Summer Break Is Here for Teachers!!!

For some reason, this looks just like how I feel!!!! Summer break from school is such a relaxed time. I have bought new ferns, planted new bedding plants, and am really enjoying my hosta's. They are getting bigger and bigger every year.And of course with summer break comes the tanning and the pool. I finally have my pool almost pristine.
I am also enjoying my new car. I totaled my cute little blue Cavalier during the last two months of school. I bought a 2009 Ford Fusion. I was able to get my sunroof and spoiler back. The greatest thing my new car has is SYNC. I can make and take calls by pushing a button on my steering wheel and never touch my phone. How safe!!!!
Also during the early summer months are many graduations....Below is my step-daughter, Emily, graduating from the University of Tennessee with her degree in Nursing. We are all so proud of you Emily!!!!
Proud Dad, Mark and EmilyEmily with her brother, Justin, and step-brother, Cody after graduation.The gang, excluding myself....I had no personal days left at school so I did not get to attend.
Sorry again, Emily.
Last but no least is Emily and Travis, her future husband in May, 2010. Oh my!!!! Emily, I will make sure to keep my personal days for the wedding. I can't wait!
WE LOVE YOU EMILY AND ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

Congratulations Lay Speakers!

Bro. Danny Freeman presented Bobby Bogard and Bob Jernigan certificates for completing their Lay Speaker training. We are so proud of them! We are looking forward to hearing you speak to us..

Summer Break Is Here

I can't wait to begin my summer break from school after Friday morning. The following are things that I love during the warm summer days and nights. It is a very relaxing and laid back time of the year.

!. My first priority is getting my pool ready...we are almost there.

2. The next thing after a clean pool is relaxing....

3. Third item needed while relaxing is some great suntan lotion....I recommend Lewie's Tanning on-line. The prices are one-half of what we pay in salon's.

4. The best thing to have by the poolside is a cold glass of tea.

5. A summer must is the smell of a freshly mowed lawn......

6. Last but not least is windows raised during the day and night and the sweet sound of birds chirping (just not too early!).

The other exciting upcoming event is my daughter, Lana's, wedding on July 11, 2009. I am excited and at the same time kind of dreading it (just the idea of my baby girl getting married).

The next big summer event is my church's Vacation Bible School in July also. Our theme is Boomerang Express: Everything Comes Back To Jesus.

What are your plans?

Homecoming at the Bluff

What would Ivy Bluff be without homecoming? This year we celebrated with The Galloways. As always, we had some congregational singing. What would be more perfect than having our children sing with Mr. Lowell.

Waylon and Terry Gunter didn't mind taking a nap during singing.

Easter Egg Hunt

God always blesses us with a wonderful group of happy children for our annual Easter egg hunt. Everyone found dozens and dozens of eggs and took home prizes. We shared a meal of hot dogs, chips, and cookies. Thank you to everyone who helped make it a success.
No hot dogs for Garrett, just bread, a little here and a little there.
Abigail looks to be praying "Dear God, Thank you for my first Easter." We love you Abigail!!

God Is#1

We had a great time last Sunday in our childrens Sunday school class. We talked about David the King and David the Shepherd. We played a fun game of sheep herding. We also talked about what we would do if we were a king, queen, or shepherd. They had some great answers including "taking care of my people." How smart to be so young. We made a growing and shrinking King David and did a work page on matching different items needed to be a king or a shepherd. I am so proud of them! The wonderful men in our congregation have been practicing for their Last Supper Drama to be presented on Thursday night before Good Friday. We have a large amount of talent they just keep it hidden. Mark your calendars!!!!

Where Have I Been?

I apologize for not posting anything new in a while. I have the most beautiful buttercups in my back yard. They are HUGE! I ordered them many years ago from Jackson/Perkins Flowers.
These look like the cold weather today has gotten to them, their little heads were hanging down.


I brought in enough for a vase full before the cold winter weather hits tonight and in the morning. They brighten up my kitchen counter.


A cute little kitten claimed my house as its home about a month ago. It has the weirdest meow you have ever heard, really shrill. But cute, cute, cute. I have decided not to name it because every cat I name, something bad happens to it.
This is a before shot of my pool.....I was considering pouring the chlorine in until it dropped 30 degrees today. Can't wait to show you the after pic. Hopefully it won't be long.

Pray With Me

We had a great time in Sunday school today as we went into the garden to pray like Jesus and a few of his disciples did. We created a small garden scene for us to pretend we were there.
While we were in the garden, we talked about how Jesus went to the garden to pray. We discussed how Peter and the others fell asleep. They were awaken by soliders coming in to take Jesus away. Zachary, D. J., Wyatt, and Haven were such great listeners. They answered all of the questions I quizzed them on after reading our Bible story. The boys even wanted to make masks to imitate the soliders.

We also made prayer flowers. They wrote down names of people they wanted to pray for. Everytime they look at their prayer flowers, they are to be reminded to pray for those people.

Mr. Bob Jernigan has completed his courses to become a local lay speaker. We are so proud of Bob and his family. They are a wonderful addition to our congregation.

Here are Zachary, Wyatt, and D. J. waiting the prelude to join Bro. Danny at the front of the church with today's offering. They are such young little men.