Priceless Moments

Trip to the Puppet show at the library:  $12.00

Kit to make your own puppet:  $4.00

Having my own private puppet show:  PRICELESS

Small Group Retreat

Ryan and I have been blessed to attend an AMAZING church here in Atlanta.  We started going to North Point Community Church when we first moved here, and about year and a half ago they opened a satellite church right down the street from our house (we hear the same messages, just a week delayed on an amazing high-def screen).  Anyways, the thing we love about the church is the emphasis on small groups (and the a-ma-zing pastor, a-ma-zing worship, and unbelievable children's program).  We have an awesome network of friends here, mostly all whom we have met through groups.  In fact we have witnessed some of our good friends get married, we have all had babies together, and now we are all going through parenting issues as the kids get older. 

We had the privilege of joining a new group at the beginning of summer.  The leaders are good friends of ours, and they are so enthusiastic about being leaders and having us all grow in our relationships with each other and Christ through the eighteen months that we will meet. 

A couple weekends ago all five of us couples went away for the weekend to a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains (Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area).  (Side note....thanks to Grammy and PaPa for taking the munchkins).  We had a blast, and it definitely brought us closer as a group.

Here is four of the couples on the way to the cabin (can't see the mountains as well as I'd like, but you get the idea):  It was GORGEOUS!

Saturday we went into town and had some country cooking:  fresh biscuits, grits (I skip those), and some eggs.  It was yu-mmy.  Then we headed to the local river and went tubing.  The river was a little slow due to the lack of rain here in the south, but nonetheless it was fun.  That is, until the end when we heard from a local that some sewage gets dumped into the river.  We all ran home to shower and wash our suits!!!  That night we had a low-country shrimp boil. 

Everything was boiled together in hot water:  shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes.  Then you dump it on the table and eat with your hands.  I think that's the "low country" part of it:-)  Later we played some board games.

 

I can't wait to see all that will happen with this amazing group in the next year or so.  Each person is unique in their personality, strengths, passions, etc. 

7 Years

Ryan and I were able to get away for a few days to celebrate our seventh anniversary.  Thank God for my awesome parents willing to take the kids during that time:-)  I decided to try priceline for a cheap hotel somewhere, and I had heard Hilton Head Island was a good place to go (only 4 1/2 hour drive for us).  So I plugged in the numbers on priceline, bidding super low assuming it would never be accepted (I hadn't even completely confirmed when my parents would be coming for sure)....and it popped back saying my bid had been accepted.  Yikes, hooray!...... I can't wait....oh &*!@ I better call my parents!!!!

Hi Mom, you guys are still planning on coming in a couple days right?  Great, can't wait to see you too!  By the way, it's still okay if Ryan and I head out for a few days, right?  Okay good, because I already paid for a hotel:-)

Arrive at the beautiful Westin Resort in Hilton Head, and this is the view out of our window:

We had a super time.  Ryan had a yummy seafood meal....his one wish (it's impossible to get any decent tasting fish when you don't live next to the ocean).

We also rented bikes in the morning and rode all around.

The whole island has bike paths.  It really is a cool place to bring a family, in fact we would love to head back there for a long weekend with the kids if budget permits. 

We also were able to spot some dolphins swimming by a harbour....my first time seeing dolphins!

We did spend a little time lounging by the pool and walking by the ocean.  We ate some delicious food, and had a yummy cocktail by the pool.  We also squeezed in seeing a movie that day, as that is our favorite past-time.  We only really had one full day there, but it is amazing how that break from the kids re-energizes you and makes you appreciate what you have waiting for you at home:-)

Drew-isms

This summer Drew has grown up so much. His sayings are sooo adorable. I wish I could capture everything on film, as I know I will soon forget all his little Drew-isms.

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Sneakrets: Drew's word for secrets...which is genius if you think about it....a combination of secrets and sneaky:-)

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Carmen: The light brown ooey, gooey substance you find in a chocolate treat sometimes (otherwise known as carmel). How can you pass up giving a little boy a treat when he asks for chocolate with carmen in the middle?!?

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Fatman: Drew's word for Batman
Bixed: Drew's word for Fixed

Why he switches the two I have no idea. He can physically say Batman or Fixed, but he chooses to say Fatman and Bixed.

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"Mommy, twust me. You're not twusting me." (trust)

Translation: Mommy, you're not listening to me.

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"Mommy, I want you to snuggle so soft."

Translation: Mommy, lay next to me in bed and put your arm around me. If I hold him too tight, he says I'm snuggling too hard. If my arm is not around him, I'm not snuggling him "so soft":-)

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Me: Drew, please go wash your hands before we eat.

Drew: I don't want to.

Me: Drew, I asked you once. If I have to ask again, you'll be in time out.

Drew: Oh, whatever..... (walking slowly to wash his hands).

Is my little boy already showing attitude?!?

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Drew adores animals. All shapes, all sizes, all different kinds (yes, even the big huge grasshoppers on the windows we spy in the morning). We saw a small frog in our landscaping the other day, and instantly Drew says "let's take care of him, can I name him?". The little brown frog was instantly named GahGah. Other friends include Poptart the blue bird that sits on the deck outside our kitchen window usually while we are eating breakfast, Bobbie the lizard that hangs outside of our garage, and Sugar the spider that was at one point in the corner of my bedroom window (outside of course!!).

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Me: Drew, show me your muscles!

Drew: