Sunday, October 12, 2008

My Birthday Weekend!

Last weekend I turned THIRTY!

Friday night, Jason and I went out for the first time just the two of us. Well, it wasn't the first time. It's the first time since Rachel's been born. Our babysitter was wonderful so we felt comfortable too. Our plans changed all in a matter of minutes when the restaurant we planned to go to was closed. That's right, not longer in business closed. So, we decided to go to the mall and get dinner, then see a movie. Then, our plans changed again when we got to the mall. We've always thought about going to Medieval Times but didn't want to with kids. So, we checked to see if we could make the show and got tickets.

Medieval Times was an interesting event. Cheesy, but still fun. I think I secretly enjoyed the girls next to me celebrating their 9th birthday party as much as the jousting. I just got all giggly on the inside about having a girl who's going to act like them later in life and was excited. Also, I enjoyed their screaming and enthusiasm for the Blue Knight who we were rooting for, and he won!

Saturday night, I went out with my girlfriends to Aqua Terra, a great restaurant in historic Buford. We had a great time and excellent food. I shared filet mignon with Bethany and then got an amazing chocolate cake for dessert. Hm! Thank you all for coming out and celebrating with me!!!! I really enjoyed our first girls night out and can't wait to have another one again.



Oh, and since Friday night was so last minute we forgot our camera. We ended up buying a disposable one and will someday get the pictures developed and posted. Just not sure how fast that will happen. Boy have times changed.

Finally Sunday, we went to church, enjoyed Life Group, went pumpkin picking, and had dinner at Chipotle. Here's Josh with his buddy Isaac.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

A weekend in Rock Hill, SC

It's been a few weeks now, but here are some photos from our trip to Rock Hill to visit Jason's family. We enjoyed good times outside playing on the trampoline, eating barbeque, picking apples and grapes, exploring the chicken coop and more.



Cousin Noelle eating the table : )


Josh, Rachel, Wayne, and Noelle




Just one of the many hummingbirds outside their house.


Josh loving on his Gee.


Can we say static electricity?




Naomi and Rachel


Cynthia and Noelle
Rachel and Gee
Ethan and Josh playing in the rocks.
What boys like to do.

Hmm... yellow watermelon.

Yummy!

Produce from their family's garden. Thanks, it was all wonderful!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Our new routine



I've had several people ask me recently, "Do you miss teaching?" or "How are you doing?" I'm happy to reply with "We are great!" The first few weeks when school started back, I missed it. But, for the first time in many, many years my summer was over and I wasn't going back to school like everyone else.

As far as teaching, I still consider myself a teacher and am doing that everyday being a mom. I also have two private cello students that I enjoy teaching. If I didn't have two beautiful smiling babies at home then yes, I would deeply miss all the joyous smiles from school, but I get these at home with hugs and kisses. You can't get those in middle school or elementary school these days. So, I am thankful for being at home.

Since Labor Day we've been busy with our new little schedule. I started going to aerobics classes at Hebron Baptist Church two to three times a week in the mornings. They have a wonderful daycare that I feel comfortable leaving Josh and Rachel at while I go do something good for me which in result is good for our family. It gives me more energy to tackle any challenges we might have later in the day. Yeah!

We have explored Kindermusik classes, attend Bible study weekly, have about one play date a week and hang out with our neighbors. I enjoy the day but really look forward to family time in the evenings which isn't as rushed as before. We actually often have time to cook together, go for a walk, and play with the kids. This is my favorite thing about being at home. Having more family time!

I'm enjoying seeing Josh mature more and more every day. He can't verbally communicate that much right now but can understand a lot. I've tried to capture his love for his sister in pictures, but so far no picture can hold it all. I absolutely LOVE how much he LOVES Rachel. He loves to play or talk with her not to mention adorn her with kisses or try to sit on her (all out of love mind you). He's gotten her to stop crying many times just by saying something.

Rachel LOVES attention from her brother or from anyone else. Even though she doesn't have a special blanket, I think she's going to be a blankie girl. She likes to pull her dresses up or a blanket and suck on them with her thumb in her mouth. It's quiet cute. We'll have to work on keeping the dress down at a later age. Fortunately we don't need to worry about modesty yet.

I thank God everyday for blessing us with such wonderful children. I pray for their protection, health, and salvation. And I thank God for all the love and joy they give to others just through their smiles. Praise God!

Rachel's Baptism