Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

The day that Luke has been waiting for finally arrived ... I'm telling you, this kid has been asking me, "Now, go Halloween?" daily all month long.  And it did not disappoint.  Buzz Lightyear had lightening speed and definitely collected the most candy of the three ... he was a delight (and pretty hilarious) to watch.  I think Woody's hat and boots slowed him down a bit ... he went up to every other house :)  He kept asking Luke, "Why you running so fast?"  And our Dragon Warrior Ninja loved it of course ... he was excited to find our neighbor, Coleman, and ran around with him for a while.  I really feel like we nailed it this year ... our dear friends, the Madisons, had a party, so we stopped by their house to fellowship and eat and then headed to the neighborhood where we wanted to trick-or-treat.  We arrived just as the parade ended and got ahead of the crowd, so we were able to trick-or-treat while it was still daylight and in a very light crowd.  We even got everyone home and in bed by 7:45!!  Such a fun night ... until next year - I hope Luke can wait!!

 Carter (Woody), Luke (Buzz), and Graham (Ninja)



 At the Madisons ... also with the McFarlands, Paxtons, Jennings, and Owens



 They both stopped and sat right on a pothole for a candy break :)

On the way home ... a truly great night!!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Vandy Homecoming

It was my 10 year Vandy reunion, and we had a blast getting together with lots of college friends.  We had a class party on campus Friday night, then had a bunch of folks over to our house for lunch on Saturday, off to the game, and then capped off the night at Urban Grub.  It was great being back together and laughing at old memories.  Although I'm coming off of this weekend fairly exhausted, I'm actually quite refreshed knowing that my friends are are in solid marriages, doing their best to raise Godly children, and following Christ ... that's all I can really ask for and knowing this does my soul very well!!
(P.S. We REALLY missed you, Jodie ... can't wait to meet baby Claire soon)

 The crew

 The next gen ... really only half of them, though


 Cartoon time with Anna

Me and Robin ... always such a treat to be together!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Gifts

I am a HUGE fan of Ann Voskamp.  I loved her book, 1000 Gifts, and read her blog daily ... that woman has a way with words.  She came and spoke at our church this past summer and through her encouragement, we "adpoted" a Compassion child ... Enoc is from Mexico and is 11 days younger than Graham ... we write to him, send pictures, and really talk about and pray for him often.  Anyway, she has this "Monthly Joy Dare" on her blog at the beginning of each month, and I've been printing them out to put on our fridge.  Each day, you are supposed to find 3 gifts ... she gives some prompting (which has also been a great vocabulary lesson).  It has been really fun to do after we say our blessing ... I love what comes out of their mouths!!  A few days ago, it said to find 3 gifts undervalued, and after explaining what undervalued means, Carter shouts out "Mommy."  I looked at him and said, "Amen, son." :)    I also loved it when it said unexpected, and Graham said, "having twin brothers."  Thanks to Ann, I love this idea of pointing my boys into continually choosing joy and gratitude.  A few of my favorite quotes of hers:

"Patience in the moment only comes from gratefulness for the moment"
"Only self can kill joy.  Why am I doing this to me?"
"One of life's biggest kill joy is expectations"
"If you don't fight for joy, it's your children who lose"
"Joy, it comes not in the gaining but in the giving, not in being someone but in being a sacrifice, not in laying up treasures, but in laying down self."

There is SO much joy and SO many gifts in my life, I just really need and want to rewire my brain to think this way instead of turning first to frustration throughout the craziness of my daily life.  I also really want to teach my boys to first choose gratitude instead of complaining.

Here is the link, since my pic is blurry:  http://www.aholyexperience.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/OctoberJoyDare.pdf

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Memphis Visit

Kevin went on his guys golfing weekend, so I loaded up the boys and went to Memphis for a really fun and low-key visit.  We had great weather and spent pretty much all of our time enjoying the great outdoors with Bet Bet and Snacks!!  I know I've said this before, but my parents house and grounds could not be more perfect for 3 little active boys :)  My dad commented on how mature my boys are becoming and that they really aren't babies anymore.   I got some good time in with 2 of my cousins and we even snuck in an hour with Wilson's family right before we left ... they were out of town all weekend but got back a little early.  Thanks to everyone for taking time to hang out with us and for making sweet memories!!

 In the hot tub with Snacks

 Story time with Bet Bet

 We went downtown for a trolley ride 

 At the Big Backyard

 Back in the hot tub with my cousin Lauren's kiddos, Wilson and Stuart

 Sno-cone time

My cousin, Katherine, also came over with her husband Adrian and their precious boys, Boyd and Collins 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Blindsided

I feel that blindsided is the best word to use when describing what Kevin did to me last week ... out of nowhere he came home from work with an iPhone in his pocket for ME.  I was definitely shocked and am still trying to embrace it ... I guess it is time I need to enter the 21st century.  This is tough coming from the girl who usually tells people that if you really need to get in touch with me to call my house phone (yes, we really do have a house phone and I probably talk more on it than I do on my cell phone!!)  Do expect my text messages to become lengthier and possibly more frequent and I am excited to be able to take better pictures and now videos, but I'm not making any promises about Instagram yet ... give me some time - I've only had this huge thing for 8 days!!

 My dear old flip phone that I've had for over 2 years

 I do kind of miss you a little bit

 On Sunday, at the Harpeth Hall Fall Festival ... the boys kept calling it Daddy's birthday party :)


 Out to dinner at Sperry's with Jackson and Margie to celebrate the big 3-4


Walt, Luke, and Carter at the zoo

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

?!?!?!?!?!

I am beyond bewildered at what goes through my boys' brains at times ...

 As I was geting dressed yesterday, L&C decided to get all of their "stuff" and take a nap.  This picture really doesn't do it justice ... the sheer volume of items they brought to this area (not to mention, what they actually have) just makes me laugh.  They also really love to get a grocery sack and put "something special" in it ... it is always the most random collection :)

And this one here ... really?!?!?!  I found him asleep in his bed with a container of cereal ... I promise I don't starve the kid.  I heard him up early one morning last week, and I also heard the pantry open and close ... when I asked him later what he ate, he looked and me and sighed, "Marshmallows.  I tried really hard not to eat them, but something made me do it."  It never ceases to amaze me at how difficult the battle of the flesh really is ... even at such a young age!!