Furr Family Four

Our day on the River

2011-11-26T21:20:00.000-05:00

We had so much fun on the river boat ride. . .

My silly boy. . .

2011-11-26T21:19:00.000-05:00

Down the River

2011-11-26T21:18:00.000-05:00

Colors of fall

2011-11-26T21:17:00.000-05:00

Beautiful Tennessee River Valley

2011-11-26T21:16:00.000-05:00

River trip in the beautiful fall.

Carving time

2011-11-26T21:09:00.002-05:00

We made quick work of our pumpkins. Carving kits in hand, we had all sorts of creepy pumpkins for Halloween. Unfortunately, NONE of them made it that long. At least we had fun, and pictures!

pumpkin pickin

2011-11-26T21:03:00.000-05:00

We had a great time at the pumpkin patch. Ani was able to meet a friend there. The three kids just had a blast. Who knew a big bin full of corn would be so much fun!

Nice looking bunch

2011-09-05T09:39:00.000-05:00

We are a pretty good looking family. . . wish we had a better reason to dress up.

Sorrow affects us in so many ways

2011-09-05T09:28:00.000-05:00

When we loose someone in our life our world is forever changed. What we do with it is our choice. So many years ago, we lost our way. Slowly, we are mending our broken path, letting our hearts heal. It has not been easy for anyone to let go, to forget, to forgive. But when we look into the eyes of our children, starting over is the only right path to take. I love you all. I know what you did, you did for me. My heart is full.

A beautiful role model

2011-07-18T20:56:00.000-05:00

Ani and Sierra Hull! Note, the signed mandolin!!

Wow, I never thought. . ..

2011-07-18T20:54:00.000-05:00

Here are my two beautiful children, at a Bluegrass music festival "jammin" LOL. They were a little disappointed to not play with the grownups. I told them once they know a little more they can. Now they want to practice all the time! It was really neat to have Ani meet Sierra Hull. She is an amazing mandolin player and singer. The really neat part was for Ani to realize she also started playing at 8 years old. Sierra signed her mandolin and CD. What a great artist to have as a role model!

Playing with my kids.

2011-07-06T19:50:00.000-05:00

What a great day! It was so much fun playing together!

Happy Birthday Ruston!!!!

2011-06-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

We celebrated Ruston's birthday today. He picked Chuck E Cheese's Wow! Craziness!!! But, the kids all had a blast. I can't believe my baby is 5!!!

What a crew!!

2011-06-14T09:01:00.000-05:00

A lot of us were able to get together, we missed those that didn't make it. I must say I love that I managed to take this picture at the end of a VERY hot day, after rain, swimming, and a whole day of running around. How awesome was that!!

Ruston and Mrs. Brenda

2011-05-26T18:26:00.000-05:00

Ruston and Mrs. Brenda. Well you didn't think Ani would let him take the picture alone did you?!?! He loves Mrs. Brenda and she is great with him.

Hey, notice the dog Ani has. Well, that was mine when I was a little girl. Poor thing has been patched up several times, but a good little pup!

The graduate

2011-05-26T18:23:00.000-05:00

He graduated! He was so very happy. Not a bad lookin family. . . and yes there is a star sticker on Ani's forehead.

Adjusting to the easy life

2011-05-26T18:17:00.000-05:00

Oh yea, he can get use to this! Relaxing after a nice swim, a hot dog, a little music. At least he doesn't have a beer!!! LOL

A day on the water

2011-05-11T17:40:00.000-05:00

Geoff and Gail, we enjoyed your company. . .

Warm weather. . .thoughts of summer

2011-05-09T20:14:00.002-05:00

I live for summer. I thought I was perfectly fine without winter until we lived in Key Largo and realized that I missed cold weather around Christmas. Actually, that is the only time I really want it cold. The warmer weather has found us, with a roar. The worst storms and tornadoes recorded. Note, to all: if they say "long track tornadoes" run! WOW! There were countless F1 and F2 tornadoes, over 10 F3, 8 F4 and 2 F5 in one night. One F5 is enough to shake any area. We were under a tornado warning for over 5 hours. Not anything I wish to repeat. When I heard roof damage occurred at the school building next to Ani's during school, my stomach hit my throat and I was done for the day. Knowing my babies were home safe with Dad, late in the night I did go back to the plant. The worst transmission grid damage this area has ever seen. What can I say, I am constantly torn between my love of my family and job. I am blessed with a husband that helps distribute the burden well. Without him I would be lost.

