Wednesday, July 13, 2011

JULY 4TH


Seth marched in the Spring Hill July 4th parade with the high school band then we came home, packed our coolers and headed to downtown Nashville for concerts and fireworks. We wanted to get to Riverfront Park early enough to get a good spot for the evening headliner, Darius Rucker. We became fans of Darius when he was "Hootie" with Hootie and the Blowfish when we lived in Columbia, SC and they were just getting their start. He has now crossed over to country and I just love his country music! We arrived at the park by Noon and had a great spot to view the concert and the fireworks on the river that followed. It was a long, hot wait until 8:00 p.m. when Darius would come on stage. We took our chairs, golf umbrella and beach umbrella, so although it was hot, we had shade. We spent some time walking around downtown getting free samples and people watching. At 1:00 the lesser known acts started to perform - some were good,

some not so much. Thankfully the rain that was predicted passed over. We found an old timey ice cream parlor called Diana's and had dinner there. Finally after a long, hot wait, it was 8:00 and Darius came out and didn't disappoint us! He sang for about 80 minutes, mixing in some vintage Hootie with his country and ended his set singing Purple Rain with the Nashville Symphony. As soon as that was over the fireworks started and what a display it was!! About 30 minutes of fireworks synched with the Nashville symphony. A great way to end a hot day.














We packed up our area and waited for the first wave to leave the park (there was an estimated 125,000 people in attendance). We were walking back to the van and stopped for Jenna to use the bathroom (a/k/a porta potty which by the time of the night was gross!). It was then that Seth realized he didn't have his cell phone. He had it while we were packing up our spot and we're still not sure what happened.. if it missed his pocket when he put it back in and he didn't feel it hit his foot or if it fell out when he leaned over to return stuff to the cooler which had spilled. We debated about what to do and decided he and I would retrace our steps and search at our spot. I was praying the entire way back that God would work a miracle and let us find the phone. We searched and searched around our spot and didn't find it. He keeps it on vibrate so we wouldn't hear it ring, but I thought maybe we would see it light up. I asked a cop if there was a lost and found, she say no but called her command center to see if a phone had been turned in and none had. I continued to pray that someone kind and honest would find his phone and return it. I left several messages on his voice mail giving my cell number asking that whoever found it would please call. Needless to say, it was a very quiet ride back to Spring Hill. About 11:50 that night my cell phone rang, and Seth's number came up on my screen! The guy said they found Seth's phone and wanted to return it. I kept telling him what an answer to prayer he was and was so thankful that they found it. They didn't live near us - they lived 1-1/2 hours northwest of us, so we got his dad's name, phone number and address and Steve drove up to Springfield, TN the next day to get the phone. Steve said as soon as he walked into the house that he knew they were Christians because of the Bible verses on the walls. He said they found it on the ground when they were packing up and leaving. So thankful that Seth saw how God cares even about the smallest details of our lives and allowed someone to find a phone in the midst of 125,000 people and return it.

Perdido Key, FL






















We went to Perdido Key, Florida for a week in June and had a wonderful time. We had great weather, only about 30 minutes of rain one day. We celebrated Father's Day at DeSoto's in Gulf Shores, AL (about a 20 minute drive from Perdido Key). Wednesday morning we went to Pensacola (about 10 minutes away) to the Navy base to watch the Blue Angels pratice and then visit the museum. On our way to the base it was cloudy with sprinkles so we weren't sure if they'd practice or not, but it cleared up and they practiced for about 40 minutes. I'm always amazed at their speed and precision. We returned to Gulf Shores for our last hoorah for dinner at Mikee's on Friday night before heading back to TN on Saturday. While at the beach we enjoyed watching our South Carolina Gamecocks win their way through the brackets to eventually claim their second national title for the second year in a row at the College World Series.














Saturday, April 30, 2011

EASTER

Our matching Easter outfits - our Bridge Kids Ministry shirts. We all worked teaching Sunday School or nursery duty for second service.

PROM

Seth and Breanna went to her senior prom tonight at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.








































































Sunday, April 10, 2011

On April 6th, Jenna had the opportunity to participate with her middle school track team in the Scott Hartman Relays in Brentwood, TN. This is special to us because Sharon was Scott's private duty nurse for many years before he passed away. Scott was an incredible athlete who unfortunately was injured at a track meet during his freshman year of college. Because of Sharon's connection to Scott and his family, it was an honor for Jenna to be able to participate in the relays held in his memory each year. Jenna ran the 4x800 and the 800, where she shaved 5 seconds off her time!



Thursday, March 31, 2011

Spring Break

We went to South Carolina for part of spring break and enjoyed time with family, friends and some gorgeous, sunny 80° weather. Two years ago the University of South Carolina built a new baseball stadium and Steve had been wanting to see a game at the new stadium. It just so happened that the weekend we were in town was the opening of SEC play and Georgia was in town for a weekend series. We all enjoyed going to the games on Friday night and Saturday afternoon and Steve and Seth went for the Sunday afternoon game while Jenna and I stayed at Sallie and Carl's. On Saturday, my "boss" and friend, Jonie, came to the game. We hadn't seen each other in 15 years, so it was great to see each other again. On Tuesday we had lunch with the kids' former babysitter, April, and her husband David. Jenna was in their wedding in 2006 and we had not seen them since the wedding. David is a captain in the Army and they're in the process of being transferred to Fort Drum in New York and they were in South Carolina. It was so fun to see them again.




Monday, March 14, 2011

WINTER DRUMLINE

This year, Seth learned to play bass drum and is participating in winter drumline, playing 3rd bass. He has enjoyed the experience and we have enjoyed chaperoning and attending competitions. Here are a few pics from this past Saturday's competition in Athens, AL where we placed third.




Outside warm-ups.














Indoor warm-ups. (Seth is second from right.) And, yes, the guys have eye make-up on .... it's all part of the show!






More indoor warm-ups. (Seth is second from right.)



Getting ready for the show "Roped Into It" to start. (I couldn't get a clear pic because I was too far away. Once again, Seth is second from right.)