Cute Clips of Brady

Sunny Creation

I told you all I was inspired last week at Andrea's house.  I started this little project soon after and finished last night at her house.  It was another sweet night of conversation and productive creativity.  

I used one of Madelyn's solid tank tops to make this.  I cut out the yellow sun pieces from one of my old t-shirts.  I used green thread and stitched it by hand.  One of these days, I will save up and buy myself a sewing machine and just figure it all out.  For now, I am going to enjoy this type of hand stitching projects and continue crocheting my blanket.  

A Glimpse

by Julian

by Maddie

Kalen found a four leaf clover :)

Eager

Tonight, I am anxious.  I have spent several hours this weekend preparing for our upcoming homeschooling week.  We have not stopped homeschooling for the summer.  I did lighten the load quite a bit though.  This week we will add subjects like history, vocabulary and language back into the mix.  

Our kids are growing up so quickly.  I can't believe we have a 3rd grader!  It's nuts.  Julian is capable of so much more than he was just two years ago.  Madelyn is our creative first grader, such a willing learner.  Kalen, our preschooler, is so eager to learn as well.  I have to get him by the shoulders almost daily and tell him that I am not letting him do any more table work.  I don't think he should plow through a Kindergarten workbook in one sitting, do you?  Then there's our little ball player, Brayden.  He loves sports.  He totally wants to be a part of our homeschool and loves to listen to books.  

I am overwhelmed, but so joyful.  Teaching our children can be super heavy at times, but it is more than wonderful.  Our experiences in our home daily are so rich.  Sure, we have less than wonderful moments, but we survive and we learn.  

I am thankful today for homeschooling.  I am so grateful for my students; Julian, Madelyn, Kalen and Brayden.

Totally Inspired

I have this amazing friend, Andrea, that has started this Tuesday night girl's gathering.  Basically, you just come on over to her house after the kids are put down and work on whatever project you are working on.  I took my brown blanket that I am crocheting and met up with these creative girls.  

I walked into the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter.  There sat five ladies busy with their projects.  Most of them were working with t-shirts to create something or another.  I was blown away.  You all know my love for reusing.  These shirts, skirts and scarves were all made with old t-shirts.  Andrea has a book called Alabama Stitch Book .  This book has most of the ideas that these gals were using.  

Andrea made these from 6 different t-shirts

Andrea made this as well.  She used the pattern within her book.  She dyed the v-neck t-shirt green and stitched on the rose design by hand.  This is for her husband.

Andrea's sister-in-law, Nelly, was working on this one.  This was just something she came up with using materials she already had.  This is for her daughter.

Rebecca was cutting out pieces of t-shirts that she had dyed.  She was making a skirt for herself by hand stitching the seams and adding a waistband.  She is a gifted seamstress.

Needless to say, I will be returning to these Tuesday night gatherings.  I have it in me to be good with my hands like these ladies.  I just want to watch and learn.  I have already been through the kid's t-shirts to see which ones are old and could be reused in some sort of project.  I will keep you all posted if I create something worth being proud of.

Ballet Begins for Maddie

Madelyn had her first ballet class here in Durham.  It went very well and we are very happy with her new school of dance.  Mr. Barriskill, the owner, is actually Maddie's teacher.  She met another little dancer named Simone.  They are both 6.  Madelyn seemed to enjoy herself.  It can be a bit overwhelming in dance studios as parents and students are busy doing this and that.  She coped well and seemed to be hopeful about her next class.  

I hope this is another environment that Madelyn feels free enough to express herself.  I also hope that she is able to grow in confidence, experience joy and abandon.  

A Reunion of Friends

We had some company come in town to visit us this past weekend.  Chris is in the States for a few more weeks.  Normally, you can find Chris in Thailand.  He is one of our forever friends that has an amazing life and incredible talent in photography.  Not only was Chris in town, but the Long family was as well.  We were so excited when the Longs called us and told us they would be coming this way.  Gavin, Emily, Raegan, Reece and Eliot live in Virginia.  We hadn't seen them in years, but we have kept in touch.  Thankfully, Gavin, Emily and Chris are all friends that we just pick up right where we left off.  We met all of them in Boone.  

While I was in Greensboro, Chris was able to visit some with the kids and Scott.  Then we met up with the Longs at Mellow Mushroom.  Again, we love Mellow Mushroom.  After a fun meal seasoned with sweet conversations of "catch up", we headed to our home.  

