NO MORE TIFTON!!

I CAME HOME THIS AFTERNOON TO THE SIGHT OF LEVI'S TRUCK AND A U-HAUL TRAILER!! I LAUGHED AT HOW HE PACKED. HE HAD TO DRIVE THE 55 - 60 ALL THE WAY HOME...HIS TRUCK DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE DEAL WAS. HE SAID HE COULD LOOK IN HIS REAR-VIEW MIRRORS AND READ "U-HAUL" AS THE TRAILER SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. I WONDER HOW MANY DRIVERS ON I-75 ARE STILL SHAKING IN THEIR SHOES?

THANK GOD FOR BLESSINGS! HE HAS FINISHED HIS COURSES AT ABAC!! TWO MORE CLASSES THIS FALL @ THE LOCAL COLLEGE AND THEN HE WILL GRADUATE!!!

Woodchucks

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Profound question. A woodchuck would chuck all the wood that a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood! Profound answer. I loved this rhyme when I was younger. It is running through my mind today as I think back over the last six weeks at work. I feel like a woodchuck! And I am tired!!

It all started with our CEO wanting to initiate a Wellness program for our employees. Then we were asked to allign the program with the company benefits plan, and then we were challenged to perform health screens on over 1500 employees during the month of June!!! Can't be done? Surprisingly, yes it can!

Mind you that each person screened (all 1500+) generated at least 10 pieces of paper. All labs were recieved in duplicate, had to be reviewed for abnormals, matched and transcribed to the individual's questionaire, then scanned individually and profile results were printed. Then the results were sorted, matched back with the printed copy of lab results, placed in envelopes with corresponding form letters explaining the next step, double checked for accuracy, and then sealed and mailed. The duplicate lab results were then filed in the charts. We started June 3rd and the last results were mailed July 11. I really feel like I have "chucked all the wood that a woodchuck could chuck!"

But I do love my job and the people I work with. God has blessed me with this opportunity to learn how to apply the principles of wellness to help others improve their health and avoid chronic diseases. That is our goal, prevention and wellness. And it is all about choices. God gave us free will and choices to make. Most chronic diseases in America are the result of choices, type II diabetes, coronary vascular disease, even high blood pressure most often is the result of modifiable risk factors. Yes, genetics can give us the tendancy, but the choices we make everyday regarding food and activity, are our's to make.

Well, that is what my life has been revolving around lately. On the family front we have Levi and Britt busily nesting!! They have pruned the greenery in their yard, put down new flooring in the laundry room, painted their room and now also the living room. Levi has 5 more school days in Tifton!!! He will be on active duty for two weeks in August here in Rome, and then they will be focusing on the wedding plans.

Lacie is busy this summer with her two favorite activities...working with her Uncle Junior (construction) and babysitting our dear friends the Waldons. She is excited about her new major and nervous about starting at yet another new college. I think she has truly found a major she can stick with. She has started looking for mission trips that require building and is so excited she has to share all the details with me! What an awesome thought that maybe one of my children will be a missionary! There are so many schools, medical clinics and homes for needy families that need to be built!

Cody is on his second mission trip of the year. He has also helped feed the needy here in Rome. It breaks his heart when he tells me how many hundred of sandwiches are given away here in our own home town. Again, how awesome it would be to have a child become a missionary. He hasn't had much idle time this summer with mission trips, soccer camps, and his job at the local hardware store.

Keith and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary! Shania Twain says it best in her song, "You're Still the One". He really is and I am so thankful for the life we share. If you would, please join us in prayer for Andy and Jerrie Bulloch that God will meet their every need abundantly and bless them to overflowing. Thanks!!
Jenny

WE HAVE A WEDDING DATE!!!

LEVI AND BRITT HAVE SET THE DATE FOR THEIR WEDDING!!!

OCTOBER 11, 2008!!

Yea!!!

Levi & Britt"s First Home!!

