a special day for little Piper Jayne on Sunday when we celebrated her baptism at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. She was all smiles, in a dress that was her mama's, before heading to church.

Once she arrived at church with her mom, dad, and big brother, Noah, she got changed into the dress, washed and pressed by Nana, that was worn by her great-grandpa Jim (Boomie), her granny Susan, her mama Jennifer, and her big brother Noah (along with great-uncles, uncles, and two cousins) at their baptisms. That's a special dress!

She wore sweet new shoes given to her by our friend Becky. So precious.

Uncle Justin was the photographer for the day, and he captured some beautiful moments with Piper and her family.

Big brother, Noah and Daddy, Bryan.

Piper and her mama, Jennifer.

It was special that Piper was baptized by our friends Jamalyn and David Williamson, pastors at St. Luke's. When Piper was born, and Jamalyn heard her name, she suggested making a slight change from Piper Jayne to Piper Jaynalyn. She shared that thought during the service, but when the moment came to ask what name be given this child, Jennifer and Bryan stuck with 'Jayne.' :)

"…in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Piper and brother Noah both did well during the service, and we were able to take some photos after it was over. Bryan, Jennifer, Noah, and Piper, with David and Jamalyn.

Sweet family.

Piper is blessed to be surrounded by a family who loves her, some of whom were able to be there for her baptism. Great-grandparents Jim and Jere', Uncle Andrew and Aunt Darci, Ella and Haleigh, Granny and Grandpa Susan and Jim, Grandma and Grandpa Annette and Gerald, Aunt Adrienne, Lauren and Bryce, and Uncle Justin, Aunt Lynette, and Addison (the last 2 were out of the sanctuary during the photo). So blessed.

Later in the afternoon, Jennifer took this sweet photo of sleeping Piper with her hands folded. May God bless her all her days, and may she know His unwavering love and amazing grace. Amen.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 

may have power, together with all the Lord's people, 

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -- 

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  

~Ephesians 3:17b-19

Saturday Snippets

This post started out to be 'Friday Fragments', but since I didn't get it posted yesterday, we'll call it 'Saturday Snippets.' Lol. It has been a busy, fun-filled week, and I'll share a little about a lot, with a few words and a few more photos.

Last Saturday was the wedding of Grant and Becca. Grant is the son of Daryl (Jim's cousin) and Ruthann. The wedding took place at the beautiful Irwin Gardens in Columbus, Indiana. The rehearsal was, of course, the Friday evening prior. I was set to help Ruthann by scattering a few dozen helium-filled balloons in the garden and taking some photos of the festivities. While everyone was gathering, a little patch of a strong thunderstorm settled right over the venue and altered a few of their best-laid plans.

With an eye on the radar and umbrellas in hand, the wedding party took advantage of a break in the clouds and bravely proceeded to rehearse in the rain. These two, the adorable ring bearer and flower girl, were ready to do their jobs come rain or shine.

They also took a little break for a game of hide and seek in the garden. (Or maybe Abby was attempting to get Liam back into position to practice their walk.)

He was excited to be the 'ring bear', and even did one run-through with a bear mask.

Becca and her dad paused at the top of the 'aisle.'

So beautiful, even in the rain.

They're ready! Nice thing was, they got the rain all over with during the rehearsal leaving Saturday soaked in sunshine.

Although the dinner had already been moved inside, the skies cleared enough for us to put a few balloons in the garden, which the little ones enjoyed.

Saturday was beautiful and warm, and absolutely perfect for a garden wedding. These photos were taken by Jennifer, our favorite LinneaLiz associate photographer. :) Aren't they stunning?

The new Mr. and Mrs. Smith. May God bless their marriage!

I did not take any photos at the wedding or reception, so the ones I have posted were stolen used with permission borrowed from friends and family. :) Saturday was also the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown. Post time was just after the conclusion of the ceremony, and below is a photo of my dad and Adam watching on Adam's phone as American Pharoah won the race and the Triple Crown. A day to remember!

Stewmama with my girls...

and with my boys.

I love this photo, taken by Brad's fiancee, Katie, of Ruthann, Stew and Brad watching Grant and Becca's first dance. Ruthann looked so beautiful, and what a blessing it was for her to be able to participate fully in the wedding celebration just 24 days post surgery.

She laughed, she danced, she welcomed guests, and she enjoyed every minute of a blessed and beautiful day. Praise God! Please remember Ruthann in your prayers as she continues her battle with leiomyosarcoma.

Blessed to be surrounded by some of my besties, including the beautiful mother of the groom.

On Sunday, we had lunch together after church at Carriage on the Square to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. He was headed to a golf game, his idea of a perfect birthday. :)

On Monday, we had dinner with Jennifer, Bryan, Noah and Piper for a late celebration of Bryan's birthday. We had a little time before dinner to enjoy the park.

Tuesday evening included some tree planting at Bryan and Jennifer's,

including a Jane Magnolia for Piper Jayne.

On Thursday evening, I got to see my cousin, Rick, who I have not seen in over 30 years. He was in Indy on business, and we met at my brother's house. Below is a photo of my brother, Ted, my dad, and Rick.

Later Thursday, I watched Jamalyn's daughter, Margaret, in a performance of 'The Jungle Book.' She did a great job! There she is, front and center.

Darci, Andrew, and the kids came as well, and they posed with Margaret after the show.

Margaret and me.

Becca and Grant spent a few days at the lake house after the wedding, and sent me these pictures. Aren't they cute? They even match!

And my view on this beautiful Saturday morning….ahhhhh….