Our Bourbon Trip

This past weekend Mike and I, Mary and John took off for Kentucky.  We had been planning this trip since January.  We had such a good time.  We stayed in a bourbon barrel and had a blast.  The only thing we would change is the weather.  It was cold.  If we ever did it again we would go in the spring or in September or October.  

What a blessing good friends are.  The four of us had such a great time together.  We toured four distilleries.  Three big ones and one small local one.  

 Everyone said that Mike looked so happy in these pictures.  If you get Mike away, doing something he enjoys, he's always happy.  Ha!  This picture was taken at Castle and Key.  We did not tour this distillery.  The property is stunning and so are the buildings.  

Cousins weekend

 For many years now my sister and I get together with our cousins, Amber and Cora .  We make every effort to see each other four times a year.  What a blessing it is to have them in my life and live close enough to get together so frequently.  This trip we went to Amber's.  She took us to a new cocktail lounge (hence our fancy drinks in the picture).  We had a wonderful time.  

A grand outcome

 I love to write and I don't know what to say in this moment so I'm going to do my best.  In 2020 I felt like it was the biggest election of my lifetime.  I was wrong.  2024 was and will likely be the biggest election of my lifetime.  In four years I have seen my country being taken over by illegal immigration, shamed over whether they were vaccinated or not, the weaponization of  government against policital opponents, abortion rights to the extreme, censorship, gender confusion and mutilation, high inflation, men invading women's spaces.  Not to mention the world being on fire with wars.  Over the past year the Lord has planted a deep passion of His word in my heart.  He also planted a love of politics and engagement in my heart.  The more I got to know the Lord, the more fired up I'd get about the things that matter to Him.  It was in early 2023 that I applied to be a CWA chapter leader.  I am unequipped to lead but the Lord has been so kind to me, strengthening me and preparing me and planting seeds.  My prayer is to continue to lead my group and honor Him in all I do.  The election is over with triumphant results and I am incredibly thankful for God's mercy for my children and my grandchildren.  America did not deserve His grace.  It is my mission to point everyone I know to Jesus and I will never apologize for it.  It's not a human leader that will change the hearts of Americans, it's the love of Jesus and the holy spirit within us.  Glory to God for his goodness. 

Nick's big weekend

Nick and his sweet girlfriend, Rylan.  She is patient as the day is long.  She puts up with Nick's fishing and hunting and not to mention his insane long hours at work.  She had these taken for her senior pictures.  She graduates in December and is going on to nursing school.  So exciting for her.  

This weekend Nick fished (of course).  The above picture was taken by someone random but it's Nick and his fishing partner.  It's a gorgeous picture.  

And the biggest news of the weekend is this beast.  Nick started hunting last year and got nothing.  On Friday night he went out and got this beast.  I named him "Buster the behemoth buck."  He is so big that Nick is having him mounted.  Needless to say we'll have plenty of deer meat for the winter.  

And tomorrow is election day.  Jay and I already voted.  Mike and Nick intend on voting tomorrow.  I've been in constant prayer for our nation.  
 

October wrap up

As I sat down to blog today I realized I haven't blogged since September.  Geesh!  October has been a crazy month.  We've had amazing weather.  So amazing that shudder to think of what our winter will be like.  There has been some ups and some downs but here we are.  Earlier in the month my sister, Lauren, Rylan and Luke went to the Brandon Lake concert (see picture above and below).  We had a great time. 

In mid October Kim and I took off to Quincy IL to hear my absolute favorite Christian speaker, Susie Larson, at her Rise Conference.  

About a week ago we all met up for dinner to bid John farewell as he headed south.  He left about five days ago for sunny Florida.  It was so nice having dinner as a family.  

 Sieb and I ended the month with Mike and Jenny.  What a blessing their friendship is to us.  It was especially sweet this time because Mike and I have never gone just the two of us.  For Nick's last two years of high school we felt that one of us should be at home to simply keep an eye out on things for him.  Now that he's 18 and graduated it was a perfect time for us to go.  Sieb and I even got bumped to first class.  It was truly wonderful spending a long four day weekend with our friends and great way to end the month.  

Shrimp Boil & Fishing

Every year we get together with Jay's friend group parents for the shrimp boil.  We believe we've doing it for 9 years now.  We usually do it on the 4th of July but due to schedules we couldn't do it until September.  Full disclosure, I kind of preferred doing it in September this year.  It was a wee bit cooler.  Our boils look differently because all of our kids have grown up.  Jay did show up this year and so did Aaron and Reece.  Of course I had to snap a pic.  Trystan stayed behind because her dog had surgery (but all is well with Vodie).  

These boys have been friends since 1st grade.  

Nick was a fishing captain this weekend to the next crew of anglers.  I am so proud of Nick.  He works LONG hours and then spends his weekend mentoring these boys.  It's a good pay it forward story.  
 

What's new

Well the month of August really got away from me.  This month has been different because I have no kids in school anymore.  The other day I pulled out one of my blog books from 10 years ago and just had to laugh.  I was so busy!  My life has changed dramatically.  My boys are graduated from high school.  Jay is entering his 2nd year into his apprenticeship program and no longer lives at home.  Jay and Trystan have been dating almost a year.  I adore her.  She adds so much to our family.  Nick graduated and is working at the same job he had in high school, although he will most likely have a new opportunity very soon, job wise.  He is helping his fishing team as a captain.  We hardly see him but this weekend we had a small service for Linda and Nick was home.  The four of us had breakfast together.  My momma's heart was full!  

Last night I hosted a birthday dinner for John and earlier in the week I hosted Nick's fishing coach and his captain. The picture above is of Nick's girlfriend, Rylan (right) and Branston's girlfriend, Hannah (left) and his sister in the middle.  I'm not use to throwing a dinner party on a Monday night but it was the only night that worked for everyone.  It was a lovely night and it was way I could say thankful for all Ryan and Jon's hard work.