Happy Last Day of October.....

We hope that your last day of October is as warm and as beautiful as ours. Who says that Minnesota is cold in October? Today is sunny and warm in the 50s. The wind is still a bit nippy, but a gorgeous day nonetheless.

We started the day at school. Maddie and Sam both got to dress up for school today. They came home with lots of treats from their classmates.

Maddie and her friend Megan in their classrooms.

This is Maddie's class at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church. Quite a group of characters!

This is Sam the Monkey in his classroom. Apparently he wasn't the only Monkey in his classroom! But, according to him.....he was the only Curious George.

This afternoon I took the kids with a picnic lunch to the Riley Lake Park. It is new favorite for us. It is a really beautiful park.

My little cuties at the lake.

Maddie and Sam on the lifeguard stand..... You think life guarding runs in their blood??

Serious Sam after a zillion of tries to get a "good" picture of him.
Maddie out on the pier.

Not a beaver, but a muskrat. Yes, I know.... a little gross, but how cool to see one this up close out in the wild. It let us (even with all the noise of my munchkins) look at it for a long time (wong time, as Sam says).
And what happens at the end of a long fun day.

Snow and Fireproof

So, can you guess why I am posting? Yes, you read the title of this post correctly. It snowed today. It snowed from this morning until about 4pm. There wasn't any accumulation, but nonetheless.....it snowed. Might I add that it snowed in October.

After church we drove straight to Gander Mountain to pick up the last few winter items we needed. Wade and I needed hats, the kids needed "everyday gloves", and we all needed thick socks. Nothing like snow in October to kick the "get winter supplies" into high gear.

On a totally different note, Wade and I had a date night last night. First in a LONG time ("wong time", as Sam says). We went to see the movie Fireproof. It was made by the same church in GA that did Facing the Giants. The message was incredible, the acting.....well it was made by a church, but you quickly get over the acting and the message takes over.

Of course it made me cry. Not for the reasons it made most people cry. I cried within the first 3 minutes. Southern accents, GA license tags on cars and Chickfila......I was homesick. But, I still really enjoyed the movie.

I hope that where ever you are tonight, you are warm and toasty. The wind is howling outside and it is literally freezing, but we are all warm and snug in our "new house". Good night to all.

Catch Up.....

Hello All-

Wondering what we have been up too? We have been really busy up here in the "Artic North" and I haven't found time to update on everything. So, I am just lumping it all together. After reading this, you can consider yourself "all caught up" on the Blurbs!

Before I begin, many of you (down south) have inquired about the weather. October started off really nice and "fallish". Now, it is rather chilly and they are actually calling for a chance of "snow showers" on Sunday. Hum, snow showers on Sunday.....shouldn't we still be wearing short sleeves and playing outside? Oh right, we moved!

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We may be in Minnesota but we (the kids and I, Wade isn't so keen about the UNC factor in the family, but it is here and I love it...so there you have it) still wear our UNC blue proudly.

We always carve a pumpkin even though we don't "celebrate" Halloween. Our pumpkins are always happy and silly. This year, poor "Jack" (the kids love to name the pumpkins) lost a tooth during the mouth making process. We are too far away from Granddaddy for him to have fixed a denture. So we chalked "Jack" up to being a redneck pumpkin. Makes us feel more at home that way.

Instead of "celebrating" Halloween, we use this time of year as a time to spend together as a family. This year we went to Emma Krumbees to find our pumpkin. Little did we know that it closed early and you had to pay an arm and a leg to actually go into the fields. Needless to say, we bought a pre-picked pumpkin and chalked it up to another lesson learned in our new place.

I even found us a "Trunk-n-Treat" at a local church to go to on Halloween night. They begin with a time of Praise and Worship before heading out to the "trunks". I am sure it can't be anything like NFBC, but it keeps with our family traditions all the same.

Last weekend, we went to the Como Zoo Boo with Kim, Micah and their kids. Kim and I read about it and thought it would be great....seeing the animals and the "200" costumed characters. Sounds like lots of fun, right? Well.....it was a really long line to get in. Tons of people, NO animals (yes you read that right, we went to the zoo and saw no animals....none that we were not dressed up that is). However, the kids had lots of fun and in the end....that is all that really matters.

My little monkey and butterfly princess. Why does Maddie look so worried? She is watching how long the line is to get into the Zoo Boo.

Why need animals at the zoo when you have an elephant, Spider Man, a monkey and a butterfly as part of your group?

Sam was so excited that "Tick Tock" and the Lost Boys were part of the exhibits. Not quite Disney World, but he was excited all the same.

