Supper by 7:35 AM! I am back! State Park Day

This morning I knew I was starting to win my war with pneumonia and was getting back to my normal self when I had breakfast cleaned up, Jeb dressed for school, and supper cooked by 7:35. This is not what I do everyday. But, when Cay is up at 6:11 it really leaves lots of time for me to get a jumpstart on my day. I do NOT enjoy cooking so I find that if I get up and just do it then, I can spend my afternoons outdoors playing in the sun with my kids. Usually, all I have to do is run-in and put it in the oven, etc...


We went to a state park yesterday and had the best afternoon for only 2 bucks. We played "carpet golf" with no putters...the kids loved rolling the ball we found there and Cay enjoyed running up and own the hills on the course. We visited all the playgrounds and rode bikes. BUT, the best part is that JEB RODE HIS BIKE WITH NO TRAINING WHEELS! He took off like he'd been doing it all his life. Jonas turned to go put the training wheels in the back of the truck and he was GONE...I yelled Jonas, "I gotta run with him, Get Cay, he's gone." He rode all over the place. We laughed and laughed about how it just must have been time b/c he was slamming on the brakes, turning curves, starting and stopping like a pro. Now, if potty-training Cay will be that easy.



Also, it is sad that doing breathing treatments independently is one of your 18-month old's skills. I am trying to have a sense of humor about all this sickness...but I DESPISE IT.

Lessons Learned from My Cat

Lessons Learned from My Cat:

Do let others help you. My cat, Josie, waits until I put her food in her bowl and then she will sit there and wait until I pick her up to put her on top of this chest where I feed her. I know she is starving from all her purring and persisting (see next point) but she still sits there and waits for help. I would not have a hernia right now if I would get more help.

Do be persistent. My cat has an amazing trick. She will sit outside on the porch and run from window to window stalking me to come out and feed her (she moves from bay window to bay window). Then, when that doesn’t work she pulls out all the stops. She will get on top of a rocker and perch there precariously meowing as loud as she can (and it is loud for me to hear her inside with 2 kids and something always running) while the rocker sways back and forth. She is literally balancing on like a ½ inch of wood that is moving. It is amazing.

Do be persistent in relationships. God is with us no matter what we do. He never stops pursuing us even when we are unloving and unkind at times. Relationships with people are so complex. Sometimes they don't speak or are unkind or uncaring because of their own issues--not yours. I recently had the opportunity to do something kind for someone that is not always so kind to me. It was difficult, but I am glad I did it b/c that is what Christ's love is like--unconditional. Josie is so persistent. No matter how many times the boys chase her with bats and shovels or how many times I tell her I don't want her in my lap today or on my shoulders--she does not give up on a relationship with us. She just keeps trying and I usually do cave in and hold her.

Do relax. I got a swing for Mother’s Day and I have really enjoyed watching her relax in it! I even put a cushion in it and SHE has ruined it …I wish I would have.

Do just learn to enjoy the boys playing and not always be entertaining them. Josie comes to the window of the playroom and watches the boys play. I have taken quite a few pics of her there enjoying them.

Do stand up for yourself without hurting anybody. When Josie has enough of the boys chasing her (and Sarah too) she will bite (with little to no pressure) and scratch if need be. She has never really hurt them, but we all need to let some folks know when we have had enough…without doing permanent damage, of course.

Lay in the Sun often—I am a big proponent of Sun Therapy—esp. in the winter! A little vitamin D goes a long way! Just be sure and wear sunscreen—you don’t want a skin cancer scare like I had!

Drink Water Any Chance You Get—Our cat is a farm cat. For a while, we tried leaving water out for her and then it was just spilled all the time…so now she is an opportunistic drinker. She gets water at the horses tub, the dog’s bucket, the creek, a puddle in the concrete, and the sand/water play table, or a the playground swings after a rain. I should drink water every chance I get too…days that I don’t stop for a drink I feel so tired and miserable and headachy.

