Precious Times, Precious Friends

I can't believe it!! Katherine came to see me and she brought her daughter "Libby" to play with "Grace". As I waited for them at the airport, a ton of strangers poured through the doors (evoking zero emotional response from me). Oh the contrast when I saw their faces! I was overwhelmed with emotion. What a joy to be together again!

There were so many things to show them in my (relatively new) neck of the woods. We got up early and stayed up late, and boy did we cram a lot of fun into those 3 days. We hiked, toured the Smokies, watched synchronized fireflies, stared at the Milky Way, tubed down the river, went way underground to see some amazing caverns and laughed until we cried.

Our girls hadn't seen each other in years, but they hit it off again and kept us laughing.

Acorns in the Bathroom

Our family just returned from a 3-day camping trip. All six of us slept in the same tent. I can handle tent camping when the campground has electricity and public restrooms with showers (very unlike where Dennis is going).

There is one thing from our trip that I just have to share, even though I suppose it is rated PG.

Okay. So as Austin(3) and I are walking to the restroom, he is collecting acorns. We are discussing how some of the acorns still have hats on them, how squirrels like to bury them, etc. I'm thoroughly enjoying being able to give him (and his interest in these acorns) my full attention. Being the fourth, Austin seldom gets my full attention.

Anyway, we get to the bathroom (acorns in hand) and step into the second of four stalls. Austin, before getting up on the potty, looks up at me and says, "Look at my nuts mommy!"

I grin to myself, trying hard to remember if there is anyone else in the bathroom. Then he says, "Aren't they cute?" I'm starting to chuckle inside when he innocently adds, "Would you hold them please?"

Had I been at home, caught up in the busy-ness of life, I know that the humor would have escaped me. I'm glad Austin had my full attention so I could smile at the little innocent words he said about his acorns in the bathroom.

Enjoying Life

There's something about your youngest child approaching three that feels so freeing and so delightful. Is it just me or is this a typical phenomenon?

I've carried a diaper bag for 10 years and I AM DONE. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of parenting ahead, but an era is definitely over.

I mean look at us. There's no one back at camp with a fussy or sleepy baby. We are all enjoying the waterfalls together.

I know that there are those of you who would warn me not to be too happy, that these years fly by too quickly, but I intend to relish in the moment for now.


Next milestone - no car seats?

Time off

I've just had a wonderful weekend with my dear friend Rita. My totally awesome husband (Chuck) took the day off on Friday to go play in the waterfalls with us and THEN gave me the whole day off on Saturday. I hardly knew what to do with myself, but Rita and I had fun coming up with a plan for our day. We hiked, ate, talked, hiked some more, shopped, sat in the hot tub and ended our day marveling at shooting stars and the Milky Way. Now, if I could only get my friend Katherine to come see me.