At last!

The last time I wrote, we had left our rental house in Kingston and were on our way to Atlanta, GA.  Our friends the Halls graciously opened their home to us, and we stayed with them for about 10 days.  We couldn't have stayed at a better home!  They were very hospitable and we enjoyed our time there greatly. :)  They attend a home church, so we got to spend two Sundays with their fellowship as well!  It was great to be in an intimate group of believers!

Just before we arrived in Atlanta, we spent the day in Chattanooga, TN, to see the aquarium and the riverfront.  The aquarium itself was two large buildings (three, actually, counting the 3D theatre)--one was the ocean/butterfly/rain forest part, while the other focused on the rivers of the world.  Everything was laid out excellently, and the vast array of marine creatures they had was breathtaking.

After the aquarium, we walked down a little of the Tennessee River.  There were floating docks in the water that people were walking on--one guy was riding a bike on one and another kid was skateboarding--and every time a wake came in the docks would roll and bend.

That same evening, we spent a couple hours in McKay's Bookstore--a large warehouse of books, magazines, CD's, DVD's, records and more!  I was in heaven.  They had pretty reasonable prices as well!  Unless, of course, you bought 100 books or something....

Jumping a week ahead now: next weekend we find ourselves at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta (where Coke was invented). We all enjoyed that immensely, and I don't even like soda.  That was a full day of fun that you'll see pictures of in the web album I made.

On Wednesday the 9th, we drove back up to Kingston in Tennessee.  Having been in escrow on a house here for over a month, Dad finally, FINALLY got to close escrow on the 11th, thus fulfilling a lifelong dream of living on the water!  It's official, we now own a house in East Tennessee.  Our plans for now are to use it as a summer home, beginning next year.  But we are ready for whatever the Lord may have for us.  Whew, now that that's out, I can freely post pictures!

Starting on the evening of the 11th, we've been shopping for the living essentials we'll need for the next few weeks.  We plan to be home in the second week of November, and until then we have to sleep on something other than the carpet!  So we went to Costco, Walmart and Big Lots and stocked up on some kitchenware, bedding, trash cans and other necessities (hey, I spelled "necessities" right without even spell checking it!!).  Dad even went and got us a couple of kayaks.....you know, for exercise!

In case you've been wondering, here's a web album (careful, it's big) of the last few weeks.

We miss everyone at home terribly, and can't wait to see y'all again in November!!!!

She said

One recent morning, Mom was fixing pancakes for breakfast.  Libbey entered the kitchen asking the age-old question, "what's for breakfast?", to which Mom replied, "melt-in-your-mouth pancakes!"

A moment later, Dad sat down at the table and Libbey brought him a stack of pancakes.  She said, "here's your breakfast, and you don't have to chew them because they're the melt-in-your-mouth kind!" :)

Little sisters make mornings good.

After many days I have returned

Sorry for all who expected Part 2.  I'm still working on it.  But these are my long-overdue 313 photos.  With all that has been going on lately, photography has not been high on my priorities list, but I was able to get in a little each day, just enough for now. :)  I have many, many more days to make up for my lack of creativity!

Day 117:  Tree top

The trees here are very tall, and thick green vines cover most of the foliage in the woods.

Day 118:  ......Lie's?

It's the pool supply store, but their advertising could use some work.

Day 119:  The original iron man :)

This is the Factory at Franklin.  Although it's now a shopping venue, it still has a lot of neat history, and this memorial sculpture out in front.  Meet Rusty!

Day 120:  Old books are old friends

This is a fabulous book.  I honestly spent the whole night reading it.  It was that good!

Day 121:  Timber

Thick doors in old houses make lots of noise when moved.

Day 122:  What?

Who uses these decorative pillows anyway?  Except for making forts, that is.  But even these would make a pretty sad fort. :/

Day 123:  Sometimes there are bugs

There aren't really that many more bugs than anywhere else, so it's not that bad at all.

Day 124:  Harvest moon!

I didn't know this was called a harvest moon until.....today.  It is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox.  Isn't it beautiful?

Day 125:  Let there be light.....the modern way

"Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?" -Unknown

Day 126:  Flowing waters

"Rivers are roads which move, and which carry us whither we desire to go." -Blaise Pascal 

Day 127:  The wind chime that is as big as Libbey

This hung outside on the porch of our last rental, and it made a really nice mellow sound.  I always liked these, and this was my favorite. 

Day 128:  Circles galore

I love the circles that Canon is known for!  Why not go against the grind and show them off a little?

Day 129:  In which I make my own makeup

It's amazing how many things you can find in your kitchen to use for things besides eating.  This powdered foundation uses spices!  It's natural, cheap and it smells wonderful!

Day 130:  Last day at the rental

Isn't the view lovely?  That's part of Kingston in the background.  The lake is so smooth and glassy too, it's quiet and peaceful.

Day 131:  Fort Southwest Point

This was a great place to tour, and free too!  The guide was very informative and the grounds were perfect for picnicking, not to mention the great view.  