Consumerism Starts Early and Good Jeb Questions…

Yesterday I was in denial that my 18-month-old could actually already be a vicitm of American consumerism. Okay, honestly, my kids see about 30 mins of TV per day so it is not that they are watching commercials, AND we have a DVR so it is not that they are watching commercials even...it must be really pervasive SOOO on with the story now that those disclaimers are out of the way...let me prove how we are born sinners who want stuff!

Cay was eating his piggy pancake and enjoyed some Noggin with Jeb (like they do many mornings before school) and when a commerical for a Handy Manny put-together motorcycle (he does indeed like motorcycles) toy came on TV he lifted his little finger and said "Want that." I was in denial. I did mention it to Jonas and shrugged it off and said to myself--this can't be. But then today, I had 2 apples sitting in my front seat after Bible Study and he QUITE CLEARLY took that same little finger and pointed at the apples and said --"want that." I can't deny it two days in a row. I am shocked that my little guy is already influenced by TV commercials AND Christmas is coming--yikes! He did get that apple and as Jill can testify ate it almost seeds and all by the time we got to pre-school. He ate most of the core. The boy knows what he wants.

Jeb has been asking many good questions....that there are no easy answers for!
Today he asked me if "TAXES" was a bad word...then added that Ms. Francis at school said it was! I laughed and then explained that some taxes (we were thankfully on the way to the library) were indeed stinky b/c sometimes the govt wastes the hard-earned money that people make (on parties, fancy things, and silly things they don't really need) BUT that sometimes taxes were good things b/c they pay for people to get the help they need, pools, playgrounds, schools to learn in, roads to drive on, and yes, libraries! So that was funny.
More seriously, though, he's asked..
Who created God?
If a kid dies and goes to Heaven who will take care of them there if there parents are not there yet? I reassured him that we are all God's kids and he would take care of all the kids...not worries. That satisfied him.
Why did their Daddy leave them? (too much Jon and Kate I guess? seriously...why did he go off the deep end) and then he added--Maybe he will come back one day.
Why do his legs not work? Why does his brain not work right? When we have been around people lately with disabilities.
"Mom, if people are Christians that does mean that they still mess up right? You can still be a Christain and make bad decisions right?" This was asked before 7am when he first woke up...obviously, God is working in that heart. I assured him that YES YES YES I mess up all the time and God still loves me, I am a Christian, and he forgives....wheeww...if he can hold onto that truth he'll be better off!
He has such a tender heart and it makes me so glad that he is compassionate and wondering about the things of God so soon.

I am so thankful that Jeb and cousin C. got to go to a local fall festival with their new aun and Uncle J. They had so much fun. It is truly a blessing to have so many folks investing in your child's life with their love and presence.
I hope I can do the same for the people's kids that I have the pleasure of knowing!
Cousin C. was here yesterday and we had fun with her. She is fun to be with and a super-easy child to enjoy. She left wearing some pink lipstick, my purple clips (our favorite color--or she says it is..it really is mine), and some huge, gaudy granny clip-ons that I had gotten from the lady who does my hair. She looked like a young, granny. So funny.

The fall colors are blowing my mind. They are so beautiful right now. I still hate winter for the record.

Esther study is still blowing my mind. If you have the chance or can create the opportunity to do this Beth Moore study--you should! God's timing is perfect and can be trusted. God gives us huge dreams for his kingdom and nothing should stop us from fulfilling his plan for our life. He only calls one person, but what you do for him should affect many. The most common command in the Bible is --FEAR NOT. DO NOT BE AFRAID. It has been good to be reminded that with God the impossible is indeed possible--and at just the right time. AND --it is TOUGH being a woman. I love the word of God, but it bothers me that the older I get the more I know that when I study something in the Bible I know, know, know that God is going to make me WALK through it. And, he is in this one. I have found motherhood to be most overwhelming the past couple months and had a few trying situations. It has been TOUGH BEING A WOMAN lately...

