Happy 21st birthday, Caleb!

Happy birthday, Caleb!!!

Wish we were there to celebrate with you,

but we're looking forward to seeing you soon.

We love you!

...and congratulations on your promotion, too!

Christmas decoration 4th

Deb, a friend from our Chicago days, gave us this set of three burgundy and gold glitter-encrusted ornaments -- the camera doesn't show how beautifully they sparkle and reflect the colors of the tree lights...

Sharing our Christmas decorations

I love to decorate for Christmas but always feel a little bit sad that I don't live close enough for most of my family or any of our long-distance friends to stop by and see them, so I decided that, each day in December, I will highlight one of our decorations. I have post-dated the first two and will try to keep track the rest of this month, at least until Christmas! They are in no particular order; I'll just pick one every day as we go along. Thanks for letting me share with you! (If any of my blogging friends/family would like to post their favorite Christmas decoration in response, just let me know and I will post a link to it! Or, for non-bloggers, if you email a picture I will post it on mine.)

Christmas decoration 3rd

Bruce proposed to me on Christmas Eve of 1997 and we were married in June of 1998. That first Christmas as husband and wife feels like such a long time ago!!!

This was a gift from my dad- and mom-in-law in 1998.

Christmas decoration 2nd

This beautiful nativity set was a wedding gift from our dear friends (we think of them as family!), Fred & June Allen.

Christmas decoration 1st

Of all my Christmas decorations, this one evokes the most nostalgic feeling. My mom had a tree almost exactly like this when I was growing up, and it was my favorite decoration for as long as I can remember. When I was getting married, I felt a little sad about having a home without THE tree, but it obviously was not something I was going to ask to take away from my mom! However, during our engagement, Bruce's grandpa passed away and we 'inherited' this beautiful tree from him -- so it has a double-fuzzy feeling for me, since it is like my childhood favorite and since it is a little piece of Bruce's grandparents' history, too.

Library Christmas gala

Last night our library held its annual Christmas gala, where they have crafts for the kids as well as Christmas music, drawings for prizes, a Scholastic book fair, and lots of Christmas trees throughout the library to look at and enjoy. We also picked out new books and videos to check out and the kids got to sit and play the computers for a while, which is a treat -- usually when we go to the library, we pick out our stuff and leave!

I tried to take a nice picture of the two kids in front of their favorite tree, but they were tired and uncooperative...so here are the two pictures I have...a slice of real life!

Raining leaves

I forgot that I had taken this video on the day before Thanksgiving. I was making pies and Abigail, who was watching out the window, asked if it was raining -- the oak leaves were dropping so thickly that it looked and sounded like rain -- so the kids went out to enjoy it. What a quintessential autumn scene! Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Today's war wounds

I know this picture doesn't show it very well, but that's okay...I think you get the general idea. I had my skin-testing done today and, 31 under-the-skin injections later, I got the good news that my childhood allergy shot series did the trick -- I am no longer allergic to hornets and wasps.

Grandma, the first row of pricks are dedicated to you. Mom, the next row is yours. Bruce, the third is yours. Aunt Connie, the fourth is yours. The fifth row is for everyone else whom I can not recall at the moment who has nagged me about getting this done!!! =)

Our heavenly Father knows when a sparrow falls...

...and when a little boy's beloved 'blankie' is missing. David's blankie has been missing for over a week now...he has been so sad about it at bedtime, and I have felt terrible...I have searched everywhere, in the usual places and then some. Just last night I had expressed to Bruce that I had exhausted my ideas and had no idea what had happened to the blanket.

This morning I was reminded that the Lord's mercies extend even to these little details. While tidying up and such, I kept hearing a faint beeping from one of those cereal-box video games the kids have. I tried to ignore it but after an hour or so of hearing it every time I walked near the toy closet, I couldn't bear it anymore, so I dug through the closet until I had narrowed the search to David's little pretend-hiking-stuff backpack. When I opened it to get at the video game, what do you suppose I found?! The blankie, of course!

I was humbled as I was reminded of the Lord's care for us, even in the little, "unimportant" (in the scheme of eternity) details of our lives...and as you can see from the picture, David was excited beyond words to have his blankie back. What a great teaching moment...for both of us!

