fall!

a few fall pictures...

a few little stories...

i just wanted to share a little story from the kids. well, obviously i mean davis and annabelle since the newest 'kid' isn't contributing a lot verbally yet...hehe. the other day, annabelle and i were getting ready to snuggle on the couch and watch mary poppins...shocker, i know!, when she told me that she wanted her heart to break. i looked at her to make sure i heard her right and asked her why? she said so that she could have Jesus. i thought this was so precious. kids are so literal and everything is so black and white! she truly loves Jesus and talks about Him all the time.

a few weeks ago, annabelle really taught me a lesson about grace. it was maybe a week or so before jack was born and i was feeling really awful! i know i was super short on patience that day and wasn't wanting to 'play' anything! anyway, towards the end of the day, she came to me with one of her disney stickers (one of her prized possessions) and a piece of princess paper (another prized possession) and told me that i was the best mommy so she was giving me a sticker and a paper to put it on. i was so touched and that now rests in my Bible. it was such a picture of God's grace to us...we don't have to earn His grace...we don't have to do everything perfect...we can't and He loves us in spite of our shortcomings. He knows us perfectly and knows that we are going to mess up, but he still loves us. just like annabelle saw my shortcomings that day, but she doesn't know anything else but to love me!

last week, davis had come home from school and was having a little bit of an attitude issue. i sent him to his room to think about what was going on and how he was acting to annabelle and i. after about 10 minutes, he asked if he could come out. i told him yes, but i wanted him to come tell me what he had been thinking about. he told me that he prayed about it and decided that he wanted to not lie about anything and choose to obey. it was so sweet! i am so thankful that even though the kids are young, they are learning to depend on and trust in Jesus.

anyway, just a few little random stories about the kids. things that i want to remember and treasure. they are such a joy and i feel so privileged that God has chosen me to parent them here on earth!

YAY!!! our little jack is here! he came fast and furious on monday, oct. 5. we got to the hospital at 11:15am and he was born at 1:30pm. he weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. and was 19.5 inches long. he is such a sweet baby and we couldn't be more excited. davis and annabelle were not able to come and see him at the hospital with all the precautions of the flu so, needless to say, they were beside themselves when we finally arrived home on tuesday evening. they have loved holding 'baby jack' and they have been great helpers!!

Video Saturday

Here's the kids singing a little diddy.

these are a few pictures of the 'pick-up from school' this afternoon. we got home and as he was jumping out of the car he said, "i missed you so much, mommy but i had so much fun!" yay, that was soooo good for my heart to hear!

davis' 1st day of kindergarten!!!!!

well, it's officially here! davis started kindergarten this morning at Asheville Christian Academy. He has been really excited about it. We have enjoyed shopping for his school supplies, picking out a lunchbox, getting his uniforms and talking up the whole school experience. mama did not get much sleep last night (neither did daddy) and we had to wake davis up this morning, but we had a great little quick breakfast of sunshiny eggs to start off our day. he was a total champ and walked with great confidence into his classroom and sat at his desk. we took a few pictures and then headed out. i held it together until we were in the car and then let it all go! life's little transitions can be so hard sometimes. davis slept last night so peacefully not knowing what stands in front of him. teddy and i a wreck because we know that when he is done with school, he will be leaving home. i totally think that was such a glimpse into how our relationship with God is. we are sleeping peacefully, not knowing what is around the corner, but He always sees the bigger picture! what indescribable peace we can rest in!!!! w ell, i will post a few more pics of the rest of the day! enjoy!

About to get nostalgic

So, Monday Davis starts school. I've known it has been coming but for some reason these past 5 years have flown by. Here's some pictures of him over the last five years. So incredible to see him grow up and we're so proud of who he is becoming. God has blessed us beyond what we ever could have thought.

Daddy! We need some help.

The blessings of having an independent little boy and a little girl who encourages him to do anything. Too much fun.

Sqaure Dancing!

We took the kids over to Montreat to go square dancing last Friday night. Erin and I have been going over there during the summers for about 15 years. Tons of fun for us. It's even better for us now that we can take the little ones.

DC Trip

IMG_0048
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Davis and I took a whirlwind trip to DC to see Tony and Lizzi this past weekend. We had an awesome time seeing the sites and getting to do some incredible things. You can click on the picture of Davis and it will take you to our Flickr site that has all the pictures from our trip. We actually got to go down to the Senate floor and see all of the things there but were not aloud to take pictures so all we have are memories. Hope you enjoy!

these are some pictures from davis' spring soccer season with the county's youth league.  he enjoyed it sooo much!  he asked me yesterday, as we were driving home from his last game if he could play again in the fall.  one of the pictures is of him scoring a goal (he scored 4 goals that game and they are only 30 mins. long!!!!!!)  the picture of him and the other little boy is porter...his best bud!  they are inseparable and they really enjoyed being on the same team this year.  

some more disney pictures...

i'm FINALLY getting some of these disney pictures up here!!!  this is just a snapshot of all the fun we had!!!  annabelle with her beloved mary poppins and then her twinsy picture with cinderella in the castle!  the kids had such a blast and keep begging to go back...annabelle prays almost every night the mommy and daddy will take her back to disney world.  

Soccer season has begun!

