Cumberland Falls

Our family took an overnight trip to Cumberland Falls State Park. A dear friend of ours, Lisa Davis, is the park manager. The falls are known as the "Niagara of the South". The park also features a moonbow which is a lunar (white) rainbow and only present on nights with a full moon. The moonbow is especially unique because it's the only one in the western hemisphere. You can see the other one during your trip to Zimbabwe. We did not get to see the moonbow because of the rain/clouds. BUT, that will certainly give us a great reason to visit again.

Family picture by the falls.

Karson enjoying herself. It's very difficult getting her to smile for camera.

Karson had the most fun on this trip. She got to experience a euphoria like no other--sleeping inside a camper. She has become quite obsessed RV's lately. We get on the internet and look at the different campers. My grandfather always had Winnebagos, and I loved them. Everytime we went to Nolin Lake, me and all of my cousins slept in it. Matt got to share a bed with Karson in the ol' Jay Feather.

Anyone that has a two year old knows that it's next to impossible getting good photos of them. I was able to snap one of Isaac smiling and the other of him pointing to the falls. I threw the dog Wilson in because he was harassed by Isaac the entire time.

Miles, as usual, was along for the ride. He's a content little fella and always seems to enjoy himself in every circumstance. We're very blessed!

Ode to "the World"

Oh Chainsaw World, oh Chainsaw World

Your concrete floors we will miss

Oh Chainsaw World, oh Chainsaw World

Your smell of gas we will miss

Your wall of parts that never ends, oh no my Dad went to an auction again

Oh Chainsaw World, oh Chainsaw World

WE WILL SURELY MISS YOU!

It's official, my Dad is semi-retiring from the business this weekend. I honestly can't remember a time when our family didn't have this little slice of heaven. We've changed buildings and relocated, but it's always been ours. I've spent many hours working for my Dad stocking parts, making email databases, changing his website and even doing some light assembling (if you purchased a trimmer that fell apart, it could've been because of me). I am proud of my Dad for all his hard work and dedication to this trade. He's one of the smartest people I know and could've done something less stressful, dirty and tiring each day. The older I get though, I find that life sometimes directs us down different paths than the one's we've chosen. I don't know if that's necessarily true for my Dad, but my point is that our Creator knows exactly what we need in our lives. I haven't met a person that deals with my Dad professionally that doesn't think the world of him. God placed him in that business to minister to others. I love you Dad and am excited about the next chapter in your life--babysitting three crazy kids for me.

BLOCK Party

Community Church hosted a BLOCK PARTY yesterday for the community surrounding our area of town. We had the city shut down 12th Avenue between Center and Kentucky Streets for our festivities. We had a blow-up thing-a-majig, horse and carriage rides, locals bands, face painting, cupcake walk, games/prizes, visits from the Police, EMT, and Fire Department, and FREE FOOD all done on a $100 budget (thanks to lots of donations and helpful folks). How cool is that! I know my husband is the minister and all, but I really can't brag enough about the group at Community. All of our elders, deacons and ministers worked all day long along with many, many members making the day a true success for Christ.

One of my favorite songs right now is called "Hanging On" by a band called Everday Sunday. I love listening to music in the morning when I'm walking. This song was played on WAY FM a couple of weeks ago. As soon as I got home I bought it and haven't stopped listening to it since.

Here it is short and sweet:

God I'm in this place again. Im trying so hard not to fall, but everything keeps coming down with the rain. And I try so hard I forget to call.

Everybodys looking around, and everybody wants to be found. And Im just hanging on; I give You all that I am.

I come to You with all that I am, I bring to You all that I have, and all I have is nothing,

and I keep on trying, and all I want is You.

Everybodys looking around and wants to be found,and Im just hanging on. I give You all that I am.

And as I sit here in the midst of You, I come to You; I bring You all that I am.

Everybodys looking around and wants to be found, and Im just hanging on. I give You all that I am.

I truly felt God's presence on Saturday. Thank you Lord for finding and loving each of us where we are and how we are. We're all just hanging on for YOU. Come soon and rescue us!

Smile: You're as Pretty as a Princess

Our friend Katie came over today to play. The girls decided to play dress-up. I'm guessing that's still a universal game among girls. Isaac HAD to get in on the action when we started the make-up application. Although he knows that he's a boy and Karson's a girl, making a mess has no gender and that's exactly how he applied his ultra-thick coverage.

His brother, POTTED MILES, on the other hand, is all about dirt. He would rather eat and wear dirt than his sister's yucky make-up. Uuuhhh, has anyone seen the weight room??? He's our manly man.

