Elmo Live

Zoe enjoying her tub of popcorn. At one point, she got her whole head in the bucket.


She was so serious the whole time. She loved it and waved to the characters.




Karen and Bigdog came up last week to take Zoe to see Elmo Live. Since I was going along and Wyatt was still free (way to be under 1 little man), I decided to bring him along. Both kids had a blast.

Life in September

Wyatt at 11 months (August). For comparison: Zoe at 11 months


Josh is still living with us for about another month. Zoe is really really going to miss him when he leaves. The rest of us will miss him too, but Zoe loves Josh with a silly crazy all out two-year old love. A love that doesn't understand why he is sometimes gone on the weekends is likely going to struggle with why he moves out. But we are all so proud of him and can't wait for him to begin his journey.

I am going to school. So far so good. Studying with the kids is fun. Zoe thinks Wyatt looks like an embryonic turtle. She also likes to point out everything she can identify in my books. Lots of animals and flowers. I couldn't do it without Kevin. I know some people would argue it out with me, but I can tell you without any doubt or hesitation, Kevin is the best husband ever. He is so awesome with the kids. He went with us to Monkey Joe's and served as photographer. We take turns getting up with the kids. We split the time watching the kids so I can go to school and study and he can work full-time.



We took Zoe and Wyatt to Monkey Joe's last week. Zoe was not a fan at first. But she started riding down the big slide in my lap. And then, she crawled to the top of the big slide with a little help. Much easier on my back than carrying her to the top.



We also went to a Greenville Drive game with Allen, Karen and their two little boys. Wyatt and Gabe chilled while being held (or hanging out in the stroller). Zoe and Josiah spent a lot of their time in the playground area. Zoe wore her boots and a necklace. We did bribe her into the pigtails for the evening. She seemed to like the game, but really wanted to "go play catch, please". She wanted on the field. We all got a good laugh out of that. The better pictures from the game are still on Kevin's phone.

DC and Atlanta

Our 5th Anniversary. And our first vacation without the kids. 4 days in Washington DC. We visited monuments and museums. We walked until we couldn't feel our feet any more...and then we kept going. We ate at Hard Rock Cafe and bought another shirt for our collection. We had a blast.

Karen and Kirsten took turns watching the kids. They seem to have had a great time too.

Friday we took the kids to the Georgia Aquarium. Wyatt and Zoe were so excited. They seem to love it more every time we go. Zoe really liked the Beluga whales this time. Of course, the jellyfish are still her favorite. She said she wanted to touch the sharks, so we took her to the touch tank. She wasn't thrilled with the water. Later when we went to look at the Belugas again, she walked up and touched the glass. Then proclaimed that she had touched a shark. :) So cute. Wyatt liked the Whale Sharks and the Manta Rays. Friday night, Karen put the kids to bed so the boys and I could go see some high school football (I don't care how old they are...they act like boys at football games). Grayson didn't play very well at all. It was just a long long game with a million penalties.

Saturday morning, we took family pictures with my parents and siblings. I will post the link when I see that they are posted. I really hope there are some good ones. Zoe and Wyatt were much more well behaved than I thought they would be. Then ice cream (Grandma kept trying to bribe the kids to smile with ice cream). Then the long ride back home.

Now Kevin is at work. Josh is headed to work shortly. Life will go back to a normal rhythm. Whatever normal is. :)






The Washington Monument

The White House



Kevin at the Natural History Museum.


Zoe and Wyatt with Kaleb and Jacob in Commerce. I personally think my mom was nuts for driving them that far (and I think she felt she was nuts after doing it).



At Hard Rock Cafe Washington DC.


Zoe smashing walnuts for zucchini bread today. Toddlers really can be helpful...and it makes them a lot happier when they are involved.


Kevin and Steven. Kevin was so excited to see this.


On to the week ahead. Work, more work, Josh's first week of night work, play dates, school starting, volunteering, cooking, car pools, cleaning, laundry, and hopefully some sleep.

Play date

We hosted a play date today. And I have no pictures. Not really a surprise. I wish I did. But the play date was in my eyes a failure. Until I thought about it tonight.

Why was it a failure you ask?

I had to reschedule it from the previous week because I hadn't been feeling well. And I hate when the schedule suddenly changes (even though it constantly does).

My house wasn't clean. Turns out, other mom's don't like to host because they are worried about not having a clean enough house. Also, we all have toddlers. The toys aren't likely to all be put away at 3 in the afternoon. If they are, there might be a bigger issue.

I couldn't find paper place mats. I know what you are thinking...why would you need place mats for toddlers. We were supposed to color the place mats for Meals of Wheels. I did find them at Hobby Lobby, yesterday. And you know what...I think the people who receive them will be thrilled. They are covered in stickers and pretty colors.

