Friday, October 24, 2008

We're HOME!

Here are some photo highlights from our trip this week. (Explanation below)





Hello, FRIENDS!

Man, do I EVER have a LOT to tell YOU! Grab a comfy seat if you have a few and let's catch up! ;-)

Now, before I fill you in on our week I want to take a minute to remind everyone that our first bloggy giveaway (In MEMORY and in HONOR of Brent) will be held on Brent's birthday. October 28. If you've not already registered, please take a moment and sign the guestbook. That's ALL you have do to enter! Click HERE to read the details.

Next, I want to tell you about how one of my new girlfriends has blessed me/us! She's holding her own giveaway in memory/honor of Brent. Please take a minute to go over to Amie's and read her tribute to Brent, and of course, register there too.



Okay... so here's the low-down on where we've been, what we've been doing, and why I didn't say anything about our trip BEFORE we left.

Well, I tell you what.. since I'm SO FORGETFUL, I'll just start with the end and go back. (I'm just that crazy - I'd SMOOTH forget to tell you WHY I didn't announce we were leaving)



See, one time a few years back, I shared from Brent's site that we were going on a mission trip BEFORE we left. I truly don't know if the person I'm about to tell you about knew this.. but it was TOO close for comfort all the same.



So, we'd JUST arrived back home from a week long trip to KY. We left our home again just long enough to meet the church bus and get the rest of our luggage. When we came home there was a car parked just outside the garage and there was no one inside. (Our garage door was CLOSED!) There was nobody on the front porch - no one in sight ANYWHERE.



I noticed the back door of our house was OPEN and not a person in sight.



Just as I started to back the truck to leave, this tiny little woman comes running out of my back yard and attempts to stop me. (I'm thinking that she herself isn't a threat to me, but I had no idea if there was anyone else inside)



She proceeded to tell me that she knew Brent had been sick and that she was "praying for us." (I'm wondering the whole time what in the world this has to do with her having been in my house)



She claimed that she was lost.


Seriously, now.


How many of YOU would go in someone's back yard and then let yourself into their home?? (Keep in mind - I've NEVER met this woman in my life) I agreed to follow her back to town (thinking the whole time that I just wanted her out of my yard and to get the police there ASAP)



Fast forward a bit... I have a cousin who's a policeman. I later learned that this lady that was in my home had been in jail for drugs, had JUST gotten out, and was likely in our house looking for something to make drugs with. (I mean, we had a BOAT LOAD of medicine at the time)



Thankfully, nothing was missing. It shook me up enough that I NEVER leave our home without setting the alarm. I also make sure that our dogs are ALWAYS loose. All of that to say, that I will NEVER, EVER give out that much info (beforehand) EVER again.



Okay, now that I've got my "cops and robbers" story out of the way... let me tell you where we've been.



Hey, you aren't sleeping on me, now are you??? Hehehehe



SOOOOOO... here's our vacation story.

My sister (Kerry) and her family invited us, along with our Mom, to go on vacation with them. (My Daddy had to work)

We went to the GREAT Smoky Mountains! It was a BLAST! I can't tell you how much it meant that they asked us to go.. and that we were kept busy as the days are leading up to Brent's birthday. It's been a true blessing.

The boys had just as much fun playing pool with Ash & Clay in the cabin as they did doing the "fun stuff" in town. (My personal favorite was the motor trail ride AND of course the day "the girls" and I went shopping) Hehehehe (The men took the boys to the Bass Pro Shop, and then did lots of other "guy" things while we hit the Tanger outlet! WOOOOOHOOO! =-)



Okay, so I've "yacked" enough! I guess I'm going to sign off for now. I'll start catching up on what's been going on with you guys tomorrow. I've MISSED ya! =-)



11 comments:

He & Me + 3 said...

The pictures were gorgeous, and it looks and sounds like everyone had a blast. Hey...shopping for us girls is always a good time and a vacation in itself. Glad you are back safe and sound. That cops and robber story was crazy.

Davisix said...

WOW! Your cops and robbers story....that's creepy! We leave our doors unlocked sometimes while we run to town. Not anymore! LOL I just love your blog and love reading about all your sweet boys! Ang

Anonymous said...

Okay Miss Tonya-
Did you think I wasn't going to be mad that you were 30 minutes from my house and didn't call?! Oh my, girl!
Just kidding! I would have love to see the crew! Next time? Okay!
Glad you got to go have a little fun!=)
Love ya'll!
Jill

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

How scary that must have been to come home too!!

Your pics are great - looks/sounds like it was a great vacation.

Jennifer said...

I'm glad your back and that ya'll had a wonderful trip! The pictures are beautiful!
Very scary story about that woman and I don't blame you for not telling us before you left.

Beth E. said...

I'm glad you had a fun trip...I don't blame you for not announcing your travel plans ahead of time, after the experience you had...sheesh! HOWEVER, just for FUTURE REFERENCE, if you ever head over to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area again, we'll have to hook up! I live about 3 hours from there, but I would drive there in a heartbeat for a chance to meet you in person! :o)

Daphine said...

Welcome back lady! I was wondering about you last week. Glad you're back! The story at the beginning was kind of creeping me out a bit. Honey, there's no way I would have followed her into town. I'm too much of a chicken. In fact, I would have let her have the house....lol Sorry!

Anywho, I sooo enjoyed looking at your pictures. It looks like you guys had a fabulous time. Thanks for sharing with us.

I hope that you're enjoying your weekend!

Ashley said...

WOW! what a story!! i would have FREAKED OUT! glad that you had a great time. i love going on vacation! and the pictures of Zac on his birthday are great! He is so handsome :) they all are!

crispy said...

The story pretty much freaks me out. Good reminder to be careful. Glad you are all safe. And that your trip was fun.

Melanie said...

Wow! What a great trip... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Smoky Mountains. I don't think I could ever get tired of going to see them.

How scarry about the lady at your house when you got home from the previous trip. Crazy, crazy!

Praying you have a blessed week getting back "in the swing of things" now that you are home. I know, too, that Brent's b-day is this week, too, so will be sending up special prayers for that day!

A Stone Gatherer said...

We hope to get to the smoky's soon! What an awful thing to have happen (that lady)! Thanks for the reminder to not give to much info! Scary!