Junior League New Member Retreat

For many people, August is "back to school" time. For me, it's "Junior League New Member Retreat" time. This year, I am a New Member Trainer and I am so excited! I normally do not request an In-League placement, but this year I was ready to lead our new members and feed off of their excitement and energy. I need it. This past year marked my 7th year anniversary with the Junior League and I have/had hit somewhat of a 7-year itch. However, if rejuvination is what I was in need of, I certainly found more than my fair share of it with the GREEN group! These ladies are absolutely FAN-TAS-TIC! They are extremely community focused and highly motivated to help others in need...no reservations. Just these women alone can move mountains others never thought possible. I am anxious to see what is in store for them over the next few years...

The Queenly GREEN Group...L-R

Back: Amanda, Shelly, Acacia, Christin, Amanda, Beth, Leslie

Front: Shannon, Lesley, Megan, Steph, Amber

The crazy, fearless Trainers
Cara, Steph, Shay, Christin

One cool thing that each trainer gets to do is decorate their table with a theme in their color. The four of us worked to coordinate our colors so that we all could work together a common theme throughout the year. We quickly settled on the jewel tones. Each one of us is the color of a precious gem: emerald, ruby, sapphire, & amethyst. By the end of the year, the ladies will all become diamonds.

Being from Mississippi, I found a golden opportunity to become the "queen" of something, so I took it...my table was inspired by the Sweet Potato Queens. Each lady was given a white satin sash, shiny green star with their name on it, a HUGE diamond ring, green beads, green star sunglasses and a margarita glass...and, of course, their green Junior League t-shirt.

Here are a the other tables:

Cara's BLUE team - all decked out in the Hawaiian Luau complete with blue lei's and goblets

Christal (Purple team) went the wine/goddess route. These ladies were complete with their own personalized wine glass and olive leaf headdresses

Shay took the Hollywood Starlight Theme (Red Team)

The ladies worked very hard during their New Member Project. They did a lot of grunt work, but their efforts will enable the That's My Bag Committee to do their job much easier and more efficiently. The TMB committee functions out of a storage unit. Their purpose is to provide overnight bags to kids (ages birth-17yrs) who are removed from a situation and are entered into foster care. Most of these kids are removed due to a drug infested home or abuse. They are often removed with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing. In the bags that the Junior League provides, each child receives a full set of clothes, toiletries, a book, stuffed animal and anything else that is available in our storage unit. Due to the overwhelming generosity of others, the storage unit had gotten overcrowded and impossible to find anything. The efforts of these New Members will allow the TMB committee to spend their time delivering bags instead of digging through the treasure hunt of a storage unit. Here are some "action shots"

All 44 new members (and their trainers) after a job well done!

A Weekend of Surprises

Wow! Where has the summer gone?? Life is busy as ever and the days keep rolling on...

Last weekend was a very special weekend. What started out being just an "ordinary" visit with my family, quickly turned into extra special! I love sweet surprises.

The weekend started with my eventfilled drive down to Mississippi last Thursday. Rain had not fallen from the skies in a while and, of course, the day that I plan to drive South the floodgates of Heaven literally opened up and poured down heavily! By the time I reached Memphis, tornado warnings/sightings were everywhere and the Weather Service was strongly ordering motorist to get off the road. I had already planned to stop in Southaven, but as the weather worsened, Dad happened to call and advise that I stay the night with my Aunt & Uncle in Germantown. So, I called them both at home and on their cell phones. No answer. Odd. Original plan resumed...stop in Southaven. Wow(!) is all I can say. By the time I made it across the bridge, through the construction, the rain was raining like a hurricane. Crossing the Mississippi state line, I could not see the hood of my car! By the merciful, gracefilled provision of God, I made it to the Drury Inn in Southaven. It seemed that every other motorist on I-55 had the same plan...The lobby TV was turned to the local new station and the meteorologist was covering the severe weather. As I familiarized myself with the map, I realized that the tornadoes that he was talking about were in Collierville! Had I started driving out to Germantown when I wanted to, I would have been IN the tornado! Thank goodness God intervened and drove me to Southaven instead! I did finally talk to my Aunt and Mom talked to my Uncle and they were fine, so that was a huge relief. After waiting out the tornado for about 45 minutes, the storm finally passed and I was able to get back on the road and head South. *Sidenote: Facebook is something amazing! I had weather updates coming into my FB page faster than I could hear it from the weather man on TV! A big shoutout to Kevin VanNorman for keeping me updated all the way to Canton that Thursday night!

