A Saturday in the Life

So, there really hasn't been anything extraordinary going on in the life of Stone.  We've been busy with work and dance and school and church and friends, but nothing really to blog about. 

I did have the opportunity to speak at Mountain Brook Community Church this morning about Restoration Academy.  I hope the Lord used my words to further His kingdom and the precious work he's doing in Fairfield.  There's a luncheon this Thursday - 12 pm until 1 pm that I'd like to invite everyone to come to - it's a great way to learn about the school.  Email me for more info.

In the light of the less than eventful life of the Stone family, I figured I could chronical the happenings of a typical Saturday in our life.

Really, the Saturday begins Friday night - most nights with ice cream.  In this picture, Anne Bailey was telling Fenningan to be quiet - he had been sequestered in the house because he wanted to partake of the ice cream too. Notice our Bama outfit - we start wearing our colors on Thursday in this house.

"Fennigan, you better be quiet because I am not sharing my ice cream"

On Saturdays we make our way to the market (sadly, this past weekend was the last time for the year) where we inevitably run into many friends.  Most recently we've run into some part of the Bentley clan.  This weekend we were pleasantly surprised to find all four of the Bentley's there. The boys were decked out in their game day wear - we were decked out in ours.

"No seriously James - orange is just not your color.  You should try Crimson and White - much more pleasing to the eye."

Two too-cute cuties!

After the market, we end up at Target or some other supercenter.  Then we usually grab lunch (this weekend we walked to Rojo (about 2 miles away from our house) and ate lunch and then hoofed it back for nap time). 

Since it is Fall in the South - the day revolves around football.  Our game was at night so Ellabee had all day to put together her rally ensemble.  WOO HOO - it worked.  The tide rolled - all over the Georgia bulldogs.  ROLL TIDE ROLL!

This is how we roll.

Our First Sleep Over

Well, we bit the bullet.  Ellabee and Audrey have been asking to have a sleep over for weeks, perhaps MONTHS it feels like. So Laurie invited Ellabelle to come over last night.  I dropped her off at their house yesterday at 4:30.  You would have thought there were summering in Europe!  

Jumping on the bed in excitement!

So precious!  Laurie and I were looking at all of their pictures together, starting with when they were little bitty babies and going to the night they each had ice cream for the first time and to this night - what memories.

They were asleep in the bed by 8:34! Laurie sent me this picture last night with an update.  Then they got up at 6:30 - right on schedule.  We'll have Aud here next... but there's going to have to be some recoup time first!

We'll Be Coming 'round the Mountain When we Come

We headed to the mountains of North Carolina for a family weekend with Mimi and Papa and Uncle Ben and Aunt Jen.  The weather was incredible and the girls had an absolute ball.  We stayed at the house in Hayesville, once Granny and Weo's home on the "creek".  There's a rushing creek about 20 feet across and about knee deep at its deepest point for the girls (and Daddy) to play in.  

The house is fantastic.  Air conditioned, three bedroom and two bath with a fully stocked kitchen.  We were able to bring in food AND run to the local Ingles for necessities while being away and out of any type of cell phone / internet range. I will say that not having the ability to get service was both liberating and nerve-racking.  Especially for my precious husband who actually had me drive into Hayesville proper so he could get bars on his Treo and send an email.  Seriously? 

Anyway, here are some pictures from the weekend.  It was so nice to hangout with Ben and Jen for a bit.  Their little bundle is due December 3rd, so this was their last trip before their two become three. We're eagerly awaiting the birth of our new niece or nephew!  

We went over to Franklin to visit Mimi and Papa at the Stone Family cabin (the house on the creek is the Shuford Family cabin).  John's grandfather was an educator who believed that even though he brought his three children up to the Mountains of North Carolina each summer, they should never fall behind on their studies.  He put up this chalkboard and had the children (Lee and his sisters, Lo and Nan) work on their arithmetic and spelling.  the girls enjoyed it many years later.

The flowers in NC are still in full bloom and beautiful.  I was particularly taken with these black-eyed susans just outside the cabin along the creek bank.

This recipe was taped to the wall in the kitchen of the Franklin cabin.  Jen and I were intrigued.  We'll have to try it - looks yummy and I have a feeling that it was one of Gigi's favorites.

The minute we got there everyone got in the creek.  It was COLD but so very fun.  John built a dam for the girls so that the water would pool a little better.  They loved walking in the water finding MANY many different critters, like crawfish and salamanders.

There were a lot of rocks for Anne Bailey to sit upon in the water.  She was just happy with that arrangement.

Ellabee and Uncle Ben spent a lot of time together.

I spent a lot of time acting as troll on the bridge refusing passage to the little people among us unless they were accompanied by an adult.

Ellabee with Kenny the Mudbug

Sometimes it's just too cold to play in that water.  I sat on the big rock and warmed up little bodies.

Sitting with Uncle Ben at the Franklin Cabin.  Ellabee and Anne Bailey love love LOVE their Uncle Ben and Aunt Jen.  We wish they didn't live so far away but also know that they love being in California.

A New Member of the Stone Fam

Well, there's a new member of the Stone family - no, we're not that callous to make any announcement like that on the blog... but we WOULD like to introduce you to John's new bike.  You would think with the fanfare and considerable consternation endured in the decision process of bringing home this new little bundle of 14 lb joy that this would be as important as the new addition of an offspring, daughter, child of our family... well, to John - pretty much. 

Welcome to the Tri Bike.  I don't know what kind it is, I don't know what it's qualities are - all I know is that my husband is very happy. 

A Trip to the Lake

One of our board members at Restoration and his beautiful family invited us to Lake Martin for an overnight get-away.  I was able to get away from my home as well and accompany the three young ladies from Restoration who were able to go.  We had a ball and I was so touched by the care and thought the Davis family had put into the weekend.  Our girls had an experience that they will be talking about for a while.  It even spurred more talk about more things we can do.  I have a feeling I'm going to become the RA cruise director pretty soon. 

The RA girls with Mr. and Mrs. Davis and their daughter Grace Ann.

Ar'Shundra and Asia experimented with the slings

Janey and Tootie watching their parents on the inner tube.

Ready to head out on the tube.

A Prayer for Morning Coffee Time

I really love my coffee. Man, I really REALLY love my coffee. There's something about the warmth of the cup and having the coffee pot to return to a couple of times. With each sip, I usually am praying through my day - things I need to get accomplished, things I hope don't happen, things I hope do. Prayers for my children and my husband and my friends and family. prayers for patience and ability to mother my children lovingly but sternly. Prayer that I get it all done.

I went to the bookstore today - do you know they actually have stores with only books in them? - and came across a couple of books for John and I to read through together. One caught my eye: Prayers for People Under Pressure by Johnathan Aitken. Aitken, apparently, is quite the controversial figure in the UK. He was jailed for perjury after serving in Parliament and met Christ there. He has since published multiple books and essays about the Christian faith. As I was flipping through the pages, I came upon this prayer by another person I've never heard of and am therefore wary - Richard J Foster, a Quaker pastor. I want to research a little more about these men, but I'm intrigued. Anyway, here's the prayer that stuck with me and now is taped up above my coffee spot so that I see it each morning:

Somehow, Jesus, I like praying with a cup of coffee in my hands. I guess the warmth of the cup settles me and speaks with the warmth of your love. I hold the cup against my cheek and listen, hushed and still. I blow on the coffee and drink. O Spirit of God, blow across my little life and let me drink in your great life.

Come Lord Jesus, come in the coffee moments and quiet moments and remind me that each moment is sacred.