fight like a girl

today is a sad day ....we have lost a family member that no one can every replace... you know you always say when I grow up you want to be like that person...Malinda was that person I want to be like. She was the kindness, loving person you would ever meet. Her smile would warm up a room and take your cares away. She had been fighting cancer for the past 2 yrs. A fight she was not going to lose without a fight. She showed the strength of our family and never gave up. My prayers go out today to Tom, the boys, their families, and Mary. They all stood by her and now she is gone to be in a better place. NO MORE PAIN. The girls and I did Relay for Life this year for her and we will keep doing it for her memory. I guess any week for her go this week was a good one. As I direct Bible school...like she did all those years. I remember her curling my hair and letting me hold the boys after they were born. I was in her and Tom's wedding...as the flower girls (with a hat because I cut my hair the night before)...her coming up to see my girls and loving them as much as she loved me. When I grow up I want to be like you Malinda. Hopefully I can.

what was I thinking

I guess I missed the ball field a little more than I thought...Sam's softball coach & his wife has started an adult team. Now remember I haven't played ball in 23 yrs. Yes, I am a great yeller from the bleachers and have even done my time as the dug out mom..but play ball again? It is nice to know that I'm not the only one out of shape & old... we think we are the Bad News Bears...we need lots of practice and sitting in the hot tub afterwards.

Roberts reunion

We all meet in Tennessee for a long weekend of fun & family. We rented a 3 story cabin. It was neat..there was a game room, porches everywhere, and the view..you can't put it in words. There were 34 of us having a great time. We would spend our time catching up with everyone, eating, sharing stories, and having fun in Pigeon or Gatling burg. We did have to move to another cabin Friday night because of the storm that came thru wiped out the water lines but it was ok...the next cabin was on the creek. We sang (some of us tried to dance), played cards, and had a fun time. The 5 of us spent some time at the Bass Pro shop, went and wondered around the shops, went into the Ripley's Mirror tour, played putt putt, and we got an old timey picture taken.

Ike came

Ike, Janie, Kari, Shannon, & the boys came to play on the farm. Those little boys are so cute. Mary Louise took them on the Taproot dairy tour on Saturday and Donny took them on the Reidhill animal tour on Sunday. I think the boys liked the tractor the most. It was great having everyone together. Hope they come back soon.

4 H posters

The twins entered a poster contest. They were to best describe and promote wacky and wild waterfowl for the state of North Carolina. Their posters were amazing..if I say so myself. Jenna won 1st place in Buncombe Co and hers was sent to be judge in the state competition. Tori got 2nd place in the county. I am so proud of both of them.

exploring with the lambs

We took the church kids up to the Davidson Welcome Center to play in the woods. We spent time in the center learning about the Forest and watched the movie on how the parkway was built. Then we had a picnic lunch before we spent the afternoon walking the trails. We had a great time.

Ho's birthday

It is hard to pull on over on Dad..but we did. I borrowed his company car keys and left him a birthday surprise. We didn't want him to be lonely on his birthday driving around to the stores so Mr Bones has invited to go with him. We also left him a small banner and a few balloons in his car also. We wanted to show our love for him..happy 65 Ho

jump off mountain

Sam & I have been trying to find different things to do with the twins at the goat barn. We went to find jump off rock. Legend says that a young Indian princess was so upset after she learned her true love died in battle she jumped off the rock to be with him. The view is amazing...but I'm not jumping to high up

water night @ church

what else do you do on a hot summer night....bring out the 8ft water slide
the fire department came down and brought us some water and those kids the best time
most of them went home all wrinkled up

The Clark Family

Here are some pictures of Hickory when we went over to meet Jonathan's family. They were so nice and his grandaddy reminded me of Ding...he squeaked when I hugged him. They are some good people and the food was amazing even the home made cherry ice cream Jonathan made.

