Morning at Caw Caw

One step outside this morning and we knew we had to spend our morning outdoors somewhere.  Fall has arrived!  James suggested Caw Caw Interpretive Center and off we went.  I must say this isn’t my favorite place to visit.  Yes, it is beautiful and quiet and peaceful, but it is really hard for me to enjoy that when I see every branch in our path as a snake and every log in the water as an alligator.   Last time we were there we saw 2 snakes (one a copperhead) and too many gators to count.  I really prefer to view wildlife when they are safely contained behind glass.  Luckily, and much to James’ dismay, we didn’t view any such creatures this time around.  James may have to borrow Bailey and Matthew to go back next time for some real adventures. 

                    

The Southern Version of Ice Skating…

Make Believe…

“Hey, Lily and Porter, what are you playing.”

“Mommy and Daddy, and Sarah Ellen is the baby.”

Nags Head

We were very fortunate to end the summer with one last vacation.  We traveled up to Nags Head, or Mags Head as Lily calls it, to spend the week with family and friends.  One day on the beach, someone asked me if we were all related.  I started to explain how and then thought it better just to say yes.   It is a rather complicated family tree, so pay attention.  We stayed with Kinnett (James’ sister) and Chad (Kinnett’s husband); Jamie (Chad’s brother), Janet (Jamie’s wife), and Braxton (Jamie and Janet’s son); and Tara (Janet’s sister) and Michael (Tara’s husband).  Oh yes, and Ainsley - she is the one hanging out in Janet’s belly.
We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing week including beach, pool, great meals, putt-putt, exercise, shopping, game playing, and movie watching. 
Lily loved to help cook each night.  Janet and Jamie were too sweet in finding tasks for her to help with.Braxton was supervising.Sarah Ellen and Uncle Jasmine.  We are not sure how, but Sarah Ellen began calling Chad Jasmine this week.  The cutest part was that she realized this always caused a big laugh, so she was sure to call him that every chance she got (with a sly little smirk). Aunt Nette studying up.  She has a few short weeks left of school and she can rest her computer for a while and trade it in for a good magazine or movie!!Jamie with his arms full of cuteness. The golf pro giving tips. Sarah Ellen must have needed a snack. Since we wouldn’t be with Aunt Nette on her birthday, we surprised her one night with a cake.  Does it really get any better than pig tails?      Meeting of the minds. I believe Miss Lily will always love a camera.

Cruising

Is this what our future holds?  The girls cruising around with boys.  Aye, aye, aye.  As long as it is with these boys though, I won’t worry.

Friends

As I was taking the following pictures of the girls, I thought this would make a great post about friendship.  Little did I know at the time, I would receive a great lesson in friendship just a few short hours later…

For the first time in months, we had a beautiful, breezy afternoon in Charleston, perfect for being outdoors.  Alison and Caroline came down with their kiddos so we could enjoy this day together.  The kids were happy riding their bikes and playing.  The moms were happy rocking on the porch and talking.  Picture perfect until…

I somehow tripped going down the stairs and felt this excruciating POP in my ankle.  I kept waiting for the pain to lessen but it never did.  It wasn’t long before Alison and Caroline were by my side.  I began to feel funny and knew that I was about to pass out.  It seems this is something I do when injured, as I have now passed out three times after an injury.  I let them know and they quickly realized I meant it when my face turned completely white.  The next few minutes are a little fuzzy for me, as I did pass out.  I woke up in my foyer with a cushion under me and two little babies trying to make me feel better. 

I gradually came back around and began to process the fact that my ankle may be broken.  Of course, the first thing I think of is running.  For the past two months, I have begun to run regularly and I am actually enjoying it.  Just that morning, I ran 3.5 miles and was feeling so good about my progress.   Then I think about taking care of the girls, our beach vacation in two weeks, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, and the list goes on.  Caroline and Alison were sweetly trying to convince me that maybe it was nothing at all, as they were glaring down at my tennis-ball-sized ankle.     

James made it home and took me to the ER.   I was trying to think positive, but was completely convinced that my ankle was broken.  Two hours later we learn that it was NOT broken.  You have no idea how shocked and relieved I was to hear this news.  It was just a bad sprain.  I had no idea sprains could hurt or look so bad.  They put an ace bandage on me and set me free. 

On the way home, James and I were reflecting on the amazing friends we have in our lives.  I left my house without giving Alison or Caroline the first instruction.  I didn’t have to.  They know what my kids eat and their bedtime routines.  Caroline had gone back over to her house for a little bit while Alison came back to mine to finish up bedtime for the girls.  When Caroline got back to my house, she snuck upstairs to hear Cameron rocking Sarah Ellen and singing to her in Spanish and Alison snuggling with Lily and saying her prayers. 

Where would I be without my village?  When we got home both girls were fed, bathed, in bed and most importantly LOVED! 

Lily came out when she heard us and was excited to see us.   She then leaned over and said, “Ms. Alison, I finished reading my books.”  Think she was comfortable with the person who put her to bed? 

Just so everyone knows I’m not faking (I have a hang up about that), this is my ankle 24 hours later.  (And, I must say the picture really doesn’t do it justice.)