Ecuador 2007 - Part One

Buenos noches everyone!

I wanted to do a blog posting about my recent trip to Ecuador on a mission trip with my church, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta. However, as I'm still without a camera (can you believe it stopped working the day Luke was born?) - I'm relying on the kindness of friends that are sharing their pics with me! I'll do Part 2 of the posting with many more details and more pictures shared after our picture party!

Here's a picture of Tungurahua, the volcano that erupted the day we left camp last year!! Camp Chacauco is where we stay while we are in Ecuador (other than the first and last nights at the Howard Johnson's in Quito - more on that in the next posting) and the camp is 5 miles from the base of the volcano.

Camp Chacauco is home to the people that we love and pray for and love some more and pray for some more and on and on. Steve and Carol Thompson are the missionaries that started the camp and God is using them as an integral part in spreading the gospel in Ecuador. They are joined at the camp by several truly "divine" staff members that I'll post pictures in Part Two -

• Sweet Ovidio that leads VBS better than anyone could ever dream of doing
• Handsome Estevan that shared the plan of salvation with all the people that came through the medical clinic
• Phenomenal Sadie that is finishing up 2 years at the camp and is patiently praying for as she says "finding where God's plan and her desires meet"!
• Awesome Sarah that is the new "kid" on the block but jumps right in to help at every opportunity!
• Wonderful Carlos, a seminary student in Quito that's spending a few weeks at the camp and who was so patient in translating for the medical team all week!

We miss all of them already and can't wait to hug them next year!

This is a picture of the church in Montalvo where the medical team worked all week and where we did VBS in the afternoons. The pastor and his family are remarkable people and the church touched our hearts in ways that we will never forget! More on all of them in the next posting with their pictures!

I'll post a group picture of all 18 of us next week but for now here I am with the the "youngsters" in our group in our 2nd most often mode of transportation - the handy pickup truck. The big "buss" (how it's spelled on the bus) is great when all 18 were traveling together but there's nothing like being in the back of the pickup with the wind in your hair as you go around seriously winding curves on the sides of very big mountains!

Anna and Caroline (2nd year for both on the trip!) are the youngsters' names, daughters to Steve and Susan Sanders, and goodness what a family! The parents are spectacular and the girls... there are no words for how great they are! Both are so smart, witty, special, and as Anna would say "beautiful"!!!

Now, the way the week works is that part of our team has a medical clinic all day in the community that Steve has arranged for us to assist. The other team does VBS in the afternoons but how do we spend our mornings you ask?? CONSTRUCTION!!! And let me tell you how much fun it is! Lots and lots of fun. I would have never guessed that hard work such as this could be so much fun!

We worked on an "education annex" for the church in Patate led by the amazing Anhil and his fabulous family who are also very active in Camp Chacauco and very special friends to Steve and Carol. I'll post a picture next week of the inside of the church a year later as when we were there last year, there was no roof!! Now it's stunningly beautiful!

Here's the before shot:

And here are two of the after shots:

Tongue and groove boards make a very pretty wall, huh? Ok, how many people that know me well are saying what? When did Sheri learn "tongue and groove"?? Um... last week! And you know what else I learned? How to use a nail gun - watch out! - and a chisel to leverage the boards and pull them in line to nail down as demonstrated here -

Seriously, can you believe it? I still can't! Not only was it fun learning how to put up the walls but I didn't hurt myself which is a feat for me! (And no, I didn't hurt anyone else either!).

Now, may I brag for a moment? See the concrete part at the bottom of the last picture? My great friend, Sabre, and I notched out the piece of wood to go around the concrete all by ourselves... Maybe you had to be there but oh, the pride we felt when we did it without yelling, "Danny!!!" (that had to come help us on more than 100 occasions)!

Oh, and we kept up with "Quotes of the Day" so I'll share one now and more in the next posting. Here goes (and this is probably a had to be there kind of thing so mainly for my fellow trippers): Did you know you shouldn't operate a nail gun while you have the hiccups? Safety first!!

And for the final touch... Proof that we were pros with the hammer, nail guns, levels, and chisels. Note, I didn't say ladders as we drew the line at climbing on something we could fall off of - we left that to the youngster, Anna, the hammer master! Yes, we could have faked this picture but we didn't, just posed at the end of a long day!

Thanks for taking the time to share in Part One of the Ecuador experience! Please visit again in a few weeks for Part Two that will include many more pictures, more of the stories and fun from the week, introductions to other brother and sister team members, etc.

