Beach Beauties

We had such a wonderful time on the beach! Kemp LOVED the water and the waves! It was VERY rough that day and it scared Lily, but NOT Kemp! He would fall down and laugh and laugh! I love all the pix I took, but these 2 are some of my favorites! Lily holding onto her daddy's leg and Kemp---FEARLESS! It was a suny day but not too hot! It was ideal weather! We had a blast ! more tomorrow!

God Speed, Dr. Money

Since 1972, when we had our first baby boy, Charles, Charlie Money was our pediatrician and friend.  He went on to be our pediatrician  from 1972-1990 for all 5 of the Fry kids!  (I think I even taught HIM a little  about breastfeeding! HAHAHAHA).I was so sad to hear that he has passed away this morning. He is loved by many and besides being a friend of our whole family, I also found out 2 of my other friends, from Hoover, knew him well, too!!! (It's such a SMALL WORLD!.).... Patti Lucas went on mission trips with him to Kenya (see picture below) and another friend, Yvette Heath, was in a Gardening group with him (and as the only guy in the group!), he called the girls: CHARLIE'S ANGELS!(sounds just like him!). Both Patti and Yvette told me stories about him and how much he meant to them, too.........I love both the picture I have above (that's baby PATRICK FRY and I scanned the picture right out of Pat's baby book!) and the one  Patti sent, below, where it looks like he is PRAISING GOD!.....He will be missed by many! Here is an e-mail from Patti that she sent me this afternoon, the bottom part from the mission host on one of the trips to Kenya.......

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A memorial service for Dr. Charlie Money will be held Friday, June 1st at 6:00pm in the sanctuary.  Dr. Money passed away early this morning. 

Please continue to be in prayer for Barbara, Andrea, David and the  granddaughters, Anna Claire and Brooke.  Today is Brooke's 5th birthday. 

This is from Steve Kabachia, our mission host in Kenya:

Thank you for keeping us informed on the condition of Dr.Money. Our prayers for his healing were answered in that he is now in the presence of God completely healed and whole.
Kindly pass our heartfelt condolences to his family. Our prayer is that He will give them strength and peace. Dr.Money was a true soldier of the Lord and he touched our lives deeply here in Kenya.

Steve

This picture was made as our mission team was driving through Kakamega, Kenya.  Charlie raised his arms and shouted "Praise the Lord!"

 

The munchkins arrive!

They're heeeeeeeeeeeeere! The munchkins are here!  A little fairy came into their room before they arrived and left them special goodies on their bed! New clothes/toys/swim toys/books/mouse ears/placemats/cups and even new pillow cases (Sorry, Lily, they are from the movie, CARS!) and a pink and blue sand chairs with umbrellas!. Uncle Pat Pat bought Kemp a SHREK fishing pole   (from the Bass Pro Shop, of course!) which he (AND LILY!!!!) went NUTS over and  also bought both of them  cute shirts that he and Stefanie picked out for them. The minute they walked in, the place lit up with their joy and laughter (and sometimes with SCREAMS! HAHA). They also loved having the DUCKS come up to them to eat bread right on our patio!

 I'll post the Beach Photos  with the  kids next time. They are PRECIOUS!

Seaside shopping trip

Soon our quiet condo will be filled with laughing; giggling; fussing; crying ! But, here's a few more shots of our shopping frenzy before the kids arrived!

P.S. I loved those "DIAMOND" flip flops that said, "If you have to ask, you cannot afford me"! HAHAHAHA  (I couldn't AFFORD them, or I would've BOUGHT them for Katie!)

Memorial Day fun

Today  we (Terry and I), invited anyone who wanted to go , to go to the  Old Overton pool for a swim. Natalie, Brad, Kemp, Michael and Lily accepted the offer! They were having a cook out, poolside, as well and it was delicious! We had a wonderful afternoon watching the little ones swim and play. And we all had delicious food! I think Natalie and I ate a LITTLE TOO MUCH banana pudding (or puddin' as Kemp calls it!), our bellies were sticking out. Natalie has an excuse to have a bulging belly, but GranJan does NOT. But, oh my! How good it was! They had cute contests for the kids and it was fun watching them all so excited on the UNofficial first day of summer........tomorrow, back to our memories from our vacation but here's what we did TODAY!.......And, on a more serious note---I couldn't help but pray for all the young men (like my sons!) who are fighting right now in Iraq during this difficult time for our country, as well as all those brave men who have fought for our country. Terry's dad; Granpa Fry to name 2! Mr. Fry was in France for 4 years during WW 2!I am so thankful for what they have done for our country of which we are so proud!!!

