Baby Hailey sleeps in PaPa's arms during a very long day of visiting with family, last Saturday.
Oh, The Agony
Baby Hailey sleeps in PaPa's arms during a very long day of visiting with family, last Saturday.
Hailey Elizabeth
To See More of Hailey's Big Day, Click HERE
Jenga
I took the kids and my Spotter badge to the Bluffton Library's games and movie day yesterday. I found this dup playing Jenga and stuck around for a play by play:
Carnes Family Reunion
On Friday morning, I received a notice about our annual Carnes Family Reunion in Franklin, NC to be held on Saturday. I had forgotten completely, but made some hasty plans, threw half our wardrobes into suitcases, figuring proper attire could be fleshed out later, and headed for the hills.
We spent Friday night in Greenville at my parents, then followed them up Saturday morning for the gathering. This was my first time making the trek behind the wheel. I've always been a passenger all the years before. It was like a rite of passage for me, though they tell me next year is the real bat mitzvah. There is a more mountainous route- notorious for its hairpin turns and steep cliffs- The Highlands- which really puts one to the test. I can hardly wait.
Time with family was wonderful- more wonderful than ever, really. This weekend was one of those rare times when I wished I was older. I wished I had the benefit of attending more of the past reunions, hearing all the stories I am just now discovering, and really just knowing all about these beautiful people I call my own.
I've been postponing putting the photos up, because as with most things that are emotionally involved for me, I feel as if I have a mountain of words and don't know how to scale them. Now that I've begun to try, I realize that I will have to break the journey up into smaller steps over time.
All that matters now is sharing the photos I was able to snap with those of you who visit here or get email from me.
Talking about how I wanted to stay forever and ever, wishing we all lived in a Kennedy-like compound together, and words like bittersweet belong on another post, in another blog (ie; Faltering Life).
Until then...
I just love my family.
click here for
Persuasion
This is my second cousin, Ryan.
(here in the South, we like to keep dibs on how far you are removed, cause once you hit Fifth, we can marry ya)
Ryan is flexible- see?
But Ryan is flexible in another way- he can be persuaded to change his point of view. I watched this scene unfold over the weekend ( I even got a small speaking role in the the first act). It was funny in a way, but sad in another.
Scene 1: Franklin Motel, In front of hotel rooms 114 & 115
Enter Ryan, addressing his cousin Jamela, who is at this moment, enjoying a smoke break.
Ryan: Jamela, you aren't supposed to smoke!
Jamela: Yes, I know, but I need to smoke right now.
Ryan: But you could get cancer, and die- those things can make you sick
Jamela: I know, but...
Ryan: Jamela, you're my family and I don't want you to die.
Jamela: Well, I know, but...
Ryan: Jamela, you are my......what are you to me?
Jamela, I am your...what am I to you?
ME: You are cousins
Ryan: Yeah, we're cousins and I care about you. DO NOT INHALE THAT SMOKE!
Jamela: ~blows a puff of smoke into the air~ " Ok, I exhaled it"
~takes another drag
Ryan: Jamela, you just inhaled it!
(a version of this dialogue continues another few minutes, until other big people get into the game and start picking on poor Ryan about sector 7 and smoker's rights. Ryan disappears.
Sometime, in the night, Ryan got a little talking to about people making their own choices and how we don't have to agree but we should respect them.
Scene 2- The Next Morning, same hotel, same rooms
Enter Tyler, Ryan's older brother and Ryan
They spy Jamela having yet another cigarette on the lawn across from their room.
Tyler: "Smoking is bad for you, Jamela"
Ryan: indicating Tyler needs to hush up cried in his brother's face, with his fist clinched in the air, "Tyler, people smoke!"
Grape fashion
Logan and I went shopping last Saturday night when Daddy Warbucks gave Lo an allowance for some new clothes. Naturally, we only spent half of that (ha!)
We went to Marshalls as the stylish yet thrifty are wont to do and picked a few play clothes / daily wear pieces, as LoLeece is long overdue for some properly fitting clothes.
As I perused the pedal pushers and matching tees, she found a purple dress, a Hannah Montanna number-hidden on a rack. It was the only one in the store. It just happened to be her size. My reflex reaction would be to object immediately-- not only did she not need a dress, ( I had just bought a few dressy outfits a few weeks earlier) it really didn't seem like a church dress-- I couldn't imagine many opportunities to don this grape-a-licious drape. But she loved it, it was written all over her expression and the way she held the dress up to her.
