On the last Friday we were there, the day before we headed home, we went to the beach!

The surf was rather wild.  Red flags were a flying alerting us to dangerous riptides.  There were several people out Parasailing.... at leat I think it is called that.  It looked like fun unless you lost your footing and fell into the water with that board fastened to your feet and all those lines!  They looked like they were having a blast.  It was windy, and great waves, looked like the perfect day for their sport.

It was just a nice day to spend playing in the sand!

 This is going to be a hodge podge of pics from our trip the end of september to Lower Alabama. so if that is of no interest to you...........  good-bye!!!  LOL

On the way home from picking up Cody in Fort Walton Beach FL. We came back on  Hwy 98 along the coast.  Just outside of Gulf Breeze,  we stopped at a Florida State Park, I did not get the name.  It was pretty much the bay because of a barrier island.  It was fullof interesting marine life to look at.  The evening sun was setting, the tide was out......  great time for pics!

and there you have it life on the bay at sunset!

So we have been home for AL for a little over a week now!  It was a great time to be in the south, the weather was lovely not to hot not to cool.   We went to the beach three times.  Got lots of mowing done and had lots of good times together visiting.

Since we have been home, I have been busy in the shop and busy trying to whip my house back in shape.  Sunday we were the hospitality couple at church.  I had three couples over.  Cody & Chancy's buddy Jay Z.  was there also.  We had a full table of 13 people.

On the menu:

Salad

Inside Outside Stuffed Chicken Breast

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Broccoli

Graham Cracker Pumpkin Dessert

We had a lovely time visiting.  Yesterday, it was very cool and my house was clean, the dishes were washed, the laundry done and nothing pressing going on.......so I finished the book I was reading.  Chancy had lit a fire in the woodstove.... it was nice and comfy with the fire going, a big soft chair and mulled cider candles burning!

This weekend is our anniversary and the twins 19th birthday!  Wow it's amazing to think that I will be married 22 years and my sons are now men.  What good years they have been.  I have been so blessed by God.  I have recently been made aware again of how good I have had it with the husband I have.  Don't get me wrong, Fred is not perfect, but he loves us and gives of himself so much for all of us.  Without him life would be incomplete.   And I am pleased with what I see god doing in the heart and lives of my sons.....they are growing into men of God and I think they will make good husbands  & fathers some day...

I want to post some pics of our trip but I keep forgetting to bring my pics with me..... with my dial up at home it takes forever. 

For those wondering how Cody's mission trip to India went.......It was a very good experience and blessing for him.  We have been asked not to post pics of the children on the internet.....so I will refrain. here are some pics of India though.

houses built on the sides of mountains

cars and crazy drivers everywhere

Cody said "you cannot be polite and survive in India"

hilltop towns

very poor areas and trash everywhere

Cody really enjoyed the trip and especially enjoyed working with the children.  He said "It's amazing how quickly you can become attached"

So by now I think most of you have figured out that I am on "vacation" in southern Alabama while Cody is in India.   For the most part it feels like a vacation but yet in some ways not.  You see I still have Caleb & Cecilia with me......which means I am still needing to be the mom........I made them bring their school work, because we homeschool........so I need to keep them on task............I brought along my work laptop............because life goes on at work even if I am on a vacation.......there are still sale bills, postcards and business cards to design................that's my job...............so I continue on........working on my laptop....... fielding calls from customers....................trying to ignore phone calls from credit card proccessors who want our business  (how in the world did they get my cell phone number, Dad?)..............but I have had a vacation at the same time....... went to the beach at Gulf Shores..........lazed around the house...........no meals to prepare (thanks to Ann) .........my laundry washed dried and folded (thanks to Ann & Heidi) ................fun times visiting with Ann, Heidi & Sophia......................I have mowed all of Ann's yard (only took me about 4 1/2 hours)  but this is something I love to do..............we hauled stuff to a local thrift store............we  have helped update profile pics on facebook.........hooked up a TV/DVD combo at the nursing home for my father-in-law........shopped ......shopped......shopped.......went out to eat many many times..........went bowling.................played with the Wii...................went out to eat with Heidi and a group from church and then watched the movie Courageous...................and the days have flown by.....now here it is Wednesday......have texted back and forth with Cody who has landed in Newark...........and this afternoon I get to pick up the first half of my firstborns!................I am so looking forward to seeing what he thought of his first trip over seas.......the mission trip in general......the orphanage.....the bed bugs........the food.........the sights................the snake charmer................and so on......so as our vacation winds down......we still have a few things to pack into a few more days........the beach,  the Shrimp Basket,   ...................and whatever else Cody wants to do.............it's been fun......but it will also be good toget home to that hubby of mine........I think he misses me! ......I know I miss him.......missing Chancy also........

