WayfaringStrangers

That's what I said to Graham yesterday, about 10 times. Because he tried to roll over, about 10 times. I can't believe it! He's trying to roll over back-to-front and he's SO close! He's gonna be a quick mover once he figures things out, I think. Also, he only woke up once last night (for about 5 minutes), which is a new personal record for him. Shoutout to Lydia, James, and Ruby- congrats on the birth of Elliot! So glad he's here and I can't wait to hold him one of these days. And Graham can't wait to meet his boy cousin. Cheers for little boys!

This post, and those entitled "How Does My Garden Grow?" thereafter, are dedicated to my wonderful friend Kiri because she was instrumental in helping me get this garden going. She genereously took me to Lowe's and purchased everything I needed: seeds, a little hand shovel, a bunny fence, a weed cloth, and much more. She helped me plan the garden plot and plant the little seeds to get them started inside. We had so much fun doing all this, and I really appreciate it! I love my friend :) Since we moved here, I've wanted a garden. We have a whole acre at this rental and I wanted to use the land. I want to spend time outside in the sun tending the garden, pick my own veggies in the summer, and feel a tiny bit like I'm living off the land. Being that this is my first garden, it will be small (about 10 x 10) and very well may fail. I have no idea what the soil is like here. And I really don't know what I'm doing- but I'm willing to give it a TRY! It's ...

I was going to title this post "Sugar Maple Festival" but since we didn't actually spend that much time there and instead enjoyed Highland County as a whole, this title is better suited. So over the weekend we decided to take a day trip to Monterey, VA, to the Sugar Maple Festival. It's a festival celebrating the yummy maple syrup that comes from the trees way up there in the cold mountains of Highland County. It was about 2 hours away, up and down windy (nauseating) hills on switchback roads. Once we got there we realized that really the festival is a place for people to sell their arts and crafts, homemade goods, and antiques. I like walking around looking at that kind of stuff, but Behn-not so much. And we didn't have much cash, so it was kind of a bummer to see cute stuff and not be able to purchase it (which is really ok, we don't need any more stuff in our home). It was pretty chilly up there, so we ducked into this cute restaurant for lunch. Afterwards...

The other day it was lovely so I took Graham and Baby F out for a walk to downtown Lexington. They love to look around at the people, cars, and hustle of the little town. While I was in town, I decided to go get stamps at the post office. As I approached the building pushing the double stoller, I looked for the handicap ramp. To my suprise, I discovered that there was no such ramp. Isn't that illegal? Determined to get my stamps I hauled the stroller the these stairs: An older man (aka good ol' boy) who had just entered the building saw my plight and stopped what he was doing to open the door for me. Then he let me go ahead of him in line. Then he told me to wait a minute so he could help me take the stroller down the stairs after he was finished mailing his package. How nice is that?? Everywhere I go in this town, people stop and say hi to the boys. I just love small town life and the courtesy of people here in the south. Sure, they're human and no one is perfect and th...

Graham is now three months old! I cannot believe how fast he is growing. He's so long and strong and getting that baby chunk on his legs and cheeks. I was thinking yesterday that in my life I've never spent so much time thanking God than I have the last three months (actually, the whole last year). Every day I thank Him for Graham. I thank Him that Graham exists, that he's healthy, that he's so sweet, that he belongs to God. At 3 months Graham: always has his hands in his mouth wakes up most mornings smiling and cooing "talks" to Behn and I constantly is still struggling to sleep through the night, but last night went 5 hours in a row enjoys being more independent and laying on his back looking at toys overhead, and is just starting to reach for them a little bit gets upset if I leave the room and immediately happy when he can see me again (I remember learning about this stage in child psych) definitely knows and adores his daddy I love this little boy!

This past week has been a busy one! First of all, my wondferful in-laws were here until Tuesday, which actually made my life less hectic because it was nice having extra hands and company while I took care of the boys. Also, Olivia was here all week- another great companion and help. We had fun watching movies and taking the boys out on walks. I'll miss her- she's leaving for the Air Force next month. Anyway, on Thursday evening Kiri drove into town to stay for the weekend. Kiri and I had lots of laughs and enjoyed planning my vegetable garden. On Saturday evening we had a little St. Patty's get together here- lots of fun! Shepherd's Pie and cabbage and green ice cream and Irish music. So as you can see, it's been a busy week and weekend. I've been spoiled having such good company here and feel a little lonely this Monday afternoon. Behn has been really busy with grad school but this week is his spring break. But he's been so busy with work and schoolwork an...

It's been a busy, but very good, weekend and week. On Sunday we were privileged to celebrate Graham's baptism. It was so special because both of Graham's grandparents and lots of his aunts and uncles could be there and his Grandpop Cathey got to baptize him. Sunday was really rainy, but it couldn't damper the meaningful words in the ceremony. Pastor Carter read us our vows and my dad made a beautiful speech and then baptized Graham. Then Pastor Carter walked around holding Graham so the congregation could see him, and he ended it in prayer. During the afternoon we had lunch and family time at our house. This day was overall so special to me. The spiritual significance of the baptism and the outpouring of love from family and friends for our child meant so much to Behn and I. Lord willing, there will be lots of birthdays and Christmases and Easters, but only one baptism day and it was wonderful.

I think February was a bit of a dreary month for me. Feeling the baby blues, cabin fever, loneliness, exhaustion, and adjusting to babies (Graham of course, and Baby F who I watch full-time now). But it's March now! Crocuses are blooming, the sun is shining, and my baby is growing so fast. New life! "Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life ." (Rom. 6:3-4) Being a mom is my current new life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. But my typical day is hard: as soon as one baby lays down, it seems like the other is up. I have to time their eating schedules so they both aren't hungry at the same time. Baby F is teething and not feeling so good. I get puked on, pooped on, and sneezed on. Props to anyone out there who has had twins!! Getting ...