Playing in the Fall Leaves

Hero in your house

The following was taken from a daily e-mail list I am a member of. I encourage you to go sign up for these e-mails at http://www.imom.com/. They are quick reads and always insightful and good stuff to ponder.

Do you have a superhero in your house? I do. I'm talking about my husband. Of course, he's not really Superman, but I want my children to think he's the greatest man on the planet. Even when I'm frustrated with him or disappointed in him, I try to remember that no matter his shortcomings as a husband (and I sure have some as a wife), he's a great father.

So I point out to my children how strong their dad is, how hard he works at his job, and how much he loves them. Children who have healthy relationships with their fathers have higher self-esteem and healthier relationships as adults. And if my husband can help our children do that, he really is a superhero.

I would only add that a good relationship with an earthly father helps a person relate to God as their heavenly father much more easily.

Chad is a superhero in our house. He is a great father and a wonderful husband. I pray God will always help me convey that to my children. God has truly blessed our home with that man - MY man!

"Riding" Daddy's work 4-wheeler (a VERY big deal)

Pumpkin Patch

This was our first trip to the pumpkin patch.

We tagged along with some friends who go every year.

It was a perfect Fall evening.

Look how tall my little boy is!Josie enjoyed the sand pile

Zoe and Holton are too cute posing by my little scarecrows.

Reese had a tough time keeping sister in place for the picture.

He sure made a valiant effort though.

Lexi played "Littel Mamma" as allways. She is such a good helper.

I think Hannan is ready to run around with the big kids.
Thanks FWs for allowing us to tag along on your annual family trip.

I think we will have to copy cat your tradition.

Thanks Allen's for being spontaneous and jumping on board too.

Very pleasant memory with precious friends!

Daddy Russ' 80th Birthday

Daddy Russ' (Chad's grandfather) turned 80.

We had a great time celebrating with all the

family on that gorgeous breezy Fall day

.Here are three generations of David men.

We should have put Reese in the picture

Daddy Russ and his children
Daddy Russ and Josie
The 2nd cousins

(it was impossible to get Josie to stay in place)Josie, Pop Pop and Uncle Josh
So great to be with family. I hate we all live so far apart.

See you guys at Christmas in Tennessee.

Can't wait!

State Fair in Perry

We had a blast at the State Fair.

It was HUGE and had so many interesting things.

Reese rode his first roller coaster and went through his first fun house mirror maze. We quickly realized that Reese should not be the leader but we couldn't help but laugh when he ran into the walls (with a loud thump) a couple of times. But to avoid any serious head injuries.... we made Eason be the leader. He he. Josie had fun even though she was

confined to the stroller most of the time.

But she loved the carrousel.... until it started moving. Eason, I have now proven my undying sisterly love for you

by riding "The Zipper."

Thanks for keeping me calm (relatively speaking). Well maybe my love isn't completely "undying."

Sorry I chickened out on "The Tango."

That one was a bit much.

Yep, that's Eason beside the empty chair. Mr. Fearless himself.
Thanks Big Daddy and Mimi for taking us to the fair.

We had a great time and have lots of happy memories.

And a little exhaustion.

The New Kayak

Chad has been wanting a kayak for a long time. He got some money for his birthday and was able to find this inflatable kayak on clearance on the Wal-Mart web site (insert Halelujah chorus here). Now we just need to get another so the whole family can go at once. Reese was dancing because he was so excited to ride in the new boat. That made it difficult for Daddy to put sunscreen on him but it was too cute!
Mommy had to try it out too.
We tried it out on Lake Dot out at the lodge. Henry brought his two boats also. We look forward to many more beautiful days on the water.

Josie's 1st Birthday

Wow! Can you believe it? Baby girl is 1 YEAR old! This year has FLOWN by. We had a small party with family over at Big Daddy and Mimi's house on Tuesday. Here are a few pictures.

Cool Girl!

Check out my cool girl. She enjoyed putting the sunglasses on and taking them off much more than wearing them so getting a picture was a tricky process.

Happy Birthday Mimi!

We love you. We could never repay you for all you do for us on a regular basis. You are a great mom, terrific mother-in-law and now a very loving mimi. You deserve an awesome day that is all about you. Happy Birthday!!

Sibbling Love

It is amazing to me how early the sibling rivalry begins. But moments like these are too sweet. They often reach accross for each other in the van and Josie thinks it is too funny. But of course she thinks almost anything her brother does is hilarious.

Weekend in Flat Rock

We had a wonderful weekend in Flat Rock, NC. Mumer has a place in Bonclarken which is a community and conference center where they hold camps and various activities throughout the year. We love going there because it is so peaceful yet there is plenty to do even if we don't leave the community but it is also very close to Hendersonville and not too far from Asheville. Daddy, Pop Pop, and Josh are now hooked on Disc Golf so they played the course in Bonclarken several times and even went to an awesome course in Asheville. The kids, Janet (Nanna) and me went to the North Carolina Apple Festival which was very hot but lots of fun.

