Meet Mingo

Gavin is participating in "Through the Eyes of a Child" at St. Stephens Park in October. "Through the Eyes of a Child" is an annual event where select children dress in period clothing (1818) and act out a few moments in time. Gavin was chosen to play 'Mingo', chief Pushmataha's son. Although he was a Choctaw Indian, Mingo learned to speak English. He attended school with the white children but often slept. (Great part for Gavin :)) Gavin is going to be the very first Mingo. They haven't had this part before. We are busy researching the life of a typical Indian child and mixing in the facts that Pushmataha educated his children and wanted them to learn English although he never did. He saw the changes coming to his people and wanted his children to be ready for them- can't we all learn from that. I think he looks rather like a child from 1818.
Mingo inspecting his arrowhead.

Mingo 2008 (Gavin West)



Old St Stephens' Day is interesting to me because when you walk out among the trees deep in the forest, it is so hard to imagine an entire settlement now gone. There was a Hotel, Pony Express route, Mercantile, Smokehouse, etc. Now, there is nothing. So, for one day in October, residents can roam the woods and hear a whisper of the past...."Through The Eyes of a Child."



Come if you can.

Oh- I forgot to add that my Mom made his outfit.

Nothing like a sewing Grammy! Thank You.

Finally Friday.

I realy wasn't rushing Friday to get here- that just sounded good.



So, we are getting ready for our Youth Retreat. Oct. 10 & 11. We are excited. Praying for a powerful move of God. Bro. Micheal Switzer is preaching so his name is going before the throne daily that he will deliver the messages we need. God is always ready for us- we just have to get in tune with Him.



Gavin & Peyton will be baptized Sunday night at our home church. I am so excited about this service. We have been reading scriptures about what baptism means when we have family devotions. Both boys have expressed their understanding, although Peyton's is a little unorthodoxed. He is 7, so I know God is loving his childlike faith. Sometimes our childrens' interpretations of spiritual things are much more intune than we like to admit. I am praying, seriously, that Peyton won't panic at the baptism. It is a possibility that I want to avoid.



I have an opportunity to go to a Ladies Retreat in Indiana. I really want to go, but I don't want to leave my kids for someone else to take care of even if it is their Dad. He can 'do' whatever they need but he can't cook. Also, the nature of his job is a problem because we never know where he is going to be from one day to the next. So, I just don't know what to do.

Well, I have a meeting to go to so I must sign off- I'll post more later!
TaTa

Soaked on Saturday

Well, we just returned home from a trip to Mobile. Larry, Casey & I went out to eat and do a little shopping. It was so wonderful to get out of the house. I haven't been shopping since June. I think that is against the law, surely!

Right when we were going inside to eat- the bottom fell out. I got soaking wet. The restaurant was cold, of course, so I froze the entire time. After we ate, we went to the mall to thaw out! I was literally shivering. So- super exciting I know- but I had a great day. Now my bed is calling my name.

"What went on."

Borrowing from my Blogger Buds, I too, shall post What Went On (since it is now after 9 p.m.) on Thursday and they do it on Wednesday.



I took my two little boys to school this morning since Gavin had made an edible cell. This project turned out to be really fun- and sugary! We went with the chocolate chip cookie cell with a bluberry muffin nucleus. Jelly beans, sprinkles & twizzlers were various other parts to our 'cell.' Peyton, my OCD child, does not like to be driven to school. He feels he is late because he isn't in his classroom as early. It takes many explainations that we are ON TIME and still, he does worry. He does not belong to me! (J/K)



When I returned, I cooked hubby & myself a nice little breakfast. I don't like to eat as soon as I get up- so I don't eat breakfast with my kiddos.


We got back on our project we started last night- putting together my computer desk. I am so excited about it. Not only is it going to look great in my kitchen/den, but I can actually have a place for my 'stuff.'



We started this project last night and told the boys they could see it when they woke up today. Well, it didn't work out as planned, but it reminds me of recent warblings of Peyton. He is so into using his new vocabulary words. I think it is so cute. Here are some recent conversations.



Peyton gets quiet the other evening.



Me: Peyton, where'd you go? (you have to ask this if he is quiet- he is his own soundtrack if you know what I mean.)

Peyton: (with head resting in his palm): I'm just sitting here being tranquil

Me: Well, you sure are.



So today....

ME: No, the desk isn't finished and let's not touch it because it isn't very sturdy.

PEYTON: Oh, I see. It is fragile.

ME: Yeah- you could say that.

PEYTON: Well, I'm just wondering if there is going to be any precipitation today.

ME: The ground already has a lot of dew- so that should do it for today I hope.



Is that hilarious or what?



