Here come the Gators

Brandon's work gives away game day tickets, so he decided to sign up and take Braley to her first Gator game. We went to the UAB game, which wasn't much of a game but was just right for her.

Not Tebow, but Danny was just as good, right?

Brandon and Braley with Albert and Alberta

I loved that you could see the field in this shot.... thanks Mrs. Robyn.

In tribute to 9/11, the band did a patriotic show theme. BEAUTIFUL! Brought a tear to my eye... not that it takes much.

As we were leaving the stadium I snapped Braley's picture on the Gator. While we waited, a Dad was there trying to stick his son in the mouth for a photo... pretty sure he had enjoyed the game.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank God for Soilders

I love a holiday, but the patriotic ones are my favorite. There is just something about all the red, white and blue. Not to mention the music, I just love a patriotic church service. Yet, it is so easy to get caught up in all the hoopla, and forget the the real men and women of these holidays, the ones who have served.
I apologize for the quality of this photo. Mom had scanned in on to Facebook and I copied it from there. Somewhere I have a better quality photo, but by the time I find it, it'll be to late for this post.

This is my grandaddy, John Cook. He was a WWII veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart. Here is his story.......

Grandaddy was wounded on the island of Sicily while fighting the Germans. While out he stepped out a land mine and nearly lost his legs. Being unable to walk he was left behind. When the Germans came through he played dead, and laid there while they kicked him.  Back home, my grandma received a "killed in action" notice. Several months passed before they found out he had made it to a ship and was alive.

As I type this story, it all seems surreal, like a plot to a movie. I can't even begin to imagine the feelings and emotions that everyone felt. However, I am thankful that God was watching over him, and saw fit to return him home.

As you celebrate this weekend, please remember the brave men and women who have or currently are fighting for our freedom. As well as the families of fallen soldiers.
Happy Birthday, America!

Fathers Day 2011

With VBS starting Sunday night, we had a busy day but I did manage to snap a few photos.

Braley and her Daddy

4 generation..... Daddy, Papa and Great-Grandpa

Me, Braley, Dad and Adam

We finished off the afternoon with a wonderful lunch at Sonny's, with Brandon's family.

Resurrection Sunday

There was a was a mountain and there were three trees There was a good man and there were two thieves A man called Barabas was doomed for the tree But Jesus took the middle one and Barabas went free

I love that man in the middle Because I know he first loved me Praise to that man who died on Mount Calvary The middle man made it possible that I could go free………

I love this song and Easter Sunday, it has to one of my favorite church services. The pretty dresses, the cantata and all the families packed on one pew, such a warm feeling.
It’s become a  tradition to take our family pictures in front of the azalea bushes at church.  Last year the bushes were loaded with blooms, this year not so much but I still LOVE the pictures.

Thanks to Gigi (Brandon’s Granny), Braley always has the cutest Easter dress.  (another Gigi dress and wow, have we grown)

It’s hilarious to watch Braley walk in these heels but I think they represent my nanny well. The woman went everywhere in heels Disney, Sea World, even wore them when doing yard work.

 

My brother and his girlfriend, Brooke. We just love her and maybe one day she will be Brooke Cook :).

Mom and Dad

Braley with mammy and pappy.

 

The whole crew.

Our family picture.

 

Braley and her Brookster

You and me baby, pickin’ blueberries.

For at least the past month I have promised Braley that we would go pick blueberries. She may have forgot about it if we didn’t pass the blueberry sign every time we go to my Mom and Dad’s house.

This week has been pretty laid back for us, first week since summer started that we haven’t had anything to do or anywhere to be. What better adventure than a little blueberry pickin’? Since Brandon gets off at 3:30 and the place doesn’t open until 5 we decided to wait for him to get home. No sooner than he pulled under the carport, the clouds began to roll in, still we decided to go.

We arrived just as they were opening the gates (imagine that, I was the first one there), and setting up the tents. We unloaded and before we could even get out of the car good Braley stepped in an ant bed. I’m talking the mother of ant beds, in a few seconds they had covered her feet and she was screaming bloody murder. Brandon grabbed her up and I ripped her shoes off and went to brushing ants off. The owner was so sweet and came over with a cup of water to help wash her feet.

Finally, we were ready to start picking. I thought Braley would be my blueberry taster, but she was quick to inform me that she was saving hers for pancakes or waffles. Brandon on the other hand is a different story.

While it is late in the season you can see we didn’t have any problem finding blueberries.

I just love this picture. I beginning to realize that my “baby” is quickly growing up. The day is coming all to soon when she will be to “cool” to hold her Daddy's hand.

Happy July 4th

While I love Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays and all holidays in between, I don’t know that there is anything better than a patriotic holiday.

Our pastor, Bro. Danny is in the Army Reserves and serves as Chaplin. How more patriotic can you get than your pastor preaching in his uniform on Sunday morning?

And what about all those patriotic songs? I wish I knew how to get my Facebook video on her…. but I don’t. I can tell you, not that I wasn’t feeling the service but seeing my sweet girl get up in church and sing "Grand ‘ol Flag” brought tears to this Mamas’ eyes. At 4 Braley can take the mike with no fear and not miss a beat. I love to hear Braley sing in church. Can you tell me what Mama wouldn’t? After the service I tried to snap some pictures of Braley in her "America dress” but all I got was this, because……..

all she wanted to do was hide in the forest.

She did agree to take her picture with Mammy and Uncle Boy but wasn’t posing.

Until Brooke got in the picture…. that brought a smile to her face.

Later that night we went to see some local fireworks, all Braley wanted to do was light her sparklers

And play with the Rodgers boys.

This picture of Braley cracked me up. I think at this point I was having to hold back laughter while getting on to her, she was telling Wyatt to be her dog and he was all to willing to play along. We are never gonna marry this girl off.

Thankfully the boys escaped the grasp of Braley and spent some time running up and down the hill. I think there Mama tried to stop them, but I thought it was pretty cute.

By the time the end came, I think the look on Braley’s face sums up all of our feelings. Well, not mine, thankfully the “juke-box van” behind us kept my spirits high.

One of the greatest men I ever knew

Growing up as a child I worshiped my Papa and thought he was the greatest. Not much has changed. Two years ago to the date (1/16/07) the good Lord felt it was time to call him home. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him or wish that I could sit on the front porch and hear him tell one more story.

I just love the poem below and think it describes him to a perfectly. He accomplished a lot of things in his life but plain and simple he was a farmer.


I'm Just a Farmer, Plain and Simple
I'm just a farmer, plain and simple.Not of royal birth, but rather a worker of the earth. I know not of riches, but rather of patches on my britchesI'm just a farmer, plain and simple. I know of drought and rain, of pleasure and pain. I know the good, the bad, the happy and the sad. I'm a man of emotions. A man who loves this land and the beauty of its sand. I'm just a farmer, plain and simple. I know the spring's fresh flow and autumn's golden glow. Of a new born calf's hesitation and an eagle's destination. I'm just a farmer, plain and simple. I know of tall pines and long waiting lines. I know the warmth of campfires and the agony of flat tires. I'm just a farmer, plain and simple. I'm a man who loves his job And the life that I live. I'm just a farmer, plain and simple And I'm a reaper of harvest. I'm the sower of seeds and I'm the tender of stock. I'm just a farmer, plain and simple. I know of planting corn and bailing hay and animals going astray. I live in a complex world, but my faith guides me. I'm just a farmer, plain and simple. I am a man who works with God. I cannot succeed without his help. For you see, I'm just a farmer, plain and simple