cookieOptions = {...}; Heather of the Hills: 2007

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas

Well, today has been a good day. We celebrated at home together then went to see Joe's family. It was a very relaxing day and we had fun seeing everyone. My wish is that you all had a wonderful day with loved ones while celebrating the birth of our Savior!

(The print is called the Knaffl Madonna. This was taken by Joseph Knaffl. The woman is the wife of my great-grandmother's cousin.)

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Bright Lights

Wow. Last night I said something I never thought I would hear. "Honey, can you turn the tree back on so I can see to sweep?" Last night we put up our new pre-lit Christmas tree. Well, needless to say it is bright when turned on. I went outside and noticed that I could read what movies and books we have on the bookcases in the living room. That is amazing seeing as the Christmas tree was the only light!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Naturally Powered Tree

I am not sure if you have heard about this, but I heard about it yesterday and knew I had to share. In Japan an aquarium has placed an eel in a tank with two aluminum panels which collects the power and uses it to power their Christmas tree (link). It is quite humorous to think about, but I am now flooded with ideas! I think that Joe and I should create a large pool under the house where we store our eels. How much better for the environment would this be than relying on other ways to create power. This could be the ultimate going green! Of course it is also a great source of food as well! In the summer we could eat a few eels and that way their population is regulated. We would not want an overflow of eels coming from underneath our house.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Christmas pics

Earlier this week I mailed out some Christmas cards with pictures of the kids. It is really hard to get three children to look at the camera as well as smile. Anyway, I picked one that was the best and made cards. I had originally planned to have them wearing casual clothing in red (Bubba), blue (Butch) and green (Otter), but I had taken some pictures of Otter by herself in a red dress and it looked so cute I decided to use it and go more formal when they were together. I also thought I might share pictures of two little girls wearing this same dress. My mom has yet to call and tell me what she thought of the picture on her card (I am wondering if she recognizes the dress?). So here are the pictures I took and one that has a few decades on it.


Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Christmas Parade

The Mayfield's cow joined in

The scouts being pulled by a dump truck!

Friday, December 07, 2007

How Things Change When You Are A Mother

I was watching an episode of Little House on the Prairie this morning that had me laughing. In this episode Charles and Caroline are going to Mancado (sp?) without the girls on a little holiday while Charles traveled there on business. The original idea was to have a local lady watch the girls, but on the day they planned to leave she got sick. So instead they (by a great accident) left the girls with Mr. Edwards. Oh, that is where the fun began!

He was late in waking up the girls for school the first morning, so they were late. He lost Carrie while doing the laundry, so he tied her to a post with the rope tied around her waist. Then later he and Carrie were walking around and they got close to a rattlesnake. Mr. Edwards shot the snake and as he held it up said, "This looks like enough for four!" That night he cooked snake stew! The older girls did not like it and Laura even tried to feed some of her's to the dog. The dog wouldn't take it! Then that night the girls remember that they forgot to gather eggs, so they head out in the middle of the night (in their gowns in a thunderstorm) to get the eggs. Mr Edwards wakes up with all the chickens clucking and thinks they are chicken thieves so he gets his shotgun. They come in the door and hit him and the gun goes off and blows a hole in the roof. So the next day he is on the roof to repair it when he noticed Carrie gone again. He searches all around and can not find her. He goes inside the house and sits down to try to think where she could be while trying to stay calm. She then peaks out from under the bed and says boo. Next thing you see is the two older girls coming home from school and they see Carrie on the roof with Mr Edwards. They are so frightened and they go running and tell him that Carrie is too young to be up there because she might fall. He said it was alright since he nailed her dress to the roof!

Meanwhile Caroline is in town trying to not worry and talk about the children. She keeps hearing things that make that impossible. First a woman comes in the store where they are shopping. She is looking for her family. Caroline tells the shopkeeper she hopes she finds them, but the lady said she won't. She tells the story about how the woman lost her family. The children died in a fire from an electrical storm. She was immediately upset and they left without making their purchases. Then that evening they go to see a show at the theater. It was about abandoned daughters. Their mother said that she was leaving them because she wanted a life, she did not love them, etc. Caroline was bawling so they had to leave early. She and Charles were talking on the way home (a day early, too) about how they never had these problems on their first honeymoon.

