A New Life

We are very excited to share some family news! Cole was baptized this morning at church. During VBS, he began asking a lot of questions about becoming a Christian, so we made an appointment for Cole to talk to our pastor, David Eldridge. On Father's Day, Cole walked the aisle and professed his faith in Christ. Ever since that day, he has been eagerly awaiting his baptism. Along with friends and family, we celebrated his new birth today. Before the baptism, some close friends of ours-the Rankins- shared with us a bottle containing water from the Jordan River, the place where Jesus was baptized over 2000 years ago. What a special gift! Right before the baptism, the water was poured in the baptistry and Bro. David explained that the water present today at our church was just as special as that from the Jordan River--but that the act of baptism was the most important. We will always remember this happy day!

Cotillion

This week, Mary Conlee went to Pre-Cotillion Camp. She learned proper etiquette and good character traits for home, school, and sports. Her favorite part of the camp was getting to be with her friend, Causey. Using Peanuts, the mascot, they learned the right and wrong way to act in many situations. I'm sure she and Causey will be correcting their parents when they don't use their good manners! We hope she will carry her new manners to kindergarten! MC especially loved her camp helpers- Natalie and Maria Holland- the daughters of my friend, Tina. I appreciate their willingness to teach, their patience with 5 year olds, and their shining example of how to act like a lady. I hope MC grows up to be just like them!

Lost Tooth

The main reason for this entry is for Judd. He has been in Las Vegas on business (yeah, right) all week and Mary Conlee wants her Daddy to see her new smile. Her tooth has been dangling for awhile, and she finally mustered up the courage to let me yank it out. I love pulling teeth! She even asked me to wait until she was asleep to do it...just like we had to for Cole! So, Judd...make sure you send the Tooth Fairy our way tonight. We love you and miss you! See you tomorrow night.

Father Daughter Ball

Judd took Mary Conlee to the annual Father Daughter Ball. They have gone the past 3 years. This is one of their favorite things to do together. Everytime we pass by the Furniture Markets (where the ball is held), she always says, "There's the Father Daughter Ball!" This is also a fun time for Cole and me to have our own little date. After getting Cinderella and her prince off to the ball, Cole and I headed for the movies. While we watching Prince Caspian, Judd and MC were busy dancing, riding a horsedrawn carriage, and hanging out with Belle, Barbie, Snow White, Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother, and various other dignitaries! Towards the end of the movie, I got a text from Judd saying that although they had a wonderful time at the ball, MC's Add-a-pearl necklace was nowhere to be found. I told him that I would stop by and look for it on our way home. He wished me luck and said that it would be impossible to find. Cole and I arrived at the ball after all the princesses had gone and the workers were busy cleaning up. I searched the runway, the dance floor, and around the tables, but to no avail. I called Judd to find out exactly where they had been all night long, but he said that she probably lost it while doing some of her dance moves. As soon as he told me that, I looked down and found it- the broken pearl necklace on the dance floor! I couldn't believe it. It was missing 2 small pearls, which can be replaced and the string and chain had been broken, but we had the pearls and that's all I cared about. Judd and Mary Conlee are already talking about going to the ball next year. However, she will be leaving her pearls at home!

Gilbert

On Friday, June 13, we lost our precious cat, Gilbert. He has been with us for 12 years. We got him right after we married from a pet shop at the mall in Pensacola. Since we had Gilbert for several years before our children, we always referred to him as the first born. I (because I don't want to incriminate Judd by saying we) used to bottle feed him formula, read to him, and even dress him up during holidays! He's been a witch, an elf, and a baby! For those of you who knew Gilbert, he looked more like a mountain lion than he did a house cat. Nevertheless, he was our first, and we loved him dearly. When we came home last week from our trip to Pensacola, we noticed that he just wasn't himself. He had lost 6 pounds in a matter of days and just didn't look like Gilbert. Our vet told us he had kidney failure and tried to pump him with fluids. His blood values continued to worsen, so last Friday, we had to make the painful decision to put him to sleep. Judd was able to hold him and love on him during this time. The kids and I chose to remember him the way he was before he got sick. We love you, Gilbert. There will never be another cat like you!

Smith Lake

This summer, we have spent lots of time at the lake house. We love to swim, tube, and ski. At least the grown ups do! The kids haven't tried water skiing yet. We are making wonderful memories there and love getting to spend time with Bubbe and Pop when we go. We are looking forward to a fun 4th of July holiday on the lake!

Quest for Camelot

Cole spent this past week at a summer camp learning about knights, castles, and dragons. His favorite part of the week was getting to dissect owl pellets- regurgitated bones and other undigestible parts of his prey! Cole's owl must have eaten a rodent, based on the type of bones and skull he found in the pellet. He and his friend, Woody, learned lots of things from Mrs. Willis. We can't wait for camp next summer!

Pensacola Beach

We recently took a trip to visit Judd's family in Pensacola. My kids get so excited because that means fun days at the beach! Surrounded by all the Wilson cousins, my kids think they are in heaven. We had fun collecting shells, catching jellyfish, and riding the waves. As we were leaving the beach one day, we stopped at the showers to wash off all the sand. Mary Conlee found her own water fountain- the foot shower! I said, "Get out of there, Mary Conlee. That's gross! Wait- let me take a picture first."

A Whole New World

It's taken me a better part of a week to figure out this whole blog setup! My good friend, Mary Margaret, inspired me to do this blog. It's a great way to chronicle the events in our lives so we can remember them! Since I bought every scrapbooking tool known to man- 7 years ago- and haven't used them very much, this will be the next best thing. So my first blog is dedicated to MM and her support and patience! I hope to have this up and running when she comes back from the beach. Thanks, Mary Margaret! I'm grateful for your friendship.