Our 4th Grandchild Arrives in America

On Monday, June 1, Nathan Elias Thornton, came home to the United States. Nick and Sherry arrived back in Atlanta at about 2:30, where they were greated by Austin and Olivia, Nathan's big brother and sister. Nathan's Uncle Chad and Aunt Carrie where there with Meredith, too. Sherry's mom was also at the airport. Chuck and I were not able to make it as we were in Columbus with Caitlyn at State Cup. It didn't take us long to meet our 4th grandchild and we fell in love with him right away. Nathan is the happiest little guy. It is very evident that he had a wonderful nanny to take care of him at the orphanage. Let me tell you what we know about Nathan's life in Ethiopia.

Sometime around Christmas, I believe very close to Christmas day, Nathan's birth mom brought him into a coffee shop, handed him to one of the workers and said she could not provide for him. Nathan was placed in an orphanage. He was apparently to be placed in another home, but the family for some reason, chose not to accept him. (God had had another home in mind) Nick and Sherry were next and that is how Nathan became theirs. He was born with the fingers on his left hand basically stunted, they did ot develop from the first knuckle down, however, that has not stopped him from using that hand. He is able to grasp objects, hold your finger (and what a grip he has) and he evens sucks on what Sherry calls "two of his little knubs" :) Other than his hand Nathan is healthy and extremely happy; truely laid back, (at least that is the side I see), I know he does have his moments, but don't we all. ::))

Nathan is a true blessing from God. His big brother, Austin, and his big sister, Olivia, love him 'lots. They are so good with him. We look so forward to watching him grow.

Bryan's home from College

Wow, completion of year number two at Kennesaw State. It's hard to believe that Bryan has completed his second year of college and he has decided to spend the summer at home, only because he has decided to play baseball AGAIN!!!! He was asked to play on the Newnan Braves, who play in the highly competitive Great South League. The GSL is a summer Collegiate Baseball League made up of current College Players (yes and Bryan) from the top baseball programs throughout the country. They play a majority of their games in Newnan, with a few in Cobb County, Columbus and Alabama. This should be fun for Bryan, he hopes that maybe someone will see him and that he will have an opportunity to go play somewhere. You never know. He truly misses the game and I think has a greater appreciation for it at this time. Keep your fingers crossed for him. I will post some pictures as I get them. He starts tonight, but I am not going, as they are in Columbus(lost 7-4) . Tomorrow through Sat. they will be in Newnan, so I will hit the diamond at that time.

Chuck's 50th Birthday

Happy Birthday Chuck!!! :)




This post is a little out of order, don't know how I did this. I think I thought I had already posted this. My mind, is not what it use to be. Oh I forgot 50 is just around the corner for me too. On April 22, Chuck turned 50!!! Wow, a whole half a century. Now that sounds old, but he can't be that old because he still plays softball. Anyway, last summer when we were on the plan flying to the Outer Banks, Chuck was looking at the flight magazine that they always have on the plane, and there was an article about San Antonio and the Riverwalk and it was at that time I decided that was going to be his 50th birthday present as well as our anniversary gift to him. (We celebrated out 13th anniversary on Mother's Day). I had it all worked out and got to dream about it for a little while, but instead here are the gifts that he received:

1) Front porch: had to be added so that we had protection from the rain. We had a major leak that ruined the hall floor.

2) New front door: love this!!!

3) Pool liner: I went out to backwash the pool and low and behold the sides were all buckled out. Time for a new pool liner. It is so nice to sit out back now and be able to enjoy the beauty of our pool. (That is IT will be nice to sit out back and enjoy the beauty of our pool)

3) New hall floor: once the door is done the floor will be put in. Yeah!!!

4) And then at some time the front lawn will get sodded.

Oh well, maybe for his 75th I will be able to afford a real gift.

5) Night with the family: by far the best gift of all. I had the FAM over, and we did enjoy the pool. Water was a bit cold and Natalie was the only one that got in, but the time with everyone was priceless as usual.



























Four generations of Thornton boys.

Another GREAT soccer season

.......................2009 REGION CHAMPS!!.....................................

Well, Caitlyn's second season on the Varsity soccer team has come to an end. They had a wonderful year. Caitlyn played well throughout the season. Had a bad game here and there but for the most part she did very well. She scored the first goal of the season, had many assists throughtout the year and also contributed with several goals. The team came first in the region and then went on to play in the state playoffs. (In fact, ALL of the girls spring teams came in first in the region, first time in Starr's Mill history this has happened :) Way to go girls, you rule!!!!) First game of the playoffs was against Lakeside-DeKalb, which they won and then went on to play Loganville, another successful win. The third round of the playoffs Starr's Mill played Upson Lee, a team just a little south of us. One of Cait's friends, from her club team played for Upson Lee, so that was exciting. Once again, Starr's Mill came out on top in that game which then brought the team to the semi finals. The girls played very well, against Marist, however, that was where our season ended. The first time they played Marist during the season, the girls did not play well losing 3-0. In the semi finals they were a totally different team keeping the Marist War Eagles on their toes until the final buzzer. We were down 3-2 with less than 2 minutes left in the game. The final scorewas 3-2. The season was wonderful!!!! And now for the other side of soccer, CLUB. But I will save that for another day.