We had such a great time just being together.  Maddie was able to have Raegan and Reece sleep in her room.  She loved that.  There was plenty of room for everyone.  After the kids went to bed, the adults stayed up till 2 am talking and just taking in each other's presence.  Although their time here was short, we loved it none the less.  

Royal Treatment

About a year ago, my mother-in- law, Jan, starting planning a girl's weekend away.  This would be a celebration of Shanda and I both turning 30 in 2008.  Sure enough, in secret she planned a getaway just for us girls.  

Friday, I left with directions to an unknown destination.  As I arrived, I was blown away.  Jan and Jerry had reservations for us at Grandover Resort, in Greensboro.  Needless to say, I was extremely excited.  What an incredible way for them to love on Shanda and I.    

The girls and I had an amazing time eating, talking, relaxing, getting a massage within Grandover's Spa, giggling, opening goody bags, swimming, watching the Olympics, sleeping in and shopping.  I couldn't have enjoyed myself more.  If this is what being 30 brings, bring it on!

Special thanks to my adorable husband that was willing to hold down the fort and care for our little ones.  Also, thank you Jerry and, especially, Jan.  It is so evident that you want to love on your children in tangible and memorable ways.  I move into another week restored, encouraged, loved on, and relaxed.  

The Roommates Bond

Needless to say these two are doing just fine in the rooming together business.  Kalen has been "reading" his new Batman book to Brayden.  It is super cute to watch.  Tonight, I caught Kalen squishing Brayden and saying goodnight to him.  This squishing thing is something Scott does with all the kids.  Kalen is truly stepping up and fulfilling his big brother role well.  We are proud of both of them.

Baseball Fun

Tonight we went to the Durham Bulls baseball game.  As before, it was a fun outing for the Morrison family.  It was a gorgeous night.  The weather was perfect.  

Give and Receive

I have this wonderful neighbor I mentioned before.  Her name is Lan, she lives across the street. She is Vietnamese.  She turned sixty years old this year and is wise beyond her years.  Lan is very petite, but spunky.  She is quite chatty, but refreshing.  This morning she comes over with a bunch of fresh cinnamon basil in her hand from her garden.  She gave me the bunch of basil and we greeted each other.  She made sure to address all the children.  She then asks me if I had any nutmeg.  I told her I did and went to fetch it, as the kids hung out with her.  I handed her the tablespoon of nutmeg and we continued to chat for a good bit.  She needed the nutmeg to made an apple pie.  She has never made this American specialty.  

Lan told me about making fresh peach jam.  She has a small peach tree in her backyard and was telling me all about it.  Lan told me not to go far and she was going to go get me a jar of her homemade jam.  The kids scattered and I awaited her quick return.  She gave me a jar of her jam and told me not to laugh if it wasn't good.  She used brown sugar, instead of regular.  She only had brown sugar and she doesn't drive herself anywhere.  She stays home, as she says, "twenty-four hour a day."  

Within her culture, you don't ask and take something from someone else without giving to them.  I gave her a simple tablespoon of nutmeg and she gave me beautiful basil and fresh homemade peach jam.  It seems unfair, right?  Her custom is to bless those that bless them.  She told me that once.  I love that.  As an American, we can easily get caught up in the taking.  I love Lan's spirit of giving.  She was so delighted to love me and give to me.  Her gifts are always so sweet, natural and meaningful.  May we be like this sweet lady, eager to give.

Sea Creatures

We are a creature loving family.  Naturally, at the beach, we were hunting the whole week long for sea creatures and shells.  We were amazed one day when Madelyn went running to get the net.  She told me, "Mom, I found a turtle!"  I watched her grab the net and head toward the waves.  I really thought there was no way.  She was cute and all, but a sea turtle?  Really?  It turns out that she did spot one and she safely caught it in her net.  She brought it up for us to see.  In amazement we watched this tiny little baby sea turtle.  In the photo below, you see Maddie just after she found it and Kalen coming to bring her a bucket full of water for the sea turtle to rest safely in.  What a moment for the Morrison family.  

Just after this, Scott, Mads, Julian, and Kalen took the turtle out into the water.  It swam safely away.  

Madelyn holding a crab.

Kalen holding a starfish.  

We went up to the pier and saw a couple of people catch fish.

This is the unidentified fish that someone caught at the end of the pier.  Julian thought it might be a viper fish.  It had real sharp teeth and looked like an eel.

A nice fisherman and his daughters caught this little fish.  Julian and Kalen held it.