We are looking forward to days on the boat and on our dock. How we have dreamed of that. Watching the kids run and play on our dock, jump in the water and be the fish they were born to be. Share the summer days with good friends, ending up a little sun burned makes all the long days and short nights well worth the fight.

Ani is itching to put the water ski back on (so am I). She will win, that water is still a bit cold. I have proof, Ruston turned blue at least three times on Sunday. His criteria for getting back in the water, "am I still blue?"

June 11 I have been waiting for, a family reunion with happiness to share. Making sure that our family continues to stay together. I can't wait to see those kids. It just amazes me to see them all running and playing together, just as we did. Pulling the same silly stunts, thinking no one is going to notice. Ha, kids - we know! We already did it!!!

To summer, sun, boating, water, family, friends, hard work, love, friendship, and the journey that never ends.
Happy summer!

Happy Easter!!

2011-04-24T20:27:00.000-05:00

Dreams coming true

2011-04-21T19:28:00.000-05:00

I have always wanted a sports car. Always said I wanted a red corvette. Sometimes when things happen in life you don't realize the affect it has on you. Sometimes it is overtime, sometimes faster than you can blink an eye. Our lives have changed at lightening speed in the last five years. It has been good and we have been happy. The lost of two very special people in our lives in the last two years as made me realize life is yesterday, today and tomorrow. Without them all it is just a day. So without waiting for all of the tomorrows to come, I have moved to making dreams come true today. So in 8 weeks, this will be my new car. It is just a car, but it is so much more. It is dream, a lot of work, a reality I never thought I would know.

sweetness

2011-04-21T19:18:00.000-05:00

He may be getting older but he is still my baby. How sweet is this?

Smiles

2011-04-21T19:17:00.000-05:00

Happy to spend the evening and afternoon with Aunt Sharon. Always a joy.

Surprise visit

2011-04-21T19:16:00.000-05:00

Uncle Richard and Aunt Sharon stopped by for a night on their way to Florida. The kids loved seeing them again.

We finally gave in

2011-04-21T19:14:00.000-05:00

We did it, gave in and gave her a PLAY make up set for her birthday. She was thrilled. She was ready to put it on and head to dinner. That's when we broke the news - at home ONLY!!!! It is a good thing too. It took two days before we could get her to understand the blue was for eyes, not cheeks. very, very funny.

My boy. . .

2011-04-21T19:13:00.000-05:00

Just look at the eyes. They say it all. Sweet, tender, mischievous, happy, and loving. Don't forget the stubborn determined streak that runs right through it all. That is my Ruston. At four, his best friend is his sister. He is lost without her. As a mom, I couldn't ask for more. He looks to her to learn, to teach, to share. Together they are growing up.

What can I say

2011-04-21T19:02:00.001-05:00

This is my girl. It is all Ani. She LOVES her make up kit that we gave her for her 8th birthday. Yes, she is 8. Where has the time gone? She has grown so fast. I am so proud to be her mom. She has a HUGE heart, such compassion and caring for being 8. It always surprises me. She is so full of life, so full of happiness. So full of spirit. I hope that no matter what she encounters in this life, no one takes a single ounce of it away.

Prayers to all. . . .

2011-03-14T19:03:00.002-05:00

The events of the earthquake and tsunami and the impact on the lives of so many is unimaginable and been in my thoughts. I have thought about how horrible Katerina was to us, yet is was so small compared to what Japan is dealing with. The added affect of the the struggles to manage the nuclear plants is also on my mind. The men and woman making the decisions do so with heavy hearts knowing the world is watching. Pray for them, for the decisions they make.
Recognize the "experts" that are on the news do not know all, including the condition of the facility.
Most are waiting to see all the data, understand the facts, and learn all we can.

