Lake Day

This past weekend we had the privilege to spend some time on Lake Hartwell with Chad's boss, Herb, and his wife, Karil. We had so much fun and enjoyed a delicious picnic on the boat! We feel so blessed to get to learn about operating a Chick-fil-A under their leadership.

Here are some fun pictures of our time together.

Luke is waving despite his heavy eyelids! He loves to sleep on a boat!

Chad, Luke, and Greer

Chad and Greer tubing

Back to the brave girl that she used to be...

This summer Greer has started shrinking back from many of the things that she previously enjoyed out of fear. It took some convincing to get her to tube (OK, and in the water), but once she did- she loved it. She and Chad swam around the boat so many times! It is also so very interesting to add learning to go in the lake to our potty training lessons. :)

I hope her motivations aren't an indication of my life to come, but to reveal the "how"- all credit goes to Herb and Karil's son, Christopher. He made the water look much more appealing. (**and he is at least 15 years older than her!)

Happy Berry

Good News! The Tidds are still alive! We have been so busy with life over the past 3 months that I hardly have time to sit down and blog. Here is my attempt to reconnect with the world.

Last week we went to a local farm, The Happy Berry, and picked blackberries. I had a blast with my camera, and here are some pictures of our time there.

An after shot of the fruit of our labor.

Greer sampling blackberries

She may look happy, but keep in mind that she is in the stroller. She had a breakdown, and was sent to sit down for a while. When I went to check on her, she heard a rooster and was caught by the camera while imitating his "cock-a-doodle-doo."

A before shot. Greer is either tired or giving Chad directions. It could be either.

Greer and Chad are picking together.

I should have taken pictures of the fruit of our fruit. Over the past week I made blackberry jam and a blackberry cobbler. So very yummy! This weekend marks the beginning of blueberry season, so you can expect me to be there! I can hardly wait!

Mother's Day Idea

Here is a giveaway that I want to share. I was given one of these beautiful necklaces for Christmas, and I think all the moms I know would love one (or a gift certificate). You can enter here to win a gift certificate.

Running Music

Chad and I have been trying to spend more time recently exercising. He started Cool Running's Couch to 5K plan at the beginning of the year, and encouraged me to start last week. I have been really needing some time to be alone and process life, so I decided to give it a try. We went to the park yesterday, and took turns running and watching the kids at the playground.

For a self-professed "non-runner," I am really enjoying this. It might have something to do with the way running makes me feel like I can escape life for a short time. I am finding that one of the keys to enjoying/surviving a run is having the right music. On my "to-do" list is to make a new running playlist, so I thought that I would ask for some recommendations. Any ideas?

And I Return

I am returning after two months of a blogging break. So much has happened that I hardly know where to begin. If you have a blog you probably would agree with me, blogging is much more about getting your feelings out than having anyone read what you write. There is something so beautiful about a catharsis.

Since I last wrote we sold our house, moved (yuck for that process), and have begun building roots in Clemson/Seneca, SC. Oh, I forgot to mention that my valiant husband resigned from a fabulous job and started another great one at Chick-fil-A in Clemson. Our intention in moving here is to give Chad the opportunity to learn everything he can about Chick-fil-A and God-willing be launched into operating his own store in a mystery location one day.

Currently, Chad is spending his days working in the Chick-fil-A kitchen and making runs to the storage unit on my behalf. I have been getting settled into a new home and life AND helping my kids do the same. We have been really enjoying meeting so many wonderful new people and reuniting with many friends that we have known for years. In case you were wondering, Clemson really is God's Country!

I want to tell the story of our home selling for those of you that haven't heard it. It is pretty incredible how God provided for us and affirmed our desire to become a part of the Clemson CFA family. We listed our house the first week of January. We had a few showings every weekend and had a few repeat showings during the time that it was listed. At the end of January, we were trying to make a decision about CFA and knew that we couldn't move forward until our house sold. It was the same weekend that we got an offer on our house. The kicker- we had to be out in 3 weeks because the buyers had sold their house and needed somewhere to go, too! So...we had to find somewhere to live in Clemson. Thankfully, my aunt invited us to live in her basement. It has been incredible! We get to see the sun rise over Lake Keowee every morning, take Jeep rides through the country, and hike as a family frequently. The kids and I are also able to take advantage of all the wonderful family events that the Clemson CFA offers. The lake is a physical reminder of the refreshment I feel when I reflect on what the Lord has done for us already.

Chad and Greer at Whitewater Falls

Cuddle time

Greer and I making some dairy-free cupcakes!

A Clemson Baseball Game

Greer, Luke, and me at Issaqueena Falls

Luke

A New Year, A New You

I will admittedly say that 2010 has started a bit chaotically. We listed our house, and feel the pressure to keep it clean all of the time. I started Luke on solid food, so frequently I find myself running late because I forgot to add the extra time it takes to feed him. Thankfully, I have found a few minutes almost everyday to pull away and read my new devotional- "The Wonder of the Cross," and have felt more renewed by the Word than I have for some time. I love the application points that they offer each day!

Chad has been running more regularly (praise the Lord for more smelly clothes to wash) and trying to eat healthier as he travels. He just finished reading Ginger Plowman's "Don't Make Me Count to Three." I will get there one day. I hope.

We had a wonderful weekend participating in a Spiritual Life Conference that was led by Kent and Barbara Hughes (writers of "Disciplines of Godly Families"). I won't go into details here because you can listen to the same things we heard on our church's website. Here is the link...http://www.firstprescolumbia.org/templates/System/details.asp?id=43244&PID=755302. Those of you in full-time ministry HAVE to listen to the ones called A Personal Pilgrimage and Back to First Priorities. As we listened to the Hughes share, thoughts of many of you popped in my head. I pray that you will know the Father's pleasure as you minister. By the way, I have always wanted to know what the Men's Talks are all about- now I can listen! Ha Ha! In my free time, right.