South Carolina State Fair

Last Friday, the girls were out of school, so we decided to treat them to a great day at the fair. We went Uncle Robbie, Aunt Beth, Jake and Ava. We rode rides, ate fair food, got rained on, sunburned, and completely motion sick (ok that was me and Rob). We all had a blast. We even watched the pig races! The kids are ready to back next year!

Cloudy with a chance of Rain

We took our annual trip to the NC mountains yesterday. Despite going at peak leaf season, mother nature had other plans for us.

We woke up early and got off to a great start. We headed to Altapass Apple Orchard, where we planned on apple cider, and walking all over the orchard in search of the perfect apples.

We were driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway in heavy fog, but remained hopeful that the sun would burn that off, so we could see the rich fall colors. Once we got to the orchard, the girls hopped on a wagon ride around the orchard, and then the rain started. . .


As you may, Emma wants to be an apple picker when she grows up, so that was a big deal for her. We don't know why she has this dream, but being in charge of helping her make her dreams come true we took the trip to apple farm seriously. She doesn't just want to be an apple picker, but one who picks apples while doing ballet!



Her little heart was so sad. I mean you only get to pick apples once a year. So we put on our rain ponchos, rolled up our jeans, found the umbrellas and started picking. About 20 minutes of looking for apples, we realized that there weren't alot of apples to be picked (we learned later that the spring rain and wind had damaged the crop by 60%). We were very hardpressed to fill up the bag we paid for, but we finally succeeded. The girls rewarded their effort with a warm cup of cider.




We had planned to roast hotdogs and make smores at a picnic spot along the parkway, but by the time we got back in the car, the fog was so thick you only had about 50 yards of visibility. Really? We could see vibrant leaves as the wind nocked them on the windshield, but that was about as good as it was going to get. We couldn't see past the guardrail along the rode.






Lastly, we headed to Linville Falls so I could take some pictures for my photo class. We hiked about 1 mile up to the falls, in the rain and mud and got to our view point. But by the time I figured out how to take the pic, the fog had covered the falls.


Not exactly as we planned, but we made the most of it. We still. . .
had family fun
picked apples
took pictures
learned something new
and enjoyed God's beautiful creation.

Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of GOd that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 39

Happy Fall Ya'll

Fall is here, and I lu huv it. The leaves are starting to change, the sweaters are out, the windows are open, pumpkins are on the porch, candy corn in the bowl.

This is one of my favorite times of the year. God is so evident in nature. His handiwork is seen everywhere. I love that He allows change to occur, and gives us a glimpse.

We all have seasons in our lives too, I am ready for the next season in The Cartwright House. Where we start living, REALLY living how He wants us to.

There is a Matthew West song that talks about "going through the motions". I don't want to be like that one more day, where I just go through the day. I want the passion of Christ to live through me and change the way I live. I don't want to spend my whole life wandering what if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions.

Pray with us, as we search for our next season, as we stop going through the motions. Help us pray that we would give it all

h1n1 hits here

We have a sick Maggi,
We got a call from the school nurse today telling us Maggi was in the nurses office with 102 fever, and throwing up. Dave picked her up and took her to the doctor, and she has the swine flu. She has laid around and claimed the chair and half as hers. Her big blue eyes seem sad. She has little energy. I hoping tomorrow I can read a book to her. She just finished Nancy drew, I think I am going to try to read something special to her, it will one of my last chances. I want to maximize on this. Just me and her and a couch, and a good book. What a way to travel the road to recovery.

See ya at the pole

9/23/09 was See ya at the pole. It is an event where school children can gather around their school's flagpole and pray with one another for their school. This year Maggi was asked to lead the student led prayer. She was chosen by someone who knew she could touch the heart of God with her heart felt prayer. Maggi did a great job leading the group. That morning their were about 25 others, we all held hands, bowed our head and prayed for the students and faculty of Larne Elementary. My heart was blessed listening to Maggi lead the group. We met at 7:00 am, and the flag was not yet raised, there was a light rain, but I believe that God was pleased with the those young hearts that morning. I am blessed to have children brave enought to stand up for what they believe in.

