SATURDAY MORNING - AT HOME & ENJOYING IT

Our morning was suppose to start with a trip to the soccer field for Benjamin's first game of the season at 8:30 am.  But due to some amazing and desperately needed rain all day Friday, the field was much too wet.  Instead, we enjoyed the freedom that simply being at home with our family offers.  The children can play, Brian and I can talk (intervening with the children when necessary - and oh it's necessary more often than we'd like), and I can nurse Anna at ease - sometimes the simplicity of it is such a nice change of pace.  

The morning began with my precious husband watching the older 3 kids, allowing Anna and me to sleep later than normal.  To top it off, when I came downstairs he welcomed me with coffee and a "made to order" omelet - what a man after my heart!  After eating, Benjamin, Catherine and Mary Scott had fun building with their set of wooden blocks and a set of Jenga blocks. I love the creativity many of the "classic" toys offer.  They weren't sharing to well at first so Brian and I had to do some training on working out differences.  Somehow I thought by the ages of nearly nine and six, sharing would've been a long learned art - boy was I wrong.  But when I really think about it, even as adults it's hard to give up what we want to prefer someone else. I'm realizing our whole lives are about learning, growing and being molded by the Lord.  In the end, they decided to work together and build a fort.  They had a great time, and it was peaceful, too.

MARY SCOTT'S 1st TRIP TO THE DENTIST

Mary Scott visited the dentist for her first time on Thursday.  She got to go back with Benjamin and Catherine.  Over all, she did great although she did get a little upset at times.  I talked to her about it afterword, and she said she liked it.  When I asked her what made her cry, she told me she didn't like it when they laid her down.  She seems to have a fear of lying back for people - she gets really upset when we try to lie her back in the bathtub to rinse her hair.  She, as well her big brother and sister, got great reports on their pearly whites - cavity free.  Keep up the good brushing!

CATHERINE GOT TO "RING THE BELL"

Catherine is doing great in gymnastics.  It is so much fun watching her learn new things and seeing her confidence grow.  This week, she got to "ring the bell" which is such a big deal.  Once you master a new skill, your coach may offer for you to ring the bell, and once you ring it, everyone in the gym stops what they're doing and watches as you perform.  This was Catherine's first opportunity to ring it so she was especially excited.  She also got to sign her autograph on the huge chalkboard.  The skill she performed was the back walk-over, and she nailed it!  Way to go Catherine!!!!

CATHERINE AWARDED "TERRIFIC KID"

                Catherine & Mrs. Mobley

This morning, Mary Scott, Anna and I had the honor of attending a ceremony at Ebinport Elementary where Catherine received the "Terrific Kid" award.  I enjoyed watching Catherine as her principal read all the wonderful things her teacher, Mrs. Mobley, had to say - she was beaming from ear to ear.  Mrs. Mobley described Catherine as, "well mannered and kind, always willing to help, thorough in her work, a leader and looked up to by her classmates." What an awesome way to start 1st grade.  

Catherine, Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you.  All of the things Mrs. Mobley mentioned about you are true.  And what's so awesome is it's those types of things that help others see Christ in you - Jesus is proud of you, too!  You are a beautiful and kind little girl, and we are blessed and very honored to be your parents.  We love you!

FALL IS IN THE AIR - MAYBE

The past couple of days have felt amazing here in Rock Hill.  I'm almost afraid to say it, but it seems Fall is in the air.  I came out from Bible Study yesterday around noon after it pouring down rain and it was only 65 degrees.  When I picked Benjamin and Catherine up from school, Catherine said, "Mom, I think it could snow!"  That's a sure bet it's been miserably hot when it feels like it could snow at 65 degrees.  When we got home, the children and I spent the entire afternoon out on the front porch playing and doing homework.  We chatted over hot chocolate, and Benjamin even had Christmas music playing (yes, it's only September).  It was wonderful!

A GOOD CRY

Brian and I got to bed last night around 10:30, and we were both so tired. He quickly dozed off to sleep, and in spite of being so sleepy,  I picked up a book I've been reading since before Anna was born.  Needless to say, I haven't had a lot of time for books lately.  Growing up,  I didn't care much for reading, but it seems I'm growing to have a love for reading now.  A few months ago, I started reading the Redemption Series by Karen Kingsbury, followed by the Firstborn Series and am currently reading the Sunrise Series.  Last night I finished Summer and found myself having one of those good cries.  The tears came forth from being so overwhelmed with gratefulness for our 4 beautiful, healthy children.  After I finished reading, I got up from bed and went and laid hands on each one of our precious children, thanking God for them and praying for His covering and protection over their lives.  I woke up this morning with my eyes all puffy, but I've found I need a "good cry" every now and again.

