Preschool Choir

Abigail sang with our preschool choir at church. She loves to be in front of people. The kids were singing a song about our church. When they sang particular verses, a picture of that person came up on the screen (ex... Brother Allan tells us to open our Bibles now). The kids had not yet seen the pictures, so you will notice they were more interested in that than they were in singing!!! Watch the video:

Apple Trip Day #3

Our final day...

For our final morning in Blue Ridge and Ellijay, we went to Hillcrest Orchards for their weekend festival they were having. We didn't pick apples this day (we had so many from Friday), but we did enjoy some of the apple festivities. Here are the pictures:

This is A.J. milking "Buttercup." Abigail did not get to do this because at the time, she was still pitching a fit over having to wait to go on the wagon ride. Later, when she was calmed down, she asked me, "I can go make the cow go tee-tee?" Maybe we should work on a lesson about milking a cow!

Bobbing for apples... only A.J. did this. I remember doing this as a child in my parent's basement one year for Halloween. That was before I understood the concept of germs!

Apple Trip Day #2

On Day #2, we hit our first apple orchard (which is the entire reason for the trip). We rose early in the morning and spent some time on the porch before heading out.

We went to B.J. Reese Apple Orchard. There were numerous varieties of apples in season, and we walked along and picked all we wanted.

Here is the evidence of Pa and A.J. sneaking apples not counted in their bags! I am not sure that is allowed, but it seemed that everyone picking the apples was doing it. Maybe that is why they charge you more for the u-pick bag than for the same size bag of apples available in the shop!

That afternoon, we returned to the house. There, we played games (Mom and Dad CRUSHED Allan and me in spades), grilled out burgers, made s'mores, and celebrated Allan's birthday.

(This is my dad's favorite thing to do... get in pictures when the people in the picture don't know it).

Apple Trip Day #1

This past weekend, we went with Grandma and Pa to Blue Ridge, Georgia. We had a fabulous time! When I was a young girl, we used to go to an apple orchard in Illinois. I have always remembered that, and I wanted my children to experience the same memory. Some friends of my parents let us borrow their gorgeous house (thank you to the Clantons), and it was simply wonderful. On the second day, Abigail said, "I not want my house in Opelika... I want this house!" Me too!!!

This entry is what all happened on our first day. Upon arriving, we drove up, up, up, up to their house on top of the mountain. Here are a few pictures of the house.

I know the foosball table is not part of the gorgeous mountains... but it was A.J.'s favorite place in the house (with the exception of the Georgia paraphernalia... he is an Auburn fan).

After touring the house, we went to dinner at a local restaurant. After my tummy recovered from the windy drive, I enjoyed the meal (especially the beautiful riverside setting).

Football Hair Cut

We have quickly come to realize that A.J.'s very thick hair and his sweaty football helmet do not mix. To try to make the entire situation more pleasant, we asked Mrs. Hildreth (our family barber) to cut his hair! My goodness... he looks so much older. I don't think he has ever had hair this short. I love it!

Home with Daddy... AGAIN

A few posts ago, I put up a picture of Abigail when she was home alone with Daddy. I am sure you remember the one -- sleeping on top the kitchen table. Well, when I got home Tuesday evening (after she was home again with Daddy)... I found this picture in my camera:

I would definitely say the girl is not ready to give up her naps yet!

49ers

A.J. had football pictures and his first scrimmage last week. He is playing on the 49ers as number 18. He rotates back and forth between the offensive line and the defensive line. And, yes... they tackle hard! And, no... I don't like it!

It is funny to watch the boys taking their pictures. Some boys, already had down the football face - no smile, tough look. Then you have my baby... all smiles for his individual camera! To him, it is still a fun game! I would just love if it would stay that way forever!

They scrimmaged against another team, and A.J. took quite a few licks. But, I was very proud of him. He did not complain one time. He toughed it out. However -- if you haven't heard yet... we did have the first football injury of the season (during the very first practice). A.J. stuck his finger in one of the wholes on top of the helmet and got it stuck. The coach had to pull it out... blood and all! That's my boy!




P.S. I know this date holds many sad memories for our county. However, I must say I will always remember 9-11 for another reason. 7 years ago today is the day I went to the doctor and found out I was pregnant with A.J. What a blessing these years have been for us... tackle football and all!

New Job

I was very excited to go from full-time work to being a stay-at-home mom. I took the job at Abigail's preschool to be with her and to help us make ends meet (which were not meeting with me not working). And now... believe it or not... I have accepted a second job. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT!

Starting Monday, I am the Parent Educator at Women's Hope Medical Clinic. I have been volunteering there as a receptionist for almost a year, and I love it. For some time now, I have been praying for God to open up a part-time position at Women's Hope that would be perfect for me. And, I was amazed when it happened! After two interviews, they have invited me to join their staff, and I couldn't be happier.

It is a new position, so I will be learning and creating a lot as I go. I will be working with clients in the "Earn While You Learn" program. It is an amazing program for parents who have chosen life for their baby. They take parenting classes, Bible studies, and more and earn "Caring Cash" to spend on baby clothes, diapers, etc. I will also be doing some public speaking for the clinic (you know I love to talk) and working with some other programs they currently have going.

Please pray for me as I balance two jobs! Pray for my family as we adjust to a new schedule. I will be working all day Monday and Wednesday at Women's Hope and Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Harvest Preschool. I still get a lot of time off (especially all day Fridays), and the kids will not be in any daycare. They will always be at school or with one of us.

I am very blessed and thankful to God for this opportunity. I can't wait to tell you more about it as the weeks go by!

The Start of Football

All of you moms out there... take a deep breath before reading more.


In Opelika, 6 and 7 year olds do not play flag football (like they do in Auburn), but rather... it is full tackle with full pads! It will give any mom heart failure! Here are a few pictures of A.J. on the practice field. There is also a video clip of him during practice (which I am pretty sure is already preparing them for college play). He starts games next week... so pray... pray hard!

Pouty Play Date

We had a play date this week with Amelia (and her brother Heath) and Natasha. However, Abigail turned out to not be in a much of a play date mood. Just look at the pictures:

Amelia and Natasha playing (the way little girls are supposed to play):

Abigail off by herself playing for one brief moment:

And, then... seconds later.... the way she was the rest of the morning!

I am pretty sure there is a picture out there exactly like this of me when I was a child! I guess I can't blame it on Allan anymore!!!

Abigail's First Day

Abigail started preschool this week (do you remember the days of starting after Labor Day??). She is in the 3 year old class at Harvest Preschool. I am working there 2 days a week, and she is attending 3 days. Here is a picture of her on her first day (you knew she would be wearing purple).

The Swing

This week, in Abigail's tumbling class, the boys and girls were able to do the "swing." It is really a harness used by the older children when learning to do high flips. But, for the 2 and 3 year olds... it was just a really fun swing. Here are a few more pictures of her in tumbling plus a video of her on the big swing!

The Columns

I am very excited to post this "before and after" of the front of my house. Since the day we moved in, the old wrought iron columns on the front of the house have driven me absolutely crazy. I am not a big fan of this type structure to begin with, but especially these which were in bad condition (when you looked up close). So, my wonderful father-in-law helped me love my house more by changing them to classic wood columns. Here is the before of our house:

Here is Papa working very hard to make me very happy:

And, here (finally after a month) is the after! Allan also planted some pots for me and painted the porch to make the final picture.
Now, I know my friends and family are not usually commentators on my blog, but this time, I really want to hear the comments. What do you think?????