Thankfulness...

I have been in great danger of sitting down and indulging in a long pity party for a while this morning. There's really not even a "good" reason for me to throw a pity party for myself, except that I am missing Brett and just feel tired and emotional today.


I have been staving off the self-pity by periodic quick prayers, but am sitting down now to kill it (at least, that's my goal). I am listening to some praise hymns.


I am being reminded that even if many "big things" in my world were wrong right now (which is not even the case), God is still on His throne and He is still working out His will in my life.


Really? My life?


 I am not doing anything great. I know, I know that motherhood is a great calling...it just does not feel like it is most of the time, no matter how many times I hear that it is. It is just so mundane...


 I am so abundantly blessed and I still find something to complain about, something to annoy me, something to grumble in my heart about. When I stop and look at myself, I am horrified at my faithlessness, my ungratefulness, my selfishness.


Then I remember one of my professor's saying that if we are "shocked" by our sin, that just shows how prideful, what a high opinion we have of ourselves. =)


Then I remember that same professor saying, over and over again, that "for ever time you look at your sin, look at Christ ten times." It is hard to not get bogged down in discouragement over my sin and never get to the whole point of seeing my sin, which is to see Christ as more beautiful than I have before.


So what that my husband is away for the week? He has a job. He works hard for us. He is coming home (Lord willing). We can talk on the phone every day. I have so SO much to be thankful for, so I am going to list some of them right now.


Lord, please forgive me of my self-pity and fill me with gratefulness. Help me to get out of my tiny little cramped world that centers around my happiness and fill me with love for You, for others. Show me how big reality is....life from Your perspective!!


Just this morning, I am thankful for...


the clear, crisp, cold blue sky.


our faithful sweet dog who defend the house.


Nate being done with the chickenpox and feeling much better!


strong coffee =P


Christmas lights brightening the night.


Nate's sweet cooing noises coming from the living room.


dishes to wash after I have eaten yummy food.


Christmas music!!


Nate dancing to Christmas music (I have to post a video....he is hilarious!)


feeling Evelyn kick me (even when it's in the bladder=).


a big, warm, cozy house.


a grocery store right down the road, that I am going to go visit right now!

Missing Brett

Actually, I am surprised at how well I am doing without Brett this week. He flew to San Francisco on Sunday afternoon for training with his new job and will not be back until Saturday night. =( We have been separated for longer than this before, but only when I was away in Maryland. I have never been home alone for this long.

The first two nights I did not sleep well. I think I had one eye open all night. Also, I have been staying up much later than usual. It's no fun to go to bed by oneself!! I am afraid that if I lay in bed awake I will hear strange creaking noises in the house and my imagination will get the better of me... So I wait until I am very tired!

 God has been very gracious to me and I have felt quite safe. Last night I actually went into a deep sleep and did not wake up every hour throughout the night. Thankfully, Nate is over the chickenpox except for some of the scabs falling off, so he is back to sleeping through the night too.

A bright side to Brett being gone is that I think I get more done. =) It is amazing how much more time I have when I do not have to make dinner! Nate and I have been eating leftovers (and several meals with the Hawkins). I have been trying to make good use of the time and get some Christmas decorations up and keep working on the Christmas gifts that I am making this year.

Even though this has not been as difficult as I feared, I am still eagerly counting down the days until Brett is back. We are more than halfway through the week now!! Hopefully the rest of the week will fly by.

Dear Nate

You are one year old today! You have brought so much joy into my and your dad's life and we are thankful for every day that God had given us with you.

Sometimes when you are napping I want to wake you up because I miss you. Then I sneak into your room and watch you sleep and listen to you breathe. Later, when I hear you playing in your crib, I open the door and say excitedly, "Someone's awake!!". You get a huge smile on your face when you see me, stand up on the side of the crib, and bounce up and down until I come and lift you out. That is one of my favorite moments of all time, every time it happens.

I love your laugh and your smile, the way you snuggle against me when I sing to you at night. I love how your face lights up when you see me or dad (or a tractor, truck, or anything with a steering wheel). I love it when you turn to us for comfort, knowing, trusting that we love you.

I love how patient you are. When you get upset about something enough to cry, I know that it is serious because you do not cry very often. You are also gentle, which you must get from your dad because I was never known for being gentle. I let you play with my earrings because you have never pulled them hard, you just touch them and laugh at them when they move.