It's amazing how God can work on you and through you at the same time and that's been clear to me both years in Ecuador. I can't wait to go back in July 2008 (serious Spanish cramming this year though!).

Adios!

Luke is 2 months old!

Couldn't resist sharing a few more pics with you! How cute is Luke? We think too cute!

Quality time with Aunt Sheri and little Luke!

I love my brother!! (and again he sleeps through a photo opportunity!)

Bye...

Father's Day and Grandmother's Birthday 2007

So I'm a week late on posting our Father's Day weekend / Grandmother's Birthday weekend pictures but better late than never, right? I'm a busy girl you know but I squeeze in updates between playtime and naptime!


Happy Birthday to Grandmother!
Happy Birthday to Grandmother!
Happy Birthday to Granddddddddddddmother!
Happy Birthday to her!
(I'll be "singing" this song to everyone on their birthday so you can share in the happiness!)


We had so much fun celebrating these 2 special occasions on the same weekend! Here's a picture of the flowers that Mommy, Daddy and Aunt Sheri sent to Grandmother earlier in the week!

Here's a picture of the family (without Aunt Sheri as she vetoed the one with her in it!). Please click on this picture (and a few to follow - I"ll prompt you) so you can get the full view of us all. Can you believe Luke could sleep through a moment like this? A priceless memory for us to always hold dear? Just kidding, look at Dad's face - he's over this picture business too!

And here's a picture of the whole gang from Saturday (Aunt Sheri requests that you DO NOT CLICK on this one to zoom in!) We brought friends with us to the lake, The Munsons that go to church with us - Jonathan, Lisa and Grant! Aunt Sheri brought friends too - Miss Sabre and Miss Demetria (they're my friends now too - we bonded over the day!).

And who you ask is the handsome man in the overalls? That's my Great Grandaddy, Buford! He was down at the water with us all day! (If you click on this picture, you can see that Luke is sleeping again!! Hasn't the child learned that these are important shots? We'll have him trained by Christmas picture time!)

Ok, now for the really big news! Granddaddy bought a jet-ski!! WOW! He said it was for all of us but... look who's was riding in on Saturday... and Sunday... and Tuesday afternoon after we all went home! :-) Just kidding, Daddy rode it a lot too (and dumped Aunt Sheri in the lake!).

Who else played in the lake with Daddy? ME!!!!!

Ok, you know there are some pictures that Aunt Sheri "forces" me to put on this blog. Well, here I am modeling the swimsuit that she bought for me last Christmas!! (Was she planning ahead or what?) I must say I do receive compliments when I wear it!

Note: I'm leaning against my new pool - Wow!

Now, this was Grant's first time at the lake so I had to give him some pointers. First, you get in the pool with me...

And I'll pour water on your head like this...

And we'll laugh together and then do it again and again and again!!

And what do you do after playing in the pool? Go for a boat ride of course!

And what if that boat ride comes at the end of a full day of sun, fun, water and great fellowship with friends?

YOU TAKE A NAP ON THE BOAT!!

Have a great summer everyone!

Happy Birthday to my Daddy, Matt!!!

Happy Birthday to Daddy!
Happy Birthday to Daddy!
Happy Birthday to my Daddddddddddddy!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Daddy!

So we had a party at Grandmother and Grandaddy's this weekend (see cake above that I drooled over in the last blog!) and tonight Aunt Sheri came over for dinner and presents at my house!! But here's the problem - I had to go to bed before the party! Can you believe that? Doesn't everyone know that parties - dinner parties, Dora Parties (hint, hint Mom and Dad, my birthday is in 6 short months!), all parties should start prior to 6pm! That gives me an hour to live it up! Next year, I'll make sure the grown ups follow the party rules!

Here's a picture of Momma, Daddy and Luke (Don't get upset on my behalf - I know Luke's in the party picture but he's sacked out so it's OK!). Momma gave Daddy the knives he's been wanting. I think I've said this before - Daddy fancies himself a cook - he's actually pretty good! Momma is too - Aunt Sheri said the birthday dinner was gooooood!!!

Wanted to show this neat picture of me and Luke in our stroller. Mom takes us for fun walks!! See how Luke is looking up to me already? :-)

Last picture and again, I'm sorry! Aunt Sheri says you guys can never have enough pictures of me! For some reason, she thinks this picture of me with my Daddy's Alabama hat, overalls, paci, toys strown around in the background from a hard day at play, Monkey in my chair again ---

there are many things to "find" in this picture!

Bye for now!

