Camp

To bring our summer to a relaxing but fun end Joe and I loaded up our sweet bunch and headed on a week and a half camping trip which ended at our usual Labor Day camping location.

It was wonderfully relaxing as we stayed close to home so Joe was still able to keep up with his work load while kicking back at the same time.  It was a great way to celebrate summer one last time before we started back to school….which we did on the Wednesday after Labor Day, and we hit the ground running!  I can’t believe I have a 7th grader!  Where has the time gone????  Wait a minute…I can’t believe I have a 7th grader, a fifth grader, a second grader, a kindergartener, a preschooler, and an infant!  Where did all these kids come from anyway:)  It definitely makes things interesting.  2 weeks in and London hasn’t lost her interest to “do school” like the other kids. 

Well, enough about school, here are a few shots of my favorite 7!

Everyone needs one of these…a built in Mother’s helper!  My kids are GREAT with their new sister.  I can always count on the older 3 to keep her happy when I need just a minute more to finish what I’m doing.

 

This is my little buddy these days.  She sure brought a lot of smiles to the adjacent retirees camping in the campground.

Holland just keeps on going,…fishing, swimming, playground, biking, and then do it all again.  She also helped me trek back and forth to the laundry with our heaping baskets, and stuck around to fold it with me!!!!

Off to the little lake for a swim…we ended up staying there all day.  It was only a stone’s throw from our camper.

Lake water….eewww!  Actually was nice and sandy on the bottom, mom and dad even joined them:)

Man I love my kids.

A little mud fight in the lake…still washing the sand out of their hair.

Ireland and I watched all the fun.

One smiley girl!

This playground had several unique activities including this rope contraption. 

I even participated in the fun…my feet actually left the ground, the kids loved it!

Ropes were a little short for London.

A different version  of the traditional merry-go-round. 

Look mom, I can stand up on the merry-go-round…

This game was a lot of fun as well.  I played with the kids, they didn’t know their mom was so competitive:) 

I couldn’t leave out a snapshot of Joe starting a fire.  If you camp you know that this is one of the foundations of camping.

They had a small hiking trail, just enough for London’s little legs and our arms after walking the “puppy”. 

True gentlemen.

Jackson’s bass…did some fishing throughout the trip.  Between the whole bunch they caught a bass, a sunfish, a bluegill, and a turtle.

Draft day…while there we drafted for our Colvin Family fantasy football league.  I’ll keep you posted.

This was about the ONLY picture that I took at MCSC, our Labor Day weekend camp spot.  Once we arrived the kids found their friends and were not to be seen again until bedtime, and of course when it was time to leave.  It was a great weekend spent with friends.  Here is a snake that was found in the woods.  The kids often disappear into the woods and we’re never sure what they’ll find.  The big find of this particular year was actually salamanders…they were everywhere. 

So that about sums it up.  We decided (or maybe I decided:)) that we need to do this more often. 

A Party for London

Our family can be somewhat random when it comes to birthday parties.  Sometimes you get your favorite meal and an ice cream cake, sometimes it’s a special dinner out with the family, sometimes it’s a sleepover party with friends, and sometimes we invite a bunch of friends for the whole family and make a get together out of the whole event.  No rhyme or reason behind this, just whatever we’re up for at the time I guess. 

Well, we were up for a party a couple weeks ago, in celebration of London’s 3rd birthday.  Sydney planned the entire event and sent out the invitations.  Holland made the cake, and Joe and I took care of the meal.  The only thing NOT in the schedule was rain.  The weather man was calling for rain, but we managed to escape anything severe getting nothing more than a brief sprinkle.  It was a wonderful day to celebrate!

The sandbox was one of many places where kids were found enjoying themselves.

Or watching the fish in the pond…

Or lying on a blanket in the shade…

Or sitting on mom’s lap…

Or even just playing on the steps.

Sydney planned some great games,

and of course there was a piñata!

We went around the group at least twice before there was candy everywhere.

There was plenty of time for just playing and hanging out…

and of course a game of chess (the new favorite game in the Colvin household).

It wouldn’t be a birthday party without cupcakes, cake, and candles! 

A new apron and baker’s hat for our budding chef:)

 

Oh yes, and the hot tub.  It was a cooler day, really too cool for the pool, but the perfect temp for the hot tub.  I think every child was in at once…I lost count. 

Even Mamaw and Great Mamaw joined us for the celebration.   I don’t have a picture of Mamaw (my mother-in-law) as she was busy cleaning up and doing dishes!  Thanks Mamaw for all your help, it was greatly appreciated.

As you can see it was a fun-filled day and London loved every minute of it!

Ireland

Welcome to our family, Ireland Genevieve Colvin, born July 21st at 7:04 pm, weighing 9lbs 4oz.  I am very thankful first of all to my husband for supporting and encouraging me through her birth.  To my kids, who’s excitement at the impending arrival of a new sibling gave me another reason to persevere.  To all of my friends and family who prayed me through, enabling me to say that this was by far the smoothest labor experience I have ever had.  To my midwife who has been with me through all 6 pregnancies and births, she’s amazing.  For all of that I am truly thankful. 

It was pretty clear, as mild contractions woke me periodically through the night of the 20th, that our newest Colvin would be born in the next day or two.  The contractions never amounted to much more than an inconvenience throughout the night.  By morning I was sure it would be awhile so I told Joe he’d be ok to go off to work, but to keep his phone close. 

By 2:00 Joe arrived home and my contractions were coming every 3-4 minutes.  Having had long labors in the past I knew that it could be a long night.  The contractions were bearable but the heat was not.  For those of you who remember the really hot day a couple of weeks back when you’re a/c just couldn’t quite keep up, well that was the day Ireland was born.  Our air was working hard to keep 80, and I was sweating!  We decided to move to the basement where it was cooler.  It wasn’t much more than a half an hour before the pain was much worse and I told Joe to call the midwife. 

She arrived around 5 and began setting up her supplies and taking care of the necessary paperwork.  She and Joe kept a bowl of cold water and a washcloth at the bedside to keep me cool.  Joe kept me focused as I reached definite low moments when I was sure I couldn’t handle anymore contractions.  It was a surprise to us all when Ireland entered the world at 7:04, especially since I started pushing at roughly 6:55.  The kids were all in another room eating dinner when they heard the wonderful sound of a baby crying. 

It was a few hours before the midwife and her assistant finished up, washed up my dishes, started the laundry and headed home.  The house was quiet as the kids headed to bed and Joe and I shared our thoughts and feelings with each other on the whole event. 

Labor is a strange beast.  As I told Joe, when you are in the middle of it all you aren’t thinking of the signposts…“I feel like I can’t do this anymore I must be about 9 cm and near the end.”  Rather it’s more like, “I feel like I can’t do this anymore, how did I do this 5 times before?  I see no end in sight!!!  Who’s idea was this anyway???”  Then the next thing you know, it’s over, and you’re holding the most beautiful creation in the world thinking, “that wasn’t so bad, I could do that again.” 

I guarantee there is no pain like it in the world that brings about so precious a reward.  A reward we will treasure for a lifetime.  I’d be lying if I told you that I don’t mind the challenge/pain of labor, more that I fear it as the time approaches.  But God is truly amazing as He surrounds me with family and friends who love me enough to lift me up in prayer when the need arose and many even before that, and He gave me a husband who is my biggest cheerleader no matter how ridiculous and demanding I can be in the middle of it all….I couldn’t have done it without him, or Him. 

Thank you Lord for a husband who loves me, who loves our children and who loves (and takes seriously) his role and responsibility as a father and husband.  Thank you for my friends and family and their faithfulness.  And thank you Lord for little Ireland.  A sweet and precious blessing straight from Heaven.  May you give us the strength and wisdom to be her parents.  We give you all the glory!

Amen. 

Sydney was snapping pictures during early labor.  I post this picture because the things going on around me were as blurry in my mind as this picture is.

Everyone was excited:)  Joe kept the phone with him to keep all the family posted.

Everyone took turns holding Ireland.

Ireland and her cousin Lincoln…we took a similar picture 11 1/2 years ago with Sydney and her cousin Nicholas.

Ireland and Mamaw (Genevieve) Brookshire.

 

 

Welcome little one.

