Goin's On...

I don't know about your kids but with mine, the act of loosing teeth is extremely painful! Not as in full of actual felt pain, but emotionally painful for me! How can loosing a tooth take.so.long! Both Kylie and Luke has been deemed late loosers (by the dentist!) and usually their permanent teeth grow in long before the baby teeth are lost. So when Luke finally had a really wiggly tooth I forced him to stay in the bathroom until it was out. Thankfully it finally worked it's way out!

A letter was written and joyous shouts followed as he told everyone he saw the long drawn out saga of pulling his tooth. I have a bazillian pictures but I will save you from those. I have tons more to share so grab a cup of coffee and make yourself comfy. This might feel like Aunt Edna's trip where she pulled out the slide projector and screen. Seriously...

Did someone say road trip? Surprise, surprise... The dishes must have been overwhelming because when house duties back up, I hit the road. This time I convinced my hubby to come with us as well!

It is funny to hear my kids sigh and say, we are headed to the mountains but I really think it has become therapy for us as a family. It used to be theme parks but somehow the cost and payoff is much more here in the woods. Something simple about exploring new things gets the family back to square one. 

Maybe the fact that there is a clear line for us all to travel on, leaving no room for deviation has us all on the same path. No single opinion or agenda stands out, just us together, moving on. Even Jake the wild man travels ahead with little resistance. I think his favorite line now when we get in the van is "hiking?" or "waterfall?" or as of late "Gambi's house?" (my mom's house which is a 5 hour drive!) Yes, we are raising a roadtripper extraordinaire. But I digress... One direction, together.

As I said earlier, sometimes said hiker wants to mooch a bit on the way and ask for us to carry him but after a little man to man he was ready to hike again.

So, people ask me how can we just jump in a car and head to our destination? Well, we first wanted to see a waterfall so a quick Google and voila, Linville Falls is a must see. That and we had never been there made a sure fire winner. So Linville Falls it was.

So off we went down the trail and somehow Kylie and I got seperated from the boys. Why did that happen? Well, I had my camera and I was too busy trying to be some National Geographic Photographer and Kylie stuck with me and before you know it, the boys were gone. And there was a fork in the trail so naturally I assumed they went to the falls. Yeah, no. But we had joy in knowing that we beat them and saw it first!

We were a bit late for the summer wildflowers but I was able to find this little guy. Hello happy yellow!

With no cell service we were happy to find the boys! Only 15 minutes later...

There was this cool tree over the trail that of course the kids had to climb.

And since the biggun's could do it, of course Jake had to try.

I guess he was to busy stealing Luke's water to try and climb up the tree.

Ok, nevermind... off to climb.

And then later hide in a cool tree stump. Bet you can't see me! Ha!

Peek-a-boo!

Pictures really don't do this waterfall justice. It was so amazing! Jon and Jake just sat and stared for the longest time. Really, that is a  feat. 

Kylie stole my camera and took a few shots too.

First glimmer that fall is on it's way!

Then we hiked to another overlook. 

Hiked some more, stopped some more, hiked more, then stopped again.

Another overlook.

Downstream from the waterfalls.

Yeah, straight down. Yikes!

A few of Luke's shots when he snagged my camera.

Jake was starting to loose it and be silly. We had stopped and talked to many a hiker with dogs and if you know Jake, he had to pet each.and.every.one. So he decided he needed to be a dog as well. Kylie was trying to call him to her.

Poor puppy is tired and thirsty. Notice the panting puppy? Sheesh...

Oh good puppy.

While all of that puppy shenanigans was going on I just had to sigh and take a look at my happy man. Yes, he puts up with me and loves me no matter what. Sigh...

Made it down the mountain and to a calmer river. The water was chilly but very refreshing!

We headed north up the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

Poor Jon never complains when I shriek, "pull over!"

Then I turn around and see this. Shaking my head...

