Time with CJ

Samantha was at the beach with friends, and Carly was in Los Angeles on her mission trip, so Mike and I took CJ to the country for some fishing, a picnic and to visit from friends....it was a good time.
CJ caught the first fish (a brim)....
I caught the second (a bass)....

It was so hot, we took a break from fishing for lunch and let Moose run around and we all were too hot to leave the shade, so we packed up and went to Clinton to visit Dennis. His pool was fun for CJ to cool off, so after an hour or so in the pool we headed home with fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob. That's when the fun stopped....I spent the rest of the night shucking and cutting the corn off to freeze. Not fun, but well worth the effort.

Date Night with Master C!

CJ and I had a date last night. He requested I call it a "day" (minus the "t") so it didn't sound so boyfriend/girlfriend...but either way, we had a blast and made memories...

Started at Las Palmas (his fav Mexican Rest)

Then to the arcade for a little "death and destruction"! (achieved...)

Into to the movie to see Karate Kid - it was very good!!

And ended the night with frozen yogurt at Menchie's!!

Love my little man! They grow up so stinkin' fast! Cherish these times when he still actually enjoys spending time with me!

What's been going on....

I see its been several months since I've updated the blog! So sorry...facebook has taken over...but I'll try harder to keep it up to date....to fill everyone in on what's been going on, I'll use pictures....they are worth a thousand words...right?? :)

So, my nephew, Coley, graduated high school and me and the kids were able to get back to GA for that! So much fun having the grandchildren all together and spending time with my brothers and sister! (and my Amazing Mom!) Stan, Cathy, Mom, me and Michael (he was being mean to me first! :))

Stan, Cathy, Mom, Cindy, Michael

Mom with the Grandchildren....Mom, Coley, John, Daniel, CJ, Grace, Carly, Caitlin, Mikaela (except Samantha)

Samantha competed in a culinary competition in New Orleans....Awesome job!
Father's Day - All together
Carly, Samantha, Mike, Cindy, CJ

Carly is back on the softball field injury free! (Thank you, Jesus!)

Carly

CJ played baseball.....(Catcher)

Carly attended the Military Ball with her good friend Cameron (from St. Louis)

My kiddos together at Easter!

Samantha, Carly, CJ

Samantha graduated High School and starts Louisiana Culinary Institute in the fall!

So proud of our kids and all they do!

Just this morning, I put Carly on a van with 35 other young people from our church. They are heading to the Los Angeles Dream Center to be the hands and feet of Jesus.....so excited for her and that team! They were originally scheduled for Mexico, but the drug wars were too dangerous.....

I'll make a few more trips to Georgia this summer (I hope!) Really miss my family and all that is going on there.....much love to everyone! Keep in touch!

love and miss, cindy

Maybe Freshman Spanish will pay off!

Carly is heading out on the mission field again this summer. Kid is totally committed to Mexico! So proud of her and her heart to serve. I know its been a while since anything has shown up on here. Facebook, Baby! I've moved on and its hard to get back but I wanted to let the loyals know that she's going and if you get a chance send a prayer out for her. She's going with a team that doesn't include me this time! So, PLEASE pray! :)

Here's a copy of her letter, so you can see where her heart is...

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope this letter finds you well. As a Freshman in high school, I have been thinking a lot about my future and career path. I feel that I have a calling on my life to help other people in less fortunate areas. One of my areas of interest is Mexico. My desire (as of now) is to finish high school and obtain my degree in Education from Bible College with a minor in Theology and Missions. My dream job would be to teach English to children in Spanish speaking countries.
This brings me to the purpose of my letter. I have an amazing opportunity with my church to go with a team this summer to lead a Vacation Bible School for the children of Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. Mom and I went in 2008 and I felt as though I left a small part of my heart there. I can’t wait to get back and reunite with the Missionaries there, their families and the friends that I made on that first trip. I also look forward to all the new faces that I will see and get to minister to in that poor city.
For my trip to be possible, I need lots of prayer! Pray that I will be safe (without Mom!!) and can accomplish all that God has planned for me during my 8 day trip. I also need funds. The total cost of the trip is $695. If you feel led to help support me financially, I would really appreciate it. All donations are tax deductible and will used solely for this mission trip to Mexico and to help these children. If you are sending money, please make checks payable to Healing Place Church (with my name in the memo section) but mail the checks to me in the self addressed stamped envelope provided by May 1, 2010.
Thank you for all of your support throughout the years and please keep me and all of our mission teams in your prayers.

