The Country

So a few years ago my aunt (and my mom, too?) started "collecting" farm animals.  

It has been great fun for the kids when we visit--they love going out to "the country" to help feed the crew (and play in the sand!).

The kids always have such a good time with Granny.  She keeps things fun! 

Here are a few pictures from our first day at the farm.  

Natalie was a bit nervous around the giant pigs--she was afraid they were going to touch her with their nose!  Wyatt loved everything, and Mason loved the dirt!

 Mason liked the little goat!

 Nolan and his tractor!

 Riding with Granny---I think they were going to look for cows?

 Cousin Aaryn!

 Mason and Elizabeth--she loves the dirt as much as the others!

MS Day 1

So the kids and I packed up and flew to MS last week.  We had a very eventful trip down and we're thankful that we actually got here!  Our luggage didn't make it until the next day and since we were also very tired, we spent our first full day just hanging out and letting the kids play!  The weather has been gorgeous!!!  I expected a whole lot of heat and humidity but we were suprised with wonderful temps and low humidity!!

Taking blankets in the yard is a lot of fun!

 The kids are having so much fun.  They always just pick up right where they left off and play so well!

Where Were You?

It's a question asked so often this time of year, leading up to anniversary of 9/11.  

I was newly married and pregnant with Wyatt.  Ben and I had moved home and I was so homesick so I flew home on the 10th for a visit.  

I remember that morning I was playing with my niece (9 mos) and feeding her something, when a cousin called and told us to turn on the news.  

I will never forget standing in front of the tv, holding Grace, and feeling so sick to my stomach.

Ben was stationed at a presidential support facility and I knew that he could be in danger if the attacks didn't stop.  

Fortunately he was okay but to say he was busy over the next few months was an understatement.

I stayed "home" for 2 weeks and refused to fly home.  My sweet dad drove me to TN to meet Ben halfway.  

I went back to our new home and spent a lot of time by myself watching the news, feeling terrified often of what might happen next.

I will say that my older kids had no idea about 9/11 until last year.  I didn't have it in me to make them aware of such hate against our country.  I didn't want them to feel unsafe when traveling, and honestly I just didn't think their innocent minds could wrap around something so evil.

This year we'll be in the same place I was that day.  In the same house, on a visit "home".  I find it bittersweet to be remembering those lives lost doing the same thing I was 10 years ago.

I pray that we will never, ever again know an attack like that.  

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Goodness

It's been over a month since I posted!  Yikes!  Things have been busy and they won't slow down any time soon!

We started school last week, a full week earlier than usual.  We'll be taking quite a bit of time of this fall so starting early helped me not feel to pressured.  Granted, our time off will be for lots of educational stuff, but I don't want to fall behind in our books.

We'll be taking two trips this month, so stay tuned for lots of pictures!!