for all the history buffs pt. 1...

We just got back from a quick, but wonderful getaway to Lexington! (Caroline did have some separation anxiety stuff at first, but ended up having a blast with Nanny & Papa... more on that tomorrow) We spent a day sight-seeing and then headed over to a relaxing bed and breakfast for the night before returning home today.

And okay, so even though I (Amy) come from a family full of history buffs, I have to admit I was never one of them. However, when you go to a place like Lexington, Virginia, you can't HELP but be amazed at some of our nation's history there... so for all you history buffs out there, this blog post is for YOU. :) I can't even believe I'M going to be talking history now, but here goes...


We took a tour of Stonewall Jackson's house and learned so much about him! (if any of you remember, we named our former cats in Lubbock "Stonewall" and "Jackie" in honor of him, so we were kindof in heaven to stand where Stonewall actually stood!) Not only was he a strict general that would march the men 17 hours a day, he was FULL of quirks, too! (for instance, he would take a cold bath EVERY DAY and he didn't believe in sitting down at his desk--only standing-- for "health reasons.") While he lived in this house before the war, he and his wife had no children yet, and he taught at the Virginia Military Institute.

What's cool about this house is that after Stonewall died, it was turned into a Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, and then in the 1970's, the town of Lexington raised over a million dollars to restore it back to the Stonewall Jackson House. At their inaugural event, their guest of honor was Stonewall's granddaughter, who was 91 years old! She helped them with the decor, remembering details like there being a green couch in the dining room, etc. She lived to be 104 years old!


At this Presbyterian church, Stonewall began a weekly Sunday School class for slaves, which was completely illegal & a felony at the time! When asked about it, he responded, "How can they be good Christians if they can't even read the Bible?" Wow.

He was a man of deep faith, even receiving the nickname "Stonewall" ("look at Jackson standing there on the battlefield like a stone wall!") from his trust in God's sovereignty and control: "The Lord has fixed the time of my death. I shall not concern myself with it." Now don't forget bullets would have been whizzing past him on both sides! He said, "I'm just as safe on the battlefield as I am in bed." Wow again. This guy was amazing.


Stonewall is buried in a cemetary along with 144 confederate soldiers.


And if any of you happen to take a trip to Lexington, here's where you gotta eat: the Bistro on Main Street! (featured in Southern Living) It's delicious! (you know we Corbett's like food...) :)

for all the history buffs pt. 2...

Within walking distance of all the Stonewall Jackson landmarks is the campus of Washington & Lee (pictured here) and VMI (Virginia Military Institute).


This is Robert E. Lee's Chapel, where he is buried in a mosoleum in the basement along with several family members. As president of the school after the war, he encouraged the students to be involved in the local churches, so this was never consecrated as a church building, but Lee would invite various ministers from the area to come and speak. Today it hosts an original portrait of George Washington (wow!), and the most amazing life-like piece of art Marc & I had ever seen- a marble sculpture of Lee resting on the battlefield. Today it's also used for various school functions like freshmen orientations and weddings, etc.


As famous as Robert E. Lee was, though, you'd never believe how venerated his HORSE was around this town, too! This is "Traveller"'s grave, which is just outside of Lee's chapel. (probably about 100 feet from where Lee is buried) Somebody was kind enough to leave an apple on his grave...


So apparently lots of people would gather here outside to watch Lee get Traveller all suited up to ride. And now it's a cozy home to a different kind of horsepower... he he :) The president of the school continues to live in Lee's house which is adjacent to this garage.


Okay, enough of the history lessons. :) For those of you who aren't the history types like me (Amy), we'll be back with more cute baby pics tomorrow, I'm sure! See ya then.

parent-free...

Nanny & Papa made it to my house today and starting tomorrow morning, I'll be PARENT-FREE for a day & 1/2! (which really means I'll be spoiled rotten! yay! I love grandparents!) Mommy & Daddy are heading to Lexington (an hour away), staying at a bed & breakfast for a night, and enjoying a quick getaway! It will be the first night they've spent without me since I was born.