It just reminds me how different things are now than before the children came along. Now our discussions are more along the lines of what is happening at school, the new things the baby is doing, household things. Sometimes I wonder if we would have anything to talk about if it weren't for the children. I guess that we are sometimes led to believe that that is wrong. As parents they are our first concern. Their welfare is our first responsibility. I know that there are times that we need to think about our relationship and keeping it alive and healthy. I think that I just learned not to think badly of myself for thinking of three of the biggest parts of our life together. Joe and I have had many things change in our life together in the time we have been together. We are older and hopefully wiser. We now have three children, a home, and many more responsibilities. How can I imagine that trying to separate three of the biggest parts of that life from our time alone as a couple is damaging to our relationship. That can also be a way to build a stronger relationship. All aspects of our relationship together are what we need to work on to build a stronger relationship. Leaving one area alone is like letting one part of the body wither away while helping the rest of the body grow strong. It will only weaken the body as a whole no matter how strong the rest of the body is. I encourage you all to ignore the common thoughts that we have learned and remember to embrace all the blessings in your life because they make you who you are. All the good and bad are what have shaped you into who you are today. We learn from the bad, laugh during the good, but most importantly we should always praise the Lord in everything!

Friday, November 30, 2007

Movie Date With Butch

Yesterday I was treated to a movie date with Butch, as well as all the other 2nd and 3rd graders and Otter, too! We went to a special showing of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I was at first rather disappointed because at first we were scheduled to see the stage presentation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Bijou Theater in Downtown. I was so excited about that, but the tickets had sold out, so we went to a movie instead. I was greatly surprised (after getting over the shock of having to watch a preview of the new Chipmunk movie! Ughhh!) that it was a really cute movie. No bad language, no sexual references or potty humor, which is as it should be for a G rated kids film.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

My Word Of The Day

Snuggle:
v. tr.
To draw close or hold closely, as for comfort or in affection; hug.

–verb (used without object)
1.to lie or press closely, as for comfort or from affection; nestle; cuddle.

–verb (used with object)
2.to draw or press closely against, as for comfort or from affection.

For those of us who find themselves needing to snuggle, but find there is no one there for us...
The Boyfriend's Arm.
You know I had contemplated making a pillow somewhat like this when Joe was sent overseas, but I assumed it was just me who would think of something like this.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Thanksgiving Football

Thursday we had a wonderful time together with family and friends. With the forecast showing rain I was unsure about the football game. Well, the rain cleared away to give the family time to play the annual flag football game. It was a fun time as we had several internationals there that needed to learn the rules of the game (but that is nothing new for us). It turned out to be a really fun time of football. One of the funniest plays was when Butch got the ball. If you look in the picture he has Joe's coat on and it covers his flags! Joe picked him up to get his flags! They then made him take off his flags and put them on top of the coat.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Favorite Dates

I have no idea why this came to mind this morning, but I was thinking about past dates I have had and my favorites. I know that most people have a typical date night consisting of dinner and a movie. With the lack of good movies in theaters, though, this has personally not been an exciting thought for how to spend a date night. A lot of people are now stumped as what to do and sometimes do not even try. I thought of a couple of my favorite dates:


1. I went with Joe to Cades Cove and we had a picnic lunch together, looked around at all the buildings, just walked, talked, and laughed.




2. Walks on the beach in the evening. This was a somewhat tradition that my Dad and I did when we went to the beach. I guess this is not really a date, but it was a special time between me and my Daddy. You see the beach was our annual vacation and he and I would just walk and talk (or some times in silence) down the beach after dinner. Usually he and I were the only ones that wanted to do this. I guess that is how it became a tradition for us.





3. My Father/ Daughter "dates" to UT football games. Many years of happy memories!







4. Going to a Smokies baseball game. What could be better than baseball, peanuts, soda and... oh yeah, Joe. too. ;)






5. Frank Sinatra, Jr and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. This was nice because I am a big fan of Frank Sinatra and that was why Joe got the tickets for us. I really enjoyed the KSO when I went as a field trip in school. I am not sure I have ever been disappointed with their music.

Other times of hockey games, hikes, etc. are right behind these.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Thanksgiving Feast

Yesterday was Butch's Thanksgiving Feast at school. It was a SPREAD! A real turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mash potatoes, gravy, rolls, and several desserts. It was great! We also had entertainment from the kids. They had a little play, some poems, and some songs to show the parents. It was so cute and they did a great job!

