Our Family Celebration

September 6 was a very fun day! We took this day to mark our 10th anniversary, renew our wedding vows ans dedicate Elisha to God. We had a wonderful time. Here are some of the details:

As with our wedding, my dad presided over the vow renewal. He also did Elisha's dedication. Both were held outside under an arbor on the waterfront of Drake's Creek which is an offshoot of Old Hickory Lake. It was a beautiful day.

After that we went inside to continue our party. Thad and I danced our "next dance" to "Walking Her Home" by one of our favorite Christian artists, Mark Schultz. Our dance instructor, Dana from DanceQuest, LLC, choreographed a routine for us that was perfect for us and the song.

Dancing helped us work up an appetite which was taken care of with some FANTASTIC food from our venue, Latham's Lighthouse Events Center. Mr. Latham provided us with an amazing spread. We had tenderloin, chicken breast, corn with chipotle and garlic butters, green beans, crostini with three toppings including the best spinach and artichoke dip ever! We also had three cakes from The French Confection, golden butter, strawberry, and Jack Daniels double chocolate chip - all covered in dark chocolate ganache!

We played the music of our youth - a compilation of essential 80s and 90s music. All in all it was a fabulous day. Our centerpieces were adorned with lovely hot pink Gerbera daisies and carnations from Flower Express. We enjoyed the company of the friends and family that were able to be with us and missed those who weren't.

If you would like to see the photographs that our photographer, Jon Warren, you can click here to go to our Shutterfly album. Once there you can order the photos of your choice.

Kid Updates

Wow it seems like forever since I posted anything on either of my blogs. I know you all are wanting more kids updates so here is the latest.

Thomas is 5 and in 1st grade now! He is still doing 3 days at Family Christian Academy and 2 days at home. Fridays are "Fine Arts Fridays." He has art, Spanish, science fun, and music. He is doing well. He is very happy to be staying all day instead of leaving after lunch. He is reading very well though he doesn't want to sometimes. He prefers history and science to English and literature.

Lilianna has just turned 2. She has also just finished potty training. She loves her big girl clean, dry panties! She wakes up dry but still has an accident every couple of days. That's mostly because we can't get her to a potty quick enough. She can count to 14 and say her ABC's though she won't do either if you ask. You have to catch her in the act. She talks and talks and talks. Not like a baby but in full, clear sentences as part of a conversation! I'm with her all the time and even I'm amazed sometimes.

Elisha is growing wonderfully! He was 22 inches at birth and at 2 months he had grown to 24 1/2 inches! He almost has full control of his head and pushes up well when laying on his belly. Elisha was recently dedicated back to God at our Family Celebration on September 6. Did I mention that he sleeps through the night? WOOHOO!

Long Live the Shoppong Cart Surfers

Last week I was walking through the parking lot on my way into Aldi. Just then an older gentleman that I would describe as distinguished was coming out. He looked intellectual, structured, staid, and serious. He was pushing his cart with purpose toward his car not as if he were out on a leisurely Sunday shopping trip.

I smiled at him in greeting which he returned with a half grin. As he did this he placed one foot on the bottom bar of the cart, hopped up, and gave two swift pushes with the other foot. He surfed his cart past me with a wide grin that replaced the half one. His eyes were lit with a glee that spoke to me. He still enjoyed his life. Perhaps we all would if we surfed on our shopping carts more often.

*Please note that I am well aware of the dangers here. Sometimes we need to do things anyway! An adventure without a little danger is a poor remedy for the ordinary!

New Kid Pictures

These are just some great shots I took of the kids recently. Enjoy!

The Turnip Truck

Everyone who knows anything about me knows that I'm not one to just jump onto any bandwagon. That's why I have taken my time, researched, and debated about this one. I have read about it on several other blogs and took the time to visit myself with the family.

On Woodland Street in East Nashville there is a very unassuming building called The Turnip Truck. Its a natural market. They carry a lot of organic food, local produce, meats, cheeses, etc. We visited for the first time for their weekly Farmer's Market that runs from 4-7 pm on Wednesdays. I had read about this event in Nashville Parent magazine. Its a small market of about 20 vendors, including some clothing and body products, who are mostly organic. There was live music on the lines of a four-piece bluegrass band complete with banjo and standing bass. I believe the music changes every week. Though we didn't see it there is also supposed to be kids' entertainment.

I'll sidestep my opinion on the organic issue to say that I fully believe in supporting local farmers and farmers in general. The produce and meat are always fresher giving them a longer counter life because they didn't travel 3000 miles from the San Fernando Valley in a truck.