We are so excited to watch you grow and change over this next year. I know that you will be an amazing big brother to Evelyn.

We have loved getting to know you this year and can't wait to see all that we discover about you in the coming year. Your dad and mom love you, Nathaniel Lawrence Hawkins.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Thanksgiving with the Hawkins

Due to a sudden outbreak of the chickenpox in the younger members of the Hawkins family, we did not drive up to Carnesville, GA to celebrate with Mr. Hawkins' extended family as usual. Instead we stayed here in Conyers and had a delightful relaxing day. Mrs. Hawkins' mom and stepdad drove down from north GA and joined us. 


I say it was a relaxing day, which it was, after all the massive quantities of food were cooked. The biggest addition that I made to the feast was the ham. I was a little nervous because I had never cooked a ham before and did not want it to be dry. The result of thorough researching and faithful basting was an incredibly juicy, flavorful ham! I was thrilled! 


Here are some pictures of the day. 

Warning: May make you extremely hungry!! 

 Yes, Brett made the pumpkin pie!! I had no idea I was marrying such an amazing man=)

 It turned out beautifully and tasted good too. Notice the piping all around the rim that was so carefully crafted!

 My masterpiece! It was studded with cloves but some had already been removed before I remembered that I wanted to take a picture of it. The secret.....baste every 12 minutes! It was worth it!

 The spread of casseroles....the rest was on the counter. Yum! 

 The boys all watching Brett cut up our ham, while sampling it and exclaiming over how delectable it is! 

 Nate was getting hungry waiting for dinner so Nana and Pa fed him some green beans. 

 The womenfolk preparing the food...

 Nate is not extremely fond of the new puppy because the puppy seems to think Nate is a giant crawling chew toy. 

 Nate loves playing in crunchy leaves. The Hawkins' girls were throwing them up in the air and he would laugh with delight. 

 Both of our facial expressions cracked me up...

 And a picture showing how big Evelyn is getting!!

 "Gaitlin", so named because he was brought home from Gaitlinburg, TN.

 The Hawkins' new puppy and Lexi "playing" together. In a couple more months they will both enjoy each other more than they do now. 

 Nate's first thanksgiving dinner! He thoroughly enjoyed the food.

 The desserts had been partially devoured before a picture was taken. We had chocolate coconut pie, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, banana pudding, and an amazing pumpkin cheesecake made by Leah. 

Then we all relaxed, watched football, and some of us took naps. =)

The official name....

After much debate, we have finally decided on a name for our little girl!!!


Evelyn Mae Hawkins


'Evelyn' was my mom's moms name and I have always thought it was beautiful. So glad that Brett agrees! =)

Ultrasounds and eternity

While I was laying flat on the table having my ultrasound last week, several thoughts were running through my mind. The expected ones, the ones I remember having during Nate's ultrasound, "Wow, that's our baby?!", "Is anything wrong with her?" "Everything looks incredibly beautifully healthy to me..." "I wonder what she will look like..." and then there were the new ones....


My daughter was moving throughout the entire ultrasound and several times she turned and looked right at the monitor. And I thought of my little brother James and wanted to cry. I remember my mom saying how her 20-week ultrasound with him was amazing. I remember talking to her on the way home from her appointment and her saying repeatedly, "And he kept looking right at me...it seemed like he was saying, 'Hi mom!'". She said that she did not remember any of her other children looking at her like that when they were in utero. There was something extra special about those moments for my mom.


As I lay on the hard table I thought about the fact that this could be the only time that I see my daughter. My mom had not the remotest clue that her ultrasound would be the only time she would see her son alive. That that would be the only time she would be able to see him look up at her. 


I have realized over and over again over the last few months, that there are two ways I can respond to these thoughts. I can either curl up inside, paralyzed by fear and worry, or I can fully enjoy this moment that I have with my baby. Because the truth is, today might be the last day I have with her....or with anyone else that I love.


Worrying would just make now, the only time that I know I have, miserable. Instead, I treasured seeing my darling baby on the big screen on the wall and I try to stop and notice every time I feel her kick inside me. I stop my "busyness" to play with Nate and make silly faces at him and dance around the room with him. I try to love on Brett as if it was our last day together. Because one day it will be our last day and the odds are that we won't know that it is until it is too late. 


