Summer wrap-up!

We have had a great summer. We went to Charleston for a week in June. We usually go to visit our dear friends the Beam's, however they were out of town (and graciously allowed us to stay in their house) so we did all the touristy stuff. Which was not cheep but I had my Mom with me who was determined to make it an "educational and cultural" trip so she helped out a lot. We saw Cypress Gardens where they filmed a scene from The Notebook. It was cool. We also went to Magnolia Plantation, there we did a swamp tour, a tour of the house, a trolley ride and walked in the gardens. My brother said the only way to see more of the plantation was to fly over it or tunnel under it. My brother moved to Charleston a few years ago and we don't see him often, we saw him everyday we were there. We also saw Transformers at the Hipadrome. We had so much fun, however next time we go I'm looking forward to seeing our real favorite attraction, The Beam Bunch.
We have also went hiking at South Mountain twice, Picnicked in the mountains, under the Peach in Gaffney and various other places, we have been to Kid Senses museum, rode our bikes in the driveway, Swam in various pools, played in sprinklers, and done yard work.
We have been sunburned, tanned, bug bitten, skinned knees, bit by a cat (ME), tortured our siblings (them), bit by ticks (EW!), caught frogs, spent the night everywhere (Katie and Emma), had people over to spend the night, watched movies, stayed up late, slept late, and learned one bible verse REALLY well. I'm exhausted!
As far as my summer goals. The kids did do their chores everyday, however reluctantly. Some days it took threats, and teeth pulling, but it did get done. We did not sit and eat breakfast together ever morning while having a devotion. However we did learn a bible verse Philippians 1:6 being confident of this that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I hope it is hidden in their hearts. Katie finished a few chapter books and wrote me a few book reports, but she had to be threatened to not have anymore sleepovers until she finished Judy Moody saves the world. We did do a lot of free things but we also spent more money that I would have liked, mostly at Wal Mart. That place is dangerous for people on a budget.
I hope you have all had great summers and will enjoy your last two weeks of free time. We plan to do some fun things this week if they can remember how to act. Then next week getting back on school time sleep schedules. It is easier to be a zombie when they don't have school to deal with too. Wish me luck.

Let the games begin!

School is out. I feel at once excited and terrified by the idea. I hope to keep the house in order, have the kids exercise and not forget everything they have learned this school year. The kids and I will all have chores and bible study every day. They are also required to put on "day cloths" everyday. I have grand plans of doing a lot of free things with the kids this summer like hiking, picnics and the like. I must also maintain a very strict budget (thank you very much State of North Carolina). So all in all it is stacking up to be a pretty busy summer. I hope I can acomplish at least some of these things whilst not screaming at my kids or scaring them for life. *sigh* I better get busy. Hope you all have plans for wonderful summers. If any of you have any suggestions on the free stuff let me know.

My Little Man the Race fan.

Here are some pictures of Nathan enjoying his very first NASCAR race. We got really great tickets for the Sunday Coca-cola 600, thanks to Greg's girlfriend (thank you Krissy). Dad, Andy, Frank and I went on Sunday. We had so much fun, we had pit passes and they gave us cool free stuff, drinks and great food. Anyway the race was rained out on Sunday. Which was a bummer. So we scrambled around and tried to take days off to see the re-race on Monday. I was sick, so Andy decided to take Nathan. He was SO excited! He loves Cars and this was like Cars in real life. I showed him a video of Jeff Gordon winning Taladega on YouTube and he was jazzed. He had a wonderful time and was thoroughly tired out (as you can see). However when he got home I asked him how he liked the race, he said "It was bad" I was like "Why Son I thought you had a great time." He said "Well we had fun but we heard on the radio on the way home that some other guy than Jeff Gordon won the race, so it was a BAD race!" My dad is thrilled, we are not die hard race fans, and Dad loves Jeff Gordon so we were pulling for him by default. I guess Nate has taken it seriously.

Tired

Hello people. I hope you are all well and well rested. Nathan and Ian finished their last day of school yesterday. It was major busy last week and this with all the last minute things to do. Remember to bring apple slices for 35 for the end of the year party, don't forget carrots and goldfish for the graduation reception, bring home all changes of cloths, and art work. The kitchen table looks like I could start my OWN preschool. So today I'm here with two wild boys, and I just don't want to do anything. I'm hoping to muster some motivation and try to dig out from under the debris of the last week of school. Ian had an asthma attack the other night. It was so random and came out of nowhere. He is OK now but we are both kind of tired from middle of the night breathing treatments.

