No Words

Lately I find myself at a loss for words. It's hard to articulate this last year and the ups and downs of the last year. Therefore I find myself at a loss for words.

A few weeks ago we made the decision to shutdown the Valley Inn. Last Saturday was our last day at the Valley. Each employee there was great and I respect each of them greatly. The hardest part of closing for me was telling them they no longer had jobs. I don't know if any of you have ever had to do something like that but let me tell you it's not an easy thing to do. It's not something I took lightly nor something I would have done if I could have kept from it. But there comes a time when you have to draw a line so we had to make that choice. I ask each of you to keep my employees in your prayers. I know one person has found a job and the others are looking. Also pray that we can find a buyer for the business. The good Lord knows where we stand financially and I know He has plans for me and my family. He's never left me homeless or without food so I'm trusting in Him that he can send us a buyer.

The kids are doing well in school. They're both enjoying school. I'm glad we made a choice to put them in separate classes. I see them looking at each others work and comparing work so I'm glad they're not competing in class. Alex has learned to read his basic colors and his teacher says he's very smart. I saw Addie's teacher last week and she said she was doing very well in class also. They had their school pictures taken on Monday so I'm anxious to see how they turn out.

Baby Bentley is doing well also. He's finally able to fit into his new born clothes. He's starting to fill out, he's starting to smile and also make eye contact. Pray that Joe and Ashton will be able to find them an apartment or house to rent. Two households living under one roof can be stressful. I would do anything in the world for them but I'm really ready to de-stress and have fewer people in the house. I hope that doesn't sound mean. It just takes a lot to keep up a house with 7 people in it. Those of you with larger families understand completely I'm sure!

We're also in the process of looking for a new church home in our area. I've visited several churches but just haven't found the right fit yet. Please pray we'll find the church God would lead us to.
Blessings to each of you.
Tina

Hitched

Joe and Ashton decided last Wednesday that they were going to get married on Sunday. It was short notice but we pulled it off. Here are a few pics.

Many Blessing to the new couple.

Busy week

Well the kids started school this week. Yesterday was their first day of Kindergarten. They both really seemed to enjoy it. They were up and ready to head off again today which tells me it wasn't too bad. Alex informed his Dad yesterday that his teacher didn't teach him to read. His Dad told him it'd take a while. In response he told his Dad no it doesn't it only takes one day!
Addie on the other hand leaned on my lap last night and told me she was really tired that she'd had a really hard day.. It took all she could do to stay awake.

Here are some pics of the kids on their first day. My battery on my camera died.. thus no good pics of miss Addie.

Big girl waiting to go to her class.

Alex and Allison. He was telling me on the drive to school how he was going to marry Allison one day.

Big boy ready to start school!

Bentley

Here's our Grandbaby Bentley. We think he's a keeper. He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. God is Good! Mom, Dad and Bentley are all doing well.

Twins

My Granny (Beulah) and her sister Eula will be turning 90 on August 20th. I'm attaching a picture of the two of them. Don't they look great for 90? They are both still very active. My Granny still has a small garden that she takes care of and still cooks dinner on Sunday's for the family. She's telling everyone she's retiring from cooking when she turns 90..We'll see about that! You ought to see my Granny's rolls.. Not to mention taste them.

Here they are. Eula and Beulah!

Happy Birthday we love you both!

Our Sweet Jewell turned 5 today

Yep Addie is officially 5 today. She and her brother will be starting Kindergaretn in less than a month. Wow I can't believe we'll be starting school AGAIN! Seems like Jonathon and Joseph were just starting Kindergarten yesterday and they're now 23 and 19.
Her Daddy took a cookie to preschool this morning so she can celebrate with her class mates. My mom will be picking them up this afternoon for a trip to Chuck-E Cheese and then we'll have dinner together as a family tonight. On Sunday we'll head to the river so the kids can swim and celebrate Addie's birthday with her.
I hope each of you has a wonderful week filled with many blessings.
Blessings to you,
Tina

Pictures

Here are the girls 4 years ago. From left to right.

Carlie, Gentry, Addie, Charlotte, Erica, Susanna, Kaylee

Here they were last weekend. (Carlie was not able to make it)

Susanna, Charlotte, Gentry, Erica, Kaylee,(Alex), Addie, (Larkin)
Cooking at Camp

The kids had a great time at camp. We also had a wonderful time seeing friends and seeing how much the girls have grown over the last four years. Many of the girls are starting kingergarten now. So hard to believe it's been four years.