OK, OK, OK!! I'M BACK!!!

I'm shaking it off and doing my Muhammad Ali moves (if you have a picture in your head of me doing my Ali moves - stop laughing!!)  I'm ready to get back in the swing of things.  It's been a very busy couple of weeks. I haven't had a chance to sit down and post anything. I'm on overload with information and all the activities from the last 14 days. Read more and see photos below....
First, we went off to Mississippi for the Memorial Day weekend.  It was a fun-packed 4 days!  We came back home late Monday night, went to work the next morning, and then hopped right back into another long, but awesome weekend full of girl-time and fitness.  Oh, Lon and King did stuff, too.  I'm going to just say it with pictures with as few words as possible so I can get you caught up and then move on.  So here's a top 10 countdown of our activities the last past two weeks:

10. Mississippi River Flooding

On top of the levee leading to the Great River Road State Park, Rosedale, MS.  My family used to spend a lot of time at this park when I was a child.  I was sad to hear that the Mississippi River flooding forced the park to close.

I wanted to see for myself how far the water had come inland. Let's just say thank God for the levee.

The standing water made it a hot spot for bugs.  Yes, I was under attack!

The water should be miles away from the levee.

This was the road that led to the park.

9.  Lonnie & The Anaconda?

Lon met a new friend while shooting his black & white "Down in the Delta" series.  We're still laughing about his encounter with the "anaconda".

8. King & Austin on the Farm

Austin & King love going to Mr. Funches' farm in Shaw, MS. He is a family friend who knows about good southern living, whether it's in the deep south or Southern California.  Just like Mr. Funches, I'm so glad the kids get to experience both city and country living.

Sunset on the farm.  It's turning out to be a beautiful place.  Mr. Funches is working on making the farm a historic landmark.  It's been in his family - i think since the 1940's.

An up-close look at wheat. King brought some home. 

He was able to use it in his shoebox project on culture.

7.  Missing Graves

My childhood church (1970's & early 1980's): Tree of Life, Waxsaw, MS

We went here because I wanted Lon to include my paternal grandmother's tombstone in his black and white series.  The grave sites were on the right side towards the back of the church.  It's now farmland.

Much to my dismay, all the graves had been moved.  It really bothered me, and it made the day even worse for my sister who's paternal grandmother passed away earlier that morning.  R.I.P. Ms. Nita Bennett

6.  Fit For Life With My MIL

My MIL, Dawn, and Austin walking in a Fit For Life event at the Bob Hayes Sports Complex last Saturday (6/4/11). A hundred women in white walked with young girls for healthy weight awareness. I walked, too. (More on this later)

More walking women...

Austin got her exercise on. She walked around the park at least 5 times.

At first she was OK with me taking her picture, but by lap #3, she was down right vicious!

5. Asia's Graduation/Our 16th Anniversary

My niece, Asia's high school graduation.  She's college-bound - Florida A&M Univ. get ready!

Yep! We celebrated our 16th anniversary (6/3/11) in the end zone on Middleburg High School's football field.

At least the kids showed us some love....yeah right.  It was a long graduation. Thank God it wasn't super hot!

 4. Kim J.'s Bridal Shower

Longtime family friend, Kim J. is getting married in a couple of weeks.  We're all so happy for her. Pictured here at her bridal shower with my SIL, Chanda. (6/4/11)

Group shot.  We had a great time!

  3. Spending Time With My Nephew

So happy I got to spend time with my nephew.  He hung out with us all day Saturday while we were in MS. Between work, attending college at MVSU...and a girlfriend, we don't get to see him very often.

2. Golden Girls of Australia

What a nice surprise to meet these wonderful women from Australia. They made their way from the other side of the world to my little town.  Maybe one day me and my girlfriends below will trek across another country.

1.  I Love My Girlfriends Weekend!

                                       Left to right: Yolanda, Nikki, me, Crystal (center), Sha, Krishna (front) & Shawn                             By far, the best part of my trip!  Seeing these beautiful ladies after more than 10 years was so amazing.  More on Girlfriends Weekend 2011 later. 
 

*Bonus Tidbits

• Lon was promoted at work this week! It's a huge step for him, and I'm very proud of him.  God is good and he's always looking out for us!

• I finally got a new phone - the Samsung Galaxy 4G.  Now I can blog from anywhere with a better camera and media resources. Shout-out to my girl Ericka S. at the Orange Park Mall T-Mobile for helping me find the perfect phone.
• Austin and King made it through another school year safe and sound.  King's grades have improved tremendously and Austin is still doing great. (More to come).
• King's grades have earned him a spot on our community's peewee football league.  Whether that spot is on the bench or on the field is yet to be seen.  :-)

Wishing you many blessings and a safe summer!