New Life.

Yesterday, Andy and I helped my Sister-in-law and her family move into their New/Old house. Emily has breathed new life into Grandma Gardner's old house. For those of you who don't know Andy's grandmother went into a nursing home a few months ago. Her house is a historic house in Shelby. It was built in 1886 and has been in the Gardner family that long. Once Grandma went into the nursing home and it was pretty clear she wouldn't be able to care for herself at home again, we started going through the house. It was sorely neglected, due to the fact that She just wasn't able to care for it in the last few years. Emily had a vision for it though and she started to work. She was the ONLY one of us who had the desire to revive this old place just because of the amount of work that would need to be put into it. She and my Mother-in-law have pretty much done it all. We cleared out as much as we could and its been re-carpeted, a/c installed, and painted. The counters have been changed all with the most careful attention to it's historic standing not just inside but outside as well. You wouldn't believe the difference in the house. It looks amazing! Emily and David have great taste. The antique furniture that remains will not look out of place in this new setting. The old door knobs are being restored and used. As well as the old doors. I admire Emily for having the vision and seeing it through. GOOD JOB!

Day seven.

I was reading in Genesis about creation last night and this is what I got.

Genesis 2:2-3 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating he had done.

What did God do on the seventh day? It says in v.2 he rested. Do you think God needed a nap? Nope, he wasn't even winded. Psalm 121:3-4 says, He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep(NIV). So what do you think he did with his day off?

I think he looked over the earth he created and took the time to reflect and admire. Much as a first time parent looks over the edge of the cradle in wonder as their child sleeps, at the miracle of life. Maybe he spent time thinking about the possibilities of the Earth and all the creatures on it. Did he see what would become of his creation? Did he smile about the good times, yet know there would be bad times for the earth and its creatures as well?

Picture this...He looked over the earth and his gaze fell on a majestic mountain with snow on its peak and a covering of green trees further down.The golden grassy planes and the sandy beaches and deserts. He saw the fluffy clouds move across the sky, and then he saw the sun sparkle in the Sea, that he had called into being. He lovingly watched as a pod of dolphins frolics in the waves and a whale spouts in the distance. As the sun sets orange and red in the water he sees a flock of sea gulls fly over the earth in the expanse of darkening sky. As he looks up the stars start to come out he knows how they will be used to determine the seasons and the days of the year. (Gen. 1:14) As he looked at the stars he didn't have to wonder, like we do, how many there were, HE KNEW, for he had lovingly put each in it's place.

As his eyes roamed over the Earth he had created I'm sure he saw the potential of its land, sea, and the living inhabitants of the earth. I hope when he looked into the future and saw me he was pleased with what he saw. The human race has been to the extremes of hatred and evil that is almost unimaginable. Yet, he loves us unconditionally. Matthew 10:29,30 it says, "And are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Wow, I don't know about you but I have some pretty thick hair. God really loves us, as much as we love our children, and our parents love us, it is hard to imagine that he loves us more than that, but he dose. I hope that is encouraging to you today. To think that God stood there on the seventh day, his day off, and as he surveyed his handy work he knew that one day there would be a you and a me. And after all that, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Gen. 1:31).

Be blessed.

BLESSED!

Tonight I received the most wonderful blessing that a Mother can have. My daughter is now not just my daughter but also my sister. Emma prayed to ask Jesus into her heart this evening. I had the incredible honor of being the one to lead her in prayer. I got to pray with both Katie and Paige when they got saved and I never thought I would be so blessed to get to do it again.
I knew that Emma was on the verge of something for the past few weeks. She keeps coming out with a lot of deep and challenging questions. Such as, "Why did God create the Satan if he knew he was going to be bad? Also my Dad's Aunt recently committed suicide and while it seemed to roll over the other three without many questions. She has been thinking about it for a few months. She and I had a conversation about it the other day. That one was HARD. I just told her that God created us and has a plan for our lives and when we accept Him as our savior we give up control, which means that if you take your own life you can't do what he has planned for you, and it's not yours to take once you surrender it to Jesus. I think I would have preferred to talk to her about sex.
We are in a time of great spiritual blessing around here. Katie is on a soccer team which has a huge rivalry with one other team. So I've been trying to talk to her about being a good sport and a good witness even if it means she can't go along with what her friends are saying. We started going through Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the mind for Kids last night. She is really getting it. She comes up with great insight and challenging conversation. She can even site examples from her daily life. It’s amazing. I get to teach my girls a bible study. I feel so blessed. My cup is running over.

