Updates!!!

I have been so busy over the last couple of weeks that I haven't had time to make a new post on my blog. Here is a quick update on the events of the last few weeks:

• First of all, I GOT A JOB teaching 4th grade at Andalusia Elementary School. I absolutely love it and have a fantastic class. I realized just a few days into it, that I am really going to enjoy being a teacher more than I thought. I'm VERY busy right now, trying to get things organized and filling out paperwork and just getting things set up in general. I still don't even have a computer at my desk yet. I take my laptop every day. Also, I still don't have a lot of the teacher editions and resources that have been ordered for me and I'm having to borrow them from the other 4th grade teachers (who are an absolute DREAM to work with). I could go on and on about the new job, but I will make a post later with more details...I'm just making this post today b/c school was canceled due to severe weather.



• Secondly, Hunter's football season got off to a good start with a pre-season Jamboree in Straughn last weekend. Andalusia Termites played Crestview B and won, a lot to a little. Hunter could tell me what the score was, but we pretty much demolished them, even with putting our second string in more than usual. Hunter had two touchdowns and played a great game as quarterback on offense and safety or defensive end in the defense. He's quite the little iron-man. Brian and I love to watch him play. Taylor was the water boy and LOVED doing it. I think he wishes he had played this year, but those big boys on the Termites were mighty intimidating looking during sign-ups. I video most of the game and didn't get in photos, I'll have to do better next game. Brian will just have to cover the videoing for a while so I can snap some shots to post. (I'll try to snap some from the video I took).

(Ok, I posted some pics from my video of Hunter's first touchdown of the season...it was a quarterback keeper. He ran about 80 yards...it was beautiful!)

Well, that's just a preview. I'll post in more detail later. Hopefully I'll have more time as I get things organized at school. :)

Taylor's Baptism

Oh Happy Day! Today in our morning service, Taylor finally got baptized. Even though he has been saved for several years, when Hunter was baptized, Taylor more or less "chickened out". Thank God that He is merciful and patient.

So he was excited today and so were we. Now we are all 4 born again and baptized in water. There is no greater accomplishment in the world than securing your family's eternity. I'm so proud of my boys and their strong faith. They have to straighten me out sometimes. I'm glad they do...and I straighten up, too. There's nothing like a faith check from your own children. PRAISE THE LORD! God is sooooo good:-)

Hunter's 11th Birthday Party

This year, for Hunter's birthday, I let him invite 3 friends over to Grandpa's house on the lake to spend the night. The birthday boy had football practice until 7:30pm, but Taylor and I picked all his friends up and took them to the lake and Hunter and Brian met us there about 8:00.



This is Taylor and friends; Ari, Todd, and Ben, waiting for Hunter to arrive.


The guys snacked on some rice krispie treats and brownies that I made and then went to the designated sun porch that would be their territory for the duration of the party.


After setting up everyone's controllers to play the Wii, the guys played a few games and then headed out to the pool, where they stayed until about 11:00pm. When they came in, they snacked some MORE and play the Wii. I dozed on the couch from about 12:00am until 2:00am. I got up to get in the bed and wasn't able to go to sleep until I had made several trips into the sunroom to remind the boys that we were trying to sleep...it was about 4:00am before I fell asleep. At 7:45am I awoke, wondering what time the boys had gone to sleep. I peaked into the sunroom and saw this: 666666666







The boys had stayed up ALL NIGHT!











Hunter and Ari were playing paddle ball outside and said they came outside "when the sun came back up."

















A little later, they played some football out by the lake. Then we had cinnamon rolls for breakfast...nutrition was not my highest priority:D

After breakfast it was pool time again. The boat was out of gas, so no tubing, but Hunter decided they could put the Big Bertha in the pool and play on it there.

I grilled hamburgers and hotdogs for the boys and we ate at 12:00pm. Then we cut Hunter's birthday cake...which isn't a birthday cake at all. It has become a Hunter tradition to buy a "Snicker's" cake from Winn-Dixie for his birthday every year. He LOVES them. We had cake and ice cream for dessert and then I started cleaning the kitchen. At about 12:40 I noticed everything was really quiet and I looked around the house and found this...














































































So...I started cleaning up the house and packing our stuff up in the Tahoe and just let the boys rest. I woke them up and we left about 3:00pm. They all had such a good time and Hunter had a blast. Hunter came home and went back to sleep for about 3 more hours. It was a great weekend of fun...for me and them. Hunter chose the sweetest possible boys to invite and it was EASY work having them over.

Are You Ready For Some FOOTBALL????

What fun the Earnests had this morning. Today was "Football Camp" for the Andalusia Youth Football League. Brian and I are board members this year and are really enjoying being closely involved with what goes on in the league. Hunter will be playing on the Termites this year. It's for 9 & 10 year olds. Since he doesn't turn 11 until Aug. 9th, he still qualifies to play down. This makes him a really BIG quarterback for that age group. There are a couple of other big kids on the team. Our center weights 172 lbs!!! There is also another new kid that just moved to Andalusia. He is just like Hunter in that he has a late birthday (Aug. 3rd) and will play for the termites also. He is about Hunter height and weight and is a pretty good athlete from what I saw today. We are excited about this season and the prospects of having a good team. Michael Jackson is our coach and we are glad of that too. He had Brian have been good friends for years.

Here are some pictures from Football Camp 2008!

This is Hunter before camp started...look how sweaty he already is!

The big guy below is Nico Johnson. He is the 2nd best highschool linebacker in the nation, and is a Senior at Andalusia High School. He helped coach in the football camp today. Hunter was a little shy and star struck by him. Nico is the player that Nick Saben came to shmooze last year. Rumor has it he will play for the Tide next year...BUT he's a REALLY nice guy and we won't hold that against him.

Hunter and Nico talking between plays and drills...

Nico giving Hunter five after a good play...

Much to Hunter's distress, I finally asked Nico for a pic with Hunter...he'll be glad his Mama was on the field with a camera one day when Nico goes pro.

Nico working on some quarterback drills...

Hunter and Riley Graham were in the same group (with Nico). They had a GREAT time.

It was SOOOOO HOTTT!



Joe Cope, from the WONDERFUL Auburn University came and talked to the boys after camp was over. He is a graduate of Andalusia High School.

These are some extras taken at the end of camp...

...Hunter came home and took a nap:-)

Beach Trip

It's Friday and me, Brian and the boys are at the beach right now. It's sooo relaxing. Well, we are actually in our room resting after a long morning at the beach and some shopping at Outlet Mall. Just thought I'd post some pics from our morning outing.

This is me with the best looking guy on the beach:-)

Hunter discovered a love for kayaking.

Taylor caught tons of fish, crabs, and jellyfish.

These photos were taken at The Track

We always have to eat at Hard Rock Cafe b/c my boys love to look at all the guitars.

Isn't this a beautiful face???6