Many years ago, -many, many years... I had a purple dress too. It was gauzy and tiered, purple and bedecked in butterflies. It was my favorite dress of all. I remember the sad day it ripped and waiting anxiously to see if it could be repaired :(
So, feeling nostaligic, I relinquished control a little and let her get the dress. (We already have very different opinions about style, fashion and acceptable wardrobe)
She thanked me profusely for letting her pick her own clothes (and would continue to do so intermittently throughout the night) then happily proceeded to pick a silver sequined bag and matching silver, spangly sandals to complete her ensemble.
Fast forward to about 7:30 Sunday morning:
I roll over to see who has dared to enter my sleeping chamber and wake me from my slumber at this early hour.
"Aren't we going to church this morning?!"
It was my purple clad Logan, dressed to the nines and ready to roll...
We went to Marshalls as the stylish yet thrifty are wont to do and picked a few play clothes / daily wear pieces, as LoLeece is long overdue for some properly fitting clothes.
As I perused the pedal pushers and matching tees, she found a purple dress, a Hannah Montanna number-hidden on a rack. It was the only one in the store. It just happened to be her size. My reflex reaction would be to object immediately-- not only did she not need a dress, ( I had just bought a few dressy outfits a few weeks earlier) it really didn't seem like a church dress-- I couldn't imagine many opportunities to don this grape-a-licious drape. But she loved it, it was written all over her expression and the way she held the dress up to her.
Many years ago, -many, many years... I had a purple dress too. It was gauzy and tiered, purple and bedecked in butterflies. It was my favorite dress of all. I remember the sad day it ripped and waiting anxiously to see if it could be repaired :(
So, feeling nostaligic, I relinquished control a little and let her get the dress. (We already have very different opinions about style, fashion and acceptable wardrobe)
She thanked me profusely for letting her pick her own clothes (and would continue to do so intermittently throughout the night) then happily proceeded to pick a silver sequined bag and matching silver, spangly sandals to complete her ensemble.
Fast forward to about 7:30 Sunday morning:
::Tap Tap Tap::
I roll over to see who has dared to enter my sleeping chamber and wake me from my slumber at this early hour.
"Aren't we going to church this morning?!"
It was my purple clad Logan, dressed to the nines and ready to roll...
*BONUS- Poem about wearing purple when we're old ladies- and my excuse for living a little in the here and now.
July 4th
We celebrated the Fourth at Shelter Cove Marina's Harbour Fest. We took in both of Shannon Tanner's shows and watched the fireworks as Tanner played the guitar. Chandler sang The Star Spangled Banner to an audience of people and the night over all was truly enjoyable.
(I don't give unscathed approval often...)
You have to know more about Shannon Tanner, but it's like ice cream right now- there are so many good things to scoop, I'm having trouble narrowing it down just yet. I'll post more when I can cut my current word count down by half or more and still make sense. In the meantime, enjoy our slide show.
HARBOUR FEST @ SHELTER COVE MARINA 7.4.08
Chandler Sings the National Anthem
We spent our July 4th at Shelter Cove Marina's Harbour Fest. More about that later. During the part of the show when Shannon Tanner asks the kids if they have a song they'd like to sing, both Charming and I were shocked to see all of our kids eager to participate. ( They don't know the full rendition of more than 3 songs combined, if I had to bet on it) We scooted even closer to the edge of our seats when, lo and behold, Chandler got picked to share his song.
When asked which song he wanted to sing ( they'd been asked to think up patriotic songs) Chandler said " The Star Spangled Banner"
Shannon spent some time remembering the effect this song had on him during his years coaching football and said he just couldn't do this song any way but the right way, so he stood up with his guitar and placed his hand over his heart. The 200+ of us remaining out in the audience followed his lead. 
About this time, Chan looks up to him and says " You'll have to lead me, I don't know all the words" ( apparently he thought "Who has a song?" meant" Any requests?")
This sort of thing doesn't phase Shannon Tanner.