Today was Davis' first game of soccer this year. He had a blast today and did an amazing job. He scored 2 goals and really played well. Probably helped that I wasn't his coach. We're both happier that way. Here's some pictures and a couple of video's from today.

swim lessons!

well, we have started swim lessons and we are now officially half-way through.  davis is like a fish to water and is doing great.  i am sure he will come out in the end swimming laps!  annabelle is doing great too, but had a bit of a rough start.  she cried through the first 3 lessons, but really turned the corner on the 4th and didn't shed a tear!  here are a few pics of them at their lessons.  by the way, when we are not at swim lessons, annabelle is STILL in her bathing suit.  sometimes she even naps in it.  that's about all she wants to wear.  so, the picture of her and mia is at home and that's because annabelle talked mia into putting them on and she was showing her how she does swim lessons by jumping onto a blanket in the basement.

Snow tubing!

Sunday night we got the largest snow that we've had since the kids have been born. Monday was too cold to get out and enjoy but it warmed up enough yesterday for us to go tubing. The kids (and Erin) were a little apprehensive about sliding in a tube down a sheet of ice but eventually got comfortable with the idea. Soon Davis and Annabelle were racing each other down the run by themselves. We had a blast getting out and enjoying the late winter snow. Here's some pictures and some videos of the day.

Snow tubing! from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Davis and Annabelle snow tubing from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Little video of the kids

They got out and enjoyed the spring like weather. Annabelle even throws out her favorite Mary Poppins song.

Times like these..

well, i am trying to upload a cute photo of the 3 kiddos but i can't get it to work...so i will at least write about it.  (photo added now) 3 weeks ago i started watching a little girl during the days.  she is from china and some friends of our adopted her last september.  she is about 6 months younger than annabelle so currently, i have a 4-year-old, 3 year-old and a 2 year-old running around my house during the days!  it's interesting to say the least.  

it's been a little tough...transitioning from our comfortable home life and accepting in a 3rd.  the kids have had some adjustments to make as have i, but it's all really gone relatively smooth.  mia is full of life and has had so many changes in her little world over the last 6 months.  she was left in china, presumably by her mother and was found and taken to an orphanage.  she also spent some time with foster parents while in china.  i tell you this brief story to let you know how blessed teddy and i feel to be a part of her life.  a year ago, her parents approached us and wanted to know if i would watch her whenever they got her and i totally felt like this was something God wanted me to do.  of course, even though we do things God wants us to do, it's not always easy or without challenges.

God had laid this on their hearts over 5 years ago...to adopt a little girl from china.  3 years ago, God brought us to our church where teddy works and where we first met kevin and bridget (mia's parents).  they made first mention of me watching her last year at the super bowl party at church.  then, we started making plans to build a house up here in north asheville.  we sold our house in june.  we bought this house in august and just a few short days later, kevin and bridget left for china to get her.  i guess today, since it is relatively quiet at my house for the moment, i am just reflecting on how God uses our obedience and blesses us.  not that He has too, but because i think He wants to.  it's easy to write all of this in one paragraph and make it all sound so nice and neat, but it's not that way.  there was a lot of faith building and trusting going into all these changes.  but, now that i feel like i am somewhat on the other side of it all, i see how God has a plan.  he doesn't necessarily need us to complete it, but if we are willing and obedient to what he has for our lives, we get to take part in this amazing journey and experience Him and His glory along the way!  we serve an amazing God who takes on a wild ride...not without hard times or even pain, but a journey so worth it!!!

snow day!

i am turning a new leaf...again...i am really going to try to update the blog MUCH more often. it is snowing here today and the kids are very excited! it's super cold and is only going to get colder! the forcasted high for friday is 25!!!!! so, for those of you in florida reading this...i am super jealous of your weather right now!

Some Thanksgiving Day fun

Here's a little video of the kids getting excited about Thanksgiving. Hope you all have a wonderful day! We miss getting to see you all but hope to catch up soon.


Thanksgiving Day Dancing from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

The past couple of weeks

Deedee Doodle on her scooter
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

We took the kids to Clemson for their first Clemson game and also celebrated Annabelle's 3rd birthday. We are going to have her party this weekend and she is so excited to see everyone.

Fall pics

Looking out from the porch
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

We've posted some new pictures of the kids on Flickr. Just click on the picture and you'll be taken to the new ones. Enjoy!

The rockin' princess

Annabelle has started to enjoy performing for everyone now and is quite good at it also. Here is a little video of her getting ready for a show. She is quite a handful. We are having a blast.


The Rockin' Princess from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Davis has learned to ride his bike

Here are some pictures of Davis riding his bike this week. He was able to do it without much effort. He really is enjoying the long driveway and hasn't had a bad wreck yet. He's doing awesome!

Moving in

Front of the house 1
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

So, we are in the midst now of unpacking at the new house. We are officially out of our old one and have moved all of our stuff in. Not sure where the stuff is but we are certain it is in this house. Somewhere. We have everything finished on the house except for the driveway. That will go in when it quits raining. Finally got our internet up and running so we can post some pictures. Enjoy!

House update

Garage side
Originally uploaded by Teddy Winter

Things are really picking up at the house. We will be in the house in under 2 weeks. It is looking really great and we are more than excited to move in. Here are some pictures of the progress.

This is what we do...

Guitar Hero! from Teddy Winter on Vimeo.

Davis taking a slow ride. Annabelle trying to throw him off his game.

Summer nights

Sunday we had a get together with our Sunday School class at a friends home. The kids played on a water slide, road bikes, and ate ice cream with some friends. Looking forward to our house being done so we can do this more often. Davis and Annabelle didn't want to leave. Gonna be sad when the sun starts to go down earlier.

House progress

Siding is going up today and will be done tomorrow. Drywall starts Wednesday. We close on our present house Thursday and will be renting it back from the lady who has bought it till the end of august when the new house is done. It's getting pretty exciting here.