Something to think on

...children expose our idols. Every time we think of a child as "interrupting" or "interfering with" our lives, it's because we have erected an idol in the place where love alone ought to reign. Ironically, our idol may be some task we think we are performing for the sake of our children, only to find that we have exchanged the God of living relationships for an isolating god of our own devising.

~Mike Mason in The Mystery of Children

Airborne and Special Operations Museum

We have been meaning to go here ever since we moved to NC. And we finally made our way there yesterday with a good friend from the church. Fayetteville is such an interesting town, mostly because of the huge presence of the Army. Sean and I both agree that we have been able to renew our faith in the common "hero" after being around these men and women who serve our country in highly dangerous jobs and locations around the world. While all jobs in the military are commendable, we've been fascinated by the "superheros" of the Special Ops - Paratroopers, Green Berets, Jumpmasters - all do things that the common American never would imagine doing.

This museum is a good view into that world. We rode a simulator that made you feel as if you were riding on a motorcycle through a war infested land, hanging out of a low-flying helicopter through the remnants of bombed buildings, and the pièce de résistance - jumping out of an airplane HALO style - all while your seat was being jerked around in concert to the images being shown, I believe at as much as an 18 degree tilt. SO cool! (Silas didn't participate in this - our friend, who has done this simulator countless times, offered to stroll him around while Sean and I rode it). We also watched a film (funded by Ross Perot, no less) about the Special Ops that went into great detail about all of the jobs and responsibilities they hold. And finally, the museum itself, had SO much information and exhibits that it was almost to much to take in one visit. If ever you are in or around Fayetteville, we highly recommend this nationally attended museum.

Catch up

Seems like we're always playing catch up here. Life is certainly busier this year than those in the past, but it's been a blast.

We spent Thanksgiving in Georgia with my (Shannon's) family this year. It was a great trip, and we're looking forward to going back after Christmas for some New Year's shopping. With my eldest sister expecting her little girl, I was able to pitch in and help put up their Christmas tree this year. There's something fun about helping with someone else's tree - different ornaments make it interesting, I guess.

One of the highlights - my niece Allie and I were able to celebrate the surprisingly close win of Alabama over Auburn on Saturday as well. Condolences to Daddy, of course. (Maybe next year...) And I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge their recent SEC championship title. Roll Tide! (sorry, Brian - maybe next year...)

We also found out where we're spending most of next year - Richmond, VA, city of Sean's birth, so now we will have had projects in both of our birth cities (including Silas!). We'll be pulling out of here in most likely 2 weeks, so the Christmas holidays will be busy but fun. More updates to come -

the light blue sea

A member of the church here gave us his tickets to the basketball game between UNC and Valparaiso.  I have been to the Dean Smith Center to watch the heels play, but this was Shannon's and Silas' first trip.  Modeling our very best Tar Heel attire, we joined the sea of light blue fabric and supporters.  Silas was in tar heel heaven--actually, heaven--as his little, awe-inspired mind was readily taking in all of the noise, action, flashing lights, and big screens.  He loved it.  Really.  And this makes dad happy; because dad likes Tar Heel land too.

Of course, several other fans thought Silas was a rock star.  They liked the fact, as one guy put it, "that we were starting him out right"--meaning, it is good we were brainwashing him to think that UNC basketball was somehow more sacred than the rest of the programs in existence.  Yep.  I had a good laugh, when, as everyone was exiting and trying to get to their cars after the game, Silas was one of the few who was happy.  Sure, UNC won, which made the faithful cheerful, but everyone was trying to get out of the light blue sea--the same one we all excitedly plunged into earlier--as quickly as possible. So while the rest of us were focused on our exit strategy, little rock star was still taking it all in.  Still loving it.  Still craving more action, more people. (His nap around halftime probably helped.)

It was a good time.  Maybe the chance of a lifetime.  I do hope I get to sit in the Dean Dome again with Shannon and Silas, but if the journey doesn't afford us the opportunity, I will still remember this night that we swam in the light blue sea.

Fall in our driveway

A carpet of leaves greeted us after the rains went away...

Soap Nuts

I've been wanting to try this product out, and I just found a free sample for it. Fun for my fellow granola girls. Read about Soap Nuts here. Get your free sample and try it out with me here.