Zoe was asleep when everyone arrived. "Hi, my name is Elizabeth and my kid is sleeping." Oh this is your kid, sorry there isn't anyone for him to play with yet. More kids showed up and Zoe did eventually join us. And they all had a good time.

When thinking about it now, I realized that no one really cares if my house is spotless. They actually feel better when it isn't. The kids could careless what they color on (Zoe has on the occasion taken up wall murals). Mom's just want something for their kids to enjoy. The kids learned about making something for others (and sharing toys/crayons). And Meals on Wheels will have colorful place mats to go with some of the meals. The play date was a success.

We plan to host many more in the future. Although, I am sure I will panic about the craft, the state of my house, and snack all over again. (if you live in the Upstate and want to come to a play date, let me know...we coordinate through a Meetup group for AP, but we are always glad to have friends tag along)

Starbucks, Story time and Kevin

Wyatt chillin' at story time.

I Stink! is a cute book. The kids all seemed to enjoy it.


Kevin came with us this week to story time. A Barista reads a few books. All the kids get mini Creme Fraps. Zoe took about 2 sips of her drink.


Zoe and Curious George going for a ride in the Jeep.

In other very exciting news, Zoe is completely potty trained. Well, at least in my opinion. Or maybe I am trained to remember and remind her. I think it is mostly a parental skill. Zoe always potties on the potty when I remember. And the last month, accidents have been much less frequent (mostly when we are out of the house). But Monday, we went to the play area at the mall and breakfast at Mabels. Later we went to Steak and Shake. All with no accidents.

Birthdays and Swimming lessons

Zoe and Laurel. Zoe won't smile if she knows anyone is watching her. :)


My birthday present from Kevin and Kevin's parents (and I think Josh get some points for assembly and installation with Kevin).

Watching the kids from the swing.

I love the swing. I think I will be spending even more time on it as the weather cools down for fall (It is 89 right now...and it feels nice compared to the last couple weeks) . But for now...I can see the kids, read my Nook, or have a few quiet moments to myself after the kids are asleep. Bliss.

What is faith?

What is Faith? - SermonAudio link


Would you be willing to trade an easy, comfortable life for a hard, useful one?

That was one of the discussion questions this week for small group. I was at work. But missing out on the discussion with some of my favorite people (and I'm sure an amazing meal...I got the text describing the meal). Both of us working in the evening is necessary, but there are so many nights I long for fellowship with the body.

Back to the question. Tangents at the beginning just get my brain working...and sometimes let me avoid talking about the issue at hand. And this issue is two-fold and can be coupled with another question I have been struggling with.

First - Would I be willing to trade an easy, comfortable life for a hard, useful one? It isn't as easy as making a choice. If it was, I think most Christians, myself included would choose the comfortable life. Not that I want to spiritually, but choosing something hard over something comfortable just because...well it isn't exactly in my DNA. But in God's divine plan, the choice is not always ours to make. No one chooses for certain things to happen in their life.

I have been sitting at my computer tonight catching up on a list of blogs that I read. Most have been sent to me, friends I have met over the years, or posted on Facebook by friends asking for prayers. These are just a few of many.

This is what I have to tell you. My life is not hard. There have been moments when it seemed hard. There have been things other people would deem difficult. But when looking at the needs of others...well, my needs, my difficult circumstances, pale in comparison.

A 1-year-old from our playgroup

A 6-year old boy

Briar and Brooke

I share these stories so that you too can pray for these families. I know they would appreciate your prayers.

Someone once told me that we may never know why God allowed something to happen. But that maybe I could use the experience I have had to reach out to someone in a similar situation. Explain to someone else that God did not forget about them. That God loves them.

At the time, it was a difficult reality to grasp (and honestly, it still is some days). I wanted to change the past/present. I wanted things to work out differently. The fear of the future and how all the pieces fit back together. I wanted more than anything to at least know why. It has taken me years to realize that I could work on the puzzle of things in my own life forever and not have even begun. I have to leave that to God.

Moms compare everything: pregnancies, kids, life experiences, struggles. It isn't about comparing faith. It is about growing that faith every day. It is about holding hands with your sister in Christ and praying for her. It is about getting down on my knees and crying because humanly speaking I can't handle "this" alone. It doesn't matter what "this" is. The good news is that God didn't ask me to handle any part of life on my own. Life was meant to be lived in Him.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego went into the fire knowing they could die. It was certainly hot enough. Their faith allowed them to say that regardless of the outcome, they believed that God is faithful and good. They could have died that day.

Many Christians have not been rescued from their difficult circumstances.

So here is to living by faith, every day. Not living in fear/disappointment of the past or fear of the future. Choosing to live present by faith in the hands of God. Not always the easiest spot or the most comfortable. But He will comfort and He will give strength. And He promises what He gives will always be enough.

God has never ceased to be good.