November Vacation

Last week, Gary and I got to experience something that was new for us. For the first time in about 5 years, we got to go on vacation during basketball season (well, actually, part of our vacation was to watch KSU play Auburn, so I don't know if this one counts :-) ). We started with a few days at the beach in St. Simons. It was very quiet and relaxing there. This is our favorite place in the world and we always love it when we get to go for a few days.

On Saturday night, we went to Atlanta to spend some time with friends and family. It was so encouraging to go to church on Sunday morning and see both old friends and new faces. The church is growing very quickly and it is so exciting to see all that God is doing with that body. For those of you who were out of town, we are so sad that we missed you, but hope to see you the next time that we're in Atlanta.

On Monday morning, Gary went to play golf with three of his friends, and I got to spend the morning with my friend Shannon and my godson, Carter. I have never posted a video, but had to try to get this one up. Carter's vocabulary is growing and he has finally learned how to say "Kathryn". I haven't been able to figure out how to rotate the picture, so you may have to turn your head to see it. I also had to include this picture of my mother-in-law. We did some shopping for some parties that we were hosting, and she found this in the store. I just had to post it!! :-)

We really enjoyed our time at Gary's parents' house. It is so nice to have them in Atlanta because they are not that far away from Mississippi at all. We'll actually be seeing them again this week for Thanksgiving. It almost feels like we see as much of them now as we did when we actually lived in the same town.

We ended our vacation with a trip to Auburn to the Kennesaw vs Auburn basketball game. Although we did not win the game, the guys played very well. And it was so great to see our "Kennesaw family" again. Here I am pictured with coach's wives Lisa Smith and Jeanne Ingle. Being back at a game made Gary and I both realize how much we miss being so involved in basketball, but we are also really enjoying all of the time that we are able to spend together now.

October

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in such a long time. I'll try to catch everyone up on all that has happened over the past month. During the first week in October, I (Kathryn) got to go and spend a few days with my nieces in Knoxville. My sister-in-law, Catherine, was out of town for a few days, so I got some great one-on-two time with the girls. It was such a precious time for me to get to know a little more of their personalities. At the end of my visit, I had a new appreciation for mothers of young children, but I had a great time and really didn't want to leave.

In the second week, Gary and I got to attend a dinner hosted by the Boy Scouts honoring my dad's family. We got to see alot of friends and family from across the state. It is always such a blessing to be able to reflect on the lives of grandparents while they are still living, and this was a great occasion for that. Former Mississippi Governor William Winter was the keynote speaker. Gary and I really enjoyed it and appreciate those of you who traveled to be there.

Perhaps the most exciting thing that has happened in our family in the month of October was the last day of harvest!! Gary has been hard at work over the past few months and we are grateful for a reprieve. As we were in the final few weeks of harvest, I realized that colleges were entering their first days of basketball practice, and I became very thankful that Gary was finishing up his busy season rather than just getting started. The farmers were pleased with this years' crops and are now preparing the fields to plant wheat. Here is a picture of the two of us in a cotton field that is right across from Gary's office.

Last Friday, Gary and I got to go to Pillow Academy for a Pep-Rally paying tribute to all of the senior football players, cheerleaders, and dancers. To my sister Susanne's great embarrassment, my parents donned a tutu and coach's uniform to take center stage and dance to the tunes of High School Musical. After many hours spent perfecting the dance and getting their outfits together, they did a great job and succeeded at both humiliating and honoring Susanne. Copies of the blackmail video will be available for purchase.

To our friends in Atlanta, Gary and I will be coming to town in a few weekends, so we hope to catch up with you all soon.

Atlanta Young Life Golf Tournament

We had a chance to take a quick trip to Atlanta this Monday so that Gary could play in the Atlanta Young Life Golf Tournament at Hawks Ridge in Ball Ground. This is one of the top 100 courses in America and Gary has been wanting to play there for years, so he couldn't pass up the opportunity. I got to spend the day with Shannon and Carter. Carter is growing up so fast!! Although it was a long way to go for such a short time, it was definitely worth it! And to our friends and family in Atlanta that we didn't have a chance to see (sorry Mom and Dad!), we hope to be able to make another trip soon.

Go Deacs!

What a game!! For those of you who may have missed it, Wake Forest had an amazing comeback and beat Maryland 31-24. To those of you who were actually able to be in Winston for that game, we are very jealous! Go Deacs!!!

Has It Really Been 5 Years?!?

Gary and I just went to Winston-Salem for our 5-year college reunion. The years have really flown by! It was great catching up with old friends and getting back for a football game. We beat Army 21-10 for those of you who don't follow Wake Forest football (although I know that all of you do, right? :-) ). To those of you who couldn't make it, we really missed you and hope to see you next time. Go Deacs!

YoungLife

Last week, I started working with Delta Urban Young Life. Quiana, the area director, started Young Life in this area about 5 years ago and I am very excited to be a part of this ministry. Right now, the main focus of the ministry is in Tchula, MS (about 30 miles down the road from Greenwood), but the goal for the next few years is to bring a Young Life Club to the high schools in Greenwood. God has already started to stretch me in the past few days, and I am very excited to see all that He will do with this ministry in the coming years. You can click here to see the Delta Urban Young Life website.

Labor Day Reunions

Even though Gary thinks that Labor Day means "a day when everyone continues to labor" since he has never actually had this day off, we were able to get together with friends and family that we hadn't seen in months. On Saturday, we went to my Uncle Sykes and Aunt Cindy's big Labor Day Dove Hunt party. This is an annual event that we have been hearing about for years, but this was the first time that we have been able to attend. It definitely lived up to the hype - great food, great band, great company. We especially enjoyed catching up with my cousins Micajah and Lee and Lee's husband Hyde.

On Sunday night, we spent some time with our good friends David and Niki Flanagan. David was one of my best friends in high school and in recent years, he and Gary have bonded over fantasy sports. We also got enjoyed our captivating conversations with their four-year old son, Reid, and our first meeting with their adorable four-week old daughter, Mary Abbott. This is a picture of Mary Abbott with my sister, Susanne.