Cool Mamas Rock the Mini Van

Family, mini vans, have a rocking Mohter's Day! Embracing the mini van and the little people in it each day!



Living loving life with my Mountain Man and my Tigers! Family, faith and fun! Is there any other way! What are you rockin'!

Warmly,

The Man of My Dreams - Happy Birthday!

My life has been blessed beyond measure by the Man of my Dreams!

He is all that! And more! He takes me to the Opera - Phantom is our thing!



He is an incredible Father to our Twin Sons!



He teaches Responsibility - in this case, the "Honor System" at the Pumpkin Patch!



He's a leader and raising these Little Men!



He has an alive Faith! We enjoy family time after an awesome Sunday at church together!



He takes time with our sons...



Individual time...!



We love the outdoors - the Mountains, the Beach - to Travel as a family!



We get time together! Just us... sometimes! :)



We love to laugh and have fun!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mountain Man! The Man of My Dreams - I thank God for you every day! :)

Warmly,

Count Down to North Carolina Mountains

River House Inn North Carolina

“Great things are done when men and mountains meet!” William Blake

We're in the eleven hour countdown, and I had best get some rest for our LiveBlogging the North Carolina Mountains trip tomorrow! Cannot wait to arrive at down by the river at the lovely River House Inn.

You guessed it, on the way it's Starbucks as usual. Mountain Man has already gps-ed this for me. Stay tuned for all the action.


"The Mountains are calling and I must go...."

Yes, I'm Hooked Mountains this Hooked on Friday! What are you hooked on?

Warmly,

Celebrating the Father's in my Life

Celebrating the Father's in my life today. You've heard it before and once again I will say I am thankful for Mountain Man and his natural inclination to teach our children. Growing up I had an amazing example in my own father - Daddy. He lived more in his 46 year life than most ever will. The impact he left is alive and well today. Thank you Lord for the blessing of my Daddy and Husband.

This was really neat Proclamation I found by Former President Bush's on Father's Day so I'm sharing:

"Fathers play a unique and important role in the lives of their children. As mentor, protector, and provider, a father fundamentally influences the shape and direction of his child's character by giving love, care, discipline, and guidance. As we observe Father's Day, our nation honors fatherhood and urges fathers to commit themselves selflessly to the success and well-being of their children. And we reaffirm the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Raising a child requires significant time, effort, and sacrifice; and it is one of the most hopeful and fulfilling experiences a man can ever know. A father can derive great joy from seeing his child grow from infancy to adulthood. As a child matures into independence and self reliance, the value of a parent's hard work, love, and commitment comes to fruition.

Responsible fatherhood is important to a healthy and civil society. Numerous studies confirm that children whose fathers are present and involved in their lives are more likely to develop into prosperous and healthy adults. Children learn by example; and they need their father's presence as examples of virtue in their daily lives. A child's sense of security can be greatly enhanced by seeing his parents in a loving and faithful marriage."

George W. Bush
Former President, USA

Hope you are enjoying the men in your life.

Warmly,

Birthday Big Fun!

This pretty (lovely) Tuxedo Cheesecake...

All these precious 'friends' ....

This hot guy!

And another year blessed beyond measure. God is great!

And friends like you - Blessings to you all! Thanks for sharing!
Warmly,

Little Eyes Are Watching Me

Footprints
by
Margaret Fishback Powers

I cannot name myself as one
Who never goes astray,
Who never stumbles on the road,
Or Leaves the Hallowed way.
But when I know that baby feet
Will follow where I've trod,
I walk with care that they too may walk
That road that leads to God.


My journal that I write in (imagine that something non-computer) has these great little sayings, poems and verses throughout. This one seemed to read my mind lately when it talks about Baby Feet following me "where I've trod" because these little eyes are watching me.

If you've been around Carolina Mama a while you know that my dear Daddy died young and unexpected to all of us. I think early on this shaped my understanding of what is important in life.

So as I parent, homeschool, cook, teach clean and just play with my children, I have an underlying knowledge that this whole assignment that I have been blessed to be given is happening at lightning speed.

Even on "those days" - days where I am weary, days where they aren't listening so well, - I know our time is measured and I want to reply my very best e.v.e.r.y time.

Really things we do now can effect them forever, eternity. So when I read this "Footprints" poem above, it vocalized my precise feelings because more than anything else, Mountain Man and I want these boys, my Cherubs, "the Tigers" to take the 'road that leads to God.'

And my I always parent with this in mind, these 'baby feet' will follow. It's a strange thing because most days, I feel like I am the one who should be following... following these little Cherubs who bring heaven to earth in so many ways. Because really I'm watching them and learning every day.

Warmly,

Surprised By Mountain Man and The Tigers

It was a glorious Mother's Day in very many ways. One is the obvious... Mountain Man and The Tigers surprised me with one of these in Pink! :)

Mother's Day brunch included this tastiness:

The ones who made me a Mama:



Am happiest when we're together - blessed with my family and spending the day together:



The men in my life... I get to spend my days like this.



Not me! I was not totally surprised! :) So surprised the Tigers were ecstatic - almost as ecstatic as I was! And then we all went for a ride. And Not me! I didn't just post my Monday Not me! after midnight on Tuesday because I thought it was too fun! Yes, I do think it is the best thing this week so am entering it @ Sarah's Your Life, Your Blog.