My happy go lucky girl. We stumbled on Moses Cone Park and whew, I would sure love to live there back in the day!

Who needs a playground when you have a slippery rail down stairs.

Or a freshly painted banister thingie. They gained some speed on that thing!

Of course Jake had to try too and Luke carefully guided him down the slippery slide.

Then you know, there was a little sweet family behind us and of course my kids were being loud and giggly but oh well. I am sure they were having a moment (the sweet family) but we were too so sorry sweet family if your sunset time was overtaken by our crazy family! We were having a moment too!

Love these windows. And clouds. And view. And really, the whole package!

THE OUT TAKES - lest you think our family is perfect....

You want me to stand where??

Well if he is out, so am I! Boo yah!

What, I am an angel??!!

Love how they love eachother. My heart melted with Jake's face towards Luke.

Road trips rule. That is all I have to say.

More thoughts on friendship...

I have had the blessing of gathering with multiple friends this week. Just enough time to get my wheels turning about friendship.

A few weeks ago another friend wrote on her facebook status: What makes a good friend to you? I loved the responses that came pouring in. Most of all it dealt with unconditional love and enjoying a person right where she is at. And I have been asking that of my friends as well. Seems as though it is a consistent "I just wish someone would like me for me, not for who I think I should be." You know, one that you don't have to clean up for, who loves you even in your workout clothes and no makeup and can laugh right along with you when things just don't work out the way you had planned.

Us stay at home Mom's are a interesting breed. We are some of the most social yet isolated groups out there. We yearn for connection and second guess everything. Whew, no wonder why our husbands just shake their heads!

Enter blogs and facebook. Blogs for Mommy's can be a wonderful thing - allowing you to have an outside view when you feel like your world just revolves around your little family. Wonderful ideas when you haven't gotten out of the house in days and you are thankful that you just remembered to brush your teeth.  Or blogs can damage your heart. Stories of packs of women who join in life together and bond so well. Girls nights out, early morning gatherings over waffles and coffee, playdates, you name it. So we either imagine that all the women we know do all of those things when in reality, they are all in their little homes, tending to their little people. Day in and day out. At least that is how it is around in my neck of the woods.

Maybe it is the 2 1/2 year in NC transition for me. I am venturing from small talk to deeper relationships with the women I know here. You know the iron sharpening iron kind.  This transition can be daunting and for me sometimes thoughts get in there like "does she really like me? Or get me?" Unfortunately, I think the more women I talk to, I find the more of us think these things too. I don't want it to be that way, at least not for the women I care about. I need the good thoughts to outweigh the bad thoughts. And maybe the more my "social" needs are met, I mean really met through deep friendships, the less the ugly insecure head will rise. For all of us.

What am I going to do to bridge the gap and build community?
 - text less and call more. Yes, there will be crying and screaming in the background but as I always say a true friend is one who I can hang up on.
 - invite more - you know, big playdates, small intimate playdates, just something to get out of the house and share stories. I can't tell you how much better I feel after I get out of the house and have some human contact! Girl hormones do one nasty trick on you if you let them. ;)
- be vulnerable, ask questions.
- LISTEN - ugh... hard for a talker like me!
- Encourage, encourage, encourage and LAUGH!

So what will you do to build friendships or invest in the ones you have? I am all about quality baby and I need all the help I can get. Share with me?

Friends...

Moving to a new area can be hard... Fear of the unknown can swallow you up if you are not careful. When we moved here over two years ago I could not have imagined the amount of love that I felt here. People in North Carolina are so welcoming and freakishly friendly so when we settled down at our church we were overwhelmed by the people we met there. Friendships started and flourished. One such friend was Shannon. Our girls really brought us together as they were stuck together from day one. I remember the first few playdates we went on the girls would join forces and fight against the boys with such furry. It was a game new to my girl but with her friend by her side, she caught on quick and gave the boys a run for their money!