A crazy week ahead

Not that we ever have very quiet weeks, but this week is going to be particularly wild! Today the kids go for their quarterly checkup with Dr. Herrmann (their great ENT, who follows their hearing loss and will eventually do their CIs). Tomorrow I go for skin-testing to re-check my bee-sting allergy. Wednesday is a project & informal alto-practice for our Christmas cantata with some friends. Thursday is another dr's appt for me. This is my usual warning just in case I don't blog...so that none of you either a) worry as to my absence or b) nag just for payback!!! =) Enjoy the last week of November!

Christmas tree 2007

Yesterday, as is our tradition, we went and got our Christmas tree, then stopped at Starbucks and each got a "special drink" (that's what the kids call it, since it's the only time of year we all go there and get our own drink!).

I think this year's tree is tied for the prettiest one we've ever gotten, rivaled only by a perfect Scotch pine we had one year when we lived in Illinois.

Decorating the tree was a little different this time since it was the first year that both kids were really into it. I am used to doing most of it by myself (Bruce's tradition is to take a nap while I do it!), but this year I mostly just sat by the ornament box to reattach ornament hooks and pass the ornaments out to the kids. It was a lot of fun and exciting to see the kids enjoying it so much.

David has asked several times if it's almost Christmas yet -- both of them think that since the tree is here, there's nothing stopping us from celebrating fully! David is my slavedriver this year -- this morning he has already pulled a decorations box over and opened it up for me...he doesn't see why I'm not hard at it yet! He also wants me to get outside and get those lights up...but at 31 degrees, I am NOT going outside until it warms up a little (yes, I admit it, I am a warm-weather southern wimp)!!!

It was heart-warming moment yesterday when we pulled our tree star out of the box...David's face lit up and he exclaimed, "A star, just like when Jesus was born!" It is exciting to see the true meaning of Christmas start to take root in their hearts...

Our Thanksgiving 2007

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving...we had our feast at Bruce's brother's house and it was a day full of family, good food, and much thankfulness for how the Lord has taken care of the extended McKee family, especially throughout the physical difficulties of this year. Below are pictures of the whole clan by families (except for Bruce's oldest sister, who was unable to be there due to out-of-town visitors at her own house). To all of our family who were far away from us -- we missed you, as always, but sent lots of love over the miles!

Dad & Mom McKee (Bruce's parents)

>
Chris & Eugenia & kids (Bruce's brother)

<

Rick & Karyn & kids (Bruce's sister)

Us

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Here's a video of David & Abigail singing

their Thanksgiving turkey song.

"He's big and fat and he gobble, gobble, gobbles...

He spreads his tail and he gobble, gobble, gobbles...

But when Thanksgiving Day is here

Then it's our turn to gobble, gobble, gobble!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

David's asthma & allergy update

David had his second round of skin testing done at the allergist today. The conclusion is that he has a mild allergy to dustmites and to two kinds of mold, but nothing bad enough to warrant allergy shots etc. However, they did find that his antibody-level to the pneumococcus bacterium is rather low, so that may be contributing to his recurrent sinus infections. They gave him a shot today to try to boost his immunity and then they will re-test him in a month or so to see if his antibody levels have risen. His CT scan (ordered by the ENT) came back clear, which was a relief...they were looking for any kind of obstructions or structural abnomalities, so we are glad everything was clear! As I've said before, David is such a trooper...he got 14 under-the-skin injections of allergens, as well as the pneumonia shot in one arm and a flu shot in the other arm -- all without tears or protest -- what a tough little guy!

As for his asthma, he is now going on Singulair as well as a controller inhaler (once a day). Hopefully this will relieve the attacks and reduce the need for the rescue inhaler. Between illnesses, surgeries, and Bruce's heart-med regimen, we've developed a very friendly, first-name-basis relationship with our pharmacist this year!!!

A note to my mother and grandmother: I made an appointment for this coming Tuesday to get a skin-test to re-check my bee sting allergy...so you can both stop fussing at me now! =)

Dinosaur smile

Last night we were sitting on the couch and Abigail was snuggling with her daddy. In the midst of the snuggle, he smiled at her, at which point she pronounced, "Daddy has dinosaur teeth!" I'm not quite sure what she was referring to, unless it's just that his teeth are bigger than her little teeth, but it sure was good for a laugh!

