Nanny Norman

My Nanny, my kids' great-grandmother, passed away this past Monday, Labor Day 9/7/09. Even after the visitation and funeral, I know it has not sunk in fully that she is gone. My sisters and I were so close to her growing up. We spent many days and nights at her house with our cousins and she always went to the beach with us. I have so many sweet memories of her and I truly thought she was an angel when I was younger. She was the kindest, most caring soul I have ever met. Even as I child, I sensed her love and humility; I aspired to be like her.

In the whirlwind of activity that surrounded her death, family and friends reached out to my family and my Papa. It is eye-opening to see how much those around us really care and how they rally with love and support when we need it most.

Outside of the obvious lessons I will hold dear from Nanny, I will bring away from this experience a new perspective on the little things we can do to show love to those around us. How just listening to someone reminisce can help them heal, how sending flowers and food lets them know you are thinking about them and praying for them and how a phone call or a visit can touch them so deeply.

I will miss you Nanny and I pray I can be a blessing to those around me just as you were to everyone that knew you!

Family Fun

This is an overdue post but nontheless, we had my immediate family over for lunch about 2 Sundays ago. It was my mother, 2 sisters and their significant others, in addition to my crew (of course). We had a yummy lunch and plenty of time for visiting and catching up.

The men and kids played croquet while the women hung out in the shade. Cohen guided my sisters through the trails by the creek on the four wheeler and, our dogs ran in circles with Aunt Ashley's dog Maddie. I do believe a good time was had by all!
Once Abe got up from his nap he was all over the yard stealing the croquet balls from the game!

Cohen was trying to help out but Abe did not see it that way!

I loved this picture of my mother and Cohen!Mom and us three sisters (not the best angle but who cares, I think Piper took the pic).

A Good Laugh

A common spelling mistake for beginners led to some good laughs at our house! Piper meant to write "Baby" :)

Lounging by the Lake

We spent last Friday lounging by the lake with friends. The kids enjoyed the warm sunshine and cool lake water while the mothers enjoyed some sweet fellowship. I am always so encouraged spending time with fellow homeschoolers, knowing the highs and lows are experienced by all (not just me)!

I think the girls were racing to the water on their knees, which ended up red and raw pretty quickly!

This was as close as I got to a group picture, although I am still missing one child. The kids had pooled some water and played for quite a while right by the shore.

Cohen must be giving Abe some digging advice; Abe always watches his big brother intently.

Abe was so tired by the time we left! He laid around in the sand and water, I guess if there was not so much activity swirling around him, he might have drifted off.

Mowing Fun with Daddy

Mowing is a family event these days. Abe perks up when he hears the mower start and has replaced Cohen's spot in Daddy's lap. Usually the mower's hum puts him right to sleep!

Chad has attached a "sled" to back of the mower for the older kids. They ride for a minute then jump off and run after the sled. Just riding is not enough excitement anymore, they must jump on and off as it moves through the yard.

FYI, Chad doesn't actually run the mower blades when he is pulling the kids around on the sled.

The Baby Dog

We took our new puppy to the vet yesterday to make sure he was healthy. But as is common with stray dogs, our baby dog has hookworms. I also found out that not only can dogs get hookworms, but children can catch them too. I pray I do not have to take my kids to the pediatrician because they have hookworms!

We also found out that Jake is a girl, not a boy as Piper had thought. Jake is now Jacqueline!

So $133 later, Jacqueline was sent home with a stamp of approval from the vet and a bag of worm and flea treatments!

A few more beach pics

We always visit the aquarium when we go to the beach. In this picture Piper is carrying Cohen around so he will not get tired!
Abe kept putting his hands behind his head to relax in his stroller. I am sure he kept doing it because we were laughing at him, he is such an entertainer already!

And we attended a class on alligators. At the close of the class the kids (and adults) were able to touch the alligator. Cohen thought it was so cool!