It's hard to be so painfully aware of the fragility of life and to not curl up in a ball of fear. Sometimes I do. Sometimes the fear overwhelms me and makes me feel sick to my stomach.


Then I remind myself that I have to trust God. Not trusting that He won't hurt me, that He won't take away everything I love; He never promises me that. Trusting that His way, even if it is the opposite to my way, is the only way, the best way. And it does not matter if I don't like it, it doesn't matter how happy I am, and it does not matter that I understand it or see any "good" come out of it. All that matters is that He is somehow glorified, even if I do not really understand what that means in my situation. 


I can either hold everything I love with closed fists, full of fear and anger, and lose it all eventually anyway, or I can open my hands to Him, offering all that is precious to me and be filled with His peace. 


Often when I sing hymns like this one (which happens to be one of my favorites), I wonder if I really am entitled to sing it. Because I don't always believe it, but I want to believe. Maybe if I sing it enough... =)


"Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me;
the changes that are sure to come, 
I do not fear to see:
I ask thee for a present mind, 
Intent on pleasing thee.


I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do,
Or secret thing to know;
I would be treated as a child,
And guided where I go.

I ask thee for the daily strength,
To none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life,
While keeping at thy side,
Content to fill a little space,
If thou be glorified.

In service which thy will appoints
There are no bonds for me;
My secret heart is taught the truth
That makes thy children free;
A life of self-renouncing love
Is one of liberty."


Trinity Hymnal #444




Lord I believe, help Thou my unbelief. 

A day in the life of Nate

I feel like I have not written a post in a while about Nate. A few years from now, I will have forgotten all of these little mundane details and wish that I could remember them, so bear with me. 


In less than three weeks Nate will be one year old!! Craziness! He is still reluctant to walk unassisted, but now loves to walk while holding mom or dad's hand or while pushing one of our kitchen chairs. Our kitchen chairs have wheels on them, so except when they get going to fast and run away from him, they make great "walkers". 
The other day he was in the living room and began making frustrated noises, so I went in to investigate. He was trying to "walk" a similar-looking chair, but one without wheels, and was very upset that it did not move! Thankfully, he is easily consoled, but it made me laugh. 


Here is a "typical" day for us:


7:00-8:00am- wake up
Eat breakfast, get dressed, I do laundry/housework while Nate plays 


10:00am- Nate goes down for nap; I do office work for my Dad


11-11:30- Nate wakes up; make, eat, and clean up from lunch; plan dinner; Nate plays; sometimes we go on a walk with Lexi or just sit outside in the back yard and look at grass, leaves, etc.


1:00pm- Nate down for afternoon nap; I read, nap, do housework or office work


2:30-3pm- Nate wakes up and usually does not want to play by himself. We play together, read books, or go outside. A couple times a week Nate goes to the Hawkins' house and I go to the barn and teach riding lessons. From 3-6 is our "difficult" time of day, though Nate could hardly be described as truly difficult. I'm praying his little sister is very much like him in temperment!! 


6pm- Dad home!!! Nate knows what Dad's truck sounds like when it pulls into the driveway and he gets excited to see Dad. He probably learned this because Mom is so excited to see Dad. =) And because Dad is super-fun. =)


6:30pm- Dinner and cleanup; play with Dad


7:30pm- Bath and bottle, then to bed! Sometimes Nate is not sleepy this early and then we let him stay up later. My rule is, "If you can be happy, then you can stay up. If you are grumpy, you go to bed!" 


Of course, this "typical" day only happens a couple times a week, if that. On Mondays, though this will end soon=(, Brett is off so the day is totally off schedule. On Tuesdays we are out late because we take dinner to Brett's Memaw. On Wednesdays I am teaching lessons in the evening, so we frequently end up eating dinner at the Hawkins'. You get the idea... 


Essentially, I like to think that there is a predictable "normal", but there are variations so frequently that the plan in my head rarely actually happens. But that is ok, it keeps life from being boring! 


Here are some newer pictures of Nate. They were all taken with my phone, so some of them ended up being low quality and a little blurry. The adorableness is still quite visible though!

 Nate is not quite sure what to do with his rocking horse, but he likes sitting on it. 

 True cowboy! Though most of them have clothes on...thankfully.

 Nate loves being naked, so I let him crawl around for a bit in just his cloth diaper. He is cracking a smile at me from behind the cup. Peek-a-boo is still his favorite game and can be played with any available object!

