Keep on going......down!!!!

One week after my last post, since we filled up the tank of our Yukon last Friday, I thought it appropriate to show you what we paid today.... Look below!!!

That's right - we paid $1.55 a gallon. (We did fill up so it did cost more than $2.05) We're certainly enjoy it while it's lasting! I just checked Christian's baby book - we paid $1.07 in April of 1998 when he was born...wow!

Happy Birthday Julianna

Our beautiful Julianna turned 3 on November 17th. What a blessing she is to our family and to so many people she comes in contact with. More proof that God knows so much more and what's better for us than we do!!!

Julianna actually slept in on Monday morning and was still in bed when the big kids left for school. They were SOOO disappointed that they didn't get to tell her Happy Birthday, but they made up for it when we picked them up from school.

We had some family friends over for dinner and cake and ice cream and had a Dora party. Let me explain that Julianna has been HUGE into Barney during this past year. Yes, he's still around, although he is much harder to find. Most of the movies she has of his are the same ones that either Christian and Rebecca had or that were even passed down to us from Michael and Morgan! So when I went to look for Barney birthday plates, they were nowhere to be found. I was able to find them on line, but considering I waited until the weekend before her birthday to look, it would have cost me considerably more to ship them here in time than the plates cost themselves......

Julianna has very recently become a fan of Dora the Explorer and enjoys a full show. You can often hear her counting to five in Spanish and saying Spanish words that I don't even know. It's cute - so we went the route of Dora. I figure her 2nd year was a Barney year - I have a feeling this 3rd year will totally be a Dora year. So that's how we got to our theme, which she loved.

Thanks to the family who sent her gifts, cards and even made phone calls (Sorry Uncle Justin & Aunt Mandy!) :-) Here are some pictures from her celebration....

The beautiful birthday girl

We've been practicing blowing out candles and it paid off!

Rebecca & Morgan

Katie, Sara & Molly Wiggins

Christian & Michael

This Georgia Bulldog bear plays the Georgia song - Julianna knows the words and will even spell out G-E-O-R-G-I-A with it. I tried to get video, but of course she wouldn't cooperate then!

See how excited she is about the Dora toothbrush? (She was just as excited when she pulled out her OWN tube of Dora toothpaste!)

A new hooded towel from the Wiggins - we've already used it and she loves it

Dora's Backpack from the Locke's - that went to school with her today

Christian helping her read "Map"

Grumps & Gigi got her a bike - she wasn't quite ready for the real bicycle yet so this thing is perfect for her

She's wanted a scooter so her Mimi (my grandmother) "gave" this to her - it got great reviews but we quickly realized we will need to purchase a helmet!!! She loves it though but we may have to make it an inside toy as long as we can.

Julianna & her friends

A Modern Day Knight

Recently, Matthew read a book called, "Raising a Modern Day Knight" by Robert Lewis. The idea of the book is to solidify relationships between fathers and sons as boys grow into manhood. It is based on chivarly, valor - what it means to be a modern day knight. Matthew thought this was a great idea and something that could be used with the men and boys in our own church.

So Friday night, we had a ceremony. There were nine dads who were affirming their commitment to lead their families, especially their sons, in godliness so these boys would in turn become modern Christian knights. There was a charge to the dads, followed by a knighting (with a model Excalibur sword - very cool), declared intentions and vows. There was also a private opportunity for each Dad to talk to their families and even give small token gifts if desired. This was a very special event to observe and participate in and I'm so proud of both Matthew & Christian.

Following the ceremony, the boys and dads remained at the church for a overnight campout. During this time, there were more ceremonies based on the symbolism of light,and specific instructions given to the boys about their responsibility to begin this process. Matthew anticipates inducting Christian into the order in the summer. Then Christian will begin the journey to knighthood.

The weather turned cold and rainy so the "camp out" ended up a sleep over in the youth building but from what I understand, no one complained. Since the boys were gone, the girls decided to have a sleep over with Brandi & Morgan, who were also boy-less. It was a great evening all around. Here are some pictures from the ceremony. It's hard to get good pictures in the church anyway, especially when the lights are turned down, but you should be able to get an idea of it all with these pictures.

Our Administrative Pastor, David, knighting Matthew

Christian & Matthew with Thomas - a young man at church with a single mom, sponsored by these men

Matthew gave Christian a compass signifying the need for direction in his life. Matthew affirmed that he will help direct Christian to manhood.

Matthew gave Rebecca a necklace that had a heart, cross, lock and key on it signifying the importance of Christ and our protection of her as she grows into a godly woman

Matthew gave Julianna some gold Dora earrings, signifying his love for her (she's 3!!!)

Each man was given a framed print of a personalized shield with the Greek words "One Faith, One Hope, One Lord." In the banner is the Greek from I Timothy that says "Fight the good fight."


And of course they had to get their picture taken with the Excalibur sword!!!

Lookie!!! Lookie!!!

Lookie what we found today! Can you believe it? The picture is a bit blurry since it was taken with Matthew's Blackberry but you can see it!! We're so excited.... Hope you're experiencing the same joy even if it's temporary!

Visitors

This past weekend, we were supposed to have friends from East Tennessee come and visit. Chip & Christina Scarce and their 5 kids were going to come and hang out with us, but unfortunately, they couldn't make it due to sick kids. We were disappointed and hope that we can figure out some way to get together with them one of these days.

On Monday evening, there was a Pastor's Conference in Hendersonville and Indian Springs Baptist Church's choir from Kingsport, TN was here to sing at the conference (which is why the Scarce family was going to come out early to visit us). Todd & Annetta Kirk are also in the choir and were able to come out a day early to visit us.

