Shoppes at Greenridge

Tonight our family took advantage of one of the best things in Greenville - the Summer Music Concert Series at the Shoppes at Greenridge. The atmosphere was perfect - a water fountain, 80 degree weather (with virtually no humidity) and kids running and dancing everywhere. Our friend, Russ Kelly, played tonight. He is a very talented guitarist and has been asked back year after year. We were able to visit with several friends while our kids played.

Here's a picture of Sydney that Stephen took on his phone at Salsarita's just before:

Gang Gang is with her Savior

Last night, a few minutes after 9, Gang Gang went to be with the Lord. It was a very sad night for so many of us. Stephen, his dad and his grandfather, Dad Daddy, seem to be doing well today, considering. Please keep Dad Daddy in your prayers. This transition will be especially difficult for him. For years he has been visiting his bride in the nursing home every night, eating dinner with her and putting her to bed before heading home.

The funeral arrangements were made this afternoon. The Visitation will be held at Mackey Mortuary from 6 pm until 8 pm Monday evening. Tuesday, the funeral will be at 2 pm at Pendleton Street Baptist Church. Stephen's brother, Billy, will be doing part of the service. The graveside service will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park, following the funeral. Stephen, Billy and the other 4 grandsons will be the pallbearers. Stephen's cousin, Heathie, said they will "carry her to her grave because she always carried them." Gang Gang spent so many hours on her knees praying for those boys, and for the rest of her kids, grandkids and their spouses. My in-laws were reading her prayer journals today and said you can find many entries for each of us. I am particularly grateful for her prayers for my husband and my in-laws over the years.

On Tuesday, I hope to celebrate Gang Gang's life and her reunion with Jesus, though I expect there will be lots of tears as we mourn the loss of a great woman. I am so proud to have known Martha Fowler and to have the privilege to be married to one of her grandsons. I hope her legacy of loving Jesus will remain in each of us, all the days of our lives.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us family and friends who draw us closer to Your Cross. May You be glorified in Gang Gang's passing, just as you have been in her life. May we all draw nearer to You. I love You. Amen.

Obituary in the Greenville News: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OBITUARIES&pagename=obittext&id=115413

Our Sweet Gang Gang

Stephen's grandmother, Gang Gang, is not doing well. Her health is failing and she has been taken to a hospice house today. We have been told they expect her to live another two to four weeks.

I wish I could be half the woman she has been. Her children and grandchildren praise her and remember vividly how much she loves them and how much she loves Jesus. Stephen's Aunt Kathy wrote this several days ago, hoping to post it in her mom's room at the nursing home: http://orphangirl7.blogspot.com/2009/07/thank-you-to-my-mother.html

(If you didn't click on the link, go back and do it. Trust me, it's worth it!)

When I met Gang Gang for the first time I remember sitting with her on a porch swing at the lake talking about how good God is and about all the wonderful things He's done and allowed us to be a part of. She was always talking about Jesus and singing hymns to Him. She just loves Jesus so.

I was looking at her frail body last night and just thinking about how cruel this life can be. I then started to remember that indeed Gang Gang's many godly deeds here on earth will have been forgotten, but by then she will be with her Savior, who won't ever forget the love she has shown for him. Martha Fowler is about to be in the presence of the Most Holy God, the One Who Is, the One Who Was and the One Who Is To Come...for all of Eternity. We can confidently tell our children that she is in the very place she was created to be. She has been redeemed. We have all been redeemed and one day our bodies will fail us, but God will not. I wish I could see Gang Gang's face when she looks into His eyes for the first time. For now I'll have to just imagine the reuinion.

Father, thank you so much for redeeming us and finishing the greatest love story of all time with an ending we cannot even fathom. Thank you for making everything beautiful in its time. You are my dearest love. Thank you for being The Everlasting. Amen

Gang Gang holding Abby (Christmas 2002)


Gang Gang holding SuSu, our niece (Christmas 2002)

Courage

Today Sydney asked my friend, Alise, if she could do this (Abby didn't want to):

So then Abby did this:



I just love my courageous second-born and my cautious first-born. I'm so proud of them both. This was a huge step forward for the Fowler family!

Rock Stars

Our dance recital experience was a little different this year because it was Sydney's first year and we got to see Abby in a ballet and tap performance. Plus, it's becoming a little more routine for me so I was not as stressed this year. I guess the third year's a charm.

The dance recital theme was Rock Star. Sydney danced to Rock Around the Clock with her poodle skirt on then and Abby danced to Daydream Believer and Old Time Rock N Roll. Kate Burns was in Abby's class and we were able to sit with Molly and Ryan, and Emily McGowan (there to watch Kate) so that was fun.

Both girls did a great job. Sydney "killed it", to borrow words from Matt Kelley, and seemed to enjoy every moment. Abby was so concerned with doing every single step that she almost lost it...twice...but my sweet little rule-follower did every step and we were so proud of her. So proud of them both.

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was after the recital we visited with the Kelleys (Tess was in the recital, too), Emily McGowan, the Burns and Lee Anne and Morgan Cavin. Plus Mama and Gran were there again this year so we were able to keep our tradition of getting Spill the Beans ice cream afterwards.

Here are some pictures from the big night:

Kindergarten Graduation

Since Abby was not going to be able to have a Kindergarten Graduation celebration at a school we decided we needed to celebrate "finishing well". We threw a small Kindergarten Graduation Celebration at our house. We invited two of Abby's friends, Ella and Kate, and their families. We had the graduates walk in the room in a line to Pomp and Circumstance with little mortar board hats on, we presented them with certificates and then we told each of them how proud we are of them for finishing well. We topped off the evening with appetizers for dinner and a cookie cake. The girls really seemed to enjoy themselves.

Trip to Daytona

Memorial Day weekend we took the kids down to Daytona Beach to visit my dad.

The drive down and back wasn't terrible, but we did do it both ways without a radio. We borrowed a DVD player from a friend and the power adapter blew out our accessory outlets and our radio. I am not a good car trip person so I had to drive most of the way to keep from being bored. Stephen was happy to not drive for once! The 7-1/2 hour drive took us 10 hrs. both ways but that is to be expected with small kids and small bladders! My only complaint regarding the trip is the lack of Chick-Fil-A's off I-95. I kept hoping for Chick-Fil-A playground stops but we settled for McDonald's.

Once in Daytona, we had dinner at my dad's condo and my half-brother, Scott, Scott's fiancee, Laura, my half-sister, Caroline, and Caroline's daughter, Halle, were able to meet us there. It was nice to visit with all of them.

My dad let us stay in a timeshare he had for free. The kids really enjoyed the pool and walks on the beach. We had lots of free time to play.

Here are some pictures from our trip.

Brody and I people watching:


Our shoes:



My boys in the kid pool:


Sydney enjoying the pool:


Stephen and Brody again:


After dinner enjoying the view:


The whole Hill family (minus Brian):


One of my favorite pics of Grandpa Hill and Brody:


My half-sister, Caroline, her baby in utero and my niece, Halle:


My half-brother, Scott, and his fiancee, Laura:


Abby eating at Grandpa Hill's (photography by Sydney):


Brody smiling for Sydney:


Grandpa Hill and Sydney:


My dad, the kids and I after dinner our last night: