OK So It's Another Giveaway!!!

I will tell you that I didn't even enter the last giveaway!! I only advertised it!! There just happens to be alot of giveaways on the blogs that I enjoy visiting!! If you like you some Starbucks and good smelling soap and monogram towels, you can go here or you can just let me win whatever you want to do!! Hope everyone had a good 4th of July. My boys were away for the first time ever at the beach!! It was really quite without them!!! We ended the day by going to the Windsor where my mother in law is (temporarily we hope) for a fireworks show. It was really nice!!

Another Giveaway!!

Here is another giveaway!! If you like vintage sewing or embroidery you really should check out this site!! You can click the button on the right!! You have until midnight July 4th to get your name in the pot!!

That Basket is 2 cute!!

Oh my gosh!! It is 2 cute!!! I love it!! Thank you so much Ms. Glenda. This is the basket I won from Ms. Glenda's giveaway!! Please check out her blog. She makes the cutest things.

Megan

Megan's baby will be here in a few weeks! I cannot wait to be "Grams"!! Everyone says that you think you can't love someone as much as you love your children.... just wait till the grandbabies get here!! Michael and Dustin will be in Florida next week so Megan and I are going to be sewing for the baby's room! Yes I said Megan. She doesn't know it yet but she will be helping me!! It will be lots of fun and time we can spend together! I don't have any updated pics of Megan, but just click on her name and you can see them on her blog.

Michael Graduates!!

Michael has graduated!! He is going to Scooba and we don't know yet if he will get to play football!! We are hoping! He also turned 18 on June 18 and can you believe we did not take any pictures!! I am so mad at myself!

FRIENDS

Michael and his friends! They are such good friends to each other. I hope they stay close!

Catching Up

It has been a long time since I have blogged. I started this when Megan and Chad moved to Florida to keep them up with what was going on. I am not sure I did a very good job!! I really enjoy reading other blogs so I decided that I would continue with mine. You know I have a grand baby coming and I will need to brag a little... OK maybe a lot!!! I guess I will start back in March. My #1(I will brag on my children too!) son in the Army Reserve finally graduated receiving an award for his leadership!! We missed him so much and are so proud of him. He will be going back to school this fall! Thank you Lord! Needless to say, Mama is very happy about that!!

Another Giveaway!! This one you can eat!!!

Well here I go again posting about a giveaway. I promise I will update my blog with all that has been happening in the next couple of days. Check out the The Cookie Mama, she is having a giveaway. I have never tried the cookies but other people say they are wonderful!! She is so creative!! Click the button on the right!!

Another Giveaway!!

Well here I go again!! Check out this new giveaway!! It is here! I think I am hooked on the giveaways!!! I just won my first giveaway!! I am so excited!! Check out this blogspot. She has some really cute things on her Etsy Shop!! I would like to thank everyone for doing their giveaways!! I know it advertises their business, but it is a very generous idea!! I am really hoping to get an embroidery machine this summer and I would like to return the generosity!

Giveaway

I know I have been terrible about blogging! I am not sure many of you read this anymore, but in case you do I would like to tell you about a giveaway. Michael's 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Glenda, has a giveaway on her blogspot. You really need to check her out anyway. She makes the cutest things!!! I will update a litle later today I promise. Click on Glenda!!!

Football Banquet

Last night we had the end of the year football banquet. It was such a great year! I am so glad that Michael's Senior year of football ended with them going to the 3rd round of playoffs. These boys worked so hard and they played together as a team. I was so sad that it is over, but hopeful that Michael will go on to play in junior college. We decided last night that we need to have an alumni section because we still feel so connected. I look forward to watching these boys next year. I pray they will continue to do well.

1st Grandbaby on the Way!!!!

We are so excited to announce that we have a grandbaby on the way. Megan and Chad are expecting on Aug 11th. I cannot wait!! We have lots to do and I know it will be here before we know it. Megan and Chad have a lot going on. They are moving to Bainbridge, GA which will be half the distance closer. I am not sure yet how long it will take to get there but I think about 5 1/2 to 6 hours. I am excited about that to. Please keep them in your prayers.