Great Smoky Mtn Getaway

Our trip to the Smokies was an on-again off-again trip since we could not decide if it was going to rain all weekend or not. But, we decided to go since we could not control the weather and it could change anyway...and it did! I am so glad that we went. We were there during the peak season for the fall leaves AND as a bonus we got a nice preview to winter in the mountains--it snowed! As we neared the top of the mountains it began to SNOW...not flurries...REAL SNOW! It was sticking in all the trees and an inch or two accumulated on the ground. It was nice treat. So, we got out and hiked to Cataract Falls in the snow/rain...but mostly snow. We also enjoyed a movie about the park and the history of the park's development at the Sugarlands Visitors Center. Next, we loaded up and found our campsite. The pop-up was actually warm that night and we slept good BOTH nights we were there despite temps below freezing. Jeb was thrilled. I asked him his favorite part of camping and he said, "Everything." He loves to ride his jeep and bike around the campground. Cay likes to visit with each and every dog there. This time we met a goldendoodle named Molly and some weenie dogs names Skeeter and Bailey that were his favorites. Really, this is his best part of camping. Then, we spent some time eating at the Apple Barn--this food is worth the wait. WOW--talk about fabulous home-cooking. If you know me, you know that I LOVE APPLES. So, I went in the gift shop and bought way too much food--apple sourdough bread, Gala apples, Mutzu apples, fuji apples, dried apples, and yes, apple fritters. Then, we had a great dinner there. I am still eating apple products this week at home and loving it!
Next, we visited the Bass Pro up there. The place was like a museum/aquarium/wildlife display. The boys were in heaven....all of the boys including Jonas. The 3 story fireplace there, the rockers and the decor reminded me so much of when I lived and worked at the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone. I was quite nostalgic. If only there was a pianist.
The next morning we hiked to Grotto Falls off of the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. If you are not into hiking, you should still ride through this road near Gatlinburg and take in part of the National Park...but not if you are particular about your car!! We took naps and then headed to the community center in Gatlinburg where the boys swam and I kicked Jonas's tail in some ping pong. Jeb and I played air hockey and it was fun to beat him at something since he is STILL beating me at Uno when we are home.
We had some good smores and a nice fire that night at camp. Also, we found a wood-fired pizza joint that was YUMMY. We love a good pizza.
The last day of our trip we somehow missed seeing 3 bears. 2 were supposedly in the road on the side (there was a major traffic jam) and one was crossing the trail we were hiking on in the Deep Creek Area of the park. The man was clutching his little fru-fru dog after seeing the bear and I got kick out of that. It reminded me of Mr. Wienie on Open Season 2. If you have not seen the movie--you need to--it is really funny.
We went to Juney Whank Falls (which Jeb and I had a good time making jokes about calling each other Juney and saying Oh Juney Whank--this is a real man's name) an then we hiked to Indian Creek Falls and Tom's Branch Falls. If you are not that into hiking this is still a really nice 2.4 mile loop. Some folks even had strollers on parts of it. It was a glorious, sunny day and the boys had a blast running around and picking out treasure rocks to bring home.

Miracle Gro and the Poisonous Cheetos???

Today just after music class and just before lunch we decided to play outside for a bit. So, while we were out there I decided to Miracle Gro our new plants we put in this fall. The boys were busy helping me and I kept saying don't let it splash in your mouth, don't get it on your hands, etc.; I thought we were being very, very careful. Then, I called time to go in and we all washed up and I even changed their shirts. I got all the food to the table and Cay was shoveling it in when I noticed that his entire mouth was the EXACT SAME TEAL GREENISH BLUE COLOR OF THE MIRACLE GRO! I then took a look at his hands and noticed that they had green in every fat little crack and crevice. I started freaking out and dumping the food and re-washing his hands and checking out where he could have stashed Miracle Gro and then EATEN IT! I was wiping his tongue, re-washing hands, looking over every thing and everybody and I noticed there was some on me. I was hating myself for somehow letting the poison transfer from something...maybe my shirt? Maybe it was in his pocket? I was thoroughly confused and about to call poison control. I did not know how much he has eaten. Just then I saw that yet again there was green on his tray and hands...and mine too...That is when I saw it--the culprit--THE CHEETOS...I had picked up a new cheeto that "magically changes colors" when it is combined with spit/hands, etc. So, after calming down I realized that it was quite an odd coincidence that the color the cheetos magically change and the Miracle Gro I had just used was a PERFECT MATCH. Whew--I was so glad that I did not do something rash like take him to have it stomach pumped. Oh, the adventures of motherhood. Jeb is making fun of me about this...and he is still beating me at Uno.

