Bailey Bash on the Bay

My beautiful family!

Yes, I am still alive! I haven't blogged in the past week because my family spent the week at the lake for our annual Bailey Bash. We started calling this weeklong family gathering the Bailey Bash as a joke a couple of years ago, and the name stuck.

Sam sporting his "Bailey Bash"shirt!

All of my cousins, aunts, and uncles come to Chestnut Bay on Weiss Lake in Cherokee County and we have a blast! We cook and eat enough food to fill a couple of dump trucks, play games, swim, go out on the boat and jet skis, tell stories, listen to the boys play music, laugh - ALOT, and make memories!

Lori cooking up some supper for us!

It is a week that I look forward to all summer long. Some people would think that being with your entire extended family in one house for 6 days would not be very enjoyable...but, I am very blessed with an incredibly close family and we love to be together.

Valerie, Lori, and myself enjoying a day on the lake.

Carolyne, Macy and Sam My cousins, Cole and Cody Sam helping Tyler navigate the waters! Sweet Payton having fun at the pool! Carolyne and Sam taking a break from playing in the water. Laurah, myself, Valerie, Lori, and Maggie Lynn "junkin" in Cave Springs My sisters! Cody, Laurah, and Payton

I've heard almost every Bailey family story there is to tell probably 100 times...but, I love to hear each one another time. I've heard the boys play music more times than I could possibly tell...but, I love to hear them play one more time.

James Paul doing what he does best!! Cole and Nichole

This year, Aunt Shirley and my mama decided to go through some old pictures and letters while we were there. It reminded me what a rich heritage that my family has, and how thankful I am for my grandparents and great grandparents firm, Christ-centered foundation that they set for us.

The Bailey Siblings:Randall,my mom(Judy),Shirley,Barry,Rita

My family minus Bradley who was out of town on business :(

Friday night we enjoyed watching the fireworks. While the rest of the family stayed up at the house, Carolyne and I went down to the dock to see the show. It was so peaceful hearing the water hit the rocks, and the occassional boom of the fireworks. Caroylne started asking questions about why people were shooting fireworks. She was in an incredibly inquisitive mood, so I began explaining to her about our country's freedom, celebrating America's birthday, and being proud to be an American. She hung on to every last word I said, then without hesitation, stood up and with her hand over her heart recited the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by her own rendition of "America, America!" and "Onward Christian Soldiers". I wanted to laugh, but she was so serious I new I couldn't...in her 4 year old mind, she was saying (and singing) I'm proud to be an American, and am thankful that 'God shed His grace on thee'. It reminded me of all that we have to be thankful for to live in our great land, and the blessings God has given us...Freedom, life, liberty, justice, faith, and sooooooo many others!

Thank you, God, for the rich blessings you have placed on our country and my wonderful family!

If my people who are called by name will humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14