Sunday and family

Had a great SS class and worship -- and Vickie and Roger joined us for lunch at Jack's. Then a surprise visit from Uncle Jim, Aunt Inez, Mary, Velda and Pat (Inez' niece). They were very complimentary about the house and grounds.

Jonathan sent an email this morning and included a picture of his new home (the compound) in Afghanistan and several pictures made at the local bazaar of some of the beautiful rugs. I plan to get at least one for the house!

Pictures of the Scott kids

I had meant to add these to the blog last month but had left the pictures on my work computer and then forgot about it. One is of Sandy, Jonathan and Chris at his wedding. The other is of Sandy, Jonathan and Barron that same weekend.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

What a great time regardless of the rain that continues to come day after day! Church service was a tribute to those who have served our country in the military -and those who didn't come home! Barron and I wore our red-white-blue, as I explained to some, I am an Army brat that married a Viet Nam vet so I am patriotic through and through! David had chosen such beautiful music and Roger's sermon was all about the Greatest Sacrifice -- our Lord Jesus Christ!

Backing up to Saturday, we went out to Ebenezer cemetery to see the new Veteran's Memorial they have put up. Unfortunately we noted that Scottie's name is not on it but they have promised to correct that. Then we stopped by to visit Uncle Jim and Aunt Inez - and Sandy and Larry happened to stop by too. Uncle Jim looks better than he has in a while, but is putting in a large garden (an entire acre of peas) so not sure how long his health will last with all that is involved with gardening!

Sunday evening Tiny and Jackie came over as they were in town to celebrate with June on her 70th birthday and we had a great visit. Enjoyed sitting out on our front porch together. Finalized details for the Wilkins reunion and reminisced about the past!

Monday, Butch and Barbara joined us for lunch and Barron had prepared a delicious one: Grilled Ribs, onion and potatoes, sliced tomatoes and sweet cantaloupe!! We talked about family of course and they brought some papers for me to add to the family genealogy - which is a neverending task! I do so enjoy it so if any of you know how I could do it for retirement $$ -- please let me know. We made a quick trip out to the Wilkins house and showed off our new church building as well. We will definitely have to get together more often now that we are close by.

I forwarded Jonathan's 3rd email from Afghanistan to many of you (if you didn't get it and would like to, let me know) -- and how sad that our country lost two of its finest over the weekend!!!

We are so thankful for those who serve to protect us!!!!!!!!!!!

Extraordinary Women Conf - Pictures

Just had to add two pictures that Andrea made at the Conference. The first one is with the Extraordinary Chonda Pierce. The other is most of us with Thelma Wells, who very graciously agreed to join us in a picture.

Extraordinary Women's Conference

Oh, what a fabulous time we had last Friday and Saturday! Super speakers: Julie Clinton, Angela Thomas, Karen Kingsbury, Thelma Wells, Stormie Omartian and the super funny and serious Chonda Pierce. Music by NewSong and Matthew West. Who could ask for more???!!! Even the rain couldn't defeat us!

As usual, on Sunday we attended Sunday School and Worship, then headed to Priceville to visit with Aunt Fannie. Cindy Scherer had asked us to pass along the gifts and pictures she had brought to town for her. Fannie loved the pictures but was very sad when see how Uncle Clyde had aged and then reading his obit. She said it was hard to realize that she had lost all 3 brothers now!

Weather has turned cool but SUNNY!!! We will enjoy it while we can, knowing that rain is predicted again for the weekend. Barron planted quite a few iris bulbs yesterday that Wanda shared from her garden. Now the front yard in lined with iris beds, plus a few more near the creek. Did I remember to tell you that he also planted two dogwood trees that he bought over the weekend? My sister Cathy also shared some Rose of Sharon bushes with us (some know them as Altheas). Maybe we can charge admission next Spring when everything comes into bloom??!!

Not too many more days until BFC trip to Dunlap, TN ... Hope to see you there!

Scott Family Reunion and Mother's Day plans

It was so good on Tuesday morning for some of our local Scott kinfolk to get together for breakfast at Cracker Barrel -- Cindy Scott Sherer, 3 daughters and 1 nephew were passing through so we had a quick gathering. Those present besides Barron and I and Cindy and family were Sandy Hicks, Wanda and James Williams, Doug and Ann Williams, Steven and Skyler. Scott Williams was able to stop on his way to work. We missed the others who couldn't make it. Cindy and family spent Monday night - or what was left of it by the time they arrived at 3:00 AM -- and were very complimentary about the house. We were delighted too with the pictures and gifts Cindy brought. Did I mention they were on their way to Pensacola for son Michael's graduation??

This Friday afternoon we will head to Phenix City for the weekend. I plan to stay with Elizabeth and the girls Friday night for a "Girls Night Out" as Chris and the boys will be at a RA campout. Then Saturday afternoon we gather at 12:30 for pizza and David's #9 birthday party. Hope he likes all his presents.

Sunday of course is Mother's Day so after church - weather permitting - the JP Benton clan will gather at the cabin for a time of food, fun and fellowship. If it proves to be a rainy forecast for the day, we will just gather in Lakewood Baptist Church's fellowship hall and have time together. Maybe someone wil remember to bring dominoes for a quick game of Chicken Foot, or cards so we can play Spades or Rummy or Canasta! The kids will probably be on their DS's. Maybe we should bring a video to watch??!

Weather-- Weather -- Weather

Wow!! Just a quick note to reflect on the past week and the coming week of stormy weather we have had here in north Alabama. The sirens kept going off at Redstone Arsenal today as tornados were in the area -- but thank goodness all are safe! Understand some damage was done in Tuscaloosa, Jasper, Hartselle and Madison. Barron is worried that the grass is going to be too high to cut -- maybe have to bring in a hay bailer!!