Our Small Group Meets at the Park

Most weekends, we can be found with a small group of men who run 5 miles and women who walk around a lake. We've been a part of this open and supportive group for 10 years.

These friends are a "village". We push each others' strollers as needed. Scotty lends us her books on cd for our journeys. In the photo above, Russell is holding the leash of her sweet "Sheba."

Adults: J.T., David P., Raleigh H. Roger C. Steve K, Ross T., Preston M., Chip V., Laura V., Julie C., Scotty H. Kids: Samantha P., Tatum C., Lydia T., Russell T., Emily P., Morgan M.

Family Camp at Windy Gap

Lydia and a friend pose in front of the organic Black Bird tavern in Black Mountain, NC en route to family camp. Just a few weeks prior, I had visited my dear friend Pam (from Maryland) and her family who staying in one of these superb getaway "tree houses" (photo below):

My Superman (Russell) played basketball with our family and several others during our semi-annual trip to Young Life's family camp at Windy Gap (it's near Asheville, NC). Below, our team worked hard on their assigned push-ups during the scavenger hunt.

Easter in WV

My dear Dad and Mom with Ross. My parents still live in the home of my youth. We have a tradition (pictured) of making cinnamon rolls for holidays.

Wrapping up a fun day at the Clay Science Center in Charleston, WV.
Pictured: Dad, Me, Russell, Barrett, Skye, Lydia, Christina (neighbor) and Ross (in the back).

Quickly assembled out front on our way to church.

Dad and Mom with our three kids.

Russell Turns 5

Russell asked for more of the cake that Grandmother Thomas kindly made for him last weekend. He commented on how good the icing is. He just went off to play and I found the whole piece of cake on his plate... with no icing left on it. :)Russell shows his (lack of) age with his logic. He just asked me, "Mom, can we get a new house because the floors in this one are always making me slip?"

Two memories from our hospital stay when Russell was born:
1) J.T. stepped out to get a special dinner for us. He returned with food from a nearby Macaroni Grill. We enjoyed their dish with chicken, artichokes, and pasta. We returned there for a date around Russell's first birthday and enjoyed that dish again.

2) We were in the hospital enjoying our sweet little bundle of joy (we had 2 nights in the hospital). I was using my new smart phone to call and vote while watching American Idol on the TV in our hospital room. I had never voted during a reality show but I knew Chris Daughtry because he was one of the service guys in our local Honda dealership. I went to Wikipedia to confirm my memory and found this:


A Birthday Letter From Dad:

Russell's 5!

Wow buddy, where did my baby boy go?
I so love when you want to curl up and read, even if it is mostly comic books and super heroes you choose, I've been struck by several times you wanting to choose the Bible - and not the kids one either.

You are very strong and active, turning somersaults and cartwheels on the couch, bouncing and climbing everywhere and rarely sitting still. And smart too, you've figured out just how to get then shows you want on the replay computer, something most adults give up on. You are fascinated by putting together different combinations of Lego men. You seem to be a natural leader as you set the agenda for your friends and cousins when they come around . You are very full of confidence, declaring you know how to swim, though I fear you are just getting comfortable dog-paddling with a life vest on.

You surprise those around you with your vocabulary and talkativeness ... You are certainly not shy, regularly telling complete strangers about something that interests you.

I enjoyed taking you to breakfast recently and sitting together, and letting you play at Chick-fil-a ... You were a perfect gentleman, sitting and conversing earnestly about whatever came into your mind.

You touched my heart with your care and concern and sharing recently ... I was trying to pull together a breakfast on the way out the door to drive Ross and Lydia to Claxton, then on to work, and I asked Mom if we had any yogurt, which we didn't ... you immediately piped up that I should take your Trix yogurt, when I tried to decline since it was you last one, you insisted, oh no Daddy, you will like it, it's raspberry. And I did. That container is sitting on my desk (along with some Father's day crafts you made and the fill in the blank that I weigh 600 pounds) to remind me of what a sweet and caring boy you can be.

Russell, I love you forever and for always, from the moment I received you from your mother and cut there cord it knew you would be a special treat, full of surprises and bound to blossom in unique ways. I really enjoy sharing time with you and watching you grow. Can't wait to see how God will shape and mold you through our family and the experiences of your life!

I love you my little man!
Daddy


A Birthday Letter From Mom:
Dear Russell,

I told you today that your birthday is the day you were born. You seemed to already know that. 5 years ago.... Yes, that feels about right. My memories of that precious day with your father and Aunt Liz are within reach but distant by the passing of long days and short years.
I reminded Dad that you were our only child who came out of the womb and began to EXPLORE. When they laid you near my neck, your head was resting on the hospital sheet. You stuck out your tongue and checked out the sheet for a minute or so. You seem to be a curious little fellow.

I want you to know how much I love you. I'm proud of the young man you're becoming and can't wait to see your other traits unfold.

Memories I'll always hold from this past year as your parent include: Pushing you to and from school in your jogging stroller, watching you learn to ride a 2-wheeled Razor scooter like the big kids (although you don't even like to ride your bike because the training wheels are "too tippy"), pushing you down Michigan Avenue in Chicago in your stroller, pushing you in your stroller along the course of Lydia's first 5K. Do you notice the stroller theme? You are a champ to roll along with our plans.

