Pieces of Me

Our daily lives continue to be full of all of the little moments that fill the day and make life more interesting. I'm amazed at how much the children are growing and learning. I'm amazed at how quickly Oliver's infancy is flying by...as though it's a dream. David is busy in school and started cubscouts. Grant is loving school a few days a week and the rest of the time, she enjoys being at home with me. The recent cooler weather has made for some great days at the park. We went to the park almost every day last week. The milder weather also got me outdoors some and I enjoyed taking Oliver for several walks. I can't even describe how much better I feel after a walk/jog in the park, and Oliver seemed just as happy. He actually cooed and giggled the first 10 minutes...maybe it was all of that activity when he was in my tummy? Whatever the case, it sure did us both good!
I've been thinking so much lately about how I give all of these little pieces of myself throughout my day to the ones I love. I pray that they understand and feel comforted in those small ways a mother loves. I find myself reflecting and wondering if they know and feel how much I love them by the ways in which I serve them. Will they ever know how much I put into making their lunchboxes late at night when I'm so tired I can barely stand? Do they understand the joy I get from seeing them run in the park with pure delight? There are endless days of discipline and love and laughter that aren't always easy and days sometimes run together. I've even commented that my life seems at times like the movie "Groundhogs day"....same thing over and over. Oh, but it's not! I learn so much from Grant as we talk and play blocks together and I learn so much from David as we sit and do his homework. I'm simply elated when Oliver looks at me and smiles his larger than life grin. They are wonderful blessings that I begged God for and I am so unbelieveably grateful for them.
So, in the quiet moments when the house is still....I find myself reflecting on how important my role as mother is. I pray for God's guidance and strength and I pray that they always know how much I love them and that I willing give them...all the pieces of me.

Cropduster and Combines

Life in the country continues to be full of wonderful experiences for the children. The last several weeks have been filled with endless days of watching the plane "dust the crops". It has been so cool...almost like having your own air show right in your front yard. Several weeks ago we had our dear friends, The Adams Family come out for dinner and the kids had a blast running out in the yard trying to get the attention of the pilot. Despite their attempts, he was all business but he did get awfully low and fly right over their heads...I swear he was skimming the tops of the plants! So, after all the excitement over the cropdusting, we now have combines all around us as this year's corn crop is being harvested. I took David and Grant out to watch as they cut the field right next to the house and poured the corn into the 18wheeler...they were so excited! It makes me so proud to share the farming way of life with them. I just hate that they never got to see Papa as a farmer but they learn so much from him just as he works in the yard or toils in the garden. I hope they will also develop the love that I have always had for taking care of the earth and being responsible for it. Now, after all of those nice thoughts...I can't help but worry about all of the chemicals our friend "Mr Cropduster" has been spraying all around us. Let's just hope we don't start sprouting cauliflower from our ears! Yikes!

Oliver's 1st solid food

Well, it was time...I knew it but was in denial. My little caboose is growing so fast! Words can't even describe the joy I experience every day with Oliver. All of my children were miracles and all were surprise blessings...I try to remind myself of that daily. What a joy Oliver has been! Many of my posts are centered around the activities of David and Grant because frankly, they are just "doing" more. However, Oliver is doing momentous things too and I'm going to try to do better to document them. Oliver has been showing signs of interest while we were all eating so I finally decided to set him up in the highchair and feed him rice cereal. He did really well and was leaning in for more. I started the experience, followed by Daddy, and then David and Grant each had a turn feeding him. Oliver is also now rolling over, in both directions and is now enjoying his exersaucer. My how time flies! I feel like his infancy is zooming by! We are so blessed by these small but huge moments in his life!

1st Day of School

I can hardly believe David is a 1st grader! David and Grant both started school on Monday at Emmanuel Christian School in Hartsville. Grant is a proud 2ker and she seems to love school! She has literally walked around wearing her backpack everyday for weeks. She is only going 3 days a week but she wants to go everyday. David was so ready for 1st grade and he told me he wasn't even nervous. He recognized several of his classmates from his kindergarten class. It was so bittersweet to watch him walk in to his classroom and sit at his own desk. I can't believe how grown and independent he is! I'm so proud of my big kids!

Visit with Mana and Papa

I decided to take the kids on a last summer hurrah up to Spartanburg to see my grandparents. We had a wonderful time! Mana and Papa took us to Chuck E. Cheese and swimming at Uncle David's pool and lots of other fun things. It was great to spend a few days with them and great to see Sarah, Uncle David and Aunt Karen. We have all agreed that Oliver looks so much like Uncle David!

1st trip to the Dentist

David is an old pro at going to the Dentist but we had Grant's 1st trip to the Dentist a few weeks ago. We are so fortunate to have "Uncle Lindy" as our dentist and we got the royal treatment! It was a real family affair! Aunt C was on hand to help out and everyone held Oliver...we actually just took over the office! Grant did so well and sat like a princess and let Mrs Daphne clean her teeth like a big girl! I was so proud of them both! They were excited to pick out treats from the treasure box and left with lolipops...sugar free of course! It was a really fun and positive experience and Grant is already asking to go back! Thanks to our favorite Denist and staff! We love you guys!

Peach preserves

I recently decided to embrace my inner pioneer woman and do my first canning project. We had a bunch of wonderful peaches from McLeod Farms so I tackled peach preserves. It was an all day endeavor but when it was all done...I had super yummy peach jam. I was bummed after all that work, that I only had 5 cans! Next time, I will triple the recipe so I can give away more jars. David and Grant loved helping me and I remember doing the same thing with my mom when I was a child.