Merry Christmas from the Swindoll Elves

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Ok, maybe I better take a break...

from blogging. I know, I know, the two of you who still check my blog once a month are saying "BUT WHY? You share SO much of your life with us that I don't know what I'll do when I can't check your blog and see there is NOTHING NEW posted!!! What will I do????" Ok, maybe that's not what your thinking, but I really thought I could do this; but WHAT WAS I THINKING????? With work (yes, I work 2 days a week, but it's still considered work!), girls homework, projects, being homeroom mom for one (WHICH I was roped into...thanks Shelley!!), basketball practice, etc, etc, etc, I didn't think about really having to have time AND enough brain cells left to actually post something. So, in respect to the blogging community and my absolutely talented blogging friends, I'm putting this on hold. I will keep this site, if I EVER decide to post pictures (which, obviously, there will have to be blue moon in the sky before THAT happens!!!), but I will let you now if that ever happens! My blogging sisters, you may take my name off your blog roll, because I'd hate to embarass you by having someone actually look at it. So for now, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Valentine's Day, Happy St. Patrick's Day, "WooHoo it's Spring Break!!", Happy Easter, "Yeaaa, it's Summer", and Happy 4th of July (oh, and Happy Birthday to you as well!!!) Maybe one day I'll be back!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

God is a God of Miracles...

Ok, I love my Savior, and I know He is a God of miracles, but, "Oh, my word!" Today, MIL is OUT of ICU, in her own private room, eating like a queen (well, at least like a patient eating a bland diet in a hospital), and heart rate is SUPERB! She is doing so well; we are waiting on a heart cath on Wednesday, and hopefully she'll decide to stay at the hospital while waiting on the tests! This morning she was swearing that "she was not in a hospital, but a CULT!" (Sorry, Ma, but it WAS funny!) She was ready to leave the ICU, if not the hospital. They comprimised by giving her a private room which she could close the door and have her privacy!!! She is doing SO much better, and I cannot express to you how MUCH we appreciate every single prayer that was lifted up on her behalf. THANK YOU. A few days ago we would have sworn she would not be with us much longer; thank you, Lord, for allowing her to stay a while longer...

Please pray...

for my mother-in-law. She is still in ICU, and we are not sure exactly what is and is not going on. She went in for a "simple" back procedure and has ended up with a massive heart attack and who knows what else. Thanks to my friends who have lifted us up in prayer and encouraged us; God bless you all, and we love you. Just keep praying; I don't know what else to write, but just lift her up along with the doctors. Thank you so much.

Wordless Wednesday

Shannon and Ben's Wedding

How can someone else's wedding that you attended (and danced at!) wear you out so much??? I think I'm not as young as I used to be! Our niece, Shannon, was married to her beau, Ben, last night at the Tunica River Museum. Besides the killer mosquitos that we effectively "raise" in the Sweet Delta, it was absolutely gorgeous! The wedding was beautiful, and, if you didn't know it, you would have thought they were married by the ocean! The reception was catered by John Woods, and those had to be the BEST fried pickles I've ever eaten!!! Shannon had picked out some just plain ole' delicious Delta food: catfish, fried pickles, bbq and even some chicken tenders! The flowers were gorgeous, thanks to our family flower arranger, Deniese, and musical entertainment was provided by several family members! I just wanted to share some fun/crazy photos from the wedding. Welcome, Ben, to the family ("bless your heart!")

The younger cousins were the official "Candy Girls!"


My beautiful Southern Belles!

The Mighty Mississippi...so beautiful.

What a cute couple!!!

Shannon made such a beautiful bride!!!

"Mom", you made it!!! :)

Grandmama and Papaw, enjoying some southern fare!

Mr. and Mrs. McKinley, "At Last!"

Proud (and tired!) parents!

The two biggest hams of the evening (well, almost!)

Alrighty, the cake has been cut...

on to the musical entertainment!!!!

"You betta' shape up..."

Reelin' her in!

It's Michael Jackson in a white man's body!

The Candy Girl took her job seriously!!!

And, for those who I know are wondering, there WAS NO bar!!!!

