Luke

My friend, Michele, had her baby this week. Luke weighed nine pounds and 7 ounces and was born two weeks early. It is a good thing that he decided to enter this world a little early, for Michele's sake. He is the cutest baby and so sweet! I am so proud for Michele and Les! :)

Sims' Retirement Party

Emilie's parents both retired this year and they had a retirement party. It was lots of fun. Good drink, good food, old friends and new ones ;) We had a fantastic time! Thanks for the invite Kenneth and Janice, and I am especially looking forward to using that new beach condo! :)

Byne's New House

I had the most fun at Byne's house this weekend. It is really cool! He seemed so excited about this school year and that really puts my mind at ease. We tore down the girly wall paper and put up a Spiderman wallpaper border! Yes, he is twenty - going to be 21 in Oct. and still loves Spiderman. That is what makes him so GREAT! :) He still has roses painted around the windows, but we will fix that next visit! He seems settled and happy - what more can a parent ask for!

Back to School Party

We had a fantastic time at the lake this weekend! We did buy matching T-shirts (like we are in high school LOL)! Our back to school party wore us out, but I am so gald that we took full advantage of our LAST weekend of summer! School starts back tomorrow, so we are going to be super busy! I hope all of you have a fantastic school year!

YMCA Staff Party

Dalton worked at the YMCA this summer as a Camp Counselor and he loves his job. When they began to discuss where to have the end of the year party for the counselors, he volunteered to have it at our lake cabin. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the coworkers he has talked about all summer! They had a little awards ceremony and passed out personalized certificates to acknowledge the counselors hard work. Dalton was given the "Most ready to issue a beat down award". I am hoping that it means he has good discipline and NOT that he actually beat down the children! LOL These counselors played hard all day at the lake - I was worn out after just watching them. I am very proud of my Dalton for taking the initiative to get a job this summer and working so hard to make camp fun for his campers! Today was a GREAT day playing with a GREAT group of people!

Amy's Wedding

My family is very small. My Dad only has one sibling, a brother and he only had one son, John. Therefore, on my Dad's side John is my one and only cousin. John has two beautiful girls, Amy and Lisa. Amy married on Saturday, August 2nd! We are all so excited for her. She was a beautiful bride!

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."

"There’s a miracle of friendship that
dwells within the heart
And you don’t know how it happens
or where it gets its start
But the happiness it brings you
always gives a special lift
And you realize that friendship
Is God’s most perfect gift."

This is our BUNCO group (not all of them, Shay stayed home with Jake this particular evening)! I have been truly blessed with the best of friends. They are so special to me! Thanks friends for knowing me and loving me just the same!

Summerfest 2008 005

Summerfest 2008 005
Originally uploaded by susanne.goodin

We love summerfest! It is so much fun and it is great to see all the people that we don't usually get to see throughout the year. Summerfest usually marks the end of summer for me! We are working hard to get ready for the students to come back! We do have a Back to School party planned for the lake the weekend before school starts, but that is probably the only fun I will have time for. There is so much to do! We are recarpeting the office this week, so everything from the office is in hallway! Busy, Busy, Busy! I will post pictures after our lake party!

Two Great Books

OK - I must share! I just got through reading "The Five People you Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. It is a great book!! It reminds us that although at times we feel insignificant, we AREN'T. We are important in the lives of others and everything happens for a reason. It was a really easy read, I read it in two days. You will love it!

The other book I am reading is "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. I have always been so inspired by her. If you have never been a part of one of her Bible studies, you should. She is such an awesome teacher. I participated in several of her studies when I was married to John. His Mom held several at her work. It has been several years since I have read anything by her. About a month ago Mark and I were at Books A Million and I saw this book. I picked it up and I am so glad that I did. "Breaking Free" is a book that is also a Bible study. It does take a little longer to read, but is worth your time.

"Religion" is interesting to me and at the same time very confusing. I think when you go to college it causes you to question everything you have been taught. You become more analytical and begin to ask more questions. I have always been on a search for the truth. I have spent countless hours in discussions with Mark, Kay, my Dad, Mom, Aunt Cathy, John's parents, my friends. I love all of these people, which leads to more confusion - Who do you believe? All of these discussions led me to their point of view on the truth. Their ideas conflict some, and that is where the confusion lies. All people have points of view (opinions) on what is right and wrong according to the Bible. My visits to church have not led me to any peace, although I truly enjoy the preacher. I have found many of the people in the church are hypocritical and "pretend" to be the perfect Christian while all the while judging the actions of others. This just leads to more confusion. The beauty of Beth Moore is that she leads you to find your own truth in God's word. People are sinners and cannot lead me to the truth. In whatever way they were brought up, that is the truth they have found. I must find my own truth!

I'm slacking!

Sorry I have not blogged in a while, just been busy! We are excited that Byne will be coming home on August 4th!! He has to register for classes at his new school on the 5th. He will have to move into his house that he will be renting with two other boys. He seems really excited about his roommates! The other children are enjoying their summer - Kyle is at the beach, and Lakyn is headed to the beach with a friend next weekend. Dalton is still working hard at the Y and loving every minute of it. Mark and I are looking forward to Summerfest. It is a celebration of summer that Millbrook puts on every year. They have great live music and a fantastic fireworks show. You all should come out - it is on Friday evening at the Pines Golf course. Mark and I went shopping yesterday and got tons of great deals at Belk in Prattville. They are having a moving sale - the whole store is marked down. I got a $150.00 dress for $46.00. I also found a new tennis outfit for $20.00 - normally $60.00. I have new tennis shoes too and will be getting a new racket by next week - so watch out Hannah and Aunt Cathy - I am coming to get you! :) I hate to even mention back to school, but here I go. We are really looking forward to our "Back to School" party at the Lake cabin the weekend before school starts with close friends and family. I am sure I will have tons of pictures to post after the party. I have changed all my pictures to private on the flickr site. I should have emailed all of my close friends and family the password, but if you did not get it and want to look at the pictures. Call me or shoot me an email and I will give you the password. I hope you all are enjoying your summer - it just flys by!!