Our Sports Star

Rowan has been showing a strong liking for all sports. Like all parents, we feel he is the best at all of them. He enjoys being outside and throwing, kicking, and bouncing all kinds of balls. In fact, he is also quite good at making up his own games with his own rules-all of which we must abide by. Needless to say, it's a lot of fun, but difficult to remember all the changing rules and changing games. Rowan, however, is in complete control and know of the situation. It's great to see him using his imagination and creativity-2 things I think are largely lacking in kids lives today. A big thank you to Aunt Emily and Uncle B for the basketball hoop and the t-ball set. He plays with them daily.
On another topic, you'll notice that Rowan is wearing a hooded sweatshirt. The temps here got down to a "chilling" 70 degrees on Sat. morning. Rowan insisted that he needed his winter sweater. Oh dear I tell myself-is this boy southern or what? He did eventually take it off as the temp rose to 84. He kept saying, "I"m not sweaty mommy-I don't need to take it off." I guess he's gotten so used to being SO hot!

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing Happy Belated Birthday Mel!!! It took me awhile to figure out how to do this. I hope you enjoy hearing our voices and seeing our faces. We love you and miss you.

Doll Baby Holland

Okay, so she's not a baby anymore. Well, not when she's walking and getting into EVERYTHING. This is tough stuff. I am needing to tell her "no" for her safety, but she has no understanding of it. Yikes! Still, she is a doll and Rowan likes to call her our baby. Yesterday I found her draping her body over the railing of her crib (it's on the next to bottom level), just seconds away from flailing herself overboard. She would be the one to do it. So it looks like this evening will be spent struggling with the crib to lower it to the lowest notch. Our doll baby sure is cute, but she keeps us on our toes.

Change:
Why is that such a scary word to most of us? I suppose it is because of the unknown world that lies ahead when we are forced to, or willingly decide to make that change. For the Barnes family, some recent changes have been a very good thing. Rowan has started going to school 3 days a week. I was sad at first when I realized how much less I would actually see him, but quickly realized that it has arrived perfectly in synch with the fact that I need more one-one-one time with Holland. Besides, he is loving every minute of it. Today he even got to dress up like a farmer! They have been learning about "farm stuff" as he puts it. We went to the library earlier this week and checked out a plethora of material covering animals, barns, tractors and more. What a fun kid he is!!!
Holland is walking more steadily now and is loving the freedom. She has cut her first tooth and is working on some more, as the drool spills from her mouth continually. I am cherishing the time she and I have together while Rowan is at school. She is a fiesty little thing and sooooo determined and headstrong, while simultaneously craving attention and cuddly lovin'. This little girl loves to be held and doted on, which we obligingly do as much as possible.
Work for me slowed down a bit after we returned from vacation, but looks like it is on the move again. I will be putting 3 new listings in the computer after the holiday. I am enjoying the time Rowan is at school to get housework done. It seems odd to be washing my floors and cleaning the bathrooms in the light of day. I had gotten so used to doing it when the kids went to bed at night, which were my only free moments this summer. I also read and finished a completely for fun book!!! We are still waiting on word about a job/career change for John. His results for his CFP exam should be posted in the next 2 weeks. Thankfully we are certain that God's answers will be the right ones. So, although we wait with anticipation, we wait in peace.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, change. Thank you God for keeping us on our toes and for making life an abundant one that never gets boring.