1ST FAMILY CAMPING ADVENTURE

   TEAMWORK - the best way to get most any job done!

And our tent is up - we followed the directions and all went smoothly.

          Our camping home... beautiful!

   Mary Scott checking out the inside of out tent

A view from bed that allowed us to enjoy God's creation - lovely!

Benjamin with hatchet in hand, chopping away at our firewood.

Catherine and Mary Scott being silly over a cup of hot chocolate

Anna having fun playing in her pack-n-play under a canopy of trees

                          Digging for earthworms

              Mary Scott was proud of  "her tree"

       Benjamin waiting patiently for a fish to bite

         Anna and Mommy doing a little fishing

            Daddy and Mary Scott crossing the creek

                  Oh that water is cold!

          Benjamin's pet lizard, Camo

             and Catherine's pet lizard, Junior

         and Benjamin's other pet, Dart the frog

                   Morning by the campfire

Needed: Quality Time as a family... Solution: CAMPING!!!  

Indeed, our camping trip was just what our family needed - freedom from the distractions of home (chores, electronics, phone, television...) and an opportunity for team work and adventure.

We headed over to Kings Mountain State Park on Thursday to set up camp. Although we purchased our tent a couple years ago, this was the first time we've used it.  We worked as a family to put it up and thankfully the process went very smoothly.  Once up, we realized it is the perfect size for our family.  A 12 x 12 square... plenty of room for 2 queen size air mattresses, the pack-n-play for Anna and another corner for our bags.  Our campsite offered water and electricity and the bath house was across the road - all of which were nice amenities. 

The weather was beautiful.  By the afternoon, we were all changing into shorts but the nights and mornings were definitely on the chili side (around 40 degrees during the night/early morning).  Our bed clothes included socks and fleeces, and we all looked forward to a warm campfire to start our days.  Finding wood for our fires was one of the ways we worked together as a family, and Benjamin had a lot of fun using the hatchet to help chop our wood.  One of our conversations around the campfire was about how heavily people long ago depended upon fire.  We used the grill over our fire to cook hot dogs and hamburgers.  We made breakfast on our electric skillet... pancakes and sausage patties one morning, bacon and eggs the other.  Brian and I enjoyed coffee by the fire and the kids had hot chocolate.  What a great time we had!

It was so wonderful hanging out together as a family without feeling the pull of so many distractions that day to day life offers.  After breakfast our first morning, I dug in the dirt with the girls for at least an hour.  We were in search of earth worms for our afternoon fishing extravaganza.  We found lots of worms but were less fortunate on our fishing trip - seemed all Benjamin and I could catch were tree limbs.  Brian spent nearly our whole time fishing trying to get us out of messes.  Mary Scott enjoyed feeding the goose while we fished.  Although we had a great time wetting our hooks... the fish weren't biting.  At the end of the lake was a dam which fed into a pretty little creek where the kids enjoyed rock hopping.  It was wonderful watching them enjoy the sheer freedom that God's creation offers.   Other moments we enjoyed included swinging, playing horse shoes, making smores and singing along as Brian played the guitar.  One of the other things Benjamin and Catherine found fun was playing with their "camping pets."  By the time we were packing up to head home, they had to let free 2 lizards and a frog.  We made so many fun memories from Thursday to Saturday... the beauty of uninterrupted family time.

After packing up our massive amount of stuff (the car was packed!) to head back home, we stopped at the Kings Mountain Military Camp.  We got to learn a colonial dance called the "Hole in the Wall."  It was so neat to dance together as a family and learn a little history from our forefathers - a special ending to an absolutely wonderful weekend.

We couldn't have asked our 1st family camping trip to have gone any more smoothly.  We went camping one other time when I was pregnant with Mary Scott but this one will go down in the books as our first one with our whole family.  And one things certain... we hope it is the first of many!

He Is Risen... Indeed!

