Living Loud! Praising Loud!

Praise Him with the loud cymbals. (Psalm 150:5)

All praise I give Jesus today needs to be loud. It was a glorious day, and at many times it was a loud day.

Most of you guessed on my previous post that "someone" was coming home. And, come home he did!

Caleb's first full underwater adventure with his submarine job is complete, and he is back at home at the base for a few months. He and Casie came in yesterday afternoon. It was loud yesterday.

But, it was even louder today!

Brandon came home. Whitney's Kennith is here. We had a wonderful family meal with all of my ducklings home today. Grandma and Grandpa were here. So was Aunt Bobbie and Moose and Broadie and Nana.  And a visit later from Uncle Sands when he came home from work. 

The boys have been so excited to have everyone here. It is the first time we've had such a crowd in our home since they've been home. (It's quite loud with just the four littles.) And, it's only the second time all of the children have been here. Easter was the last time.

The boys had their first experience watching the Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs!

Zeke had heard of Georgia Bulldogs before this day. The letter of the week for kindergarten was "G." On Friday, everyone wore their Georgia Bulldog attire, and they had a tailgate party. He still has some understanding to go, though. When the game came on, Stan told Zeke, "That's where Brandon goes to school." Zeke looked at the stadium and asked, "Where his bed?"

I am afraid I am more like Martha than Mary. I must be about serving my family and don't often take the time to slow down. But, my love language is good cooking. Today, I made is simpler than usual. I put the butts on to smoke last night. Kennith and Stan looked after them during the night. Kennith made potato salad. I made macaroni and cheese. Brandon chopped the butts.....and everyone else brought the other dishes. It was a wonderful meal! And, I was not nearly as tired as usual. (Did I mention before how much we love Kennith?)

Zeke took his turn with the camera.....I won't show you all of the photos he took, but he took a few good ones.

 I do not like the smell of the slime Caleb and Casie brought the younger siblings!

And, by the time the ballgame was over, some of us looked like this:

And, last, if you're wondering how Ellie is doing.

Surgery did not slow her down.

Not. One. Bit.

She has taken to life in her brace with the same tenacious spirit as she lives the rest of her life. She is laughing, loving, and moving. God bless our girl!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all of my blessings.