 When Nate is sleepy, he plays with both ears. His crooked paci cracked me up so much that I had to take a picture. The fact that he did not pose for the camera shows you just how sleepy he is!

Nate is now fully weaned as of this week. It is nice to have a couple months break from nursing, but also sad that my baby has grown up so much. He weaned himself gradually, so at least it was not a traumatic experience for either of us. Now he loves his "ba-ba's". 

 Sleepy Nater snuggling with Dad at Memaws!

Offering me some of his food=)

Nate should be waking up from his nap at any minute and then we are headed to the barn together! I only have about 6 more weeks before I will be too pregnant to be comfortable riding, so I am trying to make the most of the time we have. He loves going to the barn and seeing the dogs, cat, horses, golf cart, and the tractors!! So glad he likes the barn...but then, how could he not, being my son and all? =P

It's a GIRL!!

We had our 20 week anatomy scan yesterday and confirmed my suspicions that we are having a little girl! Needless to say, we are thrilled and I am already thinking about all the cute girly clothes I can put her in! 


The doctors said that she looks healthy! She was moving the whole time and made it difficult for the doctors to get some of the shots that they wanted, but eventually she cooperated. It was fascinating to see the incredible detail of all her organs and bones, all perfectly put together. I also loved seeing her move on the screen and feeling her move inside me at the same time. Incredible!!


Her name is yet to be announced...we are still a little undecided. 


Here are a few pictures!

Our beautiful girl!

Feet!

Fingers!

Loving the Little Years

I recently read the book, Loving the Little Years by Rachel  Jankovic and loved it! It is a small book, easily read in an evening or two, so does not require a huge time investment. Her humor lightens the mood without down playing the difficulty and temptations of motherhood. At times I would laugh out loud while reading and then Brett would ask, "What's so funny?!" and I would read aloud a portion to him. If you have not read it, I would highly recommend you do so!

Here is a portion that I particularly enjoyed...

"Motherhood is a demanding job. It is so demanding and intrusive, in fact, that is takes over your body. It uses your body, oftentimes rather roughly. This can start to bother us. 

You may have some weight to lose, and you might start to resent that. You might have permanently damaged something during a pregnancy. You may have big scars, stretch marks, and loose skin that bothers you. You might not have time to exercise the way you used to. All of these things can be seen as an offense against us - against our bodies.

There are really two separate points I would like to make here. First of all, our bodies are tools, not treasures. You should not spend your days trying to preserve your body in its eighteen-year-old form. Let it be used. By the time you die, you want to have a very dinged and dinted body. Motherhood uses your body in the way that God designed it to be used. Those are the right kind of damages.

There are of course ways to hurt your body that are outside of God's design for it and disobedient. But motherhood is what your stomach was made for - and any wear and tear that it shoes is simply the sign of a well-used tool. We are not to treat our bodies like museum pieces. They were not given to us to preserve, they were given to us to use. So use it cheerfully, and maintain it cheerfully. When you are working hard to lose the baby weight (as you may need to), think of it as tool maintenance. You want to fix you body up in order to be able to use it some more. It might be used for more children, or it might be used to take care of the children you have. We should not be trying to fix it up to put it back on the shelf out of harm's way or to try to make ourselves look like nothing ever happened. You body is a tool. Use it.

Also, your body is a tool - maintain it. Having sacrificed your body for your children is no excuse for schlepping around in sweatpants for the rest of their childhood. When you were eighteen, you might have been skinny without trying. In your thirties, after having had a pile of kids, the chances are good that you will need to try. And in case you care, this word is not coming from one of those miracle mothers who comes out of the hospital more svelte than she went in. My children, bless them, have left their mark!

Scars and stretch marks and muffin tops are all part of your kingdom work. One of the greatest testimonies Christian women can have in our world today is the testimony of joyfully giving your body to another. While so many women choose to not have children or abort the children they were given, the testimony of women who know the cost and joyfully pay it is profound. So make sure that you aren't buying into the world's propaganda. While there are a great many rewards, the sacrifice is very real. The reason so many women don't want to do it is because it is very hard and has very real costs. But the answer to these obstacles is not to run away in fear as the world does, but to meet it with joy and in faith.

