Beach in October

Since school gives the kids a Friday off in October for the second year in the roll we have gone to the beach with some dear friends. Last year all of us stay at Ocean Lakes while Ginger and her family stayed at Dunes Village so this year we decided to stay there.. It is the only motel in the area it was on Grand Stand but down where the houses are at. There are 3 building with 2 buildings having water parks inside of them and one even have a game room. The rooms are set up like apts where 2 or 4 familys can share a room.. We have an angle view of the beach and it was perfect.. The only down size to the trip is we opt for 2 rooms so my family and Ginger's family stayed in 1 room and floors below Ree and Allison's family share a room so I missed all the late night talks and early morning breakfast table talks like we had last year but over all the trip was great...




We left on Thursday and follow down w/ the Darwin's we got there about 8 that night once we got check in and decided who had what room we took off and walk around to see the hotel and play some ping pong (not sure who was worst me or Ginger),pool and shuffle board. After a relaxing evening we got up the next morning and went shopping at Tomlinson and couple of other places. I even came home w/2 Christmas presents. After shopping we just chill and got ready and went to Margaritaville for dnner. We had 17 of us trying to figure out where to go and hopefully get in and at least get 2tables near each other we were not sure if it would be done but we did and we all got to sit together. It was a cool place and had some of the best nachos that 2 if not 3 people could share. It was a cool place to go and food was good.. After dinner we just walked around Broadway let the kids get milkshakes and ice cream and then headed back to the hotel to call it a night..






On Saturday when we got up we could not believe that it was in the high 70's so we all got our bathing suits on and enjoy the pool and the beach for the day... .












After a found day of enjoying the weather we got ready and went to Gulf Shores in Garden City that had wonderful seafood and if you go between 4pm-6pm has the best prices... While waiting for our 2 tables we got pictures of our group thanks to a group of ladies that were there for a girls weekend.

My family minus Ryan (its dumb to go to the beach in Oct what does a 17 yr know..lol)


All of the couples... us, Brent & Allison Horne, Sean & Ree Davis and Tim & Ginger Darwin


All of our kids me minus 1 and Ree plus 1


All 17 of us


After a great dinner we went back to Broadway to watch the fireworks and walk around to the side we didn't the night before.. The kids love the candy store, Ginger found her a new man and I thought I saw it all until I saw KISS Coffee House..








Sunday was the day to come back home so after we packed up and check out and said bye to the Davis's and Horne's we went to Flea Market down in surfside and then went to Hamburger Joe's for lunch and put a $1 on the wall and for Tyler to say bye to one of his best friends that he had a ball with until she try to hug and kiss him..lol





We had a great weekend that was relaxing, filled w/ good food, great friends. I hate to miss it next year but we will be coming back from the cruise so that will be our beach in Oct trip but hope to do it again in 2011...

Kay Arthur

I am back and trying to cath up so I had to cheat a little bit and go to my friend Kim's blog to help me out..

Kay Arthur came to Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Columbia the weekend of Oct 6 her topic was Discover Truth for Yourself. I was excited not only was I going w/ 2 of my best friends and some great ladies from church but also my sister Lisa and her friend TK were coming from Evans, GA to go with us too.. I could hardly wait..




We left Friday around 3 and went on down to Columbia and checked in at the Hyatt Place which was a very nice hotel and then we a group of us went to Chili's for dinner while the rest went to Cracker Barrell..

Me w/ my sister Lisa (in the middle) w/ her friend TK


Kim, Denise Monday and Angie Harris

Afterwards we went to the church to hear Kay and she was wonderful. I have to say I have not been a fan of Kay's but I did her last bible study w/ Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer and I really enjoy her so I thought she would be good. She taught that night for a couple of hours and I have to say when we left I truly had debated about going back cause she was talking about the president and how this world is turning it was pretty depressing for someone who lives in that bubble of a world.. But after a fun night of shopping on line, talking and laughing some of the ladies in Kathi room, hanging out w/ sister and her telling some embrassing stories, and keeping Kim awake w/ the TV on, getting up to a great breakfast and checking out I went on for round 2 and I am glad I did cause even though things might seem they are going down hill I remember that Mandisa song that I have as my ringer..."it's only the world I know the best is still yet to come".. I am so thankful of this only a temporary place and that I will be with my Lord and Savior for enterally. Isn't that great!!!

Ok, here is where I copy cause my notes are home and I am at work on my lunch..lol

8 Essential Things that We need to do:

1. Doing Business until He comes or until we die.
2. You must give priority to the Word of God- it must be first place!
3. Remember God has the Nations Under His Control...He is Sovereign.
4. You are to Fear God NOT Man!
5. You must build a strong community and invest your moneys in the work of God.
6. Pray--it helps others.
7. Learn how to Walk by the Spirit
8. Make Disciples!

She was very powerful and full of the spirit. If you ever have a change go and hear Kay speak please do so you won't regret it.

I was blessed to spend this time with my sister if you know anything about my past you understand this and knows how much it meant to me. I had a great time w/ ladies in our church that I don't normally spend time with and I also got to do it with 2 of my best friends. The funny thing in all of this is that on our way home Kim, Denise and I had made a plan to read the book of James and meet once a week and learn how to mark in our bible like Kay teaches you to. Well here it is a month and a week later and we haven't done it yet. I am going to make sure that in 2010 we do this..

Here are pictures of our weekend...

Us being teenage girls that we aren't..lol, checking out the beds, and Kim chillin on my bed.




Waiting on Kay at the church



2 of my Best Friends


3 ladies I just adore...Kathi Mumpower, her mamma Peggy Harris and sister Angie Harris


Donna Crockett, Ameila Dickerson, Kathi Mumpower


My favorite picture of all... us with Kay Arthur


She was signing people things they bought and since I had some of her books but not on me the one thing I wanted to buy was sold out so I had her sign my bible and she signed and reference Joshua 1:6-9 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."What great advice... Do not be terrified, do not be discourage, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go...

If you want scripture w/the 8 essential let me know and I will send to you what she reference.

Also check Kim's blog out too.. http://hewittfamilyhappenings.blogspot.com/2009/10/kay-arthur.html

Happy Birthday Stephen

Yes, this post is about 2 weeks late but the last 2 weeks have been BUSY so since Tyler is not feeling well today, the house is clean I have time to do it now...

My middle son Stephen Blake Shelton turn the big 15 on September 22. We did not do a big birthday we just had a cake that my dear friend Kim made for him (every need a cake or catering she is the lady to call big or small she can do it) and then we let him pick where to eat on Sunday after church to go eat. When we go to the beach in a couple of weeks he will get the shopping spree that he wanted for his birthday (never knew the day would come when he would want to go shopping at Hollister or American Eagle) and hopefully getting his permit tomorrow. I do feel bad for not having a friend thing but I ask him and he didn't want to do anything.. Next year will be a bigger blast..





Stephen's due date was September 9th a day before Ryan's bday and on the day we were having Ryan's 2nd bday party at Discovery Zone in Greenville but he was nice enough to let his brother has his birthday and a couple of weeks to be a only child. He was induce on Sept 22nd and made his entrance into the world about 3:25 weighing in 9lbs 13oz and yes 23 in long.. His delivery was great he was just a happy healthy boy and the second time around was alot easier. Ryan took to his little brother and USE to love playing w/him. We had gone in w/ names of Tyler, Blake and Austin but not sure which 2 we were going to use.. The nurse said that with a big boy like he was he needed a big name so we went through all the names and she said Stephen and I said that was on the original list we will go with that so instead of going with one of the original names Stephen Scott Shelton (cool initials..lol) we went w/ Blake (never knew I would have another one to use the name Tyler for).. I will have to say Stephen was the baby that need attention and was impatient he has grown out of the needs attention still a little impatient..lol. He has always had his blonde curly hair he loves it at times and sometimes he hates. When he was little he looked like one of those cherub up angels it was to precious and I hated to cut it..

I split up with their dad when he was 2 and he almost got hit by a car when he was 3 and I think between that and the guilt of splitting up w/ his dad and him needing attention oh and the stitches he has had I have spoil him and he is all about his momma he has always been a mommas boy so we have more behavior issues with him cause I let him get away with alot but as he has grown up even though he is still immature in alot of ways he is mature in alot of others.. He has a speech problem (he can't get his words out as quick as his brain is trying to get them out) he has not use as a handicap he has embrace it and use humor so that people would not make fun of him but be his friend and he has become our funny man of the family it is hard to disciple him sometimes cause he makes me crack up. He is atlectic and loves sports, he might look like his mom and be a momma boy the 1 thing he did get from his dad is sports.. He can tell you all about any player from baseball or football and other sports he loves to watch, read and play sports.. He is a reader he has had a book in his hand since before he could even read he is the kid that if they give you a goal of 200 books by a certain date he will have 400 by that date. He is the sound of reasoning sometimes between Ryan and us mean parents he has common sense and book sense and knows how to use them. He is the most annoying little brother but he is the best big brother he takes the middle child role serious..lol. He is the best babysitter he loves kids and playing with them so that the kids love him too. He love girls when he was in K5 he had twin girlfriends (any little girl that would play with him on the play ground was his girlfriend) and has been a friend of girls every since. We are going through that stay of trying to teach him how to talk to girls this age now. He has alot of potential in alot of areas he just needs to be encourage to bring it out. He is unsure of himself at times and he can close up and not let people in until he is ready.. I always say when he grows up and mature he is going awesome (well he is now but you know what I mean). He is a lover of God, family (esp Tyler), sports, chicken nuggets, mac/cheese,girls and reading.. Happy Birthday to my baby I love ya..

The 2 girls he looks scared of are his cousin it was the first time seeing them in 5 yrs him and Jessie the one w/ brown hair are way to much alike and Oliva is so close to his age is starting to embrace the cousin relationship with her..lol. I wish scanner work so I could younger and ball pictures.