It's That Time of Year Again

We had a great time at the county fair Wednesday night.  It was a beautiful night.  The weather was perfect.

Favorite Things

One of my very favorite things to do is read to Nate. For those of you who don't know, I was a media specialist (librarian) for two years before Nate was born. The story time I participated in this summer reminded me just how much I love reading to children. Needless to say, I was VERY excited when Nate's teacher invited me to read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to Nate's class. It was so much fun.  Hopefully I'll be invited back soon.

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day in our neck of the woods.  We spent a lot of time outside.  Nate's new favorite way to get around the pasture is for us to pull him behind the golf cart in his wagon.  I'll be honest and say that it makes me a little nervous because there are lots of bumps and hidden holes in the pasture.  Of course we don't go too fast. Nate would like for us to go a lot faster.  He yells at us to go "faster, faster!"  He'll think that until he wrecks and knocks his teeth out (I know this from personal experience).

Today our destination was the new rolls of hay that Poppa Dub just moved from across the street. Nate always enjoys playing on the hay.

You'll have to excuse all of the jumping photos.  I think they are so cute and my camera was cooperating today.  Lately a lot of my "action" photos have been blurry.

We are so very blessed to live our little farm life.

Update

Sweet Evan, who I told you about in my September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, lost his battle with cancer this morning.  "This morning,at 6:40 am, our warrior, Evan, flew into Jesus arms.   He is free."  My heart rejoices that Evan is now healthy and perfect, but my heart also breaks into pieces for his mom, dad, brother, and other family members.  Please join me in praying for this family during this extremely difficult time.

Please continue to keep  Lilianna in your prayers.  She recently had a bone marrow biopsy that showed leukemia still there.  This was obviously extremely disappointing to her family.  She started her second round of chemo yesterday.  "PLEASE PRAY AS HARD AS YOU CAN! He has heard our prayers and we know they worked but we need to cry out to Him for healing, for a miracle, because that's what it's gonna take!  "With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible." Matthew 19:26"

The Many Faces of Nate on the First Day of Preschool

Today was Nate's first day of 4 year old preschool.  Let me tell you a little secret about Nate.  He rarely cooperates for pictures.  When I get a cute photo of him, it's just by chance or because I have someone helping to make him laugh or smile by acting silly. I honestly started to bribe him this morning with some kind of treat if he cooperated.  I decided against that and these are a few of the pictures I got. 

Nate did great this morning.  I knew he would be fine.  He got to meet his teacher and visit his room a couple of weeks ago.  He was very excited to go back today and play with all of the new toys in Mrs. Tara's room. This year was easier for me.  I will admit that I got a little teary last year when I dropped him off. 

I can't believe our sweet baby is already four!!!  We are definitely ready for another baby...hopefully sooner than later. (If you are just tuning in, we are adopting.)

Labor Day Camping

Labor day weekend we camped at Wind Creek.  Wind Creek is our favorite place to camp (except the beach).  It's always crazy crowded over there on holiday weekends, but we still love it.  Lake Martin is absolutely beautiful.  Unfortunately our trip got cut short thanks to Tropical Storm Lee, but we had perfect weather on Friday afternoon and Saturday.  We had a great time enjoying the great outdoors - riding bikes, swimming, and playing at the playground.  We couldn't complain too much about the rain since we needed it so badly.  Our grass is not crispy anymore.  

Whenever we camp at Wind Creek during the summer months, we always visit the Alex City Farmer's Market.  It's always fun to see what kind of produce and hand-made products people are selling.  I bought some great smelling home-made soap. The main reason we go is because my sister and brother-in-law have a produce booth there.  We like to go visit them, but we also like going to Alex City.  It is such a pretty little town.  I noticed all kinds of great photo spots.  I wasn't prepared on this trip, so I'll have to remember those for our next visit.   Our absolute favorite part of visiting Alex City is going to Carlisle Drug Store and getting an old fashioned limeade.  They make them by hand with freshly squeezed limes.  It's been a long time since I had a famous lemonade from Toomer's Drugs, but Carlisle's limeades could give them some competition.

I had to get a couple of pictures of my handsome boy. 

My dad does not like having his picture taken.  However, if I ever mention him taking a picture with Nate, he's all about it. 

I found a box of our wedding napkins in a drawer a few months ago.  I immediately thought they would make good camping napkins...since we are so fancy when camping. :) 

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

I just finished reading about a precious boy, Evan who is dying of cancer.  I tried to think of a gentler way to say that, but the truth is he's dying.  He is from Alabama.  He is currently at St. Jude's hospital in Memphis, but in the next day or two his parents will bring him home and he will die.  I cannot even type those words without tearing up.  I don't even know this family but I have just cried and prayed for them not having a clue how they must feel.  Sadly, I do know a family that knows exactly how they feel.  We are in a small group at church with a precious family that lost their beautiful four year old daughter to cancer.  The funeral of a four year old is one you will never forget.  There is also a precious little girl, Lilianna, from our community who is currently battling leukemia.
I trust God's sovereignty and I know that His will is perfect, but I don't understand why children have to be sick and suffer and why some families have to walk this horrific road.  Please take a moment and pray for these families and all of the many, many families battling childhood cancer all over the world.