Day 132:  Chattanooga Aquiarium

It's field trip day!!!  More stuff to touch!  This ray and shark tank had a little shark in it called a bonnethead.  It looked like a baby hammerhead.  Libbey touches it here.  I took this through the glass (which was dirty from so many little hands and noses pressed against it) so please excuse the quality of this photo.

Day 133:  More books.  Can you tell I like books?

Monday in Georgia~very descriptive, I know.  This was taken at our friend's house in Atlanta, where we stayed for over a week.  They have bookshelves everywhere!!!! <3

Day 134:  To visit friends....

"The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it."

-Author unknown

Day 135:  The worth of water

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again.  The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

-John 4:14

Day 136:  Ombre!

Ahh....symmetry, I love it.  Especially when it's in threes.  Very pleasing to the eye, indeed. :)

Day 137:  Welcome to the World of Coca-Cola!

Normally, I don't care for this type of lamp.  But this one is so iconic and cool!  But only for a Coca-Cola junkie. :)  

Day 138:  Stone Mountain on a Saturday night.

See that crowd?....that's nothing compared to what is was like after the laser show!  At 8:00 pm, the park put on a great laser show, complete with fireworks and music!  It was really, really neat and we all enjoyed it.  Well, except for our friend's baby girl, who screamed her head off during the grand finale.  The Stone Mountain park puts on these shows every night in the summertime!

Day 139:  This is how to defrost a frozen CapriSun.

Or you won't be able to get the juice up the tiny straw, of course.  These are a guilty pleasure we rarely enjoy, anyway!

Day 140:  With little ones

Fridge art by the little people!  These are the future artists and authors, my friends.  Teach em' well!

Day 141:  The earth laughs in flowers

"Pluck not the wayside flower; it is the traveler's dower."

-William Allingham

Day 142:  Library parking lot

I was sitting on the curb, people watching, and decided to take a shot at this sedan.  It was kind of dirty, so I picked the cleanest part. :p

Day 143:  Turning colors <3

Back here in Tennessee, the leaves on the trees are starting to turn!  In a couple weeks they should be in peak.  Hurrah!  

Day 144:  Back on Watts Bar Lake

And couldn't be happier!  I love looking out on the peaceful, quiet waters of this beautiful lake!

I promise, Part 2 will be coming shortly!

From the 14th onward

Finally, finally getting a chance to post again!  It has been an unbelievable week.  More on that in the next post. :)  Also, this is a very long post, so get comfy.  You've been warned.

A couple weeks ago, we took a weekend trip to Middle Tennessee.  On Saturday the 14th, we spent the day shopping and site seeing in Franklin, a small town outside Nashville that's famous for it's Civil War history!  

~The 14th was also Mom's birthday, and this was how she wanted to spend her day.  I'm so blessed to have her as my mentor, teacher, friend and spiritual guide.  Thank you, Mom, for all you do for me and our family and so many others.  I love you so much!!~

These are some of the shops in the Franklin factory.  

One of Mom's favorite things.  Happy Birthday!! <3

The swiveling display :)

After spending the day in Franklin, we drove to Nashville and went to the Opryland Hotel.  We came here 3 years ago, after the Vision Forum retreat in Georgia, and it was fun to come back! 

All indoors, there are 3 huge atriums with waterfalls, rivers, islands, and all sorts of dining and shopping.

"Oh, I could hang here, I could hang here!" ;)

Impromptu water show

Saturday night, we drove to Centerville and spent the night at the Field's home.  It was such a blessing getting to know them!  On Sunday we attended Christ the King Church again.  We were blessed to be with a great fellowship of believers. :)

The Field family, their friend Susanna, and us.

(photo credit goes to Elizabeth Botkin)

On the 21st, our family went to Knoxville to do some shopping.  Mostly we went to furniture stores, but I got to spend some time in a large book store too!  We shopped at Costco (finally!!) and went to Earthfare.

Libbey loved the furniture stores.

Photo by Delaney

This was her favorite set by far.  Anyone surprised?

Craigslist and in-store shopping simultaneously 

After dinner, we went to sweetFrog!  They have delicious frozen yogurt and lots of great toppings.  F.r.o.g. stands for Fully Rely On God.  Cool right?

The saddest picture

Almost as sad as the last picture

Delaney wanted credit, so here it is.  She took the middle picture. ;)

Sunday afternoon, we took a long boat ride (about 15 miles) and had a picnic in a park.  There was a splash pad with fountains, and the girls had a great time!!  It was a blast just to capture the moments.

Look out!

This is the life. <3

Last Friday we checked out of our rental house and spent the day in Kingston.  Dad worked in the car and we ladies spent some time in the library.  Then we walked over the Fort Southwest Point.  The frontier military post, built in 1797, was a working fort up until 1811 when soldiers were no longer needed there.  At it's peak there were over 625 soldiers stationed there.  We got a free tour from a very friendly guide (he let us touch stuff!  Yay!!  I just hate not being able to touch things).  

Eating lunch in the parking lot.  Mr. Duck didn't get any, no matter how much he begged.

The two stubborn creatures facing off

The view from the Fort.

A Cherokee cabin.  And we thought they lived in tepees....

Mom really liked this chair :)

One of the reconstructed barracks

Part 2 coming soon!