Memorial Day at the Lake 07

Hey everyone! Happy Memorial Day!!

My Aunt Sheri has not done very well lately with the postings so it's necessary for me to take over yet again! I don't mind especially when I have cool pictures to share with you! Since it's been a while, let's catch up on a few that you've missed -

Here's my new brother, Luke. Isn't he cute? Momma had him pose with an elephant - had to be a blue elephant so it couldn't be tied to Alabama (Roll Tide!). Can you see the little smile on his face? Wonder what he's dreaming about???

Luke had his first official photo shoot with our friend, Patrick Williams! Here's the link so you can see more of his cuteness! And so you can see how talented Patrick is. He's the greatest photographer ever - and just had a new baby of his own with Miss Angel. Little Murphy Williams and Luke will be fast friends when they grow up!!

http://patwilphoto.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album15

Ok, more of Luke in a little bit but now a picture of my new "coolest present ever!" from my Great Aunt Cathy. Dora, Dora!!! I have my own Dora poncho!! I also have Dora pajamas, Dora dvds, Dora doll, Dora Backpack - I could go on but I think you get the point. I like Dora just a little bit!

So I've been traveling the last couple of weeks! Where you ask? Well, last week I was in Talladega with my Memaw, Papa, Dindad, Granny, Great Aunt Cathy, Great Uncle Billy - everyone!! I like going to visit in Talladega - maybe one day they'll take me to a race. Wink, wink! (Yeah, we had to take Luke and Arletta too!)

This week I went to Macon to see Grandmother, Grandad and Great Grandad. (Yeah, we took Luke and Arletta again.) Here's a picture of me, Momma and Luke swinging on the back porch:

Daddy and Aunt Sheri came on Friday night. It's Daddy's birthday next week so we had cake and ice cream and Daddy got presents. WOW!

We spent the day on the dock and boat on Saturday while Grandmother stayed with Luke inside (He can't be out in the sun yet - but I can!! Wait until you see me on the boat in just a minute - Wow again!). Here's Luke chillin out on the couch -

Ok, are you ready for how cute I am hanging out down at the dock? I'm too cool for words in my lifejacket and sitting in my new deck chair that Grandad bought for me! (And by the way, my sandals light up when I walk - Fun!)

What does a girl do down on the dock until it's time to go for a boat ride, you ask? Oh yeah, we fish! With crickets! I don't like to touch them but I like to look at them - there's a lot of them!!

Daddy caught a fish and I couldn't wait for it to be thrown back in the Lake. Yuck! Ok, now that fishing is over, let's go for a boat ride!! Got my life vest? Yep. Got my hat? Yep. Got my sunglasses? Um...... Nope. I'm too cool for shades today!

So there's our day at the lake - can you tell how much fun we had? Lots and lots and lots!

Aunt Sheri just walked up and wants me to show you one more picture. This is me after eating a little bit of ice cream - most kids get it on their top lip, right? Not me! I just drool cause it's so good! :-)

Hope you have a great summer! Bye for now....

Hello, Hello from Taylor Kate!

Hey Everybody!



Aunt Sheri said I could post on her blog today to tell you what's up in my world...

Not much really. Just kidding! Evidently my new brother's arrival has been big news - Dad even put out the following press release:

The University of Alabama set a another milestone today with the recruitment of a 7-hour old strapping young man, Luke Russell McCook. Although, Luke came in at 7lbs 2ozs...Nick Saban said he had never seen such a specimen. Luke is already assured the lead off hitter's role in Alabama's 2020 baseball roster and will also punt return for the Crimson Tide football program, just coming off their 5th national championship in a row and 17 out of the last 18 years.

I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about - Luke really doesn't do anything yet but sleep and eat - shouldn't he at least want to watch Dora with me? I wonder if everyone was this excited when I arrived? I'll have to ask my Aunt Sheri.

I think Aunt Sheri showed you our first official "family of 4" picture but this is the first official "Huh, so that's my brother, Luke?" picture!



Here's my dad with Luke before they came home from the hospital. (I was still in Macon visiting Grandmother, Grandad and Great-Grandad Buford at the time.) Please note that my dad is a multi-tasker - focused on Luke but still controling the remote!



And just look at this sweet picture of Momma and Luke!

Now, I didn't know these pictures were being made at the time but I can give you the play by play as it happened. In this picture I'm thinking several things at once:

• Didn't I use to swing in this thing?
• I think I did and I think it was fun!
• You really mean that Luke gets to play with my old toys?
• Was I this small when I used to swing?
• Will Arletta lick Luke's toes while he swings like she did mine?
• Can I touch him?
  

