New Words

So today while we were out running errands, Madison shared with me two new words she knows. How she learned them I haven't the slightest, since I think she's been there only once before. We passed this store while out and about, and I know that it will be a familiar place to most, if not all of you --the words......"Toyz Russ." YIKES!

Always an Adventure

We decided a few weeks ago that for the Veterans Day Holiday, we'd like to venture outside our fine city and see the sights a little. Since the fall color here is gorgeous, we picked our destination as Asheville, NC. I must say, the color was spectacular (as you can see) and no we didn't fork over the $145 it would have cost to tour the Biltmore Estate...We saved that chunk of money and we'll just look at pictures of it :)

We found a company that rents cabins in and around Asheville, and found a little one that would fit the four of us comfortably. The Chestnut Cabinwas as close to a little mountain cabin as you can get. It was adorable! The only thing missing was the wood burning fireplace (it had a gas fireplace), but there were others burning in the area and you could catch that wonderful aroma the moment you stepped outside. A tour of the cabin:

The main living area, very cozy indeed (it even had wireless internet!)
Our bedroom - even had a down comforter...toasty, toasty!
The loft for the kids (watch your head)
The kitchen...all we had to bring was food.
The front porch...too cold this time, but if it were summer....ahhhh serenity!
A different view of the cabin, but shows the back gazebo with an outside fireplace, bbq and a fish pond.


So on to our adventures...... The first day, we got there in the afternoon and Maddie took a little nap. Lester and Corben went out for a walk up the "road" and were gone for over an hour I'd guess. Well, when they returned, Corben was soaked almost up to his knees, and his shoes were indistinguishable as shoes! Yes, that was the only pair I had brought for him. The "road" they travelled, was the creek behind the cabin. They had a rock-hopping, splish-splashing good time. Moral of the story, I should have brought another pair of shoes. We left to go take a tour of the city and had to stop first at the local Sears and pick up a new pair of shoes! I guess that's one way to get new shoes. ;)

Saturday we ventured to Chimney Rock park and had fun going up and down more stairs than can be imagined. The views were worth it, and we definitely got our excercise! We took the elevator to the top, and the stairs down. We took a little side hike to a water fall and another little hike for Corben and Madison. They both loved it!Wherever we go, adventure always finds us one way or another, this time, it was walking into Sears with a boy wearing only socks on his feet. Oh well, we'll never forget that! :)

A 6 (almost 7) Year Old's Faith in Prayer

This is something I just had to post about.... Let me preface the prayer part with what transpired before we read scriptures and prepared for family prayer. I know this is totally unheard of, but Corben's room has become-shall we say-a little cluttered. I told him that before we left the house tomorrow morning, his room needed to be picked up. That statement was met with the standard groans and grumbles, as yes, sadly that is the norm. Somehow in his years upon this earth so far, it hasn't sunk in that he can't leave his room messy for very long--at some point things need to be put in their proper place. So now to his prayer -- "please bless that when I get up and go in my room, all my toys and things will be put away and it will be clean." Now THAT is faith! It was extremely hard for Lester and I to maintain reverence and not bust out laughing..... When the prayer was done, I said to Corben, let's see if a mighty miracle was wrought in your room. It was quite a moment! I had to explain that some things, Heavenly Father can't do for us and we have to take responsibility for -- I'm sure he'll learn that in life. Oh the faith and innocence of the young. :)

Corben's Dream Come True

This is a dream come true for this boy, let me tell you!!! He has wished for a dirt bike of his own as long as I can remember, at every opportunity for wishes, even at the Chinese restaurant with the coin fountain in the lobby. Our new neighbors across the street bought this little electric bike for their son (who is 11 and can barely ride it). Corben was lucky enough to be invited to ride it, and boy oh boy, did he show that family how to properly ride a motorcycle. I can say in all honesty that his desire for a bike of his own is now more than ever at the top of his list. Someday I suppose..... :) [Make sure to pause the music player to hear the commentary!]

FREEEEEE!

I made a great find on craigslist, and it was FREE! I've always loved to play the piano, and wanted to have one. A friend had told me how she found one cheap and rented a trailer and picked it up, so I checked every so often and hit paydirt! It's pretty old, around the early 1900's, and it really smells like it too. :) Once I hit it with a little wood soap and vacuum it out, it should be fine. I have to get it tuned, and fix a couple white keys where the ivory is missing but other than that, I'm thrilled to have it. You just never know what you're going to find on the LIST....