My very kind and wise husband once left a note for me on Easter morning, two weeks after Daphne was born. He wrote, "To my wife, before she even goes near the closet on Easter morning," or something romantic like that. In it, he encouraged me to realize that there was no more fitting way to celebrate Easter (or any part of the Christian life) than in a body that has been undone on behalf of another.

So realize that your body is a testimony to the world of God's design. Carry the extra weight joyfully until you can lose it joyfully. Carry the scars joyfully as you carry the fruit of them. Do not resent the damages that your children left on your body. Just like a guitar mellows and sounds better with age and scratches, so your body can more fully praise God having been used for His purposes. So don't resent it, enjoy it."

Daylight savings thoughts

Prior to today, I have always thought of "falling back" as a wonderful day that equals a whole hour of extra sleep! I had a vague idea that it would be different this year, but ignored it and told myself that maybe Nate would sleep late for no reason this morning. Wrong! 

When I heard him stir at 6:15 am this morning I had several thoughts. First, I am continually amazed how my love for him overcomes my natural annoyance at being awoken (at least, this morning...and most of the time=). Even if I feel grumpy while laying in bed ruminating on the fact that I must get up, as soon as I walk into Nate's room and see him bounce up and down on the side of the crib and hear him gurgle with delight, it is worth it! 

Then, I realized that this was another of those many, many little things that a mother must give up; and that my mom must have sacrificed for me. Sometimes it is hard to not begrudge your children for the things that they "take" from you. It is immensely helpful to me to think about my mom and realize how much she must have given up...and still does...for us children. I, as a child, and even young adult, was blissfully ignorant that we were causing her any hardship. It is only now that I experience the "hardships" that I look back and think, "Wow, this must have been hard for mom too but she never let us know!" I grow in respect for my mom every day that I am one! Thanks mom!! I am sure I have never thanked you for all the hours of sleep you have missed on my behalf! 

Then, I wondered... will Nate adjust to the new time or will we be getting up at 6-6:30am all winter?? 

And finally, I sighed and realized that now I will be ready to go to bed even more ridiculously early then I have been. =) 

But honestly, I enjoy being up early after I am forced out of my cozy bed. Mornings are my most productive time, so maybe I will get more done around the house! I think my "nesting instinct" is starting to kick in because I am suddenly feeling an urgent need to get several projects done. If it seems like it will be a difficult task with one child, it will be much more difficult with two! Oh my, I feel silly even saying that because many women I know get much done with many children in tow! I suppose one adjusts to the numbers gradually...at least I certainly hope so! =) Right now stripping wall paper and repainting the bathroom with two small children sounds rather daunting, so I'd better get on it soon! 

Nate, Lexi, and Cheerios

Here is video I took of Nate yesterday. It is guaranteed to make you laugh! Or at least smile=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNkEpv5U3jk

I am thankful for...

This morning I am thankful for...

27) the way Nate smiles and then buries his face into my fluffy robe when I lift him out of bed in the morning. 

28) lots of yummy food to cook for tomorrow and church dinner on Sunday.

29) Brett's new job opportunity! He has had several interviews and thinks he would be more challenged and motivated at this job than at his current one. Pray for us as we may have to make a decision regarding this soon!

30) the smell of fall in the air.

31) rich, thick chocolate milk, which doubles as a coffee creamer!!

32) Nate's ability to say new words. Last week at the barn we realized that he can say, "horse". He has seen a lot of them in his life=) It is so fun to be able to communicate more and more! He also says "mama", "dada", "cat", "dog", and "bye-bye". 

33) leaves turning different beautiful colors.

34) my sister Sarah being here for a week-long visit! 

35) my husband's love for me...even when I forget everything, drop everything, and seem to always have food all over the front of my shirt (when I am pregnant anyway=)

Nater Updater and other stuff...

Where to start....today Brett, Nate, and I went to my first OB appointment at Dr. Joseph Tate's office in Norcross, GA. It's a bit of drive but it was not terrible. They were not able to fit me in with the doctor this month so I saw his nurse-practitioner, who helps him in the office. We really liked the office and the nurse, especially because we feel that this is our best shot at having a vbac with this pregnancy. Dr. Tate is renowned for vbacs and will usually let his patients go to 42 weeks before any intervention. That was a big part of what we were looking for! He is a single practitioner and delivers about 350 babies a year!! So there are frequently very long waits at the office, but I think that it will be worth it. No final decisions until we have actually talked to Dr. Tate himself, which should happen at our next appointment in 4 weeks.

