Susannah and Luke's Wedding

                                             My family

                                             My brother's family

                                My mom and all 8 of her grandchildren

                                             My mom and Anna

                                 Benjamin looking dapper in a bow tie

                        Mary Scott and her cousin, Abrahm, dancing a jig

                          Catherine having fun dancing with cousins

                            Mary Scott having fun dancing with her daddy

                          Catherine and Susannah, the beautiful bride

                             My precious grandma Neysa and me

                               Catherine and Brian gettin' down

                                             Susannah and me

So one weekend it snows, and the very next weekend it was an absolutely perfect day for my cousin, Susannah's, wedding - sunny and a very pleasant 70 degrees.  We headed down to Georgia to attend the wedding which was in Swainsboro.  The ceremony was beautiful, and the reception was an evening filled with fun.  Catherine and Mary Scott had the time of their lives dancing with their Daddy.  It was great to be with my extended family, too.  Fun was definitely had by all!

A BUDDING WRITER

If you were to ask Benjamin about writing right now, his first response would be... "I'm so tired of writing!"  On Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week, he and the rest of his classmates had to take a state writing test.  In preparation for this test, his teacher, Mrs. Pundt, had them writing up a storm.  So nearly everyday for almost two weeks, he had to write a paper as part of his homework, both a rough draft and a final one.  It was so neat to see how his writing improved over that two week period.  I know he's glad to be finished with the exam but there's still plenty of writing to be done before the end of the March.  He still has a science paper and a history paper to write.  So after a few days break, it's about time to awaken that pencil again.  He's doing such a awesome job in 3rd grade.  I'm really proud of him.  And we just got word that he is now in the Gifted and Talented  program... another great accomplishment.

Mary Scott - a good little Mommy

One of my favorite things to do when I was a little girl was to play with my baby dolls.  My dream for as long as I can remember was always to be a mommy.  So I really enjoy watching my girls play "mommy."  Because I've always nursed my babies, it's just what my children know, and it's very natural for them.  So most of the time, instead of Mary Scott pulling out a bottle to feed her babies, she just, in her words, let's them "eat on my boobie."  So the other day, I managed to capture a photo of her doing just that.  And of all places, on the stool in our powder room.  It's precious to me to see that even at the young age of 3, Mary Scott is learning how to be such a good little mommy.

MARCH 2ND SNOW

Our best snow of this winter greeted us as we entered March.  Giant snowflakes began falling early in the evening of March 1st and when we awoke Monday morning, it was a winter wonderland.  According to Benjamin's measurement, we had 3 - 3 1/2 inches of snow on the ground.  We had a really fun day together.  Of course, Brian and his brave self headed off to work a little against my wishes so I resorted to the fact that he's a grown man capable of making wise decisions.  Thankfully, he arrived there safely without any problems.  The only place the children and I headed was out to play in the snow!  Our fun started by building a snowman for our elderly neighbor, Mr. Pete.  Then we headed down to our friends' house, the Brewers, for some sledding, snowboarding and just plain fun.  It certainly was a day of enjoyment.

BABY BRA NEEDED

I couldn't resist the opportunity to share these hilarious but adorable pictures of Anna.  Could "rolls" ever be more precious than on a chunky little baby?  The other night, I was trying to clean up the kitchen after dinner, Brian was busy and Anna was in need of attention.  So I ventured to sit Anna in the kitchen sink next to where I was loading the dishwasher.  She was completely content to explore the water running from the faucet.  I later decided to go ahead and bathe her in the sink, and oh my goodness, what little rolls beheld me.  I'm beginning to wonder if I should invest in a baby bra for her.  Is there such a thing?  She is one "healthy" baby girl.  If I wasn't nursing her, I might be concerned I was giving her a few too many bottles.  I guess my milk just really agrees with her!