So funny

2011-01-23T17:27:00.000-05:00

Emma wouldn't look. She was terrified of the crab coming after her. The tubes they have in the big tanks the kids can stand in are awesome. It was too funny getting all five kids in one. When that crab starting moving toward them, Emma just freaked - hilarious!!

Simple beauty

2011-01-23T17:24:00.000-05:00

I love this. It was a quick picture and it turned out so beautiful. Of course, it is an orchid. I do love taking pictures, but when they come out like this I want to take so many more. . . . .

So pretty, little butterfly

2011-01-23T17:22:00.000-05:00

Butterflies

2011-01-23T17:20:00.000-05:00

I love this area, the kids usually don't let me stay long. There were not too many people today, so I was able to catch a few. . .

Beautiful turtle

2011-01-23T17:18:00.000-05:00

The boys loved the sea turtle.

It is a beautiful place

2011-01-23T17:16:00.001-05:00

Looking out over the Tennessee River.

Five against one!

2011-01-23T17:16:00.000-05:00

It was just me against the five kids. Fortunately they are really good kids and we all had a great time!

The girls

2011-01-23T17:14:00.000-05:00

Gabbie, Emma, and Ani. They are together almost every weekend. Can you tell they had fun?? Oh, they are the same age!

Best Friends

2011-01-23T17:13:00.000-05:00

Ruston and Keith. These two are inseperable. We have determined it is because they are JUST alike. They have such similar personalities. It is a little weird.

The teacher

2011-01-18T21:30:00.000-05:00

Dad making sure he know just how it is done. Perfect moments. . .

Sharp shooter in the Making

2011-01-18T21:28:00.001-05:00

She likes her new bb gun. How cute is she?? She maybe a little princess, but she can shoot a bow and a bb gun. The girls got game! Her Papaw would be more than proud. I know that Roger is grinning ear to ear seeing this picture!

My turn

2011-01-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

He's likes it! He gets really mad when he doesn't hit the target!

my pirate

2011-01-18T21:23:00.000-05:00

So this is one McDonalds toy that has lasted. We have had this pirate hat since the first Pirates movie came out. Ani loved it, now it is Ruston's. I don't know, maybe I should keep it for the grandkids. . . LOL!

Forever changed

2011-01-12T05:42:00.002-05:00

It was 6:30 in the morning 21 years ago when our lives were forever changed. We were all up getting ready for another normal, regular, routine day of school. None of that was going to happen. I thought it was strange when the phone rang, but not all that strange. The man on the other end asked me if Mom lived there. "No" I answered, she had moved out. "She doesn't live here anymore" Confused, he asked if her husband was there. Of course, the poor gentlemen was asking questions that were more difficult to answer than he thought. Mom and Dad were divorcing, so to a fifteen year old, was Dad still her husband? With a longer pause than he wanted on one of the most difficult phone calls he was ever to make, I answered, with "Yes, but he is busy getting ready for work and in the shower." Growing impatient with my less than desirable, yet honest answers, he pleaded to speak with him and that it was important. I knew Dad wasn't that happiest in the morning, so I thought it would be better for him to call back. It was then, and only then that the man on the other end of the phone made it very clear that he was going to talk to Dad, it was important and about Mom. It sank in, something was wrong. I ran to the other end of the house, and handed the phone to Dad while he was still brushing he hair, just out of the shower. I never heard the words. I didn't know what he said to Dad. I stood there, I saw it on his face, I knew she was gone. I knew it was forever. We cried together and instantly my brother and sister were there. With the words, "Mom is gone" we cried.

Life changed forever. What came before can not be changed. What came after can not either. Life is each day each moment, each decision, regret, joy, happiness, saddness, pleasure, guilt, friendship, struggle, passion, love and everything in between. Enjoy it all.
I love you, Momma!

We got speeeeeeeeddddd!

