Fall 2009

Craft day at Home Depot and Russell is, as usual, the boss.

Above: The first day of Russell's school career.
Below: We had our date night at a new restaurant that overlooks Russell's preschool.

When I dropped Russell off for his 5th day of preschool, he asked me, "why do I keep going there???" He seems to like Ms. Barbara and Ms. Sandra. In the car drop-off line, one lady helped him out of the car and then he stood alone, turning in a circle while waiting for the next hand to walk him inside. A pretty young woman came and he took her hand and they walked away from me. Through the glass of the car window, I saw how he is sturdy and could carry on without me. He's off to succeed at his own things. My statement of gratitude to the Lord this morning is: "Lord, thank you for letting me live this life. Thank you that I get to hold my kids' hands and care for my husband. I love this precious, fragile, wonderful life that you've given me."

I often prompt the kids to pay attention to the traffic while we are crossing the street. I often ask them to decide if it's safe to cross. One day, I forgot to do my job so Russell offered this assurance while we were in the crosswalk: "There's not a car running over me."

Ross's 10th Birthday

Ross had a party at the movie theater that was attended by: Our family, Cousin Anna (age 15), Eric from his class who is wheelchair-bound and full of unbridled joy, Daniel (and his sister, Gracie), Vishnu, Tyler, and Noah (his best buddy from his former school). Noah also slept over- lots of fun! On his actual birthday, we had pizza at Pinetop pool with the Ridgill Family.

Lydia's love language is gifts but her resources are as limited as the size of her heart is unlimited. This year, she gave Ross such a sweet gift: She created several Pokemon cards for him. J.T. pointed out her maturity in having drawn a gift that interests Ross (but not her). Also, I had given her $2 last week for her and her brothers to buy cups of lemonade. I told her that if the stand was closed, she and Ross could just each keep one of the dollars. What was inside Ross's hand-made birthday card from Lydia? Both of the lemonade dollars! Post-note: Aunt Liz kindly helped Lydia create the card and decorate it with a dark ribbon (masculine, for Ross). :)

Above, you'll see a "Birthday Interview" that I had Ross fill out. As usual, Russell scribbled on his big brother's work.

California Trip: Napa Valley

Above, J.T. stands in front of the Berringer Winery. Below, I'm inside those front doors.

I had to snap a picture of this unique cork bulletin board at the Berringer Winery. It's a 'green' way to reuse corks!

Jen inside Napa's Olivier store. Yummy samples of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. :)

California Trip: Oakland

Looking across the bay towards San Francisco from our room in the Oakland Marriott.


Above, J.T.'s wonderful boss (Dennis Stearns), me, J.T., and three Fee-Only business associates. We attended a baseball game in the new Oakland stadium.

During our biking expedition, I just had to get a photo of a fire hydrant. We saw many of these huge hydrants. These people are serious about their fire fighting.

California Trip: Yosemite

Our first view of Yosemite Valley. Simply amazing.

This was our most beautiful lunch picnic spot. Ever. Anywhere. Hands down.

We hiked among some waterfalls. Then I rested a bit and J.T. climbed even higher.

On our second (and final) night in Yosemite, we slept at the Inn at the Falls

and dined at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.

California Trip August 2009: San Francisco

My parents kindly came to keep our kids during the first week of August so I could join J.T. on his business trip to the Bay Area.


Our first evening in San Francisco: We walked down to the touristy wharf area in search of dinner. We ended up retracing our steps away from The Wharf to the Cafe Pescatore, a charming Italian restaurant. Their balsamic vinegar traditionale was unforgettable.

We rented bikes and rode around town, across the Bay Bridge to Sauaslaito, and back to town. In the top center part of the photo above, you can see the curvy section of Lombard Street. J.T. walked down that section while I took a city bus (AKA 'sag wagon') back to the bike shop.




City view from Coit Tower. Our Hilton Hotel is the 2nd building to the right of the iconic Transamerica Building.



We had lunch at The Spinnaker, which is literally on the water in Sausalito (upon the great recommendation of Rick and Phoebe Clawson from Georgia).


Our final dinner in San Francisco: At Pelligrini's. We were wedged in their charming outdoor cafe. Notice that the gentleman behind us hid behind his menu as the waiter took our photo. :)

10 Years in Greensboro Celebration and Bishops' Month at Camp

This summer, we invited the Bishops over for a party to celebrate 10 years since we moved from Baltimore to be near them in Greensboro. Aunt Liz brought this pretty card for us (above).

The Bishop ladies went away on assignment to Colorado for Elisabeth's job with Young Life. Both girls caught the swine flu there and the camp had to be shut down for a week due to this new virus.

I sent this message to the girls at camp:

Hello to my favorite ladies. Please give Bethany a hug for me too (I don't see her here on FB). Just a quick note to say that we miss you all and can't wait to see you again! I'm trusting that God's grace is sufficient for each of you as you go through your time at camp: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. Russell talks about all of you. He's here at my feet playing with his cars. Yesterday, he put stickers over both eyes and walked into the kitchen to show them off (Is he like Bethany, or what?!). Ross and Lydia are doing a choir camp at First Pres. GSO this week. They couldn't believe how big the church looked from the street. Ross said, "wow! It's like one of the big churches I see on the Tour De France!" Lydia said, "Cool camp, mom! It's a castle as big as 3 mansions!"

Love,

Aunt Jen