Christmas Wish List

I have a new item to add to my Christmas Wish List. Family Tree Maker has a new version out: Family Tree Maker 2008. This version is different from the older version (by several editions) that I own. I am hoping to get the Deluxe version, which includes 3 months access to Ancestry.com. I love my subscription to Ancestry that was a Christmas gift last year. Ancestry.com has been a great help in my research for my family tree.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

I Am A Hypocrite

What can I say... I am a hypocrite. I am not proud of this but it is true.

Hypocrite: person given to hypocrisy (pretense of virtue, piety, etc.)

I wonder at people who are shocked by the fact that "most" Christians are hypocrites. We all are. I am not perfect and I will never be as I walk on this earth. There has only been one to walk this earth that can truly claim perfection: Jesus. Although I know what is right and wrong (according to God's word) I still cannot become pure. I sin. I know you must all be shocked, but it is true I assure you. We all sin. Period. It is not just the unsaved that sin. Christians alike sin. We are all born with a sin nature. I, though, have become aware of my sin and realized that I need to have forgiveness for said sin. That is where Jesus comes into my life and makes me clean in God's eyes. Jesus became the glasses that God sees me through. Jesus came to our sin infested world to make a way for me, a poor hopeless sinner, to be able to stand before God without blemish. I am blemished with every day I live, but because I have given my heart and life over to Jesus He covers those sins and I appear without them before God. God is forgiving when we come to Him in repentance. How amazing is that?! I cannot do anything to become perfect or sinless, but through my acceptance of Jesus as my Savior I can become as white as snow by His blood that was spilt for me.

In the Bible there were certain people who followed God's word
to the letter and considered themselves better than others. Jesus came and told them that it is not just physically killing, but the thoughts in your heart of murder, that cause you to become a murderer, therefore sin. I can "act" like I have never sinned, but if you could see my thoughts and know my heart you could see the truth. Can you judge a person by their exterior? No. I can have all the appearance of good but be not in the possession of a good heart. Man can be fooled, but God cannot. There is no place that we can go that God cannot find us. We are never out of His sight. He sees our hearts and knows our true motives. He is constantly disappointed in our sins, but is eager to forgive and FORGET as soon as we ask it of Him. Praise God for His mercy, grace and forgiveness and giving me the ability to have a personal relationship with Him!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Can You Believe It?

It is hard to believe,
but Otter will be five
months old this week.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Things Boys Never Outgrow

Today I learned of two things that my boys have not outgrown. First was Bubba.

About four years ago I got a phone call from Granddad asking if I could ask Bubba where he hid his remote control for the TV. This stemmed from an ongoing battle between the two of them for the TV rights on Sundays. This was funny when Bubba learned that he could hide the remote after changing the channel to the one of his choice. Well, now there are two TVs at Granddad's house so that is not much of a problem anymore, but I got another call on Saturday evening. This time it was Papaw asking if Bubba could tell me where he put the remote. He had hid it from his brother this time. How funny to get calls like this from both the grandfathers!

Now to Butch. In 2003 I took a picture of him with our cousin playing in the leaves. He pretended that he was fighting the leaves with his light saber. Well, today he was fighting the leaves with a stick while Joe blew the leaves. This time we were smart and got out the safety glasses to keep the leaves out of his eyes!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Another Tale From The Pumpkin Patch

At the trip to the corn maze there was a funny event that I forgot to add to my earlier post. So here it goes...

Before we entered the corn maze one of the leaders went over the short list of rules that the owners have for the maze. Well, we made it 7/8ths of the way through the maze before trouble struck. Being near the back of our group I was slightly farther from the happenings, but I did see parts. The boys were in the lead and at the moment we were stopped at the last point (there were 12 points where you punched holes in your cards and also found the trivia questions). As the boys waited on the slower adults in the group they started playing around the corner. That is when it happened! I saw a corn cob go flying by the others in front. Of course the male leader with us immediately called the boys down reminding them that throwing corn was one of the rules. He then made the comment that it should not be that hard for them to remember as there were only 5. Never underestimate a eight year old boy! One of the other boys that was standing with the other adults stated, "Actually, there are 6 rules!" His mother was horrified and put her head in her hand while shaking said head. I tried to help her by saying that if it had not been her's I was sure mine would have said the same thing!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Corn Maze, Hay Ride, and Pumpkins

Today we went to a local farm that every fall is transformed into a corn maze. This was a great trip that a few of our Scout Dens went on. The maze was separated into two different mazes. The first was 1.8 miles long and the second was 2.5 miles. We ended up doing both sides. Due to the drought this year the corn was not as tall as it normally can get (normally it is about 8 ft. tall), so we could at times see over the top of the corn stalks.


