My Daddy taught me well!

This year Mike and I decided that we would plant a garden. It has been so fun to watch it grow. Those of you who don't know me well should know that I grew up on a farm in South Carolina. My dad was a tobacco farmer but since has sold his tobacco shares and now raises chickens for Perdue. "On the side" he also plants wheat, corn, and any fruit or vegetable that you could possibly imagine. They grow enough produce to feed all of Dillon County. What I have seen as we have started our own garden is how little respect I have given my dad. It takes a lot of work to plant, weed, water, not to mention harvest and freeze. We are having so much fun though. We walk outside daily to admire our new tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, cantaloupe and basil. It has been great to introduce Avery to farming on a very small scale. I can't wait for her to go home and see my dad's garden!

A few just for fun!

And I just might cry...

This week brings with it two milestones in the life of the Bolands. Our sweet baby girl is turning four on the 26th and our precious little boy turned 10 months on the 21st!!! I looked at their sweet faces this morning and desired to relish every moment. Mike and I were talking last night about the chaos in the world right now and it struck me how I continuously make urgent things that can wait. My kids and their beauty should be one of the urgents right now!

Avery you have grown so much over this past year. You have a passion for life and people that I envy. Your sweet little belly laugh can win the room. We have seen your heart begin to question the beauty and work of Christ. You are constantly asking us questions about what God is doing, where He is and what He has made. It is such a joy to be a part of the process. You love, love, love people. You wake up in the morning asking who we will see. You tenderly love your brother throughout the day with gentle kisses and sometimes not so gentle pats on the back : ) You are a great big sister. You are a delight!

Keller your tender demeanor wins our hearts. You are constantly on the move but never so far that you can't come back for a warm snuggle. You nuzzle your sweet little head into our chest and give what feels like a bear hug. Over the past month, you have taken off. You are crawling everywhere, cruising around furniture, waving bye-bye and clapping. We can't get enough of your beautiful smile. Your tender personality and desire to sit and snuggle is helping to change my hurried, worried personality. We are blessed to have you!

What an amazing journey these four years and ten months have been!