Our friend, Sam took our family pictures today. He is very talented and I love them! (and our friend, Larry, stood behind him to make Micah laugh!)
5 years ago
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Asheville...and Mike...
Mike and I left for Asheville on Saturday. We had planned to go hiking somewhere...but, well, it snowed.
So, we explored downtown Asheville on Saturday, walking around, holding hands, and laughing. It was good to be alone. We went in a lot of different shops. Some that interested us, some that didn't. We even went into an antique shop (which we never do) and found the most hilarious book. It is called "Where Did I Come From." And is a funny approach to teaching your kids about sex. Oh my, was it funny. We laughed so hard we thought we would get kicked out. And we may have, but the owner was more intersted in grooming his dog the whole time we were there. The pictures were cartoon-y and our favorite was of a baby boy looking at his penis and the caption said "don't worry, as you grow, it will grow." It was $18 and we both said, "if only it were $5." So, we left it there, but not before Mike took some pictures of our favorite pages and texted them to Sam.
Sam later texted (is that the correct way to say that?) back "where are you guys?" And then said he would be happy to chip in $9 for usto go get it. So we went back after dinner, and they were closed, and wouldn't reopen until Monday. But, becuase i am a bargain shopper and then had it in my head I had to have this book, when we got back to our room I got on Amazon. And found it for $5. :)
On Sunday we went to the Biltmore for the first time and it was amazing. I was of the thought that I didn't want to pay that much money to tour someone's house, but it was beautiful and I am really glad we went. My favorite part was touring the grounds. I would love to see them in the spring.
We could have spent more time there, including going to the wine tasting, but home beckoned, as did our children. And probably Sam and Gina too!
It was a perfect anniversary weekend.
So, we explored downtown Asheville on Saturday, walking around, holding hands, and laughing. It was good to be alone. We went in a lot of different shops. Some that interested us, some that didn't. We even went into an antique shop (which we never do) and found the most hilarious book. It is called "Where Did I Come From." And is a funny approach to teaching your kids about sex. Oh my, was it funny. We laughed so hard we thought we would get kicked out. And we may have, but the owner was more intersted in grooming his dog the whole time we were there. The pictures were cartoon-y and our favorite was of a baby boy looking at his penis and the caption said "don't worry, as you grow, it will grow." It was $18 and we both said, "if only it were $5." So, we left it there, but not before Mike took some pictures of our favorite pages and texted them to Sam.
Sam later texted (is that the correct way to say that?) back "where are you guys?" And then said he would be happy to chip in $9 for usto go get it. So we went back after dinner, and they were closed, and wouldn't reopen until Monday. But, becuase i am a bargain shopper and then had it in my head I had to have this book, when we got back to our room I got on Amazon. And found it for $5. :)
On Sunday we went to the Biltmore for the first time and it was amazing. I was of the thought that I didn't want to pay that much money to tour someone's house, but it was beautiful and I am really glad we went. My favorite part was touring the grounds. I would love to see them in the spring.
We could have spent more time there, including going to the wine tasting, but home beckoned, as did our children. And probably Sam and Gina too!
It was a perfect anniversary weekend.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
15 years...
Today is Mike's and my 15th Wedding Anniversary! We were married on November 4, 1995 in Evansville, IN, on what was the coldest day of the season. And it was cold! I wanted to get married in the fall since it is my favorite time of year, and growing up in Florida, you don't get a lot of fall.
I am sure I thought when we got married, "so and so has been married for 15 years?!" thinking it was such a long time. But for me it has flown by. I am not poetic, nor great with sweet words, but it has been a wonderful 15 years. I married my best friend. I have moved with him four times. I have laughed with him and cried with him. I have rejoiced with him and fought with him. I have four children with him, and one in heaven. And I love him more than anything.
Tonight we will celebrate at our favorite restaurant, the Melting Pot. And this weekend we will get away by ourselves to Asheville, NC.
Happy Anniversary, Mikey. I love you so much!
I am sure I thought when we got married, "so and so has been married for 15 years?!" thinking it was such a long time. But for me it has flown by. I am not poetic, nor great with sweet words, but it has been a wonderful 15 years. I married my best friend. I have moved with him four times. I have laughed with him and cried with him. I have rejoiced with him and fought with him. I have four children with him, and one in heaven. And I love him more than anything.
Tonight we will celebrate at our favorite restaurant, the Melting Pot. And this weekend we will get away by ourselves to Asheville, NC.
Happy Anniversary, Mikey. I love you so much!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
My weekend..
