Happy Monday

How can you not smile when you see this face?

Stingy Starbucks

AGHHH! So, I go to Starbucks to use the internet. Chip and I spend $7 on drinks only to sit down and see a sign that says you have to pay for internet. I have never been to a coffee shop that requires you to pay if you make a purchase. So, we leave and decide we will just go sit in the parking lot and use someone else's internet. We did. I sipped my drink a few times but did not like it. I ordered a Peppermint White Mocha. (This was the 3rd thing I ordered. They were out of everything else at 7:45pm on a Saturday night). Chip ordered a Caramel Macchiato. With only a few sips left in his cup, he looks at the markings on his cup and he says, "what does PWM stand for?" To which I respond, "You are drinking my drink!" Then I taste it and it is really good! AGHHH!

Past few days

We have been out of town for a few days. First to staff evaluations, then to a wedding, then to Nana & Papa's and today to GA to visit our friends who used to live in Brazil. I have taken lots of pictures. It is so pretty here. I love to VISIT the country. It is so peaceful. The sky seems bluer here. The grass is dry here in the "wiregrass" part of the state. But, it too is pretty.

wedding reception with Robyn & Taylor:

outside on Sunday:






all together in the bathtub:

visiting the Dowdy's:
Bainbridge is fairly close to Ashford. We made a last minute call to them this morning and made a day trip. They had never met Ella or Nate. Their little girl was 10 mts when we were in Brazil. It was so much fun. Jeff took a picture of all the girls. I will post it once I get it. Ella and Lucy got along really well as did the boys. We look fwd to making this a regular visit when we are here.

What is REAL?

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." --exerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit

We have this book and the CD that goes with it. I do not remember reading it as a child but I just love it. It is so sweet. One time after listening to it in the car I had to wash Ella's baby. I felt really uneasy when I threw her into the washing machine. I know that makes no sense. But, if what the Skin Horse says is true, she is REAL!

Operation Christmas Child

Our church's Children's department annually takes part in Operation Christmas Child. Now that Streed has moved up to Children's Church I feel more compelled to contribute. I am embarassed that I have not done so in the past. We bought items to go in the shoe box the other day. It is hard for children to grasp picking out toys etc for other children. Chip told Streed that we were buying presents for a child who would not get anything if we did not send him something. Streed said, "Don't say that". He has a very sensitive heart. So, I decided to look up more about it on the Internet. There are tons of videos. I am going to show a few to Streed later today just to let him see why we are putting a t-shirt, coloring book, christmas book, candy, toothbrush, cars etc into a shoebox. If your church is not participating, I challenge you to do some kind of mercy project with your children. I really want to move away from gifts at Christmas. My kids do not NEED a thing. They just had a huge party last month. I am thinking of making them a shoebox gift as well. I love Christmas and all that goes into it, even the non-religious aspects like Christmas trees, lights, cinnamon smells etc. But, I want more than anything to glorify God in this most special holiday. And for them to love the true meaning as well.

Blue-eyed Buddies

Streed is in love with his baby brother. He loves his "Nate Buddy". Just tonight he said, "Hey, I have a caterpillar puzzle that will help me teach Nate his numbers." I told him Nate was too young to learn his numbers because he couldn't even talk. He said, "I know but we can just start." He can't wait till Nate can run and play football, soccer and baseball with him. I know Streed's hair is rather long right now. I keep trying to cut it and he keeps telling me that he likes it long. Chip and I do too. Some days it looks crazier than others but that just makes us like it even more. Nate does not have a lick of curl in his hair. I think he has Robyn's hair. That is just what hers looked like and it is light like hers was. I love that his is so different. Ella is sitting beside me. She just said, "I wanna see my Nate!" All the boys in the house are HERS. It is always, MY Natey, MY Streedy, MY Daddy. I think it is so cute. Think she'll be spoiled? And protected?

G.L.O.W.

No, that is not a bathing suit.

"What?"

While I was working last weekend apparently Ella rummaged through some of my drawers (literally). I hesitate to post this but I know it will give so many people a good laugh. The pictures facing forward were the best but I will not post them for obvious reasons. Anyway, Ella looks like a wrestler on a high school team. She is a MESS! We are praying hard for her little heart.

She is also my little helper. Here she is helping me bath Nate. She likes to help me unload the dishwasher, empty the laundry basket, unfold the laundry and an assortment of other chores. Please notice her outfit and what is at my feet. She is all girl and yet a little bit tom-boy at the same time.

Smallville

We love Hammond. We are excited about certain aspects of moving to a big city but we really love so much about the small quaint town we have called home for 7 years. Tonight Chip left the house at 4:50 taking Nate to either the doctor or ER. When we were playing in the yard yesterday (next post) he got bitten on his face in two spots but a mosquito, I assume. Today it was really red. I gave him Benadryl but as the day progressed it got more swollen. So, he walked into our pediatricians office at 5. The receptionist told him there were no available spots. Our pediatrician walked by and saw Chip. He walked back and asked if there was a problem and told Chip to come on back. He probably has not seen Chip in a year or more. But, he recognized him and wanted to help. We love him. He sent us home with some sample prescriptions and said since it was not tender that it was just a reaction to the bite and nothing to be worried about but that we did right by bringing him. Between the pediatrician, my ObGyn and our mechanic I think we will continue to make trips to Hammond. OK, I must...

Be glad there's one place in the world where everybody knows your name.
And they're always glad you came. You want to go where people know, People are all the same. You want to go where everybody knows your name.
Where everybody knows your name, And they're always glad you came. Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came

Wonder FALL

I just love the Fall. HGTV has been calling the fall "Wonder Fall" and I have to agree. We were outside playing in the yard yesterday and I just had to get my camera. Ella did not want to take any pictures but I made her be still for a few seconds. Here are some favorites. As you can see we play football. We also play soccer. Streed does not like to lose. In fact, he never loses.

Piper on Politics

Here is a 4 minute video from John Piper. His perspective is so challenging. It is true and therefore causes me to be steady and not fearful.