Strolling

Tonight we took a walk after dinner. It was such a great night. A lady that lives in our neighborhood goes absolutely ape nuts over holiday decorations, especially Halloween. The kids think it is the coolest thing ever. I have attached a couple of pictures, but they don't do it justice. She has bats in the trees, all kinds of ghouls and goblins hanging, little things that look like fire on the trees, eyes in her bushes, a cemetery, a casket, skeletons, spiders, rats, blow-up things...you name it, she has it. No lie, I bet there is at least $700-$800 worth of stuff in her yard. It is just a slight bit tacky, but the kids absolutely love it!



Addie is multitasking...coloring while enjoying our walk

Beautiful Day

Today was an absolutely beautiful day. We spent some time outside after getting home from church today, and it was just beautiful. Fall is my favorite time of year, and the leaves are starting to change colors a little, there is a slight briskness in the air...it's just perfect to me. I don't see how anyone can have a day like today (or any day for that matter, but especially today) and not believe in God.

Pictures of Addie and Matt enjoying being a little lazy in the sun...

Our Fall Vacation

We spent the week last week in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg with our families. There is nothing that makes me happier in this world than spending time with my immediate and extended family. I know most of you have read the Five Love Languages book. Well, my love language is definitely time. I love to spend time with people that I care about, and conversely, I feel very loved when others spend time with me. So being together for a week with family recharged me. It was a great week of relaxing (that word is very relative these days), visiting, eating, playing, and bonding together. There is nothing that will bond a family faster than to put them under one roof for several days. And then at the end of a nice week, it is so nice to sleep in your own bed. I guess being away makes you appreciate the comforts of home a little more, too. Here are a few pictures from the week:

Matthew, Charlie, Nora, Addie. All the grandkids sans Sophie. She didn't care too much about having her picture taken.


Addie, Charlie, and Matthew swimming...yes, in the hot tub.


Matthew and Tommy on the teacups.


Addie Mae on a ride.


MaJo, Addie, Matthew, and Pa after lunch at the Apple Barn. We ate there twice in one week...it never gets old.


P/S-Happy Birthday last weekend to my sweet, sweet nephew Tomas. He turned 3 years old...that is so hard to believe. We love you Tomas!

Matthew and his (best) buddy, Tomas.

Fall Break

Today starts fall break for us (well, mainly for Jeff, Addie, and Matt). We're going to have a true family week. We will be staying in Pigeon Forge with the Stone family the beginning of next week, and then with my family the last part of the week in Gatlinburg. It was weird how both families planned trips to the same area unbeknownst (is that a word??) to the other. But it works out perfect for us. I think we will have fun visiting Dollywood (I've never been, so I'm excited about that), the rinky-dink go-cart tracks, the malls, my favorites...the pancake houses and the candy stores, and just relaxing in our rooms. The place we are staying with the Stone's is a big cabin, with a hot tub, a game room, etc. It looks like it has a great view, too. And then with my parents, it is not up in the mountains, we will be in condos, and the place has an inside water park, a petting zoo, horseback riding, etc. It will be a great mix. It seems like there will be lots of fun to be had! And trust me, if there is fun to be had, Addie Mae and Matthew Stone will not be far away!! Hope you all have a great week.

Be Still

I have been very touched lately by stories of so many people on their death bed, losing a child to miscarriage or disease, etc. I don't know why these things are being so visibly placed in my path...maybe it's just life. And maybe it's a lesson that I need to value, treasure, and embrace every minute of life, especially with my children and family. I get so wrapped up in the day to day activities that I sometimes forget to "be still". I'm don't feel "busy" per se, but just the checklist of...pack lunches, go to school/work, cook supper, give baths, read the right books, etc. My prayer tonight is that I can be still, be grateful for each minute, and that I can exude God's love to those around me.

(p/s-sorry no pictures, I have been really bad about taking them lately.)

(p/s/s-today is my sweet baby sister Holly's b-day. Happy Birthday to you Holly, I love you so much!!)

Where were you?

Where were you on this day 6 years ago? I was in Newark, NJ, right across the river from NYC. I was supposed to eat supper at Windows of the World in the WTC on the night of 9/11. I flew into Newark late on the night of 9/10 and was looking out of the plane as we flew near the WTC. My boss and I said to each other...there's where we'll be tomorrow night. Upon hearing the news the morning of 9/11 in a room full of hospital administrators from all over the state of NJ who were told to get back to their hospital's immediately...there was a major national emergency occurring, my boss and I knew we had to get the heck out of there and back to TN. We got the very last rental car (by telling the people we would bring the car back). We saw the smoke of the towers burning. We drove straight through a toll booth at about 70 mph. It was about an hour or so after we were on the road that my brain even stopped the mission of get me the heck out of here (and about that long to even get cell service) to slow down enough to call Jeff and my mom. I remember the relief in both of their voices. We drove from NYC to Baltimore, MD to pick up some colleagues. Neither one of us had ever, ever driven in that part of the country and had a small road map and the address of the hotel where we were supposed to pick them up. We drove straight to it with no wrong turns. We drove through some of God's beautiful country that day in a small car, with 4 people in the car that you would've never thought would be together. But I felt safe, blessed, and led. And I was scared. I didn't really see pictures of anything until that night in a small hotel room somewhere in Virginia. I was alone in the room, and I just remember seeing those pictures over and over...and how sad/mad/confused it made me. Time goes by so quickly, but it still makes me so sad/mad/confused.

Officially a Soccer Mom (Kinda)

Whew, what a weekend. We started the weekend at the BBS football game Friday night. Because Addie had attended cheer camp this summer, she was able to cheer during 1st quarter. She loved every minute of it, but I think she actually only did one cheer. I think she was overcome by all of the people and excitement.








Then Saturday morning, we had our first soccer game. Addie and Matt weren't too interested in actually playing once we got there, but mom and dad were glad to be on a soccer field. Jeff is coaching...he's the only coach (as in, has no assistant, and they have to spilt up the team into 2 teams of 3 players each and play on 2 different fields), so it should be interesting.





And then Addie and I went to one of Addie's best friend's (Sami's) b-day party at Libby Lu. They all got made-up and dressed up like Hannah Montana...it was hilarious! Addie thought she was big stuff with that make-up on and her hair all done. And of course, Addie always has to be the different one...she didn't want to wear the Hannah Montana outfit, she wanted to wear the fairy outfit. So, she wore the fairy outfit!







We have had a busy and fun weekend. Matthew is sick this afternoon, in fact, I here him starting to moan through the monitor. Better go....