Peach Orchard

While the blooms lasted, and since the sun finally warmed up our little bit of earth here, I dashed my no-nappers today over to one of the many peach orchards practically sitting in our neighborhood, and here are the beauts I captured:

 Ellie was clearly thrilled to be put down on a random plot of grass

Now, we can't wait to try the produce they are growing all around here, especially the peaches and strawberries.  Come on spring!

And I need to give a follow-up/insight into the area we live in, prompted by a conversation I had with a dear friend of mine today.

Yes, we live in Fort Mill, South Carolina.  Where is it, you say? Literally, a stone's throw to the North Carolina border (approximately 3 miles), or 17 miles to Uptown (you'll remember, that is the Charlottonians' way of saying Downtown).  So if you meet me and ask where I live, I will more than likely tell you "Charlotte", as it is simply too confusing to begin the long diatribe of, "Yes, we live in Fort Mill, yes it is in SC, but really we are in Charlotte."  No offense to those within the Charlotte Mecklenburg borders...

The majority of our neighborhood works in Charlotte.  And our neighborhood is very diverse, lots of transients/transplants, and we have met so many friendly people from Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, New Jersey...you name it, we have it in our neighborhood.  Actually, I think people are a bit surprised these Deep Southerners moved into their 'hood, and that we don't have that bad of a Deep Southern accent.  I think they might be a bit puzzled by the way I dress my children: smocked clothes, appliqued t-shirts, names/monograms on t-shirts....you see NONE of that around here.  Hence why I consider our neighborhood full of Southern charm, with a vast Midwest/Northern majority.

So there's our story.  Hope it clears up any confusion! ;)

15 Months

I believe I missed cataloging Ellie's 14th month of life, so I'll catch you up to speed on this past month.  Ellie has really picked up walking and keeps right up with Jackson.  (And he even will imitate her awkward waddle, which just cracks me up.)  She also has this crazy dancing, whether she is deep leg squatting/plie-ing, or shaking her head side to side, waving her arms, kicking her legs, she does it when I sing or when I play music.  Cracks.me.up. Eats anything and everything (see below), and is finally weaned (cue "hallelujah" chorus), as of March 14th.

Here she is downing some good ole' Papa John's.  When Papa John's is at our house, we usually have silent dinners.  Lovely for me!  Ellie is "helpful" in that she will take Jackson his sippy cup, or give him his lovey.  She uses voice inflections just like Jackson, also cracking me up.

At her 15 month check up yesterday, she weighs 21 lb, 12 oz (40% percentile), 30 inches long (40-50%), and looked well (minus the bronchiolitis she has had for 2 weeks, cutting 5-6 teeth right now, and clear fluid build up in her ears, thus a ripe candidate for an ear infection.  So her pediatrician started her on Amoxicillin.  Maybe this will alleviate her screaming at various hours throughout the night?  Poor baby and poor mama).

 Remember this snow?  Well, not a few days later we had gorgeous weather and enjoyed running around in short sleeves.  I also drove the kids to Birmingham for a quick get together with friends and family (and no, me and my 2 very dearest friends literally did not plan on dressing our boys alike.  I guess great minds think alike?!)

Jackson, Ford, and Thomas at the library.  They are best buds, just like their mamas. I pray they'll always be

Oh hi, that's me.  Headed Uptown (what Charlotte calls their Downtown.  I know, we're cool like that) on a much-needed date with my man!  Thank you to YaYa (Andy's mom) for putting the kids down to bed so we could get out and try a restaurant called Rooster's.  I love that Charlotte is big on farm-to-table restaurants, and I look forward to trying all the great restaurants around here.

 A boy, a horse, and some lovely sunshine at Anne Springs Greenway, across the street from our neighborhood.  We have enjoyed leisurely hikes, checking out Billy Graham's great-grandfather's cabin (that housed 11 children!) that has been moved to the Greenway, crossing bridges, and getting outside on the sparse days of warmth.  Come on spring!

This nugget of curls has given me a run for my money and kept me on my knees in prayer in regards to his crazy little 3 year old outbursts/whining/disobedience, etc.  WHAT happened to my complaint first child??  This (VERY DIFFICULT) stage lasted about 4 weeks, and we've seen the light and I have my sweet toddler back (for now).  He so loves his sister, and when I subbed at his MDO the other day, Ellie was in the 1 year old class and they were at gym time together.  He proudly showed the teachers his "did-turh" and even asked for her when they had to go back to their separate classes. He is my helper (when he wants to be), and loves to dance, even stripping off his diaper and singing "shake your booty" for our giggles and laughs. He is talking up a storm, recalling memories and events that happened weeks ago.