I TOUCHED HIM AND NOW LUKE'S HOLDING MY HAND!!!

WOW!

Ok, I'll stop for now but watch for more from me soon. Maybe Aunt Sheri will just let me take over the blog and post all the time! You should post comments on here that you like that idea and give a girl some support!

Bye, Bye...

ITALY PICTURES AND RECAP!!

DISCLAIMER - If you don't have at least 2 hours to look at Italy trip pictures, please go to previous posting or next posting for pictures of the cutest children ever!

Just kidding! (Well, not about the 2 hours or the cute children). Many of my friends and family members have asked to see pictures of my recent trip to Italy. This posting includes some of my favorite pictures from the trip (I took 750 pictures so please understand that it took severe discipline on my part to share only 17 of them!).

I'm extremely blessed to work for Brownell, a company that treats the Top Producers and annual Employee Award winners, to a spectacular trip! I'm also blessed to have been included on the trip this year to:

• Villa D'Este in Lake Como - http://www.villadeste.it/t0_thehotel.html
• Villa La Massa just outside of Florence - http://www.villalamassa.com/t0_thehotel.html
• and the Four Seasons in Milan - http://www.fourseasons.com/milan/

It was a week that I'll never forget and a trip that will be forever unmatched in: luxurious accommodations and food and handsome men and fun and shopping... I could go on and on!

Several of you have asked me to post a self-portrait on the blog (Ugh!). Let's get that out of the way first and this is absolutely the best that I can do! 5 of the girls at lunch mid-week in Bologna. We had so much fun at this lunch! From left: Debbie Bell and June Tingle Griffith (both from Mobile office), Haley Johnson (the coolest airline rep ever and one of our Hosts for the week - we couldn't have asked for a better fit with our group!) and Kerry Stegeman (works in Atlanta office with me).

Now that we have that out of the way, let's look at the sights of Italy! I couldn't wait to see the distinctive Italian windows in person! I felt like I was looking at a painting!

The view of a hillside of villas from our private tour of Lake Como! Wow!!!



Maybe it's the Wisteria along the retaining wall, or the fact that it's Lake Como, or the fact that George Clooney lives 3 villas down but I think I could live in this one!



Does this lawn look familiar to anyone? (Think 007 and another handsome man!)




This is the lawn of Villa Balbianello where the scene from "James Bond Casinso Royale" was filmed - where James recuperates at the end of the movie!



And now a full view of Villa Balbianello. Truly spectacular, not to mention very interesting!


http://http://www.thevillapassalacqua.com/index.php/villa-balbianello/






Statue as you walk up to the Villa and more Wisteria (may be my new favorite flower/plant - purple, of course!).

Speaking of Mr. Clooney, here's his little abode on the Lake -

And the Villa to the left of his that he's turning into the guest house. Oh my!

Ok, so it's not an Italy "sight" but isn't it cute? The Italians definitely don't drive Exursions!

Moving on to Florence, a picture of the famous Ponte Vecchio! It's amazing how many people can squeeze onto this little bridge!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio

The Duomo in Florence. I can't describe how huge it is so here's a link that gives a little, no big perspective:
http://www.paradoxplace.com/Perspectives/Italian%20Images/Montages/Firenze/Florence%20Skylines.htm

And the line waiting to get in -

The lawn at Villa San Michele - not a bad way to spend a late afternoon before dinner, right?

And a picture of the exquisite Villa San Michele - high in the hills overlooking the city of Florence. Breathtakingly beautiful! Can you see the rooms tucked into the hillside? And the Wisteria going up the side of the main building (on the left)? And the handsome Franco, General Manager of the hotel sitting on the lawn? Just kidding, he's in the next picture!

All the ladies were a bit enamored with Franco! This picture of Gayle, from our Richmond office, gazing at him is how we all looked during a most enjoyable 3 hour dinner!

Moving on to Milan. The Duomo/Cathedral is not quite as large as Florence's but still overwelming! (I was pretty entertained by the bread advertisement on the left side scafolding).

Now to be serious for just a minute - Every day of the trip, I saw God's hand in this beautiful country. The Italian people are "southern" in hospitality and friendliness, the Alps as we flew into Milan screamed "God created us!" and how easy it was to close my eyes and pray to Him a prayer of Thanksgiving for the opportunity to visit Italy!

Thanks for sharing in my trip memories!