Grandparents, Apples And Traffic

I realize this is a bit random of a title, but that's how our whirlwind weekend can best be summed up.  This weekend, we went to the Upstate to visit my grandparents and see their new "digs".  They have recently moved from where they lived for 64 years to a town about 5 hours away.  It's a much nicer place, closer to family, and they seem to be satisfied.  We stayed with some of our very best friends, and always have a great time when we're together.  On Sunday after church service and a very tasty lunch at a place called Pompous Pig, we took off for an afternoon of apple picking in the mountains.  We had a lovely time, the weather was wonderful, and the apples picked right from a tree (my very first time!) were so delicious!  After we paid for our bushels, the kids shared an apple cider slush and Randy and I shared a muscadine slush.  Both were wonderful!  Pictures will hopefully follow soon.
What should have been a 4 hour ride home turned into 8.  There was an accident on the interstate that resulted in 1 fatality, several injuries and a closed down interstate.  We got so excited once we saw the REST AREA 2 MILES sign, but it took us an hour to get there!
We finally rolled into our "hood" about 1 am, and we all promptly fell into bed.  Be it ever so humble, there's NO place like home!
When we turned into our neighborhood, Will, somewhere between awake and sleep, mumbled, ahh, home sweet home:)

DNA

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while.  There seems to be very little computer time these days.  Instead, my time is spent picking up legos and puzzle pieces, washing clothes, playing in the yard, trying new recipes, and experiencing our city through the eyes of our children.  I have to say, I do not miss "my computer time" one little bit.  

As Randy and I watch our children grow, we continue to get to know them even better.  There are times that we just have to look at one another and laugh.  Tonight I looked at Randy as we were sitting in the rocking chairs on the porch finishing our iced tea from supper, and watching our children play.  I commented that it was amazing to me that although  we had absolutely nothing to do with their conception, it seems at times that they sure do have our DNA running through them.  I caught myself saying, "She's YOUR daughter", when K did something really silly that Randy would have done.  Other times, I see myself in each of them.  
How great is our God, that he would knit us together in so tight a weave.  
Praise Be To Jesus!
 

Cards

Since our family shower last week, today is the first time I've been able to sort through our cards.  I wanted to put each child's cards in a box for them to read later.  There are so many beautiful cards, with the most touching and heartfelt words ever.  One particular one, however, that touched me personally, was one that said; "It's never been a question of if, It's always been a question of when", and the inside says, "And now is your time". 
What more can I say?

Now I lay me...And Liberty and Justice For All :)

Each night we ask our sweet children what they want to pray about, and are encouraging them to say their own prayers- a conversation with God.  We encourage them to just talk to Him.  It doesn't have to sound like anything but a conversation.  Tonight our sweet Katherine had trouble getting started.  I did a little guiding, and started her off with, "Now I Lay Me", which she followed.  Once it seemed like she had it, I stopped and let her continue.  So here was her prayer...
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep,  by His hands we all are fed, Give us Lord our daily bread, AMEN

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

Tonight the 4 of us were at Sonic for a snack after a concert.  Aside from the obvious, the differences between boys and girls really intrigue and delight me:).  While sitting there having our snack, I noticed that both Will and Katherine were looking at the same long legged, roller skate clad "car hop".  Katherine was fascinated with the dynamics of her job- what she did, and how she did what she did on skates- if she got free food, and if she could eat anything she wanted while she was working, etc. etc. etc. :)
Will, on the other hand, was watching the car hops every move for quite a different reason.  I pointed this out to Randy, that our children were watching the same person, but for two completely different reasons!
Ahh, the difference between girls and boys- so funny to watch!

Generations of Grace

Tomorrow we are going on our first little overnight "road trip".  We are going to Florence to see my Mama Dot and Papa, and to celebrate my Mama Dot's 92nd birthday!  I am excited for several reasons.  The first reason, and most obvious, is for the children to meet their very large family!  Secondly, and a bit selfishly, I guess, is that I want my grandparents to meet their newest great grandchildren before Mama Dot and Papa are called home to Jesus.  Papa is 94, and his health is declining fairly rapidly.  Randy and I are the last of the 4 grandchildren to bring children into our family. 
After we celebrate with the family, the 4 of us are going to stay in a hotel in town and spend time as  a family.  The children are excited about swimming, and Randy and I are excited about NO alarm clocks!  Our prayer is that we would get there safely, have a great time, and that the children arenn't too overwhelmed, or overwhelmING!
I think we'll have a good time:)

"Tuggles and Giggles"

When we go to bed at night, Katherine likes to, what she calls, "tuggle".  She loves to "tuggle" with mommy and daddy.  Before long, she's fast asleep, even after insisting she is NOT tired!  Tonight she and I were "tuggling", and she said, "I love you to the stars and back".  Then I responded that I loved HER to the MOON and back".  she said, "no ya don't".  So I asked her, "well, how much do I love you?"  Her response made me smile.  She said, "Yeah, you do love me that big.  I love you that big too".  I then told her I loved her all the way up to Heaven.  Her reply, "I love you all the way up to Jesus, and I really like Jesus!"
 Then, the giggles started.  I told her, "I love you more than a new pair of shoes, and I really like new shoes..."
She and I both started giggling at that moment, and when she gets going, she can't stop!  So then daddy came in for some Katherine time and I went in Will's room for some Will time.  Before I knew it, she had dissolved into a puddle of giggles again!  Apparently daddy had whacked his head on her headboard.  She told him, "I knew you were going to do that, but I didn't tell you".  she told him, "Mommy is better at tuggling".  Daddy said, "Yeah, well mommy is a lot shorter than daddy and fits in your bed a whole lot easier".
Another advantage of being short.  Whoever said, "Short people got no reason to live...." was obviously mistaken:)