I'm supposed to be in Florida, I'm supposed to be in Florida, I'm supposed to be in Florida....but I am not. Mike is in Florida, I am here. He has his second to last Love Worth Fighting For Marriage Event of the year in Lakeland today. We were all going to travel down there together, have dinner with my best friend from high school, see my brother, reminisce about when we were dating down there, and of course, have lunch with Kirk Cameron when it was all done on Sunday afternoon (and see if he remembered my name this time so he doesn't call me Mrs. Williams ever again)
but...Micah started feeling puny on Tuesday and we both got a little (a lot) worried that 11 hours in the car with a possibly sick baby and three other kids wondering "are we almost there?" would be a bit much for a four day trip. So Mike flew there instead, and I stayed here.
which meant...I got to take the kids to Chic Fil A last night for dinner and then get ice cream...take Caleb to his best friends house for a sleepover, and then cuddle with my girls in their bed while looking through the American Girl catalog, wishing which dolls we could get. (yes, we. I want a Julie doll, she is from 1974, the year I was born)
It meant that Micah got a full nights sleep in his own bed, and I got to watch Elisa score two goals in a soccer game I thought we would miss.
I also got ahead (by 3 weeks!) on my planning for the 50 states class I teach, impressing my co-leader who is much more organized than I.
And, I sat and watched my Thursday evening programs on hulu.com that I missed the night before since we no longer have cable.
I do...miss Mike. I miss that I am not there with him trying to help bring his stress level down. I miss that I am not the "ticket" lady today and I won't be there first hand to see how excited all the couples are going in, and coming out of the conference. I miss the funny stories Warren Barfield will tell and that I can't text my friend Eileen tomorrow bragging that I had lunch with Kirk (who does recognize me now)...
but...today I will enjoy my little people, curl up with a book when I get the chance, and enjoy that I will get to spend Sunday morning at my favorite church, leading the worship team, and learning from our pastor. And I will get the chance to say goodbye to my oldest nephew, Travis, who is leaving for basic training on Monday.
and...I will look forward to coming home from Monday Fun on Monday and having my Mike(y) home for a few days, and we will share how great our weekends were.
but...Micah started feeling puny on Tuesday and we both got a little (a lot) worried that 11 hours in the car with a possibly sick baby and three other kids wondering "are we almost there?" would be a bit much for a four day trip. So Mike flew there instead, and I stayed here.
which meant...I got to take the kids to Chic Fil A last night for dinner and then get ice cream...take Caleb to his best friends house for a sleepover, and then cuddle with my girls in their bed while looking through the American Girl catalog, wishing which dolls we could get. (yes, we. I want a Julie doll, she is from 1974, the year I was born)
It meant that Micah got a full nights sleep in his own bed, and I got to watch Elisa score two goals in a soccer game I thought we would miss.
I also got ahead (by 3 weeks!) on my planning for the 50 states class I teach, impressing my co-leader who is much more organized than I.
And, I sat and watched my Thursday evening programs on hulu.com that I missed the night before since we no longer have cable.
I do...miss Mike. I miss that I am not there with him trying to help bring his stress level down. I miss that I am not the "ticket" lady today and I won't be there first hand to see how excited all the couples are going in, and coming out of the conference. I miss the funny stories Warren Barfield will tell and that I can't text my friend Eileen tomorrow bragging that I had lunch with Kirk (who does recognize me now)...
but...today I will enjoy my little people, curl up with a book when I get the chance, and enjoy that I will get to spend Sunday morning at my favorite church, leading the worship team, and learning from our pastor. And I will get the chance to say goodbye to my oldest nephew, Travis, who is leaving for basic training on Monday.
and...I will look forward to coming home from Monday Fun on Monday and having my Mike(y) home for a few days, and we will share how great our weekends were.
Friday, October 1, 2010
NASA...Space Museum
When I was but a little girl, one of my dreams was to be an astronaut. I grew up in Orlando and loved watching the Space Shuttle launches from my back yard. I remember the devastaion of the morning of the Challenger explosion...how the sky looked, how cold it was that day, how devastated my sixth grade teacher was. I have always loved the idea of going into space. So, I was so excited when we were able to take a trip to the NASA Space Museum in Huntsville, AL when we were in town for one of Mike's Feed Your Faith Marriage Events...
There was not a lot on the Space Shuttle program, ( I didn't get to see the IMAX movie on the Hubble telescope, Caleb tells me I would say otherwise if I had) but all they had on the Apollo program was so amazing, and fun, and interesting...here are some of our pictures...
Here we are!
Here we are! 
This is my favorite picture from the day..my husband is so talented and creative!
This showed a launch and how loud it would be as well as the vibration if you were there.