2011-01-10T20:32:00.000-05:00

Ok. so we went for the four wheeler ride, we found sleds, but when we saw someone else pulling the tube, we thought, yep! That looks like fun.
Here we go!
Holly cow, they had a blast. Virgel rode them up and down the hill they yelled the entire time and had a total blast! Now, you know, these are great in the water, frozen or not!

A beautiful tree

2011-01-10T16:12:00.000-05:00

Don't be surprised if you see this as the Christmas card background next year! I thought it was so pretty in the distance.

Hiding

2011-01-10T16:09:00.000-05:00

The statue in the bushes can barely be seen. It was here when we bought the house and I almost forgot it was there. It surprised me a little when I looked at the bushed all covered with snow and saw just the face peaking out. I thought it was pretty. Virgel laughed at me for taking another picture of snow on plants. . . .

Snowman

2011-01-10T16:07:00.000-05:00

He wanted a little snowman, smaller than him. So he got one! It may be a silly little snowman, but it made my little guy happy!

And we were off

2011-01-10T16:06:00.000-05:00

Down the hill we go. Ani didn't like the walk back up, but the sled down was GREAT!

Needed more weight!

2011-01-10T16:05:00.000-05:00

He couldn't go too far. He needs a little more weight. He was o.k. though, still giggling.

Sleddin

2011-01-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

Yep we were having a blast! Our neighbors let us borrow sleds and down our hill we went!

Snow tree

2011-01-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

I hope that you enjoy your day off as much as we are enjoying ours. The kids are at a perfect age to really enjoy the snow, and so today, that is just what we are doing! I hope you are staying safe and warm wherever you are.

enjoying

2011-01-10T11:59:00.000-05:00

my morning, peaceful snow.

Found beauty

2011-01-10T11:58:00.000-05:00

My hydrangea hasn't looked so good since the end of the summer, but it honestly is beautiful this morning.

Bit the dust

2011-01-10T11:56:00.000-05:00

They both fell off the side walk as soon as they stepped outside. They sort of forgot there was stuff under all that snow!

Simply beautiful

2011-01-10T11:55:00.000-05:00

Appreciating the little things. . .
It isn't exactly smelling the roses, but as close as we are going to get today! LOL

My boy

2011-01-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

He is so sweet. He did ask, MOM!, why do I have to wear Ani's hat??? Cause I said, and it is cold!

My girl

2011-01-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

O.k. so it is a little hard to tell it is her all bundled up, but she is pretty darn cute. Funny, but she has been wearing these snow pants for three winters!

Yippeeeeee

2011-01-10T11:49:00.000-05:00

Ruston is not my dare devil, but he was having a blast! He didn't miss a beat and loved the doughnuts!

Grinin

2011-01-10T11:47:00.000-05:00

Yea, she is lovin every minute of this!

Dad and daughter

2011-01-10T11:45:00.001-05:00

Doing doughnuts in the road. Yep, he got the look - don't hurt my baby! They were having a blast. BIG ear to ear grins on both of them.

Still three frozen people!

2011-01-10T11:42:00.000-05:00

With Dad this time!

A view down towards the river

2011-01-10T11:41:00.000-05:00

It is a beautiful view from the dock.

Not a ski day

2011-01-10T11:38:00.000-05:00

Glad I am not a duck!

Three frozen people!

2011-01-10T11:37:00.000-05:00

We have been outside playing for a long time. Now we are frozen!

Snow DAY!

2011-01-10T11:36:00.000-05:00

It is beautiful today. Of course, we have seen snow before, but this is a beautiful snow. At least 8 inches of snow and with all the trees and water, just an amazing sight. I have taken a bunch of pictures - hopefully you wont be bored with them! Oh, there are pictures of the kids playing too!

Happy Birthday, Momma

2010-12-31T08:59:00.002-05:00

For most today is just New Year's Eve, but today was also my Momma's birthday. Born in 1950 today she would have been 60 years old. A milestone she would have complained about a bit, but taken gracefully. She loved having her Birthday on New Year's Eve. She always had a party to go to. So, have a great time to night and say a Happy Birthday for my Mom.

