Happy Anniversary

12 happy years!! It was actually on Sat, but I was sick that night and didn't get to posting. So, I'll have to scan pictures to put here b/c 12 years ago there was no digital photography! But it'll be worth the work.

Thank you, honey, for the best year so far!!!!!!!!!

Running totals:
5 children
4 homes
2 apartments
7 surgeries :)
6 trips to NY to the family cottage (miss that)
8 vehicles (wow!)
4 dogs (one now)
2 different jobs (Daniel)
2 preemies who scared us to our knees!
and millions of priceless memories.

Business Update

For all of my friends who were praying about Daniel's trip a few weeks back, thank you!
Altho they will not have the account immediately, (Daniel got the feeling prior to the mtg that they'd already made a decision) the company has said they will probably switch over in the Spring. So, that's a big praise!

Right now he is in Greensboro, coming home this eve, not having to stay over night. He is tired (left at 4am - Erica understands!) but excited to fly thru DC and then home - he actually just called me from Reagan Int'l and the Prez's helicopter went by. Also, on arrival you get to fly right up the Potomac which is neat - esp. for my History buff hubby! He was actually born in MD -maybe that's why he loves it. Anyway, we pray for another safe trip home.

I've been neglectful for the last week or two due to painting a few rooms and moving Rachel to the guest room and setting up a school room where she was. (When you homeschool, you feel like everything has to be done in the Summer:)) I took pics so I'll post them soon.

July 5th- More Waterfalls

We had so much fun on the 4th, the kids wanted to see more waterfalls. We headed out the next day and found the best one of all - no crowds, no railings. We actually thought we were lost as the road turned to dirt and we realized we were in the middle of nowhere. But, the road stopped in a forest and there was a tiny sign, so we started hiking. At the end of the short trail was a gorgeous waterfall that you could walk all over - and we were the only ones there! It was awesome. I'm sure we'll be back many times.

Prayer Request

For all of my SS girls who are checking, please pray for Daniel. He is gone Mon-Wed this week (14th) and on a tough sales call. He's not in sales, he's just been flown out to be the "audit expert" for this presentation. It is a big company and they are thinking they have no chance. He thinks they've already decided on another team and are just getting other "bids" because they have to. Besides a safe return, it would be great for Daniel and Steve to get this client-but it will take heavenly intervention!
Thank you!

Fourth of July

This 4th of July turned out to be a different one for us--no friends and family and no BBQs. So, we decided to get out (and stop working on the house) and head for the mountains.

We found some beautiful places and had a great time. So, if you're looking for a new tradition on the 4th -or any day- I'd recommend a Pettit CD and mountain roads. There are several waterfalls (maybe hundreds) in this area. Here are some of the places we stopped, but the battery on the camera died, so there are some that we missed.

Issaquenna Falls - beautiful to look at and an easy walk to the overlook. You will notice someone's eyes are closed in every picture - with 5 kids, it's just inevitable. Stump House tunnel - a RR tunnel started by hand before the Civil War. The state ran out of money about 1/4 of the way thru the tunnel and then the war broke out so it was never finished. You can walk into it 1600 ft, but we really needed a flashlight and couldn't go that far. This picture looks fine when you take it, but the light bounces off the mist coming out and the picture ends up looking white. Rush and Ryan run back out of the tunnel This one is for Erica and Rebekah - my flower photographers. This is all over the mountains and they call it mountain laurel. This was taken at the Fish Hatchery -which the kids loved. There were some beautiful trails there and they were able to feed lots of trout.

One overlook along the road gave us this gorgeous view of Lake Jocassee. Across the lake in the opposite mountains would be the Wilds. You'll overlook the lake if you take the hike to the falls.

We pulled off at this overlook and were admiring the ok view in front of us when I turned around and saw this view behind us. It was beautiful - but it's hard to tell from the picture.

We ended up in Highlands, NC which I just loved, being a woman. Daniel's opinion would be less glowing! Cute shops and neat places to hunt around for hours. We found a great pizza place --called The Pizza Place--best pizza I've had in a long time. Outside of Highlands, Bridal Falls was neat, because you can drive under it, but not alot of water because of the drought up here.

The last fall I was looking for was closed for parking improvements (I think Dry Falls was the name). You can actually walk under it - which Daniel was very excited about b/c he could act out his favorite "Last of the Mohicans" scenes. Anyway, that one we'll get back to some other day.

A big milestone

On June 23rd Robert left for Junior Camp at the Wilds. He ran onto that bus and never looked back (which makes Mom feel great ) He was so excited. (We met the church bus up here in SC-altho Spence did try to leave without us!)

On Saturday, we all drove to the Wilds to pick up Robert - just over an hour away up the mountain roads-which, Richard does NOT like. The kids were so excited to see the camp we always talk about and Robert was flying high from the best week of his life so far! I was glad to be back and look around after 5 long years away! Last time I was there with Daniel for a Couple's Retreat and expecting Rush. (After we got home, we flew to Houston, and then I went into the hospital for 6 weeks!)

We ran into the Monroes in the parking lot and all walked down to the lake while the kids talked their heads off about the past week. They had to show us every cool thing they did. We also got to meet Robert's counselor who seemed like a really great kid. (At the Wilds, awesome counselors are a given! I know, I was one!)

And at the end of the mountain trail --Richard puked all over. Poor kid.


So now, my children are going to the Wilds. It's hard to believe they're old enough--I've looked forward to this day for 10 years. Robert has showed the kids his camp video about 15 times. They think THEY went with him. We're going to do a Family Camp soon, tho. Now Rush is old enough to enjoy it and we found out he loves waterfalls, which they have. More on that trip later.


We miss you guys in FL! We decided to stay an extra week, so we'll come home around the 12th. See you soon!!!

First Stop-A few pics

What do you do after an 8 hour trip to Hartwell? You celebrate by running wild on the lake shore and get some good sunset pictures! This was June 18th, when we drove up here (me and the 4 kids, Daniel and Robert came a few days early) BTW this is down the road, not my backyard.