"Pumpkin Patch 2016"

We made our annual trip to the pumpkin patch late October, however it was just me and Ellison this year. I drove her on a field trip with her K4 preschool class and had a wonderful morning with her. Despite the fact that it was 93 degrees and we were with 300 other kids, it was a great morning! She giggled the entire morning, ran everywhere, and everything was exciting to her. The joy literally bubbled out of her all morning. It was so fun for me to sit back and just watch her enjoy life. She was in "typical Ellison" form, finding joy in everything, marching to the beat of her own drum, and being fiercely independent...., yet still wanting to know that I was right there with her. The best part of the morning to me was watching her carefully pick her pumpkin out of the field to take home. All of her friends were trying to pick the biggest ones they could find, and Ellison took her time looking for just the right one. When she found it, she gently cupped it in her hands and carried it to her teacher like it was the most treasured possession she owned. Her teacher gently took it from her hand and said, "why Ellison, it looks just like a little orange"!  And it did....., she picked the smallest pumpkin in the patch that was orange and not still green, and she could not have been more proud of it. She didn't care at all what everyone else was doing. I love her so much, and pray she will always be comfortable in her own skin.

We made a wonderful morning of memories together!

My beautiful girl. She is growing so quickly.

She is looking for just the right one.

She found it, and it's perfect for her!

Sweet friends (Hadley and Ellison)

She did this same slide when she was 2. Was fearless then, and is fearless now.

She could have stayed for hours jumping and playing in the corn pit.

Until next year.....!

1st Day of School 2016-2017

Well, we are off to another school year. Amazing how the years just seem to roll around so quickly. We had a wonderful summer, and feel like maybe for the first time, we struck the perfect balance of activity and down-time. Seems like all summer we operated in a "one week on, one week off" pattern. It was just enough of everything this summer. We enjoyed being away, having activities to do in town, and just hanging out at the house and with friends.  But as with every summer winding down, the kids begin to get "antsy" (and so do I), and everyone is feeling out of sync and ready for a routine. Elijah started school early August and Ellison started early September, and both were more than ready to go back. Both kids grew so much over the summer, both physically and emotionally, and are ready to tackle another year!

2nd grade, here we come!!

K4, here we come!!  Clearly, she is ready!

I walked into his room the 1st day of school, and had the strangest feeling that I had been in that room before. I asked his teacher if this room happened to be the old 2nd grade classroom from way back when, and she smiled and said, "yes, I took Mrs. Furlow's place 17 years ago and this is her room".  I smiled and said, "well, my son is sitting in the same room that I did in 2nd grade"!  It was a sweet, and remarkable realization.

"Highlands, NC"

Some dear friends in our church, who are probably our biggest prayer warriors, invited us to their mountain home over the summer. They wanted us to get away from it all, leave our phones behind, leave the burdens of ministry behind, and come let them love on us for a few days. We could have not anticipated how much they would have loved us and taken care of us, and spoiled us rotten!  They treated us like we were their own children, cooking every meal for us, letting us "sleep in" while they took care of our kids, took us on hikes, took us to all of their favorite attractions there, allowed us to literally "mooch" off of them for days, and they didn't make us talk about work/ministry unless we wanted to.  They were so respectful of our time away and did everything they possibly could to make it relaxing for us and fun for our children. It was 3 of the most perfect days we have had in a very long time. It was everything and more we could have hoped for. They knew we needed the rest, emotionally and spiritually, and physically, and they went out of their way to make sure we left rested on all levels. The kids had a wonderful time too, and Elijah even saw a bear within his first 30 minutes there!  What a great way to start a trip to the mountains! Even I was able to conquer some fear by doing the "zip line mountain canopy tour", which put me (and Jay, and my son), 210 feet above the ground and riding a 1/4 mile long zip line over the mountains! It was breathtaking!  Even Ellison was able to the the smaller version called, "Brave Little Indian", and she loved it too.  Obviously, I didn't get any pictures of us on the zip lines, but we were there!

We are forever grateful to our dear friends, Betty and Graham, for their graciousness shown towards us.  

Mountain water is so cold, even in July... 

and they do not care one bit! 

EB learned to shoot his first gun on this trip...., big step for this boy. 

First motorcycle ride for this boy too!  We had just pulled in to their house when EB spotted the motorcycle. Graham graciously allowed Jay and him to drive it up the road, and they saw a bear!  That was a fun way to start this trip. 

and of course, little sister had to hop on for a SLOW ride! 

A beautiful sunrise from the porch

A gun, and a motorcycle helmet - what more could a boy want?  (It was a BB gun)! 

and this little one loved the sparklers!  I loved that she was holding them with her hand protected by a solo cup! 

A beautiful sunset from the porch 

The stunning beauty of God's creation

"Dry Falls" 

We were able to walk behind the waterfall, which is how it got its name, "Dry Falls" 

"Just because...."

Just because I do not want to forget these sweet moments.....

Making her own smoothie in her princess costume. It just makes me smile. 

In pet store, adorned with tattoos and a camo hat!  She truly can live in both worlds! 

"4th of July"

Ok, so I am only 3 months behind on posting...., life happens, what can I say?  We moved to a new neighborhood about 8 months ago, and we are loving it. It has such a community "feel" to it and we have really enjoyed that aspect. We attended our first community 4th of July parade and really enjoyed it. It was small and very family friendly, but the kids enjoyed it. They were able to ride their bikes behind the a fire truck, waved flags, made lots of noise with "noise-makers", and finished up with hot dogs and a community prayer for our nation.

My cousin from TX just so happened to be in town this same day (SO HAPPY), so we spent the afternoon with them at my Aunt's house swimming, eating, and playing. Picture is my 2 kids and her 3. 

Cousin's are truly the best. We are 6 months apart and best friends...., still....., even in our "old age"! 

Fun times with glow necklaces before the big firework show! 

He made sure we would know where he was!