I had to tell him

Last week, Caden had to give a blood sample at the doctor's office, so his finger was sore where they extracted blood (he was concerned that they weren't going to put the blood back in, but I digress).
We went for a swim that night in our neighborhood pool, and he didn't want to get it wet. So there he was, swimming about, one middle finger sticking up. This is a bit tricky, mind you, as he can't touch the bottom in some of the pool, but he was quite persistant in holding it out. I might have let it go, but there were other families at the pool and I didn't want them to think we were subtly trying to get them to leave!
So I had to tell him that sticking up your middle finger is a rude gesture. I always feel a little sad when taking a bit of innocence away, but I felt I needed to! So then he went to swimming about with 4 fingers up. That was better. And we may have a chance of making friends here.

Old pics

Baseball

Alyssa's favorite part of the Durham Bull's game from this past Saturday. :)

Duke Gardens

I love gardens. I feel refreshed, at peace, thankful, and can even pretend to be wealthy when strolling about them. :) Thursday, the kids and I went to Duke Gardens, in Durham. It was so beautiful. And Really hot. Re-enacting Billy Goats Gruff. Caden gets to be the troll.
Lissy likes to pose!

Dancin'
Beautiful duck pond. As we walked along the paths, there were several sprinklers going. We were happy to walk by these!

We've decided to return here often, but perhaps in the spring and fall instead!

Tomorrow

Today we packed a truck and trailer full of mattresses, dressers, plates, t-shirts, movies, plants, measuring spoons, shoes, pillows, pictures and ALL the other things we think we'll need for the next few months. Tonight we're gathering the rest of what is left for us to take when we drive to North Carolina in the van tomorrow. I've felt for so long that 'tomorrow' would never come. We have talked about moving to North Carolina with such excitement and nervousness and anticipation for so long. I'm a bit incredulous that its really finally here. Shann's been working there for a month, but now that we're all going to live there, it seems really real. I'm very excited to get there, get to know the area, get connected in a church, find our library, favorite restuarants, homeschool groups, museums, and all that.
However, these last days here have been filled with goodbyes, too. We're saying goodbye to some friends who are like family to us. People with whom we've walked through the past 10 years. Friends we'll miss dearly.
But tomorrow is the time to begin the next adventure. And thankfully we will continue to walk with the One whom we'll never have to miss, the Friend to whom we'll never have to say goodbye.