The Outer Banks

Once more our breath has been stolen by the vast creation around us. We were invited to spend some time in the Outer Banks with some friends last week. Located on the northern shores of North Carolina, these small bodies of land are surrounded by strong ocean currents, continuously shifting sand bars, and over 2,000 sunken ships justifying the name "graveyard of the Atlantic". In this area are many lighthouses. And for our schooling, we did a unit on lighthouses. We studied about the reasons why thy are needed, the different types of light sources used over the years, and stories of the light keeper's lives. To complete this unit, we visited Cape Hatteras lighthouse. It is the tallest lighthouse in the North America, and was once the tallest brick building in the Americas. It is a beautiful sight, just under 200 ft tall. Josiah, Elise, Michael and I climbed to the top, while Titus enjoyed the company of our friends safely at the bottom. From the top we could see way out into the ocean as well as across the peninsula.

We also enjoyed watching a variety of animals. These white cranes were so sleek with their thin necks and moved so gracefully along the shore.

I personally enjoyed the Great Dane that was frolicking like a young puppy up and down the shoreline. He was easily as tall as Josiah when on all fours, and must have been an older dog judging by the grey hairs around his snout, but he could bound from one side of the point to the next in effortless strides. A couple times, when Josiah would run to one of us to share some of his 'news' this dog would rally up behind him looking for a good game of chase. I am just thankful Josiah didn't turn around, or he would have been terrified!

In the Outer Banks there is no law against driving your vehicle onto the beaches, so there were all sorts of 4-wheel drives along the sand. Most of them had large shore fishing poles fixed onto the front grate of their vehicle. I had never seen such a thing, and if we ever have a chance to go back I would love give shore fishing a try. They were catching fish after fish out there, and someone told us that it was one of the most incredible places for shore fishing.

At the point of Cape Hatteras, two ocean currents collide, one heading North, the other heading South. Seeing these large waves collide made me realise why this area was so well known for its rip currents. It made me want to keep a keen eye on the children....and it made Michael want to try out surfing for the first time. After a 30 minute tutorial on the world wide web, a few minutes with the locals at the surf board rental company, and a lot of positive thinking, my Big Kahuna challenged the ocean. As you may notice, there were some considerable waves surrounding him, especially since there was a nice storm about to blow on to shore!

Many failed attempts later, Moon-doggie decided to go to the bay side to learn on some smaller waves. He came home beaten by the waves, but with a smile on his face and the desire to do it again.

Much like his father, Josiah also was up for a challenge. My son, who used to not put a toe in the water, was learning to boogie board. This kid could not get enough of it! He would lay on the board where the waves would have their last break, and would be swept in by the water.

Elise enjoyed her time on the beach playing with the many sand toys our friends had brought along. She filled buckets and dumped buckets. She sang and danced around and twirled. She got dirty and was always wanting to stay longer.

Titus hung out close to me. When we first arrived at the ocean, Daddy dipped Titus' little toes in the water and I think I heard my easy going son's first protest. As the photo depicts, he was not too thrilled about what his dad was up to. However, he really enjoyed the tent that we placed on the sand. I molded the sand into a little seat for him to rest in. It was deep and soft sand, very comfortable. When it was really windy (the storm front) we tied his tent to the truck to keep him from flying away! Our friend's dog 'Ren' kept watch over Titus.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching my family. The whole time away I was relaxed, not having anything to really accomplish. I don't remember the last time I experienced this! I really was blessed by the company of our hosts, Barb has become a trusted friend. After a long day at the beach, and nice showers to wash off the salty brine, we watched Love Story. Michael and I had never seen it before, and we both thought it was good....for a depressing movie anyways. I am glad our 'story' has been a lot more joyful, even though we say 'sorry' a lot!