I miss you bunches, Momma. Happy Birthday!

Ani's turn

2010-12-25T16:06:00.000-05:00

She has got the hang of it already! Now Daddy just has to buy some bb's since Santa forget to bring them with the bb gun!

Learning a new toy

2010-12-25T16:02:00.000-05:00

Ruston learning his new bow!

It is Really snowing!

2010-12-25T16:00:00.001-05:00

Wow, for a forecast of no snow, ummmm. . ..

Smiles all around

2010-12-25T15:58:00.000-05:00

A happy couple of kids. We didn't need presents, we just needed snow!

A white Christmas

2010-12-25T15:55:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you add a Christmas morning, lots of unexpected snow, a four wheeler, a knee board, ski rope, and two little ones - lots of smiles!! Thanks Uncle Bob for the knee board. We still can't get on this thing in the water, but more than once has it been pulled behind this four wheeler!

yahooooooo

2010-12-25T15:52:00.000-05:00

She was having a BLAST!!! It didn't matter that her hands were totally red!

Throwing snowballs

2010-12-25T15:51:00.000-05:00

He thought it was too funny to throw snowballs at Mommy!

Ani and Gabbie!

2010-12-24T22:45:00.000-05:00

Ani can skate. It was Gabbie's birthday party. Ani and Gabbie are really good friends. She is over the house a lot. They were in 1st grade together and are in 2nd grade together. Yep, they are the same age!

Ruston skating?

2010-12-24T22:39:00.000-05:00

Well, Mom pushes him along! He doesn't skate so much! My arms were so sore after a couple of hours of this!

Mrs. Brenda

2010-12-24T22:36:00.000-05:00

Ruson's teacher. He loves her. She is great with the kids.

Best buds!

2010-12-24T22:34:00.000-05:00

This is Ruston's best friend, Keith. They are always playing together. Ruston asks for him all weekend long and can't wait for Monday when he can go to school to play with Keith!

Smiles

2010-12-24T22:30:00.000-05:00

Captured a smile, when he wasn't paying attention!

The shy one. . . .

2010-12-24T22:29:00.000-05:00

Was soooo shy! We did get him to very quietly say that he wanted a zhu zhu pet and a monster truck. Short and to the point. That's my boy.

SANTA!

2010-12-24T22:27:00.000-05:00

I want a princess crown, a flute, a guitar, a doll, a zhu zhu pet, and, and, and. . . gheez! Oh yeah, WHERE did the flute thing come from!?

My boys

2010-12-24T22:25:00.000-05:00

Ruston was just not going to smile. This little guys plays by HIS rules!

My girl. . .

2010-12-24T22:24:00.000-05:00

She is Momma's girl!

Waiting for our train

2010-12-24T22:21:00.000-05:00

The kids were so excited to go on the train to see Santa!

Day 2

2010-12-07T17:57:00.001-05:00

Day 2 and finishing up. It takes a while to finish our tree every year. 1500 lights and I have no idea how many ornaments. I keep thinking I will count, I still haven't. There are 100 beaded icicles that were from my Mom that go on every year. I have bought more ornaments every year, with our original tree being 13 feet tall I needed a lot! Now that it is 8 feet tall, the ornaments fill the tree much faster. They still all go on and I still buy more. Keeping the tradition my Mom started of buying the kids an ornament each year. I can tell you where they came from or who gave them to us. There is no theme to our tree. Our tree is a hodge podge of all types of ornaments they have meaning and memories. Maybe I will take pictures of them and make a scrapbook of them!? At least the most favorites, like the one I made when I was three that is still on the tree, or the glass ball that has a magnolia on it that was given to me by a very good friend in Mississippi, or the hand blown Santa that I brought home from the Supper Club Christmas dinner. The icicles are the most precious. I remember making these, and the other beaded ornaments, with Mom as a little girl each Christmas. She would make soooo many of them. She gave them away, sold them, and kept some. There are so few left, they are the last to go on the tree each year, the final touch, the moment to say Mom is still here with us to celebrate her favorite time of the year, so many many years later. This picture is the three of us, for the first time putting the icicles on together. We talked about how they were handmade by their Grandma. Hopefully, it will carry on with them.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Busy at Play

2010-12-07T17:41:00.000-05:00

Ruston is steady and deliberate at everything he does, including playing! You can see it in his face.

