Jack's Birthday

Jack is two years old! These two years have flown by. Jack's party was tonight at Tim and Dale's. Tim and Dale are Jennifer's parents and are also known as Mimi and Tee. There were several guests including Nana and Grandad ( my parents), Janice and Munn( Jennifer's aunt and grandmother), Aunt Liz and Uncle Zach, Aunt Tori and Uncle Lee, Erica and Billy along with Noah and Luke ( our friends from Gulf Shores last week). A good time was had by all. Jack got a lot of good presents and made sure that Noah, Luke and Clayton knew that they were his when they wanted to borrow them to play with. Clayton showed us how he can swim without floaties or a life jacket - Go Clayton!! We are leaving town tomorrow ( our next post will be from Central Asia !!) and Poco went to stay with Clayton and Jack for a week. The boys were very excited about that. We started to leave and Jack picked Poco's kennel and tried to carry it to the house just to make sure we didn't forget that he was taking Poco home with him. I know that Poco will have a great time. He probably will not want to come back home.

Gulf Shores

I spent the past five days at the beach with Fred, Jennifer, Clayton, Jack and their friends, Billy and Erica Mauldin and their sons, Noah and Luke. It was a blast. The weather was beautiful and the company a lot of fun. The boys were so good and kept me entertained. Thanks for letting me tag along guys! On the way home we stopped at the USS Alabama battleship in Mobile. There were veterans who had actually served on the submarine there for a reunion and we got to meet them and thank them for their service to our country. Clayton had his picture made with them. Jack loved the helicopters.

Lindsay Colley's Shower

The daughter of one of our good friends, Lindsay Colley is getting married at the end of July. I helped give a shower for her last weekend. It was a lot of fun - I am always amazed at how good the other ladies who helped are at decorating. I just show up and try to follow directions. They should go into business!

It's a GIRL!!

We have a granddaughter! Thursday around 3:55 pm our time Tami gave birth to our first granddaughter. Her name is Kaiyah Michelle Shackelford and she is beautiful. The only problem is that she lives in Central Asia with her parents, and I haven't gotten to hold her yet. However we will remedy that problem in 2 weeks and 4 days when we go visit. Can you tell that I am rather excited?

School's Out!!

One of my favorite things about being a schoolteacher ( other than the obvious 2 months off in the summer) is that each year there is a definite end and a fresh beginning. The end of each year is exciting and kind of sad at the same time. Every year at the beginning of a new school year I don't think I will like the new class as much as I did the old, but before you know it I have once again fallen in love with the children that God has placed in my room for me to spend 180 days with. So it is always bittersweet to say goodbye to my kids ( at least most of them) :-), but I am excited that I now have time to spend with my own friends and family. Here are some pictures of my teacher friends packing up their rooms. Elementary schools really look strange in the summer.

Memorial Day

Today our Sunday School class had a cookout at Billy and Christy Becker's house. There was swimming, bocci ball, washer toss and a rousing game of dominoes. Fred smoked ribs and chicken. We had green beans, macaroni and cheese, pecan bars and banana pudding. But the best part about the party was Rheagan. She is now 2 1/2 weeks old and precious. We took turns holding her all day. It was a good day.

Dr. Fred!!

Today our oldest son, Fred IV, graduated from Southern Seminary with his Doctor of Ministry degree. We drove to Louisville yesterday and met Fred and Jennifer and Jennifer's family. We all had a great time visiting and eating. The graduation was good - cold, but good. Congratulations go to Fred for all of the hard work that he has done over the past few years and to Jennifer for supporting him through it all. We love you and are proud of you!