First Day of Third Grade

I am slowly, but surely, catching up. The first day of school was actually two weeks ago, but here is the update...
Third grade. Geez. Where does the time go? Elijah was excited and scared. I tried to tell him that his feeling was totally normal. I kept reassuring him that there would be other "new kids" in his class... this is an Army base, for heaven's sake... there are kids coming and going all the time. Well, I was mistaken. He came home and proudly informed me,

"You were wrong, Momma. I was the ONLY person in my class who was NOT at this school last year."

What are the chances?!? Oh well. He wasn't thrilled about it, but he's doing just fine. He made a friend really quickly, and he doesn't seem to be bothered by being "new" anymore. I am hoping that everything will be "challenging" enough for him. Last year's teacher and class motivated and pushed him (a lot), and we soon learned that he savors a challenge. Time will tell, and I am giving things a few weeks to get settled. Then I'll turn into that rude, obnoxious parent who demands that their "brilliant child prodigy" be placed in a college-level class!!! Just kidding. I taught school just long enough to learn to distrust anything those parents said. And to run when I saw them coming. If anyone sees Elijah's teacher zoom by, please let me know.

I Promise This is The End

Or... "How I Spent My Summer Vacation (Part 5)" (Help me, Lord.)



Once we were somewhat unpacked and settled, we had our first visitors. Dan's mom and dad came to see us before school started for Elijah. We gave them plenty of "tours" (as well as we could, considering we still don't know where everything is!), and we saw a few "extra" sights. More on that later. The boy took his Nana and Pops fishing (imagine that) just about every day they were here.

There was plenty of museum visiting and lots of eating out. But, the most memorable event, by far, was our "road trip" to find the "Urquhart Family Grist Mill." To fully appreciate this part of the tale, you must know that my father-in-law is obsessed with family history. The man is a fountain of genealogy knowledge. Knowing that the "Urquharts" of long ago originally settled in NC, he is elated with the thought of visiting old cemeteries and historic family churches. Do I sound thrilled? (Don't worry...I get enough sermons. He tells me I should take all this family history and genealogy way more seriously than I do.) So off we went. In search of an old, run-down, barely-still-there grist mill that once belonged to an Urquhart. The drive was nice, and we ate BBQ by the Cape Fear River. The trouble was, we were going on some pretty weak directions from some folks who saw this place a few years ago. When (after HOURS driving around and looking) we called for clarification, none of them even gave similar directions or landmarks. I will defend myself at this point and say that I was the QUIETEST of the complainers in the car. Yes, eventually we found it. Dan and his dad went to this one last spot (kind of guessing at location), and they found it. Nana, myself, and Elijah were so tired. And hungry. And tired of looking and finding nothing... so, we sat in the car. And missed it. Oh well. At least I made Dan take the camera and get some proof that this place really exists. And my father-in-law? He was one happy family historian.

Are You Sick of This Yet? (How I Spent My Summer Vacation Part 4)

I hope this is not as boring for everyone else as it is for me... at this rate, I'll be posting Christmas pictures at Easter. (Hmmm... pretty typical.) It's not that I dislike re-living our summer adventures; I just have newer stuff to post and tell!

OK. While we were hanging out at my parents' house, Dan went on to Bragg... someone in this family has to make a living. We were still waiting on Housing and our stuff. My dad had to go to Charleston to work, and we bummed along! If I haven't made it clear before, this is my most favorite place on the planet. I was not about to pass up an opportunity to go. On the way down, we went to the SC State Museum. Very cool. Not as cool as sunset on Shem Creek, but fun in its own way.

The Megladon!!!!
Sure, science and learning is cool, but who can ignore the call of the tides!! (Don't tell my son that I said that...)

Feelin' Old (and Blessed)

At the risk of revealing how OLD I am, and at the risk of reminding myself just how OLD I am... Happy 15th Anniversary to us! Wow... 15 years. We we talking the other day about how 15 years of marriage seems small in light of people celebrating their 25th or 50th or even the 60th anniversary. But, 15 years is a real accomplishment! (At least in our minds it is!)

"How the Boy Spent His Summer Vacation" (Part 3)

Fishing. Fishing. Catching bugs. Fishing. Riding his scooter (around and around and around and around his grandparents' yard). Fishing. And, some fishing. Other than that boring and horribly long drive across the country, he had a really good summer. We used my parents house as our "home away from home" while waiting on Housing and while getting settled here at Bragg. The (very grown-up) boy even spent a week with BaBa and PaPa by himself! He and my mom came up with the phrase "Camp DoWhatcha Wanna" for time spent at her house. (Why was it never called that during the 18 years I lived there?) It is nice though... I think that's how little boys' summers should be.

Star Wars Church

I am taking a brief break in the recap of our summer to share a funny moment. First, some background. There are at least 6(!) different Protestant chapels/church services on the base. This is mind blowing for us... we just came from a post that offered one. So, we have been "visiting" around each Sunday to find the style of service and worship that we feel most comfortable with. Keep in mind that the 9 year-old in this family has spent most of his life with his daddy as a Southern Baptist "preacher" in very casual, relaxed church settings. Very informal. Mostly "Praise and Worship" type music. Mostly familiar hymns. Mostly casually dressed members.

... So, yesterday, we visited "Main Post Chapel." (The very formal and beautifully ornate chapel in the center of the base.) (Dan wanted to hear this certain chaplain who was speaking.) As we drove into the parking lot and were getting out of the car, the two "officiating" chaplains were walking across the lawn. Wearing their clerical robes and stoles. And the voice from the backseat...

"Hey! Who are those two dudes in the Jedi Robes?"

I'm not really sure if he was joking. I'm pretty sure that, in his mind, somewhere out there... in a galaxy far far away, there are real Jedi. If not walking among us. And, apparently, coming to church with us. Actually, I wouldn't mind singing a few hymns alongside Obi Wan or Yoda, myself.

"Build-A-Boy" (or "How I Spent My Summer Vacation Part 2")

Most people buy the "accessories" for the bear they just made. Not my brother. He tries the accessories on his son. Much to our enjoyment! While spending a few days in Hotlanta with the Rogers, my favorite son decided he wanted his cousin to go to "Build-A-Bear" for the first time. His treat. Too sweet. Now they each own matching bears with matching clothes (Alabama t-shirts!) and reversed names. (Elijah's bear is named Noah; Noah's bear is named Elijah.) I would normally say that this is too cheesy for words, but... April tells us that Noah loves his bear, and I know a boy who adores his baby cousin.
Our visit was too short. Always is. And, I don't say this just beacause of Noah. We do adore him. (This was actually Dan's first time to see him!) But, it is always hard to leave when we've all been together. I am glad we'll be a little closer on the map for a while.