Auditioning!

Not sure if I mentioned it on the blog or not, but this summer, Rachel started with a new violin teacher at the recommendation of her old teacher. She felt like it was time for Rachel to move on to a new level of teaching. She's learned a lot from the new teacher, who is a very talented musician. She has "strongly" recommended that Rachel audition for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Being as though the orchestra is (obviously) based in Knoxville, and we're an hour and a half away, we gave it a lot of thought and prayer. But we have decided to let her audition. No matter what happens, it'll be a good experience for her.

Her audition time is on the afternoon of August 22. She is SO excited/nervous/happy about this! In fact, she's already had a dream about receiving the acceptance/rejection letter in the mail...but in the dream, the letter is blurry and she can't tell if it's good or bad! LOL!

I remember when, at the age of seven, Rachel first mentioned wanting to play the violin. I also remember thinking..."hmmm, I wonder how long this will last. a week? maybe two?" :) It wasn't long after we got her a half-size violin and I saw the pleasure it gave her, that we prayed and asked the Lord to gift her with a talent to play for Him. We feel He answered that prayer. We are very thankful to Him and very proud of her.

I'm mentioning this well in advance because I'm sure she'd appreciate any prayers well in advance!!

Lazy Days of Summer

We're full swing into summertime now and I thought I'd just post a few pics of what we've been up to these days.

After two summers of drought, we've been blessed with an abundance of rain this year...it's been great for the garden and pasture!
Summertime around here means fishing in the Nolichucky...
Swimming in the Nolichucky...
This summer has meant graduations and birthdays...
And it's meant fun times with each other...(*somebody* needs a bit of a tan, but we won't mention Rachel's name. Afterall, you have to go *outside* to get a tan) :)
And Ah! Yes, we mustn't forget the *lazy* days of summer....it's tough being a farm dog...but somebody's gotta do it...














Might as well be these two lazy dogs...

Hope you're enjoying your summer as much as we are!!

Happy 18th Birthday, Jacob!

My son officially turned 18 yesterday. All I can say is that the past 18 years went by in a blur! It all happened way too fast and I'm left standing here in disbelief! :) Nonetheless, it's happened and I only know there's nothing I can do to stop it! :) Of course, I wouldn't stop it if I could. As much as I loved having babies in the house, I've so enjoyed watching this boy (all my children, for that matter) mature into a young adult.
Seemingly overnight, he went from being a curly-headed baby, to a Hot Wheels-loving toddler who loved being around grownups, to a serious 4 year old who memorized all the Presidents of the United States just by studying the encyclopedia!! LOL! He entered kindergarten as a self-motivated learner who taught his Mama many things...asking questions so far over my head that I almost always had to send him to his Daddy!! Many of his questions were so deep...I simply had to exasperatingly admit, "Son, I just don't know!". :) He has always been a *deep thinker*. He finished high school having two very difficult college courses under his belt....with A's in both classes. In late August, he'll be entering college full-time aiming for a degree in Business. I have no doubts he'll accomplish that goal if the Lord is willing.

What a blessing he's been through the years. I'm grateful for a son who is a sober-minded, hard-working, responsible CHRISTian young man. (CHRISTian being most important) Proverbs 10:1 says, "A wise son maketh a glad father..." I can heartily add that it makes a glad mother too. :)