Mississippi Wildlife Tour

Its getting wild around here! After our 4-H get together this morning Belle and Marella came home with us. They are a fun duo and our kids have a great time with them. This morning Nick and I planned a surprise for the girls. So when we got home we took the girls up stairs and made them promise to stay in Makayla's room. Then Nick and I took all the stuffed animals out of Alli's room and took them down to the creek side trail. We set them out along the path in just the right spots. Nick came back up and hooked the wagon to the riding lawn mower and we put some pillows in the back for the girls to sit on. I went upstairs and had Belle and Makayla come down first. I gave them a safety briefing - keep your hands inside the ride at all times... When they saw Nick waiting for them as their tour guide they cracked up. As the bounced along he would point out the different wild life along the trail. The girls really enjoyed it and were cracking up. It was fun to get to plan that together with Nick and then have the girls react just like we had hoped. Im sure we will be giving wild life tours again in the future. Book your tour today!!!!

Mississippi wildlife tour part 2

She's Got Game

Alli's Basketball season is off and running. We had our second game of the season yesterday. So far we have won both games and Alli has played great. I think she is the tallest girl playing out of 4th grade through 6th grade. (she is 5th grade this year) She is a natural athlete and really enjoys playing. The best part of the being on the team though is making friends with her new team mates. She went over to Taylor's (number 23) house yesterday after the game. Taylor's dad coaches the girls Basketball teams for the Jr. High and High School. They just moved here before school started and live about 3 mins away. So that is a real Blessing. This past Weds. Alli started choir and Girls in Action club at Picayune First Baptist. Our church doesn't have much for her age so this will be so nice for her. She loves to sing and has a great voice. It takes a while after you move to get settled in and make new friends and feel like your home. We are feeling at home here now and feeling very Blessed and thankful for our new life here. Its Alli's turn to shine - and she is bright!!!

Cold Toes Warm Hearts

We had a great day yesterday. The kids and I headed out to our 4-H meeting a little after noon. After the meeting we invited Belle and Marella to come home with us for the evening. It has been cold here in the Southland this past week. High in the low 40's and lows in the mid 20's. That spells Cold with a Capital BRRRR. Not too long after we had been home the kids all headed down to the creek. Alli and her friend Morgan walk the log over the creek to Peace beach all the time. So these 5 decided to do it as well. ( the sand is always whiter on the other side) They were doing good mostly until they decided to come back. Makayla was stuck on the other side of the creek and Nick was trying to help her across. The other girls were standing on our beach with their feet wet. I went down to encourage Makayla across. I told the kids I would go start the hot water in our hot tub and get some hot choc. made for them. They all came in like frozen little birds and headed straight for our bathroom where they sat around the tub and soaked their feet. When the hot choc was ready they were really living. They sat around the tub talking and laughing for about 45 mins and had the best time. In the end I think they would all do it again - even Makayla - just to get the tub time and hot choc.

Second Shift

About 10 years ago I mentioned to my good friend Noelle, that I always take a nap when my kids lay down for their naps. That way Im ready for the second shift. At that time Makayla was 4, Nick 2, Alli 1 and Lar 34. I didn't really think much about it when I spoke those words but it must have made sense to her. Because when she moved several years later she mentioned it in a card she gave me. She also mentioned the time that she called me before 6am to rush to her house for a one on one breast feeding lesson. I brought Alli with me - who was all too happy to show Noelle and her new baby, Sarah, how it was done. Now I feel like Im starting the second shift of motherhood. Our babies are growing up. They aren't young children anymore. Makayla will be 15 soon, Nick is a young MAN at 13 and Alli is 11. I don't know if I feel rested enough for this second shift. I will have to rest in the Lord more and put to practise trusting in HIM. There are still glimpses of the good Ole' days - Alli calls me Mama - my favorite name to be called. Nick still hits the high octaves when he gets excited and gives out hugs and kisses and I love yous!!! Makayla still likes to play with dolls (sometimes) and read fun stories. Makayla is already turning into a great friend. One of the perks of having daughters - Lord willing they will become one of your best friends. She doesn't talk in what if's anymore. For instance what if we could stack a thousand french fries to the ceiling... and it goes on from there. The other two still live in what if land quite abit - but not Makayla. We talk about her day, we make fun plans about her birthday, she has a fun outlook on life. I enjoy her company. I look forward to forming a different relationship with each of our kids all the while holding on to the memory's of the first shift - when we were all young and learning so many new things together each day.