Barracuda Swim team photo and "fun meet"

Today Lindsey’s swim team had a “fun meet”. This is the day that they take the team photo and have a swim demonstration for potential team members and their families, also all the kids that have been taking swim lessons during the summer get to show what they have learned in a swim meet style event, complete with timers and awards. Cameron was there, as expected, taking pictures of everything. This is the first team photo that Lindsey has been in so it’s kind of a big deal that we made it on time this year.


Here is the team photo and then the team being goofy photo.
And here is the slide show

Visit with Friends in Virginia

Last Saturday we went to see some old friends (well they're not really old) Curtis, Jen and Isaiah. Man was that a treat! We remanised about when we all first met at McGregor Baptist Church in Ft. Myers, Florida. Curtis and Jen encouraged us to try out this other church. It's funny because Jen had warned me that at this other church they get kind of "free", I think is how she put it. I had never before lifted my hands in church, until that first visit at First Assembly of God. What a step that was! That was the first church Cameron and I attended as a couple and as it turns out, the church we got married in. Thank you guys, we love you!
It is amazing how with certain people you can catch up so quickly as if you've only been gone a short time. It has been over 10 years since the last time we all got together, but if Jen had her way, we would live across the street in the house that is for sale! We will most definitely be visiting again soon! Here we all are in their front yard:


Me with my bonnet being goofy at a little country store in downtown Fredericksburg, Va.

Laura’s Thoughts on “The Shack”

I want to share with you an awesome book that I just finished reading. It is called “The Shack” by William P. Young. It is a novel based on a mans’ youngest daughter “Missy” who gets abducted during a family vacation. I know, that may not sound like a good read to some but trust me, this book will transform the way you look at God. At certain times in the book your religion will get blown out of the water (in a good way). This writer has a way of thrusting you out of your religious box, and Lord knows we all have them, unfortunately. Towards the end of the book it gets pretty deep. The writer emphasizes the need for a relationship with God rather than a religion and how religion can chew a person up. Relationship is key. The way he portrays the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost is simply genius. Well, that’s all I am going to say. I do hope you read it. I know for a fact you will grow from it in some way. I know I did. Young puts a quote at the beginning of each chapter from various writers, artists, etc. The quote I liked was by Bob Dylan which said “Jesus tapped me on the shoulder and said ’Bob, why are you resisting me?” I said, ’I’m not resisting you!’ He said, ’You gonna follow me?’ I said, ’I’ve never thought about that before!’ He said, ’When you’re not following me, you’re resisting me.’
What a great quote.

I got my book at Wal-Mart, but I’m sure you can find it in bookstores or ask your local library to order it for you. The web site is: www.theshackbook.com

Also, if you've read it or when you read it, I would love to hear your comments on it.

Happy 75th Birthday Uncle Jimmy!!!!!!!

This video below is a song that my cousin Jim wrote and sang for his dad (my Uncle Jimmy).
Before Jim sang, he said "This is a song that I wrote for my dad. It's based on a verse in the Bible, 'Don't only hear the Word but do what it says'. That's what characterizes my Dad's life to me. That's not something that he needs to say to you neccesarily, because he shows you how he feels about you by the way he lives his life; that consistancy, love and without hypocracy."

What a blessing this was to hear; the song, but also the heart behind it. Beautiful. Enjoy.

Here is the link for a slideshow of the photos.








The latest Wilson Family addition, MARKEY!!!

Nana Visits with John and Savannah

This past week Cameron’s mom (Nana) came to visit, she brought John and Savannah (Cameron’s sister, Emily’s children) with her. They arrived on Wednesday afternoon, and left on Saturday morning. We had plans of doing some outside activities like going to the pool and parks and riding bikes, but it was not to be. It seems like it rained almost everyday, so we had to find other activities to keep us occupied.

On Wednesday night we went to church and the kids all watched a movie in the youth room and then we had to hurry home to get out of the thunderstorm that rolled in.


On Thursday we went to Raleigh and went ice skating at the Ice House, and that afternoon went to the park since the rain stopped for a little while.



On Friday Nana and Savannah got up early with Lindsey and went with her to her swimming practice (at 6:30 am), in the rain of course. That night Nana and John went with Charlie to see his tae kwon do practice.



John and Charlie kept themselves busy by playing video games, namely Guitar Hero, and kept talking trash to everyone about how good they were at it, until Laura beat them both, then the trash talk stopped.

Lindsey and Savannah watched a lot of TV on the computer; they were always watching the show “H2O”, an Australian show about girls who turn into mermaids when ever they get wet.

John made lots of videos, he was always willing to take the video camera and talk about all that was going on.

On Friday night Cameron took the kids outside for some night time long exposure photos.



On Saturday it was time for them to leave, and Nana took the kids and drove to meet Emily in Tennessee.


Click here to see the slideshow

Laura's Thoughts

As I was reflecting on the conversations at the cookout the other day, it occurred to me that God was getting my attention on something. My friend Jane and I were chatting about different seasons that we go through in life. She shared with me how she has come to a place in her life where she is completely content in who she is. I love that. Isn't that what Paul says in Phillipians 4:11 "Be content in every situation". Well, I responded to her by sharing that even while I am home with the kids all day and not "working" (outside of the home, that is) I know that this is definitely a season that I am in. Sure, it has it's highs and lows, but what season doesn't? I also shared how my Mom is an inspiration to me because when she was in her mid-50's she went back to school to start a whole new career path. I must say that anatomy and physiology is not as easy when you've been out of school for many years. Kudos to you Mom! Just by knowing that she could do anything, any time, any where, no matter how old or young, has placed a seed of hope within me. I know that while God has blessed me in this season of my life with the kids, He will bless me with the next season He has in store for me.
Well, to add to this vein of thought and reflection, my kind friend Carolyn had given me a little book called "Discovering God's Purpose for Your Life". As I was reading it this morning it dawned on me what God was trying to tell me. Yes, there are seasons in life, but with each season the underlying tone should be on Him, the Lord. Beth Moore put it like this, "He is not the most important thing, He is the ONLY thing. He is it. He is my life - not just part of it, or even the most important thing in my life. He is everything.
So with this season of running around with the kids, jumping on the trampoline, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, washing lots of dirty clothes and scrubbing lots of dirty floors, I will lift up my hands, lift up my eyes and my heart and say "thank you Lord for this season it is all made by you and it is all for you. I praise you for whatever it is you bring my way after this season moves into the next season!"

So , to you I say, be blessed and content in whatever season you are in!
Love,
Laura

4th of July cookout

For the 4th of July we decided to have some friends over, it’s been awhile since we have had a real get together and cook out. Nothing too fancy, hot dogs, hamburgers, Scott's mac and cheese, Carolyn's ravioli and meatballs, Jane's potato salad, Ron's cheesecake, Amanda's strawberry shortcake (I'm drooling) did I say nothing fancy, this is high livin'

We ended up with almost 30 people over, we didn't know if we would have the space and seating for everyone but it worked out great, we put the video games up stairs for the kids and had all the seats we could find in the living room. Everyone seemed to have a good time.


Everyone grubbing down inside and out


Playing with sparklers with long exposure (if you want to know how to do this check Cameron's Photo blog)


Everyone hanging out having a good time.


So have you heard the news? Rumor has it that if you eat 6 cups of watermelon, it has the same affect as viagra, hence the note to Scott (he is the one who informed us of this) ;)

Click here to see all the photos of the 4th of July 2008 cookout