Out on a date

This past Thursday Bruce and I went on a date. It's not something we do very often, so it's very special when we do go! We got a babysitter (whom the kids loved, by the way...they couldn't wait for us to leave so that they could have her all to themselves!) and we went out to dinner at Village Tavern. After dinner we went to a show by Fully Rendered, a group of artists whose art expresses many different aspects of the Christian life with a wide variety of artistic style and media. Our favorite work of the evening was a picture of Isaiah penning what we now know as Isaiah 53, a very detailed prophecy of the Messiah Who was to come. The gallery handed out iPods, on which visitors listened to the artists talk about various aspects of their particular work. It was a great way to fully enjoy the art. We had a wonderful evening and thoroughly enjoyed the time together...

On the mend, we hope...

Abigail and I are home from church this morning...I think she is finally starting to feel better but, as you can see from the picture, she is still very mellow and just wants to lie quietly on the couch. We took both kids into Urgent Care yesterday morning; Abigail's cold had morphed into an ear infection and sinus infection, so she is on antibiotics and a prescription- strength decongestant now...she slept for thirteen hours straight last night and she sounds like she's on the mend now. David's asthma was getting worse, so he got some oral steroids to use in addition to his inhaler and he is doing much better this morning as well.

At right is a picture of David from earlier this week, "shaving" with Daddy. He was so pleased at how smooth his cheeks were when he was done -- no whisker stubble! =)

Autumn color

As is typically the case, these pictures do not do nature justice...they don't show how intense and vivid the colors are...so you have to use your imagination a little bit. For instance, the big oaks in the foreground are a deep firey, rusty red. This is the only time of year that I miss the sweet gum trees that we cut down -- they turn a beautiful deep purple in fall -- but even that pretty color is not worth the mess they make the rest of the year!

Brrr...

Just out of curiosity, I checked the current temperatures this morning in places around the country where we have friends and family. At 7:00 this morning, I found (according to weather.com), listed from highest to lowest...

Lahaina, Maui, HI 68 degrees

Eureka, CA 59 degrees

Oklahoma City, OK 51 degrees

Puyallup, WA 46 degrees

Des Moines, IA 42 degrees

Naperville, IL 36 degrees

Oswego, NY 36 degrees

Pomona Park, FL 36 degrees

Columbus, OH 36 degrees

Thermopolis, WY 35 degrees

Thurmont, MD 33 degrees

Phoenix, NY 31 degrees

Marysvale, UT 31 degrees

Taylors, SC 30 degrees

Ocala, FL 30 degrees

Middleburg, FL 29 degrees

Pembine, WI 27 degrees

Horseshoe, NC 26 degrees

Canton, GA 26 degrees

Hack, cough, sniffle, sneeze...

...'tis the season already! Abigail has had a nasty cold & cough that she is still battling. Twice now she has seemed to be getting better, then proceeded to get worse again...she sounds terrible. David is fighting another asthma attack...the dr had warned after the first attack that it may be a virally induced thing, and sure enough, the circumstances are the same this time -- Abigail gets a cold virus, David gets an asthma attack. I know that "two points do not a pattern make", but it's certainly something to watch! So that's why I have not blogged, to those of you who have nagged me about it (you know who you are -- how does it feel to be the naggER instead of the naggEE for a change?!). =)

Keep talking, Baby!

Yesterday Abigail had a speech evaluation. When I made the appointment a little over a month ago, I was concerned that she was starting to lag behind...but in the last month, and in the last couple of weeks especially, her speech has taken off and she is conquering the sounds that had been giving her trouble. In fact, even her "l" and "r" sounds are emerging (those are typically ages 4-6+ sounds), and I haven't even started working on those with her yet. Well anyway, she scored just above median for her age and is unlikely to need speech therapy at all. I am thankful for the benefit that she has derived from her big brother's struggle -- namely, parents who have now learned the ropes of hearing loss/speech development and all of the unique knowledge and know-how that help us to best equip her for the related challenges. It has made her path much easier than it otherwise might be. Keep talking, Abigail -- we LOVE to hear you!!!

Abigail, the Bad Chicken

Abigail put this graduation cap on, assumed her "bad" face,

and told me that she was

The Bad Chicken.