You’ll learn about life at your own pace. Right now, I'm glad to watch you play with your Legos and make truck noises. We're just signed you up for Kindergarten. Are you ready for that? I'm not sure if I am but you do seem to be eager to read.

This letter may not mean much to you. Maybe you’d rather have some colorful card I bought at the drugstore. In the future, though, as you grow up, you’ll always have the
memories that come with this letter.

Even though I may read this letter to you now, I’m really writing it for the
grown-up person you’re in the process of becoming. I’ll TRY TO do this every year and
one day, you’ll have a chronological catalog of my caring.

I bet you’ll always be able to remember the time when we all got the rabies shot series because an unvited bat spent the night in our house.

At school, right now you really enjoy going to the prize box and playing with your buddy Dominick M.

You’ll grow, develop, and change in the years ahead, for sure. Right now,
though, as I see who you already are, I can imagine that you’ll grow to be the
kind of person who takes care of others, negotiates well, and explores the unknown.

During the year ahead, one of the things I’ll focus on as your parent is helping you learn to swim and ride your bike. Dad will help me out with that. You have a wonderful, involved Daddy who loves me well, too. We couldn't ask for anything better.

Love,
Mom

Russell Spring 2011

Russell said he'd show me how to draw the number 11. Then he paused.
Russell: "Do you know how to draw it?"
Mom: "Yes."
Russell: "Ok I'll show you anyway."

He wants to make Superhero movies. Tonight, he said that he'd download our dinner prayer for us... if we had WiFi for him.

I could relate to this comment from Russell: "I'm tired of looking for things I've lost."

My Russell (4) reads out the letters he sees on EVERYTHING, asking "What spells..." He tends to confuse the letters M and W. This created a pregnant pause on my part when he read the bottle of dishwashing liquid (the one that takes grease out of your way) and he asked, "What spells D..A..M..N?"

Russell advised his friend not to enter Russell's big brother's bedroom: "He will get mad. His face will turn red." (This sounds like the voice of experience.)

Russell just got a big bed. I told him that we're going to look for some other furniture to go in his bedroom. He sat quietly for a few minutes and my mind had moved on to other topics when Russell asked, "Like a toilet?"

Russell was wandering around with wet hands in a public restroom. He had never seen a hand dryer before. I told him that we'd use the one on the wall and he asked with dismay, "Use the hair blower?"

Russell is so excited to have aged up into the older kids' babysitting room at our local YMCA. The room has several Wii stations and a dance pad. It's called the 'Energy Factory' but Russell calls it the 'Injury Factory'. I know some orthopedists might agree with him.

While unwrapping a Hershey's kiss, he asked me: "Have you noticed how good these taste?"

*********************************************************************************

I sent this in an email to my sister-in-law:

Russell sends this message to Barrett: I'm looking for some Space Legos for you for the next time I see you in Charleston or in the pirate house. I hope you're having a good time. I really love Barrett and I really love that pirate house. When we woke them up one morning, Mimi and DadDad said we can go to that great house after my birthday. Can't wait!

Love to all-
Jen (and Russell)

Lydia's First Slumber Party and Her Birthday Letter

Lydia learned about Out of the Garden's ministry to underfed students through her Brownies troop. Our family joined her in running a 5K race on the morning of her birthday. Russell rode along in his stroller. The event was part of the Human Race that raises money for charity. (Lydia is pictured on the far right above and J.T. is behind her)

Lydia's Slumber Party at Home

Clockwise: Lydia T., Tatum C., Samantha P., Caroline C., Kinsleigh N., Kayla R., Nina H., Margot C., and Leah R.

Anna B., Elisabeth B., Bethany B., Lydia T., and Jen T.

Dear Lydia,

Happy 9th birthday! As I’ve watched you develop this past year, I can clearly see you being like your
sweet father in your love of running. As a 3rd grader, you were finally able to join the running club at your school. We ran a 5K race this Fall and you would do it again every week if we had the time!

When you look back, years from now, you may wonder what was going on in
my life aside from the joy I experienced raising you. So, I’d like you to know
that, apart from the fun I’ve had with you, something I’ve particularly enjoyed
about my life is traveling within N.C. and to Wisconsin this year to share the healing message of my book, The Five Languages of Apology.

There have been hard times this year, too. One of the toughest things you bravely faced was getting 5 rabies shots over 3 weeks after we found a bat in our house.

And even though you have lots of other friends, you seem to really particularly
enjoy Tatum Church because of your many weeks spent together as we have exercised with her family at the park, the track, and the gym. You two have become the sisters that each of you needs.

One of your qualities that I especially admire is how you give gifts to others. You frequently make crafts and pictures to give to family and friends. We're blessed to have my sister and her family nearby. She keeps you kids for me while I work on Wednesdays. She says that you so often bless her with gifts.

This last year of knowing you and watching you develop has meant so much to
me.
I love you, and that’s why I’ve written you this letter. It’s my Legacy of Love
for your Lifetime.

Mom

Speaking in Wisconsin

Susan (left) and Jennifer (right). Susan Freund is the founder and director of Think Marriage, based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. I had a great time speaking for their Valentine's Day Weekend Marriage retreat.

New friends: Co-presenter Kelly (left) and his wonderful wife, Dorie (right).

I flew into Milwaukee. Fortunately, the weather was chilly (not above freezing) but dry.