Well it has been a while since the last post...we survived this winter and have moved on into summer pretty much. The garden has been planted with the usual radishes, corn, squash, carrots,tomatoes,okra,and peppers with a new addition watermelon (we'll see how it goes). The peach tree is already hanging to the ground with peaches all over it. Everybody is doing good. Ben is still in school however we did manage to make it to the coast over spring break.( I dont recomend going in early April if you plan on doing any fishing). However, we did have fun and are planning to go back again (hopefully). Pictures to come soon...

Baptism

The Vertical service at Biltmore Baptist opened up the New Year with a mass of folks getting baptised. Ben and I sat there watching. I looked over at Ben and he had tears rolling down his face. God was moving in his young heart. He has been saved for about 10 months but never made the outward step. I began praying that if God wanted him to move that He give a tug on Ben's heart. After about five minutes in eyes closed, silent prayer Ben grabbed my arm and said lets go. The church offered him some shorts and a tee-shirt but he flat refused (he had clothes in the car from our Y workout).

We had no idea that there were baptisms being preformed, and no idea that Ben would be getting baptised. God knew and was preparing him for this moment. What makes it amazing is that Ben had mentioned a few nights ago during our devotion that he wanted to be baptised.

What an AMAZING evening!

We took a nice hike through the Arboretum today enjoying probably the last of the 70 degree weather. Of course Marley and Dipstick joined us who just had to smell every leaf and blade of grass out there. We did get some good pics though. Thanks again to el Cinco for showing Briana how to actually use her camera.

Bent Creek

Marley decided to trod through the creek

The dam at Lake Powatan

Fall Picts/Update

So we have had a slow few weeks...I'm finally getting better after surgery. We decided to take a break today and get out of the house. Paul was off and it was finally not raining, it rains almost every weekend that Paul has been off all summer. We went out to Brevard to a gentle hike about 2 miles (it's family friendly). After a minor set back of Marley leaving huge presents in the car, we finally hit the trail. Thank you Painter el Cinco for telling me how to take the water pictures! I screamed after I took the picture!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well it's been a while since the Beufort trip and since then it has rained pretty much everyday. Not really but it seems like it. Ben has started school which has consisted of playing saxaphone in the middle school band. Briana started back to school which she is thrilled about.:) I on the other hand have been working mostly. Either urgent care or ems. The garden this year did not do so great, we did get alot of corn, beans, squash, okra, and peppers in. Due to all the rain most of the garden turned into a huge weed field. The past few weeks have been slingblading the weeds down. Soon to be burned for the enjoyment of all. We did take time to enjoy a day at carrage park. I ventured into the overflowed French Broad river to do some fly fishing Ben rode his bike and suckered Briana into a game of tennis. The next few weeks is getting ready for the cold weather by pressure washing and staining the deck, gathering and splitting firewood ( since I am still opposed to buying fuel for the furnace, and resealing the windows. A neighbor of ours recently moved to California and left us a homemade wood burning oven to make pizza which I am really excited about using. So here is a few pics from the summer. More to come soon....

Beaufort '09

I know its late but we ventured back to Beaufort, NC again this year with some good friends Pam and Rick. We had a great time visiting Shackleford island where we got to see some of the wild horses that have been there since the first ship wrecks off the NC coast. We also fished and ate at the best seafood resturant around the Sanitary Resturant ( and yes they were sanitary) by the way they have the best raw oysters anywhere! The rest of the time was spent relaxing especially since the sunscreen nazi (aka Briana), after all her fussing at us to put on sunscreen was burned too bad to go out anywhere! We did have fun at the music festival Saturday night on the docks! I'm ready to go back anytime!

I even got Briana fishing

Atlanta

Paul and I decided that it was time to get out of town after getting used to a new schedule. We left for the weekend on April 17th. Ben was really excited because the purpose of the trip was to go to the High Museum to see the Terracotta Army exhibit...of course I had a motive to go to the Aquarium where there are whale sharks (my favorite ocean critter). We also went to the Atlanta Zoo (they have pandas...even a little baby panda) and to the Botanical Gardens of Atlanta. The trip was very peaceful but a bit busy with activities the entire time.

Centennial Park

Since the Olympics were in Atlanta in '96 we thought it would be neat to see where the "park" was. There was a really neat water feature that we all played in...I got soaked.

Georgia Aquarium

Paul's cousin

Botanical Gardens

Ben playing in the mouth of a fish!!

Such a handsome boy--with a smile that can light up a room.

Paul looking just thrilled to have the camera in his face!

My camera eye going crazy for the curve and line.

Three frogs on a bench!

Ben acting like he can control the water.

I was wishing that I had a better lens for the camera but the shot did look neat.

Group shot with the timer--thanks to Ben for figuring out the best spot for the camera to sit.

Atlanta Zoo

This is my favorite shot of all--the elephant looks like it is walking on a tight rope!!!

Momma Panda

Baby Panda

These two monkeys were great. They had an entire crowd watching as they were fighting each other...playing of course but trying to show who was in charge.