The Family That Hikes Together ~ Amicalola Falls

Let me tell you about last Sunday...

~ 1 ~

Amicalola Falls...a beautiful end to a crazy, poorly planned day. 

#viewfromthetop #doesnotdoitjustice

It was suppose to be a day of rest. We had done chores, gone to mass, and gone to a party on Saturday. When I went to bed that night I had visions of a day of rest at home. 

~ 2 ~

But there is something about fall air that makes us crazy, and by the time I was done nursing Lucy first thing in the morning we had decided to drive to a pumpkin patch up in North Georgia. We threw things together and got the kids in the car and left. We had no diapers assembled so I threw all the diapers from the dryer and assembled them on our drive. 

#theclothlife

~ 3 ~

After being stuck in traffic, going about one mile in 30 mins, to get into the pumpkin patch, we realized that other than a hay ride, which also had a very long line, there were just...pumpkins. We had just assumed there would be things to do. There were so so many people and nothing to really do, since we already had a free pumpkin (probably rotting) on our porch at home, we decided not to stay. After one nursing session in the car (where I saw an argument for the parking spot next to us almost come to blows), and a few minutes of Matthan dipping his feet in the water, we hopped back in the car and drove about a half mile to Amicalola Falls.

#peopleareseriousabouttheirpumpkins

#feetinthecrick  #mykid

~ 4 ~

A quick car ride later, we were headed towards the waterfall. Matthan climbed the 175ish steps to the falls. 

#waterfallselfie

Here is our attempt at a family pic. Resistant toddler, sleeping baby in the carrier...

#thefamilythathikestogetherstaystogether

#onlyfamilypicwehave?

~ 6 ~

I was looking for a place to rest and nurse Lucy, and I saw a sign for the lodge. I didn't have a full grasp of how far it was until I was already part way up and therefore committed. 400-something more stairs later, we finally reached the top. Matthan hiked the whole way up by himself.

#ourhikingboy

I was pretty worn out by the time we got to the top. But I have to say...

...best view I've ever had while nursing a baby. Totally worth it.

We split the protein bar that I had grabbed from the diaper bag three ways and supplemented with some candy I found in the gift shop. Again, awesome planning by us.

#nursingspotwithaview

~ 7 ~

After the more than 600 stairs to the top and a ride down in the hiking pack...

#conkedout

...he got to sleep for 20 mins before we stopped for lunch...at 5:00pm. Matthan was a trooper and we all were worn out but it was a fun day!

Happy Friday everyone!

Now go visit Kelly and find some new blogs to follow! 

Happy Easter!

I'm linking up with Like Mother, Like Daughter for {Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}. And since there is a wholelotta {pretty, happy, funny, real} going on around here, I'll let you choose what is which.

So, remember this gem?

a.k.a. my issues with committing to a paint color

After much weeping and gnashing of teeth, I finally committed to a color. Easter was our goal (which we thought we'd meet easily...ha...haha) because we were hosting family from both sides for the weekend and Easter lunch. We managed to get the trim and two walls painted. At least, the walls that did get painted were the ones that had the paint samples on them. They were starting to make us twitch. Of course, now that they're gone, I'm starting to lose motivation to finish the other two walls.

Ah :) no more paint swatches :)

I think that I've mentioned that we've started milling our own wheat? Well, I tried using our wheat for my Easter cake, which calls for AP flour and I didn't do any research, yadayadayada and....

almost completely hollow but tasted good

I was pretty determined to make the cake since it's a family recipe, and I don't have many of those, and I knew my family would love it (which they did), so I hacked around some forums for about 10 minutes (which I should have done anyway), and after braving a three-and-a-half-our-priest-skimps-on-nothing (including using full-sized drink pitchers for baptisms)-vigil-mass with our two year old and getting to bed around 1 am, I got up early and made cake #2.

Ah, much better. 

We had a blast with all the family, ate our traditional lamb, risotto, homemade bread, salad, etc meal (my husband is a beast in the kitchen; I did the cake), and then enjoyed watching the kiddos hunt for eggs.

hunting for eggs

My niece and her Easter stash

Grandma hid them well in the bushes

Mommy getting in on the action

My nephew and his eggs

hustling to find more eggs

adorable

Cousins 6yrs, 3 1/2 yrs, and 2 1/2 yrs.

