Don't Blink...

There's a new song out by Kenny C. that says, "Don't blink, just like that you're 6 years old and you take a nap, you wake up and you're 25..." Wow. How true. I can hardly believe Luke will be 7 in November. He started 1st grade last week, is riding his bike without his training wheels (and riding a 2 1/2 mile loop around the neighborhood with me!) and playing catcher during practice for his rookie league team. Last night I had a great time watching Luke and Blake pull each other in their wagon. They were laughing and playing so hard. Despite being almost 6 years apart I can still remember pulling my brother in the wagon and then "making" him push me while I steered. Maybe this is why he's 6'8" and all muscle! Anyway - I just try to help create opportunities for making memories and let life do the rest. They are growing up so fast.

Happy 60th, Poppy!

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Poppy's 60th birthday with a "suprise" party! He did know something was up but didn't expect to see former co-workers and family from North Carolina to be there.

Do you trust teenagers? Maybe you should...

When we spent a week on Edisto Island this past summer, we practically begged the boys to go for a canoe or kayak ride with us on the bay or in one of the creeks. Both of them said "No, way!" So, you can imagine my suprise when Luke asked one the teenagers in our youth group to take him for a canoe ride at our pastor's farm! I guess one of the benefits of working with and getting to know the youth in our church is the impact it has on Luke and Blake. They're so friendly with the teens in our church and consider them "friends". Despite all the mean, irresponsible teens (and adults!) out there, I've been blessed to get to be around some wonderful teens. They do still exist! Do you know any?

County Fair

I love this pic of the boys at the county fair! We visited MeeMee and Poppy this past week and attended their local fair. The boys also had a chance to spend a week with their grandparents while I attended a conference (I can't complain - it gave the boys some time with family and was the only week my office asked me to work all summer!). My in-laws have goats - which Luke loves. And they are certainly starting to grow on Blake. When you say "Oreo" around this house - you're not talking about a cookie - you're talking about a sweet goat on their farm. Luke and Blake will also tell you all about goat milk being their favorite beating out cow milk by a landslide. Cuties.

Mom's Night Out

All moms need a night out! Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband and mother-in-law who understands this! On Thursday, MeeMee gave me tickets to see Dierks Bentley at the county fair. He put on a great show and probably would have played a lot longer but we got cut short by a big storm. On Friday, Yuliya and I saw Keith Urban who played for almost three hours and sang and played his heart out. Sweat poured down him and although thousands were in the audience he managed to give everyone an intimate performance. It was evident that both guys love what they do and I love their music! And of course, we were able to dance and sing and act as silly as we wanted to without the guys around.

Cousin Jacobs Visits

A few hundred miles separate Luke and Blake from their only cousin, Jacob. Aunt Missy took some time off to visit with Jacob this month. We visited the Museum of Natural History in DC. Luke and Jacob loved it but Blake was convinced the animals were going to get him. Maybe watching "Night at the Museum" wasn't such a great choice.... We also went swimming and visited downtown for a carriage ride where Blake told everyone his dad had been in jail. I wish I was kidding. I laughed and said, "Blake, what are you talking about? Your dad's a police officer." Ha ha ha. I can't imagine what the people on the carriage thought - "That poor child". Aside from the convict story, I'm pretty sure the boys learned some things. Even at three, Blake can tell you a few things about George Washington who lived here as a child.

Swim Lessons

"Swimming isn't just for fun. It can save your life" - words of wisdom by Momma spoken to Luke as he clung to the edge of the pool fighting back tears. The boys completed a two week swim course at our local YMCA earlier this month. I am SO proud of both of them. Some kids love the water - some don't. Blake does ok and loved water as an infant. Luke had to be given a bath in the kitchen sink until he was too big to fit and was terrified of water from the beginning. The first day of lessons, he was the only child who didn't get in with his group. I finally went over and said, "You have three choices - get out and go with your group; go with the pre-school group (where Blake was) or get out and I'll get a refund." He asked what a refund was. I explained and then told him to make his choice. I walked away and sat down on the bleachers with the other moms who all offered words of encouragement. About 5 minutes passed and I saw him get up. I was sure he would head towards me to get our "refund". He suprised me and joined his group. He bonded with his instructor, Angel, a recent high school grad (there really are some great teens/young adults out there!) and promised her he would complete all tasks. By the end of the two weeks, he had gone down the slide, swam to the deep end with Angel and gained a tremendous amount of confidence. So - I'm proud of both of them but this certainly came easier for Blake who found the whole experience fun and games compared to Luke who really had to dig for some courage. We also had VBS in the evening one week and the music teacher asked, "Do you trust me?". Luke replied, "I've already trusted someone today at swim lessons." Too funny. Although they're not headed for the swim team anytime soon I am pleased and will enroll them next spring for another session. Way to go, guys!