My princess and frog/monkey prince :) I would kiss that frog/monkey any day :)

So dear friends, I will try and up date more regularly....but alas, life usually gets in my way. I will leave you, for now, with a picture to make you smile.........don't ask, because I have no idea :)

Forever A Mommy

This is going to be a post about Maddie. Rarely do I separate my kids when I do posts.....but this time is different.

Maddie and I have a ritual at bed time. It goes like this.

Mommy: I love you to the moon and back....

Maddie: .....and all the way past the stars.

Mommy: Do you know that God and Mommy/Daddy love you very much? Do you know that you can be anything? Do you know that you are special and one of a kind? Do you know that you are smart and beautiful? Do you know I am proud of you?

Maddie: Of course.

Since the move, Maddie has been more of a "Mommy" person. If I am not home to put her to bed, she makes me promise to come in, hug and kiss her when I get home. Of course, she never remembers that I do this (and I really do). It makes for an interesting next morning, with Maddie waking up accusing me of not kissing her.

What I really wanted to write about (but became side tracked.....imagine that) is a conversation that Maddie and I had the other night as I was putting her to bed. The whole conversation came about because of Peter Pan.

Maddie was worried that she was going to grow up "wil-wee soon" and that I wouldn't be her mom (doesn't that just break your heart?). Since Wendy had to grow up, Maddie thought she did too and that it happened suddenly. Somehow the whole Peter Pan and the Lost Boys not having a mother became interfused with Wendy growing up.

I explained to Maddie that I be her Mommy "as long as I can" (since I can't promise her that I will always be here). I went on to explain that Ga-Ga was still my mommy even though I am grown up, Grandma is daddy's mommy, etc.

I thought I was getting off easy and that was the end of it........well, I was wrong. Like all conversation with Maddie she had more questions

Maddie: Mommy, what will Ga-Ga be when she grows up?

Mommy: Ga-Ga is already grown up.

Maddie: No, what will Ga-Ga be when I am grown up and you are a Ga-Ga?

Mommy: Well, I guess she will be a Mam-Maw (Wade's grandmother, Maddie's great grandmother is called this) or a Grandmother Harrell (What she calls my grandmother).

Maddie: Oh. What will Grandma be when I am grown up and you are a Ga-Ga?

Mommy: She will be a Mam-Maw too.

Maddie: (thinking this over while snuggled in bed with all THREE...another story for another day.... lambs) Do you know what you will be when I am a Mam-Maw?

Mommy: (shuddering at the thought of how old I will be then...) No, Maddie I have no idea.

Maddie: An Angel. Night Night Mommy, love you.

My conversation with Maddie made me start to think. If something happens and I become and angel before Maddie is a Mam-Maw I hope that the Lord allows me a peak down at my babies once in a while. I would like to be a Mommy forever, whether I am here on Earth or sing praises to my Lord in heaven.

Minnesota Fall

Hello everyone.

Hope you are enjoying this brisk fall weather as much as we are. Wait. Most of you, in the south, are still basking in that good ol' southern sun.

Today it is cool. More than cool, down right nippy. The kids went outside to play, only to come in moments later saying their ears were cold. Well, (thanks to a trip to the outlets) I had just the thing. Hats. Warm hats. Yes, that's right....hats the 15th of October. Why not? It's cold enough.

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Sunday it was a nice warm day. Warm meaning, in the 60s. So we decided to go to the park and enjoy the warm weather while it lasted.

Maddie enjoys hanging upside down. She makes me nervous doing this. Probably since this is the way I feel and had to have stitches in my head. I was in Kindergarten, only a year older than Maddie is now. Maddie, however, is a pro at it.

Fall here is really gorgeous. Wade and I decided, Minnesota fall was almost worth moving here. Almost being the key word. We have a new appreciation for things like fall, since they are so different than what we are used to. The color of the leaves, though not shown really well in my photo, is much more vibrant and brilliant that back home. Due to the cooler weather? Maybe. Due to LOTS of rain? Probably.

Sam likes to swing, Sam's way. Here he is being Buzz, of course.

I took the pictures as the kids walked down to the lake. I just happened to catch the only ray of sun that day as it hit the water. I would like the think the Lord sent that ray of sun just for me. He knew I was tired of the dreary overcast weather and needed a hit of southern sun.

Same picture, just photo shopped it to make it look like it was painted with watercolors. I enjoy playing with the pictures I take.

The good thing about the move? The kids have grown really close. They are each other's best buddies (of course they don't have many buddies here).

Maddie tried to gather all the will-wee pretty weaves. AKA get all the nice yellow ones before her brother could. What was that I was saying about them playing so well together? Scratch that.

Apple Orchard, Minnesota Style

I can't help but think back to last year, our first time at an apple orchard. We went with the Brands, Darnells, Carters, Wilson's, and of course the Taylors. We drove up into the mountains of Georgia. True mountains, not just small hills. Sam had only been walking for a few months. It was really hot and humid. The kids had a great time on the hayride, giant slide, and petting zoo. Did I mention it was really hot and humid?