Cousins with babies at 37, 22, and 17 weeks gestation

Grandparent and Great Grandparent love

After all of the egg hunting and the food eating we just enjoyed hanging out together. So what do you get when you cross one entertaining cousin with a deliriously silly cousin?

We got to enjoy some low key time with my sister's family after everyone else left. The kids had a blast playing in the yard (watched by us through the window). Before we realized what they were doing, the cousins had discovered a fun way to go down a small hill in our yard.

We hope your Easter was as wonderful and joyful as ours! Happy Easter from my family to yours!

Monday Musings (vol. 6): Observe

I have a very busy, but fun, week ahead of me, so I apologize now if the blogging ceases for this week.  I have tons of musings that I want to share, but like I said, I'm busy.  So I'll leave you with this short post for today.  I once joked with you about how "there are moments in motherhood where your instincts to intervene are overridden by "let's see how this pans out"".  Who knew that this was a developmental/educational concept*?

"When dealing with children, there is a greater need for observing than of probing."  

~ Maria Montessori

I first got the idea to do a lot of observing when it came to playing with Matthan from the book The Baby Whisperer**, rather than "playing for him" (such as taking his hands and making him play with the ball, or shaking a rattle in front of his face, but waiting for him to reach for the rattle and allowing him to go at his pace).  I realize that EVERYONE has their own, often very strong/passionate, views about baby books and raising children, and the stuff I've learned may end up being a bunch of crock.  I'm okay with that (meaning, I'm ok switching gears if I learn that I'm doing something wrong or there is a way to do something better).  But for the moment, it's working for me.  This concept is easy in theory, but incredibly difficult to execute.  So this morning when Matthan was playing with the carseat that we had left in the middle of the floor, I was seized with the want of how to show him to "play with it right" (whatever that really means).  But I didn't.  Look at what he figured out how to do all by himself.






We can learn so much from our children if we just stand back and watch.  This concept may have to be an entire post in and of itself one day.  I've learned so much from just watching Matthan.  And sometimes, we don't know what they're watching or how much they're absorbing, until they leave you in awe.  Like when my four-year-old niece said to my sister,

"Mom, I have an idea.  Well, really a question.  Okay.  I know God is three but He's really one, you know.  So, how does God walk on the earth and hold it in His hands?" ~Lailey

__________________
*The Montessori Method.
**The full title of this book is The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems:  Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior--Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood.

7 Quick Takes (vol. 4): Snail Mail, Scary Soda Cans, and Making a Difference

--- 1 ---

My Little Man loves "reading" books, and he's so cute while he's doing it.

--- 2 ---

I've started a new painting [deep breath].  It's still in the drafting/sketching/rough draft phase.  When it is finished, it will be hung above our bed.

In the spirit of iconography  (the artist is supposed to pray while they "write" the icon), I am going to try to pray while I paint.  If you have any prayer requests, e-mail me (see e-mail address in #3) or leave them in the comments.

--- 3 ---

Remember the envelopes I made?  I sent one as a thank you note to my grandma and one is going to a friend in a care package.

That leaves me with four remaining pretty envelopes.  Who doesn't love receiving snail mail?  If you would like to receive a real piece of mail from me along with your weekly junk mail, leave your name in the comments, then e-mail me your address at lostbutholdinghands at gmail dot com (with the appropriate symbols of course)*.  The first four will receive a handwritten note encased in a pretty envelope.

It would be super-fan-tabulous if you had a blog and posted a picture of yourself with the piece of mail/pretty envelope and linked back here, but this is definitely not a requirement.

--- 4 ---

Did you know that you can take your kids to a fire station and get a tour for free?  My sister did it this week and her kids LOVED IT!!

--- 5 ---

Would you drink this?

--- 6 ---

Little Man and I went to have lunch with Daddy this week -

- and on the lunch room bulletin board, I spotted this little gem...

--- 7 ---

This week, I am supporting my brother-in-law's efforts to make a difference in his community.  I've mentioned it here and here already, but it bears repeating.

My brother-in-law, Dave, will be running the Atlanta Marathon for the second time on October 27th, and this time he is running it in honor of the amazing students at The Joseph Sams School (where my sister works).  To raise funds for the school, he is asking people to donate $26, one dollar for every mile, or any amount that you can spare.  Here is a video about the school: 

Please support Dave's efforts in supporting this amazing school by visiting www.josephsamsschool.org and clicking on "DONATE" in the bottom left of the page.  All the money goes directly to the school and no amount is too small.  Thank you!