Day 2!

Sunday, May 20, 2007

After my morning devotional (hey, it WAS Sunday!), I just had a cup of java while sitting on the patio and looking out at the lake. I was reminded that Jesus stood on the banks of the Sea of Galilee (it's really a lake! Trust me! I've been there!), so it really brought to mind how Jesus calmed the "sea"(lake) when the disciples were so scared during the storm. I imagine the people are also scared there, during Hurricane season  as well and I can imagine the fear that came seeing the waves that the mighty hurricanes can bring! For now, I am staring at the lake NEAR the sea so it's a calming thing to me. But hey,back to my thoughts, I just kept thinking and thinking and THINKING about it and why so many people are drawn to the sea and the beaches! Why is that? For ME, it's because I truly feel God's power when I'm on the beach. Just like when I made the pictures of Katie and Pat and Stef on the beach today. The sea was ROUGH, bigtime rough, for the Gulf waters. Yet, it lapped gently around the feet of Pat and Stef and Katie. Powerful, strong and gentle, too. Like God's love for me. I also got to see "up close and personal" lots of the ducks. Living on a lake myself, I see ducks daily! But THESE ducks are so tame because they are fed so well by the visitors. So are the birds! Even the turtle know when bread is being thrown! I made gadoodles of pix of them today! Incredible creatures!One, Katie and I nicknamed "Dasher" because he "bleats" like Dasher (Nat's dog)  when he begs for bread! And beg they did!!!....Loved being around Pat and Stef. I'm so glad Stefanie is down here, too. Stefanie's aunt and uncle live on the bay, here, too! And they have something that makes Pat want to go visit them a lot! A BOAT!!!! HAHA! It sure was nice getting to hear Pat's laugh! NOBODY has such a deep and hearty laugh as Pat does. When he laughs, he makes everyone's heart fill with joy---it just overflows.They ate lunch with us (Mimi's famous Chicken/Spaghetti dish). He went fishing in the twilight (as you can see!) and caught, of COURSE, some fish. That boy was MADE for fishing! He sure is working in the right place!!!! They already love him there at the Bass Pro Shop, I'm sure b/c he knows his fishing stuff! I just enjoyed being with him on his day off. Only one bad thing about that, made me sad, too, because I miss him! BUT, he says he loves it here and I'm so glad. So glad he found his niche. Every person should be able to do what it is they are called to do. For Pat it is being here, in his element---enjoying the place God called him to be. I pray he will continue listening to God's Voice and seeing what else God has planned for him here. For today? I'm just glad to be a part of his (and God's!) world. What a wonderful place it is. Maybe I'll just stay here, too..................

P.S. click on individual little pix (only if you want to! HAHA) to see them bigger!

Destin Trip May 19-26, 2007:Day 1

(from my journal:)

Saturday Morning: May 19, 2007

We left for Destin @ 9:30 and arrived safe and sound to SandDestin, Beach Walk Villas, at 2:15 P.M.  Our favorite condo looked (and smelled!) great! We unloaded the car and then what do you think we did??????????? WRONG! We did NOT go to the beach! Instead we went SHOPPING! We first went to see Pat @ the Bass Pro Shop for a short time (b/c he was swamped!). We went around the back of the Bass Shop to these shops called "Destin Commons". Incredible little shopping area with cobblestone streets and lots of cute shops! We'd never heard of this area until Pat went to work back there! It's huge ans ome fo the coolest shopping spots ever! Also there is a pavement sprinkler for kids and a small playground (just right for Kemp and Lily!). Guess what else is there?? ?ZOE'S ! Where Katie and I love to eat! SO< we ate there (outside) for dinner! YUM-O as Rachel Ray says!  We went in so many cute shops and one, our favorite, called "Hugs and Hissy Fits"! Yes, we bought some stuff! After shopping and eating we went to the grocery store---PUBLIX (we love their bread) and got some stuff we needed for the next few days.  GREAT DAY! Tired but excited and happy to be in SandDestin!!!!!!!!!