They have a fun play area where Micah and I spent a lot of time, this cracked me up...he doesn't look so good! 
Ok, this was my favorite Micah picture of the day. He is on the go so much so it is hard to get a good picture...but this one was so great! We hung out together while the "big kids" and Mike went to the IMAX movie.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Fighting in the Civil War...in our backyard...
I am not sure if we will ever make it through this war or not, it has taken forever. So, we took the fighting outside and "reenacted" many battles in our backyard.
Caleb getting in some target practice.. 
And the Confederates on the Merrimack...we got Micah back, but he got gun powder in his eyes here! 
Micah on the lookout 
Another victory for the Union
For the Union: Mike, Rebekah, and Elisa
For the Confederacy: Donna, Caleb, and Micah (our little spy...he even took Mikes weapon using his sweet little smile) (oh, and he was captured too)
Caleb getting in some target practice..Micah was captured early...they got him by coaxing him with a wagon...the Union meant business with their lineup
It was fun watching my girls playing with "guns"
Here they are on the Monitor
And the Confederates on the Merrimack...we got Micah back, but he got gun powder in his eyes here! Micah on the lookoutMicah doing what he does best...acting sweet, then swiping Mike's sword
Another victory for the UnionThe kids had a really great time, and hopefully this will be something that will help them remember some of the battles and victories of the Civil War...next up, who shall be Abe Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address...
Monday, August 9, 2010
Homeschool...take 6...
Today we began our sixth year of homeschooling. I really wasn't planning on it, especially since I just ordered from Rainbow Resource last Thursday. But yesterday, I started getting excited about a new year, without a newborn and with a little more sleep. (though I am now seeing that a one year old will be more challenging than a newborn) Anyway, I decided to start today. It is so stinkin' hot here, and the kids hang out inside anyway....so off we go!
I called last year the "year of the workbook" That is pretty much all we did...I did not do so well on such little sleep and would grow even more tired at the thought of reading a novel to my kids...sad, I know...but, that is how it went. So this year I have decided must be fun, and hands on, and exciting...well, hopefully.
We ended last year at the start of the Civil War, and I had bought a Civil War lapbook from Hands of a Child. Let me say I love lapbooks, at least the idea of them. If I finish one, I will let you know...anyway...I didn't even print it out. I found our this summer that HOAC have online co-ops, so I decided to check that out. The first lapbook they chose to do this year is Civil War. I decided to join, hoping it will keep me on task. It is really cool. Everyone has a "job" to do, and posts it to the group. (math, scripture, geography, games, crafts...) It goes on for two school weeks. Today was day one, which was also why I decided to get going on school, to stay with what the group was doing...
We had fun math problems about how many states there were, and subtracting out how many were free, we made a Nettie doll, looked up the Atlantic triangle slave trade on a map, and had a fun story starter with a writing assignment for Caleb. Ok, so I know it is day one and I have 13 days to go, but I think we all had fun, and the kids were so happy to have something hands on to do.
Like I said, I recently placed my Rainbow order, which contains a lot of our books...but we had math already and a few things here and there. So, we are gently easing in to the year. I really hope to spend a little more time with the girls reading fun "girly" books that I had overlooked before, play a few more games, and, well, just enjoy my kids.
I called last year the "year of the workbook" That is pretty much all we did...I did not do so well on such little sleep and would grow even more tired at the thought of reading a novel to my kids...sad, I know...but, that is how it went. So this year I have decided must be fun, and hands on, and exciting...well, hopefully.
We ended last year at the start of the Civil War, and I had bought a Civil War lapbook from Hands of a Child. Let me say I love lapbooks, at least the idea of them. If I finish one, I will let you know...anyway...I didn't even print it out. I found our this summer that HOAC have online co-ops, so I decided to check that out. The first lapbook they chose to do this year is Civil War. I decided to join, hoping it will keep me on task. It is really cool. Everyone has a "job" to do, and posts it to the group. (math, scripture, geography, games, crafts...) It goes on for two school weeks. Today was day one, which was also why I decided to get going on school, to stay with what the group was doing...
We had fun math problems about how many states there were, and subtracting out how many were free, we made a Nettie doll, looked up the Atlantic triangle slave trade on a map, and had a fun story starter with a writing assignment for Caleb. Ok, so I know it is day one and I have 13 days to go, but I think we all had fun, and the kids were so happy to have something hands on to do.
Like I said, I recently placed my Rainbow order, which contains a lot of our books...but we had math already and a few things here and there. So, we are gently easing in to the year. I really hope to spend a little more time with the girls reading fun "girly" books that I had overlooked before, play a few more games, and, well, just enjoy my kids.
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