Fridays are for Boy Days

This morning I THOUGHT jmejr and I were fully aware and understood that we were going to go to Lowe's. Not for anything special, so if we did not go, it's not like we'd be "hurting for anything". JMEjr must have known this because even though we spoke about it all yesterday and last night, prior to putting him to bed, when he woke up this morning, all he wanted to do was play outside. So we did. Here are some pictures from our adventures this morning. some dogs point and hunt dove, quail, squirrel. ours...she hunts ...lizards!!! 3 to be exact. from 4" long w/tail to 8" long w/tail. ferocious they were actually she's a great retriever of ducks, dove, or just about anything you throw. we built a raft for our "river" we a had our own game of olympics with the tricyle louge (sp?) i also allowed jmejr to test his photography skills. there are actually some really neat perspectives on a couple of them. Y'all we ran out of space on another Picasa Account so be sure to see our most current link (which is at the right). Though we still have recent pictures from today on Picasa Web Album 2, there are a dozen or so on our Most Recent Album one also. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

A Busy Week

This week has been a busy week and have not been able to post much, though much ahas happene. How can not much happen with an 8 month old and 27 month old. On Wednesday evening, jmejr and I went out on a date. We went to Best Buy and then to Chick Fil A for dinner. This gave my WLW some time to herself with the Jitterbug. JMEjr was very comical in the store and said hello to almost everyone there. We purcahsed him two movies, another Uhg (Backyardiagans) and a Thomas the Train actual 86 minute movie. Last night, we had several folks into our home for dinner. The Pages, David Jones, The Greenwoods, our newest family member and good friend "Doc Doc Meg Meg" (who will be going back to Charleston either Friday or Saturday. her friendship and humor and attentiveness to our children will be missed), Lah-Lah and ourselves. Many around the table. There was much laughter and talk. Emily Greenwood is expecting their first child in October or anyday soon. They are a sweet couple. Today is Friday and jmejr and I will head off soon to do ur Friday is for Boyss day experiences. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

A New Blog, How Kids Think

A new site has just begun called, How Kids Think. It is a team effort, a joint project of God's World Publications (publisher of God's World News and World Magazine) and a married couple, who blog (His / Hers) and author. The Project started "Through the strange but sovereign means of God and Internet networking, Nick Eicher, publisher of WORLD Magazine, discovered Megan’s blog several months ago and began a series of email conversations with her about helping God’s World Publications (the umbrella group over WORLD and God’s World News) research how kids think and how GWP might do a better job publishing to them and to those who teach them." (Read More here) HOW KIDS THINK Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Chivalry and Manners...Do they have a Biblical basis?

I am considering writing a post on Chivalry and Manners. Please hold me accountable. I want to look at the Biblical basis for Chivalry and Manners (if there is any) and how losing these can and will affect our culture. Your suggestions would be helpful. From The Family Room comes a post on "Some 'Everyday News' for Parents". Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

JMEjr Has a New Look in His Room

JMEjr Has a New Look in His Room My precious WLW went to Gaffney several weeks ago with Dah and came home with two sets of these bedspreads and doodads that go along with these blankets. She was soo pleased at the price that the Lord had allowed these to be sold for. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

A New Aunt?

Our boys are probably the only ones who have soo many honorary uncles and aunts. We may have, if she would have it, have another honorary aunt. It will really only work-out well if she were to take up a position in Columbia though. If she ends up not taking a job here, she can be an aunt but only on visitations. She, whom we are writing of is, Megan or "Doc Doc Doc Meg Meg" as jmejr refers to her as. She is so great with the children. By the end of Spring 2008, she will have additional letters added to the end of her name which already has some lettering. She has a P.H.D. in something and will be getting some kind of special needs lettering in dentistry. Doc Doc Doc Meg Meg was a roommate of Aunt Annies while A.A. was in Charleston. She was a maid of honor in the Pages wedding. When she graduates in Spring she will have been in post graduate studies for nine years. Crazy. I'm not ev en sure I was in elementary, jr and senior high combined for that long, but may have been working at my college undergrad studies had I not gone into full-time work. Doc Doc Meg Meg, we welcome you as a honorary Aunt (ant) into our family. Birthdays are as follows: JME - 2/19; LKE - 3/2; JMEjr - 6/1 (was suppose to be 5/31 but due to a previous engagement we changed the date, ask us about it sometime); CJE - 1/12. Our anniversary is 7/6. Oh yeah, my WLW loves to celebrate half-birthdays. You can ask her to explain those to you. Tonight when our family left, jmejr wanted to take a shower. First time he ever initiated that. He seemed to enjoy it immensley. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