 

***Photos marked www.rawsii.com : A special thanks to Christ Nelson owner of Rawsii, friend and photographer, for taking these beautiful pictures.

A Time for Celebration

 

This past Saturday we got together with the Colvin side of the family and celebrated all the birthdays in one big celebration.  It was a great day, if I must say so myself.  We enjoyed a lot of good food and fellowship despite the heat and humidity.  The kids had fun, well, being kids. 

This also marked an anniversary for Mamaw and Papaw, the first one she celebrated without her beloved.  I’m so glad she joined us for all of the activity.

My littlest cutie, London (yep, no baby yet:()  London thinks she can “wim witout a best”…swim without a vest.  ACTUALLY, she does fairly well in the hot tub where her feet can touch.  But I wouldn’t go so far as to plunk her in the pool and tell her to swim to the other side.  She LOVES the water and LOVED a day spent with her cousins.

 

This is the newest Colvin, 5 month old Lincoln.  He too enjoyed himself.

The kids and adults enjoyed challenging one another to games like washers, baggo (i.e. cornhole), croquet, and the new favorite…GAGA ball….played on the trampoline. 

After working up a sweat Uncle Greg was kind enough to get in the pool and help the kids get the water moving to produce a whirlpool effect.  The kids were loving it. 

Little buddy

London, note, she is wearing her vest. 

A lot of fun was had by all.  Before we knew it, it was 10:00 and everyone started to clear out as the sun quickly disappeared.  And just like that, everyone was gone.  Joe and I thoroughly enjoyed the day and look forward to more opportunities for good food and fellowship with friends and family…but let’s have this baby first:)

Blueberries

 

Well it’s that time of year again, time to pick blueberries.  Believe it or not, this is a favorite time of year for us.  The kids LOVE to hear that blueberries are ready!  Of course a lot of this has to do with the fact that as they pick they also eat, but add to that fresh blueberry pie, blueberry buckle, and frozen blueberries for pancakes and smoothies all year, and their sold!

We went today and the weather was ideal.  I’m not sure how many days I’ll have left to go picking before this baby arrives, so I was thankful for the nice weather as we were able to pick about 23 lbs.  Usually it’s sooooo hot that we can only stand to pick for so long before we need a break, not today.

 

Way to go, my favorite kids!  Thanks for all your help:)

Papaw

 

It was only a week ago that this dear man, Joe’s grandfather,  went home to be with his precious Lord.  He lived a full life of 92 years, yet it was not easy to say goodbye.  He was affectionately known by his family as “Papaw”.  By many as “Loren” or “Nick”…regardless of the name he was called by, he was known by all as a humble servant who enjoyed the simple things in life, lived many years in pain but NEVER complained of it.  You just don’t meet many men like Papaw.  He was a man who worked hard, loved people, loved life, knew what it meant to be happy, and was truly blessed.  I am honored to have known him for the past 17 years.  While I am thankful that he lived to be 92 and that he no longer feels the pain that his body suffered with for years, I miss him.  I miss the way he said my name, Elizabeth, with a country twist like no one else.  I’ll miss his coming up to see the newest addition to our family, he was always one of the first no matter the hour!  I’ll miss his stories of his life.  I’ll miss stopping in to see him as he pulls tootsie rolls from his pocket for each of the kids.  I’ll miss his excitement at Christmas as he opens his family scrapbook calendar and carefully looks over the pictures for each month.  I’ll miss him.  We’ll miss him.

BUT, I have the peace of knowing that he loved Jesus and I will see him again someday.  I will reflect over the years that I was able to spend with him and learn from that.  There was a lot to learn from him.  It’s sad how you take advantage of all of the times you have with someone, and then like that they’re gone.  You can’t ask them anything anymore.  You can’t sit with them one last time, they’re just gone.

I admired his ability to live simply.  To need so little yet to be so happy and full of life.  As I look back on my time with Papaw, I know there is a lot to learn from him and a lot to be thankful for.  I thank him for giving to his family.  He was truly a wonderful man.

The day after Harrison was born…April 4th, Papaw’s birthday!

Christmas 2010

Mamaw and Papaw at the family reunion.  Pray for Mamaw…they were married for 66 years and did everything together.  I can’t imagine the loneliness.

My favorite:)