Our Little Corner of the World: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Flag Football

Last year, Jake played flag football but was fairly indifferent to the entire process. When he told us he wanted to play again this year, we were a little hesitant, but went ahead and signed him up. I am so glad we did!! This year he understands the game, works hard, is aggressive and is having fun!! I guess all those hours of playing football with the kids in the neighborhood really helped!

Jacob's highlight reel of the season, thus far, includes: getting an interception, running it to the 1 yard line before getting his flag pulled, two deflections, and many tackles (flag pulling)!

Love this one! This is Jacob telling his friend, on the other team, that "I have my eyes on YOU!"

Jacob takes the hand-off and tries to get around the defenders.

Deflecting the ball

This is one cccoooollllldddd fan! Those nights and early mornings can be pretty brutal.

Going for another deflection.

Falling Leaves = Fun

Snapping Pictures

I had the privilege of being part of a team who took some pictures for a beautiful young lady. It was a lot of fun. Here are a few of them:

NASHVILLE!!!

Brian and I took a trip to Nashville in early October. We went with my dad and step-mom. My mom and step-dad kept the kids. We had an awesome time in Nashville and the kids had a great time with Mamaw and Papaw!

Sitting in Legends listening to music after our trip to Jimmy Buffet's for dinner

Broadway - we love to sit and listen to music at Legends

At the Opry Plaza Party

The Opry's 86th birthday bash

We ate at Jimmy Buffets and a guy on stilts made us all hats. We wore them down Broadway and got LOTS of funny looks. Here Brian is with the guitar at Legends.

Live Honky Tonk music - woo hoo!!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

As I was walking today, I noticed this dandelion and almost kicked it to see the "white clouds" fly off. But then I stopped and thought for just a second. A lot of people look at a dandelion and see a weed as I usually do. But when I looked at it this time, I noticed something - its beautiful patterns and the way it is put together. Noticing those patterns really made my head spin.

Are we a little like this? Do we look at certain people and write them off as "weeds" in society? Do we make judgements based on what someone looks like, where they live, what they wear, what we have heard about them, etc? But, more importantly, do we stop to really see that person as an individual? Stop and look at them? Get to know them? Look for the beautiful patterns that are intwined in their being?

It is my belief that too often we spend time judging and avoiding life's "weeds" and need to spend more time talking and forming relationships with them. Spend more time looking for the beauty in others. It is there.

Two-Wheelin' It

Jacob worked really hard to teach Lizzie how to ride her bike without training wheels. Then, Brian worked with her. She was good at going up and down the driveway but not brave enough to hit the sidewalks or the bike path with us. Today, we went on a walk and she rode her bike! She did such a great job. I was afraid she would panic and end up in the pond, but she didn't. It was so much fun to see her riding that bike and her beaming proud smile!

Here she goes.

She did so well she even navigated that curve in front of her successfully!

A proud Lizzie with her daddy. Notice the pond in the background? No Lizzie there!

Woo hoo!!

A quick photo op for Lizzie and Sadie. Neither were too excited about it

Dodo visits

Brian's mom, lovingly referred to as Dodo, visited in early September. She attended Jacob's grandparent's day activities at school. We enjoyed having her here for the long weekend. She was here on her birthday and we asked where she would like to eat. Even though Zach was telling her (over and over) to choose Olive Garden, she wanted Dairy Queen. So we treated her to Dairy Queen for her birthday.

Karen and the kiddos.