Anna's at such a sweet age.  I want to hold onto every day, as it seems they are going by so quickly.  Even Catherine said the other day, "Mommy, Anna is just growing up way too fast."  I couldn't agree more.  She's been saying "by-by-by" for a while and a couple weeks ago as we were strolling through Target, she started saying "da-da."  I try to teach her every day to say "ma-ma" but to no avail.  I just know one day soon she's gonna finally say it, and it will be music to my ears.  She's sitting up real well now and is exploring everything with her hands and mouth.  She's eating baby food well and is learning to pick up puffs and cheerios and put them in her mouth.  She's still a little choke with them sometimes, though.  And she loves to give kisses (I guess that's what you'd call them).  When Brian or I pick her up, she instantly goes for our faces with her mouth.  She is so precious and so much fun.

BUDDING ENTRAPRENUERS

Benjamin is becoming the smoothie chef at our house.  So while we enjoyed a smoothie he made for us after school yesterday, he and Catherine started making plans for a business.  In no time they were discussing money and who would make what.  Catherine thought they should split profits 50/50 then Benjamin quickly named himself "boss" and said he'd give Catherine 2/5 of the profits.  No matter the situation, Benjamin always has to be in control.  Next thing I knew, they were adorning the front porch with advertisements.  Maybe we have some budding entrepreneurs on our hands. 

BENJAMIN CHOSEN "TERRIFIC KID"

Benjamin was awarded "Terrific Kid" in his 3rd grade class for the month of February.  We are so proud of him and his hard work and good behavior at school.  His teacher, Mrs. Pundt, said several great things about him including, "good attitude, loves to learn and eager to listen, asks great questions, beautiful smile, big heart, willing to help others in class, happy, positive outlook."  She said, "Benjamin makes the definition complete for being a Terrific Kid!"  I sure was a proud Mommy as I listened to the principal saying all these wonderful things about Benjamin.  I'm so honored to be his mom.

ANNA'S DEDICATION

Last Sunday, February 22nd, we had Anna's dedication at our church.  It was a really special time for our family to make a public profession of our committing to bring Anna up in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.  Our pastor prayed a precious prayer over Anna and specifically prayed that she would grow to be a woman of prayer just as "Anna" in the Bible.  The Bible speaks of  "Anna" in Luke 2:36-38 and says in verse 37b, "She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying."  Oh, how wonderful will be to see her seeking the Lord with all her heart.

We were glad my mom and Brian's parents were able to share in Anna' dedication, as well some of our close friends.  It was a wonderful day for sure.

VALENTINE'S WEEKEND 2009

Pretty roses given by Brian to each of his girls

Brian leading our family in worship Sunday morning 

My slippered foot and Mary Scott sipping gatorade as we praise the Lord together

Benjamin and Catherine lifting their voices to the Lord

Reading from God's Word as we had church at home

Catherine excited as she recites Philippians  2:3

Little Mary Scott on the mend but still not feeling great

This weekend was marked by changed plans due to our very sick little Mary Scott.  It all began early Friday afternoon when she began vomiting continuously for a solid hour.  As fear crept into my soul as she couldn't stop and I knew not what to do, I laid hands on her and prayed that God would give her reprieve.  Finally, after an hour, the vomiting subsided for a few minutes and the nurse from our pediatrician's office returned my call.  She informed me of a horrible stomach virus going around marked by uncontrollable vomiting followed by several days of diarrhea (yuk!!!).  She went on to tell me it has generally been going through entire families (we are praying against this, for sure!).  

I am very thankful this morning to report Mary Scott hasn't vomited since late last night.  She was amazingly calm and independent all through Friday night as she threw up many, many times.  Due to some medicine her pediatrician prescribed, she was at least able to keep down tiny amounts of pedialyte for an hour or so keeping her from getting dangerously dehydrated.  Yesterday, she slept most of the day with only short wake times when we encouraged her to drink.  By the evening, in addition to her apple flavored pedialyte, strawberry jello, a grape popsicle, and some sprite, she tried to eat a couple of saltines and a little bit of applesauce.  Later, she through up a tiny bit but managed to rest well most of the night.  And this morning, Mary Scott awoke very weak and still tired but with help and encouragement, has taken a few little bites of a banana along with clear drinks and jello after which she has seemed to perk up a bit.

