Old Mill

Sadly, a couple different play dates with friends were cancelled due to illnesses (I mean, really, what are the odd? We were so disappointed).  So, we decided to visit The Old Mill...

I grew up visiting this place and took plenty of pictures here for various events and activities.  But, it has been years since I've seen it.  Such a beautiful place.  Here's a little tidbit about this mill:

"The mill was seen in the opening scenes of David Selznick's 1937 movie classic "Gone With The Wind", and is believed to be the only remaining structure from the film."

Pretty cool, huh?

We, of course, had to take some pictures so here they go!  Unfortunately Mimi had to work so we didn't get to snap photos with her and the kids=/

As you can tell by the photos at the bottom of this collage, Natalie was in a foul mood for these memorable shots with mommy.  She was mad because she wanted to take the pictures in her spot, not the spot I wanted. Sheesh.

However, prior to this pout, she was all smiles for me!

Can't win them all, I suppose!

After our trip here we loaded up to meet Mimi for lunch and show off the kids at her work. Glad we were able to see her and make her day since she was stuck at work.

These are the days

Our Arkansas trip continues with a trip to Granny's house.  Mom and Dad had a lot of work to do between grocery shopping and mowing about 2 acres of land for Granny so me and the kids entertained Granny!  She took NJ on a ride in her walker.  Then NJ took Granny on a ride (that one didn't last long)!  I was so proud of Natalie and Joaquin that day because they did really well! Natalie didn't throw any fits or get whiney at all!  And that is saying a lot these days, folks.  She loved on Granny and talked to her and all this without a nap. We were there from 10:30-5:00.  Joaquin was in a good mood and even took a 2 1/2 hour nap on the floor at her house.   He also gave some good loving to Granny. Sweet, sweet.

One morning while Ashley and the kids were in town, mom and dad let us go off shopping while they kept all the kids. Here's what they did:

Tents in the dining room, volcanoes on the table, and spoiled moments on the couch=)  We came back after a couple hours or so and we got in trouble for not staying gone longer. Our money ran out=)

This trip has been full of precious moments:

Even with the heat, one of our favorite things this week has been eating outside. Nat has wanted to eat outside several mornings so we have enjoyed some cooler weather but still a little muggy.

We got the whole family out for a fajita dinner and had a great time.

How Sweet It Is

What do you do when daddy is working long hours and out of town off and on? Go to the grandparents house, of course!   All this excitement and it was only the first day we were there! We spent all afternoon outside as the weather was perfect!  The kids had a blast in the sandbox and played there for quite awhile.

My favorite part of Natalie growing up is that she can really play and have fun with cousins now.  She and Audrey had a blast together. They were on a hunt for mushrooms that they could demolish with their sticks.  I love the picture of Natalie chasing after Audrey with a stick. They were cackling so hard!

Mimi & Poppi added a slide to the ol playhouse and I love it! Natalie isn't convinced yet, but I've enjoyed it.

(I told Poppi he was in style with this headband)

Joaquin may not be big enough to play with the big kids yet, but he wasn't left out. He got plenty of attention from Evan, Uncle Josh and Aunt Ashley.

The real excitement of the evening came with the discovery of this bat under the table umbrella!

Josh had been telling us that his head got buzzed by a bat last week but I don't think anyone actually believed him=) We do now.

Poor thing was shaking like a leaf until he had the courage to fly away.

Mimi and Poppi brought back gifts for the kids from their trip and Evan was beside himself with excitement. I think he knew what was coming and boy was he thrilled to have this!

Natalie had a little accident in the midst of this so that's all the pics I got for this gift unveiling party=/

Daddy Days

Like many daddys, ours works hard and we don't see him as much as we would like. But when we do, we make the most of it!  I'm so blessed and thankful to have a hardworking husband who takes time to stop and 'be' with the kids; not just sit in the room with them. He's rolling on the floor, changing diapers, singing songs, playing games, etc.  For the life of me, I don't understand men that don't interact or play with their kiddos. After being at work all day and not seeing your kids, why aren't you running to meet them, grab them up and squeeze them tight?  Our daddy does.  So many men refuse to change diapers, feed the baby, etc.  It has been my experience that those moments are some of the most precious with children.  My kids laugh the most on the changing table.  They are chattier and happier on the changing table. You have their undivided attention and they have yours. You don't get these moments back.

So here's how we have treasured our daddy moments:

 Making cookies

 (I'm actually not certain if Natalie or Brian was more excited about this activity)

Family movie and popcorn night

(I DO know that NJ is the most excited about this activity. Girl loves her some popcorn)

 JZ was looking to get in on some of that popcorn action! Don't worry, we didn't share.

AND

Mending fences

She thought this sounded like a good idea until daddy started making a lot of noise.  She quickly ran inside crying. Sorry, Kayla, we haven't made any progress there.  She has super sensitive hearing, I guess because she is not a fan of loud noises. BUT, she looked super cute with her tools. *Next sewing project will be a girlie tool belt!

We are so thankful to have such an involved daddy. I know it's rare these days with so many broken homes and lazy dads that are too wrapped up in their own work to stop and love on their children.

Don't miss out. It's these moments that bring them to you in those difficult teen years.

Sewing Fun

My Granny would be so proud to hear that I am having a blast with my new sewing hobby! I don't have as much time to do it as I would like, but when I do, I want to do it all day! I love making personalized gifts for people that have a labor of love attached to it! I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when I finish a project and can wrap it up and send it to someone.

Here are some of the projects I have been working on for folks. Some have been given as gifts and some have been bought by others for gifts (if you are interested, let me know).  These baby items are my favorite:

Stay tuned to see the prettiest car seat cover. I just fell in love with the fabric and almost wished for another baby girl to use it on. Almost.

 

This project took a little longer than planned but I conquered it and now I plan on making at least two more for my neice and nephew at Christmas.  I also fell in love with this monster fabric.  Perfect for a boy!  It's hard to see the pockets in this picture.  On the left are two pockets for notebooks or coloring books. On the right, there are 14 slots (I think that's the right number) for crayons or skinny markers.   Fold and go! The perfect traveling companion. And I know all about that traveling=/

 

My goal this year is to have a hand-crafted Christmas again as much as possible.  Let the sewing continue!

 

* A big thank you to my crafty friends for inspiring me.  Thanks to my mom for teaching me the basics.  Thank you, Kayla for keeping me busy trying to stay caught up with you!  And thank you, Ashley H. for giving away all those sewing scraps you didn't want. That's what started it all!

 

 

Inspiration

This lady (Mona Lois) and her husband (James Kelly) are Brian and I's inspiration for raising our family and for "adopting a young family.'  You see, back in 1999 when I was a freshman in college at the U of A they became my home away from home family.  I began attending FBC Fayetteville and got involved in the college ministry.  They had a "Home Away from Home" program that connected college students with members of the church to help us stay connected.  Oh how they treated me so well! Invited me for dinner, called me to check on me, sent me care packages, etc.  However, the best part was getting to know their family.  They became my favorite family to babysit for and I loved the kids like they were my own siblings. I'm sorry to say that I didn't do it for free, hence my last post about knowing what I know now!

Anyway, not only were the kids a blast to play with, but well mannered and respectful.  I remember how ML mentioned that she wanted to teach her oldest son to carry a hanky because that was a gentleman thing to do, and it just wasn't done anymore. Well, guess what? Brian carries one!  When we hung around with ML and JK the kids were right there with us, a part of our conversation. I loved that! Most kids I had been around either a) were pushed away by their parents to go play, or b) had no desire to be around their parents.  They must be doing something right because the kids wanted to be there, and they wanted the kids to be there.

 

Without even knowing it, they were our mentors.  We were watching them and their family, taking our own mental notes. 

I went through some of my wedding photos to find this picture:

This is two out of the four of their kiddos I grew to love!  Sadly, their youngest was born a few weeks after we married and we both moved off and he doesn't know us like the others=/

And now, 10 years later and 7 years since seeing them, that sweet little girl has grown up into a beautiful young lady! Same great personality and manners.  Now I want her to move in with us to be Nat's "big sis" and our permanent babysitter! Offer is still open, Monaco!

 

 

 

 

There is just something special about this family! Love you all and hoping the next visit will be with all 6 of you!