I left Arkansas about noon that day so that I could have dinner with Chris, Stephanie, and Callie. The storms and heavy rain had diminished my hope that I would make it. But, again, God is faithful. By the time I arrived to their house, they had just gotten their power back. Dinner was cooking in the oven and we were able to eat dinner together! I didn't get to see Callie that night, but that's okay as I would have her all to myself the next day :)

On Friday, my Uncle Robert was discharged from University Rehab in Jackson! A literal walking miracle. And, yes, he walked out of there. Life for him is going to be hard in the coming months, but each day is a new day and one day all will be well again.

Friday night, Mom, Stephanie, and I went to the Natchez Food & Wine Festival. All I can say about that is WOW! It was a fantastic event! There were restaurants there from all up and down the Mississippi River. Great food, great wine, great fun! You will definitely want to go next year!

On Saturday, my Mom's family all went to Mamawgran and Grandaddy's to help get their house settled with Robert's arrival and lifestyle. We (and when I say "we", I really mean Tom, Dad, Chris, & Elliott) moved all the wood working machines out of the shop and set up the "gym" that Robert will be using for his physical therapy at the house. We also celebrated Mamawgran's 75th birthday and Mamawgran & Grandaddy's Anniversary. LOTS to celebrate that weekend and we are ALL very aware of just how blessed we are. I wish I had pictures, but I forgot my camera in Meadville...

After we got back to Meadville on Saturday night, we were admiring all the work that Sarah and Elliott have done on their new house when Trae walked over to say hi. He was beaming from ear to ear and as excited as a kid! We asked what was up and he replied that "Kamryn is being baptized tomorrow at Bude FBC." We all joined in the excitement and are so proud! Trae has prayed for a solid year that Kamryn would accept Jesus and come into a real relationship with Him. (Last year Kelsey was baptized and Trae rededicated his life and was also rebaptized the same Sunday). It is amazing to see how God has worked in their lives. Amazing Grace! So...given the unexpected event, I HAD to stay and bear witness to this life-changing profession of faith. Below is a picture. I am proud to say that Kamryn's family took up THREE pews at Bude FBC...she knew we were there and represented well!




Of course what blog of mine would be complete without a couple pictures of Miss Callie. Below's picture shows her 2 bright and shiny teeth.


This picture is of Callie crawling. She pulls with her right arm and pushes with her left foot. She is actually taking a photo op break in this picture below, but if ever we wondered who she looks like, the below pic will tell you...

EUREKA!

Last Sunday, my friend Jazmin and I were sitting at lunch after church. During the conversation we were asking what the other was doing for the rest of the day...neither had any plans that were too exciting. SO, we decided to hit the road...didn't really have a plan, just loaded up and started driving...should we go hiking? Eureka Springs? Branson Outlet Malls? Oh the options were endless. As we were sorting through the pros and cons, we decided to go to Eureka Springs as she had never been there before. So, off to Eureka Springs we went. We drove an hour literally over the river, through the woods, and around the mountains. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon! Here are a few pics of the day...

Christ of the Ozarks. It was hand carved by the same architect that carved Mt Rushmore. This statue is on the grounds of the Great Passion Play and overlooks the city of Eureka Springs.

This is Jazmin. She just bought a "fancy' camera (the same one as I have) and she was practicing. She took a good shot and was celebrating a little here...

One of the streets in downtown Eureka Springs (also known as little Switzerland)

This is the window display of a shop downtown...notice that it was a Christian clothing store! Check out "Jesus is my BFF"

The BEST place in Eureka to practice taking pictures is The Crescent Hotel. It is has beautiful grounds and a very full, colorful history. Check it out here.

Jazmin and her husband, Eric, adopted a little boy in 2007. We took Tommy along with us for this trip and we enjoyed him so much! He turned out to be a good subject for photographing...you can tell he's very camera shy...lol!

These are some of my favorite stills...