Missy

This post is for Missy. You are awsome. A great friend. A wonderful Mama to Bella and Olivia. Joy and I love you and so do a million and one other people. I'm always amazed when I get to peek into your world and see all the people you touch on a day to day basis. I had a lot of fun last night. I forgot how fun baby stuff could be. I wanted to do this post to encourage you and let you know how much I admire you. Hang in there you are so close to holding Olivia which will make all this hard work worth it. I could go on and on and I would but if I make this post any longer you won't read it. :)
I love you girl.
Heather

Why do you think that is?

• I don't mind loading the dirty dishes into the dish washer but I HATE unloading it...Why do you think that is?
• I have a hard time throwing away product containers, even when they are empty, the more I paid for it like Face stuff, Makeup or perfume, the harder it is to part with the empty container... Why do you think that is?
• Sometimes I engage in verbal arguments with my eight year old and get right down on her level before I remember I'M the Momma and that wins all arguments...Why do you think that is?
• Every other summer I have dreaded school being let out, yet this year I can't wait...Why do you think that is?
• I am a big advocate for the kids having fun with sports and not putting pressure on them to achieve, yet at Katie's Soccer game yesterday I was yelling so loud Andy threatened to move...Why do you think that is?
• I love my husband being home and can't wait for him to finish school, yet when he mentioned a few people dropping out of his program or only taking one class a semester from here to the end I almost hyperventilated thinking he was going to do the same thing...Why do you think that is?
• I always say I want to make friends, but yesterday at Katie's game was the first time I have approached the other Mom's and talked to them. As a result reconnected with a friend from High School, made some good contacts, AND thoroughly enjoyed myself... Why do you think that is?
• I fought pull-ups tooth and nail while potty training Ian, when I finlay gave in and put him in one to poop (two solid weeks of pooping in his underwear *HELLO HEATHER* who proved the most stubborn in that situation) He wore them for a week hardly peed in them, only pooped in them once and now is doing both in the toilet without any help, and NO pull ups...Why do you think that is?
• I write long meaningless post when I'm home with my sick kid on a Sunday morning... Why do you think that is?

Ah, cool, don't you love it when you get an idea for a post that is all fluff and the Lord gives you a verse that makes it all make sense? Here goes... Romans 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. AND Philippians 1:6 ...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. That may have just been for me but I hope it spoke to you guys too.

"I'm ok and I'm on my way." Joyce Meyer

"I'm not where I need to be but thank God I'm not where I use to be." Joyce Meyer

"The only way out is through." Joyce Meyer

Tomorrow, Tomorrow your only a day away!

Tomorrow Is departure day! We will be off for a week of fun in the sun and relaxation. I am almost more excited about getting to see Matt, Kathy, the boys, and the girl. I haven't seen Annabeth in so long I probably won't recognize her.

Today I am anxious about getting everything packed and making sure the kids are as prepared as they can be. One of my biggest worries is that Ian decided this week that he was not wearing diapers anymore. He has been in underwear for two days and is doing surprisingly well, but I worry what he will do for my Mom and Maw-maw while I'm gone. I am trying to convince myself that if we have to start all over from the beginning that it's no big deal but I haven't succeeded yet.

Katie keeps saying she doesn't want me to go which makes me feel guilty. We really haven't left them to much in the past and never for this long.

BUT, it will all be fine. We WILL get everything packed, and the kids WILL be fine. Hope you all have a wonderful Easter and a great spring break.

As my Mom is fond of saying "I have more things to do than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest" (sorry if I offended any one legged people or butt kickers) So I better get to it.

CSI Mommy!

Last night before the girls went to bed Andy wanted them to clean their room. Which turned into about an hours worth of lecturing and crying and well you know how it goes. They have a beautifully remodeled room, done by Missy in all her geniuses, so they should be motivated to keep it clean. Andy and I were kind of tag teaming them on the way they have been so slack with their room maintenance in the past few weeks. (In their defense they do have soccer and awana which doesn't leave much free time) We were all four worked up, them making excuses and us laying down the law, which I must admit as a parent when you get on a roll can be quite fun. At such times some of the things you say may surprise you, well last night I came out with something that was truly inspired. Emma was complaining about the fact that Katie had pushed everything under her bed (which I knew to be true because I picked up laundry earlier that day). Katie instantly starting denying it which is her knee-jerk reaction to everything. Since I knew that it was a lie I immediately jumped in with, "Katie, I know you pushed the things under her bed because under your bead is totaly clean (which if you know Katie is a miracle) She would not push things under her own bed and Mommy and Daddy watch CSI and I read mysteries so I know that you are the only person in our family to have a motive. Ian and Nathan didn't come in here and push thing out from under your bed to under Emma's. I know you are guilty!" Melodramatic? yes but it did get my point across. Andy thought it was hilarious. Katie just said "sorry". Sometimes parenting is fun. And today we get to enjoy the fact that their room is spotless.

