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Last week something happened that has made the boys even more excited about the baby. They got to feel the baby move for the first time! I had just occasionally felt movement because it was still so sporadic, but on Wednesday it was really moving a lot. I was feeling it and then Bubba came in the room. He got to feel it, then we called for Butch. Butch came and he felt it as well. As of yesterday Joe finally felt the baby, too. To date Butch has felt the baby most of the three guys.
Today I was happy to be able to accompany Bubba on a Field Trip to the Gatlinburg Aquarium. We had an enjoyable time looking at all of the different creatures. The kids also were able to attend the Mr. Potato Fish class that is presented by the staff of the Aquarium. During this they learned about the body types of fish, different fins and their uses, coloring, where do they live, attributes that contribute to their survival, etc. After learning these different facts about fish, they split into groups and created their own fish with a potato and different "parts." They also thought up names, where they live, etc. (based on all they had learned earlier). The best was one that a group of fifth grade girls created. When the lady leading the class asked the spokesgirl what their fish ate she replied boys and it had a bad attitude as an attribute!
Today is the first day of 2007! Wow, how quickly the time goes. I was looking through my posts for the last year and it was great to recall some of the events of the last year. All of the hikes, trips, and other good times. So many things have happened in the past year and we are looking forward to what is to come in the new year. In late January or early February we will learn what our little dumplin' will be, in May the boys will complete another school year, and in June our little one will make it's appearance and that is only a few things happening in the first part of the year.
This was the the year for hiking gear in our family. The boys got some first aid kits inside of water bottles, there were backpacks, cook stoves, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. Most of all, this was the year of the head lamp! As you see from my pic Joe received a head lamp as well as BJ not BK, :o)} , and Bubba. It was a fun time with all of our families and we greatly enjoyed the day.
On Wednesday I got to observe something that I had only heard about for the past year. My elder son, Bubba, was taken out of school early for a dentist appointment. When we got back to school there was a little more than thirty minutes left in the school day. After he raced down to his class room it was only about three minutes before I saw him racing back towards me. I asked what he was doing and he said, "I think my class is with the Kindergarten class." I followed him a few minutes later and I walked into the room to see about half of his fellow classmates (fourth and fifth graders) all paired up with one to two Kindergarteners each. Each of the older children was sitting, with their Kindergarteners beside them, reading them books. This was a great sight to see!
It was also funny to hear that he specifically liked to use a British accent. I am very fond of English literature, so several movies I watch are BBC or other British made films based off some of these literary works. The boys will usually watch these with me. I can only suppose that now he will watch them now so that he can sharpen his accent skills.
I was so excited earlier this week to see that Ancestry has opened their Immigration Collection to the public for the month of December. I have missed working on my genealogy the past month or so and was elated to do some searching! The first person I wanted to look for is my g-g-great-grandfather, Jonathan Price, who left his home in South Wales to come to live in Pennsylvania. I knew that Jonathan and his wife, Elizabeth, had their first child in 1835 and that she was born in St. Clair, PA. So I entered in a six year time span and what do you know? I found him! Jonathan came to America with his parents, Rees and Ann Price, as well as three of his siblings, David, William, and Hannah. They left from Swansea, Wales and arrived in New York on August 26, 1833 on a ship named Elizabeth Clark. I also looked and found another sister of Jonathan's, Margaret Price Larmey, who along with her husband and three children came from Wales in 1842. It is amazing how much I have learned in the past six years in researching this family.
I went to the doctor's office today for another ultrasound. This was more to appease my little mind as to the continue development of our little miracle than anything else. It was great to see our little dumplin again and see that everything is great! The little one was just wiggling around at first. It was so funny to see! The heartbeat was also very good. My doctor was very pleased. We have been greatly blessed!




Well, Sunday we had an enjoyable day together as a family at the Atlanta Braves game. This was a first time experience not only for Bubba and Butch, but for myself as well. We did not get seats with the Stitch-n-Pitch, but we did get some great seats along the third base line. We did go up to where the S-n-Pers were just to see. There did not look like there were more than 20 people in that section. Now we did meet a couple of ladies that, like us, got seats in a better section. I was able to get the nice little gift bag. I was a bit disappointed that we did not see any of the "vendors" that were suppose to be outside in the concourse. It was also funny to see on the jumbo screen two older men sitting there knitting. These men evidently amused the people behind the cameras because they continued to show them throughout the game!
The game was very enjoyable and we loved the "free baseball" in the extra inning. We were all excited that the Braves were able to pull out a win for us! After the game was over we took the boys to the line of kids wanting to run the bases. It was a long line! We did make it through and both Bubba and Butch got to run the bases. Bubba had Joe time him as he ran! After that they received a free t-shirt and a certificate saying they ran the bases. We were all very tired when we returned home. All in all it was a very good day!