We are just a nutty family!

Congratulations Shannon and Ben!!!

We love you!

Ok, I'm not sure if blogging is for me!

Alright, I'm finally sitting my ADHD self down to do some blogging, and I have already messed up one entry (surprise, surprise!) I just added a post that I had created several days ago, but it posted on the date I had started it, not today. (To see what I added just a few minutes ago, look on October 1 for a posting...UGGGG!!!) ANYWHO, I was tagged by my dear, dear friend Tater Mama to list 6 things that make me happy. Thanks for the honor, and I'd love to share!
1. I am a princess...I'm the daughter of THE King!!! I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I am blessed to be a child of his!!!
2. My family. My girls are more fun than a barrel of monkeys, and I love to be with them!
My husband is a NUT; he is who "brought me out of my shell!" Never a dull moment...
3. CHOCOLATE...'nuff said!
4. Diet Coke FROM Sonic. The Sonic in Hernando was closed several months ago for renovations from a fire. I cannot tell you how many friends expressed their condolences to me, and my own Caroline prayed for Sonic "so momma can get her diet cokes again..." There has to be a 12-step program for people with this "disease."
5. LAUGHTER. I LOVE to laugh, and I LOVE to be with people who make me laugh! As I told my associate pastor, God did not give me a "quiet and gentle spirit." He said, "They come in all volumes!" Thanks for that encouragement, Bro. Frank!!
6. My FRIENDS. God has TRULY blessed me with some God-fearing, wonderful ladies who I am blessed to be friends with. If you know me and you are reading this blog, count yourself on my list of friends I LOVE!!!! :)

Well, Tater Mama, thanks for the award; I'm passing this on to my blogging friend who has not received it already; if I could sit still any longer, I'd add to my blogging list!!!
Jennifer at Life in "HIS"nando (http://williamsfam.blogspot.com/).

Wordless Wednesday

Fun Fall Days

Well, Saturday was as busy as the past several days have been! The day began with Caroline's soccer game; they won. Just call her Pele'...

Next was MK's volleyball game; they all have improved so much, but they ended up losing to St. Ann. Oh, well, there's always Monday! (Thanks to her fan base for coming out and supporting her!!) LOL...

Oh, and did I mention it is also MK's 11th birthday??? (Where did the time go?) This afternoon, we went to the local paint-your-own pottery place, DeSoto Artwerx, with a few friends. The girls had a great time painting pottery and partying! I cannot believe it has been 11 years with Mary Katherine as a part of our family! MK, I have enjoyed watching you change and grow so much; you are just as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. We love you so much!!!

Boy, we will ALL sleep good tonight!!!!

More rambling...

I have been TAGGED on another blog site (my sistah, Tater Mama, at Tater Tales) to share 7 things about myself. Ok, I'm pretty boring, but let me see if I can scrape some things out of this mind of mine! (Oh, and Tater Mama, I'm sorry it has taken me THIS long to post it!!!)


1. I LOVE spending time with my girls and my husband. They make my heart happy; they are "low maintenance" in the fact that they are easily amused and do not asked to be entertained in big ways. We also LOVE reading together; you don't have to twist our arms to get in our pj's and just have a fun time at home!!!

2. I am from the "big" town of Sledge, MS, "Home of Charley Pride." And, yes, I have met him. I embarressed the stew out of my husband at a concert in Branson (it was MANY years ago!); he (who hates country music) was so sweet to take me to see him (uh, yes, he DOES love me!). During the concert, Charley Pride stated that he was from Sledge, MS. Well, guess who starts hooping and hollerin' (while William crawls UNDER his seat). When CP heard me clapping, he stopped the concert to ask who I was and then proceeded to ask me if I knew certain people he had known when he lived there. Yes, it truly IS a small world!!!

3. I love Sonic Diet Cokes; can you say "addicted????" Oh, and chocolate IS my best friend...

4. I used to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" at my high school's football games; no, it wasn't a big school, thanks for asking!


