Wednesday, August 31, 2011

There’s Just Something In The Air . . . .

The older I get the more I treasure my family, those near and those far.

The older I get the more my heart yearns to return to where the air is crisp and the land is rolling.

My Mammow’s sister passed away last week.  I had the privilege of attending her funeral in Crystal Springs, MS Tuesday morning.  My dad drove through Monday afternoon and picked me up so I could attend. 

We stayed with his brother, my Uncle Steve and his wife, Montez.  It was my first visit to their gorgeous, antique filled home. . . .  It was breathtaking.
 
I have missed out on many years with many of my family; and while my heart aches over missed time, my heart is also overwhelmed with what is yet to come and making sure my children know as many of their family members as I can introduce them to and the history of who we are and where we come from.  Time is precious and something one can never get back.

Montez has always been an antique person . . . . I don’t even know what you call that . . . an antique dealer??  Anyway, you get the point.  I didn’t even know she had her own shop until recently.  While we didn’t have time for me to go in her shop, I did get to take some pictures of the outside.

  Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 029










Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 030

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 033










Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 031











Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 032 









This is my dad on the left and Uncle Steve
on the right in front of Montez’s shop.


We stopped because Montez wanted me to have something . . . .

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 037
this AMAZING bird house!!! 


I love bird houses!  Heck, I LOVE birds!  What a blessing!  I was so surprised I thought I was gonna pee my pants ya’ll!  This thing is HUGE too!  This picture just does not do it justice.  When I figure out where I am going to put it, I will take another picture.  What a blessing!
 
Anybody that knows me knows I have a passion for taking pictures.  Being able to seize that special moment in time and have it forever . . . .
 
While I don’t have a good camera, I still take pictures just about everywhere I go . . . including driving down the interstate while riding with dad to Raleigh!  While most of these pictures are blurry, you should be able to get the gist of them.


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 008
This picture was taken in Mize, Ms.  I wanted to get a picture of the building.  Being the itty bitty town it was (one stop light . . . no kidding!) dad backed up for me to take a shot. 

If you will look closely at the door . . . .

Mize Ms Police Department
You will see that it is the Police Department for Mize, MS! 

The Mize Police Department also shares it’s building with the water department!

Mize MS Water Department
I think I laughed about that the rest of the way!  In the reflection of the window you can see the town patrol car :)


Here are a few more pictures along the way  . . . . OK, a LOT of pictures along the way!

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 009

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 036
You know you have reached the country when the gas stations have bales of hay for sale in between their gas pumps!  Instead of having candy at the check out registers they have vegetable seeds!
Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 038
Tree Tunnel!


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 039

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 040

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 041

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 043

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 044
This is one of the steel bridges we went on. 
Took several pictures as we approached.

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 045

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 046

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 047

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 051
And this is the second one  . . .

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 052
It’s blurry but it says “Pearl River.”

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 053

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 054
It’s hard to see, but if you can zoom in between the first two beams, you will see a tree processing plant!

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 055

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 056

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 059


“Welcome to Crystal Springs!”

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 063

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 060

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 061

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 064

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 065
Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 099

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 114

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 115

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 116

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 120

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 127

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 129

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 135

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 138

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 143

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 066
I tried to zoom in to the mirror to see what it says but couldn’t quite make it out! 


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 067
As soon as I got out of the car at the church, the train guards came down and this monstrous train came rolling by!  Took several pictures for Christopher.  He would have LOVED to be that close . . . . well, minus the noise.

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 068

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 069

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 072
The grey building to the left is an old train depot; the one in front was an open flea market type thing years and years ago.  At one time Crystal Springs was the main supplier of tomatoes for many areas.



Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 075
First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs
(this is where Peggy’s funeral service was)

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 077
This precious “old timer” stopped mowing grass, and place his straw hat over his heart in respects of the family.  Brought tears to my eyes and a thankfulness to my heart.

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 078
When I saw this house, I thought, “I could so live here . . . .”


These pictures are of some of the family together after the services:


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 080 
Sonny (pictured on left) is my grandmother’s only brother.

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 081
Pictured from far left to right:
Montez, Uncle Steve, Georgia (Sonny’s wife), Sonny, and Mike

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 083
Georgia and Sonny


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 085
Uncle Steve and Montez
(Thanks for the birdhouse Montez!  LOVE IT!!)


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 086
Saying goodbye is so hard . . . . .


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 089
Brothers . . . .
Uncle Steve and Dad


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 094
Marsha is centered in the middle.  Marsha watched after my grandmother for months and months and months . . . . she did for her what I couldn’t do from far away.  I will always treasure what she did for my Mammow and Pappow.  Just can’t thank her enough.

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 091
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t miss them . . . .
Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 097


The following pictures are of the house my dad was born in!


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 106  
 
Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 105

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 107

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 110

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 113


We spent the night at my Uncle Steve’s and Montez’s house.  I am disappointed my pictures didn’t turn out, but a few did . . . . . .

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 022

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 011
Birdhouses :)


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 020


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 026
When we drove over the top of this hill heading towards my aunts and uncles house, I think I had a cow.  No lie.  The sun was setting and it was one of the most breathtaking scenes I have ever witnessed.  On our way out the next morning, dad opened his sun roof so I could stick my arm out and get a few shots.  This is when I wish I had one of those super zoom cameras to zoom in down the road . . . I imagine this road is full of brilliant colors come fall.

 
Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 012
My flash didn’t go off on this picture and the other ones that it did go off are so blurry you can’t tell what it is.  My cousin “Little Stevie” renovated this little house.  It was the house is momma (Montez) was born in.  Little Stevie has been blessed by God with many talents.  He has always had a fascination of old vehicles.  He restores them by the hundreds.  Again, it was dark when we got there, but the following are a few pics I was able to get.

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 016

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 017

Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 018


AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!! LOL!  Any time dad comes through, I try to get pics of the kids with him.  My sister also met up with us and I was able to take these great pictures as well.


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 003
Pictured left to right:  Grayson, Christopher, Hudson, Pappow, Kaitlyn, & Hannah!


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 001
Kaitlyn adores Hannah!


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 004
Michelle with Hudson


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 005
Kaitlyn . . . . being, 'Kaitlyn!'


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 147
Pappow with my oldest, Kayla Louise!


Raleigh MS and Crystal Springs MS Trip August 2011 149
One final one before Pappow has to head home . . .


I am so thankful my sister and her family have moved back to Pensacola. Oh how I wish I knew then what I know now. Family is so important. I witnesses a beautiful miracle of restoration Monday while in Crystal Springs. Don’t wait until it’s too late to tell that loved one you love them.

I know this was REALLY LONG and I am sorry.  In all honesty, this wasn’t even half the pictures.  I just really enjoy taking pictures; really enjoy the country and REALLY love my family!

Continuing to Walk in Victory,

Stacey