The Hood

the boys eating breakfast while their buddy eats his on his front porch.


I always love to see Fall of the year. One, its my favorite time of year, seems the beginning of the "holidays." Second, I start staying outside more. I was born and raised in the south, but I tell you, hot summers just about make me melt (not to mention what it does to my hair). In my neighborhood when you are outside it takes about 5 minutes before you have a yard full of kids (even girls now, since Miss M is so irresistible) then soon after a yard full of parents. Just this afternoon we spent about 3 hours in or near the road talking with our neighbors and one very special neighbor that has moved away, surprised us by pulling up today, here in town for the weekend. Just this morning sweet S said "I sure do miss Mr. Scott, we're going to have to find someone else like him," then lo and behold he drives up this afternoon.



Our neighborhood is pretty tight, we pull together during sickness, births, deaths, everything. It is like extended family. Big S and I have a piece of property that we are waiting on the right time to build but living in this neighborhood makes me not want to build. On one hand I would love a "new" built just for us house, but on the other hand, I can't stand the thoughts of leaving this place. Some of my dearest friends live a stones throw away from me. We have lived here for 5 years now and in 5 years I have gained about 4 "sisters." Its funny how neighbors are sometimes people you would have never thought would end up being your friends. Different backgrounds, different social circles, its great how God puts the right people in your life at the right time. I love them dearly. Besides, this is where my 2 boys met their first "best friend." And there is something to say about having an extra set of eyes always watching out for the kids. We may not live in the most affluent neighborhood but I say you can't beat it. This is one place that is so dear to my heart. It truly makes one of Gods commandments easy 'cause we do love our neighbors.

Kids

I have just now learned how to put pictures with my blog so here are a few of my favorite things.

50th Wedding Anniversary

Gosh, been a long time since I have posted. Its been a crazy few weeks. I have been busy with my mom and dads 50th wedding anniv/renewing of vows. They secretly eloped August 30, 1958. They had another couple with them and traveled to Buchanan Georgia. They were married by the Hon. Rufus T. Brown while his kids watched Perry Mason on tv. They were married on Saturday night and she started her senior year on the day after Labor day. And the rest, as they say, is history. I have always loved their story of secretly getting married and not telling their parents for 1 whole year. I can't imagine. Of course, tongues were wagging when people found out they had been married for a year (suspecting a baby on the way). Nothing like that, just a love for each other that they could not stand not being married I guess. Over the years I recall looking back on how much they really do love each other. They have given me such a model marriage to follow. In this day and time, there is not many that can say they have been married 50 years. That is more than half of their lives. They have both loved each other through him working a hard job, (shift work no less), raising 3 girls (some of us not so easy to raise -Rob), surviving prostate cancer, loss of parents and dear friends. Through it all, they have always turned to each other and I have never doubted if they loved each other.

Planning this ceremony was such a joy to me. We wanted to make it as special as possible since they did not have a "wedding." Needless to say, you really don't need all of the pomp and circumstance to say your married, all you need is God, and a love for each other. Anyway, just being able to sit there and watch my parents profess their love for each other, yet again, was the most amazing thing. One of the highlights of the evening was the Perry Mason theme song playing as they left the church and another was the video of their lives together from various pictures. The pictures were from their childhood to present day and everything in between. I was never more proud and neither were they. It was my dad's idea to renew their vows, which coming from the non-romantic, was pretty great. Of course, mom being humble, never wanted it to be "showboaty." It was an amazing Saturday evening with lots of close family and friends and lots of stories. My sweet S the day of, said "I've never been to a wedding, and my first one is Mimi and Poppee's." That is pretty special for my children, their grandchildren, get to see them get "married.""They are still talking about it. Dad gave mom a Journey necklace for her gift, and what a journey they have been on. It is truly a love story that I never want to forget.

Mom & Dad, I love you, and you will never know how grateful I am that you 2 love each other the way you do. You have given all of us so much in life but your love for each other and us is the best thing a mom and dad can do for their children. Happy 50th. XOXO