Relationships ROCK

I think my photog friend Jill would love these pics of Cay running down the hill b/c it so captures his essence. What a JOY. Pure BOY. Sheer bliss..man in motion...I could name it all kinds of things!



The pic of Cay at the radio is one of his fav places to stand. He loves to stand with the radio in each room and push buttons and dance.











We are so, so blessed to have so many people in our lives that we love and enjoy. These pics this month or so reminded me so much of all the people-treasures that we have that really make life--LIFE.

So, as you can see Jeb always has a special lady in his Jeep-this one is Chelsea. I hope he does not continue into his teens always giving ladies a ride! He will be one busy fella. Jeb has so many girl-friends, friends that are girls, that we are blessed to love!

A tennis friend brought her grandson over to see the goats, ride in the jeep and pet all the animals..it is always fun to see someone in a different setting!

WE went to Ky's 3rd Bday party--what a treat! A monster JAM! The 6 boys cousins and lots of friends had a good time hitting the pinata, pinning the license plate on the Kylerinator, and racing trucks and generally running around like crazy. Isn't that what you did with your cousins growing up? I always like to remind our family of this when they are acting like looney-tunes that that was EXACTLY what we used to do when all our cousins were together. I would not have it any other way. I am so glad that Ben's family is back to our state. During the craziness I caught some shots of Caleb getting in Bradley's lap and getting some cousin loving. Bradley is such a sweet, loving, kind and tender little boy. He and Jeb hardly ever fight and I can already tell that Cay has a soft-spot in his heart for "Ba, Ba," that is what he wants to be called.

Bailey also is one that is a relational funny...J was "sighting" his rifle this week and the shooting was scaring her so much OR she was so worried for Cay that she got in his house with him. I happened to have my camera--so sweet.



Aunt Ash would be proud that she gave Caleb his first FULL, real soda...he was really enamored with that Twist and Shout!

We had our first fire--how depressing. J has his wood stacked and ready to roar.

The boys put on a show for my mom this week...he is wearing her reading glasses, with his cowboy getup ...really adds a twist to the show. I titled the pic, "Rockin' out in Granny's Glasses."

Jeb is working all kinds of puzzles in his room for "quiet time." Naps ARE OVER FOREVER it seems--so sad for me. His time is not so quiet..when not working puzzles or looking at books, or listening to a book he blares his music, jumps on the bed, jumps off the toy box, throws things, cars, etc..and plays in the water in the bathroom...I don't even go in there anymore...I just gave up after the day when the light fixture in the room under his shattered in the floor. Quiet time is a nice idea, but the jumping off and from things really is more him. I don't think I'll replace the fixture until he hits kindergarten.

My nephew, S, absolutely LOVES "Nonas." It is the sweetest thing ever. My sis says that when she says who loves you S he always starts with Nonas, Abby, and "Deb." We are honored. I captured two shots at the party of Nonas with his little buddy. Last time we took a quick trip to Charleston Nonas could not come, but every day we were there S asked about him part of the day.

Some of these shots are what happens when Jeb gets my camera--me doing laundry and J and him being silly. Jeb loves to be funny.







He really did sing at his Grandparents Day Program-I was impressed. His new school seems to be a lot of fun and he has adjusted well to the new place and the new people! I am thrilled. He can now count through the 20's and 30's and so on since he gets the pattern. Math is not something I typically do with him but he has been wanting to count so I have had to work with numbers--YUCK.