Yesterday I had a phone call from Cody!  I was very glad to talk to him! He is doing well.  He says most all of the food has been very good.  He said he has liked everything but one dish!  He saw a snake charmer. He said that was very interesting.  They have been able to get alot of work done on the orphanage. 

Yesterday we all went bowling.  We ate at the Shrimp Basket which is always a favorite with us.  In the evening Heidi and I went to watch the new Sherwood movie Courageous.  It was a great movie and a must see for everyone!

So, had some news from I. today.  They have not been able to set up Skype .....so have not talked directly to Cody.

Apparently the hotel is invaded with Bed Bugs   YUCK!!!  Also Codyknew he would be sharing a room with the P but apparently they are not only sharing a room but a small bed!!  I guess with the bed bugs infesting the  room they are just glad for a bed!!!  LOL I bet that is interesting with Cody and his 6'3" self!!!  (the other guy is not a shrimp either) 

Oh what memories!! 

Please continue to pray!

Yesterday, when Cody arrived in India, he had an oppurtunity to call me.  An unknown call came through on my cell phone while I was trying to call someone else.  I tried to take it, but was unable to make the connection.  He left me a voicemail.  I was terrribly diassapointed that I did not get to talk to him.  I am thankful thoughthat he left a voicemail to say he was fine and tired.  It was late there when he called and he had  had a rough 24 hours.  I am able to listen to the voicemail over and over and hear his message!!! 

I have not heard from him since.  Not that I thought I would have.  They should have arrived in Bhimtal this morning late.  Which would actually have been late evening there. they are about 10 1/2 hors different then us. (i think)  They were to take the train from Dehli to Bhimtal.  I think it was about an 8 hour ride.  I am guessing not anything like riding Amtrak here in the states!!

Please pray for him and the 7 people he is with, if they come to your mind.  These "tourists" who love the Lord!

Planned to go to the beach today.......got rained out.  Did a little thrift store shopping instead! 

It's been awhile since I posted. Right now I am in Robertsdale, AL with Caleb & Cecilia. We are staying with my mother-in-law, Ann. 

We came down to bring Cody.  He is currently on a 10 day trip to India!  Very exciting and I plan to put more about it after he gets home!  He was to be in Crestview FL which is about 1 1/2 hours away from here, Monday morning at 3:45.  Cody & I got up at 1:50 am and then left the house by 2.  We arrived there around 3:20 and then waited for the rest of the team to gather.  Some of them did not show up until 3:55.    They were to leave there no later then 4:00 but it was more like 4:13 when they left.  they made it to Fort Walton and made their flight.  next stop was Houston and then on to Newark.  They are currently on the flight to New Dehli.  They  should arrive there about 9:45 am our time (CT) Tuesday, and it will be around 8:15 pm there in India. The next morning they will take an 8 hour train ride to their next destination.  Apparently travel by cars can be very very dangerous there. 

Please pray for Cody,  this can be a life changing experience.  When in our meeting with the group though on Sunday, I realized it is also potentially very dangerous. Christians are often persecuted there.  And to them most tourists from the west are considered to be "christian".

 They are not allowed to drink the water there.  "do not open your mouth when showering, do not brush your teeth with the water, do not rinse your toothbrush with the water....."  They are not to eat  veggies or fish or anything from street vendors.  I sent along things like granola bars, jerky, tuna, cranraisins & nuts.  He will not starve but he may feel like it!!  May be a little thinner when he gets home too.  (not that he has any excess anyhow!)

So we are visiting here, while waiting for him to get back.  Hoping to do some helpful chores for Ann while I am here.  Yesterday I bush hogged for an hour and a half or so.... We will see what today brings!

Today is Fred's Birthday! 

I love to tease him about getting old as he is quite a few years older then me! 

It seems he takes more and more little cat naps!

Anyhow Happy Birthday Fred!