Though Valentine's day was spent at home, sweet Brian celebrated his love for each of us.  He presented his girls, Catherine, Mary Scott, Anna and myself, with roses (a separate bouquet for each of us).  And Benjamin got a big old bear hug - the kind only a daddy can give- along with words communicating his love for his son.  What a precious and loving husband and father Brian is.  And I had special little gifts for Brian and the children as tokens of my love for each of them.

Instead of attending church for worship this morning, we praised our Lord from home.  As Brian played the keyboard, we sang songs of worship and praise then spent time in the Word reading in Luke about the birth of John the Baptist.  We went on to begin memorizing Philippians 2:3 which says, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."  I also shared some thoughts and scripture on love noted from a favorite blog of mine.  It was a sweet time together although we missed the chance to worship with other fellow believers at our church.

So it's been a different kind of weekend... very quiet, at times restful and at times not restful at all.  Mary Scott hasn't been her typical lively and often loud little self.  I've spent much of the time in pajamas with face not made.  And we've each washed hands many, many times and used squirt after squirt of hand sanitizer.  Sprayed Lysol and brought out the Clorox.  And we've prayed over Mary Scott for her healing and prayed for God's grace and protection on our home that this horrible sickness would stop with her.  But we've been together, and for that, I am thankful.

PROUD OF BENJAMIN

Benjamin had his first "major" project of his school career due week before last.  He has been studying South Carolina History during 3rd grade and did a project on Francis Marion, a military leader during the Revolutionary war who was from SC.  Benjamin enjoys history so he didn't mind the research part of things.  Apart from helping him proof read his written report and being sure his paragraphs had a topic sentence with information that supported that topic then a closing sentence that restated the topic (oh, it's been a while!), he did the project all by himself.  Even typed his report without my help. He also did a power point presentation.  Brian helped him set up the application then Benjamin went to town.  He even taught other children in his class how to create a power point.  Maybe I can get him to teach me!  It amazes me how early they are learning certain things.  I went to watch him along with some other class mates do their presentations.  Benjamin looked so handsome in his "Francis Marion" attire and did a great job presenting.  Thanks to some nervousness, he talked quite fast, but there's one thing for sure... I was one proud Mommy!

And then to make me even prouder, he presented me with his first "Principal's Scholar" certificate.  Thanks to the straight "A's" on his report card, he made the Honor Role.  I hope this is the first of many as he works hard in the months and years ahead to apply himself in school and be the best student he can be.  Brian and I have told him how much his hard work will pay off come college time.  Keep up the great work, Buddy... Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

OVER-NIGHT FUN

This past Friday night, Benjamin invited his friend, Austin, over for a sleep-over after their basketball game.  Austin is one of Benjamin's best friends from down the street in our neighborhood.  They had a great time building a tent in Benjamin's room.  Brian and I had to help them secure the edges before they could get all tucked into their sleeping bags to go to sleep.  It was fun to watch their excitement.  On Saturday morning, they worked together to make home-made waffles for us for breakfast.  They did a great job, and the waffles were delicious!  It was just an ordinary weekend made special by the company of a friend.

"BLOWING RASPBERRIES"

I couldn't resist capturing my sweet Anna as she sat on the floor "blowing raspberries" with all her might.  The simplicity of passing the time in such a free spirited way seems wonderful.  I love it!

ANNA - LITTLE TOOTH COMING THROUGH

Can you see it?  Anna's first little tooth started breaking through last week just as she turned 7 months old.  It's her bottom left one and the bottom right one is working it's way up.  She hasn't been sleeping very well - waking up crying at night.  Other than that partnered with some occasional fussiness, she seems to be tolerating it okay.