Ruston's Turn

2010-12-07T17:39:00.000-05:00

Can't leave Ruston out. It was his turn to learn how to hang the ornaments.

Got to be careful!

2010-12-07T17:35:00.000-05:00

Showing Ani how to hang them and make sure they don't fall off!

Working together.

2010-12-07T17:34:00.000-05:00

They did a really good job this year.

Our Tree, 2010

2010-12-07T17:31:00.000-05:00

After 1500 lights are put on, the kids really helped me decorate this year. They did a great job. Ruston liked the ones that didn't break. He even proved it on a few, "Hey look, this one bounces, Mom!"

Snowmen

2010-12-07T17:28:00.000-05:00

Ani's nails after her first manicure! She loved it.

MY House

2010-11-28T19:56:00.000-05:00

I know I sold this house five years ago, and I am happy where we are, but this is MY HOUSE. I don't know why. Maybe because it is the longest I lived in a house. Maybe because it was my first house, maybe because I became a mother in this house, maybe because Virgel and I remodeled most of the house, including the amazing paint job - by hand. It told me it was the right house for me the moment I walked in it, and it feels like home the moment I put my put on the steps. It is hard to see it being neglected and unlived in. Essentially, the same as we left it, including my curtains still hanging. She has stood for over 150 years, and the last five are the only ones that have not had a family living there. Hopefully, that will change, she will get another lease on life and someone will love her as much as I do and sit on my porch swing and rock their babies to sleep.

Done

2010-11-28T19:23:00.000-05:00

They are done! Completely and totally worn out. This is how I found them this morning when I woke up. Apparently Ani thought Ruston was her pillow! Now you all know why I will NOT let this little monster sleep with ME!

Great Friends

2010-11-28T19:20:00.000-05:00

Despite how long in between our visits we are still such good friends. I really miss you my friend!

Two great friends

2010-11-28T19:15:00.000-05:00

You can not tell these two have not lived close to each for five of their seven years. They don't skip a beat, can't wait to see each other, and hate to see each other leave. I hope their friendship continues to survive the test of time and distance. . . .

More than neighbors

2010-11-28T19:12:00.000-05:00

Old neighbors is not even close. It is no way to describe what Naomi and Roger mean to us. I will never forget the first time I met Naomi. We were at the house, before it was ours and the door was open, she came in the front door, just to make sure we were suppose to be there. That was the begining of her checking on us, making sure we had everything we needed. Not long after, Roger and Virgel discovered the common love of everything gun related. If Virgel wasn't home, I knew where to find him - Roger's. It was a given. While there are more years between them than Roger would like me to type, they are two peas in a pod. A friendship that knows no time or distance.

We loved seeing you both again.

Sweet on Ani

2010-11-28T18:43:00.000-05:00

Cade, Naomi and Roger's grandson was sweet on Ani in a heartbeat!

Papaw Roger.

2010-11-28T18:42:00.000-05:00

Ani remembered Roger and I am pretty sure that made his day!

Too much fun

2010-11-28T18:40:00.000-05:00

It might be good that we don't live close together! We could have a mess! Lucy doesn't like having her picture taken, so here is Kiera, Kate, Ani and Ruston.

Two friends now with five kids!

2010-11-28T18:38:00.000-05:00

We started out as two friends and I was the only one married. Now we are both married and five kids between us. To say the least, times have changed! It was so fun to watch them all play together. Ruston was hoping for another boy. . . .

Long time no see!

2010-11-28T18:35:00.000-05:00

It has been WAY too long since Ginger have seen each other. We had a great visit.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2010-11-25T08:54:00.000-05:00

We made this turkey for Ruston's preschool class! Virgel giggled, but we all thought it ROCKED!!!! We all wish you the very happiest Thanksgiving!!!