row, row, row your boat....

...up the Cape Fear River.

This past weekend I went canoeing with some friends....and didn't drowned! I think I have finally overcome my irrational fear of canoeing trips. Thanks to all those who supported me along the way and rescued me when I was stuck, tipped, or otherwise in need of help. haha... anyway, all joking aside...it was a very fun trip. Afterwards we went to Raven Rock to cook out and walk a up and down 95 steps. I did not take my camera, but Missy and Jermaine both had cameras, so as soon as they upload pictures I will post some. Oh, and I think I also won the award for taking the most food on the canoe. That shouldn't surprise anyone, though, since I am a Coda!

Next week is family vacation! I can't wait. This working full time thing really makes me appreciate a few days off. I am mostly looking forward to spending time with my family. Joy, Dan, Ava and Alice are also coming!

I'm blogging for the second time in a week...this is off to a good start! It has been a busy weekend... Friday night was my home group's cookout. This year I was in a group led by Lou & Teresa Gregus...they are wonderful and I love our group! The rain stopped early enough on Friday for us to shoot off fireworks at the end of the party - which was great since we didn't get to see any on July 4th. On Saturday I went to a brunch with some ladies from church...then made dinner to take to a family in church...then went to a cookout at Harris Lake. It rained, so we ended up having a bunch of people come back to our house...aaaannnddd we put on Enchanted...haha...watching it with guys was priceless. Then after almost eveyone had left my dad came down and hung out with me, Julie, Chris, Dan, Steve, and Nick telling stories for over an hour. Good times...I think that made up for them having to watch Enchanted. I taught children's ministry at church this morning, chilled at the pool this afternoon, and then tonight I had dinner with my new friend Jen. We met during a class at the gym...it was nice to talk when we weren't out of breath.

Okay, I promised pictures, so here are a few from Easter! Yeah, kind of late but better late than never, right?
Mom and Alice

"Pop's lawnmower!" Ava has to go see it every time she visits...

"Wait for me Mimi!"

Delaney, Jo, and Mary Ashley.... Aren't they beautiful?

Comeback time.

After a three month hiatus, I am going to start blogging again. Instead of trying to update you on the last few months, I am just going to start with this week and then post a few pictures every week to fill in the lost time!

So, I am back to blogging and Josh Hamilton is back to Baseball. Did anyone see the home run derby on Monday night? Amazing... here's a shout out to our hometown hero and super slugger...

Josh Hamilton

Josh hit 28 homers in the first round (to give some perspective - the closest runner up in the first round had 8 homers).

I think I have a new favorite baseball player (and he is not on the Orioles!)... here's why:

--- In addition to hitting those 28 homers...Josh is from my hometown. I saw Josh hit a few homers back in high school when he was playing at Athens Drive (my friend Brian was on the same team).
--- After three years away from baseball, he is making a pretty incredible comeback!
--- But most of all... he has a great testimony. My favorite line of his interview Monday night was when he said 'It is amazing to see what God has done in my life and how quickly he has done it.' If you don't know much about his story...you should read about it. Here's a pretty good article...