What a drama queen...!

The kids and one of their favorite people

It's been a while since I posted a picture of the kids and RaDora, but this week I finally remembered to take the camera to our hearing check...so here's an updated picture!

I meant to post this on Tuesday, but my computer is getting sicker and sicker...it's miserable to work with...I think Bruce is going to have to blow everything away so that we can start with a clean slate (grooooaaaannnnnn).

Hearing update 11/6/07

The kids had hearing checks today; as is typical for our family, there was nothing boring about it! David was pretty stable, but he has an infected ear drum -- no, not an ear infection -- the ear drum itself is infected. It looks nasty but hopefully the antibiotics will clear it up quickly! Abigail had a mostly-across-the-board loss. The loss is relatively minor in terms of decibels, but this is usually how she starts one of her big slides. In addition, her left HA is malfunctioning and so it has been sent off for repair (she is wearing a loaner in the meantime). Simple? What's simple? We don't do simple! :-)

A few excerpts of this past week

<After I dressed Abigail in this outfit, I realized that this is how I remember my mom dressing me much of the time...it has come full-circle! (notice Abigail's mood...she's so hard to read!!!)









>
If you know what it is, you probably would have enjoyed it with me. If you don't know what it is, you probably don't want to know. (Note: Any "poor Bambi" comments will be deleted!!!)

David and Abigail playing CT scan. You know your kids have had too many medical issues when they can play doctor for an hour without exhausting their supply of medical procedures to perform!!!

Bubbles, anyone?!

...nowhere on the foot-soak-stuff bottle

did it say not to use it with a jetted foot spa...!

Family time

Yesterday I got a gift that was better than a dozen roses -- Bruce came home from work mid-afternoon just for some extra time together!!! It was wonderful. Today we went to a picnic for Atlanta-area BJU alumni (Bruce's college). The weather today was beautiful, and we enjoyed eating barbecue and s'mores (not at the same time!), visiting with friends old and new, and the kids enjoyed playing with other kids in a couple of those big inflatable things. On the way home, we got a call from Bruce's brother, who had gotten a deer this morning and saved the heart for me. I cooked it this evening, and so the tradition from my growing-up years continues in my own house! It tasted soooooo good, and the kids and I thoroughly enjoyed it (Bruce hid in the living room). We finished out our family time by teaching the kids to play charades and then we played some Go Fish (on a side note, I lost every game). Now the kids are in bed and I am going to get a pedicure by my in-home pedicurist (Bruce)! I think I've gotten spoiled this weekend...

A beautiful sight

Ain't it a beautiful sight? That's the inside of our furnace, with the new motor running and the pilot light kicked on...therefore there is heat blowing out of our vents. Hooray! Of course, today it is warm enough outside that we don't need the heat running...but at least it's ready to go as soon as the temperature dips again!

This adventure has reminded us to be thankful for all of the little things that we so often take for granted, such as having a heated house...

Hey, look -- jackpot!

At our church picnic Saturday evening, they had a Trunk or Treat for the kids. Since David and Abigail haven't ever done anything like this, they were quite astonished at the idea of so much candy at one time! Like all good parents, Bruce and I picked through their candy after they went to bed, squirreling away our favorites. After all, we didn't want them to eat too much candy! :-)

Poll question: Have you ever heard of Trunk or Treat? I am thinking it must be a southern thing, because I had never heard of it before I moved down here. (For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, the adults all sit on/in the back of their vehicles [it seems that most people have minivans and SUVs these days, instead of car trunks!] and the kids go around to each one and get treats)

Autumn in full swing

This is the temp we woke up to this morning...unfortunately, we are currently on a "money-saving plan" with our gas bill, too...our furnace is broken, the part is on order, and it is COLD in here! :-) But we are always excited to move into autumn...it's a gorgeous time of year down here.

My friend Jessica was kind enough to share a treasure from our hometown -- fresh-picked NY apples (thanks again, Jess, they have been wonderful!) -- we have been thoroughly enjoying them, and last night I used the last few for dinner...we had Pork Chops with Apple Chutney, Pecan Apple Rice, and Fresh Apple Cake (thanks for the awesome recipe, RaDora!). A very harvesty kind of dinner...and we didn't even realize we would be waking up to frost!!!