Eat your hearts out

Just a sneak preview of what's to come! ( LOVE these beach shadow pix! DON'T steal my idea!!!!!! hahahaha).........We're heading down tomorrow morning (Saturday, May 19)---just Katie and I are going down first! (Terry is the official DOG/CAT sitter! HAHAHAHA!). Terry isn't going this time, he goes so often to Pensacola that he "volunteered" (arm twisting!) to watch/feed the cats/dog so we can enjoy our little vacation!! BUT, I wouldn't be shocked if he drove down for a day or two. Anyway, we will go first and have a few days to grocery shop and get things ready for the TRIBE who will come down Wed-Saturday!  It will be so much fun to see our munchkins on the beach, I can't wait! Even though he is now working in Cow Town (Auburn), and starting summer school---Jon Boy IS coming for a few days! Imagine living with Katie without seeing JON at the beach! Speaking of Jon/Katie at the beach----here they are from LAST year! (has it really been a YEAR?!)

WHAT A GIRLY GIRL!

Lily is the epitome of the term "GIRLY GIRL"! I've never seen anything like it! She loves PINK; TUTU's"; her fingernails painted; Katie's room; Dolls; dancing around; looking at herself in the mirror! HEY! Wait a minute! She's just like GranJan!!!!!!!! YIKES!!!!!!!

Swingers!

Here's some shots from Mother's Day of Kemp and Lily swinging on her swing set. To make them a tad more interesting, I converted some to b/w and some to sepia.......COOL new slide show, too, huh?!

I'm truly blessed !

What a wonderful day!!! I got to see all but one of my chicks! After church (and Nat sang, that was my FIRST gift!!!) , we went to Michael and Kadie's for lunch! Michael, Brad and Big T cooked us burgers on the grill! YUM! Kadie's mom and dad were there as well as their sweet neighbors, Callie and Todd and precious little Will  (who just turned one!). Kadie had her usual great side dishes and Nat brought us some JOHNNY RAY'S CHOCOLATE PIE for dessert! We enjoyed being with everyone at M/K's house and Pat Pat called me there after lunch. I ALMOST cried b/c this is the first Mother's Day I haven't been with my sweet Pat----ever in his life. It was hard but I will see him Saturday! HURRAH!!! (and we'll be in Destin for a week so I hope I can see him every night while we're there!). Anyway, We took the kids outside and watched them play on the swing set, etc. and gave kudos to the beautifully freshly painted HOUSE! It's GORGEOUS! (see the first few pix!) Also, they got some Mexcian tile on their front porch that is just fabulous! (Check it out! Will is crawling/walking on it!).....I got some great gifts! A precious devotional book (can't wait to read that!) and beautiful necklace from M/K! I LOVE it and it totally matches my new outfit!!! Of course, being at their house is always a gift as well---they certainily have the "gift of hospitality" ! I got a precious ROSE that Kemp made me and a cute lounging outfit for the beach from Nat/Brad and some precious flip flops (with rhinestones, of course! What else from the rhinestone Nat?!). Katie gave me so many gifts I've lost count!!!!!!! PRECIOUS Outfit/some new Croc sandals/a CRICUT cartridge/some of those incredibly soft house shoes/a scrapbook carry all/some earrings and probably more that I have forgotten!!! Charles and Rachel got me some great bath items from one of my fav stores "3 sheets to the wind" and a beautiful monogramed towel---!  As you can see, I got some great stuff!!!!!! And all my cards were just precious and so so sweet, too! (Michael's made me laugh and Natalie's made me cry)!....After we left there, Charles and Rachel came by for a visit and we had fun hanging with them, too! Her mom is moving here in a few short weeks so Rachel is thrilled! I'm so happy for her!!!.......What a wonderful wonderful day.It started off great with great music (thanks Nat!) and a great sermon and what could be sweeter than to be around 4 of my 5 fabulous incredible kids and 2 1/2 grandkids! I am the luckiest, no, THE  most BLESSED woman in all the world!

QUEEN Mimi CROWNS Princess LILY!

Yesterday I took Lily to see the Queen! It was so much fun getting to go to the huge HearthStone Bar-B-Q and seeing the gazillion folks there! I drove around for 15 minutes (at least!) before I could find a spot to squeeze my little beetle into! After lunch we went by her room for a visit . Or rather I should say "CROWNING"! HAHAHAHA! Lily found Mimi's CROWNS (Lily LOVE LOVE LOVES Crowns of all kinds!) and so MIMI crowned LILY , LILY PRINCESS and how cute was Lily walking out as a PRINCESS   given a nod by the QUEEN! (and you thought the QUEEN only visited  in Kentucky last week, didn't you?!)