Since Elisha insisted on nursing while we were there I didn't get to go into the actual store. Thad and the two older kids did. They reported back to me on various prices, etc while I stayed in the car feeding the baby. All I got to experience personally was the outdoor market so these tips pretty much only apply to that.

A few cautions:

1. The prices are sometimes as much as 200% higher than grocery store prices on produce (green beans averaged $3/lb). The prices on "organic" meats is exponentially higher (what I would define as "crazy high" and unnecessarily so.) The cheeses were reasonable for boutique style farm fresh cheese.

2. If you political persuasion is central or anywhere near the right side of the aisle, you'll be in the minority by a long shot! Be prepared for the bumper stickers and t-shirts that bespeak the evils of capitalism while their owners gladly take your money for sometimes over-priced goods. Its up to you how many feathers you choose to ruffle.

3. Parking is limited. The lost probably holds 30-50 cars but there is plenty of street level parking.

4. Organic or not, always wash your produce! I know it sounds like a given that shouldn't have to be repeated but consider how many times you have to tell your kids to wash their hands after going to the bathroom.

5. Cash works best. I did see at least one vendor that took cards. Cash is also a great negotiating point. Don't be afraid to haggle. Be reasonable, though. Bringing in a harvest is hard work and they do deserve a fair wage. This only applies to the weekly market outdoors.

6. Shop each booth before choosing. Prices vary widely and some offer samples. Also, carefully examine all produce the same way you would at the grocery store. Check for bruising, worm holes, etc. Ripeness is usually not an issue since most things are picked no more than a couple of day before selling.

All in all, it was enjoyable and we got some great tasting food. My personal favorite: Delvin Farms Sugarshaw Melon. At $4.50 each these sweet, juicy melons win hands down over their sad grocery store cousins.

A Modern, Old-Fashioned Woman

The other day I discovered myself doing something that seemed both progressive and old-fashioned at the same time. It caused me to take a step back and look at who I had become since all those imaginations in high school and college. I was sitting in the recliner nursing Elisha with Thomas sitting in the chair next to me. I was showing him how to break beans for dinner. Lilianna was napping on the couch and all was well with the world.


It struck me that all those years ago (14 since graduation) I had seen myself in an entirely different manner. I was going to be an obstetrician. I had a passion for babies and birth. I still have that passion just channeled differently. God knew His plan for me. Thankfully, I didn't muck it up. Shortly that future faded from memory only to be replaced by imaginations of self-employment in public relations and business admin. Those imaginations, too, flitted out of my mind when I met Thad.


I was brought back to my first heart's desire: being a wife and mother. Not on the order of modern wives who spend their days finding convenience at any cost, spending too much money, pawning their children off on strangers, and treating their husbands like unruly pets. I wanted to be a wife of the Bible, a wife on the order of my mother and grandmother. A woman who thinks that children should be included in all we do, not shut away and amused with electronics.

I find myself doing those small things that my mother and grandmother did. I set Lily on the counter while I cook, talking with her, answering her questions, explaining what I'm doing. If I'm going to tackle a project I find a way for them to be involved not a way for them to not be underfoot. I can't recall a time when Mom or Granny told a child they couldn't help. I can't recall a time when either treated her husband with malice or contempt. (Sass, maybe, but only in jest.)

I want so much to be that woman who reflects the simple things in life. I also want to be a woman that takes advantage of technology to the fullest. I home school my children but I get so many of my materials from the Internet. I try to stay connected with family but I do it electronically.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that all those things that Mom and Granny did that I once thought foolish, all those things they tried to teach me but I ignored, all those things that I said I would never be, well, those are the valuable things in life. I wish I had listened. So now I spend my time watching carefully the things my mom does and the way she acts with my children, constantly taking mental notes. All in the hopes that I can continue to become a modern, old-fashioned woman.

God answered our prayers! Elisha is a big boy!

In my last update I mentioned that Elisha's next stepping stone was to regain some of the weight he had lost since birth. On Saturday, July 19, at one week old he had lost 1 pound. His pediatrician wanted him to gain some back quickly to make sure he is thriving. We had a follow-up the next Wednesday. In 4 days he had gained back 9 ounces of the pound. The doctor was thrilled and gave him a clean bill of health! Praise God!

Thanks to all for your prayers!

Here is picture of Master Elisha resting comfortably in his Moses basket.