New Beginnings

Three weeks ago our family started school with Owen in second grade and Griffin in kindergarten. The boys have done awesome with their work load thus far, and have had amazing attitudes each day. It really is wonderful hearing your own children come to you and say,"Can we start school yet?" or to see them go upstairs and get started early. Wow! I have been blown away by it all! I know the "honeymoon" and newness will wear off and we will have more challenging days to come, but my heart's desire is that they always desire to learn.
Learn new.
Be challenged.
Stretched.
Question reality-Wrestle with their growing character.

This year we have done things a little different and it has proved to be a blessing. I moved our school room upstairs to the latter part of our bonus room. More for me really. In the past, while the boys would be working at the kitchen table, I found myself distracted by the dishes, laundry, or toys to put away and when I left the table to tend to them, the concentration and attention would spiral out. Now, we have a set place to do our work and mommy's is ONLY (haha) multitasking the fellas school work. Chad and I also talked about the role he could play with homeschool, and we thought that if he would start our days praying for us, that would be huge! It has been just that. Tate usually yells down the stairs, "Daddy, time to pray" or he'll say, "the principal needs to pray." Funny how one statement of mommy being the teacher and daddy the principal has stuck:-)

Well, if you have tracked our family for any amount of time, you know Owen has always had an interest in music. At 18 months we put him in a music class and he's desire hasn't waned. The last two years he has talked about learning to play an instrument, and this spring he mentioned a violin after going to the JazzFest. Well, I let it go to see if it would come back in conversation and , sure enough, it did. About two months ago he said, "Mom, the fiddle makes the most beautiful music!" I almost chuckled out loud. His passion is refreshing. Chilling. Contagious.

Here is today after picking up his violin. Friday nights are movie nights and this is how I found him on the couch. Precious!




Dear Jesus, Thank you for Owen's tender heart towards music. I pray he will play loudly for you and Your glory. No one else! Stir in his heart a beat that continues and evolves as you grow him in wisdom and stature. May He never let go of this passion....just the way you made him."

Ferguson/Vinson Fam

This is a rare moment to snap a picture with my brother, but I'm so grateful I did. A week after we were there, he was in a horrible mtn. biking accident and crushed his collar bone. Last week he had surgery and they were able to place everything back with the aid of a steel plate and multiple screws! What a trooper! So thankful he is doing better, but pls pray for complete recovery!

Look closely to the top of the swing set...yes, that is Haywood walking the plank directly above the youngers guys.. The adventure apple doesn't fall far.lol

Hamilton-5, Owen-7, Griffin-5

Hallsey-8 Our family's princess...beautiful inside and OUT. She has such a servant heart that was so tender to our guys:-)

Ivey's 95th birthday

Willa Elizabeth Morgan Ivey celebrated her 95th birthday with 75 of her closest friends and family. Who is she? This amazing woman is my grandmother who has shaped my life in so many ways. I grew up spending every Sunday afternoon at her home either picking strawberries, riding the tractor, making biscuits, enjoying her strawberry shortcake, reading the comics after Sunday dinner~aka "lunch" for some of you:-), swinging on the tree swing, counting cows in the truck, riding our go-cart around the house, grooming the horses, and enjoying her amazing food. She has always been a very progressive woman considering her own mom was a post-master and Ivey went to college back in the 1930's. Even to this day she enjoys reading and painting. Just this past year she has painted 7 different oil landscape scenes and has done an amazing job. She has continued to keep her mind active and continues to go as she can.
Dear Jesus, Thank you for the beautiful servant you created in Ivey. I am so grateful for what she means to me and my family. My she continue to grow as Your child even at 95.

Beach Trip 2010

Our family had an incredible time together at Myrtle Beach, SC in July. We were usually up pretty early and on the beach by 8:30am and played, played, played till lunch. Chad and the older two thought the waves were incredible for boarding while Tate and I stayed closer to the sand. We all spent hours playing UNO, swimming, building castles, knocking them down, eating, and showering off from the beach. This year was the first year I felt like the fellas were at a similar stage so we had more time together and not split up from naps or feedings, and in an odd way, it was a sweet blessing this summer. On the way to see family, we stopped by the USS North Carolina for a tour. It has been a long time since my parents took me there so it was fun to share that we my guys. An they thought the anchor and guns were "Awesome!!"