5. I was Miss Congeniality in my high school beauty review.


6. My first car was a light blue tin can called a Dodge Aries; it had "AM Jam." My poor dad spent all New Year's Day in 1987 putting in a new "stereo" system in the car...it had FM AND a cassette player!!!! (You '80's girls KNOW how much that meant to me!!) Then, 2 weeks later, some dummy pulled out in front of me; the car (and FM radio with cassette) was TOTALED.

(It really wouldn't have taken much to total that can, I mean car!)

7. I LURV my friends!!! Even though I don't get to see them (or the 2 of y'all who are reading this!) as much as I would like, I love them! God has truly blessed me with some DEAR, DEAR friends (and family!)

Ok, I'm going to tag some of you now; I realize it has been a couple of weeks since Tater Momma tagged me, but if you HAVE NOT been tagged already, please do this for me. (And, please, I'll have to decline the "best blogger award!" :) )

I'm tagging:
Can I Get a Witness
Between Now and Then

Wordless Wednesday

Ok, I am only using words today so I can explain this; I am stealing this idea from my friend and mentor in blogging, Kim Sue. On her blog, Between Now and Then, she has "Wordless Wednesday" when she displays some type of interesting or meaningful photography. I hope to start that same tradition on my blog. Thanks, Kim Sue, for the idea!!! (It takes the pressure off of having to think of something to say!) Here goes!

Volleyball Update

Yes, another volleyball game! The 5th grade Trojans played Incarnation Elementary tonight and WON in 2 sets (15 -4, 15- 4). MK even was on first string and played the entire game!!! Three more games to go; I thought I'd be excited about slowing down, but this new sport's experience has been a blast! GO TROJANS!!!

It's Shower Time!

Ok, I thought I'd share some of our fun family time. My niece is getting married, and "the aunts" held a shower for her at my house. We had fun, and it was great to see all the pretty things she received. It is SO unbelievable that she is getting married! ANYWHO, we had a little comic relief during the opening of the presents. Another niece decided to add a little comic entertainment as the bride was opening presents. Never a dull moment...

I also had the privilege of taking the bride and groom's engagement picture; if I ever start a photography business (HA!), these will be in my portfolio!

We are so happy for the two of you!!!!

She shoots, she SCORES!

Have I mentioned that she is competitive? Yes, I am officially a soccer mom (wearing lipstick!!!)

Break time...

Even super stars have to take water breaks; this girl can not STAND to be off of the soccer field!

Volleyball Pro

We call her "Quarter" for short!

I know, I know...

Well, you now understand why I debated on starting a blog; obviously, I'm not good at posting on it!! I absolutely LOVE reading my friends' blogs, and I hate it when they haven't posted anything new in the last 24 hours. HOWEVER, my "ADD" kicks in, and I hate sitting still to post on my own blog. AND...did I mention that the girls are keeping me in the road?? I wouldn't trade it for the world, however! Mary Katherine is playing volleyball and LOVIN' it! (This is the child that was determined she was NOT going to try out for the 5th grade team, but you've gotta love the Olympics...they can inspire even a 10 year old to play volleyball!) Then there is Caroline, soccer star! She is ALL OVER the field; she has made 2 goals in the past 3 games (ok, one was by accident; it bounced off her knee and went into the goal!!) And, she is also taking guitar; she wants an electric guitar, but I have told her she can rock, but she has to rock for Jesus!!! Never a dull moment, and I am so thankful for this time!
Hang in there with me friends; maybe I'll post again within the next 30 days!!!

Finally got the nerve...

Ok, blogger friends, I have to admit I ride the short bus. It has taken me OVER a year to get my nerve up to finally set up my blog account. AND...my funny friends, I really have no self-confidence in blogging after reading all of your funny blogs. HOWEVER, I LURV taking pictures, and since it does not seem I will EVER get them into scrapbooks, I figured I'd put them on a blog. (I'm just saving all of my scrapbooking supplies for the nursing home!) Anywho, please just flatter me a little by checking out my blog once in a blue moon (because that is probably how often I'll update it!). I'm really just doing this to get brownie points with my girls; they will think they are famous when they see this. Oh, well, I'll take whatever I can get...