On Friday I was able to go with Joe and his parents on a hike in Greenbrier. There were several interesting aspects to this trail. There were several creek crossings as well as two cemeteries located along the trail, one included some of Linda's family. This was also part of the area that Joe's grandfather grew up in. One of the most fascinating points of interest on this trail is an old steam engine used for logging in the 1920's that fell into Injun Creek about three miles up this trail. This was a fun time that I had with Linda as we walked the trail looking at all the surroundings. Of course Joe and Dad were taking the fast track rather than my slow snails pace. It was a fun time together and we wrapped up our evening dining at the Greenbrier Grill. Ah, I love to hike in the mountains! It is so refreshing.
Today as we were coming home from our hike (which I will tell you about later) we drove through Pigeon Forge. This weekend is the Fall Grand Rod Run where everyone brings the cars that they have rebuilt to show off and/or sale. I was also surprised to see a few teardrop campers in the mix. I had just recently watched a show on TV about the comeback of these very unique campers. I thought that they seemed very cool for a couple who wanted to travel. The teardrop was famous in the 1930's-1940's as they were small and lightweight enough for the cars of that time to haul. They are about 4-6' wide, 8-10' long, and 4-5' high. There is a small sleeping compartment that is just big enough for a bed, and then the back hatch comes up to reveal a little kitchen on the back. Many of the owners of these campers get together at "gatherings" to show off and spend time with other teardrop owners. Doesn't this look like it would be a lot of fun?!
Last night Joe reminded me that we will be heading down to Atlanta on Sunday for the Braves' Stitch-n-Pitch game. I was thinking tonight of my last trip to Atlanta. It was in the fall of 2003 when the boys and I (along with another mom and her two girls) made the trip to Atlanta to meet up with our military husbands. Joe was in the midst of training for an overseas deployment and they had a free weekend so we decided to meet about half way. That was a more difficult trip to take because we knew that after only a short time together that he would leave again. That was a time when every moment seemed to count because you did not know how long before you would see each other again. It is amazing to me that it has been three years since that time. I look at pictures and see how small my boys were and see them now and how much they have grown. As Bubba is always telling me "Not long before I am leaving home!" He is right. Time seems to be going by so quickly and they are growing so fast. I am left to wonder what it will be like when I have to deal with another one possibly leaving home. The possibility of moving away from one another is a frightening thought. I love my boys and I hope that through the passing of time we will always maintain a close relationship that will only grow stronger with each new day!
Did you know that there is a squirrel-hunting season? In talking with a fellow Scout leader today I learned that there is a squirrel season and not only that, you have to have a hunting license to legally hunt them! Who would have thought that sitting on your back porch, luring squirrels with food and then shooting at them would be illegal unless armed with your $28 Combo hunting license?! ;) Here is a little information for those who want a more through knowledge on this subject (taken from the TWRA News/ Press Releases) 08/03/2006 ~ SQUIRREL SEASONS OPENS AUGUST 26
Tennessee’s hunting season for gray, fox and red squirrels opens on Saturday, August 26, 2006 according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). The season continues through February 28, 2007 with a daily bag limit of 10.
The hunting season for squirrels is one of the longest fall seasons and one of the most underutilized. All that is needed to hunt squirrels is a $28 combination hunting license. This is a small price to pay for months of enjoyment and relaxation.
Two of the most productive ways to hunt squirrels are still-hunting (slowly walking through the woods watching for squirrels) and stand-hunting (sitting near food trees). Squirrel hunting with dogs has been gaining popularity in recent years. The best hunting with dogs generally occurs from November through February after the trees shed their leaves.
Squirrels are abundant in most areas where patches of woods are available. Excellent squirrel hunting can be found on many of TWRA’s wildlife management areas.
Squirrel hunting is one of the best ways to introduce a young hunter to the outdoors and squirrels are known for their excellent table fare. Most recipe books have a variety of recipes for squirrel, with fried squirrel and squirrel and dumplings being two traditional southern favorites.
For more information on Tennessee hunting seasons go online at www.tnwildlife.org
I learned today that there are plans to make a TV version of the novel Persuasion by Jane Austen. I am still unsure who exactly is putting this together, but I hope that it will be another well done adaptation and not so far from the original story that it is almost unrecognizable (i.e. Pride and Prejudice in 2005 with Keira Knightley)!
