Backtracking...Daniel joins the ranks of adulthood~June 2

(I inadvertently failed to document Daniel's 21st birthday...so here it is...better late than never)


Daniel had a monumental birthday on May 30th. He turned 21 years old. We were at the beach that weekend, so he came to celebrate with us.

After a dinner of ribs...

He directed our serenade...

and blew out the candles!

He's now considered an adult! Which, as it usually happens, he is finding out that being an adult is over rated. For instance, He now has the daunting grown up task of figuring out what to do with his life after the quickly approaching college graduation.

I think most of our family would say that, of the kids, Daniel is the glue. He's the bridge between the bigs and the littles. He is so very loved by everyone. We all love it when he spends time with us. He loves to laugh and can make any of us smile with his antics. All three of his nieces have little "crushes" on Uncle Dan.

Of course, part of who Daniel is has been reflected through his sport of swimming. He has spent many, many hours in the pool, devoted to this sport. He has excelled while holding down a part time job and doing well in school. He has a never give up, can do attitude. He thinks he can win every time he gets in the pool.

As his mom I so appreciate his honesty and transparency. Most of the time, what you see with Daniel is what you get! He's a very genuine person. This past year has presented many challenges, through these challenges, he's found that his strength relies on his faith in God.

Daniel, I've no doubt at all that God will use you mightily. He has a plan for your post college life and it is a plan for your good! I know that the hand of the Lord is on you. I'm so very proud of you and grateful to be your mom. I love you beyond words and thank the Lord for you. I can't wait to see how God will work and direct your paths.

Beach Memories 2015

Another year enjoyed at the Doz A Way!

One of John's and my greatest joys is introducing our grand daughters to the ocean.

Waverly's first time at the beach, obviously she found the sound of the ocean relaxing.

 Cousins on the way to the beach

Baby toes in the sand....

We got to have Evie all to ourselves for a day or two...

Bathing beauty...

Holden Beach has a "Festival By the Sea" every October. The bridge is blocked off and people can walk across.

Views from the bridge

Our house, as seen from the bridge,  is the gray roof in the foreground

Interesting perspective

There was a parade down the causeway

        Elvis was the Grand Marshal

There were clowns, floats, ROTC marchers,  and motorcycles

 Baby was strapped to the back of a golf cart

After the parade, there were tons of vendors and bounce-play things available.

My Mom and Dad were down for this weekend. My dad gave Abbey a chess lesson:

We enjoyed several of the weekly concerts at the Pavilion.
At one concert we ran into some hometown friends and Elijah danced with his friend.

The kids didn't get to escape the chore of school, but the recess time after work was finished was awesome!

Abbey made friends with some seagulls

I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to experience this place!

The beginning of the end....(September 25 and Oct.23)

of Daniel's collegiate swimming career.

This swimming season started, like the ones before, with a meet against Tennessee. The second meet was against rival ECU.

This year, my boy is one of the captains. He marched in and led them in a cheer.

At the ECU meet they were so fired up, their cheering drowned out the beginning of the National Anthem.

Oops!

They didn't win either meet, but Daniel had some great swims.

We had our own little cheering section for the ECU meet. Nana and Grandaddy were also there. Of course, we had to prompt Abbey as to when it was time to take a break from the IPad, so she could support her brother.

The cheering was a bit too loud for Mr. E.

The day after the Tennessee meet, there was a parents' picnic. They presented gifts to the swimmers.This is a picture of the whole team.

Daniel is hoping to continue training the rest of the school year, after the season ends,  in hopes of attaining an Olympic Trial cut in breast stroke.

He has always adored the sport of swimming and has devoted many, many hours to the sport. To see that come to an end is unsettling to him. (as it is to me, also). I know that God is going to use this talent and love somehow in Daniel's future. It will be a fun to watch how God unfolds His plan in Daniel's life. As the saying goes, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end".