Aye, Eye, Aye

Ollie VS. Mr. Stick....Mr. Stick won!

As we jumped out of the car on Friday afternoon, Ollie ran over to his favorite spot in our yard, the spot where the wild things are or the spot where you can't tell what is a tree and what is a bush. Anyways, he tripped and one of the tree limbs jumped right into his face. He cried, a lot...he doesn't cry mind you (well when he's hurt, when throwing a fit, different story.) It bled, a lot, I thought we might be going to get our first stitches, but I got it to stop bleeding and with the help of our icy friend, boo boo bunny all is well. I am just so thankful it didn't get his eye, man can't even go there.

the faces...

...of my day (well the 7:30-3:00 part.)

...and then these sweet little cheeks greet me every afternoon, love me some Ollie smooches on those guys!

On a photography side note, I am trying/learning to take all my pictures in manual mode, it's been hard and fun, so please be patient with the slight blurr, I love my new camera!

Welcome Aboard...

...the Wiley Shiner or Shiner for short.

Come on in for a tour of our home away from home docked on Smith Creek in Oriental, NC. This is where we sleep, we potty, we make snacks and watch what daddy is doing. The Shiner is an Erickson 27', it sleeps 5 people supposedly, but you'd have to be tight friends to snuggle that close. It has a sink and some really nice cushions thanks to Matt's mom.

Oriental is the sailing capital of North Carolina. Time slows down here, not only for the people who live here, but also for the people who visit. The dogs roam free, the Bean is brewing, the kayaks are ready, the dragon is peering, the people are friendly and worn out souls find rest.

And Ollie's have a blast...well most of the time that is! Come on down with us sometime, you won't regret it.

Phfreeee!

Ollie here...Guess What?

I got a new tent from Grandma and Grandpa, and a new hiking back pack, thanks Grandma and Grandpa! Come go camping with me real soon!

Argyle and Mr. Potato

Today was Daddy/Ollie Twinsie day, well aren't they cute in their matching argyle sweaters. I had to snap a few pics of my two favorite boys playing with the mega Mr. Potato head that Ollie got for Christmas. Shhh... this is the closest thing we have to barbies, and boy do we love to accessorize our potatoes and our daddy.

living loved

"So what do I do now? 'What you are already doing, Mack (Whitney, insert your name here,) learning to LIVE LOVED." -Spoken from the character of Jesus, in the book The Shack, written by W. Paul Young.

Welcome to day 2 of 2009. I don't really do resolutions but I am striving to make some changes this year. I am just finishing The Shack
our church read it earlier in the year and well, better late than never. As mentioned a few days ago I decided I wanted to live my life differently and figure out why and who I am besides being a wife, daughter, mom, 2nd grade teacher, friend...so I started seeing a counselor to help me sort through this process. I cannot tell you in words what a great experience this has been for me. I have to say that I was super prideful about going, me need help yeah right?! I've just learned so much about myself...about the way I respond (in all situations), about the way I love (both give it and desire to receive it,) about the way I parent, about the way I deal (or don't) deal with conflict. I'm not going to go into to all the details on my blog, but I will in person if you want. BUT a theme that has kept coming up through all of this experience is that I simply want to...live loved. Stop for a second and take that in. I am loved by so many people, but that's the thing for a long while I've been sort of numb to this desire to simply want to be living a life loved.

Here's an insert from my journal which describes my heart: I am an open book, I choose to question, to ponder, to encourage, to listen, to sit, to choose to be alone (I am never alone,) to feel, to hurt, to forgive, to live.

So, this year at Adventures of Mommyhood, I'd like to invite you on my journey to live a life loved.

"The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that YOU may have life and life to the full." John 10:10

Happy 2009!

A year in pictures...well some of them!