Last night Joe and I (and several other leaders from our Cub Scout Pack) went to Ripley's Aquarium to a CS Leaders Bash. We had a sidebar with food to eat and a meeting to learn about what is happening in the Sequoyah District this year. At this meeting we also learned about the different programs that Ripley's has available for scouting groups. One of these was called "Sleeping with the Sharks". There was a thought that went through my mind. How many people can sleep in that tunnel knowing that all kinds of sharks are in the water right over your head? I am not sure I could. First of all, I might be too fascinated at all the different creatures and secondly, there are sharks swimming over my head and I am expected to be comfortable enough to sleep?! Now there was an even worse thought when she also mentioned that they do overnighters in the Haunted Adventure called "Midnight with the Monsters" (of course only for grades 6-12) and also in the Believe It Or Not Museum the "Bedtime with the Bizarre" where part of the trip includes a scavenger hunt, wax hand, a Moving Theatre ride and much more! A WAX HAND!! Oh yeah, sign me up!







I have decided that the best watermelons I have ever had are the ones that I received from Jo's grandfather, Ruley. They are called Charleston Grey. They are the sweetest, juiciest watermelons ever! I love the ones that I was brought from SC on their trips here (or our trips there). I had a local raised watermelon tonight and I just kept thinking about how much better the Greys were compare to this. I am so eager for next spring so that I can plant some of these for myself (thanks to Ruley for giving me some seeds on our last trip).
Another year of school has started for Bubba and Butch. This is a happy time for me as I get to spend time with my friends from school as well. I also have the responsibility of creating a bulletin board for the Scouts that is located in the front hall of the Elementary building. This is always a funny time for me because directly across the hall is another bulletin board that a lady in the office is in charge of keeping up. I have slowly become accustom to her telling people that I always come to try to out do her boards and to make hers look bad. She has a fun time teasing me every time I come in to add something new. For this new board I was working on it and adding things to it for two days during teacher inservice last week. Today this lady was telling people how I just would live at the school if I could! All about my days spent there last week. We have such a fun time together there and we are like one big family. Boy is it great to be back!
After a couple of months of not seeing many of the friends I have from school, we got a chance to get together again. Today was a birthday party for one of the little girls in Butch's class. It was at the school's swimming pool. I was thrilled to see several other moms that I really enjoy talking to. We caught up a bit, ate cake and tried to stay in the shade as much as possible. I also got to hold the three month old baby that if you remember from back in May I tried to make a baby hat for and failed miserably the first time! We are all looking forward to being able to see each other on a more regular basis. It is so funny that my friends from school are mostly mothers of daughters! It is somewhat hard to bring two boys to a play date with only girls. We are looking forward to next Saturday when we have orientation at school. School starts in only NINE DAYS!!!
Tonight at my birthday dinner Joe gave me my birthday present from him. We have four tickets to the Braves vs Marlins Stitch n Pitch game on Sept 17th! I have never been to a Braves game and have wanted to go for years. My father and my father-in-law are big fans of the Braves and I have spent many times with them watching the games on TV. It seems that this will be a great time for me to spend time watching live baseball and crocheting!
For three days and two nights I was able to enjoy the chance to watch my niece, L. I had such a wonderful time playing and spending time with her. She loved that the boys were there, too. Every morning she would call for them as soon as I started with her down the stairs. They would let her chase them in circles around the house and they loved every minute. Bubba was about as thrilled as I was to be able to spend so much time with L. It was sad to have to say good-bye to her when her parents came home (although I know they were thrilled to be back home with her as well).
I returned home yesterday afternoon from another trip to South Carolina. This time Jo and I went to attend my Lane family reunion. We left Friday morning and stopped for the night at her grandparents' house. We had a great time visiting and eating SEAFOOD!! Yummy! The next day we traveled to Marion County, SC to find some cemeteries where some family members are buried. We got lots of pictures of lots of headstones. We even found this cemetery (pictured) with its lone tree and headstones standing out against the surrounding fields of soybeans.
Next after our cemetery hunting was done, we got to see my family at the reunion. I always love getting to see my Lane family every year. Actually I would love to see them more often if I could. I got to reacquaint myself with family and I got to meet several new family members. It was so funny because I am trying to explain to Jo who all 50+ people are and how we are related. Sometimes I can get them confused, but we worked through it. She then amazed everyone by knowing their names and how they fit into the family. That was a great feat for someone who is a complete stranger, especially when half the time some of us that have been a part of the family for 20-30 years still have trouble with that!
The other night I was thinking about the last eleven years that Joe and I have been together. It still blows my mind that it has been over eleven years since our first date and over ten since we were married. Our first date is still a typical date for us today (actually we had one of these just last Friday!), which is dinner and a movie. As I recall, though, our first dinner was a fast food place (probably Wendy's or something like that) and the movie was Interview with a Vampire. I am glad to say that over the years not only has the restaurant choice evolved into something better, but also the movies have as well (at least most of the time).
