August Awesomeness... just found!

This post didn't post the right way last time... here's hoping it does now... 

I love all the darlings in this shot. We had a perfect day. It was awesome. 

Because these are friends and family who are Christians. 

We share the same goals. Hopes. Love.

It makes my life better just knowing they're around. 

Just to think of them makes me smile. 

They're like sunshine itself. 

4 of the sweetest sweethearts in all the word. 

Madison. Carter. Hallie. McKenna. 

Cousins. Family. Can't imagine life without each other.

These kiddos are each a year apart. They know one another so well. 

They are each others best friends. They play together beautifully.

Beautiful girls. Inside and out. 

Girls who reach out to others to help them when they see that they're not happy. 

Girls who are smart, silly, helpful, active, and good. 

Girls who I love to be around. 

What a blessing "little ones" are... 

they really are the ones who make life worth living-- 

to show them where we can go one day... 

where we'll never grow old! 

Live by example!

Change.

 Change. Change is not my favorite. Trying new things? Yes, I do enjoy that. Having firsts? Yeah, that's normally pretty interesting, too. Adventures, those are awesome. Traditions, that's special... but change... sigh. Not the easiest thing in the world. It kinda goes along with growth... which is lovely to watch in a flower, or even new grass seeds outside in the front yard... Growth in yourself can be nice to look back at and appreciate, but the stretching and changing as you're mid-growth. Ouch.

  As you all might have gathered from my Facebook posts of the past few weeks-- and really, months and years would be accurate, life is always full of lessons and learning-- I've been learning, growing, and stretching a lot. I get a good reminder sometimes when it hurts, that I could have saved myself some trouble, sadness, or pain if I'd listened to those smarter than I from the beginning. Though I will not always get it right, I have determinedly decided to do a MUCH better job about listening to advice from Godly Christians. My parents are my number one set of example and encouragement. And oh, how the list does go on from there. I've been blessed with such a support system, I can't even tell you how far around the world it reaches. Our GOD is too good to HIS own!

 So, I've learned to tolerate (I'm not gonna say I love it, but I actually cannot say that I hate it as much as I used to) some alone time. Between jobs, with sometimes not a sound in the house, other times loud music or a phone call with a friend while running around to get little things done. I've learned to not need others as much, to need God more. And this is a very good thing. I've learned to reach out father than my usual circle to give and to also receive fellowship. I've tried new things, I have new jobs, I've been making myself read books again.  (This may sound super silly, because I've grown up loving to read and being read to and even now to read to littles... sitting down to read for me, though, is something I'm out of the habit of and don't do often because I would always pick to be with someone above reading. But, it's been a good task for me. Little Women was the first book of choice. It's an old friend. I'm almost done, having enjoyed every minute.)

I've realized why I can be such a pain to others. Why I'm not always totally believed or trusted because of my usual happiness. I've learned that I need to show some of my difficulties, also sharing all the incredible joys that truly do OVERFLOW my life. I am blessed beyond reason, I do have a very easy life-- but it's not all because it just "happened" that way. Many people have made serious choices and held to them to make sure that my life had many of the things that I should-- a safe and happy home because my parents were united in Christ and divorce was not an option. A fantastic congregation in GA because the elders made sure that they fought every bit of false teaching or steered us away from any sin that tried to come into our fold... and now, strong Christian friends who help me stay on the right path, to stay focused, and again, a wonderful congregation led by elders who are determined to help us all get to Heaven. And I have had to make and hold to some very strong decisions, Because they are what is right. The more you do it, the easier it is, but it's not easy. And, also, the more you do pick the right thing, the LESS you would even want the bad things... and the better you are at understanding your blessings.

It's hard to live without the constant joy of having your favorite two kiddos in the whole world by your side every moment of the day, but, as I pray for them, as I let them go, as I am so excited for their futures, I turn more towards my future, and to what work there is to do right now. And there is so much. The word BORED is not in my vocabulary. Because I do not allow it to be... because life is too short to not get out there and live every minute of it-- I do love this life, though it is hard, but I'm ready to go on, whenever, to what is waiting. THAT change? That one won't be hard... :)

Aunt Shauna's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Shauna! 
How is it that a day that brings so much happiness for so many years. can bring so much sadness now? How is it that something so fun to do, is also so emotional? 
It's because you're not with us. 
But you're where we want to be.

Knowing you are there waiting for us makes life mean more-- makes getting to Heaven even more important. The little things matter more.

Family matters. You know that. You show that. 

Sunshine matters. Living in it. Bring ready for what the day brings with a smile, a laugh, a word of encouragement, a hug, a song, a prayer. We CAN do all things through Christ.

It's always a pretty day. And the kiddos love it so much. The balloons all being inside the house is super fun, too. Normally one or two pop before we can let them fly, but, you would just smile and hand them another. That's what we do.

