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The 4th in the mountains is always a beautiful time. Our swim meet on the 3rd (since the 4th fell on a Wednesday) forced us to drive on the holiday and miss the town's classic parade. ("Happy 4th of July. Happy 4th of July. Want some candy? Want some candy?") But Mom and Dad do wonders
with their beautiful deck - after the festivities we get to enjoy the
fireworks from the house and perfect mid-summer weather.
A few flashbacks!
Wonder what they're talking about...
Fun day (complete with a serious rock jump----go Andrew & Margaret!!!), but FREEZING water and endless water fights among the boats!
The infamous "napping" swing.
More flashbacks---4 years ago, somehow, as dated by the binky boy.
Mystery Hill - First time since a kid, and the kids were perfect ages!
Rain, rain, go away! Thankful for the new indoor option for lessons with Granddaddy!
No trepidation with this one at all...and no shots of Margaret, who, of course, stepped up to the ball and effortlessly nailed it straight down the range.
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Thank you, Michael Killian, for weeks full of fun celebrations and the best of friends. Two lovely dinner parties, the most unique gift I could imagine, my first real motorcycle ride, and a plethora of awesome swims by the kiddos rounded out the actual climb over the hill... The best is yet to come, I am sure! For all of the craziness and the daily grind, I am blessed beyond measure by it all.
What stunning flowers Mom helped me with in May are doing wonderfully on our sun-blasted back deck! Perfect. Beautiful. Reminder of my beautiful mother and her generous heart and hands. And to think that at the end of June, the unusual weather cooperated for us to enjoy them over champagne to kick off the dinner party!
Then, the catered dinner at our house....
Tyler and his assistant Spencer arrived at 2:00pm for the beginning of a fun, excellent experience. I rather think that they enjoyed it, too!
Tyler and Spencer were amazing - what a fun, DELICIOUS, entertaining, elegant evening!
Before we were seated, Michael surprised me with the most touching and hysterical poem that was PERFECTLY delivered...just as he ALWAYS does. We were all in stitches. Can you read his toast?
"In 1978 Elizabeth was born in Columbia, South Carolina, Almost 40 years later I couldn't imagine a wife any FINA. Daughter to Jim and Dee Ferguson and sister to three, She was raised to be southern and charming and has become quite a beauty. Growing up learning, playing sports, going to camp and having fun, She gained a solid foundation of faith and became an expert marksman. Richmond, William and Mary, on to Denver and C'Ville, Time spent working, traveling, helping others and making my life a thrill. Shepherding our family of 5 leaves little time to dawdle, She handles it with grace and is a wonderful servant role model. Her enthusiasm, positive attitude and good looks are what I love the most, And when she puts on the her old cheerleading outfit for me, I thank the Holy Ghost! I love the woman I met, the woman you are and the women you will be. Happy Birthday, Elizabeth, enjoy turning 40."
Then...time to indulge...
What a stunning group of people! We don't see nearly enough of our church friends, being spread all over town, but they are authentic, beautiful inside and out, and group we will always love. With the Pastor and Praise Team Leader included, we can only play on Fridays. But with this right group, on the right night, we can have such easy conversation and endless laughs from 6:30pm-12:30am, "benedicting" (now a verb!) perfectly with an a Capella,
"It Is Well With My Soul". And, indeed, it was well.
And just to spoil ourselves again, we used our mega Clifton Inn gift card with my girls and their men. I cherish these friendships and adore them for getting me through my 30's!
I don't know why I'm surprised that they surprised me with the most unique, creative gift in the world. I had recently had Lauren's sister do a water color of Mom and Dad's view in the mountains for Dad's 75th birthday. Lauren got her hands on the pictures I sent her sister and had a local friend from MOPS water color this 3'x2' memory with the lyrics to my favorite life hymn on it---favorite in part because Dad sang it at each of the kids' baptisms. Just like the view, this hymn will always hold a special place in my heart. Can you read the lyrics? It's the story of life.
"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell."
"When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun."
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise."
"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold."
As if we hadn't already celebrated enough, we had to have the actual birthday...
Michael surprised us with plane rides again---the kids just love this Waynesboro experience.
Off they go...
...and here they come!
Mommy said nothing to unwrap since we'd celebrated with friends already, but there had to be just one...plus an incredibly thoughtful, LONG picture album of our entire life together to date. So much time and love poured into it.
First ride...
With the 4th being on a Wednesday, meet night had to be moved to Tuesday, the 3rd. But how fitting. This is how we spend our summers, and meets are actually nice, family time watching the kiddos excel at what they love so much. Few things bring me so much joy:-)
So many pics of Matthew, but it's just so darn cute to see how very excited he is for each event, how properly he does everything (the other kids jump from the side while he correctly dives from the blocks) and how very fast he is!
And then there's our big, lean machine:-)
Look at that back!
Cheering on the others under the lights.
JJ's always by her side...
Heat winners (and some age group winners, too, in this top 50 group!)! So proud of these kiddos. They have fun, but boy do they work hard every single day for it.
Oh, what a night! I think there's a song about that:-)