Shannon and her family became more and more special to me and mine but then they got the news that they were to relocate for a job as well. They did what they had to do and packed up their little (well, not so little really - they have 5 awesome kids!) family and headed west... To say they are missed is an understatement. 

But this week they came back and it was as if they never left. The kids just picked up where they left off and had a great time together. 

Easy smiles all around...

I laughed so hard at their goofiness and it was so fun to hear them just being silly kids. And yes, Abby shares the love for carefree hair just like my girl. Soul sisters I tell ya!

That is until little brother chooses to crash the party. Love Abby's face with that!

You know what I love about all these kids? They love playing with everyone. Well, minus the photobomb above, but overall siblings include siblings and they just have a good time. All of them!

How I have missed sweet Clairbear! Her smile just lights up a room and I can't get over how much she has grown in a year. Talking up a storm and just as cute as ever. I almost stuffed her in my bag and took her home!

Ella didn't change a bit. Spunky as ever and carefree and giggly. Just how I like 'em!

That smile is to die for!

Abby has also grown and matured in many ways. She also lights up any room and has such a sweet spirit.

Sweet Henry is their newest addition but has grown so much since his newborn days. It was fun watching him walk all over the place and enjoy the chaos around him. Totally wore him out don'tcha think?

This is some of the crew who were able to love on the Smith's while they were here. These kids are bonded I tell ya! Jones and James were adorable to watch together too. Whoah... Jaxon has his arm around Kylie... Hmmmmm... Don't tell Abby.

Crazy kids!

Love these two!

And these two as well!

And their momma's along with a KatyAnn! ;-)

And I will put this picture up for Shannon even though I look like we had more to drink than just Diet Coke. Wahooo!

While we miss Shannon and her family everyday, we know that she is right where God wants her in Arizona.  So thankful for her and her friendship when we were new here. I am thankful that our hearts continue to be knitted together by our experiences and challenges and I know they will remain a part of our family for years to come! (Holly, your family is pretty darn special as well! ;) Love sister friends. 

Summer...

I don't think I have put on one bit of makeup for the past two months. Seriously. Ok, maybe the bit I threw on in the car on the way to church on Sunday counts but for the most part, people have had to put up with my God given face. There doesn't seem much point in it since most of this summer has been spent up at the pool. You would think that with the absence from this little space that we fell in and were not retrieved but we are all alive and well. 

This is the second summer where we have spent our mornings and long evenings up at the pool either practicing or keeping cool. This is also the second summer where I have pledged to be a better wife and mother where she is actually prepared with some kind of food to feed us all in the pool rush. I just haven't gotten the hang of it and usually Jon, the awesome man that he is, saves us with Taco Bell.  There is always next year.

But most of all I am proud of our kids.

I am proud of them for working hard, not complaining and giving it their best.  This year they kept up, swam hard and improved so much!

Instead of jumping in feet first, they dove headlong into the water. 

They had fun...

They enjoyed being a part of a team... Always ready to chant Ay, yi yi yi yi pizza pizza pie! Jake has the drill down pat.

They continued good friendships...

And Jake learned a little bit about patience. Practice is easy peasy as he gets to swim too, but during meets we can be at the pool until 9:30pm. Yee haw! soooo not... ;)

But again it gives opportunity to build relationships between siblings. Enjoying moments here and there that will knit their hearts together. I hope there are a lot of "remember when?" conversations for years to come.

You can always count on Kylie to brighten up any mood with her silliness!

After City Meet Kylie mentioned that she wants to swim year round. Well, that won't be our plan this year but I think swimming is such a great sport for them to be involved in. Seeing Jake at the pool now I am sure he will be joining them in a year or two! Our hope is that we can work on strokes over the winter then see how things go for next summer. Now to enjoy a less structured last month of summer before we hit cooler temps. I am soooo ready for a little bit of freedom. 

What are you doing to get the most out of summer? I would love to hear some ideas of ways you are enjoying your heat!