Our Camping Trip

Matt decided we needed to go camping. We were going to go to Jacks River Falls, but it just didn't work out. The backyard became our campground.
The kids helped Matt set up the tent

Bans had to take a little break


Then Matt did some sort of tricks with the tent- he wanted me to catch the looks on the kids faces
We borrowed some fire wood from Grandma Gus and Matt built a fire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. We built the fire where a tree used to be, so it was a round, dirt patch.

The kids had to check out the tent and make sure it was going to be fun.

Matt found the perfect place to get the marshmallows golden and toasty.
Matt and the kids got settled in for the night and I retreated to the house. I got to sleep inside because Matt is nice and also, there wasn't very much room in the tent. I texted him to see how it was going and he told me to come back out and take a couple more pictures.

Pretty exciting what you can do in your own backyard, huh?

Fun

Matt bought a basketball hoop to set-up outside and it came in a huge box.
Boxes are the best toys ever invented. Truly.
The kids turned the boxes into their play "rooms". Ry and Savannah were in one and Jonah was in the other.
They actually wanted to sleep in them for a couple nights.
What a great toy! It kept them entertained for hours. And luckily, I was the only one who cut my foot by stepping on one of those huge metal staples.

Stone Mountain

One day, a couple of months ago, Matt came home from work on a Friday night and decided we should go and watch the Lasershow at Stone Mountain. It was a bit ironic, because earlier that day I was thinking the same thing, but hadn't mentioned it to him yet.
We hadn't been to the lasershow for a really longtime. It was one of the things we did on our first date, so I was excited to take the kids. Very fun.
Trivia- can anyone name the three men who are carved into Stone Mountain? no cheating!

And here is a cute pic that I took of my kids and Jaime's kids after we got done eating on a Saturday night.
It wasn't even posed at all.

Before and After

I just discovered Picnik. I mean, I have heard of it and seen tons of people use it, but today I actually edited some pictures and I love it because it is free!
Watch out photos- here I come!

Becky's Hydrangea

One of the advantages to living in a humid climate-hydrangea. Sorry you can't grow it mom. It is so pretty.

I promised myself I wouldn't do this anymore....

but, I just can't help myself.

Matt and I are having so much fun reading this book together that I just have to recommend it.

Maybe it is because we have never read a book together. Maybe it is because Matt makes everything fun.

This book is really funny.

Matt doesn't really like reading and I love it. He thinks it is boring. I could read all day.
He has read a couple of books. I really wanted to see Kite Runner when it came out in the theater, so I made him read the book first, before we went to see it together. He liked it.
My point is, we are really enjoying this book.
He started reading it and then when we were driving home from Washington DC, he asked me to read to him while he was driving. Then I drove and he read.
Sometimes I read a chapter out loud before we go to bed.

All I know is that we always laugh. out loud.

I know it is probably just the personality of the writer, but it really is humorous and interesting, because there is a lot of history in the book too.

If you don't know what it is about and care- check out this LINK.

Mr. Tom

(photos from Clay Jennings)

Last night I cried so hard that I got physically sick. The crying led to one of the worst headaches ever, which led to nausea, which left me feeling very ill.

It was the funeral of William Thomas Jennings Sr.
Also known as Mr. Tom and Tom-Tom.

He was one of the kindest, most charitable, humble, selfless, loving, caring, giving, happy people that I have ever known.
I consider it a privilege to have known him and even more of a privilege to call him a dear friend.

When we moved to Milledgeville in Nov. 2003, the Jennings took us in under their wing and made us feel like a part of their family. Tom and Betsy had such a warm feeling in their home that you never wanted to leave. You could feel the love just by being in their home.
I can remember thinking to myself, "I want to be like that. I want our home to be a place that people feel loved and comfortable. I want our kids to bring their friends to our home and feel like it is the best place that they could be." I strive to be more like this family.

Tom and Betsy went together like milk and cookies. You can't imagine one of them without the other. They just fit. They complimented each other and made a perfect whole. Mr. Tom sure did love to drink milk.

We went to their house every Sunday night for pancakes and sausage. My kids (Matt included) loved Mr. Tom's sausage.

He just had a way about him. He loved everyone. He cared about everyone. He made me feel like I was a special person. He made everyone feel special.

He never criticized others. He never said a bad thing about anyone. and I mean nobody. If we started talking about somebody, Tom would always say, in his gentle way-"They're doing the best they can with what they've got". I have adopted that as a personal motto.

Being around Tom made you want to be a better person, a happier person. He would come at the drop of the hat if you needed anything. He just got people. He loved life and it showed.

The words used to describe Tom and his family are all the same. Everyone who knew Tom felt his love. He had an understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He helped others understand the gospel and the way that he lived his life showed more than anything that he loved his Savior and he understood what life was really about.

That is what makes it so hard to imagine an earthy life without him here.
It makes me cry to think that I will never see his smile again in this life. I will never see him sitting at the head of his table with that grin on his face, getting ready to tell us a story.
It makes me sad to think of his beautiful wife and children and grandchildren going through this life without him physically here. I know he is still with us in spirit, but the physical separation is the part that really hurts.

Last night hearing his boys talk about their dad- it literally broke my heart. I felt like I had a dead weight in my chest that was just bringing me down to despair.
Oh, the sadness.

"Very rarely does one come across an individual such as your father where a smiling face was ever prevalent and a welcoming hand was always offered. I shall never forget the words of wisdom that he shared nor the spiritual enlightenment gained from his steadfast example. Indeed he was an example to us all and one of the finest men I have ever personally known. It is these times when it is most comforting to know that families truly are forever." -Slate Burke

"You know it's really easy to be good to a family that has been so good to so many people. FHE, pancake dinners, sitting around eating cakes and pies. Being with your family to watch General Conference and just plain enjoying each others company. It's hard not to show an outpouring of LOVE for a family that shows there Love for others in this manner. I pray that you all keep this legacy going. I will say for all of us who enjoy this kind of love. Thank you all. God Bless your family."- Nathaniel Balkcom

"Tom Jennings was a spiritual Giant. He called me last year when Bro. Webb passed away and gave me the details and kept saying, "We're sure gonna miss him" Well the same will be said about Brother Tom Jennings. The Jennings had us over for Christmas Dinner after I had only been a missionary for 1 week and I was very homesick. They took me under their wing and made me feel like family! Tom was willing to do anything for the Gospel. I always loved seeing him when he would travel to Macon when I was serving there. His presence in the Macon ward lifted all. The sting of death is swallowed up in Christ (Mosiah ch.16:8) The Grave has no victory!"-Brady Haider

"You are one of the most blessed persons on this earth along with others who have the gift of eternal families. Tom left a wonderful and strong spirit behind which will dwell with your family and the many friends who loved and cherished him as I did. Its time for him to do some missionary work with David Webb now(SMILE). To you strong boys and to his wonderful wife Betsy, stay strong and press forward just as Tom did. He fought until the end and kept Christ in his heart at all times. "- La Quadia Webb

"There definitely is comfort knowing that "Tom", as my kids so personally call him, is one of the best guys I've ever known. He is a wonderful example to everyone around him. He is someone who everyone loves being around, that's why things are sad because your whole family is amazing and so much fun to be around. It is great to know that we know where he is going and that we can see him again. I love you, man, and your family. Ya'll definitely are like extended family, I'm very grateful for that and the love that ya'll have shown to my family. What a wonderful man!" - My Matt Murray

"Tom Jennings lived a life of service towards others. He is my Father, and i'm grateful for everyday i knew him, and for the wonderful legacy he left behind. He will forever be loved by everyone who knew him. Families are forever, only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ"- Clay Jennings