I’m a little behind in posting – but as you can see, we’ve been really busy, plus I am still mediating! Here are some of the highlights since David retired December 31st:
January –
We kept Hannah for Mary and Brian to go on a much deserved cruise – Hannah was an angel and managed to wrap David around her little finger! She was definitely queen for a week!

February
We went skiing with Travis and Stephanie to Silver Creek – it brought back many memories of past ski trips with our family. Skiing always makes me feel so close to God – for some reason, the song “Ain’t Gonna Let the Mountains Praise the Lord” always comes to my mind as I ski down the mountain…God’s amazing Handiwork was everywhere and was absolutely beautiful! And, if I might add a little sidenote here…Stephanie has been such an added blessing to our family!

Hot chocolate break.

March
March was awesome! Allison, Kallie and Luke were able to visit with us for a week during spring break and it was SO wonderful! Allison and I were able to spend some quality time together (shopping, eating out, praising the Lord and sharing with each other all of the wonderful blessings He had bestowed upon us and all the many ways He was working in our lives – and praising Him that David is now retired and could watch the children so that we could have that quality time!) AND we were able to love on Kallie and Luke every single day – what a blessing! A few of the highlights of that week were that we went to Orlando (in spite of me running 102 degree temperature) and we even stopped at Barnacle Bill’s on our way home for some shrimps.

Allison was able to be here for my Dad’s birthday party – ANOTHER blessing – I think it made his birthday extra special – he does look happy, doesn’t he!


Richard and Kathy’s family at Daddy’s party – from left to right: Kathy, Alex, TJ (Katie’s boyfriend), Katie, John, and Richard – TJ’s been around for awhile now…he might be here to stay!

We also had another special event in March – Mema’s 80th birthday. From left to right are her children: Lonnie, Judy, David, Linda, and Pam.

April
In April, we used our Hilton Honors rewards and headed to Franklin, North Carolina. We took a trip on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad, hiked and saw many waterfalls, slept late, toured Fontana Damm, Cade’s Cove and the national park. As an added bonus from God, He let it snow the last day we were there – it was SO beautiful! It was a wonderful trip. Thanks to our trusted friend Garmin, we took the r-e-a-l-l-y long scenic route around the western side of the national park and ended up on some unknown mountaintop just to make a u-turn – but it was beautiful!

Later in April, Allison and the “West Drew Wives” stayed at the “Taylor Bed But No Breakfast” for a few days – (to find out who the “West Drew Wives” are, visit Allison’s blogspot!) David and I kept Luke while Allison visited with her friends and had so much one-on-one fun with him. We also drove down to Orlando with Luke and met Brian, Mary and Hannah for a short visit while Brian was attending a convention there. Allison left mid-week and we kept Luke until the end of the week when we flew with him back to Texas. For the first time in a long time, I had no fear of flying – I was so preoccupied with just being with Luke that I didn’t even think about flying until long after it was over. He was such a blessing!

May
Once in Texas, Allison had a great birthday party for Luke (see her website for all of the cool pictures from his party) – it was such a treat to see him interact with his friends, open his presents, and hear him say, “I two.” We were able to visit Allison and Shane’s church; we heard Shane preach and were so proud we could have popped; and were able to hear Allison sing a beautiful arrangement of “Holy, Holy, Holy” that brought her Dad to tears. Allison and Shane went on a weeklong Pastor’s Retreat and we were able to spend all week with Seth, Kallie and Luke. We did all of the “parent” chores and loved every minute of it! Kallie and Luke had their year-end program at preschool and we attended as the proud grandparents! On Mother’s Day, Shane took us out on the boat and we had a fabulous day. Another highlight of the trip was having lunch with Sherry and Randy Wilson, old friends of our from Jacksonville who had relocated years ago to Texas – we were quite impressed with the way they were able to order Mexican food in Spanish! We thank the Lord for the wonderful visit we had with Allison and her family – it could not have been more perfect.

After being back home only a few days, Mary and Hannah flew in for a quick overnight visit and then we went to my Mom and Dad’s for lunch the next day. It was a sweet visit – then Mary’s Dad met us and Mary and Hannah spent the week in Tallahassee. We were able to spend one last day with them the following Saturday – Mary and I had a “Starbucks” break and a nice walk on the beach while Hannah and David napped.

We ended May with Travis and Stephanie coming out on Memorial Day. We took the boat over to Cumberland Island and had a picnic – it was a gorgeous day! The dolphins were out in record number. The newest member of our family, “Sailor,” joined us and did great up until the very end when he got a little seasick…I don’t know if you can tell it from the picture, but he has the most adorable little “heart” on his tail…


Now ... a sneak peek at what’s ahead in the next few months:
Marriage retreat in St. Augustine; Trip to Brian and Mary’s;
Trip to Alaska; Allison and her family visiting; Allison and Shane’s cruise; Disneyworld with Kallie and Seth; Trip to Mobile; Mary and Brian visiting…
And then just the wonder of every day living at the beach – God is Good!!!!!