So, the two of them sang us through the National Anthem and I was so proud of my boy, of course :)
Shannon then asked Chandler what he wanted to be when he grew up, to which Chandler wasted no time saying " A football player"
Shannon told Chandler that someday, when he is a football player, and he's coming out of that locker room, adrenaline pumping, ready to play some ball-- when he hears The Star Spangled Banner, and gets that lump in his throat as he no doubt will, to always remember this night.
Chandler is sure to.
Incomplete Post/No Edits
This is Shannon Tanner.
Every summer, (for the last 20 years), Shelter Cove Marina has hosted The Shannon Tanner Show. This was our second time making the Independence Day version of his show (you can see more about that HERE)-- it won't be our last.
The first time we attended was when we lived here about five years ago. That year, as the fireworks began to explode, Shannon had a guest musician ( I think he was someone I should've paid attention to his name, in order to make this story more wow-some) step out onto one of the condo balconies and begin to play The Star Spangled Banner on his electric guitar. It was a truly unique moment in time that I have thought about often since.
From that show, to this recent one, the emphasis on inspiring children and just believing in them has not been diluted.
Now, you may see the propeller beanie or click that Shannon Tanner link above and be tempted to shrug him off quickly as only a children's entertainer, but if you'll take the time to look closer (his MySpace link ) you'll see for yourself that Tanner is a real musician.
And as much as I love music and those musicians that make the stuff, I admire Tanner for more than that-- he's got this huge heart full of children and this life mission to inspire each and every one of 'em. He's like a modern day Mister Rogers ( who knows how to rock)
The good doesn't stop there- he reaches beyond his stage full of youngins (he invites them all up front to sing and dance along), out into the audience, and gently reminds all the grown up 'children' present that it is okay to have fun. He inspires the adults to appreciate the gift that is our kids: tomorrow's leaders, today.
We spent the entire celebration singing along at both the 6:30 and 8 o'clock shows. We had developed a strong bond with Shannon Tanner before we headed home ( you don't just dance The Purple People Eater with someone, then go your seperate ways. You must be prepared for the committed relationship that follows)
From start to finish, the shows are interactive for both the kids and adults. Shannon gets the kids to sing and dance and make speeches to their parents ("Mom and Dad, keep up with me if you can!")
He makes the grown ups loosen their collars and remember how to laugh at themselves. He doesn't hesitate to single people out and make them dance while everyone else stares. No one thinks to refuse.
During the shows, Shannon always gives the kids a chance at the mic- some of what you hear is pretty amazing (he knew the whole song!) and the rest is just plain cute or funny.
What happens, after the first or second child sings their song, is the whole stage full of children warms up, they are all the Next American Idol in an instant.
This happened to all 3 of mine. None of them know all the lyrics to more than 3 songs, if I had to bet, but that didn't deter them from waving their hands wildly to sing a song in front of the 200+ people watching.
And get this: Chandler got picked. More about that here.
As the sun set and the beautiful Carolina moon beamed from the sky, we heard a few more children - Jesus Loves Me by one little girl who Shannon Tanner said blessed his socks off ( then helpd up his bare ankled loafers to prove it :)
We heard incredible stories about kids and soldiers and musicians. We watched our kids' hair have a party and then begged them not to mess ours up too much when Tanner sent them into the audience at full tilt to party on our heads.
We watched as bigger kids- 13 and up- came down to the stage to dance several dances with the little ones, simply because Shannon asked them to. ( he has that kind of power and more! He says "Look at me..." and all the kids DO!"
Because Hilton Head is a vacation spot that many families retun to annually, many of the "big" kids had grown up coming to the shows when they were itty bitty (Shannon Tanner is celebrating is 20th year of shows at Shelter Cove this year)
We listened to the talented 16 year old Katie sing Traveling Soldier.
Stuff I Painted
It has been a long time since I set a brush to canvas, but I've done few panels lately for the walls... don't laugh.
VBS
Funeral Photos
As I mentioned in my previous post, we lost Aundree "MeeMaw" Brewer this past week. The family was gathered for the first time in a long time. The day before was Rob's birthday, so the pictures of TBonz and singing waitresses have nothing to do with family funeral traditions. After the funeral service was over, Bath United Methodist church, a spiritual foundation in the Brewer/Coker family, served us a meal and gave us a resting place before returning to the graveside. Aundree's parents had played active roles within this church, and so the pictures of family pews, plaques and windows are explained.
Cousins were given valuable together time. Just the way Aundree would have wanted it, I'm sure.
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