John Calvin on The Heaven-Blessed Priority of Homemaking (ht: Doug Phillips)

John Calvin on The Heaven-Blessed Priority of Homemaking “And if men say, ‘what is this? A woman playeth the housewife, she spinneth on her distaff, and this is all that women can do.’ As in deed there are a number of fools that when they speak of women’s distaffs, of seeing to their children, will make a scorn of it, and despise it. But what then? What saith the heavenly Judge? That he is well pleased with it, and accepteth of it, and putteth it in his reckoning. So then let women learn to rejoice when they do their duty, and though the world despise it, let this comfort sweeten all respect they might have that way, and say, ‘God seeth me here, and his Angels, who are sufficient witnesses of my doings, although the world do not allow of them.’”[i] [i] John Calvin, in A Sermon of Master John Caluine, vpon the first Epistle of Paul, toTimothie, published for the benefite and edifying of the Churche of God, “The 19. A Sermon on 1 Timothy 2:13-15” (London: G. Bishop and T. Woodcoke, 1579). Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Riverbanks Zoo II Photos

Here are some photos from the second trip to Riverbanks Zoo. Oh btw, he is wearing the same outfit as he wore the day before to the zoo. Looking intently at the Flamingos Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Riverbanks Zoo Times Two

Can not get enough of the zoo this weekend. Just left for the second time in two days in a row. Went on the carousel twice also today, which gives us a total of 4 times in two days. JMEjr had a grand time and we really fo owe a thank you to Papa and Nana for the membership to the zoo. The entire family went today and all it cost us was 2 dollars for the carousel rides today. Photos to come. Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fridays are For Boys and it is Fun

This morning JMEjr and I went to the zoo. I would say that I was inspired to go, but it was more like jmejr waking up talking about animals. So maybe I was subconciously prodded to go by my son. Jitterbug and my WLW went for a walk and who knows what else. At the zoo we went directly to the seals but was stopped on the way by a pair of Brown Bears who were showing off. One had just come out of the water. From there we went to the sleeping, inactive seals and then on to the invisible elephants who apparently do not wake up as early as the zoo opens and we ended up coming back just as they were walking out. At this time is when jmejr had his juice and snack. We then went to ride the carousel for the 2nd time after making our way through the fish and reptiles. Earlier we had a close encounter of the gorillas and escaped with no cuts. We saw every animal at least once but did see some 2 or 3 times. This was probably the most unorganized route I ever took but was fun. At leaving each exhibit jmejr said goodbye and never forgot to with any of them. Pictures will come when we get home. (11:20ish) We are now home, here are some pictures. (2:50ish) A new hat that was given to us and left at my desk in the office. A close encounter This was what he wanted to ride on his SECOND carousel ride. Another close encounter More on our Picasa Web Album. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

BedTime

We just got into bed at 10:45ish tonight and my WLW was trying to get underneath the sheet and I asked her what she was doing and as she is telling me that she is trying to get under the sheet she rolls off of the bed and finishes her sentence rather than saying under the sheets she says rolling off of the bed. We laughed. Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Staff Advance 2007

If we are quiet or you hear of no news about our children it is because we have advanced to Bonclarken ARP Conference Center in Flat Rock, NC. JMEjr is with his cousins in Greenville. My brother continues to worry me by saying, "your son is going to leave here with some really bad habits". He has said it about 5 or 6 times. JMEjr stayed with them last year but he was only 16 months old. The cousins were very happy to see him. He was not so sure of all the excitement but by the time we left, he seemed well adjusted and settled in. On another note, Joanna sliced her finger really bad, like almost took the tip off, a good size chunck. When we got there she was not there. She was at a friends home who is a doctor getting some third-world treatment. Well CJE slept very well last night. As so did we. Cooler up here. Mountain weather. Moist, damp, foggy, misty, and pleasant. Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Nighttime

Tonight, the family were all sitting outside (yes, even though it was 90ish degrees at 8:00pm) and were listening to cicadas, as they were extremely loud tonight and watching bats fly. JMEjr loved it. We talked about what the bats ate and he could not get it out of his mind that daddy was not sure if they ate cicadas (sp?). I kept telling him that I was not sure but I did know that bats ate insects and misquitos. At one point after I told him that bats ate misquitos he said, "mmmmmm, yummy." Bats were everywhere. And he kept telling us "Another one! Another one! Another one!" Oh btw, we did have a fan out there and in all honesty, it was very pleasant. Oh yeah, since placing a regular bed in jmejr's room, we removed the rocking chair and placed it back outside. So now we have two back on the front porch. Joshua Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Big Shoes to Fill

