OUR 1ST GT FOOTBALL GAME

Last Thursday, we travelled to Atlanta for the Georgia Tech vs. Miami football game.  Benjamin has wanted to go to a game for quite sometime, and Brian and I thought it would be a perfect treat for his upcoming 9th birthday (November 29th).  So off to Atlanta we went!

We discovered Brian's best friend from college, Ben Dismukes, and his family were planning to go, as well, so we connected with them out by the student center on GT's campus a couple hours before the game.  We had an awesome time visiting and watching all of our children play.  Before the afternoon was done, we were even joined by another friend, Josh Kite, and his family.  It was neat watching Brian get so excited to be back on "his old stomping grounds."  At one point, the Rambling Wreck (an old Model T painted with GT colors for any who don't know) came driving through and the children touched it.  They said they were never going to wash their hands again.

Before we headed down to the stadium, Katie Beth came to take Mary Scott and Anna to her house.  Mary Scott was so excited to have the chance to go and play at Aunt Katie Beth's.  She was so cute the day before when I told where she would be going... she said, "I like Aunt Katie Beth.  She's nice."  On our trip down, if she asked once, she asked 50 times where we were going.  (Thank you KB for giving us the chance to hang out with our older two kids.)

We walked with the band from the student center down to the stadium.  Our children and Ben's kids were so excited.  The boys were marching right along behind the band shouting all the way!  Too bad we didn't have seats next to one another, so upon reaching the gates to enter the stadium, we said our goodbyes to the Dismukes and headed to find our gate.  And thus began our climb to almost the top where we finally got to our seats.

Just a few minutes into the game, I got a call from Katie Beth that Anna wasn't too happy.  After getting off the phone, I prayed she would settle down because I wasn't quite sure what to do in the case she continued to cry.  Praise the Lord!  I talked to Katie Beth a little while later and Anna was quiet and happy and then later went to sleep.  

We had an awesome time cheering on our Yellow Jackets as they whipped the Miami Hurricanes.  Catherine was so cute.  At one point she said, "Mommy, I don't like watching football on t. v., but it sure is fun at the real game."  And Benjamin was yelling for his team just as loud as he could and putting his "GO Jackets" poster in every Miami fan's face he came in contact with.   It was so much fun every time Tech scored, we'd jump up and high five one another.  I hope we'll have the chance to enjoy many more games together as it truly was a great time for our family.  

I JUST LOVE THIS SWEET FACE!

Every now and again, I get a few pictures that I really like.  I don't know what it is about these other than the fact that they capture Anna's sweet face.  If you haven't noticed lately, I'm in love with my children.  They each add so much to my life.  I am thankful beyond measure for both Brian and them.  And eternally grateful to my Lord who has poured out his blessings on me.

THESE GIRLS LOVE THEIR DADDY!

Brian is an amazing father.  One of my greatest pleasures is watching him with our children.  It is so evident that he desires to be a father well pleasing to the Lord - and I believe the Lord is well pleased with him.  The last few mornings before taking Benjamin and Catherine to school, he has been  reading a passage from the Bible and then reviewing a memory verse with them.  They have been working on Philippians 1:6.  This morning, I came downstairs to find the three of them holding hands praying.  It just blessed my spirit.  He is adored by his children and his girls, oh how they love their daddy!  I am a richly blessed wife and mother and count it an honor to be Brian's friend, wife, soul mate - so blessed to get to do life with him.

MY CHUNKY CHUNKY LOVE BUG

Oh my goodness... where are the month's going?  Just yesterday, I had this precious little baby cradled in my arms... touching, tasting, seeing life in the world as we know it for the very first time.  And now, Anna is 4 1/2 months old with all these cute little rolls and weighs over 16 pounds. Somehow, I had to try and capture the sweetness of her healthy little body, hence all of the "naked shots."  I simply couldn't resist.  She is a delight to our family, a sweet reminder of God's perfect plan.

"STAY AT HOME MOM"

A sweet friend of mine and I recently engaged in conversation regarding the way we spend our days as "stay at home moms."  It's a funny label, really, considering that at times I long to have a simple quiet day at home.  Although it was always my dream to be at home with my children, and I count it a blessing to be living out that dream... I sometimes in the day to day find myself feeling isolated and even quite discouraged - definitely one of Satan's tactics.   After our conversation, my friend sent me the link to an article written a few years back about this very topic.  Upon reading it, I felt my spirit leap in response to the great calling God has on my life as a mother.  I hope you will take the time to read it, and my prayer is that your heart would be encouraged about your calling as a mother whether you are currently at home full-time, are entertaining the idea of transitioning to an "at home position," or frankly can't imagine ever surrendering your current position in the work force to be what the world calls a "stay at home mom."  You may read the article at aholyexperience.com/2005/05/strange-disapperance.html 

I WANT TO BE A DENTIST WHEN I GROW UP!

