Monday, February 24, 2014

Missed a bit...

Things have been a bit crazy around here, and I am coming off of a four-day migraine that stopped me from functioning at all.

This weekend was the first time I was functioning, and I am so glad I was!

Rory went to a Webelo's event called Snow-Shoe. It is the biggest event of the year for scouts, and it gives them an opportunity to showcase what they have learned and accomplished.  Out of their group, only 3 boys could go because of some illnesses, and they were lucky enough a younger boy attended with them, otherwise, they wouldn't have had enough boys to participate.

The four boys did AWESOME and showed the entire council how much they know, and how good of scouts they are!!!

It was amazing. They raked in a total of 17 awards! Including some first and second over-all awards. This was an awesome achievement for the boys, number one because of their lowered number of attendees, and number two, because of what it meant to them!

I could not be more proud. It wasn't about winning, it was about what they are able to do as a team, and group. It just showed Carl and I, and Rory, what a great decision he made to move patrols, and to become part of what is a perfect team of boys.

Overall, I am so proud of what they displayed as far as their skills, and more so, their character, and ethics. The older three boys took a younger boy, who was not on their level, made him part of the team, and included him as a part of who they were, and why they won. That says so much about these young men, and who they are. That young man left the event, happy and excited to do this again, and  determined to gain more skills for the future.

Cub Scouts is so much more than just the knots, or arrow shooting, or skills. It is about the boys, the relationships they form, and the men we lead them to be. The Webelo II leaders, and the parents of the kids, have really taken these boys, and turned them into young men, a team, friends, and into brothers. These boys will remember these moments for the rest of their lives.

“Keep before your mind in all your teaching that the whole ulterior motive of this scheme is to form character in the boys" … Baden-Powell













Saturday, February 15, 2014

As the sun sets...

As the sun sets, and the snow melts, I hope that everyone takes a moment to enjoy the beauty and purity of the snow, and sunlight. I hope you all take a moment to reflect on your lives, and remember the beauty in them.


Friday, February 14, 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

It hit...

We got about 9 inches or so, of nice powdery snow! We had enough to snowboard in the neighbor's yard, to make a fort, and to have fun into the night!











Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Still waiting...

The big snow storm is supposed to hit tonight... but for now, we are still waiting...


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Crafts...

I have already posted the photos of all of the artwork which adorns my kitchen, it also is on the windows and doors... Evie made this today and insisted we hang it up...


Monday, February 10, 2014

Afternoon Snow...

We had a quick afternoon snow today, and accumulated a little over an inch at our house. There is a pending 10 inch storm heading our way tomorrow or Wednesday, and I have to say, I am excited. I went and picked up a new sled today, and even got a few "snow blocks" for the kiddos to make an igloo with. I just hope we get enough snow!

Here is a quick shot out my front window of what we have. I am anxiously awaiting some real snow for the first time since 2009!


Sunday, February 9, 2014

Lego Boy...

I just recently learned that Lego is never plural. I had no idea that you do not play with Legos, but it is always that you are playing with Lego! Crazy huh?

Lego is a big part of our day. I swear even if the kids only have 5 minutes, that they are in the play room with Lego. It is insane. I have to say, I love that the Lego area is now contained and I no longer have to navigate the mine fields that once dominated the majority of my home.

Here is A-man with his newest creation. Please ignore the window. Apparently I fail at window washing, and didn't know until we took a photo with a flash!


Saturday, February 8, 2014

What do you get...

When you have a husband who needs a head shot for work, but he detests having a photo taken?

You get this guy...


Hubbie was quite irritated that it took more than one photo...

But he did end up with this.


Isn't he amazingly handsome? 

I love this guy... I guess that is a good thing since we have 4 kids, eh!?




Friday, February 7, 2014

Little Letters...

Last night, I was going to start a "date night" where I took each boy out for ice cream and homework. Arden was supposed to be first, and the only "rule" was that they had to help clean up and eat supper.

About 15 minutes before supper, Arden asked me for a snack, and I told him to wait. A few moments later, I hear a bag, and turn to see him sneaking crackers into his pockets, cramming them full.

I told Arden he had just lost ice cream, and he was devastated.

This morning, after the boys left for school, I found this...

He really is a little sweet heart. I'm glad he knows what he did, and that he apologized.


Thursday, February 6, 2014

Fairy Princesses and little girls

After 4 boys, it is so wonderful (in most ways) to have a little girl.