Fl trip pictures - at my parents' place etc

FL trip pictures - Matthew & Caleb's place

I have a good reason for not having posted trip pics yet!

Two, actually. First, we are currently battling some nasty computer virus that is causing my computer to drag and get hung up instead of quickly and efficiently running programs. As you can imagine, this gets really frustrating really fast...and I don't have the time to monkey with it when everything drags. Second, I cranked my neck the wrong way yesterday morning and it reacted quite unhappily. I am so sore that when we are home (where no one outside the family will laugh at me!) I keep it all hunched up to relieve the pain -- this afternoon Bruce called me Quasimoto (i.e. the Hunchback of Notre Dame). Isn't he too funny...! Sitting at the computer desk does not help. Truly, I will post pictures as soon as I can make it happen.

Happy birthday, Grandma!

Happy birthday,

Grandma O'Gorman!

We love you and miss you!

Home again...from Florida

We made it home safe and sound, and Bruce got home tonight from his business trip to NC. It's nice to be all together again! I will do my best to post pictures tomorrow...

When she's ready, she's ready...

Abigail usually hollers and clings in fear when we ask if she wants a tractor ride...but last night when David and my dad were headed out for their evening tractor ride, Abigail told Grandpa that she wanted to go. We all played along, expecting her to back out, but she went out and rode, nestled and relaxed in Grandpa's arm like she'd done it a million times before. You just never know with her...!

Fun visit

Yesterday we had a visit from my friend Jessica and her four boys, who live near Jacksonville. Jessica and I have been friends since we were kids -- my dad always called her his other daughter -- and we email regularly now, but we hadn't seen each other for five years. It was so nice to connect face to face again.

We all visited the goat farm next door and then my dad entertained the boys with tractor rides and hikes while we women chatted and the two youngest kids kept busy.

What a wonderful visit...now I am determined that we will not go five years until the next one!

^Gage, Franklin, Rylin, Finn, & David on the John Deere tractor

...the picture of Jessica and me is on my camera, so I will post that one after I get home!

In Pomona Park, Florida

We had a wonderful (albeit too brief) visit at my brothers' place. It was wonderful to spend time with them and get a little glimpse of their lives. Last night we traveled to my parents' place and will be here until we leave Thursday morning. We were able to attend church with my parents today and it was so nice to meet their church family -- it felt like we already knew them, since we have prayed for many of them and they have all been praying for us over these last several eventful months. David and Abigail made new friends there and then tonight Grandpa & Grandma treated us to Cindy's (Wendy's) -- could life get any better for a kid?! We really miss Bruce, of course...but at least it gives us something to really look forward to when we leave here!

In Ocala, Florida

We arrived safely at my brothers' place in Ocala, Florida -- the weather was dreadful for driving (rain almost the entire way, and some of it deluge-type rain that slowed us down a good bit), but we made it and are glad to be here. The kids were good travelers, as is typical for them, and they are ecstatic to be hanging out with their uncles. Yesterday before we came to the apartment, we visited the guys at their stores, so it will be nice to be able to picture them where they work. My brothers' apartment is so nice -- and spotless, wow! -- I will take some pictures today, although I won't be able to upload and post them until I get home. It feels strange to be hosted by my little brothers instead of them coming from our parents' home to visit me -- but it's a good kind of strange! They are currently asleep, but the kids are starting to climb the walls, so I may have to let them loose on their uncles soon...!

Ready, set...

Well, the suitcase is packed and in the car, the bills are paid, the laundry is done, there are some meals for my hubby in the freezer, Abigail's brace is adjusted and her HA is tweaked (those were today's hospital visits)...I think we are ready for our trip! David had a bit of a relapse overnight but after oral steroids this morning and breathing treatments every four hours, he's doing okay...as long as he doesn't get moving around too much. Any activity gets him winded and wheezing...I am hoping he is feeling better enough to do wild stuff with his uncles this weekend...at any rate, the enforced rest in the car tomorrow will be good for him! Bon voyage...