And that's a wrap ya'll. See ya tomorrow shortly! :)

Warmly,

Mother's Day Moments With Carolina Mama

My your Mother's Day be happy and bright and may you enjoy the ones you call you Mama today! :) My mother-in-love sent me this and it was really cute so I'm sharing with my readers and friends.

Happy Mother's Day! May you be refreshed and relish this day with the ones who made you a Mama. :)

The 'new' normal is so much better.

This is too cute and motherhood does keep us on our toes.

Even at this age with the Tigers, I've never said motherhood was boring.

From the moment our sons were born and staying home with them full-time for eight years now, I can tell you there is never a boring moment. Terrifying, exciting and a wild ride - yes indeed! I wouldn't miss a moment and I'm thankful for this gift I treasure in mothering our twin sons and sharing this journey as wife to my Mountain Man.

Happy Mother's Day to you and God Bless!

Warmly,

My Personal Life - Sort Of

I mean I capture the moments really. So when KD of Southern Whimsey asked me to play along with this little tag, I thought perfect for Saturday morning. And then hmmm this will be interesting. After all it isn't every day that you open you your photo album, uncensored, uncropped, etc. and post a picture.

In all reality, I love family pictures, pictures of nature, pictures in general. So I was thrilled to play along. I took a walk on memory lane when I saw what was stored 4th folder, 4th picture. Here we were four years ago. The boys were three.

Did I tell you what an amazing man, Mountain Man is? He graduated with honors with a stay-at-home wife and twin three year olds at home. He's such a blessing and great husband and father.

To my great joy, I found a very funny memory from this summer. I am adding this one, 4th file 4th picture in my photos section. So I have two. Isn't this a riot! It was a summer afternoon when I suggested ice cream. Good Mommy, not so good idea. :) I was thinking how can I go wrong, it never occurred to me that the ice cream would melt quicker than the Tigers would consume it.

What ensued next is something only our twin boys could do, they broke into this hilarious song about the ice cream battle. And there you have it.

If you want to play along, consider yourself 'tagged' this is fun and you do take a look back maybe to 2008 and maybe to a special memory of years gone by.

What's one of your favorite memories? Are you sharing the picture? Have a great Saturday!


Well photos are like the eyes - they are the windows to the soul of our family. Would you agree?

Warmly,

Fayeson Tilley, Jesus & The Girls

Speechless. This weekend was an amazing time in my life. God called me away and spoke to me in such a way like never before.

I was at a women's retreat with ladies from all over the country and mostly my church. Also, I had the opportunity to hear the awesome speaker, Bible teacher, Fayeson Tilley. She is a spectacular speaker. The ladies I got to fellowship with were so wonderful. This was a refreshing retreat. And it was the longest I have been away from The Tigers in their lives! Anyone out there hear me! :) I missed them! We talked each day. And I did enjoy every second of this time alone with the one I love, my Maker and Creator who had beckoned me away.

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him ." Ephesianas 1:13

How did this happen? After a heritage in a Christian home and the Bible, I just heard this verse and made it my own. It's life changing. I challenge you, Have you been " included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him?" This is not only a mountain top experience in every fashion, it is more. God spoke and I listened and chose to believe. All I can say is that I am different and I don't ever want to be the same.

Clearly, the big takeaway for me was "Taking God at His Word!" I'm in! Do you know Him?

The mountains were gorgeous. The girlfriends were great. Jesus was even better. If you ever have a chance to hear Fayeson Tilley speak, Go and Be Blessed! She taught the Book of Ephesians. She is no-nonsense and she knows the Word of God thoroughly. And how refreshing, she didn't talk about herself the whole weekend. She sent us to the feet of Jesus.

As much as I love to talk about Starbucks, fashion and all things glam, I loved learning so very much in one weekend. Or just hearing someone bold enough to speak it. She really knew the Word and had a great way about her that captured everyone's attention no matter what she said.

As with most get-aways, I am catching up. Laundry, time with my guys - all three! Hello, Mountain Man went grocery shopping with the Tigers while I was gone. Talk about blessed and one brave man! :)

Tell me about your latest Retreat experience.

Mountain Man, The Tigers and Father's Day

Eight years ago we started this journey called parenting. Eight years ago, we were shocked with surprise and sheer bliss at the announcement that we were expecting Twins. Together, we had interviewed the Doctor prior to expecting and found out the reason our friends had so wholeheartedly recommended him to us. We were seven and a half weeks 'expecting' and we had gone together to our 'first' OB/GYN appointment. This day our doctor calmly and quietly spoke the seven words that would forever shape our lives "It looks like there are two of 'them.'" You comprehended what was just said way sooner than I would. Your first words were "We were hoping for Twins." It's funny to me because I didn't immediately recall the conversation where we were 'hoping' were you told me of all of the Twins in your family tree. This left me even more surprised and delighted. Leaving his office that first day, we were walking on clouds. It was surreal. I remember thinking "me" "us!" We knew we were blessed.

You took such good care of me, of us. You were so proud to be a father and a father of twins. It was the end of your Freshman year of College. We took the road less traveled. We followed our dream of my staying home with our children. Many wondered. Many questioned. We carried on. We had our Hands Full. You jumped right in and have been going ever since. It has been a wild ride. A great one. Thank you for being the loving, caring father you are to our twin sons. Happy Father's Day!

Thank you for all you do. Thank you for the time well spent - together. "It's better when we're together...."