Um, I kinda forgot to tell Nanny & Papa that my separation anxiety has really kicked in lately, too... uh oh... still, I don't know if I'll miss Mommy & Daddy half as much as they'll miss me! Pray for Mommy's dumb & irrational worries as she leaves tomorrow-- I think SHE's having some separation anxiety, too. :) But as you can see from the picture, I'm in great hands!

dear nanny & papa...

be sure to bring your sweaters tomorrow because it suddenly got chilly here! brrr!


But I'd still love for you to take me on some walks...


Look at how Mommy found me this morning! You guys can bet I'll be all over the place & into everything while you're here!


But, on my honor, I promise I will be good for you while Mommy & Daddy are away. :)

all i wanna do...

Seriously, this might be the only pose you see me doing for awhile because it's ALL I want to work on these days! :)


My new mobility means changes around our house...


Taking a break from my "work" for some playtime with Daddy last night...


Now back to business...

stand up for yourself...

It started innocently enough. Before Halloween I started testing the limits, and soon I realized that this was WAY too good to stop. :)


And look where it got me- I feel on top of the world! Right now you can find me doing this anytime of my day... I'll pull up, stand up...


even stand one-handed!... until a few minutes later, I come crashing down on my bottom...


and then the vicious cycle begins all over again.


I've started getting the inevitable bumps and bruises to prove it, too.


A girl's gotta learn how to stand up for herself, don't ya think, Elmo?

celebrate adoption...

Did you know that November is National Adoption Month? So this weekend our family was invited to a Celebrate Adoption ice-skating party! It is an annual event put on by a local adoption agency/maternity home for families who have adopted internationally or domestically. There were families with children of all ages there, plus there were even some pregnant birthmothers who are choosing adoption for their precious babies and living at the maternity home. What a COOL event to be apart of, and what an amazing display it was of God's grace working all over the world!


Man, I can't wait until I'm old enough to ice skate and get my face painted like all the big kids!


But I got to meet & play with Sydney, who's adopted just like me! (except she's a 15 month old Virginia baby and I'm a 8 1/2 month old Texas baby!) While we played together on the floor, Mommy & Daddy had fun meeting other families and couples who have been through a similar journey as our family!


Mommy and Daddy don't just wait until November... they can't help but celebrate adoption EVERY day...

love at first sight...

I spotted him at the table next to me, and that was all it took...


It was love at first sight.


We both couldn't contain ourselves. We gazed in each other's eyes, flashed our winning smiles, and laughed out loud together for an entire meal. So what if the entire restaurant was watching with delight at our instant connection?


Christopher, I'll never forget you and your gummy smile. But my Daddy says I'm too young.

check-up...

Got my 9 month check-up today! All went well & the nurses and my doctor couldn't believe what a happy baby I am!


(Can you believe I used to sleep in this?!) The doc said I'm growing beautifully!
Here were my stats:
Weight: 20 lbs (75th percentile)
Height: 28" (50-75th percentile)
Head Circumference: 18" (90th percentile... what can I say?) :)


I also got a flu shot and my little finger pricked to check my iron & lead blood levels. (see my bandaid?) As the man was pricking my finger and taking the blood, I looked at him and cried like he was hurting my sweet little feelings sooo bad. I think I succeeded in making him feel like the bad guy. Oh yes, and as you can see, I'm teething AGAIN! This will be #9, so I've got one tooth for every month!


From all of us here at home, see ya later!

beauty of creation...

Mommy cannot get over the fact that this is the view out of our kitchen window every day. God's creation is SO good! Sorry, Texans, but you simply do not know what you're missing out on in the fall. Even a trip to Walmart is simply breathtaking out here. (but ask us if we're still this enamored when we're raking up all the leaves in a few weeks, too! ha!)


Check this out- Daddy hung up a swing just for me so that I could relax and take in all the beauty!


Aaahhh, now this is the life...


Tomorrow's my 9 month doctor's visit! I'll letcha know how it goes...