Well, Catherine hasn't declared she wants to be a dentist when she grows up.  But she was doing some in depth "dental work" on Benjamin's teeth Sunday afternoon with Mary Scott as her assistant.  They were so cute engrossed in play.  Actually, after finding out last week that she'll be moving to a more advanced team in gymnastics, Catherine declared she wants to compete in the Olympics one day - dream, baby, dream!  We ended Sunday afternoon with a little back yard football game... Brian and Catherine against Benjamin and me.  It was a blast!  Benjamin and I arose victorious, but best of all we had some great family fun.

A GREAT EVENING WITH THE HANRIONS

We had a great time with Matthew and Elisabeth Hanrion and there precious girls Saturday night at their house.  Ever since having them join our home group, we've been looking forward to spending time with them and getting to know them better.  It was a really sweet time of fellowship even with all of our fragmented conversations.  Sometimes I just have to laugh at the number of times thoughts and conversations are interrupted and the number of times I often have to get up during a single meal.  As I laugh, I'm reminded of this season of life that I and many of my friends are in with having babies and young children.  And that still small voice reminds me to enjoy it, even with its interruptions, because these days truly will pass quickly although in the thick of it, I sometimes feel it will never end.  In fact, I still have lingering thoughts that I need to follow up with Elisabeth about, unfinished stories that can deepen our friendship.

After our delicious dinner of vegetable beef soup and rolls home-made by Elisabeth and a tossed salad that I brought, we spent the rest of the evening around a warm and cozy camp fire that Matthew, Brian and Benjamin built.  Matthew was so sweet to include Benjamin and even teach him some tricks of the trade in regard to wood chopping and fire building.  One of the highlights of the evening was the children rolling down the hill in their front yard again and again - chuckling all the way down.   And of course the s'mores and glow sticks made the night complete.  

Brian and I enjoyed so many things about the evening and were especially encouraged by the gentle Godly way that Matthew and Elisabeth parent their girls.  We hope to enjoy many more sweet times together.

ANOTHER GREAT SOCCER SEASON

This past Saturday, Benjamin finished up soccer for this season.  His team, the Panthers, finished the season by playing hard against the only team that had beaten them and ended this final game in a tie.  I'll be curious to see if Benjamin plays again next year.  He's begging that we'll allow him to play football.  Brian and I have got to spend time in prayer about that decision.  Football is a huge time commitment.  At any rate, whatever he's playing, I get so much enjoyment cheering him on and look forward to our next sport... basketball.

MARY SCOTT & ANNA BUILDING A FORT

I never thought a 2 year old and a 4 month old could build a fort.  And I guess technically speaking they didn't really "build" a fort.  But Mary Scott managed to created a little space for Anna and her.  She was laughing each time she hid them under the blanket, and Anna was happy just to join in the fun.

DRESS UP FUN!

Brian nor I are into celebrating all that October 31st represents.  It seems we struggle every year with exactly how to handle that day.  As Benjamin and Catherine are getting older, we explain to them why Halloween doesn't honor Christ, and they seem to clearly understand.  So then we always have to make the decision about trick or treating.  At this point, we've felt the freedom to allow them to dress up and visit homes in our neighborhood.  We have several older families/individuals who live around us that get so much pleasure from seeing the children and giving treats to them.  And it's fun to walk around the neighborhood with other families. Benjamin dressed up as a Georgia Tech football player - he was so handsome and tough.  Catherine was a beautiful gymnast - a future olympian, maybe.  She loved getting to put on make-up.  Mary Scott was the cutest fluffiest chicken ever.  And Anna was a cozy little calf.  They looked so cute and had so much fun.  We concluded the night by having hot chocolate and snacks at the Wilsons.

A GREAT VISIT WITH AUNT KATIE BETH

Katie Beth arrived Thursday night for a short visit.  Brian, she and I had some deep political discussions Thursday night before heading off to bed.  And Friday was filled with school activities.  Katie Beth was so sweet to visit Benjamin and Catherine at school.  We had lunch with them and also joined them in their class rooms for some different happenings of the day.  I'm room mom for Benjamin's class and assistant room mom for Catherine's class so I needed to be there.  Star aunt that Katie Beth is... she patiently joined in.  I'm making every effort to introduce her to all the joys and jobs of motherhood.  She even got to clean Mary Scott up after she wet her pants while we were in Catherine's class.  The children were so sad for her to leave... and I think Katie Beth may have been a little bummed, too.  Although the visit was short, it was oh so sweet.  We love you Aunt Katie Beth!!!