Thoughts from Ansley

A recent conversation between Ansley and I in the car. She seems to do her best thinking while I am driving her around.

Ansley: I love you mama

Me: I love you too

Ansley: And I love Daddy

Me: And Daddy loves you too

Ansley: And I love God too, but....

Me: But what?

Ansley: I love you and daddy more than I love God. Does God mind?

Me: Um....well, no, God does not mind. God knows your heart.


I really wasn't sure how to answer that question. I did run it by our friend Chris (who also happens to be a minister so I was thinking he might have inside info on this particular topic) and he gave me a good idea on how to talk with Ansley about this topic so here is what I said to her:

Picture a dresser that you might have in your bedroom. The top drawer is your love for your mom or your dad. The middle drawer is your love for your family. The bottom drawer is your love for your friends. But the dresser itself IS God's love - God's love is big enough to hold all the love you have for friends and family. You don't love mom or dad "more" - you love them through the love you have for God.
She liked that explanation and seemed satisfied.

Whew - we got through that question. Now I get to wait for the next one!

Snoozing and Eating - 2 things the Dukes are really good at

Now this is some good sleeping....
And then supper tonight:
And yes, that is lasagna in Stephen's bowl - that is homemade. On a school night. On a MONDAY that is a school night. Bonus points for me. I left home at 6:40 this morning, took Stephen to Ms. Debbie's, took Ansley to Jackson Creek, drove myself to school. Worked til 3:00. Did a Zumba class til 4:30, picked up Stephen, drove out to my friend Morgan's house to give her a check, got home at 6 and then made the lasagna that has sausage in it (for Jamey - that is how he likes it.)

Yikes - time for bed.

A reminder....

My friend Gillian has started writing about the last few weeks of her life recently and I encourage you to go read her blog - the link is listed as "heartsick and headstrong" over to the right of this post.

She tells her story much better than I ever could, so I will let you read it for yourself - Thanks for sharing your story Gillian and for reminding us all that life is precious and should be soaked in as much as possible.

Ansley with her best friend Carson

Back to real life...

What a good start to the school year. Ansley had a great first day of Kindergarten. She is so excited that she gets real "PE" and not just recess. Not that she has ever complained about recess before! But PE today was actually just a short movie as a giant thunderstorm rolled through for about an hour today. I am not really sure she understands what PE is though - and it is hard to explain the difference between PE in recess to a kid. But nonetheless, she had a great day and that was the main thing.

I struggled with where to put her this year for Kindergarten. I work at an AWESOME public elementary school and I would not hesitate to put her there, except for this special little school down the street called Jackson Creek. She is happy there and loves her school work, her friends and her teacher. I am so proud of her. And that is enough for me now. We will take it year by year.She is 5 and recess only lasts for so long.

Mr. Stephen is his funny self -Tonight at supper we asked him if he liked his cheeseburger. He replied, " Yes, it tastes like a chicken."
He is my sweet little man - my heart really. My friend Morgan blogged about her little boy growing up and I about cried reading it. He is so sweet and cuddly right now. I think this is my favorite age of all for him so far. although I do say that at every age.
I am not at all sad about turning 30 in November. I am thrilled to experience every day with Jamey and my kids. Sometimes I hold them close just to breathe them. Their little hands always seem to find my face and it makes my heart so full. There is no doubt that I was meant to be their mommy.

I know I am sappy and emotional tonight - but my babies are growing up. Ansley is learning so much and soaking up information like a sponge. And Stephen is so big - especially next to his sweet baby cousin Eli (who could not be any cuter).

My mom keeps telling me to enjoy the days. My friend Blair has a quote on her facebook page that says, "The days are long but the years are short."
I hope all the years don't go by this fast.....



Here are a few pictures or our last summer adventures. We traveled up to NC to visit with Luke and Sara. Poor Luke had his eyes dilated one of the mornings we were there - thus the squinty crazy face below.

Here are the kids in front of a giant gorilla. Seemed like the sort of thing that demanded a picture to capture the memory. South of the Border. yikes.

Being silly in the backyard....