Churchgoers

I am fully aware that it is no excuse, but with having moved six times in five years- we have not exactly had the best opportunity to consistently go to church as a family. When we moved to North Carolina, Tommy and I decided that finding a place to attend was a priority. So for the last month we have been visiting churches and Tyler even attended Vacation Bible School. While we are thrilled to be finally attending church, we still have some kinks to iron out in the type of service we are looking for and the best time to attend (the service we want to go to is later in the morning but conflicts with Carson's nap). It will all work out and we feel good about just being on the right path for us as to what we feel like our family is in need of. Not necessarily the best picture (thank you local barber shop for Ty's gaped hairdo), but wanted to at least document one Sunday morning of getting ready.

Recent conversations with Tyler to confirm the need to start going to church:

Me: Tyler, where does God live?
Tyler: In a van in Knoxville.

Me: Tyler, I think God lives in your heart.
Tyler: God does not listen to your heart! He is not a doctor!

Cooking With The Boys

Tyler and I hit the kitchen tonight to prepare dinner. The menu: sausage biscuits, sliced tomato, peaches, squash casserole, and rice krispies for dessert. I figured with such an unorganized array of food, that there would be something to please everyone.

Tyler above is stirring the marshmallow and butter for the dessert. Note the homemade apron that Mrs. Jamie (one of his teachers from Knoxville) made him for his birthday. Also notice how a "real" chef does not need two functioning arms in the kitchen to get the job done.

Carson plundered through the lower drawers the entire time trying on oven mits. A 16 months old contribution...

Pure Comfort

Carson and Ma

Meeting Up With Good Friends

On the way home from Nashville we were able to meet up with our dear friends that lived across the street from us in Spring Hill. In case you are unfamiliar with the story, Brooks is the one who scaled my fence in the pouring rain during Hurricane Dennis to unlock my door and bring my hospital bag to me when my water broke - not the type of friend you meet every day. We always have the best time when we get together, even though it is never often enough to suit me. The best part of the trip was watching our kids interact. Brooks and I were pregnant with our last children together and are sharing a pregnancy again. So naturally, it is always fun to get together to compare stories and laughs, but this time Tyler and Gavin (who is 6) really hit it off. All of the kids had a great time and played all over Logan's restaurant. I took 1,000 pictures, but decided to skip the slideshow and only display a few. Brooks, Chris, Gavin, Taylor Marie, Gracelynn Lee- and baby #4 we love you so much and miss you!

Brooks and I saddled up to the table ready to eat.

Tommy entertaining the troops with Taylor Marie's hair bow. He was not too thrilled when he spotted the flash of my camera.

Gavin, Tyler and Taylor Marie

Carson admiring Gracelynn Lee and her doll

Not Exactly The Summer Break I Was Looking Forward To

Over the weekend we took a trip to Nashville to visit Tommy's parents. We were not there two hours before Tyler fell and injured his wrist. He also was unable to put any weight on his left leg. After about five hours in the Emergency Room and several x-rays later...the doctor informed us Tyler had a broken wrist. He also splinted his leg, since the x-ray was showing clear but there were concerns about him not being able to walk. We called our doctor on Sunday and were told to call the office first thing Monday to try to schedule an appointment with an orthopedist. Lucky for us, after hauling it back to Knoxville on Sunday- we were able to get an appointed to be casted today. We were relieved to find out that Tyler's leg appeared to only be really sore and that he would only have to be in the cast for four weeks.

Tyler in the ER waiting to go for x-rays late Friday night.

After the splints.

Passed out on the way back to North Carolina tonight after getting the cast. He was exhausted after nights of restless sleep!

Before bath tonight he insisted on us signing his new green cast. In two weeks we will return the the doctor's office for him to get a shorted one that will stop right below the elbow.

Who Am I?

After a rousing game of Candy Land, Tyler and I decided to play the game "Who Am I?" For those never introduced to the game- player one gives clues to describe an animal or object while the other participants try to guess the thing described. So after Tyler went through his favorites (coyote, horse, pudding pop), he says:

"I have a lot of hair. I have two eyes, a nose and a mouth. I have a baby in my belly and am yawning...who am I?"

Any guesses as to who he was describing?

Carson's First Phrase

Tommy was pinning Carson down on the bed tickling his belly just 30 seconds ago. All of a sudden, Carson got this frustrated look on his face and said clear as day "Let me go!"

Tommy and I both witnessed it and sit here in shock. I have heard a slurred version of "Here you go" when handing me a toy, but by far this was the plainest and most direct phrase. Wow.