My Son the Soilder

My precious son got to come home from boot camp for 2 weeks at Christmas. He went back on Jan 2. We are going on Wed Jan 21 for family day on Thurs and graduation on Friday. I am excited to tour the base and see where he as been since Oct 20. Dustin and a few others are suppose to sing the National Anthem at grad. He said he hopes they forget. He will have to stay another 2 months to learn his job. He is in the Army Reserve which is like the National Guard. He will go 1 weekend out of the month when he gets home. He is also going back to school and his Mother is very happy about that.

A Murphy Wedding

My neice Jennifer Murphy got married on Dec 13th. It was a beautiful wedding and Jennifer was a beautiful bride. We had to leave Mark at home to stay with Mrs. Murphy. She was in the hospital with pneumonia. Jennifer's wedding was the bright spot of the month. Jennifer teaches at Hinds Community College and Brent is a policeman and I am pretty sure he is going to school. He is a really nice guy so I think we will claim him. Edith Shelton is Mark's sister. She is in the purple for those of you that don't know her. She is also Ben Shelton's Mom.

Happy New Year!!

We have had a pretty rough month of December. To make a long story short. I had an episode with my heart racing. I ended up having to have an ablation. That is when you have an extra circuit in your heart and they go in a zap it. Everything went great and I go back on Feb 10. Michael and his friend Hilton got hit head on by a drunk driver. They hurt their knees, but no surgery for either boy. We were really relieved for Hilton because he has had 2 surgeries on that knee and he is getting ready for his senior year in baseball. We were also relieved for Michael who ended up with a bone bruise. It will just take some time to heal with therapy. We are hoping he gets to continue to play football at a junior college. We won't know until some time in February. Mrs. Murphy was in the hospital with pneumonia. I don't think I have updated on her in a while. She broke both of her arms and had to have surgery on both arms. They found out that she has Multiple Myeloma (sp?). It is cancer of the bone marrow. She is now in the middle of her treatments. She should be through this week. Please keep her in your prayers. I hope this doesn't all sound so matter of fact. Just trying to update without making it so long. We are so thankful that God is always in control. I could not have gotten through all of this without knowing that He is always there. We only have to call on Him.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I pray that everyone has a Happy New Year!!

GO TROJANS GO!!

What a night Friday night!!! The Trojans were on top of their game. They played so good!! Mark also said that the Coaches did a great job too!! It was a game never to be forgotten!! We could not believe the fans that were there. It felt like we were at home!! We will play at home this coming Friday night! Please come!!

My Mother-in-law

This will be a long post to catch you up on what has happened to my sweet Mother-in-law since she broke her right arm and got a cast the same day as Michael. (Earlier post) She has since broken the left arm and had surgery on both arms. She has been amazing for someone who can do nothing for herself. Mrs. Murphy has been living with her daughter, Edith Shelton (Ben Shelton's mom) for the last 4 years. She had 2 strokes in Nov/2004 and has been with Edith since. (Mr. Murphy passed away 6/07, but before he passed away Mrs. Murphy and Edith were his caregivers.) Her balance has been off since the strokes and she has had quite a few falls with bumps, bruises and some cuts. In July she broke her collar bone and the only way she could have broken it is when she would fall up against the wall to catch herself. She broke her right arm in Sept getting out of the bed. She broke the left arm just bending down and then softly toppling over. She has a long recovery period ahead of her. We are all doing what we can to help Edith, but no matter it is hard on everyone. But I must say I look at Edith and I am in awe. She never complains, she just does what needs to be done. I have the best Mother -in-law in the world and I am asking each of you that reads the blog to please keep her and Edith in your daily prayers. Thank you so much!!