Big Shoes to Fill Bigger Shoes to Fill More new photos at our Picasa Web album, The Haven, JE Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

A Quick, but Worthy Visit

Last night we received word that Gramps' sister and daughter will be driving through SC on the way to bringing her to Penn State, where she is a JUNIOR. The last time I saw Calise, she was maybe 2ish years of age, NOW a JUNIOR. We all agreed that it would be easier for our home if we all just met at The Haven for breakfast. They showed up at our home at about 8:30ish this morning where we had coffee and fruit ready and Gramps and Neenee brought Panera bagels. It was crazy to see Calise and see the resemblance with her and Brenna (WHOM WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM IN LIKE FOREVER). Aunt Carol looks as young as her daughters and Calise has gotten much taller in these 18ish years since seeing her. I guess that happens. Come to find out Calise is majoring in Math Education for High School. Yeah, once she said that I knew I could not talk more about that as it was taking everything I could to just think about what all entailed in mathematics for high school...So we talked about what all she is involved with while not studying and watched our boys fall in love with our aunt and cousin and remembered Camp Costello. Calise is Brenna's sister, the youngest of the three siblings. Our boys loved these two young ladies and jmejr was sad to see them go, but boy did he put on a show for them to remember him by. Calise also made an impression by jumping right in and playing with him. They will be shooting for Pennsylvania today and should make it within 9 hours, maybe 10. Our prayers are with them as they travel and we prayed that Calise would look to do those things which please our God and that He would keep her safe and focused this school year. Grace, mercy and peace be with you

Our Thursday Evening Gathering

What a joy we had last night with our friends around the tabble breaking bed together and laughing and having some good conversation. Those who came were the Grices, Lahlah, the Dinkins and the Legares. The children were a joy to watch and listen to. Topics of discussion ran from what a jort is, to the Emergent Church (specifically Rob Bell's approach and Mark Driscoll's approach), to humor within the staff at Christ Church, to the Grices receiving an offer on their home in only 1 week, to USC football, and even the proper name for a mill which grinds grits. Y'all blessed our home. More photos at our Picasa Web album site. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Logic

JMEjr's logic goes like this: Daddy: "JMEjr, Aunt Joanna was sharing with your cousins the Psalm 23 dialogue you and I had and it made them laugh." JMEjr: "Hyenas laugh". "Hahah (cousins name) and Lijah laugh" Soooooooo cousins must be hyenas. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

23rd Psalm

Last night at the Pages, jmejr saw a small framed print of the 23rd Psalm and said, "Daddy, LOOK!" I asked if he would like to read it and he said yes sir. Daddy: The Lord JMEjr: The Yoord Daddy: is my shepherd JMEjr: is my shshsheyerd Daddy: I shall JMEjr: I shall Daddy: not want JMEjr: not want Daddy He makes JMEjr: me happy To say the least, we did not get through the rest of it. <Center>The 23rd Psalm</Center> "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." - Psalm 23 (ESV) Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

CJE's Solo Pool Time Experience

CJE had his first solo in the pool and did not only quit well but seemed to really enjoy it. . . Until he got splashed. But it is nice knowing that he can sit up and enjoy the pool now. One thinks because summer is coming to an end, so are pool days. But we will go until they officially close WCC. In the south, actually in Columbia, it may be a month or two after summer officially ends. Last night we had the opportunity to fellowship with the Daley ladies. They had just returned from a Benjamin Franklin exhibit in Atlanta and were delighted to join us in the pool and we even broke bread together in the form of eating pizza. JMEjr enjoyed his time with the two girls and showed off by jumping off the diving board, but just once. Thank you Daleys. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!

Another Photo Opportunity

Wow. One may think this is all I do with my son. My WLW displays her keen reporter skills by photographing another father/son activity. This was taken on Saturday. That morning I along with several others, helped our friends, the Blythes, move into their new home. All their belongings were in storage as they were living with his parents. Their new home is located about 300 feet from his parents and the storage units were located no more than a mile from their new home. We made several trips to the units and were able to move in the majority on their belongings. JMEjr was with his mother, Lahlah, Aunt Annie, Rohroh, Mrs. Dinkins and of course cje that morning at the mall. His carosel (sp?) ride really wore him out. I think my WLW is thinking that this is becoming too much of a "usual thing". We are posed differently from our previous photo shoot, well, at least jmejr is. Grace, mercy and peace be with you!