The Girls at Easter

I forgot I hadn't posted pics of the girls at Easter time.

Women's Day

I really enjoyed our Women's Day Services. I was a nervous wreck because it was my first time being Worship Leader there. It's not the same as being in front of my family and friends at my home church. All in all it turned out to be a very blessed day and a very blessed service. The Men of GMZBC have to really get to work now (lol).

Tea Party

These are pictures from the Women's Day Tea Party at our church. I had so much fun setting this up. Of course I could not have done it without Mrs. M and our girls. From everything I have heard the ladies really enjoyed it. Mrs. M found some wonderful organic tea called Yogi Tea. I have never had tea in a bag this good. As soon as you open the box you smell the aroma of the tea. There were several to choose from including tea for stress, calming tea, and my favorite India Spice.

Happy Birthday

I had a beautiful birthday. Spent most of the day setting up for our Women's Day Tea Party and then later that evening Marc and I went to Applebee's for dinner. The highlight of the day was hearing my mom, sister and nephew sing to me.

Women In Touch

Several Women In Touch Wives were in attendance at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church for our annual Women's Day Celebration. Our speaker of the hour was my very special friend Pamela C Lee. And of course she rocked the house.

Grill

Well Poppa has a brand new toy.

Easter Photo Shoot

My daughter the photography did a wonderful job of shooting photos for us Easter Sunday. To bad it was to cold for me to wear my cute skirt and sandals during the shoot. These pictures were taken out in front of our home under a beautiful flowering pear tree. Its actually the future site of my new bathroom and walk-in-closet, so I thought it was time to take a picture of the blooms before we are forced to have to cut it down. Of course in this house this may be many years from now (lol).

Cleaning Spree

Yes, I did it...I finally cleaned out the fridge and to the surprise of family and friends...I labeled my shelves. But its working for now (lol). Last year I watched as Stacy J did this, but originally I got the idea from here . At the time I thought the women was crazy, but because this year I decided to clear out in order to do some remodeling next year...I am so on the simplify 101 bandwagon. I promise you by the end of next year family and friends will not recognize this place. By the way...you should see the upstairs hallway...TJ cleared the computer desk and chair out, along with a ton of other "stuff". All I can say is I need to choose a paint color for the walls ASAP, its looking pretty rough up there. Keep in mind the walls have not been painted in nearly 13 years !

Speaking of TJ, the lovely lily is from my sweet son. I would never tell him this...but he has a bit of his dad in him. Love both of these guys. And he is the same way with my mom, sister, and even his two little sisters. They got pedicures the other day on him. I don't think the boy knows how to tell those two no. Now as far as the Lily is concerned they have a bet going...as to how long it will last. I am very well known for killing plants ( even the easy ones ). Its not on purpose ...I just forget to water them. I even caught Quisha telling the plant that she wouldn't last long..poor thing ( her words not mine )...because her momma was a plant killer!! Now, I have to prove them wrong. I have been talking to my plant and checking it everyday. Yesterday she even bloomed for me. So we shall see (smile).

My Hubby

As we were traveling down the highway towards AL it hit me just how blessed I am to have this man in my life. Not many husbands would take time off from work and drive 900 miles just so their wives can meet up with a group of women she had never met before to spend three days in a scrapbook class ( even though it was more to it then that). Marc has always supported my dreams...no matter how crazy they were ( and still are ). When I made Disney an obsession he went along for the ride. When I said I wanted to start a scrapbook business he financed it. So I should not be surprised at all when I asked to go to Bama for the Scrap Etc event...not once did he ask why, actually he didn't ask anything. He just took the time off from work and loaded the car up. So many women commented on the fact that he walked around the scrap store without fear, as if he belonged...what they don't know is that he has spent just as much time there as I have. At times he has even brought me things home...always with this cute smile on his face and the same question....can I use this in my scrapbook. What husband does that? So as we made our way back home I promised myself that I would try my best to do the exact same thing. Good thing too. Marc's personal business has been growing by leaps and bounds, and I have the feeling his personal life will change a lot in the next year...so whatever God has in store for us in our personal life and our professional life....I'm committed to seeing that we continue down that road together. So honey if you read this....the answer is yes...whatever that dream may be.