Today I finally finished the fairy in Evie's room. I love getting to have some pink and purple in the room, and love even more that there are fairies in our house!


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Piles of Laundry

I'm always amused at people who complain about their pile of laundry that they need to do, only to find out, it is a load, or maybe two that needs folded.

I swear I am constantly in the middle of at least 4 loads... here is what I am working on today... between caring for Evie, meetings, carpool, and the rest of the household duties.



Last day fun in the Waves...

Today was our last day. The kids rode rides all morning, and we spent a few hours in the wave pool!





Surfing fun...

The boys loved the surfing area, I think I took 400 photos of them today!





Sunday, February 2, 2014

Mini Vacation!

We took a mini family vacation this week, and have had a blast!

If you haven't checked them out, Wilderness in the Smokies is a great place to go! They run specials that make it really affordable, and with it being the off season, we had the park to ourselves (well not totally, but there were very few people).

The waterpark has a great little grill (where surprisingly, there were options for our dairy-free kid), 4 water slides, a wave pool, a surf station, and two other "playset" areas for kiddos! It is always fun to go!


Saturday, February 1, 2014

It's February!

That means it is Valentines time!

I decided to totally embarrass Rory this year... and Arden.

I have to admit, I got a few ideas from social networking sites, and google. I am not good with corny cards and such...

Here are the Gittings' 2014 Valentines for the boys... (Evie's will come next week)





Friday, January 31, 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Baby Sea Monkeys!

Apparently our sea-monkeys are mating!

We have 3 babies, and the males and females are "stuck" together!


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Snow Day, Again.

Well, the road crews weren't able to get things cleaned up today in time for schools, so we have yet another snow day.

Rory was willing to go out with me this morning in the bitter cold for a few photos. I love this kid.



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Surprise Snow Day!

We got up this morning with a surprise of snow! It wasn't in our forecast, and wasn't much. The schools weren't called until after the parents and buses had already arrived at school. It was quite an icy mess to be honest... The kids enjoyed it, even though it was just enough to play in.




Monday, January 27, 2014

The end of a LONG day...

I am finally at the end of a VERY long day.

I learned a few things this week that may help all of you readers...

#1. If you haven't had a ticket in 10+ years, when you are pulled over, ask the cop to reduce it.
#2. If you are in NC, you CANNOT go to the local DMV to get a copy of your driving record. You must either have 3 weeks to wait, or drive the 4.5 hours to Raleigh to pick it up from the headquarters.

Last summer I went to visit my grandmother in WV. While going through Abingdon, VA, I was pulled over. I was speeding, not awfully, but was speeding. I had no idea it was ok to ask the officer for a warning! I thought it had to be offered, but apparently not. So, a few months ago, with four children in tow, I went to court to plead my case, and the judge agreed that upon completion of an 8-hour driving class before tomorrow, and the presentation (by tomorrow) of a certified copy of my DMV record after the class was taken (to prove that I had no citations in between), to release the ticket and not make it "stick" or go on my record, he even waived the fine.

The class wasn't as easy to get into as I had thought, and wasn't offered in my county. With the holidays, there were a few less classes offered... so needless to say, it was a last minute thing. I was able to take my driving class on Saturday (which my ticket was less that HALF of the violation of the other students), and found out I couldn't get my driving record locally. I spent 9 hours driving today, starting at 5am.

I made it back to Asheville by 3 to pick my kids and carpool up from school.

Supper has been cooked and consumed; now I can finally relax. I think I may head to bed after a nice cool drink. I'm completely wiped out.




Sunday, January 26, 2014

I'll admit it...

I am not a southern belle...

I have never cooked a pineapple upside-down cake. Even worse... I don't like them. At all.

But, my mommy was here, and she made one for my boys (cute hubbie included), and it was a hit... at least I think it was... don't you?






Saturday, January 25, 2014

She's Here!

Grandma (Mama Ann) came to visit today!!! Whoo hoo. We went to a nice dinner, and the kids got some pencils and Evie got a new shirt! Arden made his first pineapple upside-down cake! We even made it with vegan cake, so Rory will get some too!


Friday, January 24, 2014

The roof, the roof, the roof is on fire...

Ok, not the roof, or really much of anything except the Christmas Tree...

Tonight was the annual Christmas Tree Burn at the Gittings house. Rory started the fire, in typical scout fashion... but it was too cold outside to enjoy for long.