We have been so busy lately!! A lot has been going on in our world. First of all, my middle child, Dustin who just turn 21 in August (and yes I know I have not posted about his birthday) has joined the Army Reserve which is like the National Guard. He left once and they brought him back the next day with the stomach virus and he had it really bad. Then we had to go through the sad goodbyes all over again. I did really well until I realized that I had missed a call from him and then it hit me. I am doing okay because the 2 times that I have talked to him he sounds really good. He says that it is really hard but he has made a lot of friends and that helps. He never has been away from family and friends for more than a weekend so he is really homesick. These pics are a few of his favorite things: family pets, Alabama football, hunting, playing football, his brother and sister, Papaw (passed away 6/07). We miss you Dustin and can't wait to see you at Christmas.

Last Friday Michael hurt is thumb during the football game. They call it Gatekeepers injury. It is the ligament that holds the thumb to the hand. I hope I am telling you this correctly. Monday I took him to see Dr. Linton. He put a small cast on it so that he can continue to play football with no further injury to his hand. It should heal with no surgery. Also on Monday, my mother-in-law fell getting out of the bed and broke her upper arm. This comes after just recently getting over her collar bone being broken from a fall on the same side. Bless her heart!! Please lift her up in prayer. The cast is heavy and can't be supported so that it will pull her arm back in place. My children love their Mamaw and I wanted to get her and Michael's pic together!!

Tagged by my Daughter

I have been tagged by my lovely daughter to tell you 6 unimportant things about myself.

1. Ditto to Megan's # 2. I LOVE to go to the movies. My husband hates to go to the movies, so when Megan got older she became my movie buddy. Now my movie buddy is 13 hours away. My Mama will go to the movies with me if it is a chick flick. She went to see The Dark Knight with me. She liked it, but she would cringe a little every now and then. So anybody out there needs a movie buddy just give me a call.

2. I have really been emotional about my children. Megan has married and moved away. Dustin is 21 on Thursday and Michael is a Senior in high school. I heard a woman the other day in JC Penny getting really mad at her children for playing in the clothes. Their laughter just filled my heart and I wanted to tell her so bad to just laugh with them because it will pass so quickly. I think this is why being a Grandparent is so very special and I look forward to it!!

3. I love to read! I am also a magazine freak - Goodhousekeeping, In Style, Mississippi Magazine, People, Journal, Redbook, Town and Country, Southern Lady, Southern Living, House Beautiful, Dominoes, O,(not so much anymore I am mad at Oprah), Better Homes and Garden, Family Circle, Woman's Day, I am sure there are more. I love to get the Lowe's magazine with all the craft ideas.

4. I like to do laundry. There is just something about clean smelling sheets on the bed, fresh towels, and no one having to tell me they need clean underwear!! Although they do have to tell me more than I like - no time!!

5. I could stay at home and never get bored!!!!

6. I miss my daughter ;( She is my best friend!!!!!

I will not tag anyone, but please share.

Happy 17th Birthday Michael Joseph Murphy!!

POP'S LITTLE SUMU

ALWAYS HAD A HEAD FULL OF HAIR

Doesn't this child look so sweet! Well sometimes he was!! Now this 6 footer has a heart so big I don't know where he puts it. I am not sure I want to know what empty nest fills like. It will be really hard when he leaves for college. One more year. Happy Birthday Michael, we love you very much.

Growing Up

Playing Football

POSTING

I am sorry that it has been so long since I have posted. School was really crazy and busy this year. I was too tired at the end of the day. We have a new secretary for next year and that will help alot. I will try to do better especially for my precious daughter Megan. She didn't get to be at the weddings or be able to enjoy these precious children in our family. So the pics will have to do for now. I know she can feel all the love we are sending her way. We know that they are in God's will being in Florida and He will make this time away bearable for all of us. I have to admit that I did cry on my birthday because this is the first year she has not been here. But it turned out to be a great day!! Thanks Megan for the present!!! Hope you enjoy the pictures!! Love you!!

Simese Twins - Gerber Daisy

Yes folks, you heard it here first. Yours truly has produced a Gerber Daisy - Simese Twins. As you will see in the following photos, the stems grew together and so did the flowers. Isn't this amazing!! There goes God doing it again!! Never ceasing to amaze me!!