The house we stayed in was on a little inlet where we could take the kids in the kayak. Mike took the kiddos individually, and then Josiah took me out for a ride. He did all of the paddling. So chivalrous. :)

On our way home we took a detour to Kitty Hawk where the Wright Brothers made their first flight. It was so windy there!! Mike laughed as I kept saying this, as he thought everyone knew that they selected the spot because it was the most consistently windy place in the US. I guess I didn't learn that fact growing up. The kids had fun running down to the last landing spot of the first day of flight, and Mike loved soaking up more aviation factoids. Titus and I, well, we thought it was windy.

Needless to say, we are loving our year on the East coast. I know that these days will be memories we will keep forever. We are all so thankful to be here, and for the church and people we have been placed in ministry with.

Lastly, I want to share my favorite bumper sticker that I saw on the trip:

Focus on Fall

This week in school we enjoyed the anticipation of fall. Even though the calendar says that fall is upon us, the world outside our window still reflects summer. The humidity continues, along with the green coloring of the trees. So, we decided to learn about signposts of fall and the things we have to look forward to, the changes we hope will soon occur.

As a family we walked through a local national forest where they have 'talking trees' that give you a tutorial on the age process of a forest. It was quite enjoyable. We were the only ones on the path, and as dusk began to fall the stillness crept around us. Micheal said, "Just imagine this dense forest, but no paths, no food, no lights, and being all alone....and someone is looking for you that you don't want to find you." When I told him to stop creeping me out, he just remarked that these are the fun things he got to experience in college. Once again I was reminded as to why I didn't choose a military academy! All in all it was a good experience. We saw a few things that we had not seen before like a brilliantly orange mushroom.

(Well, actually I had seen a cross-stitched cloth of the like at my friend Sarah Simpson's home, but I thought the colors of yarn we just selected to coordinate with my friend's mom's 70's orange counter tops! Not an actual fungus.) So, I took a picture.

Also, we spotted a few spectacular spider webs. This particular one is not in the forest though, it is in front of our house...pretty welcoming, huh? He was just so big, I wasn't going to kill him!

Along with decorating pumpkins, we bobbed for apples. Josiah wisely used the sides of the bowl to retrieve his. Elise used her hands and mouth. I went for the stem, and when I added rules to make it hard for Michael, he outsmarted them all by suctioning his apple out of the bowl!

To be involved in our communities activities, we enjoyed the fall festival in the old downtown. The highlight was definitely our encounter with the Power Rangers!

Next week we will enjoy The Story About Ping...and eventually pictures will follow.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses Pool Party

We all had a wonderful time at Elise's birthday party.

She said the best part was opening presents...that would have been my answer if I was her! She got some really fun things this year from family and friends. Each item was perfectly girly: ballet clothes, Barbie, surfer clothes, ponies, movies and money to go shopping..... what could be more fun for a four year old??

She also enjoyed playing follow the leader in the pool, even though Josiah was the only one following.

I made her little ballet slipper pinata, and the kids enjoyed beating it up.

On Sunday I took her shopping and her selections were Barbie Diamond Castle (because it sings), pink jumbo marshmallows and an electric Hello Kitty toothbrush.

I enjoy this little girl so much!

Titus enjoyed time with Daddy.

Lastly, Josiah took this of the little guy and I...he is 2 1/2 months already!

Happy Birthday, Elise!

My Sweet Elise is 4 today! This shouldn't feel like such the shock that it is, especially since we talked about 100 times yesterday about it being her last day of "3"......and that we heard her singing for about an hour after she went to bed, "I am four tomorrow, tomorrow I am four....four, four, four, four, tomorrow I am four.:) So here are a few shots of our four year old over the last few months:

On her new bike and ready to go!


For a Daddy/Daughter date, she and Michael went golfing. They both enjoyed it, but she was ready to come home after the 8th hole. (It is the hole in the picture, as well as the one in our back yard!)






Her birthday party is this weekend, so more photos to come from that! Love to all,

And I thought it was hard with two...

Hats off to SAB-Mad (mother of 4 under the age of 5 at one point) and all other friends who have managed to get 3 or more of your own children under the age of 5 to look good in the same photo! Here was my first attempt. Needless to say, I will be refining my skills.