meeting the family

Now Jonathan & I have been dating for a little over 5 months. We have gone to watch him play ball, he has gone to watch Sam play ball,he has helped with my crazy ideas at church with the 8 ft tall water slide, we have many dinner together (most of them he has cooked), gone to concerts, walked waterfalls, taken the girls to work & back, and done so much. So what was left? To meet the family. Most normal people would have spread out the love a little at a time over a long period of time....but no not us we did this all in 2 weeks. Jan was in town (he had already meet her) for Camp Aunt Jan, then we went to Hickory to meet his Grandparents Clark and their whole clan, when back to the Bear's to meet Ike, Janie, Kari, Shannon, & the boys. (all in one day) That went to smooth so we then went to the Roberts' reunion the next weekend to add 27 more new people to his list of names and faces he was trying to learn. The best part is he hasn't run away...no Prozac needed to make it during these 2 weeks. There are only a few people he hasn't meet yet but he did good on names and which kid belong with who. Better than I did. So now we have that out of the way we should be good for a while...until I come up with one of my crazy ideas.

Jan came

We did Aunt Jan camp different this year, since the Twins were working and had volley ball camp. Jan came up and stayed with the Bear for a few days and then took the girls camping. Before they went into the wilderness the Bear, Jan, & I went to have brunch at the Grove Park Inn. The best part was it was for free. Thanks to a friend that let me know to check my twitter log we got to eat brunch . There were 3 rooms of food with a chef in the middle of one what would make you an omelet anyway you wish. The view was amazing, the food unbelievable, and the company was the best. Camp Aunt Jan went pretty good after that. They had a few rain days and the camped out at the Bear's but they went fishing, cooked out, and went swimming. The girls had the best time. It is great to be able to share the girls and they get so much out of it making memories with their family.

Relay for Life

This was one of the hardest 2 days of my life but worth the work to know hopefully someday there will be a cure for this terrible disease. I don't wish this on anyone after knowing what Malinda is going thru and how it effected Gretta. (there are some people I don't really like that I would put on the list way before the ones I love to have it) It was an eye opener to see the wave of purple shirts come by and tell you their story. They are the survivors. From the 12 yr old the girls stayed up with all night and became friends with to the 87 yr lady with class that won the fight. The girls and I set up the funny farm site..we did Madagascar as our country and had the move it move it music going, the bubbles blowing, Ho selling wish bracelets, the Bear talking to everyone, & Jonathan stamping passports. The girls walked the laps with our banner and started the night out right. Until the call came that Malinda's numbers were no better. After all she had done to stop this and work to make it all better..I didn't want to be there anymore...no reason to celebrate I was mad and hurt. But as the night went on I knew in my heart that is where she would want me to be. As the sun set and we ate food from different countries the luminaries were lighted. Then the lap of silence..to remember..you want to talk about a powerful statement. Afterward there were fireworks and laughter. As it got later into the night the girls played human bingo, the frozen shirt contest, and even sung karoke. We sleep very little and it got down to 54 that night. I got the girls up after their nap to enter the worst bed head competition..they didn't win..I guess not enough sleep. We did 1 more lap at 7am to keep the fight going. It was amazing. We heard from a mom that lost her son in January at the age of 8...go hug your kids...to how we could all help. Lots of money was raised those 2 days...but to know at 3 am there were 90 people in Fletcher walking for a cause we hope someday will not exist. Words can't express the emotions I felt that weekend. It is something you just have to experience. The funny farm won best camp site & the girls are already planning next year. This is something I will always remember. My glass is raised for the ones fighting this everyday. Like our shirts said...fight like a Girl. It is a fight Malinda is fighting everyday and I am so proud of her. Just don't understand why this has to happen to such an amazing women.

mooooo

Yes that is me in a cow outfit..no I haven't been here to long or should I say you are what you eat. I did this to get free chicken biscuits at Chick Fila. If you dress liked a cow you got a free meal and yes I have a cow outfit. I wasn't the only one dressed up either. The Bear took the girls and I down and we had lots of fun. I keep seeing spots everywhere.

sorry for the delay

OK..it has been over a month since I wrote...we have been a little busy on the farm & outside the farm...it's summer time...kick off your shoes and enjoy the day
and we have...check back for what happen the last month