We also went on a hay ride that lead to a field of pumpkins (not exactly the sea of orange I would like most to be in today! GO VOLS!). There were lots of pumpkins in an area that I would guess to be about 5 acres. They dropped everyone off and we roamed around until we found a pumpkin to call our very own. Butch was trying to find the biggest pumpkin that was lightweight. That was a fun task. Joe was the human scale for this hunt!


Even Otter helped in the search!


Finally the pumpkins were decided on and we got on the hayride back to the farm. We all had a fun day and some of us were plumb tuckered out!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Little Greenbrier and The Walker Sisters

Yesterday was Butch's field trip. We went on a hike from the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area up to the Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse.


At the schoolhouse we met with Ms. Robin who taught us about the school days that followed the building of the schoolhouse, which also served as a Church. She taught about the four subjects that the children learned about, reading writing, arithmetic, and spelling.



Next we hiked up to the Walker sister's cabin. It was the location where several of the Walker sisters continued to live after the National Park was established. The last sister died in the 1960's. They lived in the cabin without electricity or running water. Imagine that!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Museum of Appalachia

Last week I went on a field trip with Bubba to the Museum of Appalachia's Homecoming. They have this great event with vendors, food, games, demonstrators and music every October. We had gone two years ago with Bubba's class and we really enjoyed that trip and we were thrilled to get to go back. Overall it was a good time. It started out cool and foggy, but ended up being sunny and warm.

We started our tour looking for the "penny man" as Bubba called him. He was there before and he did the pressed pennies. Bubba loves those and took about ten pennies with him. To his great disappointment there was no sign of the penny man after 30 minutes of searching. He later found some older men sitting at a table playing checkers, a game he likes to play. So after waiting his turn he had a chance to play.

I was eager to find a lady who was making lye and goat milk soap. I had purchased some on our last trip and loved it. It was a lilac lye soap. Good Stuff! This time I bought several different scents and varieties. We also found a booth with a lady and her daughters who were making rag dolls. Of course I just had to get one for Otter (who was being carried in her "pouch" the whole time). I got to pick the fabric for the doll and we watched as she made it. It was a smaller doll so it was easier for her to hold. Bubba decided that he wanted to purchase one that was larger for her for Christmas. He was so excited about picking out the fabric himself! I have to admit that it turned out very well.

Friday, October 12, 2007

Scary Ambiance

Here is something that I know would freak out many people if you happened across it while hiking.

Lake Tawakoni State Park, Texas



Monday, October 08, 2007

A Trip To The Zoo

Since the guys were out of school today we loaded up in the car and headed towards the Zoo. It was nice since we had not been in a while. We were also excited about letting Otter see her other "family." The boys seemed to have such a good time and I was happy to have Bubba tell me that this was much more fun than staying at home. It was a gorgeous day, too.








Also we got Otter her very own otter. This is just a small one that is just her size. She loved it! She wanted it when we were going through the gift shop before I had even bought it for her. She was asleep with it while we went to dinner and it was so cute seeing her holding her otter.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

They Are Talking

Today we got to see BJ not BK, M, L, and S. During the course of the afternoon M and I laid the babies on the floor together. It was so funny. They both started reaching for the others face and they were talking to each other. It was adorable!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Kids Listen To This

This is a lot of the things I say everyday to Bubba and Butch. Otter is not included because I always sweet talk to her! ;) Thanks M for sending this!

There She Rolls!

Tuesday was a fun evening at our home. Otter has been laying on the floor beside me while I am at the computer. I was hoping to encourage some movement out of her. Well Ma, she done it! I had been helping her learn to roll over from her back to her belly by holding her hand. She would then pull up by holding on to my finger and roll over. Well, Tuesday evening she did it all by herself! She then discovered that she cannot do anything else, though she was working hard to push herself forward with her legs. We would turn her on her back again, but back she went to her belly. Now she thinks that she cannot lay on her back anymore. She needs to be on her belly. Too bad her blanket is hindering her moving forward.
















