How we plan to stay COOL in the blazing summer heat...

play in the pool...

...and go for a spin in Papa's boat!

A day of "lasts"...for all of us!

Today is Dan's last day of Ethics after a week in Charlotte. He preached last Sunday at morning worship, and flew to school at 3:00 that afternoon. When Dan travels for school-especially for the longer classes, it is a mixed blessing. Of course we miss him BIG time while he's away, but feel very thankful every now and then he gets to spend a week focusing on "just" school. It's also good because I get to be more in-tune with Graham and Hannah Reece's needs since it's just me (and sometimes grandparents) meeting them! Also, I get to stretch myself and be a little more "independent"-I rely on Dan SO much when he's home. I try to have something for us to look forward to each day-either visiting with buddies we haven't seen in a while or hanging out with family. This was a busy week all on it's own!

It was Graham's last day of the three's class at our church Preschool. Ms. "Cole" Nicole, Graham's teacher has been taking care of Graham since he was an infant in our church nursery. She has been such a nurturing and loving teacher-she makes learning fun and natural for all of the children in her class.

Ms. Elli is Graham's assistant teacher and is a woman of gentle, quiet faith. She also led the church congregation as they vowed to help us train Graham up in faith at his baptism when he was 9 months old. Elli is a sincere model of Christ's love for the little people entrusted to her care.

The day ended with a magic show and picnic (aka controlled chaos with lots of food laying around on the floor). Graham had a blast running around like a wild maniac with his buddies Noah and Kaden. Throughout the year during the daily my best friend" roll-call, these two were consistently at the top of Graham's list. Graham says his favorite thing to do with these buddies is "tell each other jokes" which have evolved from Raffi rhymes "have you ever seen a fly, wearing a tie?" to the more recent 4-year-old potty humor (which include anything involving stinky excretions). When I ask Graham what makes Noah and Kaden his best friends he said (after a few moments of pondering) "they give me the fast bike on the playground".

And as for Hannah Reece, it's her last day to mourn Bubba's absence (or celebrate her freedom?) when we return from drop-off at Preschool...by making a B-Line to Graham's bed and snuggin' up under his covers.

And the last of the lasts for today was my "graduation" from the Apples of Gold Program at church. Our mentors hosted a lovely dinner for us and our spouses to culminate this 6 week mentoring program which is founded on the passage Titus 2:3-5 (RSV) "...Train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, domestic, kind, and submissive to their husband, that the word of God may not be discredited."

I told the ladies that I didn't feel ready to graduate, and maybe we could hold a "remedial" Apples of Gold? Oh, I will so miss those Monday evenings spent sharing a meal and God's word together!

Our precious teaching mentors who have humbly served and loved us...and encouraged my heart!

Top: Jackie, Jeanne, Judy, Ann, JoAnn

Bottom: Carol, Robin

My fellow "apples" and sisters in Christ...

Tracy, me, Jill, Jen, Lana, Sheila

Just as they are...

Graham's enjoying his favorite breakfast: gluten-free mini-waffles with chocolate chips on top.

Hannah Reece showing off her "boo boo knees". She's the fearless one in our family, so they tend to stay bruised or scabbed!

Deep thoughts with Graham....(otherwise known as stump your mama)

So cool to be a part of conversations lately with the little man in our house....lots of thoughts about God and Jesus, and things we're learning in the Bible ...interesting, funny, precious and sometimes I'm really just...speechless. Here's an example of a conversation we had at bedtime recently...


Me: Good night, Graham. Remember that I love you, Daddy loves you, Hannah Reece loves you, and God loves you the most...


Graham: (quietly giggling) Mom, does God have toys....does God like to play with toys?


Me: Uhhhhhh......I'm not sure (smiling). But I bet God likes to watch you enjoy the toys he's given you to play with...especially when you share with...


Graham: (cuts me off as I step up on my little soapbox) Mama, is God a boy or a girl? (big smile, and before I can answer)I think God's a girl-yeah, he's a girl. (giggling again)


Me: Well...the Bible tells us that God is our Heavenly Father....I'm just not sure how...


Graham: Mama, God has kids. God DOES have some kids. He's got three of them!


Me: Mmmmmhmmm...well...


Graham: Their names are...............Mary.....Joseph.....and Jesus!


Me: Wow.


Graham: Jesus is not a baby forever, mom....he's bigger like Daddy now.


Me: Yes, he's bigger...like Daddy. I love you, babe.


Graham: Goodnight! Mama, please don't forget to say 'sweet dreams'!


Me: Sweet dreams, Graham.




Photo: June, 2006

Five short years ago...

...on Mother's day, I learned that I would be a mother for the first time...

January 9, 2004

September 9, 2006

"And so we celebrated because the Lord had indeed worked miracles for us." Psalm 126:3

Our First Date

"Hi, Mama! Would you like to join me for dinner?" This was how I was greeted at the door by my sweet 4 year old dressed in his Sunday best...even his Easter tie! I just want to tattoo this precious memory in my brain: Norah Jones playing in the background, I looked out on the lanai at the candlelight and flowers adorning a tablecloth/throw blanket and a yummy dinner served on our wedding china! It had been a long day and tears of joy just flowed. I told Graham I was so happy and couldn't wait to join him for dinner and he said "then why are you cryin' mama?" So I told him about "happy tears" and he said, "just smile mom!" Precious angel boy.

Graham helped Dan make a special dinner (a few of Graham's favorites) for us: salmon, green beans and baked potato wedges. Graham LOVED drinking out of our nice glasses and sprinkling salt on his meal whenever he desired. We prayed and toasted with our glasses. This delightful little smile spread all over his face during the entire meal...I think he was having just as much fun as I was! Graham shared how he and daddy had worked together and how he cooked my dinner because he loves me. Oh! My heart just melted! We talked about our favorite things to do together and just whatever came to mind. I treasure these times when it's just the two of us! It's so cool to hear Graham's ideas and thoughts-I'm truly amazed by this interesting, engaging little person-who is growing up so quickly. I'm so thankful that God entrusted him to us!

In the meantime, Daddy and Hannah Reece had their own first date at McD's, which was surely a pleaser with our little french-fry-lovin' girl. WOW! How in the world Dan pulled this together in the hour-and-a-half that I was away is just beyond me, but he did it! Thanks, babe. My first date with Graham will always be a precious memory and I hope it's the first of MANY more!

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:1-6

The Last Greek Week(end)

This morning, Dan flew to Gordon-Conwell Seminary in Charlotte, NC for his LAST Greek 2 Class. Greek is finished-well, almost. He'll bring home his final exam when he returns tomorrow, which will be proctored at church this week. Maybe we should have a toga party to celebrate!

Dan has been traveling to Charlotte the first two weekends of each month and will continue a similar schedule until he graduates. Being a distance learner presents blessings and challenges for Dan and our family. We are just thankful that he has this opportunity and for our kind family and friends who are there for us when Dan's away. Dan is the Director of Family Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, and comes home to two little ones and a wife who demand his undivided attention. I think Dan's doing an amazing job at wearing all of his "hats"-he makes it look so easy!

Graham and Hannah Reece are drawn to the piles of Dan's Greek flashcards and have strewn them around the house on several occasions! Graham is really into learning his letters and sounds lately, (thanks to the Letter Factory) so Dan made Graham some of his own flashcards so they can study together. Graham likes to write and draw at our desk and calls it his "serious work time".