David's update

David is doing well considering everything he's been through in the last 36 hours. His color is terrible -- chalky with dark purple smudges under his eyes -- but I'm sure that'll be better with a good night's sleep. If he gets moving around too much, he starts wheezing, so we are trying to keep him low-key, as the doctor suggested (if you know David, then you know that this is much easier said than done, especially as he has to use the inhaler every four hours and that Albuterol makes him hyper!!!). He's being very cooperative about taking his breathing treatments, even though he says they have a bad taste, and they are definitely helping him to breathe more easily. Just wanted to post an update, especially for his grandmas, who would like to rock him tonight, I'm sure...!

He had what?!

Well, yesterday I thought David was coming down with the cold that Abigail and I have...he started coughing yesterday morning, but by last night we knew something was up. We spent a fitful night and at 5 this morning he started to get worse, so I took him to the ER. He was having an asthma attack! He hasn't had respiratory trouble (other than a few bouts of croup) ever since his respiratory distress as a premature baby in the NICU. We are home now with an inhaler and an oral steroid...he is tucked in for a nap in my bedroom, and it is SO good to see him sleeping (and breathing) peacefully. As if we were getting bored and needed something to spice up our lives...!

Another one bites the dust

One of the hardest parts of being a mom is being sick but not being able to be off-duty! I still don't feel well today and my achy body is just craving the couch...but David is sick now, too, and is miserable and whiny and he's camped out on the couch (my couch!)...sigh...I keep trying to gently remind him that Mommy doesn't feel well, either, but I am still being kind and sweet to everyone because that's how we should behave...but he just gives me a blank look! So I am plugging away at the things that need to be done and practicing the biblical command to let everything I do "be done in love"...this is not the easiest day to put that one into action!

Fair warning

Since I am such a nag to my friends when they neglect to post for days (or weeks) on end, I thought I'd better give fair warning just in case I disappear for a few days... Abigail and I are currently sick with some lovely cold virus that is making the rounds, so I haven't felt like doing much today. If we recover sufficiently from that, our church is having Bible conference this week (M/T/W nights), so we will be busy all day getting our usual stuff done and then napping in preparation for the evenings' activities, as well as hosting guests for dinner on Wednesday before the service. Thursday is ladies' Bible study (whoops! I need to remember to make muffins to take for that) and a medical appt, and then on Friday the kids and I leave for a mini-visit to Florida; we will spend Friday night and Saturday with my brothers in Ocala and then mosey on up to spend a few days at my parents' in Lake Como (see if you can find that one on a map!). Between now and then, I need to do the usual...school, laundry, pack, clean, pay the bills, make reservations for the dog to board when Bruce goes on a business trip while I am gone, try to make sure some meals are in order for Bruce for the days that he's here and I'm not, get groceries for him and for our trip, and (with Bruce) decide what to do about our furnace, whose motor has decided to retire itself...etc etc. You all know how it is -- but the insanity of preparing for a trip is worth it once you get to the destination! All that to say that I may or may not find time to post over the next week...but if I can't, I will resume as soon as I am able!

Right ho, Jeeves!

Today is the birthday of one of Bruce's and my most beloved authors. P.G. Wodehouse (pronounced Woodhouse) was born in Surrey, England, on October 15, 1881. His writing is full of dry British humor and a tremendous ability to humorously portray human nature. We also love BBC's rendition of Jeeves & Wooster, which we have watched countless times (and still laugh every single time). If, like us, you love British humor and good writing, give Wodehouse's works a try!

Some facts of life I was reminded of this week

~I have become dependent upon my cell phone! I forgot it one day this week when I left to do some errands, and felt lost when I reached for it only to remember that it was home on the table! ~When vigilantly stirring a pot of sauce, waiting for it to warm up, it helps to turn the burner on. ~There are people who do not know the boundaries of their vehicle (grrr). While driving through the grocery store parking lot, I stopped because I saw that some young thing in an SUV was going to back out of her spot even though I was coming. As I sat there waiting, I began to realize that she was going to keep on backing up more...and more...I laid on the horn, but she didn't stop until my bumper forced her to do so. Thankfully, she was going slowly enough that it didn't do any damage, but it was interesting, to say the least. It gives new life to our family refrain of "Give me forty acres and I'll turn this rig around"! ~A five year old who knows better is still not exempt from succumbing to the temptation of cutting one's own hair. Why? I'm sure I couldn't begin to understand, so I didn't bother asking....but we did have a serious discussion about why he may not do it again. At least it was only one chunk off the top of his head!