Prom

On Saturday we had a packed fun filled day. Caitlyn went to her boyfriends Prom. (Yes she is a traitor; For those that do not know, Garrett goes to Whitewater which is our county rival high school). The day started early, as Cait had to get her "updo" done. It was a first for me and Cait. I have never had one (I just wore my hair as I normally did when I got married, just was never into all that STUFF). Anyway, Donetta (the hair stylist) did a wonderful job. She just put all that hair up really fast. Then it was off to Alexis's house to get ready. Annie, Alexis and Caitlyn had fun doing each others makeup and keep each other calm. Then it was off to Garrett's to have pictures taken at his house. After we were done there the group of 34, maybe a few more, met at the Trammel's to have group pictures done. What an absolutely beautiful
home an a great place for pictures. Then it was off to Whitewater High School to have pictures done on the baseball field and that is where the party bus was meeting the group. The prom was at Turner Field, so the baseball field was a great place to take a few pictures. Cait said that the prom was a lot of fun, definitely better than she expected it to be. She is just not my girly girl. But my little girl looked absolutely beautiful and her wonderful boyfriend looked so handsome. (below are several pictures from the day and night)

Spring Break '09 and Easter

It has been forever since I have even thought about this blog. The other day my mom said that I needed to update. Well, I guess it is time!!!

Where to begin: Caitlyn started her spring break in Pensacola, with Garrett and his family. On Tuesday, I left PTC with Joyce Stillwell and Ashley and Rachel and we headed to Destin. Cait's boyfriends mom drove her to Destin from Pensacola and our mini vacation began. We stayed at Destin Pointe in a cute little condo that overlooked the Gulf.
The weather was gorgeous, a little chili the first day, with some wind, but we were able to hit the beach and start relaxing. Some of the other kids the girls hang with where staying in the same neighborhood so of course they were happy and ready to have fun. We pretty much hung at the beach, cooked out, went out to eat seafood one night, the girls rented bikes for a day and rode all over the place, and OF COURSE, we hit the outlets and shopped til we dropped ran out of money. We hung a little while on Saturday an then headed back to PTC so that we could spend Easter with our families. Before I post this however, I have to tell you the highlight of the trip. One evening all the kids were hanging by the pool and hot tub. While in the hot tub Caitlyn of course was texting, imagine that, I'm sure to Garrett, (you have to realize they now have been apart for what maybe 2 days) and due to the fact that her fingers were wet, her phone decided to well, act up. Now Caitlyn can't be without a phone and of course wanted me to drop everything and immediately take her to Verizon to get a new phone. Well of course being the wonderful mom I am I told her just get in the car and I will get you whatever you want NO way. So the girls decide to put her phone in the oven on 150 for about 30 min. Cait, not knowing the oven, did so and after about 10 minutes Joyce smelled something and of course looked at the oven, which is now on 350. Needless to say, Cait's phone has now pretty much melted away. I thought I was going to have to find a counselor for her to see in Destin. About 30 minutes later she decided to try putting the battery back on, (yes, she did at least take it off before she baked it) and guess what, yup, the phone worked like a charm, except for the camera, but who cares. She could at least converse with Garrett, and that kept us happy. And afterall Caitlyn has always said she wanted a GHETTO phone, and she got just that. I will have to post a picture of her Ghetto phone. Check back later for that.

The day after returning from Destin was Easter. We had a wonderful day. We spent the day at my parents. Karen and Bill where there less Amanda and Matt and his family and David's girlfriend join us too. Tara and Chris were there with all three of there kids and Rick and Beth were there with Kelly and Blake. Cole, Natalie, Bryan and Caitlyn were with us as well as Cait's boyfriend. We ate ALOT and as usual spent great family time together. It is always fun when our crew gathers together. I, like a dummie, left my camera home. Dang!!!

Well this one needs to get posted.

God Bless.

Spring Break and Family

Well, spring break 09 is finally here!!!! Yeah!!! We were all so ready for this break. We started it off Friday night, as we typically do. Chuck and I did our usual Friday night dinner at Longhorn. Then Saturday Caitlyn left for Pensacola with her boyfriends family. Garrett plays baseball at Whitewater and the baseball team is in a tournament there, so she was invited to go with his family. Then Chuck, Chad and Bryan golfed. Meredith and Carrie came down also as Chuck and I watched Meredith as Chad and Carrie had plans with friends. Karen brought Ryan (my nephew Matt's little boy) over and he and Meredith had play time together. They were a little shy and timid with each other at first but warmed up quickly. They were so cute together. It is going to be so fun watching all of these little ones grow up together. Nathen, Nick and Sherry's little boy, who is being adopted from Ethiopia, will join the family in June. So there will be another little one to watch grow and play together.

On Sunday after church Chuck and I drove Meredith up to Vinings and we spent the day visiting at Cole's new place. It really is very nice.

Today I have spent the day getting myself ready to head to sunny (I hope) Florida. I will meet up with Caitlyn in Destin and we will spend the rest of the spring break there with some of her friends. We will head back on Saturday in time to spend Easter at my mom and dad's. Really looking forward to that. Well, now I need to go finish getting my self packed and ready to go. Will post more after I get back. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter.