Like Father Like . . .

It must run in the family.

FROM arm in arm TO arm in arm

Rhett and Ella share a room and one morning I walked into their bedroom to find that they had put their "pets" to bed.





Even though Rhett and Ella have adapted so well to their new baby sister, I think they will forever be closely connected since they are so close in age. Something that I was not so sure of when carrying a baby on a hip and a careseat linked through my other arm. But now as they play together and rush to each others aid I am sure of their bond. They really love each other . . . when they aren't fighting.

Pro. Big Brother & Big Sister

Since the arrival of Lucy, Rhett and Ella have been a pro at being a big brother and big sister. It has only been on few occasions that I have had to call attention to handing her something too small, blowing in her face, or just wondering what would happen if you tried to push her in her swing . . . with your foot . . . on her stomach. Lucy, of course, is like a trained old hound dog that never "nips" unless one of the kids happen to pull a little too hard. They have been best of friends with her since day one and she loves to look, watch and laugh as they interact with her.

One day while I was running an errand, I looked in my rear view mirror to find that all three were smiling at each other, something that I did not instigate, and I felt quite accomplished knowing that they were just enjoying being together. I am very blessed to have 3 healthy, beautiful babies and I think that perhaps I am even starting to enjoy motherhood (don't tell anyone).

Youth Conference: The Eternal Race

Fortunately for us, we were chosen to be "Parents" on this year's Youth Conference event entitled "The Eternal Race." The activities involved whitewater rafting (where I got in a fight with the rocks when I voluntarily decided to swim in the rapids and the rapids overpowered me just a little bit), hanging out with our "family" at our host's home (girls with girls, boys with boys, of course - Mom and Dad had to split up), then on the 2nd day traveling from place to place with certain obstacles and challenges to overcome that were symbolic of life's "eternal race" and the trials that comes with it. Then on the last day we listened to three wonderful speakers with very poignant messages. There was wonderful food, great accomodations, and very well planned events. The Stake leadership really put time and effort into Youth Conference and it showed.

The "Family"

One of the obstacle called the "Spider Web " involved getting the youth getting each other through the holes without touching the lines. If the lines were touched, you had to start all over.

My Maryville girls suited up for whitewater rafting down the Ocoee River with up to Level 4 rapids with 5 being the highest. Now a new found love for the Carver family.

The boys from our "family." As you can tell, it was nearing the end of the day and it was hot. Nuf said. (All other times they were smiling - with us as parents, they couldn't help but have a great time.)



We were waiting for our turn to complete the "Spider Web." (Maria from my ward is on the left. I was very excited she was in my "family")



Can my Maryville girls get any cuter?

I included this picture only because the first thing I thought when I saw this was, "Hey, that looks like Delaney!" (Another cute Maryville girl on the right - all my Young Women girls are CUTE!)

Us at the dance.

As for Rhett, Ella, and Lucy, they were left in the very capable hands of my Mom and Dad Carver and Anna Barb and Uncle Ken, who always take such great care that the only thing I have left to worry about is how much I will miss them (and I actually do). When we returned the babies were fed, the house was clean and as a bonus the front porch was painted and the lawn landscaped. What a blessing to have such a wonderful and loving family. Thank you! XO

Our Arizona Family

In June Mother, Lucy, and I had the priviledge of visiting our Phillips' family in Arizona. It was a complete success and we had a wonderful time. We enjoyed looking at old pictures of family long gone at Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill's house, eating a yummy dinner at Mark and Catherine and seeing all the kids together, and visiting with Grandma Charlotte and everyone all together.

I also enjoyed entertained myself whenever I was running errands with Cindy and needed to stay in the car with Lucy by taking odd pictures of me on her camera never telling her of the surprise (I didn't expect her to find them so quickly - at least I had already left AZ). These pictures are mostly for Mother because if you know her, you would realize that she would laugh herself silly just at the mere concept and also because it sounds like something she would do.

Lucy did wonderfully there and on the plane. And just let me say thank you for Penny's craftiness and for James and Jess getting "taggy" to me just in time because Lucy clung to it as she dozed off to sleep and it was just what she needed, like she had been using it all along.

Thank you again to my Arizona family for making us feel welcomed. We are glad to know that even though we are far apart we are still family and it will always feel that way when we are together.

Being GOOD = Shaved Face

There are many repercussions to being "good" and after 10 years of being together we have stumbled upon a personal one. In April Joe was asked to serve on the Bishopric in our Maryville, TN ward which came as no surprise to me considering his spirtual nature. But what did come as a surprise (even though technically I knew it was a requirement) was when he was asked to shave his face to keep a "clean and professional look." Not a big deal to some, but to me it was considered a repercussion. Finally, after months of mental negotiations, I have come to the conclusion that he is more handsome than ever.

Potty Seats Aren't Necklaces

Sometimes the moment strikes you and sometimes you just have to follow through with the idea. It is often referred to as a "wild hair" and when I asked Ella to go potty I think she got one. It is a moment like this that offer the SAHM a much needed laugh at the end of the day.

Eventual Synopsis

The title not only describes that a small synopsis of events will be in tow but that it will probably happen eventually. With pressure from my mother and subliminal pressure from the world of SAHMs (Stay-at-Home-Moms) I have decided to begin my own Carver Family Blog. It is a nice way to stay in touch without having to send out so many emails of each photographic event. Let's see how it goes . . .