David's first field trip

Today David had his first homeschool-group field trip. We visited the Sunrise Planetarium at Camp Sunrise, up in Fairmount, Georgia (northwest of us). David learned that the sun is actually a small star -- that was the most interesting fact to him. His favorite part of the whole trip was probably the picnic lunch that followed, when he got to eat and play with his cousins, who are also part of the group!

Abigail stayed with Ms. Jeanie, a lady from our church -- I'm not sure who loves whom more when it comes to her and our kids! Our group allows younger siblings to come on field trips, but since this was our first and I wasn't sure what to expect, I felt it was better to go one-on-one. Everyone ended up happy, so it was a success!

Camo girl

These adorable camo pants, shirt, and blaze-orange socks were one of my Children's Place clearance sale buys -- very redneck, I know, but I love them! (You all know I'm a country girl at heart and I look forward to being able to hunt again when the kids are older!) Abigail has no concept of hunting yet, but she calls them her soldier pants.


Note the girlie touch on the pants, so that both parts of me are satisfied -- the camo for the redneck part and the flowers for the girlie-girl part!

Not to be left out, David insisted that we share a picture of his new construction socks... (also note the big old Minota feet -- he wears a size 13!)

Personality glimpses

^David was starting school for the day, but didn't want his sister to play with the stuffed animals while he was in school...can you guess where he hid them? Pretty inconspicuous, don't you think?!!!^This morning Abigail woke up screaming from a bad dream -- when I brought her downstairs, David took it upon himself to hold and comfort her. I love how much they love each other!

Old Testament fast food?!

This morning Abigail was 'reading' a book to her daddy, and she was explaining a picture of some people sitting and eating when Jesus fed the five thousand. She pointed to a man who was eating and said -- very seriously, mind you -- that he was eating a burger, after which she explained that they were eating at Cindy's (that's what the kids call Wendy's). She was totally serious, even when Bruce and I started laughing uproariously! She was not about to let us confuse her with the facts...! She has made a big jump in growth in every way, and lately her increase in verbal skills, thought processes, and confidence are converging to supply us with plenty of laughs.

Children's Place sale

A heads-up for those of you who shop at Children's Place (I shop on their clearance rack for my kids), I stopped there today for a baby shower gift (not from the clearance rack!) and was rewarded with a bunch of stuff for Abigail -- skirts, shirts, pants, tights, and even two purses -- stuff that I had eyed earlier this year but refused to pay $15-$20+ for -- and today I got them for $4.99 or less! (There were even gorgeous shoes, sneakers, and boots, though we couldn't take advantage of those because of Abigail's brace) I checked their website and this appears to be a chain-wide sale both in-store and online, so I thought I'd share the news. (And for Debbie, who bemoans her excessive distance from a mall, they currently have $5 shipping for online orders, too!) The kids had a blast while I dug through the sale racks...there was a little girl about David's age, whose mom was also shopping, and the three kids played in, around, and under the clothes very happily while the moms shopped! Playdate at the clearance racks...!

Our annual autumn hayride

This past Saturday we went up north for our annual hayride at Burt's Farm. We ate a picnic lunch, went on a hayride, drank fresh cider, ate popcorn, and played in the stream...the leaves are already turning up in the mountains, so there was a good bit of vivid color, too. A wonderful day all around!

Tea party

For a long time I have been searching for a nice kids' table and chairs...my parents found this handcrafted set down in Florida and emailed me a picture -- we loved it and they brought it up to us (they arrived Wednesday evening for a long-weekend visit). The set is just beautiful, and Abigail is thrilled to pieces and has been busy having tea parties. It's such a classic little-girl thing to do -- it's great fun to watch her!

David's doings

Today David got to go to school dressed up as whatever he wants to be when he grows up. He had trouble deciding between a farmer who drives a John Deere tractor and a construction worker...so he combined the two and is dressed as a construction worker wearing a John Deere shirt (who drives John Deere construction equipment, of course!).

Yesterday David got to wear his very first "big boy" tie (i.e. not a clip-on). Bruce had to tie it a half-dozen times, but once they got the length perfect, it looked great!