Faithful Friends

After I graduated from college, I moved home and began my masters at the University of Memphis.  I wanted to find a job that would be flexible and part time that would work well around my school schedule.  I had done fast food, daycare, legal secretary and wanted to find something new.  I went to a temp service and proved to be a fast typist so they said my chances were good.  They soon placed me as a temp part time with a company that provided and serviced laundry equipment for apartment complexes.  I did accounts payable and was a dispatcher to the servicemen.

It was a great job.  The Lord clearly had placed me there for a purpose.  My boss, Don, was a believer and became a good friend.  I loved the people I worked with and they accommodated my crazy school and student teaching schedule over the next couple of years.  They listened to me tell about my first date with My Man and even let me address wedding invitations as I dispatched.  They threw us a couple's shower and attended our wedding.  They even gave us our first washer and dryer!

Since that time Don moved to his home state of Colorado.  Last year when my dryer went out, I knew who to call.  Not only did Don help me assess the problem over the phone, but helped me order my part and fix it myself.

Don and his wife, Marilyn, were in Nashville and invited all 8 of us to dinner.  They had never met our Fish Sticks and it had been probably close to 14 years since we had seen them.  It was so nice visiting with them and catching up on their family.  They shared with us about how difficult the last 2 years had been.  A year ago Marilyn was driving to her twin sister's funeral when she got a phone call informing her that she had breast cancer.  Don's mother died just 2 months ago at the age of 75.  When we loaded up and said our good byes, I couldn't help but think of the trials that they had endured yet both of them shared with us, proclaiming God's hand and goodness throughout their trials.  They spoke of being joyful in all circumstances and God's faithfulness.  Wow!  Who would have thought that my call to the temp service in 1994 would have brought a lasting friendship that would be a testimony to me of God's goodness and faithfulness in a Chick Fila 18 years and 6 kids later.

Sweet as Honey

Look what our bees gave us!!!

Thank you, bees!!!  Your stings were worth it.  :)

Little Swim Lessons

 

These 2 "baby" cousins took swimming for the first time this year.

We thought they might give Mrs. Trish a run for her money but after a few whimpering episodes, they did just fine.

 

This face totally cracked me up.  It didn't matter how much she was told to keep her eyes open, she took the plunge squinting.

What good Little Fishies we have!

Swim Lessons

 We just finished swimming lessons.

Number 3 Fish Stick was out this year and number 6 Fish Stick was added.

Ruth and Josiah took lessons again with Cousin Eva.

 This is Watermelon #1 in the watermelon patch.

 

This is Watermelon #2 and #3 in the watermelon patch.

I think they are all gonna be sweet watermelons.

 Action shots on the jump and swim to the side.

I'm thinking maybe that one hurt.

 Our Swim Nazi never ceases to amaze us.  

Seven 45 minute lessons and she has them jumping off diving boards, swimming the length of the pool, diving for rings, and doing hand stands.  And the best part of it all is that she lives on our street.

It couldn't be more perfect.

I hear she also gives adult lessons.  

Maybe one day when the Fish Sticks are all grown up, this Mama Fish will learn to swim as good as all Fish Sticks.  I wonder if Swim Nazi will make me do the watermelon too?

New Pets

I love that my girls play with bugs AND paint their nails!

They Are Here!!

 Turkey cousins are here!!!

So we headed to the lake.

 We pitched a tent on the edge for swimmers and spectators alike.

Some played swords with humungous feathers discovered.

Some had tube rides.

 Some just liked to go fast and bumpy on the boat.

And some had male bonding time.

These are the 3 Fish-side cousins - there are 8 sisters between them - male bonding time understood!!

First Day of Swimming Lessons

 8:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

Playing Make Believe With Friends

 I love to sneak up on my Fish Sticks and take their photos as they are playing make-believe.

 Sometimes I get caught.

 Sometimes it's more fun when friends are over.

Hanging With Friends

 Hanging out with 13 year old boys can be very entertaining!  

Especially when they have the same name.

We sure are glad our good friends, the Dallas family, just moved to town!

Happy First Day of Summer

We welcome summer at our house!!

Just don't ask Ruth to pick blackberries.

The bucket comes back empty and her face, hands and shirt stained....hmmm.

Cousin Reese

 

My brother and his wife took a special trip to Hawaii, and my mom and dad got to keep my adorable niece while they were gone.  We were so happy that we got to have a turn with her for a while.  We went to the park and had a picnic.  I know she's cruising around these days, but honestly I never saw it. I don't think the Fish girls let her feet touch the ground.  We had to keep a timer going to rotate her between my 3 big girls.  I think we spoiled her rotten.  It was so fun having a baby around the house again!  Good preparation for our family additions next year!!

Waterfall

 You may remember the spectacular water fall that we discovered at the lake last year.  We decided to take our adventurous friends and our 11 children to find it once again.  The water was lower this year and so our boat fell into 1 foot 7 inches of water much sooner than we expected.  We slipped up a very muddy slope and trekked through 5 foot high plants as My Man blazed the trail.  It didn't appear anyone had been there this year as there was no visible trail.  The hike was longer but the view was well worth it.

 Inching into the icy cold water.  Brrrr!

 This is by far my favorite photo of the weekend!!  Dabney, I was very impressed!  

You are Super Mom in my book!

 11 Masonites and Fish Sticks all in a row.  And what's more exciting?  We are going through the adoption process together!  Next year's photo will hopefully show a little Chinese girl and 2 African boy/girl (?).