On Sunday we all went to the home of Carl Sandburg who was a legendary poet, songwriter, etc. His home is now a state park and is within walking distance of Mumer's house. The estate is beautiful and we enjoy just hiking around the place. But...there is a goat farm with a working dairy. Reese LOVED petting the goats.

We all came home with "the sinus crud" but it was worth it. Great memories. Thank you Mumer, Pop Pop and Nanna for giving us a great weekend!

Practice Makes Perfect

Josie-lu is too cute trying to walk. Love to watch those chunky little thighs and hands waving in the air as she toddles around. Could eat her up!!

The gift of mediocrity

I told my friend once, "I will be offended if your house is spotless when I come over." I told her that I hope I am the kind of friend you feel comfortable enough with to allow me to see your dirty house. I didn't want her rushing around cleaning before I came. Then the other day I heard this phrase on a radio program I was listening too. "Sometimes we need to give each other the gift of mediocrity."

The truth is when we go in someone's gorgeous and spotless house, there is almost a shameful "Oh no, she is one of those Good Housekeeping women" kind of feeling. But when I go into a home that has more of a "lived in" look, I take a relaxing deep breath and think, "OK so I'm not the only imperfect one."

Also, it hinders us from inviting people over if we think the house has be overhauled first. Community is one of God's greatest gifts to us and if we have a hinderance from opening our home to others, we are in many ways limiting that gift.

I'm not saying we should live in a pig stie. And I'm not saying we should never clean up for company. But, that mad dash to mop the kitchen floor and dust the coffee table is just not necessary. Give your friends the gift of mediocrity.

Happy Birthday Chad!

Happy Birthday Babe!! I love you very much. I wouldn't want to do this thing called life with anyone else. You are a wondferful husband and a terrific Daddy. You deserve an awesome birthday. Happy #33.

"I go to Fweeschool"

Today was Reese's first day of 2 yr old Preschool. He was so excited for two weeks. He told everyone, "I gonna go to Fweeschool!" But of course when we got there he clung to mommy and said, "I want to go home." Then Ms. Michele invited him to play with the playdough and that was all it took. He had a great time. He will go on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 12:00. That will be a great outlet for his energy and give mommy time to run errands and get work done with just one kid in tow. Bitter - sweet. My baby is growing too fast!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANNA!!

You are a wonderful Nanna. We love you so much and miss you lots. Have a terffic birthday!! We hope to see you Labor Day weekend. Take a look at this video we did for you. Enjoy!

Photo Contest Winner

This picture won a contest for summer photos on myfamily.com. Pretty cool huh? My children are the cutest kids on the face of the earth!! I know all moms think that but I am right. He He.

Crazy Days

OK so Josie is learning to walk. This video was taken Tuesday night. She had just gotten back from Mimi's house where she stayed most of the afternoon / evening because big brother was sick. Reese had a virus and couldn't keep any food down. That was a crazy day all its own. We did many loads of laundry since he hasn't quite learned how to make it to the bathroom when he feels sick. He got some good pampering from Mommy, some great medicine (called in by "Uncle Micah" and was feeling much better by evening. That's him on the couch by Mimi.

So then on Wednesday morning, Josie fell and hit her chin on the leg of the kitchen table. We rushed to the ER where it was "Uncle Micah" to the rescue again, gluing her injury closed with dermabond. Great stuff. No stitches needed. We are looking forward to an uneventful week PLEASE.

Escape!!

We know our marriage should be top priority. This is true for many reasons including the health and stability of our home for our children's sake. But with two little ones, (and one of them still nursing) it is very difficult to find time to be alone.

Some friends of ours who have been so faithful to encourage our marriage, felt that God was telling them to give us money and tell us we had to use it for a date. I do believe they were hearing from God. We desperately needed it. It took two weeks but we finally planned a time to get away for a few hours.

My WONDERFUL mother in law agreed to keep the kids for the afternoon while we escaped. We put them down for a nap, gave her instructions, and took off for the lodge. We went to Quailridge and road the four-wheeler for a couple of hours.

The scenery out there is incredible. We stopped at times along the trail, turned off the engine and just listened to the sowing of the trees and the birds chirping. It was a slice of heaven. We even saw a mother racoon and her babies scurrying accross the trail and caught a picture of one of them. We went to the "Piture Bog" which is a beautiful grove of Piture plants (an endangured species) and to "The Rocks" which is an outcropping in the middle of the woods.

We then went home, took showers, and went out to eat. We had a delicious seafood meal and even splurged for dessert (a delicious fudge cake). MMMMMMM!!

The day was much needed and helped recharge our batteries to make it through another week. God is so good!!