On the Campaign Trail......

 which was right down the road :)  We were able to stand at the voting polls from 10-2 today to support Zach Bates, who is running for Mayor of Anderson County.  It was a delight to support him and we had a lot of fun!  Early voting is right now and election day for the primaries is May 6th!  We were blessed and encouraged with a surprise visit from the Bates family and it was nice to see them and fellowship.  A few of them stuck around to finish up the day and we came on home for naps and dinner!  VOTE FOR ZACH!  :) 

Setting up

It threatened bad weather and sprinkled a bit, but God kept it mostly dry and even gave us some sunshine!

Working hard!

I've got such a goofy face, but it was soooo bright!!!!  

Smiling and waving! :)

Nathan Bates, Sean, Ryan

Long day!!! :0)  Isaiah Bates

Realization

I'm realizing I don't really do much with this blog like I used to.  I still do get on it a lot because I've been reading old posts (thank goodness I DON'T ramble as much as I used to!!!!) I guess I could make the excuse that I'm busy with the kiddos, which I am, and hubby, church, home, work, etc. etc.  Sometimes I feel like I don't really have anything at all remotely interesting to say.  Like now!!  lol  Also, I am unable to upload pictures from my computer and my laptop is broken and so I have to use Sean's Mac for uploading pictures.  Which is another thing I don't do like I used to.  Photography.  Nor do I hardly ever use Photoshop like I used to. OK, this is starting to sound a bit depressing and boring!  :p


Any way, thought I would just write a little because I haven't in a little.  Sean is home early today and so I am ready to go spend time with him.  We are doing well and very excited about the things I have been reading in Created to be His Help Meet.   By Debi Pearl.  Totally wonderful and convicting book that I wished I would have read before I got married (if I had even been saved, which I wasn't).  We are also starting to campaign a bit for Zach Bates, who is running for county mayor for our county (Anderson).  Anyone living in Anderson County, VOTE FOR ZACH!!!! :)  We have been handing out flyers and have put up some roadside signage and are going to be doing more for them tomorrow....door knocking!!!  I'm a little scared!  I think we will work the polls for him on May 6th (the primary election).  It's been fun! 


Tomorrow is Alyssa Bates shower and should be a nice time of fellowship!  Another wedding right around the corner!!!!!  I'm excited to bring the baby girl with me! 


Speaking of her, Hailey is doing wonderful!  6 weeks already!!!!  She smiles and coos and is such a delight!


Ryan has a birthday coming up the end of this month and we plan to go to Dollywood and get season passes.  We've never been and are looking forward to that. 


Andrew has hit the terrible 2's at 19 months and poor lil guy is just a fussy man!  Usually I can ignore it; sometimes it gets under my skin.  Either way, I feel bad for him; it doesn't look like much fun at all!  The biggest thing is remembering to ignore him and not give him what he wants.  Even when I do this to try to please him and get him to quiet down, he finds something new to immediately fuss about!!!! 


The house has shown twice this past week and is set to show again this afternoon and Sunday.  I have not had the best attitude about it.  Seems like they always wanna come at inconvenient times (HA!!!).  Usually around mealtimes.  And of course I don't wanna move.  I like this house and moving is a lot of work.  I know it's God's plan and His will is best.  On the other hand, a new unknown adventure is a little exciting. 


Spring is here and the blooming flowers and greenery is gorgeous!  Some warmer days have been nice, too, but our weather is still very much back and forth from chilly, to cold, to warm.  I try to remember not to forget that soon enough it will be 90 and hot everyday and I will be dreaming of the 60s!!!  :) 


Work has been super busy when I'm there!  Makes the time fly!  My amazing husband has been holding down the house while I go in, which is 2 shifts a week from 3pm until 11pm-ish.  I am very thankful for the job God has given me and I am happy to be a blessing.  It is nice though because I am off for a week right now!  :)


Sean has decided to extend his school career a bit longer.  He was set to graduate May 2014, but now it will probably be December 2014.  He was overloading himself with classes and unable to keep up and was getting too stressed out.  He actually just dropped one of his classes this semester, too.  I'm just trying to help him as much as possible, but the extra time with him is nice for me and the children!


We just did our big shopping day at 3 Rivers (our co-op) and loaded up on a bunch of organic yummy goodness at a high price!!!   Worth it, but we did just find out from a friend at church that Earth Fare is 10% off all the time for military (active and vets!!!)  Also, I just read in the paper today that Wal-Mart is going to start selling more organic at a much cheaper price!  Excellent! 


OK, I have officially made a post so that it doesn't look like I don't exist in blogger world anymore!!!! 


God bless!  Bye for now!

Zach and Whit's Wedding

We were very blessed to be a part of another wedding celebration!  That makes two in a little over a month, both Bates children!  This time, Zach and Whitney :0 )  The wedding was gorgeous.....and quite funny!  BUT I will explain that a little later.  The reception was also super sweet and very pretty.  Our family had such a great time fellowshipping with others and being a part of helping the happy couple start their new life together.  She was a beautiful bride!!!!!!  We pray that God blesses them immensely! 

This is the church where the wedding was

Waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle

Groomsmen

Bridesmaids

OK, so the best man did something really funny, unbeknownst to the bride and groom.  When he was asked for the ring, he pretended like he couldn't find it and then pulled out a ring pop and handed that over.  Then, he prayed with another groomsmen, asking for God's help in finding the ring.  At that point a small disco ball descended from the ceiling and inside of it......the ring.  And then a thank you Lord for answering his prayers.  Zach and Whit took it all in good fun. :)

Lawson and Andy Leftwich singing

Just when Whitney's Dad was about to say "You may kiss the bride", he decided instead to say, AFTER I get a kiss from her!  :) 

And then the sweet moment! 

AWWWWW!

The reception

The getaway car!  The original car that they were supposed to leave in was all wrapped up with Saran Wrap and who knows whatever else was done to it.  BUT Zach and Whitney outsmarted the pranksters.  At first Zach pretended to start taking off the Saran Wrap, but then another car pulled up, they got in, waved good-bye, and the brand new Mr. and Mrs. Zach Bates were off!