As I pondered Easter and all that happened on those days so long ago... my heart was heavy at the thought of how a sacrifice must of grieved the heart of a mother and a Father.  Jesus knew how it would all play out... His very life broken, given as the final sacrifice for me, for you.  Yet he walked in the very obedience that cost Him his life and purchased life everlasting for those of us who believe and commit our lives to Him.  My heart was heavy, yet joyful and oh so grateful that My Lord loved me enough to give His very life and that the grave couldn't hold Him down.  That He did indeed RISE - His death a covering for my sin... Him rising to give me life eternal (Luke 23 & 24).  Thank you Heavenly Father... may I never get over what you did and how much you love me.  And may I make it my every aim to share your gift with my children, my family, my friends... with everyone with whom I encounter.  May my life reflect and breathe the very essence of who you are and may I love others the way you first loved me.

We traveled down to my mom's for Easter this year.  It was nice being back at her house for the first time since the devastating tornado we experienced while visiting her on Mother's day of last year.  The children had fun making goodies and dying eggs.  They enjoyed a couple of egg hunts, and we all went to church together Easter morning.  My brother and sister-in-law, Sarah, along with my little nephews, Abrahm and Ezra came for the weekend, too.  One of Catherine's high lights of the weekend was putting on my mom's wedding dress.  She wanted pictures with everyone.  I just love the desire God puts in every little girl's heart to be a beautiful bride.  I'm surely thankful that God provided Brian to choose me as his bride.  How blessed I am to have such a wonderful husband.  It was a beautiful weekend.

HOLLYWOOD - Spring Show

My Hollywood Stars

What in the world is so funny?  Is Benjamin surrounded by girls???

Daddy, Mary Scott and Anna ready to enjoy the show

Mary Scott and Anna dancing to the music

We were off for a night in Hollywood last week as Benjamin and Catherine sang in the Spring Show for school.  They did a great job singing and dancing.  It was a fun night watching them perform.  And they seemed to enjoy it, too.  It's hard for me to believe they're already in 1st and 3rd grades and having school performances.  

Little Anna Girl - 9 months old

Well, actually, Anna is already 9 1/2 months old, and I'm just now posting about her 9 month mark.  She continues to be quite a chunky little one weighing in at her check-up at a healthy 20 pounds 13 ounces.  And she was 28 1/4 inches tall.  She is on the brink of crawling...  sometimes I'll find her crawling backwards or just rolling.  This past Friday, she mastered sitting herself back up from her tummy.  She's not yet pulling up and cruising.  Fact is, she doesn't really have to with 2 sisters and a brother meeting her every need.  She finally started saying "ma ma" and is also saying "na na."  The noise she makes that gains the most attention, though, is this very loud grunty scream - not what one would expect from a pretty baby girl.  And she also makes this softer grunting sound sometimes when she sits and plays.  She enjoys sitting with a big bucket of toys and pulling out different ones to explore.  And oh how she loves her mommy.  Boy can she make that grunty screaming noise when she wants me, and even louder when she wants to nurse.  In addition to nursing, she's eating stage 2 baby foods (haven't found one yet that she doesn't like).  And she loves to sit in her high chair seat and eat cheerios and puffs.  I am starting to see visions of what it's going to be like once she's totally mobile.  I just bet she's gonna be a busy little girl.  Busy and delightful... continuing to add joy to our family.

The Crippled Lamb

 The Crippled Lamb... a wonderful book for the family library

This morning, I snuggled up on the sofa with Mary Scott to read her a story.  She chose one of my favorites, The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado.  Sometimes I get so disappointed with myself at the lack of quality time I spend with my children.  But when I overcome the urge to put other things first and just stop what I'm doing and give my attention fully to my sweet little ones, what peace I feel in my heart.  So this morning as we read together, I was filled with thankfulness for the blessing of being able to be at home with my children.  And as this wonderful story unfolded, the Lord spoke to my spirit and gently reminded me that although I'm different than other people, not as good at certain things as others, sometimes sad when I focus on the things that make me different and discouragement trying to have its way with me... that my Savior created me as me because he does indeed have a plan and a purpose for my life.  Dear Lord, how I want to fully embrace your ways and your plans for me and live with the complete joy and peace that you desire for me.  

Trip to Macon

          Sound asleep on our trip back from Macon (and yes, they're buckled)

It's so hard to get a good picture of all 4 kids and do you see Catherine's rabbit ears?