In regards to our time here in Charlotte, we really are enjoying it (although I know Andy is NOT enjoying tax busy season.  Then again, neither am I.  Come on April 15th). Our neighbors have been sweet, I've enjoyed meeting friends that you all have set me up with, and we have enjoyed visiting different churches.  Looking forward to all the Lord has in store for us here.

Signing off for now to demolish my ironing pile.  Happy week!

"From the ends of the earth I will cry to You when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the Rock that is higher than I."  Psalm 61:2

Note: A few weeks ago I was having an incredibly frazzled morning.  I had both kids in the master room with me, while I was trying to straighten my hair, put on make up, get ready for the day and for Jackson's MDO family chapel (ironic, I know).  I could hear Ellie rummaging around in my drawer and called for her to come to me.  She crawls over with a Bible verse on a notecard: "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." Psalm 16:5  How sweet of the Lord to remind me of His perfect plan for me, even when I was lamenting my "lot" in life.

Snow

 Right before bed time, and he had fun with the first flakes falling down

A few weeks ago, we got our small share of the snow that seemed to hit the rest of the country.

We bundled the kids up and headed outside for a few minutes.   The kids enjoyed it (although it looks like I'll be buying gloves for Jackson for next winter. Poor guy was stuck wearing my small gloves and his little hands were freezing).

This past weekend, out of nowhere, Jackson kneeled at our coffee table, looked up at the ceiling with tightly closed eyes, clasped his hands, and said "Pees God, pees snow. Pees snow in my mouf."  (no idea where this last sentence came from).  A precious first prayer, especially since he has always told us he doesn't know how to pray.

He repeated this same prayer today before going to Mother's Day Out.  Precious, and hysterical, at the same time. And...he took his first shower, by himself, tonight. Our master shower has these 5 crazy shower heads that shoot everywhere, and Jackson thinks it is the greatest thing ever.  So, Ellie and I supervised him from the outside of the shower while he took his first solo shower.  (I know these memories don't have anything to do with snow, but I have to write these little funnies down or I will forget them.)

I've also tried to ask Jackson what he is thankful for, and although he doesn't fully get it, his response is always "God," and when prompted to say more, "Jee-sus," and this past weekend he was thankful for the "boy who cut my throat." (aka, our neighbors, whom we love and have older aged boys...I believe this cutting of the throat happened when they were all playing swords or pirates or something.  Jackson has been talking about it for days.)

And starting the end of last week, Ellie really picked up her walking, averaging about 5-8 steps, and she is so proud of herself too.  I still get tickled when I'm putting away dishes, and all of a sudden I see this little head over the edge of the counter.  I suppose I'm not used to her being a "big girl" and standing up for extended periods, before taking her steps.  She thinks it is fun/funny to take quick steps on the carpet and body slam on the thick carpet.  Thank goodness she doesn't do this on the hardwoods.

 Breakfast pancakes with this 3 year old

 Picking him up from MDO

 THREE!

We celebrated Jackson's birthday weekend at the Carolina Aviation Center. Behind us, in the family pic, is the fighter jet they used in Top Gun. Andy and Jackson are posed next to the US Airways "Miracle on the Hudson" plane, which is now permanently housed in this Charlotte museum. We all had fun seeing the many planes!

We are slowly getting settled into our home.  I say slowly because it has been such a cold winter and everyone has been housebound.  Whenever it is sunny and semi-warm, I race outside with the kids and dog and soak up a few minutes of sunshine and meeting new neighbors.  Very much looking forward to spring.

Snow part 2:  Two days ago, the snow came raging down in the "historic" ice storm that is hitting the South.  I thought 2 weeks ago we had alot of snow. Nevermind . This is nuts.  And I'm stuck at home with a 3 year old and a 1 year old (Andy is in Greenville all week).  Stir-crazy has taken on a whole new meaning. :)

Can't see my snow boots.  I took all these pictures yesterday, and we are currently getting more snow. 

We are having fun!  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...