Charleston

The last month or so we have been on the road visiting different places. In May, on the way back to Raleigh from Florida, we stopped in Charleston. It was so GREAT to be back there and see all our friends and go to church. We were encouraged and blessed by the visit.

Each of our boys are named for family and a place that is special to us. Dawson's middle name is Cooper, for the Cooper River in Charleston. He got a kick out of being there and going over the river all the time. Kenan wanted to be Kenan Cooper all weekend as well. :) But we really enjoyed getting to take him back to his namesake. (The other two have been to their namesake as well and pics will follow, at least for Kenan. no pics for Silas- oops...next time) :)

Dawson decided to take over driving.

Our special friends the Vaughans. Ezra, Kate, Caleb, S, K, D, Marie.

The last day we went downtown where Brett and I lived. We visited waterfront park. Silas got a kick out of the water. I love that I have about the same pictures of the other boys at the same age.

This is our family in 2006 before we left for France...

The family now in 2010.

Kenan was sick this day so wasn't really into picture taking, but the other two enjoyed it.

We got to eat lunch at one of our favorite places, Gilroy's. Then we just happened to pass one of our favorite places for dessert, Carolina's. It's a brittle basket. FANTASTIC. Brett's dad even brought me one in the hospital right after I had Dawson. It's a pecan brittle basket with vanilla ice cream, covered in fruit and hot chocolate sauce.

What made the day even better was getting to spend it with Jessica. She lives in Mali but has been on home assignment this whole year. So it was great to see her and show her around. Even greater knowing when we said goodbye it was only for 2 months this time. We will all be back in Mali in July!

Quotes for me to remember

I know most of you don't care to hear what the boys say, but these are for me so that I remember them.

The other night I was laying with Dawson and was telling him how much I loved him and that I was glad God gave him to me. He then told me he was thankful God gave me to him. I said we should pray and thank God for each other. I started praying and thanked the Lord for giving me Dawson. I thought I would continue and say thanks for giving us each other. Instead, Dawson chimes in and prays (which he doesn't do often) and thanks God for giving me to him. So precious. It made my night. Maybe my week.

He has also been telling me lately, "I love you to heaven and back!" Again, how sweet.

I love that he will tell me he loves me, even when I know he's just repeating what I say. To test this, I said, "I'm so glad for you... I'm thankful for you.... you are special..." and he repeated each statement back to me...even when I said. "you are a boy." :) He realized it as he was saying it, but it was funny nonetheless. I'll take the compliments even if he's just repeating me. :)