Spectacular Candids

Remember in January and February when Brooke and I took turns visiting each other? Well, on both of those trips, Brooke snapped some SPECTACULAR candids. Ever since, I've been meaning to post them, but I'm so doggone behind in blogging that I'm just now getting around to it. I wish I had the wallspace to turn all of these in to massive canvases. Since I don't, I'm sharing them here ... and, of course, planning yet ANOTHER photo book dedicated to displaying Brookie's brilliant work.

WNC Nature Center

Today, the boys and I met the Moores and (some of) the Allens at the Western North Carolina Nature Center. It was our first trip there, though I've heard about it ever since I moved to the area. It's very similar to the Greenville Zoo - that to say, there's nothing too exciting there ... unless you're 4.5 and find a trough of water that you can dip your hands into (or, in the case of Jones and Brice, your Fudge Stripe Cookies). Then, it's probably as much fun as you'll have all month.

Both of the boys had a ball, actually - not just the 4.5 year old. There were six kids Jones's age and under, and except for that time that Freddie and Brice unintentionally ran WAY too far ahead of the rest of us (and had to be stopped by a very sweet lady who - rightly - wondered to whom the two rogue toddlers belonged), there were no fights and no fits, and after the day Jones had at swim lessons yesterday, I can't tell you what a relief it was.

I also can't tell you how thankful I am to have friends my age (or close to it) with kids the ages of my kids. The first three or four years I lived up here, I wondered if that would ever happen. It was an incredibly LONELY time for me - and then God led us to Arden Presbyterian, and now, there are families a'plenty with not-quite-middle-aged moms of kids who aren't even close to teenagers.

God knew the "E" in my "ENFP" personality type needed that, and I will NEVER take for granted these  new friends He's been so kind to send - for both my boys and for ME.

In case the sight of five preschoolers standing on a
windowsill is too nerve-wracking for you,
just know that Joy was standing by,
should anything have gone wrong in
the taking of this picture.
#safetyfirst 

Reagan told me that I make "the BEST DESSERTS EVER."
Bag of Fudge Stripe Cookies for the WIN!