They arrived on Sunday evening with Leah, who is 3 months older than Julianna and stayed with us on Sunday and Monday night. We had such a nice visit with them and Julianna and Leah got along very well. The big kids didn't get to see them very much since they had to go to school and when they got home on Monday, Todd & Annetta headed out to go to the conference and we got to babysit Leah. We really had a nice visit and were so glad they came out a little early to see us.

Here are some pictures from our visit!

Everyone enjoyed Annetta's reading before bedtime (she had a good teacher!)

Julianna & Leah - they hit it off right away

Playing outside for a bit on Monday afternoon

Leah playing with bubbles

Having fun!

On Monday night, we watched a movie - they were so cute

Annetta with Christian & Rebecca - Annetta was around from day one of both of their lives - she plays a special roll in their lives

A group shot before they left (the big kids were already at school) Even Joseph, coming in late December) was part of the picture... hee-hee

Katie & Annetta - special friends

The Bobcat Prowl

The kid's school, Greenbrier Elementary, has a fundraiser each year. Prior to last year, it was put on in the spring by the PTO. They changed it last year and now it is held in the fall by the school (and the PTO now does a Spring Carnival). The Bobcat Prowl was held last Friday, October 31st. Each student is asked to get sponsors who will donate money to them and then they can walk/run laps for about 45 minutes to raise the money. It's been a good fundraiser for the school and a nice break from class for the kids.

I always sign up to volunteer (except the year they changed the date and my Mom had to do it since I was out of town and she was watching the kids!) and usually am there when the kids run their laps. This year, I signed up but began to waiver about going because of the many other things I had to go. Matthew said, "Katie, just don't go - there are plenty of Mom's there to help." But besides being someone who tries to fulfill their commitments, it hit me right then and there that........THIS WOULD BE CHRISTIAN'S LAST BOBCAT PROWL!! With his being in 5th grade and his final year in elementary school (hard to believe), he will not do anymore Bobcat Prowls. So at that point, nothing would stop me from going.

Rebecca's class went first and she got off to a great start - she's such a great runner. But soon, Julianna was dying to be with her and she quit her ambitions of having the most laps in her class and walked with her sister for the rest of the time. She's such a good big sister.

Christian's class came next. He had some pretty stiff competition in his class on runners and decided after a few laps that he would rather run a little, walk a little and even take Julianna with him a couple of laps. He also complained of a headache. But they both did great and helped raise a little money for their school.

Below are pictures, beginning with Rebecca during her walk, then Christian and then finally, the last three - Christian's first ever Bobcat Prowl - when he was in Kindergarten and had just turned 6.... so hard to believe. Enjoy!!

Rebecca

Sisters walking the Prowl

Rebecca & Julianna

Christian & his buddies, Cameron & CJ

Christian & Julianna

Get ready....get set....GO

My 5th grader - his last Prowl

My Kindergartener - his first Prowl!

Run, Christian!

Walking with Mom

Birthday Ups & Downs!

Saturday was my birthday - 38 years young! Ha! I had a nice relaxing day at home with my family until early afternoon. Then we went to some friends house from church. They are definitely a "house divided" - Mark is a Georgia fan (he's my favorite) and Rachael is a Florida fan. Matthew called himself "Switzerland" for the game and since Rachael couldn't even find any other Florida fans in the area, she settled for that. Although, she did enough singing and dancing and gator signs for the entire state of Florida so I guess all is fair. Those Bulldogs did not grant my wish for a big win over Florida, but it was fun to watch the game with friends.

Matthew had bought stuff for a nice dinner at home, but we ended up eating burgers over there before the game and were too full when we got home, so that was postponed for a nice Sunday lunch.

Here are some pictures of my special day!

This is actually from Sunday afternoon - Matthew got this awesome yummy Raspberry cake!
Some of my goodies - Georgia Bulldog slippers, a new Timex Ironman watch and a Racoon Webkinz

Rachael Pennington & me - still friends even after THAT game

Julianna & Lily Grace - love this picture

Rebecca enjoyed their new little kitten

Halftime celebration - Happy Birthday!

I had quite the help with the candles...as a matter of fact, I didn't get to blow them out at all

Happy Halloween

For Halloween this year, we did what we've done the 2 prior years. We hooked up with the Locke's and Brandi's sister and her family and headed to a very large popular subdivision in Hendersonville to trick-or-treat. Many of the families in this neighborhood go all out with major decorations and lights and costumes and expect many trick or treaters. There was one family where Grannie was sitting on the porch with a notebook and pencil and was obviously talley-ing. I said, "I have to ask - what are you doing?" and the family said, "We're counting last year, we had almost 600 trick or treaters - 583." Wow - I can't imagine but they love it.

We arrived in the neighborhood around 6:30 and left around 8:30. We had a lot of fun. Julianna caught on very quickly and was so cute. She received a few extra items, too - a Cinderella light up necklace and a Hannah Montana candy bracelet. It was fun. She made it about 3/4 of the way on foot and then enjoyed the wagon ride the rest of the way.

It was quite late when we got home and settled for bed because we had to shower, warm up with hot chocolate, have a little popcorn and of course go through and sort out candy. I insisted that the trading would have to wait until morning!!! This was definitely a fun year and you'll enjoy the pictures below!

Harry Potter - his dark hair kept throwing us all off all night

Perfect costume for Rebecca - she got many comments on it

What a beautiful princess

Love this picture of them

Julianna loved that Mrs. Brandi was Tinkerbell

All the kids together

The kids with Earle

I had to get a picture of Michael without his nasty mask on!

Julianna wouldn't have much to do with Earle but once Earle took his teeth out, she finally gave him a kiss....notice her look of uncertainty!

Julianna LOVED that "great big pumpkin" and wanted her picture with it

Julianna & Ava (Brandi's niece's daughter) had a blast together the last portion of the trip

Cleaned up and sorting out!