John's band

Last week we had the privilege to see John, Jr and his band, The Black Mambas, play here in Raleigh. They have quite a following in Wilmington. Before he left for the summer, they were playing and having big crowds come to see them. John and I had wanted to see them before now, but it wasn't ever convenient to go to Wilmington.

The crowd was light at the Berkley Cafe, but we just appreciated that fact that we could get a good seat. (I appreciated the fact that I had a few hours out with my hubby!)

The band played all original music. John, Jr didn't think they did very well, but since we didn't know the songs, it sounded fine to us. We saw a lot of talent in all of the members.

Here's my older drummer boy

The guitarist is John's housemate and the bassist is his brother

We enjoyed watching John and his band. You can hear their music on the sidebar link to their myspace.

All of our children have a great love of music. It's great to see them stretching their wings and showing their talents!

Do you know my brother, Elijah?

The other day Abbey was talking to Beth on the phone and she said, "Do you know my brother Elijah?" As John told me about this, it warmed my heart. She really does love him now as a brother, and he reciprocates that love.

At first, Abbey just sort of ignored Elijah. She really didn't acknowledge that he existed. If I would allude to him, she would make a statement like,"Let's leave him in China." or "You're just my Mommy." Now she will say, "You are my Mommy and Elijah's Mommy." To which I reply with, "Yes, and I'm Beth's, John's, Anna's and Daniel's Mommy"

But, I've seen them grow as siblings. It is an amazing thing to see God knit people together that don't share any of the same genetic material!

Elijah and Abbey look for each other and out for each other. At the bank the other day, Abbey got a lollipop. Immediately she asked the teller, "Could I have one for my brother, Elijah?" (And she actually did give it to him).

He copies her every move.

If she tumbles...

He tumbles...

If she rocks....

Then he rocks.

They have actually started to play together

I'm pretty laid back about the questions strangers will ask, but there is one that really does bother me...

"Are they real siblings??"

My usual reply is, "They are now!"

And they truly are!!!

Swimmer of the Week

Abbey!!

Our summer league/neighborhood swim team coaches choose a girl and boy in each practice group to be swimmer of the week. Last week in the 6 and under group, Lottie was chosen. They give these nifty backpacks, but Abbey wasn't jealous about Lottie getting  the backpack, she was upset because she didn't have any of the candy they had put inside. I figured she would never get chosen, because John is the head coach and he wouldn't want anyone to claim nepotism. 

Abbey and Coach Aimee

But, coach Aimee is in charge of the 6 and under group and she felt that Abbey definitely deserved the recognition. She talked about how every time Abbey is swimming in the water, she has a huge ear to ear grin on her face. Yippee for Coach Aimee.

Once Abbey had a backpack, she sure did treasure it. She kept it on most of the day after she got it. Of course, she also enjoyed the candy!

The Real 4th of July

Because it fell on a Sunday, our celebration of the 4th was a little different this year. It started out with us going to church. Then following our usual Sunday routine ( nap for me and the kids, basketball at pool for John). Anna had to work until 8, so we wanted to wait until she got off before going to the fireworks. She wanted to be a part of Elijah's first fourth fireworks.

We always have ice cream sundies and this year was no different.

Some of us ate a colossal amount of ice cream

Some just enjoyed the whip cream.

(Which was administered by an older whip cream addict)

I'll take mine with a spoon, if you don't mind

After everyone had their fill and Anna came home, we set off to the fairgrounds. Because we were later than usual, we had a dickens of a time finding a parking place. We settled on one that ended up being really nice.  We had never been there before. 

So, Anna was apart of Elijah's first fireworks

Even Abbey will stand still to watch fireworks

The whole gang (minus me... someone has to take the pictures)

Jamie, Anna, Abbey, Daniel, John, Jr, Elijah, and John

Because of our new parking situation, we got home very quickly.  Our fourth weekend was full of lots of family time, junk food, games and just plain old enjoying each other. That's why it is one of my favorite holidays!

July 4th...on the 3rd

 The shirt says it all!!!

This year July 4th fell on a Sunday, so our pool decided to celebrate on the 3rd. We love the celebrations that the pool has and our family traditions for this holiday. We added to the holiday this year by celebrating it twice. Anna and John had to work on the 3rd,  and Daniel was with a friend who is moving to Arizona, so we celebrated with them on the actual 4th.

The morning started out with Elijah and Abbey going to the "penny carnival" at our swim club-

The concentration of the artist

The Ladies' Man does his thing

Getting her nails painted

Playing tic-tac-toe toss

Getting some help from Daddy

The stork pose for croquet

Battle, and newly home from Ethiopia, Corrie

Elijah likes Corrie's glasses(even upside down)

That evening we joined some friends at a nearby town's celebration. After listening to the symphony, we watched fireworks. The younger kids had a blast running around with other kids, playing football and admiring their glowing necklaces

Abbey loved making Corrie smile

Elijah flying

A little wary of the fireworks at first

We didn't know how Elijah would react, but he didn't show any fear at all

In fact, they both enjoyed them

On the way home, we just had to stop at Krispy Kreme for some doughnuts. A special treat for a special night!

Next... the second 4th celebration.

Heading back home--June 27

Sunday morning after gorging on the breakfast buffet at the hotel, we packed the car to begin the trek home. All weekend John had been mulling over whether to visit Saratoga Battlefield, which was only about 30 minutes away. I actually encouraged him, (a big surprise, I know, considering I've had my fill of battlgrounds). But, I also knew it may be that we are never in this neck of the woods again, so he might as well take advantage of the proximity.

It was very interesting, not the battlefield, but the fact that a couple were getting married right outside of the museum. As Abbey, Elijah and I watched the bride and flower girl come in, Abbey remarked, "That's what I'm going to be, a flower girl. And Elijah is going to be the ring borrow!"

We watched a film, rather John watched. Elijah was feeling quite whiny and not at all interested, so I walked around with him.

They had period clothes for the kids to try on. Abbey really enjoyed this part:

Elijah... not so much

Then we rode around the battlefield. John was very considerate and did the fastest tour of Saratoga on record. I was in awe of the beauty. There was all types of wildflowers every where you looked. It was absolutely gorgeous. We skipped church with our friends in order to get a jump on our travels, but I can say that I surely "had church" as I praised Him for his beautiful creation. 

It's hard to see, but this deer was pretty close to the road, and didn't mind at all that I was taking her picture

The Hudson River

After Saratoga, we began our trip home in earnest. We drove for quite a while and encountered awful traffic in Maryland. It was stop and go for over an hour. John wasn't enjoying the traffic, and the kids definitely weren't enjoying being in the carseats for six hours with only a few short stops. Finally, we got to our hotel in Maryland and felt we all deserved a reward. That meant ice cream for the kids and Starbucks for us! Abbey was extremely disappointed that the pool had already closed. I was too, she really needed to get some energy out!

After a good nights sleep, we resumed our travels. John has always wondered what "Stonewall Jackson's
Shrine" was, so we stopped. We discovered that this was the place where Stonewall Jackson was taken after he was shot, and where he later died. We went in the house and the park ranger was giving a talk that sounded rather interesting (what I could hear of it). Elijah wasn't having anything to do with being a good listener, so I took them outside. It was about a million degrees, but I figured they really needed to stretch their legs.

Outside of the house where Stonewall Jackson died

Always one to stop and blow the dandelions

Back in the car, a few hours later, we saw a welcome sight---

Home again, home again!!!