To the beach...

Dan took Graham and Reece to the beach this morning. By the looks of their chocolate covered faces...
and the bag full of treasure... ...I'd say Daddy's "nature walk" on the beach was a big hit!

If only there were an easier way to get the chocolate out of that carseat...

Vacation...

Very thankful for a family getaway + a week of study and school for Dan...

Eleven days of family fun in a nutshell... check out first link on the right for lots of photos...

• Day 1: drive to St. Augustine (sightseeing and carriage ride for the little princess in our family)


• Day 2: driving...arrive at Backwoods Lodge in Charlotte


• Day 3: Settling in to our little home-away-from-home and making plans for the week, Dan in class all day


• Day 4: Grocery Run and Fun


• Day 5: JGR (Joe Gibbs Racing), Billy Graham Library, read and play to our heart's content!


• Day 6: Farmer's Market and explore "uptown" Charlotte


• Day 7: visit Gordon-Conwell, drive to Greensboro to hang out with Tuttle Family


• Day 8: Discovery Place Museum, Dan finishes two big papers for school today!


• Day 9: Graham and Mama hike and hang out at USNWC (US Nat'l Whitewater Center & Olympic Training Facility), Dan at class in the evening


• Day 10: Dan at class, packing up, drive to South Georgia to spend the night


• Day 11: Drive to Orlando to visit the Van's Indoor Skatepark (a surprise for D.G.-he's very interested in skateboarding lately), drive home!

*Before we left, Dan asked Graham what his favorite part of the trip was, he quietly replied, "you". And tonight, when asked the same question by some friends, replied, "the bunk beds!!" Hannah Reece finally made it up to the "forbidden" top bunk on our last day and was absolutely filled with remorse for her disobedience...can't you just see the look of shame on her face?

Happy Birthday, Dad & Kailey!

Things that make Dad smile:

*tickling his grandkids 'til they're laughing hysterically and begging him to "stop!"

*a REALLY good deal (translated: on sale with rebates!)

*"ambling" up the river into the Gulf on his boat(s)

*eating his food HOT and SPICY!

*music and movies...the LOUDER the better!
("Play that Funky Music" was Dad's only song request at our wedding reception-it still makes us laugh when we think about that special night!) So pump up that volume-this one's for you, Dad!

*an icy cold margarita while he hangs out in his office

*a phone call from an old friend

*four little people who lovingly refer to him as "Papa"


"Graham, what do you like best about Kailey?"

"Well...she's my best friend...she likes to climb with me, and jump on the bed with me...and play with me...and eat with me....
LOTS of things, Mom!"

Finding Nemo

Ever since we got "Nemo" all he does is bury himself deep in the dirt and sleep! I realize that entertainment should never be the primary motive for pet ownership...they are called "hermit" crabs for a reason...but my people just wanna see this critter move, already!

So last night, I was doing the late-night-tidy-up-before-bed and went over to take a peek and see if Nemo needed food or water....and he was no where to be found!

Looked a little closer...and there he was like a little stunt-crab at the top of the bamboo. Even taped a couple minutes of the action, so that I had some proof for Graham that he does more than just sleep!


This morning he had reached his crabby arms up and taken hold of the grated cover to keep him inside. I'm thinking that this crab's got a plan of escape! He climbed around up there for a long time, and the kids were just tickled.


Finally, he dropped down into the dirt and guess where he was?? Trying to climb back up the bamboo! Seems like our little buddy is finally coming out of his shell...

Sweet Freedom

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Our weekend began with Fireworks on Thursday night with Grandma & Grandpa, Aunt Jen, Uncle Tom, Aunt Lizzie, Uncle Brent, and a bunch of cousins. It had just rained before we set-up our little tail-gate party-there was a nice breeze most of the evening. Graham enjoyed watching fireworks from a safe distance-in the open back-end of Grandpa's car!

We went boating with Nana, Papa, Uncle Brent, Aunt Lizzie, Kailey and Ethan all day Friday. The water in the Gulf near Sanibel Island was crystal clear-and perfectly cool. After many hours of playing in the sand and swimming, we made our way back to N&P's house for dinner...just as the afternoon storms were rolling in. Lightning and huge storm clouds can be so beautiful AND scary when you're in a boat. We were ALL glad to be back in the house to watch the wonder with sufficient cover!

Thinking a lot about how grateful we are for family, for friends, for a place to live and worship God freely and openly....for the price that was paid for my freedom in Christ's shed blood...just very thankful.

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

Hold the Veggies for this little Senorita!

Sometimes it feels like we're doing a science experiment around here when it comes to nutrition!

From the time Graham was about 2 years old, he has experienced a wide variety of food allergies/sensitivities and allergy related eczema. So far eggs, gluten, dairy, and corn are the major culprits. In the long process of adjusting his diet (and environment) to find out what foods were causing problems, we REALLY cut back on processed, pre-prepapared foods-mostly because they usually contain his primary allergens. This is a GOOD thing! It has forced us to adjust our eating habits as well! We do still enjoy a tasty donut or big greasy Egg McMuffin but not with the the frequency that we once did. Graham is by FAR the healthiest eater in our family.

At his 4 year well-visit our pediatrician asked, "What are your favorite foods?" He looked like he was gonna fall out of his chair when Graham replied, "ummm, salmon, broccoli, rice, cranberries, white soy milk....." Truly, Graham has learned what it means to "eat to live." We are so thankful for God's healing on his body.

(Above: June 2007, Below: June 2008)


Now...let's just say our baby girl has a "no veggie" policy. If it looks like it grew on anything other than the banana tree, a grapevine or french fry plant-FORGET IT! Could it be that I was so focused on Graham's nutrition in addition to my fear of starting certain foods "too early" in case it led to allergies....that have led to our picky little eater? She, like her momma, would rather munch on a morsel of well-processed, refined carbohydrate any old time. Recently we've had a breakthrough...although I think avocado might be considered a fruit...which figures, because they're so TASTY!

Yes, here's Hannah Reece enjoying a greenish snack of guacamole and corn chips. She woofed it down and came back for seconds! She says "mo gacamo peese!" And really, who needs veggies when you've got Tex-Mex?

Friday Flashback

Four years ago, Nana and Papa (my parents), 7 month old Graham and I were involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver.

This experience was terrifying, eye-opening, and an opportunity for God to be glorified. I am thankful.

Before this, I believed that I could handle anything-except the loss of my son. God used this terrible experience bring from my head to my heart the knowledge that he loves Graham more than we do and that the course of his life-is in God's able, sovereign hands. I am reminded of these truths even now when my neck and back ache from old injuries.