Mary Scott had requested a picture with Nana and Pappa... but she's not cooperating!
And she's still not cooperating... doesn't make for a good picture! (but it's real life)

Had it really been a year since traveling to Macon?  My gracious how the time does fly!  We made a quick trip to visit our family in Macon and also visited the church we used to attend when we lived there.  Although our visits with both family and friends was way too short, it was great to see each of them, even if only for a few minutes.  The weekend was filled with lots of rain, a lunch outing to one of my very favorite pizza joints, Ingleside Village Pizza, a little shopping, a baby shower for one of Brian's cousins... and spread all through each of the activities, good times with people we love.  

Meeting Nastia Liukin

                                        Catherine and Nastia Liukin

                                Riding the LYNX, Charlotte's light rail

                                              Here comes the "train"

Last night, we headed up to Charlotte for an opportunity we've all been looking forward to, especially Catherine.  We got to meet Nastia Liukin, the 2008 Olympic all-around gymnastics gold medalist.  The function was uptown Charlotte so Brian and I thought it would be the perfect chance to take the kids for a ride on the LYNX (the fairly new light rail).  I'm not sure which they were more excited about... riding the LYNX or meeting Nastia.  So off we went in the cold and rain, the whole family, to have some fun.  The "train" ride was exciting and seemed so much easier than dealing with traffic and hunting for a parking space.  We arrived at the Charlotte Convention Center just in time for a reception sponsored by Brian's company, and Catherine got to do the very thing she's been longing for... she met Nastia face to face, got her autograph and a picture with her.  I'm sure such an opportunity would be exciting for most any old Joe but for a little girl who mentioned being in the Olympics as soon as she started gymnastics, it seemed the opportunity of a lifetime.  In fact, shortly after we arrived and Catherine met her, she looked up at me and said, "I feel like I'm living in a dream!"  There were little girls flipping all over the place, including Catherine.  She just loved it.  And the rest of us enjoyed it, too.  Nastia shared all about her journey to this point.  I'll sum it up by saying she has put countless hours into achieving her goal of being Olympic all-around gold medalist... but she put her eyes on the prize and set her heart on achieving what I would consider one of the greatest accomplishments in the world, as far as athletics goes.  As we were riding the "train" back to our car after the event, Catherine looked at me with this longing in her eyes and asked me, "Mama, do you think I could win the Olympics one day?"  My first reply began with telling her it would take lots of hard work.  And then she said, "But Mama, just tell me you think I can do it."  It really was a precious reminder that often what my children need from me is to know that I believe in them.  So of coarse I relied, "Absolutely I do... I know you can do it."  She is doing incredible in gymnastics as are a number of her teammates.  In fact, their coach just invited several of them to promote to a new team, the Mighty Giants, where they will continue to polish basic skills but begin to learn more advanced skills, too.  In stead of practicing an hour and a half weekly, they will have two practices a week for two hours each (4 hours a week total).  I'm a really proud of Catherine and am tickled that she has found one of her passions.  My desire is to be her biggest cheerleader and for her to know, without a doubt, that I believe in her as she goes after her dreams.

A Friendly Game of HORSE

       Benjamin pouting after he didn't win our game of HORSE

                                  Check out that stylish outfit!

                                           Mary Scott "photographing" Anna

Saturday morning, Benjamin was so anxious for us all to go outside and play a game of HORSE (a basketball shooting game).  So outside we went to enjoy some family fun and soak up the beautiful sunshine.  Mary Scott and Anna played in the grass while the rest of us had a little friendly competition.  In the end, Benjamin was out first which he wasn't at all happy about.  He has quite a competitive spirit and is still learning how to loose gracefully (oh the chances for training we as parents are faced with!).  And Catherine just tried her best to get the ball to the goal.  Brian ended up winning.  Most important of all, though, is that we spent some great time together.

Jana and Little Shamus came to visit

                    Little Shamus and his cute little grin

All the kids playing outside.  Little Shamus loved playing in the car.