A Bike Ride

Emma came to us on Monday asking for us to help her ride her 2 wheel bike. We got her helmet on, laced up our shoes, and got started. It took about 5 minutes before she was off and riding. Literally, that was all it took. No tears, no sweat, no skinned knees.

I was telling a friend about it, and she made a great observation. She said it is all about attitude. If someone believes they can do it, they can. Your mental attitude goes a long way in handling a new situation.

How true! What great advice (I have been blessed to have such great friends). Things seem so simple for Emma, she believes she can do something, and then makes it look effortless as she charges forward. She believes she can do it because she has witnessed her sister do it.

Once again I am amazed how different these 2 girls are. Maggi calculates the risks, assess the situation, probably even thinks about how the weather is going to affect the situation. Afterward she journals, draws pictures and thanks her heavenly Father for keeping her safe. Emma waits till she is ready, charges forward, doesn't look back and rest soundly that night.

I love watching them grow, and learning from each day. I just wish the clock would stop, let me have time to enjoy each moment. I also love that her sissy was on the side line cheering her on. Even our neighbors came out to watch. I love that.

Judy

I wanted to take a minute and honor someone very dear to me. My mother-in-law. I have been thinking about her alot today, and needed to let her know how I feel about her.

She is a wonderful person. She is an inspiration to me.

She did a wonderful job as a single mom raising my husband. She guided him to become an awesome man of the Lord, full of wisdom and gentleness. She worked as a school teacher, and did a wonderful job raising 2 kids on a tight "teacher" budget. David learned how to save money, and make our money stretch by watching his mom. I have seen David and Judy hold on to a birthday gift for several years in a row, saving for a long awaited treasure. David watched his mom forgive those around her, who had hurt her. She not only forgave, but showered those who hurt her with more grace and love than anyone could have expected. David watched that, and to this day, has never held a grudge against anyone, even those that I think could really use one! Judy found strength in a difficult situation, not the strength that comes from within, but that comes from our Father, the one that outlast what we think we can endure. She modeled that for her son, and help lead him to the Lord. She helped keep my husband protected and pure for me, with tears, prayers, and the will power of a mother on her knees.

I have watched her with my own girls. She is more than I could have hoped for as a grandmother. She loves my girls, each for their own uniqueness. She discovers hidden treasures within them. She sends them notes for their lunch boxes (from 3,000 miles away), she sends Valentine treats, back to school dresses, money for the ice cream truck, etc. She sends note of encouragement to a lonely second grade girl who is struggling to find a friend. She has helped them each learn to read, to swim, to find rocks, identify California wild flowers, and how to make choc chip cookies. She stands with me in prayer over each milestone these little girls make.

And for me. I don't know how to start. She has loved and supported me as soon as she learned about me. She knew I was the one for Dave, before she knew my name. Judy has poured me into my life than I can measure. We have laughed, cried, stayed up all night, stayed in our jamies all day, cooked, jammed, danced, and grown together. Not many mother-in-laws would allow their daughter-in-laws to move in, giver her free reign of her home, and simply be blessed to have her there. Encouraging her in every move she made. Judy showed grace and tenderness, even when we announced that we were going to move our family, and our 2 beautiful girls 3,000 miles away from her. Never once questioning the call we had on our lives. She has been so gracious now, to allow us to make a happy home.

Judy, I want you to know how much of a daily part of our lives you are. You are woven into every part of us. I cherish you so much. I want to thank you, far beyond what my words can say.

We all love you here.

We miss you so much.

My prayer, is that this silly little blog allows you to see our day to day silliness, to keep up with all the silly things Emma will say and do that make us laugh out loud, and the beautiful soul searching things Maggi will do.

blessed,
Amy

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeing; but a women who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 3:25-30