Kelli

Ok, what do I say about Kelli without shedding tears. This women came into my life several years ago through and online Disney site. Never in my wildest imagination would I have known that years later we would be such close friends, or that we would have to stop in GA each time we pass through going to AL just so I could hang out with this awesome family. Mike and Kelli are the most wonderful, down to earth, humble people I have ever met. They amaze me each day with the way they are able to do what they do, how they see love and hope through any situation. You have to read their story...it will change your life. It will change the way you think about everyday miracles, living in the moment and the blessings of God. I knew from the moment I met Kelli that this was a special women of God and that God had brought us into each others life for a higher purpose. We have become prayer partners, best buds and lifetime friends. Thank you Lord for bringing this women into my life.

Anyway, Kelli and Mike have offered their home to us several times, but because I know that their plate is full I have always declined. Not because I didn't want to stay and hang out with her, but because I knew she would be trying to entertain us and keep us happy ( that's just who she is, she can't help herself ). This trip I knew had to be low budget ( no budget ) because of Marc's work situation ( I had just signed up for the event and within a few days Marc lost his second job within 90 days )...I emailed Kelli and asked could we spend one night with them just so that Marc could get a break from the 12 hour ride. Of course she said yes, but I still worried about being a burden to them ( Kelli if you are reading this...please don't call me and scream at me ). Anyway, long story short...it was our best visit...not because of the great hospitality , but just because we got to spend time together, talk, laugh and just relax. It went so well that neither Kelli or I took out our camera...not once ( soo not us...lol). We went to dinner that evening at a great local Italian joint ( I soo need to explore around here and find something similar ). We even had great ice cream at a shop down from the restaurant that reminded me of the Confectionery shop at Disney on Main Street. Kelli gave me and the girls a very special gift that night that I will have to post about later ...partly because I don't want to cry, but also because I have promised her some pics...and at this moment I look like death warmed over ( still trying to recuperate from the weekend and a nosebleed and sprained back...but that's a whole nother story).

The next morning Kelli made us breakfast and sent us on our way. When I called her a few days later we were kicking ourselves for not taking any pictures ( that's a scrapper for you). It didn't help that Kelli told me she had been crying the whole day after we left. Well my sweet hubby drove us back to her house on our way home Sunday morning ( we drove the whole 12 hours back ). We tried to surprise Kelli but she was already outside when we pulled up. Anyway, that's how I ended up having pics anyway...with no make-up and my hair everywhere. Now we did not plan the matching t-shirts....but that's just how connected Kelli and I have become ( well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

Cass and Crew

If it wasn't for Cass and Mike we would never be able to make as many trips to AL as we have. Usually I post pics of Cass and the girls, but Nicki took this really great picture of Michael meditating Sunday morning before we left to come back home. If you would like to see the fun pics Cass and I took with the girls just go here.

Great Weekend

Nicki and I met some awesome women this weekend, took some cool classes and brought home a boatload of product.If you would like to read more about it just check out my scrapblog.

Marc's Birthday and Valentines Day

Marc's birthday and Valentines Day are so close together that sometimes one gets overshadowed by the other. Not this year. We spent his birthday at a church breakfast that morning, then we went to the movies together for the first time in years. Of course since it was his birthday I set through a showing of Rocky ( it was actually ok..I think I like him as a old man even better..lol).

For Valentines Day Marc surprised me with this beautiful mirror for our familyroom ( next year is our 25th wedding anniversary...for years I wanted to renew my vows, then I decided we would invite friends to join us in Las Vegas for a weekend, later Marc and I talked about a cruise to Alaska. This week I told him I may skip traveling next year and use the money to upgrade some things in the house. I have been in a decorating mood ). Who knows what will happen by next year (lol).

Anyway, for Valentines Day Marc and I went to dinner at my favorite resturants...Olive Garden. After dinner Quisha did a impromptu photo shoot of us. All in all between the Sweetheart Banquet, the breakfast, a movie date and dinner at Olive Garden...it was a good weekend.

Sweetheart Banquet

On February 9th the Miniters Wives and Widows Organization held its Annual Sweetheart banquet. We took some crazy pictures after the event ( some I can't show..just because Sonia and Di would kill me )Lesson learned...never turn your camera over to the husbands...they kept snapping before we were ready so in one picture we look like we are fussing, in one Sonia is rolling her eyes and in the other one Di's face looks like its in pain. The one I did post is the best out of the bunch. Teresa and Tyran were there but they left before the photo session.

Mom's Retirement

Just a few pics from the luncheon honoring my mom. The top picture is of mom with her brothers. The two lovely ladies in red are their wives my aunties. And the last picture is of my mom with my cousins and my Aunt Julia....the matriarch of our family.

Christmas 2006

Christmas

I realized that I have not posted any pictures since before Christmas. It was a very low key, but still blessed. So here are a few pictures from Christmas 2006.