Carly Shoemake

“You don’t have to cross the sea. You just have to see the cross” – Ps. Mike Haman

It's been a while!

I'm sorry! I know I have really been disconnected and I feel it!

Our Thanksgiving was less than exciting - alot of action but not alot of fun. I was hospitalized on a spinal meningitis scare. Once they did the spinal tap, it caused a severe migraine with triggered a whole other series of events. Long story short, I was released 5 days later and was not able to drive to Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with my Mom, sister and brothers.

Christmas was better and was able to visit some of my San Antonio family along with my sister from Georgia. Hope she had a good time....we sure did.

Since the new year, work has gotten slow, so my job gets crazier! I traveled to Atlanta twice for meetings, one just for Marketing Directors, and one for a rally to promote the new WinShape C3 camp for kids. Its coming to Baton Rouge this year and could be great....

With the Saints going to the Superbowl, Valentines Day and Mardi Gras all coming up at about the same time, we will be busy around here. Hope everyone else is having tons of fun and staying safe! I'll try to be better and keep in touch!

Some random pics - because I'm random....

Me and Angela Fielder (Truett Cathy's granddaughter) and organizer of C3 camps

Me and the cow at the Chick-fil-A luncheon in Atlanta

Carly performs at Showcase

Dutchtown Sound - blurry picture....I wasn't supposed to be taking pictures, so I couldn't use the flash...

Carly's marching season is coming to an end (for this year at least). She's had an awesome year and I think she's really had fun marching with her High School band. They are amazing and I'm so proud of her. I struggled with being a Band Mom, but it all seemed to work out in the end. If she marches next year, I might even volunteer to work concessions....

Pictures from last night at Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA....

Me and Carly before they performed

Carly's best friend, Lily

Carly and her boyfriend, Philip

What keeps me busy...

I guess it's not enough that school is back in session and I'm back at work, but the kids all have extra curricular activities. That's what keeps me busy.

Samantha goes half days and works at a local bakery to gain hours in her field of interest. Some days I get the amazing priviledge to pick her up from school and take her home. I cherish that time with her! She makes me smile.

Me dropping Sam off at work (on her birthday....this pic is a little old)

Carly has marching band practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school until 5:30pm and Navy JROTC marching practice BEFORE band practice on Tuesdays. Then Friday evenings are high school football games until late. She's very busy but thrives on chaos, so it works for her.

Philip and Carly after an away game

Carly in her summer JROTC uniform

CJ is playing football and loving every minute of it. He's starting to figure out that if you hit them it doesn't hurt as bad as if they hit you. He's a huge fan of scoring touchdowns so he does that as much as possible and it seems to work. Saturday he recovered a fumble and ran it 80 yds for the td. Then scored on a trick play which he is still talking about. Sunday he repeated his 80 yd run to score. Monday started the "extension" where they get some training in specific areas and not just an overall concept of the game.

CJ #20

Mike works alot and travels alot so I'm busy with juggling the kids schedule and making sure the house is taken care of. Especially the dogs....

Moose, so proud of himself for destroying a pillow from one of the chairs outside..

I'm looking forward to seeing the family at Thanksgiving and spending time at home with my Mom and sister. My brothers are cool, but I miss my Mom and sis the most. They are awesome!

I'll try to post more pics of Carly and Sam later. They both have some competitions coming up....until then.....much love!