*(From #3) If you're one of the family members or friends that receive my blog posts via e-mail, and you'd like to be a recipient of the snail mail, click on the link at the bottom of the e-mail that you receive to go to my blog.  Leave your name in the comments section.  You can assume that I have your address unless I tell you otherwise.*

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real} - A Birthday Interview

This week I am supporting my brother-in-law's efforts to make a difference in his community.  He is running a marathon (I know, incredible right?) in honor of the Joseph Sams School for children with special needs.  Go to the bottom of my Monday's Musings post to learn more and see how you can help.  Thank you in advance.  Now... onto  {PHFR}!

~ Capturing the context of contentment in every day life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

~ Pretty ~

Happy Birthday to my most favoritist beautiful sister!!  In honor of her birthday, I decided to interview her.  I got the idea from the interview that she did with my niece, and I put together questions from that interview, the internet, and my brain.  I sent her an e-mail with these instructions.  

"Complete the interview below by answering off the cuff, the first things that pop into your head.  Do not over think the questions.  Send the interview back to me with a current picture of you."

Here's her picture.

Check out Sarah Akin Photography on Facebook

~ Happy ~

I probably wouldn't have admitted it when we were growing up, but I am very happy that she is my sister.  She is a talented and creative person who uses her gifts and talents to serve her family and those around her.  She is a woman of God, a wife, a mother, a music therapist, a budding professional photographer, an incredible musician, and someone who always makes me laugh.

Photo taken during my sophomore year of college?

~ Funny ~

Here are the answers to the 30 interview questions I sent her for her...25th birthday (wink).

1.  What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

I am capable of burping very loudly but often don't.

2.  Give me a brief description of the people that live in your house.

Well, there's the littlest one.  He's super adorable, incredibly smart for 2, plays the drums, and loves me.  Then there's the little one.  She is my favorite princess and lights up my life with her spunkiness.  Then there's the big one.  He's an amazing person.  I still love him after over a decade.

3.  If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
For some reason "Mo" popped in my head immediately, then I laughed because that is SO not what I would say.  Hmm.  When I was a kid I wanted to be named Felicity after the character in the American Girl books.

4.  What is your best birthday memory?
When I dressed up and went to the Cheesecake Factory with Davey for my 20th bday, I think.  Also when you, Dad, and Judy surprised me with tickets to the Newsboys concert...and we had to leave RIGHT THEN! That was fun.

5.  How do you describe your job to people?
I use music therapeutically to treat kids with special needs.  I use music in a group setting to address social needs, emotional skills, speech, physical goals, and more.

6.  Who are your best friends?

My hubs, my favorite sister, Christy (our cousin), and my sister-in-laws Whitney and Julie

7.  What is your favorite snack?

Chocolate chip cookies, veggie sticks (like veggie potato chips in stick form), pretzel chips with Nutella, Pirate's Booty, cheese and fruit.  I eat it all.

8.  Can you answer this question with another question?
Can you?

9.  What is your favorite outfit?

Comfy skinny jeans, a tank top and a light cardigan with matching jewelry.  And converse shoes.

10.  What are you reading right now?

"I am a Church Member"

 Bible 

about to start the last Harry Potter book 

my sister's blog.

11.  What do you want to be when you grow up?

What's "grow up"?

12.  What is the most played song on your iPod?

"Big God," clearly. (my nephew likes to play drums with it and constantly asks for it to be played)

13.  What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

Scrubbing the shower.  

Cleaning the garage...oh that's right, I don't!

14.  If you could choose to use any form of transportation, what would it be and why?

Hover board - it looks fun and would solve traffic problems.  You know, just zoom over.  

Or a private chauffeur would be swell.

15.  What is a sound that drives you crazy?  What is a sound that makes you happy?

Anything that is very repetitive.  This could be a toddler asking me the same thing over. and. over. and. over. Or any noise after 8:00pm.  Those are quiet hours in my house.  (where's the answer to the second part of the question, Goober?)

The little one, the mommy one, the littlest one

16.  If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?

A messy birthday for Lailey.  Sounds fun...and messy.

17.  What do you/would you do with 30 minutes of uninterrupted free time?

Read, sleep, or blog.  Or eat.

