Officially a big Kindergartner!!

Owen, you are ready to tackle this year head on! 

Yesterday you and Daddy went to lunch and talked all about your year.  You had Chucks burgers and fries of which you ate as much as Daddy! You talked about what you were excited for...everything except spelling you said. What friends you might make...like Logan and Eli. What you might learn...letters or numbers or bugs. How to respect your classmates and teachers...

Then this morning at 6:10 you were up and too excited to go back to sleep!  You played with Katie, packed your lunch, changed from play clothes to your button up, filled your back pack with your goodies and off we went! While we were driving school, we prayed for your time, Katie filled you in on the rules or "laws" of being respectful (which she quizzed you about after school) and soon we were pulling into the parking lot.  

Your first day was a success! Tonight at dinner your comments to Daddy stated, "I'm already excited to go to school tomorrow!" It warms our hearts to see you so excited to learn. Your teacher, Mrs. Streit, was thrilled that God provided a way for you to join her class at Bayleaf this year and so are we!  You have four other kiddos in class with you (so a total of 5) and we expect your year to be A-Mazing! 

We love you, Owen B Hime, to the moon and back!

What a life

Small town

There is something in me that yearns for this.  This being, simply time to think, to breath, to sit, to play without needing to say, "no" to the kids, some place where exploration is natural and can be done for hours on end, a place where others can come to be refreshed and we can sit on porches laughing and chatting-a bit of the small town country girl comes out in moments like this.  We do all this in Raleigh, but a short bit away, even if Justin is working while we are hear is nice and I'm thankful...and if I'm honest, it is hard to figure this out. How to live simply, give generously, have space to explore and space to encourage others with, to live near Justin's work in the city (which we thoroughly enjoy) AND on a farm. :)  Ah, kiddos, the Lord is good and we will keep walking this adventure one day at a time.

Georgia on my mind

We did it, all 12 of us (from Mommy's side) traveled to GA, Katie and Owen! We flew and drove converging upon the mountain town of Blue Ridge GA. Below are the photos, the memories of our holiday. Most are in black and white-the ones that seemed to speak simply and the colored ones added to the story we all wrote as we were there... K & O, it was filled of fun, food, driving :), a few popped tires, mountain views, waterfalls, early birthday celebrations, cartoons, the river, legos and baby holding, good morning hugs and good night kisses, games, chatting...  Though we may not do GA again, we'd certainly do another holiday together!
Until then, Cheers (as Uncle Tommy would say) and we LOVE you all!

*Thanks "out-laws" for cleaning up dinner!

*Sweet girl, you are turning into quite the helper!

*I Heart these expressions!

*There sometime super special about celebrating your birthday (early) with your cousin! 

Pie for Owen and Paw Patrol cupcakes for Paxton. :)  Thanks Grandpa & Mimi.

Oh Elijah, you are certainly full of personality!

Thanks, Mom & Dad for giving us all a spot, for a week, in GA.  Thanks for being generous with your time, lives, funds...  Thanks for loving all 10 of us well! 

Love you both