4th of July Weekend - Camping at Stone Mountain

How wonderful this past weekend was!!!! A much needed get away! Thursday was a little tiring because there were a lot of loose ends to tie up with Eagle Systems before we went out of town & A LOT of packing to do. I took all of our food this time, so there was a good bit more to prepare for. Being able to grill out at the campsite was definitely worth the time and effort to make it happen though. The money we saved was also a big plus! We ended up not getting to the campsite until after 9pm, so we miraculously set up our tent in the dark - WITHOUT THE INSTRUCTIONS! - in record time. We stayed at the same site we did last year... and I think it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The view from our tent of the lake was absolutely awesome. Especially first thing in the morning & at night. The weather was a lot cooler than it could have been for this time of year. Our queen size air mattress was nice & comfy :-) The only things I didn't love: 1) The shower/bathroom building. It was so hot and muggy. They seriously need better ventilation in the building. This was the first time I've ever dreaded going to take a shower while camping... I actually usually love it. 2) The long wait after the Laser Show & Fireworks on the 4th to take the boat back to our campsite. We didn't get back to our campsite until between 1:30 & 2am on the 5th. That was exhausting, but still worth it I think. And it's still better to me than being stuck in traffic the same amount of time, then having to drive home. Other than those minor things, the weekend was perfect & it was so nice to just sit outside (at such a beautiful spot on the lake) and just be. Basking in God's glorious creation. Watching squirrels be so risky jumping dangerously from tree to tree. So peaceful. Such a slow pace. I loved roasting marshmellows over the campfire at night and making a few smores. I loved being at the pool. I enjoyed doing 3 days in my 'Believing God' study (I actually should be done by now. I'm a little behind. It takes me SO much longer than it probably should to do 1 day. It is always in God's perfect timing though :-) I also read a WONDERFUL book by Deborah Bedford "Only You". (Short Read. Love the message. Highly recommend!) I loved spending much needed time with my hubby - the best husband in the world might I add! On Sunday, we did get to eat at Miss Katie's Restaurant in the park (home of the famous hand-tossed rolls :-) This place is in my Top 5 Favorite Restaurants. I love the atmosphere and the food. The lady playing the role of "Miss Katie" on Sunday sang a song for us I had never heard before ("Come to the River" by Ronnie Freeman) I will definitely have to get his music!!! She said he is a prolific songwriter & I definitely agree! Here's a link to the lyrics: http://music.yahoo.com/Ronnie-Freeman/Come-To-The-River/lyrics/6486112 When she sang, it was angelic. God-given talent. We enjoyed hearing her for the rest of our meal as well as she went around and sang at different tables. We were going to do the SkyHike and Miniature Golf, but a thunderstorm arrived, so we sat in rocking chairs on the porch instead & listened to 2 guys play the guitar and banjo and sing all sorts of good old timey songs. They apologized for "singing up a storm" :-) On the way home, we stopped to visit with Mammaw (who "missed the snot out of us" and said she would kill us if we ran off and left her again like that!) I love her. We then picked up Shelby from Nana & Papa's! We were concerned that she wouldn't want to go home with us, since she was spoiled rotten while we were gone, but fortunately she didn't put up too much of a fight :-) I'm SO THANKFUL she got to be with her Nana & Papa while we were away! We finally got home at 10:30pm last night. The ShuTeam got the car unpacked & fell into the bed, happy and blessed!