Decorating

Donna Manning and I had the privelege of decorating for Lauren Atkins bridesmaid luncheon last Friday. We didn't do too bad!!! Thanks Donna and Tee Pitman. Tee made the flower arangements. Tee is awesome with flowers.

Storm Brewing

On Sunday afternoon, June 1st, we had just gotten back from the wedding in Alabama and I was outside on the porch watering my flowers and the sky grew so dark and the clouds were amazing. I ran and got my camera and in those split seconds between pictures the clouds kept changing. God is so awesome!!

Brayden Benjamin Shelton

Now I have to tell you even though Brayden is also my great-nephew, they just don't come any sweeter. For those of you that know Ben Shelton, I know you can see him in that great big smile of Brayden's. This child even has Ben's personality. At 3 months he is already imitating the weird baby stuff we say to him. He is another one that just smiles all over as we all just slober all over him. I can only imagine how I will be when I have my own grandchildren. It just doesn't get much better than this!!!

Conner Murphy

This is the sweetest little boy even if he is my great-nephew. You just say "Hey Conner" and he smiles so big. He will be 1 year old in July. Such a precious child.

Wayne and Sabrina

We went to Blountsville, Ala for our nephew, Wayne Murphy's wedding on May 31st. Wayne and Sabrina, Mrs. Murphy with all of her grandchildren minus Megan:( Mrs. Murphy with her great-grands and Sabrina and Wayne with Mrs. Murphy. It was a great day.

Sweet Friends

Lea Ann and Steve Oglesby were married on May 24th. Megan was an honorary bridesmaid. She lives so far away so she couldn't be there. The other honorary bridesmaids were Lauren Hester Garriga, Celeste Gillis and Holly Maugh. These sweet girls wanted to blow Megan a kiss. They all worked together at New Hope. Holly is now living in B'ham. Lauren got married and is moving to Jackson. Lea Ann works at the Elementary. Celeste is at the middle school. Thanks girls for being such sweet friends. I am sorry for cutting off Lea Ann and Steve's heads.

Prom

Prom was Friday night! We met at Lynn S. to take pics at the Lake behind her house. We had a lot of fun and I hope the kids did too. This is Michael and his date Janie. They were the cutest couple there if I say so myself!!!!

Michael and Janie

Janie's Corsage

Everyone put their arms behind each other's back so you couldn't see their corsages. So I took a pic of Janie's corsage.

Friends

A Tux for Prom $144.00
Ride in a Limo $100.00
Meal and Corsage $60.00
Friends Priceless!!!!

A Few Crazy Guys

These guys just like to have fun. This is the best bunch of guys. They laugh, cut-up, make fun of each other and you never see them get mad.

Girls! Girls! Girls!

Here are the girls that went to the prom with these crazy guys. They all looked so beautiful. The zebra dress as a hit. My favorite was the red dress. Not because she was Michael's date, I love the style.

More Prom Pics

Brayden Benjamin Shelton

Brayden Benjamin Shelton joined us on February 28, 2002. He weighed 8lbs and 11 ozs. He is so precious. The sweetest baby. Even though he is family, I am so amazed at how good he is. Ben and Amy have truly been blessed. For those of you that don't know, Ben Shelton is our nephew, but Michael and Dustin say he is their older brother, therefore Brayden will be calling them Uncle.

Early Morning Snow

We got snow last night. It was so pretty!! I took these pics for Megan because she told me it was 85 in Florida yesterday!! I jumped out of bed and took these. At 8:30 this morning the sun was so bright, the snow was melting fast. I love snow!!

Living Pictures at Fairview Baptist Church

If you have never been to a Living Pictures presentation at Fairview Baptist Church, you have truly missed a blessing! It is this weekend at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night. Friday night was great. A few new surprises! Hope to see you there.

Cale Upton and Miley Cyrus aka Hannah Montana

How cool is this!! Cale and Robbie went to New Orleans to the Hannah Montana concert. I had no idea he got to meet her until Robbie sent me this picture. Today is Cale's 6th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALE!!!!!

HELLO!

