The Shaw Five: September 2009

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Fall Decorating

Leaves lining the front step

Chair decor (even the legs were adorned with rocks and acorns:)

Our "Fall" Welcome Mat

No need to buy one...nothing better than the real thing!

Happy Fall everyone!! Don't you just LOVE this time of year? Today I could not resist purchasing a pumpkin at the grocery store for the front porch. I have been noticing that a lot of my neighbors have started decorating for fall. Gotta start getting my house decorated for fall, right? I prefer going to a local pumpkin patch and picking out some pumpkins and gourds, but I just couldn't wait. We will have to do the pumpkin patch thing soon.....gotta have more of them!The cool breeze today and beautiful blue skies just got me very much in the "fall spirit."

After the kids got home from school they noticed the pumpkin right away. They immediately asked if they could help decorate. Before I was able to get down my "fall decor" box from the attic, the kids had gone out into the yard to collect their fall decorations....leaves, acorns, grass, ornamental grass, rocks, sticks, etc... They strategically placed them all around the front stoop. I did not know what they were up to until they were finished. Not exactly what this mom had in mind at first, but I immediately fell in love with it. It was nothing spectacular or ingenious, but it brought such a huge smile across my face. God showed me clearly two very simple truths today.

*Children are a blessing and gift from the Lord; Enjoy them!

Psalm 127:3

"Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him."

Matthew 18:3

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

*God much preferred my childrens' decorations over anything I could have done.

Romans 12:2

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Proverbs 14:30

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

John 12:43

"...for they loved praise from men more than praise from God."

Monday, September 28, 2009

Monkey Bars

We now officially have a little monkey in the house. The other day I looked outside our back porch and Sarah was swinging across the bars on the playset. She was soooooo excited!! She did not think she could ever do it. I even doubted whether she had enough strength in her thin little arms. In fact she had not tried in over a year. Of course, I whipped out the camera and took some pictures of her accomplishment. She could not wait to show Daddy when he got home. We are so proud of you, precious girl! Amazing how excited we get over the little things in life....of course, isn't that what makes life so sweet?

To the Market with Daddy

Andrew and Daddy hanging out (the older kids were in school)

Farmer's Market in Raleigh

On Thursday night we received some awesome news........Daddy was getting the day off on Friday!! Hallelujah! After working most Saturdays and lots of late nights recently, his boss told him to take the day off:) What did David want to do? Play golf? Sleep in? Work in the yard? Nope....he wanted to go down to the local Farmers Market in Raleigh. Who knew? I think he would be a food connoisseur in his spare time if he could. He loves tasting all kinds of unique foods.

We heard that this was one of the best around, and boy were they right! It was huge......tons of fresh veggies, fruits, meats, cheese, seafood, bakery items, plants, pumpkins, crafts, and on and on. All of it grown or produced by North Carolina farmers. We ate at a country restaurant adjacent to the market and spent several hours looking around. We ended up getting a bunch of random stuff (we were definitely in a random mood that day) Of course we started out getting apples since they were in season and David LOVES them, a quart of field peas with snaps (as I was cooking them the next day our house started smelling like Grandmother Dot's house....mmm..), a bottle of cotton blossem pure honey (soooo good with hot tea!), pastries, homemade cookies, and sausage. We will definitely be back soon....I'm thinking some fresh okra or collard greens.....my "country" ancestors would be so proud!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We celebrated Daddy's birthday over several days. When you get to be 35, you can't fit the celebration into just one day.....gotta love that!! One morning he got breakfast in bed....french toast, oj, fruit and bacon! The kids got up early and helped in the kitchen. They were so excited and decided they wanted to eat breakfast in bed for their birthdays too. Before we went on our beach trip we surprised him with an "early" birthday present......the Wii! We also decorated a cookie cake and sang happy birthday to him on his "actual" birthday. I love you sweetheart!!
You will always be a youngin' to me!!

Track-Out

Over the past 3 weeks the kids have been out of school. This is why I am really liking year-round school!! Starting school in July really stinks, but the time off during the year rocks!!
It has been busy and relaxing at the same time, if that is possible. The first week the kids and I traveled back to Georgia to be with my mom during her back surgery, celebrate my dad's birthday, visit friends and spend time with grandparents. My mom was such a trooper through her surgery. She is healing well and getting better everyday. We love you Gramie!!
We also took the time to see friends and visit with Grandma and Granddad for a few days. Definitely the thing we hate most about moving to Raleigh.....being 7 hours away:(:(
The next weekend our family of five went on a long weekend to the beach. We live about 2 hours away from the closest beach and we took full advantage! We had a blast playing in the big waves (thanks to Hurricane Danny), visiting a nearby amusement park, eating Britt's famous doughnuts, touring the NC aquarium and playing Wii. My husband and oldest son are now officially addicted!! It was a "must bring" item for our trip.
The last week we hung out at home, went to a Durham Bulls game (AAA baseball team) and hosted my sister and her family for the Labor Day weekend. We had so much fun picnicing at Pullen Park, going canoeing down the Neuse River, grilling out, playing Wii, holding Sunny, and hanging out. What a special weekend!! We love you guys:)

The following posts are pictures from our many adventures over the last several weeks.

Week 1- "Georgia on our Mind"

Chattahoochee Nature Center with Averett

Best Buds

Relaxing after our hike

Touching "owl" feet

One-eyed owl

Hanging out at the Park

Tire swing time!

My 3 little monkeys

Time with the Emerson Family

Andrew (notice the tongue) and Anna Gracelyn

Luke and Josiah

Papa's Birthday

Gramie, Papa and Susanna enjoying b-day cake

Papa and his grandkids (minus napping Andrew)

Week 2- "Beach Time!"

Love this pic of the them:)

Condo complex where we stayed

Ready for a day at the beach

Andrew enjoying the waves

Our little shell collector

Cheetos at the ocean......ah.....paradise:)

Coaster Time!

Notice Drew's face.....not so excited anymore.... Poor thing.....scared to ride anything else after that terrifying experience on the very bumpy mini-coaster

Lovin' the rides