Rosalyn's First Day of First Grade

As hard as it is to believe, Rosalyn started first grade last week. She looked so grown up headed off to school with her backpack and lunchbox. Though she still misses FPCJ, and all her dear friends from Jackson, this new school (Eagle's Nest Academy) has been so warm and accepting so far. She seems to have fallen into the new school really well and is making lots of new friends. We're so thankful to the Lord for how he is taking care of her.

This is Rosalyn right outside her classroom door, walking in for the first time!

This is her all dressed up to get into the car and ride to school for the first time!

Titans Preseason Game

A couple of weeks ago we attended the first home preseason game for the Tennessee Titans. It was a lot of fun, and the first professional football game the the girls ever attended. Here's a few pictures from our night at LP Field.

No More Pacifier!!!

Yes, that's right! Knox doesn't have a paci anymore! We knew that it was past time to take it away but also wasn't up for the challenge of this. Knox would actually walk around or sleep with up to 3 pacis at one time. I say this was all God's timing because it has been way too simple. Last Wednesday Knox got a sore on his top lip. I think it may have been a carpet burn from all the jumping around and falling that he does. He didn't want the pacifier because it hurt him so much. So I said say bye, bye to paci and he did and they are gone. It takes him longer to go to sleep now but it's getting better. Each time he asks for it, I'll say no that paci was mean and give you a sore. And he'll move on and not ask for awhile. The other quite amazing thing is that he is almost saying sentences now. He repeats everything we say and talks nonstop in the car. It's so fun. Now on to challenge #2 soon...potty training. He's so ready but I'm not sure I am!

Knox's Catechism Answers

Knox has been slowly working on his Catechism questions. He doesn't say alot of words yet and definitely not making sentences so this is hard but it's so cute to listen to. Here's Nate working with him one night.

Gymnastics

The girls started going to gymnastics in April and have really gotten good at flips and cart wheels and so much more. Rosalyn can't just stand still anymore in the living room...she's always doing cart wheels!

Here's Knox...with his Titans shirt and paci! We sit upstairs and watch everyone.

Rosalyn on the bars

Rosalyn on the beams

Katie is in a room that where I can't watch what she does so I got a picture of her before class starts.

My New Hobby

Since moving to TN I have made an attempt to really learn to sew. At First Presbyterian, I was involved in the Sew and Sow ministry and loved learning things there. I never went home and sewed anything though. I am so excited to show you some of the things that I have made. I am really enjoying it and hope to make lots of things!

This checkbook cover was the first thing I made and it was very easy. It took 30 minutes max and so I made several of them.

The other night I made these skirts and it took an hour and a half for the first one and an hour for the 2nd. Fun skirts!

You gotta have a silly pic sometime!

And here's my favorite...

I love these little scarfs. They're still a little big but so fun to wear!

This is the only outfit I've made for Knox. It is a 2T but way too big so I'll have to make an 18 month. I want to put an applique on it once I get it right!

The Franklin Bluegrass Festival

We struck out this morning for downtown Franklin to enjoy some pickin' and a grinnin'. Franklin has an annual Bluegrass Festival every year. Nate and I had been before, back when we lived here the first time. It was always a good time. Even though it was a scorcher, we found some shade and grabbed drinks and snow cones to cool off. Here's a few shots from today.

Celebrating July 4th

It was a fun night with the Faires and Myers, watching the fireworks display in Franklin. The kids had a blast--and so did the adults! Below is a picture of Bea, Oliver, Katie, Rosalyn, and Knox. Aren't they cute?

Arrington Vineyards

We had a great time with some friends at Arrington Vineyards, which is a small grape vineyard and winery a few miles outside of Franklin. They had live jazz music with wide decks and open shady picnic spots to cool off and enjoy fellowship. Here's a few pictures from our time out there.

Signs of Life

Nate decided that he would try his hand at a raised garden this year. It's been a lot of fun building the boxes, getting the soil, deciding what to plant, sowing the seed, watering, fertilizing, weeding, and leaving the growth to God. We are pleased to announce that we are now seeing the fruit of our labor! (Or should I say vegetables and herbs!).

Here's a few pictures.

A Surprise Visit

We were blessed to spend some time this week with Nate's aunt Laura and his Grandmother. They were in Franklin visiting one of Anne's (Nate's Grandmother) old friends from Cleveland, MS, who had recently moved to the area. We are so glad they called to visit with us too!

Beach 2010 (Day 4)

We're glad to report that Fort Morgan is still oil free. The same cannot be said for Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Pensacola, and many other places in AL and FL. As we were eating dinner tonight, we met folk from all over Orange Beach who have witnessed tar balls on the beach. We are thankful the oil has held off this long on Fort Morgan, but we know it won't be that way for long.

Today started off rough--bad weather in every direction. The wind was so bad that we witnessed tents and umbrellas take to flight all over the beach! It was quite a sight. Thankfully, after a rough start, it faired off quickly and turned into a beautiful day.

Beach 2010 (Day 3)

Our beach trip continues. Though it started off rainy, with a spectacular lightening display, it ended up beautiful. A number of you have wondered if we've seen any oil. Well, we are glad to report that we are oil free so far. But if the news reports are right, it appears we may not be as fortunate in the days to come. They are forecasting oil to come ashore in our area late tonight or tomorrow. So... We'll see.

Until then, all is well on Fort Morgan!

Beach 2010 (Day 2)

We enjoyed another good day on the beach. It was a special day for me, because it was my birthday! Everyone made it special for me. They took me out to eat and bought me a delicious "chocolate volcano cheesecake." It was some-kind-of rich!