Nate is continuing to grow and learn new things all the time! His latest accomplishment is figuring out how to go down stairs. He is just recently confident enough in this new-found skill to go down the "big" stairs at our house. So now one of his favorite pastimes is going up and down, up and down the stairs. He has known how to wave for some time now. Today we were putting the groceries in the car at the farmer's market and the lady in the car next to us was pulling out. Nate recognized that she was leaving and started saying, "ba-ba! ba-ba!" and waving at her! She smiled and waved back. He will wave with both hands at something that he wants, especially a truck that he wants to drive. He loves to sit in the driver's seat of a car (or golf cart or tractor or mower or four-wheeler) and pretend to drive. He even makes noises like a car reving its engine! He also says,"ma-ma" for me....or for food. In his mind I suppose we are almost equivalent. =)

Rose is doing great, regaining weight after nursing her foal...finally! Another girl at my barn is part-leasing her, so she is getting more pampering and riding than I can give her. I am really thankful for this, especially in light of my pregnancy. I am hoping to be able to ride a couple more months, until the beginning of my third trimester. Although some people ride and even compete for almost their entire pregnancy, I don't feel comfortable riding after my belly gets big. It has been so fun to get back into it again! When I rode for the first time in a while a couple weeks ago, I was soooooo sore! It was a good sore though. =) 

Here are a few recent pictures of Nate!

 Nate going down the stairs!! 

 He is fascinated with the dishwasher and it is very difficult to wash dishes when he is down on the ground. He will immediately begin taking the silverware out and try to crawl up on the door!

 Nate loves bananas and gets excited when I hold up a banana (almost) every morning and say, "Nate want a banana for breakfast?!" This morning he discovered that it is great fun to squeeze the banana between his fingers and watch it squirt out! 

At the consignment sale a couple weeks ago, I found some trucks for Nate and they are now one of his favorite toys. I think his absolute favorite "toy" is any kind of musical instrument. When we are at the Hawkins he goes straight for their pianos and guitars! Maybe we have a budding musician?! 

Weekend camping trip

We had a great time getting together with some old friends on an overnight camping trip in southeastern TN. 


The pictures tell the story pretty well...

 Waiting by the water for everyone else and the canoes to arrive.

 Nate waving at the water because he wants to dive into it. 

 We took a canoe to the campsite, but I did not get any pictures of the canoe ride out there. Nate fell asleep. It was an exciting canoe trip across the lake because there was a fairly strong wind and lots of waves. Thankfully nothing got very wet. 

 Cutting carrots and potatoes for the stew. I had no idea how much work it is to cook over a campfire! But then the food tastes extra good because you are starving!!

 Nate watching the food being prepared. 

 Brett started the fire with some special tool he had bought. He was excited to have a chance to use it! Apparently it is a difficult method of fire-starting, so he was very happy when it finally worked. 

 The sun was starting to set as we were getting the fire going.

 Finally fire!! Peter brought his guitar and played and sang. Nate loved the guitar of course and tried to "help" play. 

 The sunset was beautiful across the water. It could not have been better weather for camping! Cold enough at night that it was nice to snuggle into your sleeping bag, but not so cold that you were uncomfortable. 

 Our massive tent! Brett, Nate, and I took up a tiny portion of the inside.

 Starting to work on breakfast the next morning...

 Stuffing Nate with Cheerios to tide him over until breakfast is ready...

 The leaves were just beginning to change.

 For those of you who have never cooked biscuits over a campfire, the white things wrapped around the sticks are biscuits! This method of baking was entirely new to me!

 They had to be carefully rotated at an even speed at all times or one side would cook slightly faster and then the whole biscuit would crack and fall off the stick. The biscuits were actually very tasty. Brett even declared that this was how I should always cook biscuits for him in the future. =) We also had bacon and eggs wrapped in tortillas! Yum!!

 Brett thankfully took a few pictures of the canoe trip back to the cars. Other than protesting about the life jacket, Nate did great in the canoe!

Cracking a smile at dad through the paci...

Back at the cars, I made lunch for everyone while they loaded the canoes. It was a fun trip, though it would have been better if we had stayed more than one night and had time to do other things. Maybe another time!!