Our newest family member . . .
Josh's youngest brother, JJ and sister in law, Amy had a baby boy on Sunday, October 29! His name is James Joseph. He was a full six weeks early, but weighed 5 lbs 6oz, and is still in the hospital but doing well! Isn't he precious? That leaves only Josh and me without children on either side of the family! Yikes! We now have six nephews and two nieces--every one as precious as can be! Can't wait to meet this little guy!

If only more people would take this to heart . . .
I have read this poem before, and I wanted to post it for all of the "Moms" out there!

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

“If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d finger paint more and point the finger less.
I’d do less correcting, and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less, and know to care more.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging, and less tugging.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d teach less about the love of power
And more about the power of love”
-Diane Loomans

SO sweet!!
Isn't this the most precious thing you have ever seen?!?!?! My nephew, Cade apparently thinks quite a bit of Laura Grace!!

The joys of North Carolina . . .
We spent last weekend at the beach. Some friends of ours have a beach house about an hour away, and they invited us to come spend the weekend with them, so we did! Josh's brother and sister in law and our two nephews came as well, and we enjoyed spending a late October weekend at the beach. It wasn't swimming weather (of course my nephews thought 70 degrees was perfectly fine for swimming:), but I think that it is the prettiest time of year down there! Had a ball!