Saturday, September 29, 2007

Funny Sayings

The other night Joe was saying good night to our younger son, Butch, when he asked a question. Here is how the conversation went:

Butch: Hey Dad, you know how God gave us all special gifts?
Joe: (not sure what exactly this was about, but going along for a moment) Yes.
Butch: You know, like he made you and me good at golf. What did he give Bubba?
Joe: (dumbfound and searching his brain for something to say) ....well, Bubba is smart...
Butch: (interrupting Joe) Do you think it is not turning his homework in on time?

Now I cannot say how Butch stated this, with complete seriousness or in playfulness, but it did give us a great laugh afterwards! He did ask me on the way home from his field trip if I knew if Bubba had heard about what he said. I asked why and he said "Cause I will be in trouble." What a laugh!

Monday, September 24, 2007

Camping in Virginia

This past weekend was our first camping trip with Otter. A group from our Cub Scout Pack went to the Virginia Creeper to camp and bicycle. We drove up on Friday evening and finally found the place in the wee hours of Saturday morning (long story). We finally got to sleep and spent our first night in a tent with an infant. She did remarkably well and only briefly woke twice (just to find her paci).

Then after breakfast Saturday morning the group that was going to ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail got gathered and headed for the trail. Joe and Bubba rode with the others from the campground to the trail. Butch, Otter and I rode in the van. Butch decided at the last minute to stay behind. He was not ready to make the trip. So after we got everyone off the three of us hiked a little over half a mile down the trail. It is a beautiful trail from what we saw. Rhododendron lined the trail some and kept it cool. When we came back from hiking we went with the others to Damascus, VA where the group was to end their trip.

Damascus is a cute little town in Virginia. There was also a car show going on in town so we were lucky to find a parking place. We unpacked the lunch stuff on a grassy area close to the train cars on display. It was a great area for a picnic and subsequent naps for some. The guys all had fun on the bike trip and Bubba was even riding the bike without training wheel (they were bent out so far that they became useless on the trail).

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

It Has Begun!

The day her Daddy was dreading is already here. Otter was getting her picture made with S and look what happened. She reached out to hold his hand. Here is our barely three month old little girl already trying to hold hands with a little boy! Daddy better get the shotgun out!

Monday, September 17, 2007

Otter And Her Dollie

I have been looking and looking for a doll for Otter. Not just any doll will do, you see. I wanted one that was all soft and cuddly for a newborn (or what remains of a newborn). I looked only to find mostly soft dolls, but always with some hard plastic head or other features. Finally while looking in the clothing section in a favorite store of mine I found her! I found Dollie! I was so excited that I immediately picked her up and took her home with us. Otter just loves her, too! I was not sure how she would like Dollie, since other toys and stuffed animals never interested her, but she loves her Dollie. She often will hold her and pull her up to snuggle with and sometimes kiss ( or is that chew?). I am so happy that she likes her new doll so well. Now if Bubba could only find a dart gun in her size! ;)

Bubba's Birthday

We celebrated Bubba's birthday this past weekend. It was fun having a few of his friends over so they could play together. His main priority was to play the board game Risk with his friends. I asked him if he wanted me to make his cake or if he would like cupcakes and he said he wanted a cake with Risk on it. He had also initially stated that he wanted the cake four different colors, but changed his mind. He instead wanted me to write Risk in red on his cake.

Well, the day of the party came and I had made his cake and I was waiting to ice it. Then after my parents came I figured it was time to finish the cake. I iced the cake with the vanilla icing and the left a little extra to make the red icing. That was when my fun began. I started by putting the vanilla icing in a decorating bag. Then I added the red food coloring. The box stated that for a regular size of frosting to add something like 50 or so drops of food color. I was thinking that was a large number, but I was only making a little bit of red icing so a few drops would work. I added the coloring and mixed it well...it was pink. So I added a little more coloring. Still pink! My dad even commented on it still being pink. So here we go again, more coloring. Still pink, though darker. I was tired of adding food coloring by this time so I said that this will have to do. Then I go and cut a small triangle off of the bottom of the bag to write on the cake. Then I realize that I forgot to put in the adapter for my decorating tip in the bag. I also in this process sling a little bit of the red (pink) frosting in the kitchen. I then get another bag and get the procedure correct so that it is ready for use (the proper way). I got the cake done and It looked decent. Defiantly not my best work, but good for how flustered I was at that point. Maybe I will learn from this and make the cake the day before next time. Oh well. Bubba like it and it tasted great, so I guess it worked out.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Tunnel by Third Day