In the novel Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen tells the story of the Bennet family. We learn quite a bit about each family member, but one of the biggest parts of the story deals with the bad behavior of several of the family members.
First you have Mrs. Bennet. She is a bit shallow, silly and a gossip. She has good intentions for her five daughters (ie. wanting them to find wealthy husbands that will be able to adequately support them), but she sometimes does not think before she does things. Sometimes you meet people who talk before they think (which I am sure we all have done at one time or another). That is something I think that Mrs. Bennet suffered from almost constantly. She is also a gossip who tends to talk in a voice that projects a little too much, there for allowing others to hear things that she should not be saying (at least in polite company).
Next we look at Lydia Bennet. This is the youngest of the sisters and she is the favorite of her mother's. I think that when you really think about it favoritism never helps a child, but actually has more of a negative affect. You see, Lydia is pampered, encouraged in her boisterous and sometimes inappropriate behavior by her mother and never corrected by her father. Then you look at how much whining and crying she does in order to get her way (which most times her family gives in if only to get her to hush). When has it ever been good to teach a child that if they whine or cry they can get whatever they desire?
The third is Kitty Bennet. I like to think that Kitty would be a good and proper child if her younger sister, Lydia, did not influence her so much. She was allowing herself to be lead by someone who was a bad example for anyone (unless you want to show how not to act!) and not taught to be able to think for herself. Although she is not as silly as her younger sister, she is not too far behind her.
Mary Bennet is a very unique individual. She is not as pretty as her sisters and is a sort of a loner. She has attempted to become accomplished in her piano and singing as a way of promoting herself. Mary is very dedicated to her playing and singing, but she is mechanical and stiff in both. Her voice is never praised as a pretty voice, but she always tries to display her “talents” any time she can. She also is a preachy in her comments to her family, as well as showing little to no tact in these comments, either.
Although Mr. Darcy once states that Elizabeth and her eldest sister, Jane, are above reproach, they also show some behavior that affect their family. They are very close and are to the point that they exclude the other sisters from their close relationship (though mostly it seems to be unintentional). Jane is a Pollyanna who can never see the bad in others. Elizabeth can sometimes be very prejudiced against people (namely Darcy, Wickham, and Caroline Bingley) when she really does not know them that well.
Now at last is Mr. Bennet. He is a smart and witty man. After he married Mrs. Bennet he realized what she was really like and that he had been blinded by her beauty. He realized way too late that he married a woman that he could not respect. After this realization, as well as the addition of her fits of nerves, he tends to avoid her by sequestering himself in his library most of the day. He also starts to make fun of her, instead of trying to help her to become a more well behaved, intelligent person. Not only was he unsupportive of his wife, but also he is also unsupportive of his daughters. He seems to favor his older two daughters as the most intelligent of his daughters. He is constantly making insulting comment as to his other daughters (ie. they are the silliest girls in the country, cannot speak two words of sense together, etc), though he tries to cover it by attempting to make it humorous. He has never properly prepared for his daughters in their dowries, since he planned to have a son (Since his estate is only to pass to male heir, his family will have no home or the income of the estate to live on after his death). In his passiveness towards his wife and younger daughters he has also not taken the control as head of his family. He shirks his responsibilities for making sure that they are behaving in appropriate ways, avoids going to the public outings with his family, he allows his younger daughters to continue in their wild behavior and had given in and allowed them to be “out” too early. In all of this he ends up losing much of the respect that Elizabeth had held for him. When faced with the issue of allowing his whiny daughter, Lydia, to leave home to spend time with a friend in another city, he shrugs off Elizabeth’s warnings of possible disgrace that not only might come on Lydia herself, but would during that time period also included her family (especially her sisters). His response is:
"Do not make yourself uneasy, my love. Wherever you and Jane are known, you must be respected and valued; and you will not appear to less advantage for having a couple of—or I may say, three—very silly sisters. We shall have no peace at Longbourn if Lydia does not go to Brighton. Let her go then. Colonel Forster is a sensible man, and will keep her out of any real mischief; and she is luckily too poor to be an object of prey to any body. At Brighton she will be of less importance, even as a common flirt, than she has been here. The officers will find women better worth their notice. Let us hope, therefore, that her being there may teach her her own insignificance. At any rate, she cannot grow many degrees worse without authorizing us to lock her up for the rest of her life."
In my genealogy quest I have several times met with a new relative who adds to the questions I already have. Like the newest relative I found. She has pictures that I am thrilled to see. How can you express your happiness at seeing pictures of the great-great-great-uncles for which you had been looking for years for information on? What thrilling sensations come over you as you see your great-great-great-grandmother’s picture for the first time!