This and That

Ok, so not much has been going on with us. Chase is doing great at school and seems to be enjoying college. He still hasn't found a job, but I think he is working hard at it and actually had an interview this morning. (yay)

I have been very busy with various projects. I have decided this year all gifts with the exception of a very few for the kids will be handmade. I am very proud of the gifts I have completed. I refuse this year to buy into the commercialization of Christmas and with the economy on the brink, we just don't have the extra funds to be so wasteful! Stay tuned, I'll post pictures after Christmas!

I made new quilts for the boy's bedroom out of recycled jeans. Thought I'd share them with you. Through this project, I realized I am not a quilter and really just don't like sewing that much! The quilts are great and I love that I made something new from something old! I also recovered their booths which I had the fabric for well over a year!

Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Joe had to go to work really early this morning and got home about 10am. We decided to do something, but what? LaGrange is not know for having tons of things to keep one busy! We decided on the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. What fun! Coy and I have been studying the Election Process so, this was a great field trip! Let me warn you, no flashes allowed in the museum, so some of the pictures are not great!

This a photo from outside the library. There is no water in the pool due to the drought in Georgia.

This is a replica of the Oval Office, but with the actual furnishings used during Carter's Presidency.

This photo is of Carter created from different objects of his life and presidency.

Are You Kidding Me?

You have all seen them, right. . .reusable bags. I use them often. I wish I could say exclusively, but I tend to leave them in the truck and remember them when I am in the checkout line. Anyway, I go to the grocery the other day. I get to the cashier, hand her three reusable bags, more than enough for my groceries that day. I turn around and start getting my items out of my cart. When I finished, the cashier and the bagman are loading my groceries in to plastic bags and then putting them into the reusables! *sigh* Honestly! I told her the point of the reusables is so I don't have to have plastic. Her response. . .are you ready?. . .Can you believe this?. . ."I just figured that out!" I wanted to laugh so badly, but I was absolutely stunned in a world that I feel overwhelmed with Green Earth info that someone. . .two people would have no idea what a reusable bag is. We really need to get the word out!

Happy 90th Birthday, Grandma

September 3, 1918, Eula Marie (Sue) Payne entered the world. She had five children, which she raised by herself. She has served the Lord most of her 90 years. All of her children and most of her grandchildren are serving the Lord. At 90, Grandma is quite the fireball, not a force to be rekoned with. She has 9 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. We, along with many friends and other family members, including two of her brothers, one is 98, celebrated her birthday this weekend. Our theme was "The Roaring Twenties." We had a great time and it was a wonderful way to celebrate 9 decades of Grandma's life! Here are a few pictures commemorating the day.

Shame, Shame You Terrible Blogger!

I know, I know (hanging head in shame) I have been a horrible blogger. Here is a quick update:

Chase moved back to Chattanooga on August 16th. It was a sad day. We all thought we would be excited to get rid of him and he, to go, but it was heartbreaking! We miss him horribly, except Caden who is praying he doesn't come back! (hehe) It so hard to believe 17 years have gone so quickly. When I think about my life when he was born, it seems like a lifetime ago, but thinking of how fast he grew up and left us, it seems like the blink of an eye! He started college on Monday, August 25. He seemed to enjoy it and loves his Psychology professor. It is my prayer for him to grow and enjoy this time in his life.

Coy started sixth grade. We are trying a new, more hands on approach with him in school. He is just not a great student. He hates to concentrate, to sit still, and has a difficult time with memorization. We are hoping for a better year this year!

Caden has started preschool. He is so funny when people ask him if he goes to school, he promptly informs them, "I am homeschooled!" He is definitely going to be challenging. He is smart like Chase and high-strung like Coy. Hands on is most certainly his homeschooling fate as well! It is much more fun, but a lot more work for me!

We are still in love with LaGrange and its people. We don't know how we will ever leave this place! We have been told there should be work here until July, but that is only going to make it that much more difficult to leave!

Concrete Caden

Caden has always been enthralled by big machinery, bulldozers, dumptrucks, graters, etc. The park where we live is working on pouring cement on some of the sites. Currently, we are mostly red clay! Yesterday, they were pouring the pad in front of us. Caden was, of course, in the middle of it all. He tried to stay out of their way, but that only lasted for a short time. He watched them pour the concrete out of the truck. When the cement truck driver needed his concrete spout cleaned, he let Caden spray it off. He then proceeded to get himself a trowel and helped to finish out the concrete!

Update on Chase's Future

Chase was accepted to LaGrange College and had intended to live on campus. It is a private Christian school. Joe and I would love for him to go there. It is so flipping expensive, there is just no way he can go this year. He is going to be working on scholarships and grants so hopefully he can attend there next year. He is moving this weekend to live my terrific brother and wonderful sister in law in Chattanooga. He is going to be attending a state college there. He is disappointed, but recognizes it is a more responsible thing to do. He won't be in debt this year! We are really going to miss his humor and hugs. . . but I think we'll see him fairly often. . .

He has a girlfriend. I don't think Joe and I could have picked a better girlfriend for him. She is the cutest thing. We have always said Chase needs someone who is a yes-honey-girl or a girl who lays down the law. Christyna appears on the surface to be a yes-honey-girl, but in reality, she keeps him straight! She is precious. We love her!

He also become quite the little songbird. If you go to http://www.myspace.com/soulgate7 on the right side of the page, click on the song listed "Heaven Sent." It is Chase singing! It amazes me that my children never cease to amaze me!