The balloons always seem to stick together. That's what we need to do. Fight through the problems in life and make things work for GOOD. We're not perfect, but we know what IS perfect. I miss you being here, but you would be happy. Really, the way the kiddos are growing, how happy they are, how great Darren is doing with his riding and being a dad, the gorgeous places they get to travel to and all the fun things they get to do. 
Life is good.


"Can't get enough of this everyday love!"
It's the simple things... 
It's 
LIVE. 
LAUGH. 
LOVE.
GOD-CENTERED!

I know your birthday was beautiful. One day, we'll share it with you. 
I love you. 

Tennessee

There is no place like home... but there is almost no place like 

Gran and Grandad's.

I have spent countless hours playing in this yard. Being read to by Gran-- and Grandad. Everything from the Bernstein Bears to whole books of the Bible at a time, to car magazines and money papers.

From the time where I couldn't step this far and had to jump, to being able to jump totally skipping one, to taking small steps to step on every one... I have be here. I have made memories in every place you can imagine around this house. In every room. There stories go on and on... :) Especially when Gran tells them at night and Christina says, "Just one more story Gran... THEN what happened?" (If you're wondering our very favorites are about G&G's dating time, early marriage, and Daddy!! :))

Do you know how many meals I've eaten here? How many songs I've heard Grandad sing from the bathroom? How hard it was to get that shower door opened or closed when I was a kid? How I would giggle to myself to see Gran making faces at people on the phone for our benefit?

How I've knitted, colored, hemmed, studied... how I've just sat and listened to the sound of traffic flying by on 55. To the cows. To Jesse. To the judge shows on TV. To the crime shows that scared me when I was little but I couldn't walk away from. Or if I did... I could still hear in the next room-- and no way was I going downstairs by myself!

To the driving back to G&G's at night after Thanksgiving or being at Granny's. To see this light shinning for us across the field, through the trees. To know Gran was sitting in her chair reading, sewing, or writing (or sleeping)...  to know that when we got there, she'd put down whatever she was doing and ask if we wanted something to eat, if we'd had fun. To hear whatever we wanted to tell her.

I am a runner. Maybe not super long distances kinda runner. But a "I want to get where I'm going faster, so I'm gonna run" kinda runner. As a little kid, this was always true. I would run down those steps, turn and back up. If you're super cool, you don't even use the deck, you just go from one step to the next. And let me tell you, when Gran calls you, you should always come-- #1 because she's Gran and you should always obey her. But... #2. Because it's normally for something awesome! 'Cause she's one of the coolest people in the whole wide world!

Did you have days of sewing with your Gran? Of shopping-- learning the amount that you pay on something isn't what maters. It matters if it's good and helpful. And you can clean just about anything up to look good again. Don't be afraid to bargain. Or to walk away. And to be giving. And that an ice cream or Diet Coke is NEVER very far away.

There's a lot of walking in TN. In the early mornings with Gran and Grandad. Walking between them-- having to run to keep up with them when you're little. 'Cause you can come, but you have to keep up. Knowing that there would always be something neat to see. And that Grandad would make you laugh at something Gran would say and what his response would be. He's super smart-- and very funny. When you make him laugh, you know you've said something funny.

They've taught us so much. They've expected so much out of us. I couldn't thank them enough for the way they expected us to act, for helping us know so much about money and being wise with it. For going on trips with us and sharing in so many "little things" about our lives. Gran has written me a letter every single year for my birthday and many in between. She wrote letters in block capitals so that I could read it. The first time she sent me a letter in cursive, I felt so cool-- because she thought I was old enough to read it that way... and because I was!! :)

The field. The motorcycle rides. The field Grandad taught us to drive in-- and a stick at that! Riding a horse. Loving Hardee's. Reading a pattern. Washing the dishes is super hot water. Making tea. Catching the microwave before it yells. The smell of bacon. Perfect chocolate pies. There's too much to tell about!!

 

 Gran and Grandad are hard workers. They are the "hard to keep up with" kinda workers. The kind that make God happy. They help so many people-- both in this country and in others. No job is too menial. They are not looking for thanks. Just to do what is needed. 

Their example is priceless in my life.

While I was home on this trip, I felt like a little girl again. Everything was just as it should be. It was perfect. Every time I go back I retrace my steps through my play-places as a kiddo. I normally do this alone. This time, I did it with a camera because I want to remember everything. This is the grave of my kitty. I couldn't have a kitty in GA, but this was MY kitty in TN. Blackie. I loved him. <3

 I don't know why I was given such a perfect childhood. It was the kind where you grow up good, you grow up slow~ like American Honey (Lady A). It's the kind that leaves you thanking God every day for all HE gave to you, and wanting to give it back to others.

I love my Gran and Grandad's.

Because I love them.

They love me. 

And we love HIM! 

<3 

Suprise, GA~ I'm in town!! :)

Sooooo. I'm just drivin' along... and suddenly GA pops out of no where. So, I decided, since I was there anyway, to run over to see my family... :)) ha ha. 

