More Lowcountry Fall

Fall always means it is Lobster Time at our house. If you remember, the boys' preschool sells lobsters for its annual fundraiser, and we always have a lobster party with the Lancasters to help sell our lobsters. I think Dorothy and I have the party down to a science now, which guarantees an easy and fun party. In the past, we have had 50+ people, but this year we downsized and did it for our supper club party instead. We sold fewer lobsters, but really, it was a bit easier for me to have fewer people.
This was the 7th lobster party we have had, the 5th at our house, and the 5th I have hosted with Dorothy. Next year, I won't have any more children at Little School (so sad), but I would still love to keep the lobster party an annual tradition!
Most people were well-entertained and stayed awake throughout the party... maybe it was Clemson's poor showing that put poor Bryant to sleep!
Sunday was an incredibly beautiful day, so we took the boys on a bike ride on the West Ashley Greenway... perfect way to spend a fall Sunday.

My Sunday ended like this:

a little bit of quiet time in the kayak with a fly rod. Not sure a fall weekend could be much better than this.

Lowcountry Fall

Over 8 years ago, Jason and I joined a small group of couples from our church to create what we call our "cell group". We have met more or less every other week since then for fellowship and Bible study. The couples in this group have become some of our closest friends, friends we know will be there if we need them for anything. We have lost a few couples, gained a few couples, and added many children, but the spirit and friendship have remained throughout. A little over two years ago, one of our couples, the Aulers, had to move away. We were so sad, as we had spent lots of time with them over the years, even spending Christmas evening with them one year. They came back for a visit over the weekend, and the Bates family had a great party to welcome them back!
While it was chilly, we had the perfect fall lowcountry afternoon/evening... an oyster roast on the creek with yummy food, great friends, and lots of kids! It was such a beautiful afternoon, the setting was amazing, and the smiles were huge... I really felt as though we could have been in magazine photos. There were sparklers, nerf rockets, and croquet... enough to make the children giddy.

When we started 8 years ago, there were 8 couples, and the only child was Jackson. We are now at 6 couples with 15 children and 3 on the way. I am extremely thankful for this group of people, and I look forward to discovering all of the blessings in store for each of us.

Postcards From Heaven

Harris spent the night at my mom's house over the weekend, and when I spoke to her on Sunday, she had a ton of funny Harris stories to tell. I asked her to write down and send me one of them, as it was so sweet and was so typical of Harris:

This Saturday night we celebrated Harris’ Grandparents Night. He got to stay with us by himself, without Jackson. Jackson had spent the weekend with us without Harris, and now it was Harry’s turn.

After getting settled in, we sat looking at the Wal-Mart Christmas catalog, Harris identifying all the toys he wanted for Christmas. We stopped at a white battery operated dog, and started to talk about how much Harris loved dogs. We talked about Lucy, Chappy, and most lovingly about Mavis (May-May) and Hanna. We talked about how much we loved them both and how we missed them since they went to heaven. Harris knew they were both in heaven and Harris said he couldn’t wait to go to heaven to see them. I agreed that I would really be happy to see them when I went to heaven. Then Harris said to me, “Nana when you go to heaven will you send me a postcard and tell me what God really looks like? And tell me how May-May and Hanna are, and if God has levers that he uses to make it night and day?”

Inside I was cracking up, but outside I told him I would be sure to send a postcard. I love Harris’ view that going to heaven is like going on a vacation or a visit home. You get to see old family and friends, and you get to see your loving parent, and you send postcards back to tell those left behind what a great time you are having. -- Nana --

Saturday Morning

Loving this morning.

Woke up early feeling rested.
Made pancakes for the boys, which totally made Jackson's day.
Worked my tail off at Body Attack... loving the post- exercise adrenaline rush.
Now, sitting alone in my quiet house, enjoying pumpkin spice coffee.
Looking forward to a Girls' Night on the boat with my Peeps.

Not sure I could be any more content.

Harris

... is a wild man. I have said this before, but Harris is just plain excited... about everything. It is an awesome trait to have, but sometimes it causes him to lose self-control. Not good in a kindergarten class full of excitable boys! I love, though, that he is excited to try new things!

... is a yellow belt in karate, takes Spanish, art, math and reading after school. He is also a great little soccer player.

... loves kindergarten, and even loves his homework. He seems to think kindergarten is his "job", as he takes his schoolwork very seriously. He is doing a great job reading, and he is big into telling us math facts (any he can figure out on his two little hands).

... it totally in love with his mama. He is always worried about me, complimenting me, looking for me, and loving up on me.

... talks non-stop. He asks a million questions, says what's on his mind, and, I think, just likes to hear himself talk! He says some of the craziest things, and he definitely keeps us laughing.

... is having a hard time being 5 while his brother is 7. He wants to do everything his big brother does and can't understand why we say no.

... loves animals, especially dogs. He asks to pet every dog he sees, and he adores Lucy (Koochie is what he calls her). He has decided he wants to be a vet when he grows up.

... loves to snuggle, hold my hand, and just be my baby. I'm hoping he doesn't grow out of this any time soon!