my blessed life

This past weekend we were in Fort Smith, Arkansas --the city where I was born and where our children were born.  Even though we no longer live there we have lots and lots of extended family and friends in the area and were in town for a couple of family reunions.   While there we just had to check out the latest project that Fort Smith is doing as part of the revitalization of the downtown riverfront area: The Unexpected Project .  This project is a celebration of street art and they have placed it beautifully all over the downtown area.   My sister , my daughter, and I had fun on our scavenger hunt of sorts looking for all of these amazing murals!  They are just so beautiful and creative!   The Fort is such an interesting area anyway.  It was the border to Indian Territory before Oklahoma became a state in 1907--so not that long ago really.  And it was one wild west town back then!  If you've seen any version o...

This week has been full and fun!!  We began Mr. B's 10th birthday celebration on Sunday (a day early) with our special meal out with my parents and sister (my parents are so awesome to take us all out on each birthday!).  Mr. B picked Chili's this year.     On his actual birthday, Monday, he opened his gifts here at home.  Then we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch (his total fave!) where we also enjoyed a birthday cookie cake.  Yes, celebrations around here involve LOTS of good food! :) Then Monday evening we drove to Union City, TN to spend the night and visit the Discovery Park of America on Tuesday.  The whole family went and we had SO much fun!!   If you have never heard of the Discovery Park of America it could be because it's practically brand new!  It's been open only about a year and a half.  It's located in a small town about 3 hours west of Nashville but it is well worth the drive!  And the ticket prices...

This week felt almost like our school year had started back again.  We took a fun field trip with several other families from our homeschool group to Cheekwood Gardens in Nashville.  Each year Cheekwood hosts a special homeschool day, usually developed around their summer theme.  This year the main theme was Big Bugs , along with emphasis on Andy Warhol's Flowers and a couple more smaller-but-just-as-beautiful exhibits.  We really enjoyed it ( even if there was a heat advisory and I thought at one point we might truly melt...ha!) !   Here are some highlights from our day:    David Rogers' Big Bugs  Patrick Dougherty: Little Bitty Pretty One twig sculpture On the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail More of the Carell Woodland Sculpture Trail If you live near Nashville or are passing through, this is a great spot for enjoying nature, strolling through gardens, taking a leisurely "hike" on the sculpture trail, bro...

(so glad to be at our destination, having dinner at Branson Landing) After a couple of very busy, hectic months we were more than ready for a family getaway last week!  It wasn't a very long trip--and it wasn't exactly restful--but it was a much-needed change of pace for us and we had a great time.   We went to Branson, Missouri for a couple of days of fun and then even dropped in on our hometown for one night for a quick visit with family and friends.   Here area  few (or maybe more than a few ..ahem..) snapshots of our trip. (Branson Landing, watching a beautiful patriotic water and lights show  while eating  dinner at Cantina Laredo) (headed into the Titanic Museum--so interesting!  We had a great time here!) (If you're ever in the Branson, MO or Pigeon Forge, TN areas,  we definitely recommend this museum!) (Of course, we couldn't pass up Dixie Stampede!  Vince and I had been there a couple of...