This year, we went with our new friends to a new apple orchard. It was really pretty since all the leaves were beginning to change. And it was very "brisk" (in Christa-lingo that means, down right nippy). The kids had lots of fun and we actually picked the apples off the trees, instead of buying them from the apple store. Did I mention it was cold?


This is Kim, she is a GREAT apple picker. My job was holding the bag and not to loose any children, her job....actually picking the apples in the tree. Very appropriate that my klutzy self was planted safely on the ground.
The kids thought it was great to pick apples off the ground. We tried to keep them from eating the ones on the ground....yuck.
Maddie and Collin loved the tractor pull. Sam and Shawn did as well. Notice how bundled my kids are compared to Kim's? I thought it was FREEZING. Apparently those who have lived up north for awhile, thought it wasn't so cold :)

Sam and Maddie loved looking at the horses. Of course they did....horse loving runs in their veins.
3 of the 4 looking at the camera....Not too bad. You try getting 4 kids 4 and under to look at the camera at the same time, while on a really cool wagon.

My bundled up, thin blooded, southern babies.
Yum, time for a taste test. From Left to Right, Shawn, Maddie, Sam and Collin.

Post Disney News....

So, now that I finally got caught up on all the Disney posts and pictures it is back to the boring posts of MN life.

The kids are having a harder time adjusting to the "new house" than I thought they would. We were only here a week before we left for our trip. I think it has taken a toll on them to move around so much. However, they will survive. I am convinced that kids are fairly resilient.

They also got back into the going to bed at normal times and things of that nature easily. You see, bedtimes, nap times, and healthy food go out the window in Disney. It is truly the "great" vacation. So far the hardest thing for Maddie is realizing that she doesn't get dessert after every meal!

The kids and I jumped back into all the activities we are doing. Maddie has school on M,W,F, dance on Monday after school and AWANA on Wednesday night. Sam has school on Friday and Puggles (a version for younger kids of Cubbies) on Wednesday night. I have bible study (of course the kids come too) on Tuesday mornings and MOPS every other Thursday.

I am really enjoying Bible Study. Of course, it's Beth Moore. How could you not like it? But I also enjoy the small group. I am in the "newcomers" small group. Most of the women have moved here really recently. My friend, Kim, moved here in April, another lady from Texas (via NC) moved here in June, and another lady moved here from....get this....Chapel Hill, NC. Whooping it up for us Tarheels!!! It was so nice to talk with people who truly know where I am from and know things about the area.

I am starting to see God's hand in all this. Of course it has been in this mess since we started it.....I am just now able to really see it. He has taken care of use, provided a house for us, and most importantly for me, provided opportunities to make friends. This still isn't "home". We all still miss "home". The kids always ask to go "home". But we are surviving it and it is getting easier.

Wade had a meeting to Chicago this week. Sam, upon learning that Daddy was gone for a meeting, decided that he needed to go to a meeting. In Georgia, of course. I am lucky that he is going to take me with him. However, he told us that he plans on walking there. Long time. So, I may have to pull out of my reservation to go with him. Not sure I my legs have recovered enough from Disney to walk to GA.

Disney Day 5

This was our last and final day at Disney. We started the day at Hollywood Studios for the sole purpose of riding the new Woody Midway ride. It was a blast. Sam had some trouble with the 3-D glasses, but really enjoyed it.

Then, we returned to the Magic Kingdom (don't you just love the Hopper Passes?) to finish riding rides there and re-ride our favorites. We went to ToonTown and visited Minnie and Mickey's house. We also rode the Barnstormer there. Maddie decided that she enjoyed it "tickling her tummy". We finished up with Tomorrowland with the Astro-Orbiters and Buzz ride, again.

Our final ride was the Pirates of the Caribbean since the kids loved it. Once we stepped off the ride, there was Capt'n Hook. Sam's new hero. Of course we had to get their autographs and pictures. It's a secret that Capt'n Hook is really the bad guy. Sam seems to think he is a good guy and I for one am not going to spoil it for him.

We ended our Disney visit with dinner at the Garden Grill at Epcot. The highlight was the cupcakes they gave the kids to decorate for dessert. However, Sam became really motion sick since the whole restaurant moves slowly while you eat. We rode the Nemo ride (4th and final time), Soarin', and others while waiting for the Illumination's light show. It was a great show and a great way to end our trip.

The flight back home was non-eventful. We purchased the DVD Peter Pan for the kids and they happily watched movies until the battery died (3 1/2 hour flight...only 2 1/2 hours of batteries). Not to worry, I had snacks and other goodies to keep them entertain. What, you don't fly with a DVD player??? Seriously, the only way to go.

