Happy Birthday, Ada Jane and Bonnie!

Saturday was Ada Jane Choate's first birthday. Her first cousin, Bonnie Fagan, turned one year old the day before! A joint birthday party was held on Saturday at the pool. Kids, cake, ice cream, gold fish, Capri Sun juices, hot sun, and a pool full of water. What more do you need?!

Baptism at the Beach

August 17th, eight children from our church were baptized at Sandy Beach. I have known some of these children since they were merely an "idea!" Those baptized included Waren Thomas Olmstead, Savannah Duncan, Kate Reese, Colin Shearer, Caitlyn Crowder, Marissa Holland, Paige Fisher, Carly Fisher, and Shayne Fisher. I would guess at least 75 people gathered for the event. The pastor asked each child's parents (and a few friends and other relatives) to "say something nice about your child," and one by one, they did just that. It was really a great time and a beautiful, breezy summer afternoon to be on the beach for such a special reason.

Surviving the Summer

Our cats love to sleep in the sun - and they LOVE a small box, so we fixed a box in the sun for them... and when I put Mabel in it, she settled right down for a good long nap.













Meanwhile, Lucy was "hard at work" in my office. She is often very un-ladylike, but she loves to lie on her back like this!

A Lot is Happening!

It has been awhile since my last post, but I have been busy! My cousin Amanda got married last weekend, and I was the wedding coordinator. Photos will come soon!

My little friend Job McCully, from Bigelow, Arkansas, is getting a new house this next week, courtesy of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition! We have been campaigning and praying for this for a long time, so it is a tremendous blessing. You can follow the daily progress and learn more at http://www.thehousejackbuilt.com/extreme/ You owe it to yourself to "meet" Job (just like in the Bible) and his family and follow this story!

Today is the 34th anniversary of our marriage! Yep - 34 big ones, and going stronger every day! I am so blessed I almost have to pinch myself!!! How will we celebrate? An auction, of course... and pizza tonight, of course. We may be dull, boring and predictable, but we're in it for the long haul. It's been amazing so far... and we can't wait to see what the future holds.

A Visit From the Dollars

Friday afternoon, my friend Marla Ann (Baker) Dollar brought her grandchildren and her daughter Molly to visit us. Marla was my next-door neighbor until we married, and she is like a sister to me. Her daughter Molly has three children - Griffin Alexander is nearly 10, Ruby Ann will be 7 on August 3, and Roman Maurel will be 5 in December. They all live in Fayetteville.

Marla and Molly took the children to Mtn. View on Thursday to see the sights and tour Blanchard Caverns - they took the Dripstone Trail tour and really enjoyed it. Yesterday they swam in the pool and visited relatives and came to our house. Today they were going to go boating with another friend and then visit and swim some more. The kids were having a great time seeing people and the town where their grandmother lived as a young girl.

Pictured are Marla (left) and Molly (right) and then from left to right are Griffin, Ruby, and Roman. Aren't these cute kids? I gave them a box of dominoes and taught them to play "Chicken Foot" so now they have a new game to add to their repertoire. Honestly, I think they have more fun lining up the dominoes and knocking them over, but someday that will change (maybe!) and they will be glad to know how to play a new game!