Another blog on friends-REALLY!

Things are getting warmer.............................

Pontooning with the Lawry's

Can you stand another post about friends??? We are just too blessed! As I last talked about friends, I had just visited a bunch of my old girlfriends in TN. We had a wonderful time. But, our house is on wheels, so off we went.

After leaving TN we headed to Louisiana, Mississippi ,Alabama and then into Georgia. We didn't stay too long in the first two states, just wanted to get them on our "map of where we have been!" We did have a great dinner with an old friend of my husbands in Mississippi. Jim, dad and I went to a great little restaurant and the food was amazing! We even had alligator! YUM!

After the boys tortured themselves on the Appalachian Trail we headed back to TN to visit my friend Kaye and her boys. We met Kaye in Germany and it has been a long time since we saw each other, although we keep up thru emails. One of her son's Sean, is a good friend of Z-man's, so it was fun all around. Kaye and I even had a night out for coffee and a chance to catch up. When the kids called at 10:00 and asked if we were ever coming home we were both shocked at the late hour.

We could have talked all night.
It was awesome to see her.



Chad, Sean, Z-man, Kik, Toley, Pooh

The kids reacting to a crash landing!

Next it was down into Florida, Pensacola to be exact. We stayed for a day on the Navy base and to toured the VERY cool air and space museum. We all had such a cool time looking and getting into all the planes. Very neat! After our short stay on base we headed to visit another old TN friend. Those TN folks are sure nice!!! Sandie and Gordon and their daughters were great friends to us in Millington and after a 7 year absence from each other we just fell right back into comfort as they welcomed us into their home. They live right on the water in Pensacola, so there was much to do and see. Their neighborhood was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan a while back and there are still many lots empty where homes used to be. It was strange for us to see and to hear them talk about the devastation that they came back to after being evacuated.

I finally met someone who is always cold too! It was
so nice to have someone to commiserate with! I know,
not too many people would wear turtlenecks in FL!

The Lawry's were SUPER and we had a hard time leaving. Sandie and I had a lot of catching up to do. Between our faith, cooking, homeschooling, raising teens and baking bread the time flew by. Kik was most intrigued as two of their bikes had flat tires. He was in his glory! Good thing Gordon has the patience that dad has, so he and Kik worked on bike tires for a good portion of the morning. Not to mention the fishing expeditions on the boat. Still haven't caught a thing, but that doesn't matter. Kik had so much fun. Our time together was sweet and we are all the more blessed for being there.

After leaving Pensacola we headed east toward Tampa with a short stop over in Panama City. Our friends from Marquette were there for a Campus Crusade week with their college groupies. Dave and Sue were a sight for sore eyes and we had a special time, even though it was short. Lots of sand, sun and catching up. Panama City is one wild town!
Good thing there are groups like Campus Crusade.

Next it was to Tampa where another friend from Germany was living. Actually they are living in St. Pete's beach in a beautiful condo right on the water. As far as you can see in all directions is water and palm trees. Dr. Reppert was dad's boss in Germany and a great one at that. The Reppert's were wonderful hosts. They took our children in with such care, but that must come from the fact that they have 11 grandchildren!!! The kids swam in the pool, Pat and I chatted (imagine - me - chatting!! HA) and then we all went out to lunch. Again, another short visit, but worth the time as they are heading back to Germany to the same job as before. Dr. Reppert can't seem to retire. I may have married the same type of man!

We will be in Florida for a long time, traveling all over the state. I am sure we will have much more to write about as we have Disney and the Key's on our list of things to do.

Stay tuned......................................XO mom