Well I won't pretend to know what you're thinking
And I can't begin to know what you're going through
And I won't deny the pain that you're feeling
But I'm gonna try and give a little hope to you
Just remember what I told you
There's so much your living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
So keep holding on

You got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Well it brings new life for your eyes to see
So remember what i told you
There's so much your living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you
So keep holding on
Keep holding on

So remember what i told you
There's so much your living for

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you
For you yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shinging bright at the end of this tunnel for you
For you yeah
There's a light at the end of this tunnel ooh
For you, for you yeah
Shinging bright at the end of this tunnel
For you, for you
So keep holding on
Keep holding on
Keep holding on now

You got your disappointments and sorrows
Im gonna try and give a little hope to you

Times Of Need

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him
Romans 8:28a


Many times we think of this verse when we consider our sins and those difficult times we sometimes experience. There have been many occasions that I can recall, that in the midst of those times, I could not see how the situation I am facing could ever turn out anything good. Now that I have passed through these times and I look back, I can now see some of the good that God has given me through those times. I grow closer to him through my constant prayer. He can also use those times to show how He provides for us and supplies our needs. Then sometimes He just ask for our faithfulness no matter what we have to endure. Right now is one of those times for me. I am in the midst of a situation that I have no idea how I can continue to endure it or confront it. I can only visualize two scenarios as a result and neither one seems to show any way for a true peace in my heart in regards to this. I was reading Psalm 13 tonight and I realized that no matter how difficult this is for me, even when I cannot see an answer to my pleas, that I must praise the LORD because through every moment He has been faithful to and has blessed me. I ask that you pray for me and that I will praise God no matter what the outcome.

Psalm 13
How long, Oh LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God,
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fail.

But I trust in your unfailing love,
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
For he has been good to me.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

A Day With Bubba

Today Otter and I went on a field trip with Bubba to the Tennessee Valley Fair. We were able to see all kinds of livestock, including two cows that were in the labor process (no live births for us, though). We also learned about crops like soybeans, wheat and corn. The kids were all excited because after their "class," where they went around to different stations to learn more about the livestock and crops, they were going to be able to ride the rides. Unfortunately, the teacher was given the wrong information and the kids were not able to ride the rides. :( Of course it probably would not matter anyway as it started raining during our program. Nevertheless Bubba was disappointed. We did have a fun time together afterwards. I enjoy spending time with him and he loves spending time with Otter.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Gardening

I must say that I really miss gardening. So far I have not been able to break ground here at our new house and now I will probably have to wait until the spring to really get started on anything. I am so eager to buy seeds, plants and bulbs to plant. I passed by a local garden center that has one of the plants I really want for the house for 50% off! Do you know how tempted I was to stop and get some? I have also looked online at Park Seed and there is so much I would like to get. There was always something so relaxing about being able to plant things, watch them grow, and sometimes be able to eat what you grow. I guess I will just try to plan for spring next year.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

It Is Official!

I sit here typing as I listen to Fred Thompson on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has officially stated that he is now running for the presidency. How cool is that! A Tennessean we would not be ashamed to see run for the Presidential office. It will be an interesting race.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Lunar Eclispe

On August 28th we experienced a lunar eclipse during the morning hours. I was so excited when I was giving Otter her early morning meal to learn that we would be able to view the eclipse. I had not heard about the event on the previous day, so I went to the computer to learn more. I found that the full eclipse was at 5:52am in our area. Since it was about 5am I rushed in to ask Joe if he wanted to view it. When I told him that we would have to go somewhere to see it he stated that he would pass. I then went to the boys and they woke excited and eager to go. We went down the road to a church parking lot and watched this amazing event. I was able to take my camera and get a few decent shots. I post them for your enjoyment if you were not one who woke early to see it live. The fourth picture has an orangeish/redish color which did not come through in all the other pictures.





Friday, August 31, 2007

Funny Quote

Tonight we had a back to school pool party for the cub scouts. This is a yearly event which includes not only swimming, but pizza as well. The boys also have a chance to earn their swimming belt loop. One requirement is to talk about swimming safety. As our fearless leader, T, was starting this discussion with the boys he asked what some of the most important rules of swimming are. To this one of the first boys to answer said, "To not drown!" About all of us parents had to turn away and control the incredible amount of laughter threatening to spill out after hearing this sincere answer.