GIGGLES the Clown

Last Saturday night we had a hard time finding a place to eat in Destin, believe it or not! Everything was crowded, or not "kid friendly" or too long a wait! We walked on the docks to eat and Natalie almost lost her cookies in the garbage can on the docks after smelling that fish smell! HAHA! So, no eating on the docks , that's for sure! Finally we all agreed to go to BUSTER'S. We have eaten at Buster's for YEARS . It has grown so much bigger over the past 20 years or so! When we got there , there was a sign on the door that said "GIGGLES THE CLOWN HERE TONIGHT!" Yep, this is where we needed to be!! GIGGLES was the raspy voiced clown lady (probably sucks on several packs of cigs a day, Nat says! HAHA) but was great with the kiddies! Kemp loved her and she loved HIM! Kept coming to OUR table and made him a red hat/a SWORD and a flying airplane----all from balloons! WOW, we got a good meal AND entertainment for Kemp, too!

Part ? (I forgot) of Destin pix

Forgot to put in some more Destin pix! this time last week we were on our way! Here's some of us going to see Pat Pat at the Bass Pro shop! Of course, it was great seeing my baby boy! It looks like Walt Disney World in that place !MY GOODNESS! Big sailfish on the walls! A huge aquarium!  GUY STUFF everywhere!Unreal! A real paradise for guys of all ages! No wonder Pat likes his job! When we left I did NOT cry. I did not cry. I did not cry. I did not cry. I did>>>>>cry!

 

P.S.  I heard there was a shirt in the Bass Shop that said "MY mother-in-law has a big BASS". If  I had found it I would've given it to BRAD! HAHAHAHAHA

Beth is FIFTY!

 

Today was a fun-TASTIC day! Beth Marsh turned FIFTY today and I was lucky enough to get invited to her small but awesome  "kinda sorta suprise"b'day party (she knew she was having a party just didn't know what else we had planned)! We started off at one of her friends beautiful homes in Mtn. Brook and had some cocktails and Beth opened her gifts! I think MY gift was the favorite! HAHAHAHA! OF COURSE I made her a little scrapbook, I coined the name:---"SEASONS OF THE HEART"(how clever is that?! Wish my old English teacher could hear me now!) ---AAAAAAAAAAAnyway,it is a small memory book of our times and SEASONS together as neighbors on Royal Fern Lane and Chadwick Square together from 1990 for about 10 years! OF COURSE, she loved it!  After gifts, we all got in a LIMO and took Beth on her surprise trip! She didn't know where we were going--! We came back to MY stomping grounds---ROSS BRIDGE! Ross Bridge is not 10 minutes from my house but I drove 45 minutes to drive across town and drive BACK here in a LIMO! HAHAHAHA! It was soooooooo much fun!!! We were like a bunch of gaggling geese---or high school chicks going to the prom! Of COURSE, I was the OLDEST one! RATS! (the only place I feel YOUNG is at Hearth Stone,  the assisted Living place where Mimi lives!)!!!  HEY! That's an idea for Beth and Konie! Girls, you owe ME a party! You can have it at HearthStone and heck, I'll  be the youngest one there!!!!!!!!!!!!Can't you see all those old folks with party hats and champagne?! What a blast! HAHAHAHA!...........Beth, happy birthday, kiddo! You're my best friend. Just don't tell Konie. Or Bobbie. Or Fran. Or Cathy. or etc etc etc...........!

P.S. the photographer was just amazing today. I really must get her name and number, she made some AWESOME pix!

Walking around Bay Town Wharf

We got off the water taxi at Bay Town Wharf (part of SandDestin). It wasn't too crowded but I bet by the time we get there in a couple of weeks it will be! We had so much fun! We ate at ACME OYSTER HOUSE (not as good as in New Orleans, BTW!)  and then walked around and let Kemp play for a long time on the huge playground that's there! He LOVED that!!!! He also DANCED with his mammy to the tune of a local band outside. He must have stepped in a hole b/c all the sudden he started screaming when he was running around the huge common area! That or he thought his momma was gone! We had a blast........more pix still to come!

P.S. see the LIVING STATUE? The woman in WHITE? Kemp was scared to death of her b/c he thought she was a real statue until she moved! He said, "I don't like the lady in WIPE" (he says "wipe" for white! HAHAHAHA). All night he kept talking about the WIPE LADY! HAHAHAHAHA

Riding the water taxi!

Here we are riding the water taxi in Bay Town Wharf. Kemp LOVED it and told his daddy on the phone, "I rode in a BOAT, Daddy!" Natalie made the comment, "everything is more fun looking through the eyes of Kemp!" how true! (check out Kemp's LOBSTER shorts!)