18.  If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Sail

19.  What's one thing that you did growing up that got you into trouble?

ONE thing?  Are you kidding?  Making Amy mad (but it was so EASY!!)

20.  If you could have dinner with anyone (limit to 10, live dead, fictional, real, etc) who would it be?

Mom, Jesus, Christy (since she just moved), Julie Andrews, Mother Theresa, Lottie Moon, 

Harry Potter/Hermione/Ron/Weasley twins, though this would be a different dinner for some reason.  It seemed odd to juxtapose them to the above people!

21.  What is one story that your family is always telling about you?

How precocious I was as a kid.

22.  What was your favorite food as a kid and do you like that food now?

Hmmmm, I don't know.  I loved fruit snacks and still do.  Always have loved fruit as well.

23.  If you could witness any event, past, present, or future, what would it be?

The Resurrection

24.  Do you prefer to talk in person, by phone, in emails, or by text?  Why?

Talk in person.  Though I don't mind the others.

25.  What effect does the color yellow have on you?

Apparently laughter, because I just laughed at this question.

26.  If you could have any superpower what would it be?

Ooooh, I'd want to fly.

27.  What is on your nightstand?

Well, it's really a bookshelf, so books, book light, phone charger, picture of Lailey.

28.  At 30, what is one thing you will try to do differently from 29?

I don't know!  Nothing I'll necessarily do differently, because I tried to reach several different goals this past year, but maybe continue on with those things like finish the Bible, go to Seattle with my family, continue homeschooling, etc.  Maybe exercise?  One can always hope right?

29.  If you could choose one dessert as your birthday dessert (you're not limited to birthday cake) what would it be?  Be specific.

Cheesecake!  Turtle cheesecake, cheesecake with strawberries or raspberries, whatever.  I love cheesecake.  Plain is good too.

30.  If you were to get amnesia and could only keep one memory, what would it be?  

Getting married to my best friend.

~ Real ~

Even though my sister does not live close enough (in my opinion), I'm thankful for the phone and other forms of technology that help keep us in touch.  I'm also thankful for the incredible sister that God blessed me with!

Go check out more Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real blog posts at Like Mother, Like Daughter

Matthan's Baptism

"[...] God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water.  This prefigured baptism, which saves you now.  It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ [...]"  1 Peter 3:20-21

Many of our friends and family joined us this weekend for Matthan's baptism, and for a post baptism party at our house after the mass.

Fr. Eric addressing the parents and Godparents

Matthan Timothy being baptized

"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." 
Galatians 3:27

Being dressed in white garments

Being sealed with holy oil

Matthan was not thrilled with the whole thing.  He fussed through a good bit of it and ended up falling asleep in Tim's arms (which is something he rarely does).  A lot of excitement for the little guy.

Godmother Penny, Amy, Tim, Matthan, and Godfather Austin

Father Eric, Amy, Tim, Matthan, and Deacon Nick

Grandpa Jim, Maddox, Aunt Sarah, Amy, Lailey, Tim, and Matthan

Sophia, Penny, Grandpa Peter, Amy, Ava, Grandma Mary, Tim, Matthan, Muriel, and Austin

I didn't allow Tim to wash Matthan's head for two weeks.  The nursery and car seat smelled like holy chrism for several weeks after that.  Aw, sigh, I miss that smell.

Matthan's Baptism Weekend

This weekend we had family and friends come into town for Matthan's baptism.  Matthan got to meet his cousins Ava and Sophia, his great grandmother Muriel, and many others, who were all quite smitten with him.

Cousins - Ava (6 years old), Sophia (3 years old), and Matthan (2 months old)

They couldn't get enough of him and entertained him all weekend

Great grandmother Muriel and Matthan

Aunt Penny brought up a couple different baptism outfits, and Tim felt that Matthan needed to try on all the pieces.  Matthan was not so thrilled with the fashion show.  Mommy vetoed the bonnet.

We headed to the nearby Buford corn maze and pumpkin patch where we had taken pictures previously.

The girls got to ride the ponies, pet some animals, and play in the "corn box" (instead of sand box).

Sophia on the pony

Ava in the "corn box"

The girls also got their faces painted.  Ava got an owl (? I think ?), and Sophia got Ariel.

Grandma Mary, Ava, Sophia, and Grandpa Peter with the pumpkins