In Case They Ever Wonder

Moving to Franklin has been something of a surreal experience. In some ways, everything is new, especially for the kids - a new place to live, new routines (or lack thereof), new friends, and yet there is a familiarity - the streets, the stores, the restaurants, the old friends, and the family. In some ways, I feel like I am still catching my breath, and I've spent a fair amount of time feeling simply overwhelmed. But, last week gratitude found me in an unexpected place. Sitting with my family on a Tuesday afternoon at Sweet CeCe's, I was all-of-a-sudden overwhelmed, but in a new way. After taking Lillie to her six month checkup (while my mom watched the big kids), Mom and I had lunch and ran errands (including taking Sophie to get measured for her violin!), then we bought fresh fruits and veggies at a produce stand. Already, we'd had a busy, but great day! Then mom, the kids and I met up with Matt, Tori and Derek at Sweet CeCe's, and in the chaos of "two-punch Tu...

I realized that my life had really changed when I woke our entire family up before 6:30 a.m. on our beach vacation to drive 45 minutes to watch the Blue Angels practice. Never could I have imagined that I would give up sleeping in so I could drive and watch airplanes, but as it turned out our day at the National Aviation Museum was one of the highlights of our vacation! Though the world of American Girls and Disney princesses is much more familiar to me, I am having so much fun getting to know the world of planes, trains and automobiles! Our entire family had a blast watching the Blue Angels and visiting the National Aviation Museum! We could have spent two full days exploring all the museum had to offer. Not only did we watch the amazing practice session of the Blue Angels, but we also watched an Imax, climbed in and out of several airplanes, played in the amazing children's area, and toured many of the museum's exhibits. The highlight for me was watching Will approach a pilo...

We have the tendency of celebrating Sophie's birthday for most of the month of July, and it seems as though this year will be no different. Already she has had two celebrations, and her party is in another couple of weeks, with a birthday trip to NYC later in August! I have wised up to the way to handle birthdays with Sophie, and I've learned that planning a "day of surprises" is better than making a plan with her, lest any changes should derail our entire day. Also, I had so much fun planning things I knew she would love, so it was a win-win! She began her morning with birthday decorations and a special birthday breakfast. Now, I normally insist on pretty healthy food for the kids, especially for Soph, my little sugar addict, so a birthday breakfast is super-exciting for her. Powdered sugar doughnuts and iced sugar cookies were on the menu this year, and that was just the beginning of the sugary junk food that would be consumed! Soph loved her purple and pink decorat...

At 5 1/2 months, I decided to let Lillie try her first food - organic brown rice cereal! Yum, yum! She has been eyeing us all eating and gnawing on spoons and straws for a couple of weeks, so I was pretty sure she was ready! As expected, Lillie loved her cereal! It is so fun to watch Lillie experience things for the first time! We are letting her grow accustomed to her first solid food, but we can't wait to introduce her to fruits and vegetables. Although she isn't quite ready for this vegetable just yet!

We were so excited to spend the 4th of July together in Franklin! We had fun at the festival in downtown Franklin and then picnicking and watching fireworks at Harlinsdale. The highlight for Sophie was an extra-long pony ride! She beamed the entire time she rode and looked like a pro! Although Big Will begged to ride, he didn't exactly beam, but rather looked like the picture of terror! (I love the shot of the much smaller child riding confidently behind my big bull!) Another fun Will moment was when Will climbed a huge bouncy slide, got to the top and flatly refused to come down! Finally, Matt climbed behind him and had to throw the boy down! Of course, as soon as it was over, he begged to go again! Not hardly! The highlight for Will was seeing the real "Doc Hudson!" He loved looking at all the antique cars, especially the blue ones! Not only was this Lillie's first time to see fireworks, it was also Will's first experience as he has been asleep both of his ot...

Lillian Hope is five months old. She weighed 13 pounds and 12 ounces when she went in for her little nose problem. She continues to be long and lean like her sister. She is a delightful baby! Matt and I often talk about how she is the happiest of our three! She smiles all the time and she has a precious laugh, though only Sophie can get her to break into full-on giggles! (And of course, the thing that cracks her up the most is Sophie being repetitively loud and obnoxious!) Lillie looks like a mini-version of Sophie, with big blue eyes and blond hair. Lillie's hair is curlier than Soph's, and Patti-Grams calls her Einstein because of her wild poofs of hair that stick out on the sides. More and more we can't imagine our lives without precious Lillie. We know so much more about her, and she is moving from being "my" baby to "our" baby in ways that melt my heart. Sophie has about mastered changing her diapers and has even practiced holding her while standin...

Sophie, Tomorrow you will be six years old. Tomorrow will mark six years of staring into your big, bright blue eyes, hearing your "passionate" cries, and loving you with all of my heart. This year is particularly special to me because this summer, you turn six years old and your family has moved to Franklin for your dad to join the staff of The People's Church. The summer I turned six years old, my family moved to Franklin for my dad to join the staff of The People's Church, (though back then it was called First Baptist Church.) In some ways, I feel like I am watching history begin again. I find myself wanting to tell you some things as we embark on this new beginning... Sophie, you are so much like me in so many ways. You are oh-so-very strong willed. You like nothing better than a good book. You are incredibly passionate, smart as a whip, and you are a leader. We've already started butting heads over our similarities, and I know this is just the beginning. (...

Sophie spent this week in Princess Prep Schoo l, the same excellent program she attended last year created by Royal Purpose Ministries . This year, her buddies Connor and Jack went to Warrior Prince Academy , while our mini-warriors Will, our buddy Will D., and Cole played with Princess Lillie and the Queen Mamas! Each afternoon, we all met up for lunch and playtime! It was great week, and today the kids had "graduation" ceremonies, giving them the opportunity to show off all they've learned. Not only did the kids make beautiful crafts, sing awesome songs, and have tons of fun, they also learned some amazing lessons! The girls spent time learning what it means to be a true princess and the boys learned about being brave and strong! We've been listening to the girls' cd at home and the boys' cd in the car, and I'm happy to report they are both pretty easy on the parents (as only a parent who has heard Choo-Choo Soul 999 times can fully appreciate!)All the ...