Last week was one for the books. You've heard of the "raging hormonal witch"? Imagine that x100 and you get the idea...by Friday, I was at the very end of my rope. There wasn't anything that I could do to pull me out of my bad attitude(!)...until Jaz called. She was pulling together a few friends to head to the lake. I told her I couldn't go because of my workload that needed to be finished, but she reminded me that there was a reason that I get off work at noon on Friday's in the summer..."it would be alright" to take a few hours off and go to the lake. And how right she was! The lake was just the attitude adjustment I needed....here are a few action shots...

Eric pulling the Melissa on the tube with the other girls along for the ride

"Spotter" Will

Francene and her twin girls, Emily and Elizabeth

The girls patiently waiting on the tube for their turn in the water (didn't want the boys to get to the tube before them!)

Eric having "Eric time" after the kids were completely worn out!

YouTube

Here are some videos that you absolutely have to watch if you have not already...

Celine and Elvis

Wedding

Nail Salon

June Birthdays

June is the birthday month that never ends...There are 3 of us that celebrated birthdays in June, but we were all so busy traveling with vacations (and work...) that we've not had a chance to celebrate! We haven't seen each other since Memorial Day! Since celebrations were LONG overdue, we decided to "do it up right" and went to a very nice dinner at River Grill and then Aloft for a nightcap. Little did we know that we were crashing a Bentonville HS Alumni Reunion! The big woofers on the patio should have been our first clue that we were entering a private party, but we ignored them and kept walking in...we were offered nametags as we entered (we declined them) and did our best to blend right in. After many "people watching" laughs we decided that we should get out of there while we could and decided to end the night at JJ's...a very cool spot with live music and a fun atmosphere!

The girls at dinner (yes the guys came, but we didn't a group shot of them...ha!)

L-R: Julie (June 26), Jazmin (June 24), Me (June 10), Courtney, Kelly

Kara (and Jim) met up with us later at Aloft.

The Fourth of July

My Papaw, Verne Sullivan, was born, raised, and lived his whole life in the white farm house on the Homochitto River in Meadville, MS. There are many acres of farmland along the Homochitto in which his children learned to hunt, fish, farm, and "play." Family was important to my Papaw and he did his best to instill that value in his own children and grandchildren.

As the Sullivan family grew, two holidays became of utmost importance: Christmas and the Fourth of July. On Christmas night, all Sullivan's all gather in the little white farmhouse on the River. On July 4th, everyone gathers at the River underneath a pavillion that my Papaw ensured was complete before his death in August 1992. The first July 4th that we enjoyed the Pavillion was his last holiday with us.

Surprisingly, every Sullivan faithfully continues with the tradition of Christmas and July 4th. This past July 4th was the best in years. The day was very hot, but underneath the Pavillion a cool breeze flowed making the outdoors not only bearable, but enjoyable. Below are a few candids that I hope you enjoy as much as we did making them...

Kale and Callie looking festive in their patriotic headwear and leis. (Callie was giving hers the taste test...ha!)

Kamryn and Kelsey immediately headed to the riverfront to check upon arrival

Skye and Erin (Summer's good friend from Jxn) indulged in yummy rice crispy treats

Dad provided entertainment for all the babies...seemed to be well received by all within earshot

Callie loves hats...

Kayla flashing a big smile as she is headed to the river

Cooper (Tara's younger son) striking a muscle pose

Kolemyn Grace (Kayla's daughter)

Kale

Sawyer (Tasha's baby boy)

Cool Man, Grant

Mamaw Sullivan with Isabella Ann (youngest triplet)

The COOKS grilling the traditional chickens with the infamous Garlic/butter sauce

Sadye (Tasha's middle child)

Uncle Bill and Isaac William (Triplet #1)

Josh Iles and Isabella

Ian Knight (Triplet #2) sleeping away in the middle of all the action

Bill, Elizabeth and Issac

look-a-like cousins: Judy and Patti (Perrott)

Callie

(she loves eating ice and bananas in her nifty little net pouch)

Kale had just enjoyed his first chocolate cupcake

What July 4th is complete without a stolen watermelon??

Dad and Grandaddy Joseph raided the watermelon patch in a secret location on the River

Gotta make sure that they picked a good one :)