Here is Levi and Britt's first home! Isn't it beautiful? They have already started fixing the lawn, pruning hedges (they have a ways to go with that task), and cleaning the inside. It has a pecan tree, an apple tree, and Aunt Carol came by yesterday and told them that there is also a pear tree in the back yard. They also have magnolias, crepe myrtles, hydrangeas, and a 6 ft tall rose bush! I am not kidding, it is 6ft tall! Levi says the nandinas will have to go! It has a homey feel to it already.

The kitchen will be decorated with a Tuscan theme. Brittany fell in love with Tuscany while she was in Italy this past month. The guest room will be masculine with an outdoors theme. I believe Levi's trophy buck has been assigned to this room. The living room will be rustic, leather furniture and such. The main bathroom will be sunny and have a "beachy" feel to it with light blues and yellows. Like Jeff Foxworthy said, "I've never seen a toilet on the beach, but give a woman a sea shell and it's going in the bathroom!" The master bedroom is a beautiful shade of green, a bit darker than sage. The furniture is black and the colors will be jewel tones.

We are waiting on the USMC to help set the wedding date! Levi should get his orders for his summer training @ June's drill weekend. He will hopefully be going to Ala for training, 6 weeks worth, beginning sometime in August. They want an October wedding.

I love listening to their stories! Levi has the patience of his Grandfather and Great-Grandfather Burrell, (okay, and ME!). While they were at the house yesterday he asked Britt to start packing the former owner's stuff. He said, "Why don't you put some of that stuff in those boxes?" Brittany was like, "Darlin', I can't pack his stuff! That would be rude!!" They were so happy to have been able to cut their own grass and clean their own bathrooms ; ). I am trying to remember when I felt that way. I'll write a post about it when I do...don't hold your breath! Just kidding, I count my blessings everyday for the home GOD has blessed us with.

Well I gotta go...love all of you!!

Graduation 2008!

Wow! Our baby-girl Ansley has graduated! She has been a part of our life since she was born...she is bubbly, kind-hearted, has her father"s mischieveousness, her mother's sense of humor, and Jesus in heart! I have loved watching her grow up from the little tyke running around the condo in Fla screaming as her Daddy chased all the little guys with a video camera, the burping contests between her and my boys, (Cody has been reprimanded several times over the years for her burps..."But Mom, I didn't do it, Ansley did!"). The first love, the first heartbreak, and the realization of what real love is not. We were together the night she recieved her letter from Shorter telling her she had won a $5,000/yr scholarship!! WOW! And the night before she left for her senior trip I was as nervous for her as if she were my own daughter. She is a beautiful young lady with a beautiful future!

Lacie and Ansley

Levi & Britt Closed on a House!!

Yes it is official!! Levi and Britt are homeowners!! I couldn't help but take pictures : )
Ken Guice, the loan officer, laughed and said in all his years, this was the first time a closing was captured with a camera! WOW! My little boy is a homeowner :~). God has blessed us beyond measure!!!

Quick Catch-up!

Levi and Britt are "closing" on Wednesday on their first home!!! We are so proud and excited for them! Levi and I were sitting on the couch Sunday morning and I asked him, "So, what's going to be your first project on your new home?" It felt so weird to ask him that question...our son has his own home! After the closing and it is officially their's, I'll post some pictures.

Lacie goes to meet with her advisor at SPSU on Wednesday to plan her schedule for the Fall! This will be the first of many meetings for them ;~). She is very happy about starting this part of her life, but it's the day's she is with a family-friend helping with the babies that she is her happiest. I know she is going to be the best Mama ever, one day!

Cody has his first job! My last child has his first job!!! He went to work last Thursday and one of the two bosses spoke to him then Cody started helping a customer. The other boss came in and said, "Cody, today's your day off!" Cody responded by saying, "Oh yeh, well I'll finish up with this cusomer and then head home." I thought that showed a really good work ethic, he didn't just leave the customer to someone else, he finished what he had started. He also made a 110/100 on his biology portfolio!! And HE did all the work! I only had to help him edit a few paragraphs and that was only to keep subject matter flowing smoothly.

Well, keep us in your prayers...