It has been a long time since I have added to my blog. Christmas was a really busy and great time with my family. Megan and Chad came home and unfortunately, I was sick. We made the most of it and had a really good visit. It was really hard to see them go home. They took a new member of their family with them. Chad's mom and dad gave them a Yorky for Christmas. They have named him Chopper. He is cute as can be. I hope everyone is having a good year. It is hard to believe that Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I really have a lot to catch up on, but can't really think right now. I will try to keep up a little better from now on.

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHO THIS IS

HALLOWEEN AT JOE AND LEIGH'S

We all met at Joe and Leigh's for Halloween. It was alot of fun watching the kids and watching the trick or treaters. It has been a long time since my children have done this. Several of the following pics are from this night. Leigh and Robbie, my sister in laws, Leigh's mom, Janet Woodruff also known as Memaw, her neice Caitlyn, and my mom June Upton, also known as Gran. My sister in law Garlyn and Joe and Aunt Hannah entertaining Christian and Cale. I remember when it was us sitting by her and fighting over who was going to spend the night with Aunt Hannah.

SWEETEST SKUNK I EVER SAW

Kristen Pack and Drew came to trick or treat and I couldn't get to my camera fast enough. He bent down and was nose to nose with Maddie the cockerspaniel and he gave her a kiss. It was the sweetest thing. He is so cute! Maddie had on a princess costume. She is my sister-in-law Leigh's sister's dog!! I hope that makes sense.

Big Brother Joe and Little Brother Tim

Joe and Tim are hilarious!! They laugh harder at themselves when telling something funny than anyone! I just happen to catch them in the act Halloween night!! They are great and I love them so much it's not funny!! Ha! Ha!

CHRISTIAN, CALE AND CAITLYN

Christain, Cale and Caitlyn at Aunt Leigh's on Halloween. Christian is a Power Ranger, Cale is a Scarecrow and Caitlyn is a New Hope Cheerleader. They had the best time.

POST IT NOTES ON MICHAEL'S TRUCK!!!

The sister of one of Michael's friends told Michael she was going to do something to his truck a couple of months ago. Sorry it has taken me so long to blog. I love the dressed up ball on the atenna. Needless to say he was not happy!! He left them on all day and it rained. It took a little elbow grease and some wax to get the color of the post it notes off of his truck.

PEP RALLY!! JUNIORS WON! YEAH MICHAEL

Family Pics from Jessica and Matt Brown's Wedding

GO TROJANS!!!!!

Big football game tonight!! We play Columbus!!!

Bootie Bump

My car got hit in the parking lot at school. There weren't any scratches. We think someone might have done a bootie bump. We are not for sure. Coach Browning said on that some day there was a white expedition bumping into the telephone post and then they scratched the whole side of their car down the post. OH Well!!!

Kung Fu Magic

This is my car after my Big Brother Joe performed his kung fu magic with a plunger. He also found other little things wrong and fixed those too! Way to go Joe. You are my hero!!

Boys will be Boys

Well apparently Dustin was playing with my camera while I was at Bunco last night. He took a picture of Mark but it was too far away. We had fun at Bunco. I hope to post some pictures from that later. We had a small lingerie shower for Priscilla Shields. She is getting married on a cruise Sept 28th. Congratulations, Priscilla!!!

We celebrated Megan's birthday on Saturday night before they left for Florida on August 5th.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!! Love ya!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MEGAN!! AUGUST 7TH

Chad, Megan, Anita and Mike

Michael, Dustin, Julie, Mark, Chad and Megan

Above are some family pictures we took after we ate lunch at Mike and Anita's. It was soooo good!! We loaded Megan and Chad's vehicles and off they went to Florida. Megan has a teaching job and Chad is pursuing his helicopter license.

Well here is an old woman trying to do what all of you wonderful young people are doing so that I can keep my daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Chad Ruffin, close to home. As some may know, they have just moved to Fort Pierce, Florida which is a long way away. I am hoping that this blog will allow them to be a part of everything that is going on at home so that they won't feel like they are missing anything.