Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Annual Day at the Apple Farm
For the last 3 years, we've been visiting Niven's Apple Farm on our first free Saturday in October. It's not too far from our house, has plenty of fun activities to burn off some energy and is our Halloween pumpkin-carving pumpkin supplier. There's a huge measuring stick by which to see how much the kids have grown since last year. Here's Braewyn's first appearance by the stick to provide a quick walk down memory lane and a slide show of pics from our visit this year.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
20-week Ultrasound, and it's a...
Baby! Yes, we followed through with our plan to not find out the gender of our baby at this morning's ultrasound. However, it was still the most miraculous, comforting experience to see that the Lord has indeed blessed us with a perfectly formed, squirming little new person growing in my body. Although I haven't felt many strong kicks yet, this new little Brooks was wiggling around in there rather well. I've had two ultrasounds of this type before, but yet I was still blown away and amazed by the creative hand of God in creating such an intricately designed human being. My fears of something being wrong and doubting the pregnancy itself have all been settled. In four months, we'll be welcoming the newest member of our family to the world. I cannot wait and it will be especially exciting discovering if it will be another sweet little son or darling little daughter. We love you already!
Friday, October 08, 2010
Relaxing Weekend Getaway
A few weeks ago, I went away for a weekend with the first man I ever loved... my dad! My grandparents (his mom and stepdad; however they married when he was 4 so always my grandparents) passed away over the summer -- Grandma in June and Grandpa in August. They were each cremated and the family decided to have a joint memorial service to remember their lives and 52 years of marriage. The timing worked out perfectly as I am now through the yucky sick early weeks of pregnancy and Maine in September is absolutely wonderful. The 65 degree Maine days were a great change from the 80 degree SC weather I left behind. Dad and I flew up alone because Mom doesn't prefer to fly since her sickness and I was actually thrilled to leave behind the duties of wife and mother for a few days. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?
We flew from Charlotte, NC to Boston, MA. From there, we had a 3 1/2 hour drive to Rockland, ME. It was really not a bad trip at all. We came home on the following Monday. Here's a recap in pictures.
Thursday was spent traveling and then enjoying a dinner at Applebee's with my cousin Jeff, his wife Beckie and their sweet daughter Trinity. Friday, our family members were working so Dad and I did the tourist thing and strolled around Camden, Maine. I was glad Dad suggested it as "A Man Without A Face" (a Mel Gibson movie) was filmed there. Yes, I was a HUGE Mel fan before he got crazy. Poor Mel, but I digress. This is the town and harbor of Camden.
My favorite part of our day was eating this enormous lobster roll! All the pleasure of lobster but none of the work!
The memorial service on Saturday was perfect. There was a service at my grandparents' church at which some men spoke about Grandpa's days in the Navy and as a Mason and my dad shared a letter my mom had written about the early years of getting to know the family. A touching, heartbreaking moment. We all then drove to the cemetery at a which a 10-gun salute was given and an American flag presented to the family. The day was especially sweet as longterm bitterness and grudges were amended and the years of separation seemed to melt away.
It was wonderful spending time again with Beckie, Jeff and Trinity. Dad and I both hugged Trinity a lot which helped missing my kids not so bad.
My cousin Hillarie whom I've not seen in 10 plus years.
Dad (second from left) with his siblings.
The blue container held half of my grandparents' ashes. The other half will be sprinkled at a later date into the ocean.
On Sunday, we met Jeff, Beckie and other family members in Port Clyde for church. We were blessed by their church just happening to have planned a "Church on the Dock" service. It was picturesque Maine!
Jeff is one of the captains of this boat. He delivers mail and supplies to an island 10 miles off the coast of Maine three times a week and gives ocean cruises in the summer.
Church was great and very laid back... as most things in Maine are.
People in Maine dress comfortably most all of the time. Nice change of pace.
After church, we drove around the corner to the local beach (no sandy white shorelines here) to witness four church members' baptisms. The pastor spoke about how John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Sea of Galilee.
What a memorable day... to be baptized in 50 degree ocean water!
Before flying home, I tracked down one more lobster roll for my dinner in the Boston airport. Not as good as the other but it'll do.
And the last thing to say about New England... there are Dunkin' Doughnuts EVERYWHERE! Matthew and I have a friendly family feud regarding this because as a yankee (I was born in Massachusetts) I will always prefer DD over Krispy Kreme! The pumpkin spice cake doughnut is awesome.
We flew from Charlotte, NC to Boston, MA. From there, we had a 3 1/2 hour drive to Rockland, ME. It was really not a bad trip at all. We came home on the following Monday. Here's a recap in pictures.
Thursday was spent traveling and then enjoying a dinner at Applebee's with my cousin Jeff, his wife Beckie and their sweet daughter Trinity. Friday, our family members were working so Dad and I did the tourist thing and strolled around Camden, Maine. I was glad Dad suggested it as "A Man Without A Face" (a Mel Gibson movie) was filmed there. Yes, I was a HUGE Mel fan before he got crazy. Poor Mel, but I digress. This is the town and harbor of Camden.
My favorite part of our day was eating this enormous lobster roll! All the pleasure of lobster but none of the work!
The memorial service on Saturday was perfect. There was a service at my grandparents' church at which some men spoke about Grandpa's days in the Navy and as a Mason and my dad shared a letter my mom had written about the early years of getting to know the family. A touching, heartbreaking moment. We all then drove to the cemetery at a which a 10-gun salute was given and an American flag presented to the family. The day was especially sweet as longterm bitterness and grudges were amended and the years of separation seemed to melt away.
It was wonderful spending time again with Beckie, Jeff and Trinity. Dad and I both hugged Trinity a lot which helped missing my kids not so bad.
My cousin Hillarie whom I've not seen in 10 plus years.
Dad (second from left) with his siblings.
The blue container held half of my grandparents' ashes. The other half will be sprinkled at a later date into the ocean. 
On Sunday, we met Jeff, Beckie and other family members in Port Clyde for church. We were blessed by their church just happening to have planned a "Church on the Dock" service. It was picturesque Maine!
Jeff is one of the captains of this boat. He delivers mail and supplies to an island 10 miles off the coast of Maine three times a week and gives ocean cruises in the summer.
Church was great and very laid back... as most things in Maine are.
People in Maine dress comfortably most all of the time. Nice change of pace.
After church, we drove around the corner to the local beach (no sandy white shorelines here) to witness four church members' baptisms. The pastor spoke about how John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Sea of Galilee. 
What a memorable day... to be baptized in 50 degree ocean water!
Before flying home, I tracked down one more lobster roll for my dinner in the Boston airport. Not as good as the other but it'll do.
And the last thing to say about New England... there are Dunkin' Doughnuts EVERYWHERE! Matthew and I have a friendly family feud regarding this because as a yankee (I was born in Massachusetts) I will always prefer DD over Krispy Kreme! The pumpkin spice cake doughnut is awesome.
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