That Girl

We all can't wait to welcome in the newest girl to the family. Track my sister's pregnancy with us through her new blog: That Girl.

Recipe - Chicken Divan

I got this from Laura, a good friend and former roommate in Virginia Beach. She'd make it often for us, and I just loved it. I made it recently for Sean, and now he's a fan too. I'm a sucker for a good casserole.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 package of frozen broccoli or a few (I used 4) stalks of fresh
• 2 - 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 1/2 cups of rice (I prefer jasmine for this)
• 1/2 cup mayo (not miracle whip)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• Shredded cheddar cheese for topping

 Preparing casserole:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Cook rice and spread on bottom of lightly greased casserole dish.
• Cook chicken (boiled for 20 minutes), cut up in bite-size pieces or shred and arrange on top of rice
• Cook broccoli al dente and arrange on top of chicken

 

While those are cooking, you can prepare The Sauce:

• Mix mayo, soup, lemon juice, and curry powder in bowl
  
• Pour sauce mixture over the rice, chicken and broccoli in casserole dish
• Sprinkle with cheddar cheese
• Bake for 30 min: 10 minutes with foil on, and then 20 minutes with foil off

Traveling

We've been doing a lot of traveling these past few weeks. Our Asheville trip for our 5th anniversary was so lovely, we can't wait to go back. And our boy was such a trooper. He loved our honeymoon spot! We then journeyed to where Sean's parents live for a quick overnight trip and a visit to the dentist. And then a couple weeks ago we made a trip down to one of our former projects to attend a ground-breaking ceremony. It was so nice seeing our new "old" friends and letting them get to know the boy.

Sean's mom was in town visiting this past week. After her stay, we drove her back up to their home and stayed a couple nights there. Sean also made a business presentation while we were in Virginia. We are now back in North Carolina. And while the travels and visits of late have been nice, we are looking forward to the comfort of schedule, routine, and homemade leftovers again.

Potatoes

Did you know that if you leave potatoes sitting out for too long that they not only grow those antennae-ish looking things, but they also will putrify, liquify, and thus stink up your whole house worse than almost anything you've smelled? Well, they do, so watch your potatoes, people. It's really gross.

Back to it

Our trip to Asheville was so good. We stayed in the same cottage we did 5 years before, except this time we got to include our little monkey with us. He adapted so well to life away from home. We took his trusty travel crib, and he got into a schedule in no time flat. How thankful we were for that! We went on a couple hikes, strolled around downtown Asheville a few times, and made our way to the shops at Biltmore. And in typical fashion, we even found the local Target for those items we undoubtedly forget each time we travel. If you're ever in Asheville and want to stay at a charming B&B, we highly recommend Hill House. Bill & Terri will treat you well and feed you even better.

Oh, beautiful mountains, how we miss you...

Honeymoon, continued

Sean, Silas, and I are leaving tomorrow to go revisit our honeymoon spot in celebration of our 5th wedding anniversary, which is Friday. Asheville, NC, was the perfect spot for our honeymoon, and we're looking forward to bringing the newest member of our family there to show him around what became hallowed ground for us. This marriage that God created has been more beautiful than I could've imagined. I'm looking forward to many more years...

20 years later

We got to attend my sister's 20th wedding anniversary vow renewal ceremony in GA last weekend. A beautiful day at the falls made a perfect backdrop for the lovely words that were exchanged. Congratulations and much love to you both, Christine and Brian.

Food for all

Our oven was broken for the better part of the month. When we finally got it fixed this week, I dove right into the craving I had been keeping at bay - cookies! While I was making the batter for that, I also made something for our boy - homemade organic carrot baby food. He loves it!

Becoming local

There is always a point in every project where I finally feel like I am no longer a tourist or visitor, but am actually a local - I belong. I think we've hit our stride this week in becoming so familiar with the area that we consider ourselves a part of this society. My benchmark is usually the frequency of which I am using my GPS. With my tremendous lack of a sense of direction, I use it for everything but finding the kitchen sink in those early weeks of a move. But I've found myself this week having to use it less, picking up on where I need to go through landmarks and habit. So this is good - we're settling in, growing accustomed, and calling yet another new city home.