So, I worked on organizing my little area. I cooked lunch for us. I delivered some photo buttons I made for various folks. I picked Peyton up early from school. He hates this also, but he needed it today. We ate a smoothie and had some Mom & Me time. When Gavin got home, he and Larry worked on planting green fields to feed the deer. They worked very hard and got home in time to scarf down my supper. Hamburger steak, mac and cheese, Northern beans- in case you were wondering. I continued to work on my kitchen. (I have a lot of stuff apparently.) Casey came home from his night class and now we have brushed our teeth, said our prayers and they are reading which turns into bedtime.



In the morning we are having a Chicken and Dumpling Plate sale at the church. We will be cooking/delivering around 100 plates to various businesses in town. We are raising money for our Youth Retreat that is coming up. We will also be checking in on my best friends son who is having a minor heart procedure in the morning.

So, I guess my busy day is over. I love to stay busy without feeling frazzled. Tomorrow will be frazzled. I'll let everyone know if I survived!!


Today we praise the Lord for :

a good report from Bro. Bill's heart cath,

great grades for Casey & Gavin,

a wonderful day yesterday and today with my hubby



Nighty, night!

Recent Raves

A few Recent Photos worth Raving about- or at least to me they are worth it!


I have a photographer whom I greatly admire and this picture is almost worthy of her page! She inspired me to do something fun with the rings at a ceremony. Since I don't wear jewelry, I usually forget about the "Ring Picture" ooops. So, I decided to not leave out the rings this time and look at this shot. The Bride & Groom had the rings tied to this pillow at the podium and they untied them when the time came for the vows. It was very sweet and beautiful.

I need to work on this lighting a little, but I'm getting closer to what I want- anyway Constance & Randall are simply adorable getting all smoochy 'hiding' under there!

Country people require country photos. Yes, those are live sheep grazing in the background!

A little Bulldog Pride.

I know I've posted it below, but just in case someone can't scroll down.....- here are two awesomely gorgeous kiddos in love.

I'll be posting some fun photos soon. These were 'for real' ones!

September 11,

Bro. Bobby Smith, my Dad, and Casey during the Pledge.

Peyton and his flag and button proclaiming "I LOVE THE USA!"

Our county/town had a small ceremony commemorating Patriot Day. Larry, Casey & myself attended it while Gavin & Peyton were in school. Here are a few pictures from our day. I want to never forget September 11, 2001. It is truly a day our world changed and could have changed greater than we can even imagine.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I'm Bored...

I can not stand to hear one of my children proclaim, "I'm bored." In my opinion, it is a sign of bad parenting (not all the time, of course). I feel that if my children had enough work to do whether it be fun work (play) or real work (chores) boredom would be banished FOREVER!
Alas, I hear it every now and then but this morning was a new one for me. Peyton has had a bout with insomnia latley. I'm not sure what has brought it on, but it is here and with a vengence! Sunday night, he fell asleep in church (which I don't like, but happens nevertheless) so of course he had a hard time falling asleep at home. I did my usual 'keep him up a little later' routine but he came in our room twice during the night. I finally went in his bed with him so we could sleep. I felt so sorry for him, espcially when he proclaimed, "I didn't even think about it when I fell asleep in church that I couldn't sleep at home!" He was pitiful, so I just held him and he did, eventually fall asleep. I let them sleep in a little later and drove them to school. So, I haven't let him take naps in the evening and put them all to bed a little earlier thinking it would help- it did. Until last night. Peytie got out of his bed around 2:00 a.m. I heard him (how can I when I can't hear the alarm?) So I woke up hoping it was just a bathroom run. He stood by my bed and said words I have never heard at 2:00 A.M.

ME: "what's a matter, Peytie?"
Peyton: "I'm bored."
ME: "You're bored? You are supposed be sleeping- it's not very interesting."
Peyton: "Well, I'm bored tonight."
ME: "Go talk to your Dad."

So, he goes on the other side of the bed and Larry, naturally, just pulls him in the bed and there we slept. (Or rather, attempted to.) Casey said all this counting sheep is sooo boring! He's such a kidder. I have no idea what is means, I suppose it seemed a better answer than the usual, "I can't sleep."

So- sleeping is boring now. Who knew?

Saturday

Today Dove Season began. Around our house, that is how time is measured. How many days till ____Season or how many days until it goes out, etc. So, starting at lunchtime- my home is full of dove hunters. They have practiced and got the guns sighted in so today is reckoning day. We will see if birds will be on the grill tomorrow or not!
I just finished up a photo shoot with three small children. It was exhausting, but not as bad as some. I can't wait to get a good look at the pictures. I LOVE photographing children. It is my favorite 'job'.
We had a fun family night last night. It isn't often that we are all together with Casey working and going to school, so last night was a welcomed treat. We just played some card games and joked around with each other- but that is top notch entertainment to me. Our boys are so stinking funny! We laughed last night until I thought I would cry. Maybe soon I can post a few of the crazy things they say so you will know what in the world I'm talking about!
Well, I need to sign off here and decide 100% what I'm cooking for supper. Our friends are in to visit and we can't wait for a wild night with 4 boys- age 2-12! Oh, what fun!