Fun With Napkins

What do you do when you've finished your dinner, your 16 month old is throwing a fit, and you are still waiting on the bill?

Anything that will entertain or distract them for at least 10 seconds. This worked about that long last night.

To KY & Back...

Last week Jen and I made the trek back to Lexington to be a part of a wedding. Not only had I committed to help officiate the ceremony well over a year ago, but the groom and bride are both incredible people and good friends. We made the trip kidless thanks to the generosity and grandparently courage of Mr. & Mrs. Howard Balm. Medals of childwatching valor to you both!


All in all it was a great trip. Yes, we missed the kids and did spend two full days of the four day excursion driving in the car. But we got to see some friends, be a part of an incredibly sweet wedding and have lots of uninterrupted adult conversation- a rarity in our house. We're especially grateful to Chris & Cherlynn Stevenson for their hospitality and the free run of the house.


I've made similar trips before- heading back to a place and people that I've loved and served in the past- and have often felt a little awkward because everyone (me included) has moved on and things just aren't the same. This visit was pleasantly different. Yes, things have progressed without us and people have changed. But we were welcomed with open arms. And while it was great to be back in KY and reconnect with a bunch of folks we love, we also found ourselves excited to get back home to NC and hang with the new people God has brought into our lives. Talk about a win-win.

Me And The Boy...

For the last couple of weeks we've been waiting for our new niece to be born "at any minute". (Imagine how her poor mother felt!) Finally on Sunday we got "the call" and Jen and Addy commandeered my Kia and blazed towards Nashville to welcome Isley Balm into the family and onto the planet.

Which meant that Colston & Daddy stayed behind, held down the homestead, bonded- and tried and survive until Mommy got back. All in all we spent 4 days and 3 nights together.

Hanging with the boy on my own for an extended period of time was actually easier than I expected it to be. It was nice to be able to give Colston so much attention and to catch up with how he is changing and growing. We wrestled, cuddled, read books and chased. We played on the swingset and I bathed Colston for the first time. Yes, you read that right. To this point Jen has been in charge of Colston's grooming and I've taken care of Addy. I got to witness Colston's propensity to throw a fit and rain down a few tears if you deny him something that his little brain is fixated on. I also learned that dinner is MUCH quieter with just the guys. Not only are Jen and I not trying to have a conversation with Addyson interrupting, but Colston isn't grunting and whining for every next bite.

The girls came home last night and of course we're glad to have them back where they belong. But us guys might just need some more time together in the future.

What?????

Last week we got a call from a family member telling us that they had ordered us a housewarming gift and that it would be arriving within the week. "Nice", we thought.

Then on Saturday we got a call from Circuit City telling us that we'd have a delivery coming that afternoon. "Hmmmmm, this is getting interesting", we thought.

Finally, the truck pulled up and the Circuit City guys brought in our gift.



"What??????? No Way!", we exclaimed.

This is undoubtedly the best housewarming gift ever.

If you've been meaning to send us something, you'd better step your game up.

And to that now legendary family member, we're speechless and grateful.

Colston loves him some...

...mashed potatoes. And the control that comes from feeding himself.

Addy Is 4!

Addy turned four on Monday and we had some friends and family over to celebrate with presents, water wars and good old dirt cake- complete with Gummy Worms (Addy's request). Here are some shots of the action.