Starting the New School Year Off Right

One last visit from Grandpa and Grandma N. Now they're off--he to teach Greek and she to teach 3rd grade.

One last meal before it all starts.

One last wing for protein.

A wee bit of chocolate always helps with having a sunny disposition.

Writing about one of Mama's all-time favorite books.

Lunch--my favorite subject.

This is actually pretty good.

A Man We Admire

This morning we had the privilege of hearing Voddie Baucham tell it like it is. He is preaching at (somewhat) nearby Cedarville University this week, and spoke from Romans 1:18-32. No sugar-coating from this guy.

Smilepalooza

This makes labor and dirty diapers and sleepless nights all worthwhile.

Tennessee

This weekend we traveled to Cousin R's wedding in Tennessee. The weather was perfect! The baby did "pretty well" in the car; thank you to those of you who prayed for traveling mercies for us!

We stayed in this cute cabin in Townsend. (Staying near the wedding location meant the baby was imprisoned in his car seat as little as possible.)

Grandma J got to meet Boy Four. He looks like he's smiling. :)

Almost time for the wedding. Oooo, don't they clean up good?

The Happy Petersons

Cousins

Grandma J and the lovely bride, Cousin R

We decided to stay an extra day and enjoy Cades Cove.

Boy Three enjoys the Dog Days of Summer.

I beat ALL my kids at golf while toting the baby and the diaper bag!

One of their favorite poses.

One last ride at Pigeon Forge before heading back.

My first attempt at "the annual portrait" is below. I figured I could save a heap of money if I could do this myself. How do you think I did?

The Irish Festival

Our visit to the Irish Festival, in which Boy One attempts to write clever captions:

"Here we come, walking down the street . . . Hey, hey we're the Petersons . . . "

Don't you dare try and steal my food, you Big Blue Eyeball!

Someone said there was only enough cotton candy for one of them.

Look how excited we are about the funnel cake!

In this last photo before the camera battery went dead, here you see me ready for battle . . . or maybe a nap.

Social Hazard

We got my oldest son several T-shirts for his birthday a while back, but this is by far my favorite. It says Social Hazard--I will not conform--Romans 12:2.

While on the one hand we are supposed to show kindness and respect to outsiders, we must at the same time not "conform" to their ways. I suppose some people do have a hard time being kind and polite to other folks, but most of us find conformity to the world's ways a bigger temptation.

I pray that each of my children will not be timid or lazy and therefore just blend in, but instead be "socially hazardous" toward this world's kingdom of darkness and devote their lives to spreading God's glorious Kingdom of Light.

If you've stopped by here and have read this--would you take a moment to pray that for my kids too? Thanks!