Countdown to relaxation!

In 17 days Andy and I will leave for a Cruise! I can't wait. I know that when it is time to go I will hate leaving my babies but right now it seems like a WONDERFUL idea. Everything is going fine but its kind of like seeing those people in the log rolling competitions where they try to run on the log as it spins in the water and not fall off. It looks like any second they are going to bust, yet somehow they keep running. That is what my family life is like right now. It's sometimes fun yet always terrifying. I just hope if I fall off my log I will be able to get back on and not drown.

It is amazing how time can go so slow and fast at the same time. Some of the days seem like years and the years seem like days. April 3rd is mine and Andy's 10th anniversary. (Hence the Cruise, thank you babe) I try to remember that I must enjoy my life right now and not always look to what is coming up next.

Now I must go see what my darling boys have gotten into in the time I have been on the computer. I promise to enjoy it. OH my I hear Ian saying "Mommy is comming" this is going to be fun.

"Facing" reality.

Well I have joined the modern age. In my attempt to keep in touch with all my friends near and far (and at the request of my Brother) I joined Facebook. So far so good. I like it a lot, although I don't have the foggiest idea how to do half of the things on it. I did take a quiz and apparently the 80's movie that defines me is the Princess Bride which was awesome since I could quote it. Anyway if you are on facebook and you want to be my friend I would love it. Hope everyone is well.

Christmas, Jane Austen, and roadkill.

Ah I've got you interested haven't I. One of my favorite radio talk show dose this thing on Monday where people call in and describe there weekend in four words or less. These four are my Christmas break in four words or less. (It's all connected trust me.)

Christmas was great this year, exausting but great. We had a wonderful visit from my grandparents the weekend before that kind of kicked off the festivities and we were going strong right through New Years. The kids all got their hearts desires (some hearts were harder to please than others). We did the ultimate Christmas this year and got them a Cat. His name is Landon he is eight months old and came from the Humane Society. The kids LOVED getting this gift it's funny to ask the little boys about it if you ask Ian what Santa Clause brought him he says "Pet Cat" as if that's Landon's title or something. If you ask Nathan he says (and all this in one breath mind you) "We got a cat because he was poor lost on the road and Santa wanted to give him to a special family to give him lots of love and take care of him." The girls are just ecstatic their only disappointment is that he won't let them dress him in doll cloths, push him around in a stroller or carry him everywhere. Nathan and Ian love to "play" with him which consist of the boys ferreting out Landon's latest hiding place and chasing him around the house. I think Landon appreciates the whole predator and prey roll playing it makes him feel like he is in the wild. You may be thinking that Landon is a strange name for a cat but it's the name he came with and it has a story behind it. (I love names with a story behind them) He was found abandoned in the Ingle's parking lot and the person who found him thought he was a girl so they named it Laura (Laura Ingles) when they found out it was a boy they changed his name to Landon (Michael Landon) We didn't tell the kids that they could change it because I didn't want to end up with a cat named Senor Fluffington or something (no disrespect to the Fluffingtons out there).

Least you think the roadkill is about Landon specifically I will skip to that one. I think of myself as a compassionate person but the sight of roadkill never moved me beyond thinking it was gross. Since we got Landon to see a cat dead on the road almost brings me to tears. I think of how cute it probably was alive and whoever will be missing it and it makes me sad. I guess I'm a sucker for our newest family member.

Lastly, Jane Austen. My dear mother gave my the most wonderful Christmas gift. She got me a box set of the BBC Jane Austen movies I have them all from Pride and Prejudice to Northanger Abby. Then she realized that the Pride and Prejudice I wanted was the one with Colin Firth in it (I know he was a dandy on Mama Mia but he really is the best Mr. Darcy ever) and it wasn't the one in the set she got me SO she got me that one too. I have been Jane Austing it up since Christmas I have even started to THINK in a British accent. I think Andy hopes this will soon pass. I know that even if it dose it will come back.

Hope you all had good Christmas' as well and all of you who send your kids to school got them back there and survived their first week.