An Author in the Making

I have to tell everyone that my daughter has authored four books in one week. The first one is called "Little Worm", the second "The Boy Who Wanted to Become a Mermaid", the third "The Caterpillar Who Wanted to be a Butterfly" and the fourth "The Fairy Who Wanted to Make a Rainbow With Her Friends". I am her stenographer and she writes the title page and does all the artwork.

Little Worm

An excerpt from "Little Worm" ...Little Worm takes a walk with his Mom (she marked out Dad for some reason). Next page, Little worm's Mom has a baby with his Dad. It's a baby girl worm named Melissa. *Karson loves the name Melissa lately. I have a few friends named Melissa =).*

The Caterpillar Who Wanted to be a Butterfly

An excerpt from "The Caterpillar Who Wanted to be a Butterfly"...He wanted to ask a girl but she was a little shy. Next page, And then he walked on to another person but he got into a cocoon and slept.

The Fairy Who Wanted to Make a Rainbow With Her Friends

An excerpt from "The Fairy Who Wanted to Make a Rainbow With Her Friends"...She asked Blueberry and Blueberry Deaton said she would help her do the rainbow. Next page, Then they walked on to another person.

*I wish I had the book "The Boy Who Wanted to Become a Mermaid" but it's currently being showcased at Alvaton Elementary by a very proud grandmother. Karson has the best imagination. I love it when she feels the urge to write a book or create anything for that matter (make a card, paint a picture). Our refrigerator is covered with her artistry. Amazon.com should be picking up her books later this fall if you would like to own a copy.

# 11

Baby Miles is 11 months old today! He's growing up and even starting to take some steps. I'm not sure what it is about fall clothing that makes children look older, but Miles looks more like a little boy this week than ever. For those of you out there with three small children (or even one small child for that matter), the light at the end of a sleepy tunnel is coming closer. Something about that 1 year mark makes things different~not necessarily easier but different. I'm proud of my little "warrior" for surviving 11 months as # 3.

He's ELECTRIC boogy woogy woogy

Matt snapped these photos last night while Miles was chasing me around the trampoline. I pity the fool who messes with him. It will be a shocking experience!

Rangers: Power Up

Our Halloween costumes arrived this week. Hooray for eBay. While every 5 year old girl on the planet wants to be a princess or fairy for Halloween, my Karson, wants to be a Pink Power Ranger. And, her sidekick Isaac, wants to be the "blue one" Power Ranger. I mean, really, someone needs to save this planet from self destruction. It might as well be my kids. You're welcome to send any expressions of thanks in the form of college tuition money.

Happy Grandparents Day

Karson and her brothers sure are lucky to have so many grandparents. There's Pops and Meme (my mom and dad), Pap and Nana (Colvin and Debbie), Grandad and Granny (Doug and Lucy Bradford), Mamaw (Kathryn Deaton),~ In Louisville: Papaw and Memaw (Bill and Bonnie Hartwein) and Papaw and Mamaw (Jack and Margaret Pogue). I was reminded yesterday at Karson's preschool program and even more today, September 11, of all the blessings in my life and the lives of my children. God speed!

Cruisin' Together

Miles was at the mercy of his sister this afternoon as they went crusin' around the house in her Jeep. He managed to survive her "punching the pedal" take off's and abrupt stops. He's already fearless of women drivers.

Labor Day of Love

DINOSAUR WORLD
Monday, September 3

Archaeologists in training.

Fossil dig. Walking among Brontosaurus's.

We didn't lose any fingers at the touch and tell.

Strollin' through the wild.

Miraculously, they survived this close encounter with a T-Rex.

NOLIN LAKE

Sunday, September 2

The Pogue Compound.

Dad and Papaw working in the boat graveyard.

Yes, the sign on the double-wide says "Pogue's" in case someone tries to claim our palace. Drive on by, this jewel's taken!

My cousins and sister talking about working out. We Pogue ladies love a good work-out.

Karson, Evan and Elizabeth looking exhausted.

Randy and his new best friend Isaac.

Miles and Monica.

Isaac kissing Monica's English Bulldog Charlie.

My cousin Lyndi is having a baby of her own in February.

Karson heading down to the torture chamber.

Here she is holding onto Meme for dear life while her 3 year old cousins paddle along carefree.

KENTUCKY DOWN UNDER
Saturday, September 1

I didn't make this trip and can't explain these pictures, but it appears they got to pet some kangeroo's, feed some birds and listen to some guy play a huge recorder??????