Day 2

The kids and I with my cousin Darlene (along with her mom, my Aunt Frances, her two girls, Hope & Hannah, & her one of her sons, Caleb), my cousin Becky (with her grandson Malachi and her mom, my Aunt Betty)

In Tennessee...today has been filled with seeing LOADS of cicadas (reminds us of NC :), lush greenery, lovely homes, the gorgeous Gaylord Opryland Hotel, and best of all, seeing family!!  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love family.  Seeing my dad's side is always a treat because it does not happen very often.  We got to see  my cousin Darlene, her husband, and 4 of her six kids!  She looks just as fabulous as ever, I must say!  We ate lunch at a great burger place in Franklin, along with my Aunt Frances, my Aunt Betty & cousin Becky (in town from VA :), & their grandson Malachi.  I love these Godly, family-loving women!  Darlene told me about some of the mission work she goes back to Africa to do once a year, ministering to women who have come out of being sold into slavery.  I loved watching Aunt Frances talk to Benjamin about his hex bug and walking around with Elizabeth outside.  The only person missing from this visit was my mom!  God did not give her sisters, but certainly blessed her with wonderful sisters-in-love that she (and the rest of us) love so much.  I wish we all lived closer, but I know that will make family reunions in heaven that much sweeter :).

Just as a side, we passed by the Opry Mills mall (comparable to our Concord Mills mall).  It was closed still from flood damage from their flooding in Nashville last year.  Trey made the comment about how that had to be a lot of people without jobs. 

Thanks for checking in with us.  We had a good night's sleep last night, for those of you who prayed for us :).  The cousins and aunts all thought we looked cheery...of course we are only on day 2 :)!!

Elizabeth with her Great Aunt Frances and her Great Aunt Betty, both wonderful, loving, Godly women who were married to Godly Edmonds men, now in heaven with my dad :).