so big

Dear Bennett & Nathan,

You guys are 2 peas in a pod. After I turn off morning cartoons and breakfast is over, the two of you play non-stop together til lunchtime. You both love "shooting" your plastic guns, chasing each other and piling up all the couch pillows and stuffed animals onto the living room floor and jumping off the couch onto them. You laugh, wrestle, and sometimes you hit and bite. We've broken up quite a few nasty fights between you two, but it never seems to last long. In fact, neither of you like to be without the other and your always within eyesight of one another. You have your own language, that no one, but the two of you can understand. One of you will say something and the other will follow as if you know exactly what was said or what is to be done.

Bennett, you are so smart, sweet and strong-willed. You amaze us with your words and understanding. There are times when you'll share almost anything and other times when you want whatever it is Nathan has, and you'll throw a fit for a very long time if you don't get it. We love listening to you laugh and finding you hiding under the dining room table. You give the best hugs and kisses!

Nathan, you are so snuggly, care-free and loving. You have a more passive attitude that we're so grateful for and a quick learner. While there are times you'd really like to hold on to whatever it is you are playing with, the majority of the time you had over your toy to Bennett. Lately, you've been telling me "no" a lot with you're sweet little grumpy face. You're a momma's boy and I love it when you're sucking your thumb and have a hand full of my hair. You're also a wonderful sleeper!

You both ADORE your big brother Will and he adores you both as well. You look forward to getting him off the bus everyday and spending time outside. We love watching the three of you play together and working out your differences. We pray for God's guidance in bringing all three of you up in a way that will make you close in a loving, caring way, and it's important to us that you understand the importance of family, to protect each other the way brothers should.

God knew what he was doing when He put you in our life, and I am so grateful for that. I love you both more than you'll ever know.

Your biggest fan,
Mom

up in the sky

A couple weeks ago, we spent time with family up in Sky Valley and celebrated the life of our Papa Riley. Sky Valley is located right where GA, NC and SC all meet. It's situated in a scenic mountain valley on the northwest side of Rabun Bald, Georgia’s second highest mountain, and it is also the city with the highest elevation in Georgia. Had a wonderful time and the boys did pretty well. There is SO much to do there, and there is NO cell phone service or internet in our cabins. It sits on a golf resort, so golf is always an option, many hiking trails, fishing, shopping, access to a small gym, hot tub, play area for the kids and waterfalls. Estatoah falls is within walking distance of our cabin and just beautiful. There's something about a waterfall that'll just put you in a good mood. Sometimes I would just look around at how gorgeous the views were there and think... "if only the rest of the East Coast knew about this place." I think the boys had the most fun just playing with their cousins, digging for worms, and finding cool sticks and rocks. Every night, someone would host dinner in their cabin, where we would all gather and have the best time eating, sharing and playing games. It's great being around all my cousins- we've been coming to Sky Valley since we were all little, and now we all have kids of our own. Loved watching them all play together.


We spent one day at my Grandma's house in Townville, SC. My Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ken live with her and we had a great time visiting with them and the rest of my mom's side of the family, and we're very blessed that she's only about an hour away. The boys had a blast here because my Uncle Ken raises chickens and there's just a ton for them to get into on the farm.

At the end of the week, we had a Celebration of Life ceremony for my Papa Riley who passed earlier this year. It was a heartfelt service that I will never forget.

We are blessed to have places like these to visit. Great vacation and great time to spend with family.