On Theology

Sitting in the car one Sunday evening, waiting for Daddy to come out of the grocery store:

Chloe: Mommy, I know how you can go to Heaven.
Me: You do? How?
Chloe: Just believe in God.
Me: Well, actually, Sweetie, it's not enough to just believe in God. You have to believe in Jesus. Lots of people believe in God, but they don't believe in God's Son, Jesus.
Chloe: Oh... (thinks)... Hey! I think I know why they don't believe! I think they don't believe because it's very confusing.
(Eli: It's not confusing to me!)
Chloe: It's confusing because Jesus and God are the same person. And, also, if Jesus is God, and God is eternal, how can Jesus be borned? How can He be borned a baby if He was already eternal? Sometimes it's hard for me to believe, too, because it's very hard to understand.
(Eli: It's not hard to me! I believe it!)
Me: Well, Sweets, that's why it's called faith. We believe because the Bible is true and it tells us these things. We believe what we can't understand and can't see. That's faith.
Chloe: Yeah. I believe it. I just don't understand it.


I love how deeply Chloe ponders the Scriptures, and how she so freely admits what she knows and doesn't know, what she understands and doesn't understand. And good ol' Eli. Always the contrary voice trying to one-up his big sister.

On Marriage

Chloe and Eli are building a house with blocks in Eli's room when Daddy comes in to chat.

Daddy: Hey guys! What are you building?
Eli: We're building a house! He wants that much gold on it (points at yellow blocks), but she won't let him.
Chloe: She's the wife. She doesn't like it.
Daddy: Oh...
Chloe: She wants it all taken off, but the workers have all gone for the day.

A Saturday on the Eno

For years Patrick and I have been curious about the Eno River. We've read about it, researched it, contemplated it, yet we never bothered to make the 30 minute trek into Orange County to see it for ourselves. This past weekend, we finally packed up a picnic, some extra clothes, and the kids, and headed over to the Eno. It did not disappoint. The weather was extremely hot and humid, but the river provided just enough relief. The trails were beautiful, the suspension bridge terrifying, and the river rocky and cool. The kids loved all of it, especially playing in the river, so we will definitely be heading that way again soon.

AWANA Awards

Chloe and Ella both completed their first year of Sparks. They got more commendations than any other Sparks having both completed and reviewed their first book, as well as completed an extra credit book. Chloe absolutely loves AWANA, especially game night, and is constantly bemoaning the three month break until starts up again.

Soccer Saturday, Take II

Congratulations to Chloe for finishing another season of developmental soccer! The coach was so proud of Chloe's willingness to hustle after the ball, and to get up and try again when she fell down.

Success!

I wrote a little less than a year ago that I would be attempting a new venture in my house, Covil Preschool. At the beginning I stated that my goals would be to teach Chloe to read, and to teach Eli his phonics. While I wasn't at all faithful in posting our weekly preschool reports, I was faithful to keep preschool going throughout most of the year. I am so excited, and a little bit shocked, to report that my little project was a rousing success. Chloe can not only read, but she does it quite well. Eli is at the beginning stages of sounding out words, and is very eager to be reading like his sister. I am now working on Chloe's attrocious handwriting, and doing some beginning reading and writing activities with Eli. The kids loved Covil Preschool and still beg for it every Tuesday and Thursday. There is a slim chance that my lazy streak will pass and I will start doing actual lesson plans and crafts with them again, but chances are, as I said, quite slim.

Daddy Date Night

Chloe and Patrick had a wonderful time on their first official date. A local Chick-Fil-A was having a Daddy/Daughter night, so they took advantage of it. They had white tablecloths and flowers on all of the tables, carnations for all of the girls, goody bags with chocolate and Build-a-Bear coupons among other things. Everyone got to pick the dessert of their liking off of the menu for free, and the daughter's meal was free. Afterwards they went to Build-a-Bear and made Chloe and new friend using $15 in coupons. The whole night ended up being just over $10. Talk about a cheap date!

Chloe spent the whole afternoon getting ready. I dried her hair, painted her nails, lotioned her up, and then she chose her favorite outfit, sparkly shoes, and her locket from Aunt Hilary which always makes her feel special. She was so excited, and even a little nervous. While we were waiting for Patrick to get home from work, Chloe said, "I can't wait to see Daddy! I bet he's going to be so handsome!" As soon as Patrick pulled up, long before I even heard him arrive, Chloe darted out the door, and starting running to his car. Realizing about halfway there that ladies don't run, she abruptly stopped, smoothed her hair, and walked the rest of the way to her Daddy. He was waiting with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He loaded her into his car, and away they went.

Strawberry Season

Strawberry picking time has come and gone once again. I was able to take the kids to our favorite spot, Buckwheat Farms over in Apex on two separate occasions. We also stopped at local fruit stands a couple of times and paid 4x the price to enjoy berries and save a little time. The strawberries were absolutely delicious and the kids loved picking and eating them. They also enjoy visiting with the farm animals. The peacocks were putting on a particularly, um, interesting show the day we went with friends.

Most Beautiful Flower Girl Ever