Time for a Change

Well, today marks the end of my babysitting days. I have been sitting for my niece, Jane Ann since she was twelve weeks old. She was two on June 29. Today is my last day.
This was a decision that I made - after much, much prayer and seeking God's guidance. I just didn't want ya'll to think I had been fired by my sister-in-law or anything.
Nope, God led me to this decision. You see, on August 10th, I will finally (let me stress f-i-n-a-l-l-y!!!) finish my bachelors degree. Yessiree, I'll be a college graduate with a real diploma and everything. Only took me a little over 13 years. So, the reason I won't be able to sit for Jane Ann anymore is that - drumroll please - I'm applying to graduate school!! Yep, that's right. Why stop now? I'm already in student mode - so why not go on for the next step up? Besides, what I really want to do is be a school librarian and that requires a Master's Degree in Media Specialist. So, I can stand to be a student for another 15 months or so. I'm really looking forward to this new adventure that God has for me.
God has blessed me with so much - I really don't deserve anything more. But, since He is such a loving and merciful God, I receive His blessings with love and adoration.
I pray that He will continue to guide me through this new adventure and when I'm ready to step into my first job as librarian (which by the way, I will be a really cool librarian - not one of those stuffy types) I will give Him all the glory and praise. Of course, I'll just do that in the mean time, anyway.
Ya'll have a blessed day. And, praise Him, praise Him, praise Him.

Charleston - Part 2

So, where did we leave off? Oh, yes, I believe it was at Day 3. To make this easier for ya'll, I'll try to make this post about Charleston more brief. I just hate the thought of boring ya'll.

Let me give you the nutshell version to conclude and then you can look at the pictures. On Day 3 we went back to the historic district. We just wandered around and looked at all the beautiful places. We walked the promenade - which is two hoops wide. For those of you who might wonder what that means - it was built to accomodate two ladies in hoop skirts to be able to walk side by side - i.e. two hoops wide. Is that cool or what?

Then, we rested at The Battery and watched the CBS people set up for the live broadcast of the CBS Morning Show on that Friday. No, I didn't see Harry Smith, but he was there somewhere.

Then, on Day 4 we went to Boone Hall Plantation. This is where the tv miniseries North and South was filmed, also, the miniseries Queen with Hallie Berry and The Notebook. If you have seen any of these movies, then you've seen Boone Hall. Check it out here for more info.

On Day 5, we stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the pool. It was fun to just sit and do nothing but soak up the sun and cool off in the pool. I read a book I picked up in Charleston - The Belles of Charleston. How fitting, wouldn't you agree?

So, there is the nutshell version. I just want to say that I give our loving God such praise for allowing us the time to spend together as a family. How precious it is to be able to be with the two guys I love most in this world in a beautiful place like Charleston. Also, I thank God for blessing us with His travel mercies.We travelled to and from Charleston in absolute safety and comfort. I love Him so much.

And, here are the pictures.

Blessings, Lisa!

Home from Charleston - Part 1

Well Siestas, vacation has come and gone. We had the most wonderful time. I really didn't want to come home (Jacob didn't either.) We had seven wonderful days to sleep late, sight see and simply have fun together as a family. It was heavenly to not have phones to answer, chores to do or being on a schedule. We should do this more often.

Charleston, er, I mean, Chahlston, is absolutely breathtaking. There is so much to see and do. It is a magical city filled with lots of history and plenty of activity.

The first day we walked over to the USS Yorktown, which is docked on the Cooper River. It was an active aircraft carrier in World War II.

Then, after we toured the Yorktown, we took a ferry out to Fort Sumter. This is where the Civil War began. (This is more my area of interest, so we were out there for a good while.)

This first picture is a view of Fort Sumter as we approached. The Atlantic Ocean is just beyond the Fort. It was designed to protect the Charleston ports. It was held by Federal troops until April 12, 1861, when the newly seceeded state of South Carolina began bombing the fort and took it over for what would become the Confederacy. (Sorry if I sound like a history teacher, I just can't help myself.)

The second picture is of the parade grounds and the remains of the soldiers quarters on the left. Those archways are where the cannons were housed.

The third picture is a better view of the same.


Day 2 took us to the historical district. (I was so excited.) We started with a horse and buggy tour. Ms. Sherry, shown here with her horse, Chief, knows her stuff! She is a 14th generation Charlestonian and loves the city. Check out the eighteenth century home in the middle. Can you imagine living in this house? I would love to give it a try. The third picture in this row is of crepe myrtles covered in spanish moss. The picture just doesn't do it justice.

This building (pic. 1) really haunted me. This is called the "Open Air Market." Although with the heat index at 105 degrees, I didn't find much open air. Anyway, these buildings (there were about four) were where slave traders brought slave to be held before going to be sold. It now serves as a place for various vendors - but the iron gates are still in tact. Very sad.

Then, there is a very old graveyard - some of the grave dated back to the 1600's. And here is a beautiful cobblestone street (aka, wharf).

So, this is just a little bit of our vacation. I wanted to share some with you tonight with the intent of posting some more tomorrow. I'm really tired from the trip - funny how that works, we go on vacation because we need a rest but then when we get home, we're pooped.

So, I thank our Lord for the wonderful time in Charleston with my two guys and I praise his name for my own bed waiting for me upstairs.

Blessings to you, siestas. Until tomorrow . . .

We're Here!!!

Hello Siestas!!
Just to let you know that my posts may be few and far between this week. I am here for the week, so as you might well guess - I'll be a bit busy enjoying myself.
Keep us in your prayers and I'll be in touch.
Blessings!!

We're going to Charleston

This coming weekend we are off to Charleston SC. I am so excited, I can hardly wait. We have never been there, so everything is going to be new.
We have been searching the internet and have some travel books that have given us some really great ideas on what to do and see.
What I would like to know is where are the best places to eat?? Can I get some suggestions, please?
I would love to know what ya'll think.

Looking forward to your ideas!!

Blessings

Fourth of July

Here we are, back home from a fantastic fourth of July week. Jacob and I travelled to Roanoke, Virginia to visit my aunt and uncle for the fourth. Then on Wednesday, we went to Lynchburg to the lake. The weather was beautiful, the food was terrific and we had a blast with the family. The only thing that was missing was Frank. He opted to stay home and work on the farm to get ready for our vacation to Charleston next week.

So, here are some pictures from the fourth. Enjoy

This is Jacob with his cousins, David and Christopher. The other one is Jacob on his hammerhead shark float. Notice the yellow gizmo on the top - it is a water squirter. How cool is that?
Jacob had a blast in the lake with David and John. They were in there almost all day. I thought they were going to grow gills.This is me and my cousin Ginger. We grew up like sisters. And here is my sweet, darling, Aunt Gay. She is my second Mom.

This is D.J. and Sissy - then, Sissy and Kelly chillin' in the hammock. And, me with Sissy.

D.J. and Sissy are such terrric people. They live in Charleston, so we are going to catch up with them next week. We are looking forward to having some fun with them. I haven't known them long, but D.J. is Kelly's brother, and Kelly is married to my cousin Mark. (see the connection?) So, I am really, really looking forward to building a long and wonderful friendship with Sissy and D.J.

I really just adore Sissy - she is so much fun and we have tons in common. I hope we will be close.

Finally, here are some pictures of the lake and a few of the locals - you might say that we had our "ducks in a row."

Blessings.