I am posting some photos from last year. This one is at James H. "Sloppy" Floyd State Park in Summerville, Georgia. The lake at this park is absolutely beautiful. We sometimes go there to fish and picnic. 
The lake is so calming and relaxing. I usually bring a book to enjoy!
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I hope you enjoyed my pictures of places that are special to me. 
We had the best weekend! On Saturday, Clint had a piano event at The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The event was held at Cadek Hall on the UTC campus. He had to play some pieces to be graded by a judge. We could not go in the room;however, we could stand right outside and hear him play. This year he moved up a level and so the judging was a bit harder. He did a great job, although I think he is glad it is over!
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles." II Timothy 1:7-11
AN UNHISTORIC SPOT
Ah passionate is rest when to the earth I yield in full length contact of sweet pain! Here just within the bars in the chill grass, And the great shadow of a fruitless tree, I at once sleep and am awake in joy. And when I sit half-conscious on the slope, And lean upon one grass-wrought hand and gaze, The lone thrush gurgles nectar in his throat, On some green spire, adjusting his furled wings, The local cricket quavers to the wind, And every one that passes look at me.
Robert Frost
Last Saturday, we headed to Atlanta for the Georgia Tech T-game. After we left the game, we headed to Red Top Mountain, one of the Georgia State Parks. The park is located in Cartersville, Georgia on Lake Allatoona. Below is a picture as you enter the park.
This park has tent camping, cottages, and a lodge. Our family walked the trail behind the lodge. On our way back, we saw this squirrel having his "picnic". 
This is such a beautiful park. Our family had a wonderful time with our picnic and hike. We felt very refreshed and ready to start our week after visiting this park. 
"Praise the Lord!
Below, the president of the college gives an opening ceremony speech.
This is Clint receiving his award. 
After the ceremony, we celebrated at Olive Garden. 
The week is ending on a much calmer note than it began. The weather today was absolutely beautiful! Throughout everything that this week brought into our lives, we learned more fully to place our trust in God and to know that He is in control. 
This is a picture of my in-laws who celebrated the day with us! 
Clint with his Georgia Tech cake. 
Easter table!!!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always
The Flowers
All the names I know from nurse: Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse, Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock, And the Lady Hollyhock.
Fairy places, fairy things, Fairy woods where the wild bee wings, Tiny trees for tiny dames-These must all be fairy names!
Tiny woods below whose boughs Shady fairies weave a house; Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme, Where the braver fairies climb!
Fair are grown-up people's trees, But the fairest woods are these; Where if I were not so tall, I should live for good and all.
Robert Louis Stevenson
This is a Shakespeare Tavern in Atlanta, Georgia. The boys and myself went to see A Midsummer's Night Dream. It was fantastic! I would love to go back and see some of the other plays they perform. Just a wonderful experience!
This is Honey, one of the stray cats that I have been feeding. We live in a fairly wooded area, and from time to time get some strays. Honey has been with me for about a year now. She is getting more friendly with our family now. At first she only wanted the food ( she was soooo skinny!!). Now she seems to want our companionship also. I enjoy her!
Some of our blooms last year!
This is our indoor cat, Tiger. We rescued him from the Animal Shelter about two years ago. He had been well taken care of, so I am not sure how he ended up at the shelter, but we just love him so much! He is an older cat. He had been de-clawed, so we keep him inside most of the time. If we are sitting outside, we will take him out to roam around for a bit. At night when we do our family read alouds, Tiger jumps on the bed and listens just like one of the boys. I get a kick out of that!!
I hope you enjoyed my Outdoor Wednesday pictures. Don't forget to visit the other posts! 
Last Friday night, our family met up with my cousin and her family and my brother and his family for dinner. We ate at Red Robin in Chattanooga and had a wonderful time together. In the picture above is my cousin and the back of her hubby ( sorry Jeff!). You can visit her over at Be As You Are. 
This is my brother and his wife. We really enjoyed our time visiting. 
This picture is blurred, but I liked the way everyone looked in deep conversation . The night was so much fun! We are planning on getting together again in May. I just think you have to be intentional about staying in touch with family and friends. It seems there is so much out there to crowd out these very important relationships. Some of those things are even very good endeavors, but when it all comes down to it, family is special! I want my boys to know their extended family members. I grew up going to family get togethers all the time and I absolutely loved it! The bond created and the memories made are priceless. Sure, we disagree at times, and even just get on each other's nerves at times;however, when we need that extra dose of love and care, family (immediate and extended) is that thread that keeps us together. 
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things." Philippians 4:7-8
A PRAYER IN SPRING
Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white, Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night; And make us happy in the happy bees, The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird That suddenly above the bees is heard, The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love, The which it is reserved for God above To sanctify to what far ends He will, But which it only needs that we fulfill.
Robert Frost
Read at the Dedication of John F. Kennedy Park, May 29, 1987
The Best-Loved Poems of JACQUELINE KENNEDY ONASSIS
Have a blessed Sunday!
Kim
We went on a field trip with our homeschool group to the Gordon-Lee House in Chickamauga, Georgia. This house was taken during the battle at Chickamauga to be used as the Union hospital. After the battle, several Union soldiers who could not be moved were left to be taken prisoners. The Confederate army had to wait for these soldiers to get well enough to move on. After they moved on, the house was taken back by the owners. 
This is the smoke house.
This cabin was where the owners originally lived while the house was being built. As people were smaller during that time, the roof and the ceiling inside are much lower. I believe our guide told us that women were on average around 4'9" with men not much taller than that.
It's time for Outdoor Wednesday hosted by Susan at, http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/41-outdoor-wednesday-12.html Be sure to check out all the wonderful posts. The picture below did not come out very clear, but I did like the hosta in the background so I decided to post it. I have hosta around my dogwood tree and in front of some bushes leading to the front door. 
I love Spring with all the wonderful blooms! Enjoy your outdoor time!
