Christmas Scrooge?

There will not be a whole lot of Christmas decorating at our house this year. Maybe a few things here and there, and no tree. :o( We would only get to enjoy it for about 1 week in December so I decided that it probably wasn't worth it this Christmas. We are leaving mid-December for our Colorado Christmas and will be in Florida most of this week.

Sooo...we helped our friend Leigh decorate her home instead. :o)

Christian decided to decorate the tree with a scarf he found after seeing us hang the lights.

Kensington Mansion

One of the places we visited while my in-laws were here last week was the Kensington Mansion in Eastover, SC. Like I have said before, I enjoy living in a place with so much American history. We went to the mansion randomly one morning, and received our own personal tour!

The 29 room mansion was built in 1854 and has been restored to its former glory only recently. Originally it was a plantation, then a dairy farm, then it was unoccupied for a time as it went into disrepair, and at its worst (though hard to imagine now) a storage building for grain and farm supplies.

Much of the information about Kensington during it's plantation years has been made available through a book written by Jacob Stroyer, a former slave who was born at the mansion.
(Above) This is considered the "front of the house" even though as you drive in it is on the back side. The front faces the Wateree River. The picture at the very top is what we thought was the front, but it is actually considered the back, even though it was used as the "entrance" and includes an exquisite foyer.
(Above) So this is the back- but entrance...strange huh? Some of the grounds. Only 1 slave cabin remains.

Check out the "Restoration" section from the website. Click on the little pictures on the bottom for more in depth pictures (before and after) and info. I find it so interesting!

Thanksgiving

"I thank God for you."
~2 Timothy 1:3 (NLT)

I know that I do not spend enough time thanking God for all that he has blessed me with. I am glad that we have a day set aside to rest and thank Him for the dear friends, family, and the multitude of ways that He continually pours out His love for us. But what about the other days of the year? I pray that we will remember all year long that each day is a gift. I have written just a short, general list of things that I am thankful for. Just for fun, leave a comment with 3-5 things that you are thankful for too. :)

1. My incredible family. Both sides. So very supportive and encouraging.

2. Our friends and neighbors. Those who have called during these past few months or have made the effort to reach out and love on us.

3. My wonderful husband. Serving our country and sacrificing for our freedom.

4. Our "baby" boy, Christian. Who brings joy and awe before me every day.

5. Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and ALL.

Pears- the Real Deal

C's first real food was pears. Now it is even better!

Grandpa and Grandma's Visit

This past week Steve's parents flew to South Carolina to celebrate my birthday and to enjoy some time with Christian. We had been eagerly awaiting their arrival; it truly helps during Steve's deployment to have something on the calendar and something to look forward to. (On that note, these upcoming weeks are filling up quickly...which means the time will pass that much faster!)We enjoyed some beautiful fall weather while Grandpa and Grandma were here. We visited Swan Lake, the Sumter County Museum's "Backcountry Homestead," Columbia, Florence, and the Kensington Mansion in Eastover. Of course, we also enjoyed some wonderful food, shopping, and even a little girl time (thanks to Grandpa.)

I know Steve feels like its "Groundhog Day" quite often, but sometimes it feels like that here, too, on the home front. I was definitely in survival mode, with pleasant outings and time with friends here and there. Lots of days are so exhausting, evenings and weekends being the hardest. That being said, I forgot what it felt like to be able to have a spare moment to myself, to check my email, run a quick errand, or even use the restroom. Thank you both for making the trip out here to spend time with us, fix things around the house, hang pictures, etc. etc. and the adult conversation. :) We love you!

Mr. Opinionated

Along with getting into everything these days, Christian has also become highly opinionated and strong willed. I am looking forward to when C can verbalize a little more of his needs....I have tried to do a little bit of baby signing with him, but so far its a no go.

Happy Birthday to my sweet and lovely!

Happy Birthday to the best wife and mother that a man could ask for.

Erin, you are amazing. "A wife of noble character who can find?" I count myself blessed beyond measure that I have found one in you. You are definitely worth far more than rubies, and you most certainly bring me good all the days of my life.

Every day I miss you more, and every day I love you more. It's not just because of your gentle touch, comforting me when I feel down or stressed. It's not how you always go out of your way to be cheerful and thankful when I come home, giving me a warm welcome even though I don't deserve it. It's not even your ravishing good looks that I miss the most. What I miss most of all is your constant and unconditional love, and how you share it with me and Christian without end.

It is undeniable that you have made me a better man, and I know without a doubt that you are raising our son in such a way that he will desire to be a great man because of the love of his mother. I thank God for you whenever I think of you, as He has given me the greatest companion to share this life, our journey together to become one; one in each other and one in God. You have made this journey greater every day, and I am so excited to continue this journey with you for all our lives.

Happy Birthday Erin, I love you.

Who Me?

Someone has been spending a lot of time in the kitchen cabinets and drawers lately. There are a few that I have "locked," and don't really want Christian getting into, but the rest are free rein, and he is quickly discovering all the things hidden behind the drawers. My plastic containers are literally sitting on the kitchen counter now, which irritates me so, but it is better than the alternative of picking them up multiple times a day for fear of tripping over them. Oh well...it keeps him occupied so that I can do some cooking and/or clean up other new messes in the kitchen....

"I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

~Psalm 121

Wordless Wednesday *Reorganizer*

Christian the Lion

For Halloween Christian was "Christian the Lion." Not sure if you have heard this neat story about a lion reunited with his owners after a year in the wild...I included an abbreviated video from You Tube at the bottom. We went to a fall festival at a church just around the corner from our house with our friends, Ashley and her little girl Evalee (who is 2 weeks older than Christian.) We went "trunk or treating," went on a hayride, C rode a horse and loved it, and I attempted to get Christian's face painted, although he mostly wanted to "help." :)The lion's mane on Christian's costume was so huge, he had a hard time crawling when it was over his head; I think he just lost his equilibrium. After the initial shock of wearing this bulky costume, Christian calmed down and enjoyed the night and watching funny people all dressed up.

Hear me ROAR!!