Real story. Darren and the kiddos were headed outta town for a bit. So I hopped in my new red car and drove home by way of the Graves'. Wherever they are is my 2nd home. I love to walk back into their home, feel their hugs, see their smiles, and just be together. Something things just don't change. I love that. After a wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too short visit with them, I headed towards GA~ and stopped to have an awesome lunch with my grandparents in TN who found out I was gonna be at their exit in 30 minutes and dropped everything to come see me. They are so awesome. 

So. I arrived at home on Friday night... ready to ring the doorbell and be welcomed with shocked looks I was sure, because, I'd not told a single McAfee living in GA that I was coming... BUT! The doorbell doesn't work anymore... So. Next best thing... maybe BEST thing... I still have my house key. I just walked right in... and ohhhh, you should have seen their faces! It was PRICELESS!!



Aislinn Ruth is now 6... Sweet little bitty baby that she was... now ohhh so big. So smart. So silly. So knows how to get her way... wow. I can't wait to see who she is as an adult. 

I love her!!!



Renee. Oh. My pretty Renee. It was so incredible to get to go home to GA and see her. It was making my head spin to see my family, Lance and Renee, me! All of us at Duluth together. Awesome to see them talking to people I have known my whole life. Great to catch up with them about people back in MO, where we first shared home together. We talked so much. It was totally wonderful. It was super hard for me to walk away from them on the last night. I sure do love them!!!



I know that no place is perfect. No person is perfect. There is not a perfect family. 
But. Wow. Being back in GA. With my family. On vacation, but at home. It felt so great!


I got to see the lovely little bride!!! My sweet cousin, Julia, got married since I was home last. It was so neat to see her again. She has always had a special place in my life. I love this woman. <3


We drove a total of 3 hours to spend 3 hours with Alyssa. It. was. awesome. She is so cool. She is just so happy. A wonderful wife, a fantastic Christian. I'm so pleased to call her my sister. Just look at how pretty my sisters and Mommy are! My Mommy is the one of the far right. I know, it's hard to tell. :)


Even though we live in 3 states now instead of under one roof, nothing can separate us.


Together again!!! :)))

Christina and Victoria are so much fun to be around. It was good to just to hear them laughing and talking. And did I mention laughing? During my time at home I was able to see a whole bunch of friends. Almost all of the dear families that I used to work for. It was awesome to see how much the kiddos have grown and see new things they're into and the skills they are developing. I'm so proud of all of them. <3


Surprising Grandma was almost as great as surprising Moma and Daddy. I almost called her mom than once to tell her that I was coming. But. :) No. I decided to call her from Moma's phone instead. That was cool. =D My family was amazing to help me get a whole lot of work for VBS done!! It was fun to be together and to work.


I am more thankful for the Staff of TFTW than I can express with words. The blessings that they each are to the Lord's Kingdom cannot be named. They worked super hard this week, but that's not saying anything, they always do. :) They are in this for the prize of Heaven and taking as many there with them as possible. I thank God for them always!


Filming in our auditorium. Life is always interesting. :)


So many friends, such a short time-- and how awesome was my timing?! Yep! That's right! The Fransons were at Duluth while I was! Nathan was preaching on Mormonism and did such a great job! And yep, I got to see his incredible wife and adorable son. 

And it's not even PTP or MSOP yet!! YAY!

Just a short time back she was with my in MO, now I'm at home with her! Life is good both ways! 

There are so many blessings about going home. 

The time to be refreshed and built back up. It's incredible. 

 

A precious blessing was had right at the end of the trip. Moma and I went to visit Mrs. Bradshaw. It was so nice to see her beautiful face again. She is such a fantastic woman. It amazes me every time I get to be with her how lady-like she how. How kind. Sweet. Smart and funny. Very much centered on God she is. She is a role model if I ever met one. She is in my prayers as her health is not the best anymore. 

But. Her reward will be the BEST thing ever!! 


Hated to leave, couldn't wait to be back in TN... :)))

Dream Come True

Hello you cuties... Know what today is?! It's the day McKenna gets to ride a horse for the first time ever!!

Oh! And look~ we get to the farm and Ken finds another animal to love on. :)) Shoooooockkker!

This is a monkey. An adorable monkey. Who loved everything about the day at the farm, feeding, watching, being around the house, petting it even, 

but no, oh, nooooo. Would NOT get on him.

Cannot thank Hillary enough for taking the time, putting such an effort into making this dream come true for this Little Princess!!!!

Being there with another friend was just that much more awesome!!! :D

And there she is. Up on a horse. Walking around for several minutes. 

Yeah, it's a big deal!!!! 

Look at her go! She listened well and was not scared. I was so excited for her. I've always loved to ride, so knowing that Ken is interested and then got to do it, that was cool.

Happy End to your birthday, baby girl. We'll be back sometime. :) 

You little cowgirl!!!