                                                        Jana and I

I'm so glad my cousin, Jana, and her son, Little Shamus, came to visit last week.  We've been trying to get together for a while so I was delighted when she called to see if they could come up.  I think she probably returned home thinking our home and life is quite chaotic (an often true observation, to say the least!).  Jana's head was spinning the first night she arrived as she watched me doing my usual multi-tasking.  I had to scoot out the door to go and lead Bible study so in a matter of 20 minutes, she just gazed as I stuffed my dinner in my mouth while nursing Anna, then I started a pot of coffee, gathered needed items for Bible study in a basket, fixed a pitcher of water, covered sweets treats to take with me all while receiving and making at least 5 phone calls.  That night when I returned home, Jana's response was something like this... "Wow, that was chaotic, but do you realize how much you accomplished in 20 minutes?"  If only I worked at that pace all the time maybe I'd have a much more productive life!  That first night she was here, we stayed up talking about life stuff until 2:30 am.  Mercy, I've been worn out ever since.  I think I'm getting too old for such craziness as that.  I really enjoyed our time together and loved watching my children love on Little Shamus.  What a precious boy he is, and what an awesome job Jana is doing mothering him.  I'm so proud of her and her desire to be the Mom and wife God desires her to be.  Thankfully colored all over God's desires for us is a whole lot of grace and love as he trains us in his ways.  And how awesome that he allows us to partner along side one another to cheer one another on. 

2009 Basketball finished

                                              Benjamin with his coaches 

The trophy I was awarded for winning the Mom's shooting competition

                                            Benjamin's Basketball Team 2009

Well, Benjamin had a great season of basketball.  He played with his friend, Austin, at West End Baptist Church.  It's always exciting each year to see how Benjamin improves.  He definitely improved on his dribbling and shooting and continues to work on being a passer.  Brian and I had to start enforcing a "one pass rule" before he was aloud to shoot.  Having such a rule served to remind him to be a better team player and not simply dribble down and shoot every time he got the ball.  Their team ended the season with 6 wins and only 2 losses.  They really played well together.  I am so proud of Benjamin's progress.

We closed out the season with a basketball banquet and spaghetti dinner where the kids were awarded their trophies.  We also had a few contests during the banquet.  They even had a shooting competition for the moms and the dads.  And low and behold, I earned the most points of the moms and was awarded a trophy of my own.  It was a lot of fun... I was so proud of all the moms that got out there and gave it a try.  It was so neat watching Benjamin and Catherine and their response to me winning.  They were so proud of me.  Catherine said, "Mama, your 34 and you won your own trophy!"  Cracked me up.  The following Monday morning when I picked her back-pack up for her to go to school, it was so heavy so I unzipped it.  Guess what I found?  My trophy... she wanted to take it school and show it to her friends.  So sweet and cute.  I just love my children and love celebrating with them!

Breakfast-in-bed

What a treat greeted Brian and me this morning when we awoke.  Well first, let me mention that we slept till almost 9 o'clock.  Granted our night was not without a few wake-ups between Anna and Mary Scott... however, what a blessing to get to add a few hours to our normal wake time.  And then, we were served breakfast in bed by Benjamin and Catherine.  Our menu included cereal, toast with jam and orange juice arranged on a tray.  It blessed my heart to see my children taking measures to be kind and do something special for us.  They said since we weren't at church this morning (we attended last night) they wanted to do something to make the morning special... and that they did.  It was a perfect start to the day!

Photographer Wanna-be

A friend of mine recently took an amateur photography class and learned so much.  I have recently found myself asking different people whose pictures catch my eye what type of camera they have.  I've always been captured by photos and am completely obsessed with taking pictures at the beach.  Until I can one day hopefully get a more "upscale" digital camera, I'll continue to capture memories with my tiny little point and shoot (sony cyber-shot that's about 5 years old).  So after looking at some practice shots from my friend, I took a few "brick wall" pictures of Benjamin and Catherine just to see what I could do.  What I ended up with is certainly not professional but because they're pictures of my kids... I just like looking at them.  Catherine's eyes are amazing, and though Benjamin's expression is one of them is almost a little sad, I still like it.  What a blessing that we have the ability to capture life through photography.