Part 2:Arriving in Destin!

We stayed in a beautiful suite at BaySide in SanDestin. Our view was incredible! Check it out! Also check out how pretty Natalie looks! Wow, is she not the prettiest pregnant girl you've ever seen?! ........Of course we were all paranoid about Kemp getting close to the balcony! We freaked out everytime he would get near it! HAHA!......MORE PIX TO COME! (there are LOTS of them!)

Week-end Beach trip: PART 1!

 Beach Trip: PART 1!

Terry had to check a job in Blue Mountain Beach and wanted to know if I wanted to go along for the ride this past week-end. Well, Natalie Fry Horne heard about it and sure enough she "HORNE-D in! HAHA! So, odd group! Me, Terry, Nat and Kemp went to Destin for the week-end! I'm sure glad she called and wanted to go!  Well, ACTUALLY, she put KEMP up to calling Big T and saying, "Big T, I want to go to the beach!" HAHAHAH! I'm so glad! We had a blast! Kemp was the most PERFECT angel in the whole world! Never fussed or cried one moment on the way there/while we were there or back!! He was just perfect! The only time he cried was when his mama accidentally stepped on his foot and once when we were in Bay Town when we think he stepped in a hole and hurt his foot! He was just a joy to be around for the week-end! .......ALSO, I got to see MY baby boy!!! OH WHAT JOY to see my BABY BOY! We went to see him at his new place of employment: BASS PRO SHOP , that HUGE new store in Destin! He looked so good!!!!! I did good, too, I didn't even cry when I told him good-bye. O.k< well, a little bit! Anyway, we also got to have breakfast with him and Stefanie this morning before we left, too! It was great seeing my boy.........I have so many pictures I'm going to divide them up this week. I'll do a few each day!  I've started off with what Terry and I saw as we drove up to Dolly Ridge Lane (Nat's house!): Her BAGS  WAITING FOR US! Yes, she was READY to go! We laughed our heads off! AND,As you can see, we packed a LOT into 3 days! So, for the first group of pix, here's our trip down there!

MY MODEL :)

Here's Katie our fashion plate! Here's a few pix at home and at LARA, the shop where she works! Katie is our little FASHION DIVA! She models for Lara so look for her in the local magazines! The only question I have is: (WHY DON'T THEY ASK ME TO MODEL, TOO????)

MIMI is back on TRACK!

My goodness, what a miracle! MIMI is back, age NINETY TWO and 1/2 and after a terrible hip fracture where part of her hip bone actually was KNOCKED OFF, this incredible woman is back walking and, get this, going to get her hair done again!!!!!!! WHOOPEEE!!!!!!! Natalie and Kemp went with me to take her, for the first time since her fall, to get her hair done! she did GREAT! We had so much fun! that woman is AMAZING!.......Nat, Kemp and I started off at Crackin' Butt (That's what Brad Calls Cracker Barrel!) and then off to take Mimi. After we dropped her off, we went shopping in Truss-VEGAS! HA!Anyway, we got Nat some cute "LOOSER" tops, not maternity, but just some cute "baby doll style" tops and an ADORABLE bathing suit! She looks HOT!  HOT MAMA!  Mimi kept telling her how PRETTY she looked as did Glenda (her hair dresser), of course they did! HAHA! SHE IS. Kemp was soooo good, only once did I threaten him with his life! When he hopped out of the stroller when his mammy was trying on clothes and he ran away from me! HAHA! BUT, of course, it was only a threat. I had to laugh at him. EVERYONE stops me and says  how cute he is! Mimi thinks he's the cutest thing on 2 feet! She kept talking about how good he was! It's b/c his mama makes him mind!He IS adorable! If she has another little boy, he has some big shoes to fill!...........

Big T playing trains!

I think Big T was so excited that Kemp was a boy was because, (and here's a secret!), Big T loves TRAINS and he knew if he got a grandson he could have an excuse to play with trains one day!!! It's funny b/c Kemp LOVES TRAINS, TOO!!!!! You see,  Grandpa Fry was a switchman on a train and Terry got to ride on REAL trains so often when he was little! He said his Grandpa used to let him "DRIVE" the train! He LOVES trains!!! He had the most fun of all when we went to see THOMAS! Here he is sharing his love of trains with Kemp! Kemp took him by the hand and said, "C'mon, Big T! Let's go play TRAINS!" (Even a golf match on T.V. couldn't keep Big T off the floor playing trains!)