Maddie and Sam still talk about the trip. Their "most favorite" ride changes daily. Today, Maddie's is Soarin' and Sam's is Peter Pan. I was worried about taking a 2 year old, but Sam did really great and enjoyed it as much as Maddie.

For us, the meal plan was the way to go. I think it paid for itself on Day 2. It allowed us to go to the costly Character dinners that we wouldn't have been able to otherwise. The other bit of advice I would give, make sure you kids are the "magical" 40 inches. Payless shoes sells great hiking boots to make kids the "magical" height.

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Disney Day 4

On our next to last day at Disney we started the day at Epcot. We had to pleasure of being able to meet up with Wade's cousin Alex, his wife Melinda, and their three kids, Ashley, Sarah, and John. My kids LOVE their cousins. Maddie thinks the "big girls" are really cool. Sam thinks John is fun as well.

We were able to ride some of the rides with the other Sheeks. We rode Test Track (again thanks to the handy dandy boots, Sam reached the "magical" 40inches), ate lunch, rode the Mexico ride, and did some of the Kidcots with them. We had already revisited Nemo (number 3 of the 4 times during our trip), rode Spaceship Earth, the Land, Figment, and others.

That night we went to Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom for some good ol' southern cooking and fun with Minnie and the gang. The kids enjoyed seeing Chip (he has a black nose) and Dale. We ended the evening by riding some favorites (Peter Pan, Small World, Dumbo, and the Tea Cups again) and watching the light parade for a second night.

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Disney Day 3

Day 3 was our day of rest during our Disney trip. Grandma and Papa flew back to NC on day 3, also. We spent the day at the hotel's pool. It was a needed break from all the Disney action to recharge our batteries for the next coming days.

We dined at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Hotel the night of Day 3. We were able to get more dressed up since we weren't coming in from one of the parks. The kids really enjoyed the boat ride over the Grand Floridian. The theme of the night, Cinderella's Ball. Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and the Step Sisters were all there. Occasionally, during dinner, the lights would dim and Cinderella and Prince Charming's first dance would be announced. It was very sweet.

Maddie thought it was great....until Lady Tremaine came around. She wasn't very fond of her. She actually came and sat beside me. We didn't get our pictures made with her. Why upset a perfectly wonderful dinner?

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Disney Day 2

The second day of Disney started off muggy and Florida hot. We went first to Animal Kingdom. The kids loved the safari ride. Since it was so early in the morning, the animals were out and moving.

We also went to Hollywood Studios. The kids loved the Playhouse Disney show. Of course, Maddie loved the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

For dinner we went to the the Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. The kids loved seeing all the characters from Winnie the Pooh. We ended the evening watching the light parade and fireworks.

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Disney Day 1

We started the morning with a trip to the Magic Kingdom. You can't come to Disney and not start with seeing the castle and spending the day there.

The kids loved all the rides. They rode just about everything. Some of the favorites were Small World, Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Winnie the Pooh.

Thanks to Sam's "tall boots" he reached the "magical" 40 inch mark and could even ride Big Thunder Mountain. Maddie claimed she didn't like it because it was too fast.

We ate dinner at Epcot at the Princess dinner in Norway. Maddie was in awe of meeting all the princesses. She couldn't eat she was so excited.

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Trip to Disney World and Chef Mickey

We flew to Disney World on Saturday, September 27. After a layover in ATL (isn't that just cruel...having us fly over the city we loved and left and actually land there for an hour) we arrived tired, but happy to Walt Disney World.

It was Wade's first time flying with the kids. I think he has a new appreciation for me know. Getting all of us through security and on a plane is always a feat. Especially this time, we had camcorder, DVD player and a computer that had to be taken out. Add that to four pairs of shoes, three backpacks, my "travel bag", a duffel bag o' Boppies (what your kids don't still sleep with their Boppy??), Wade's briefcase, "Bertha" and you have yourself the airport security people's worst nightmare.

We took the Magical Express to our hotel, All Star Music. Little did I realize that the "magical" part was we didn't pick up our luggage, it appeared (at random times) in our rooms. Therefore, it was off to dinner without brushing of hair or reapplying of make-up. Then again, we were on vacation....who cares!!

After some problems with their flight, Grandma and Papa made it for dinner at Chef Mickey with us as well.

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Having to leave Mickey behind.......

and come back to MN was really hard. However, we are home safe and sound. Emma survived a week without us (have I mentioned Emma is our cat??) thanks to Kim and her boys. We have lots of stories to tell and pictures to share, but first on to the unpacking and laundry....Wade leaves on Sunday for a work trip.

More later, really....I promise