"HER SMILED AT ME"

Mary Scott, Anna and I have a lot of time together - wonderful time!  It thrills Mary Scott when Anna smiles at her.  Mary Scott tells me often with this huge grin on her face, "Mommy, her smiled at me!"  Mary Scott also loves to hold Anna.  Many times every day I hear, "I want to hold my baby Anna."  And when I'm holding Anna, Mary Scott always wants to see her face and her eyes.  It's a precious thing - this love between these sisters.

FUN AT THE PET STORE

Sunday after church, we went to lunch with our dear friends, the Mayfields, and then visited a pet store that has a play/petting time. Oh my did the children have fun.  We don't have any pets so it was an extra special treat for Benjamin, Catherine and Mary Scott.  In the store, they had these little petting rooms so the children all gathered in one of them and played with a couple of puppies.  They had such a great time.  The little room was filled with laughter as the puppies jumped and licked all over them.  I couldn't convince Mary Scott to get down and play so she enjoyed the puppies from the comfort of my or Brian's arms.

SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST

We are definitely breakfast people at our house, and Saturday mornings call for something special.  Sometimes we make pancakes or grits, eggs and bacon at home, but every now and again Brian comes to me so sweetly and asks if I'd like to go out for breakfast.  Saturday morning was one of those times so we had a family outing to McDonald's.  They were running a special on their bacon, egg and cheese biscuits - 2 for $2 - so guess what we had? We had a fun time eating, chatting with the kids and then watching them play on the playground.  Family time - it's a wonderful thing!

TRUE FRIENDSHIP

I took Mary Scott to the store Friday and let her pick out some new panties to hopefully get her excited about potty training.  She wore them Saturday for a while and after changing wet panties and then poopy ones all within about 15 minutes of one another - after multiple "tries" on the toilet- she returned to her diaper.  

Sunday afternoon during home group, Mary Scott decided to try again.  Her friend Isabelle was so sweet and was encouraging her on the potty.  She even held her dress up so it wouldn't get wet.  I was reminded...that's true friendship when we'll stand by one another's side in the "dirty" stuff.

OUR 1ST HOME GROUP

                        the little girls having fun playing

Brian and I hosted our very first home group yesterday afternoon.  We attend Steele Creek Church of Charlotte, and a major part of how they carry out ministry is through home groups.  A few months ago, Brian and I felt the Lord was calling us to begin leading one of these groups in our home.  Basically, it is a gathering of families with whom we can build relationships, encourage one another in our walk with the Lord, share communion together, pray for one another - simply put... be involved in one another's lives however the Lord leads.  We are very excited and are looking forward to what God has in store for us.  What an honor to be used by HIM.

We were joined by four other families and after visiting for a little while, Brian led us in a time of worship.  We then shared communion, all of us gathered right there in our family room.  I had such a sweet feeling in my heart as I heard our children worshipping the Lord in song and then watched as families took communion. Afterwords, we had a yummy spaghetti dinner and a wonderful time of fellowship. And the children all seemed to play beautifully together.  Brian and I felt as though things went really well and are looking forward to our next time together.   

CATHERINE'S 1ST DAY AT GYMNASTICS

I finally managed to get Catherine started in gymnastics yesterday.  It has taken me way too long to follow through on signing her up (sorry, Catherine).  Let's just say she is a star in the making.  She did awesome and enjoyed it immensely.  They tumbled, did balance beam and even jumped from the low bar to the high.  I was pretty impressed.  I'm anxious to see how she progresses because she is a natural flipper.  She can do a cartwheel like it's nobodies business.  It blesses me to see my children enjoying life and finding success at the same time.  Brian always wished to take gymnastics when he was a boy so he is really excited for her.  He always says, "She's the next Mary Lou Retton."  I guess we'll have to wait and see.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

                                      Anderson & baby Anna

We had a great time with Mark and Heather (Brian's brother and his wife) and their boys, Anderson and Carter, over Labor Day weekend.  They finally got to meet baby Anna and love on her.  I think Benjamin was really glad to have some additional boys in the house.  He and Anderson spent most of the time wrestling in the floor.  I'm sure Catherine was relieved to have a break from the rough housing.

It's always great getting to hang out with them.  The kids just seem to pick up where they left off at the last visit and are always so excited to be together.  Brian and Mark took them to our neighborhood pool a couple times, and they also went to a Charlotte Knights baseball game - such good daddies!  The house was a little quieter with most of the kids gone.  Heather and I kept Carter and Anna at home during the baseball game.  We enjoyed some quiet talk time, and Heather taught me a few more things about blogging.

Mark and Heather - thanks for coming.  We enjoyed having you and look forward to our trip up there in October.