Back from Chattanooga

We got home Sunday from a week in Atlanta and Chattanooga.  Nick and I had been contemplating going on a mission trip for a couple of years, but we were both a little apprehensive.  Our church has started doing a Family on Mission trip to places that aren't too far away.  This year they went to Chattanooga, so we thought it would be a great first trip.  We worked for 3 days at a children's home doing all sorts of various activities and projects. Neither one of us had any idea what to expect so we were a little anxious, but now that we're home, I can definitely say that it was a good experience for us.  It certainly solidified my desire to be a foster parent someday.  There was one little boy that I fell in love with.  It has been a little hard to readjust to "normal" life, but I hope that in some way we had an impact on him and the other kids.

We didn't feel comfortable leaving Emma for a week, so my parents and sister went down too and watched her during the day.  I'm sure she had fun, and that this week will be full of getting all of us back into our routine.  We didn't have to be in Chattanooga until Tuesday evening, but decided to drive down to Atlanta on Sunday.  This will be our only vacation this year, so you know I have to cram as much into it as possible!  We were able to do some shopping at Ikea and American Girl Place (Emma LOVES her itty bitty baby), and visit the children's museum and CNN Center.  Monday night we met my parents and sister at Turner Field for a Braves game.  Emma had been to a game when she was 3 months old and again last summer, but she had never been too interested in baseball.  This year she loved it!  She stayed up way past her bedtime, but was so great.  She has been asking to sing Take Me Out the the Ballgame every day since then.  We were able to get Braves games on tv the whole week, and she would always ask us to find "baseball game" and sit on the couch with us to watch.  I, of course, am thrilled that she loves baseball, but sad we can't see their games here.  We had been talking about Chipper for several days, but unfortunately he was hurt and didn't play.  She will probably never get the chance to see him again.

We did have some free time in Chattanooga, though not a lot.  We were able to take her swimming, to the children's museum, and to play in the water outside their aquarium.  We planned on walking around the riverfront, but it was really hot!  Or so we thought...then we got home, and it's seriously 100 degrees here!  We had a fun week and got to spend some good time with each other.  I'm always sad when vacation is over and Nick has to go back to work.  But, he'll be off again for a few days in October when we meet our baby girl.  That obviously will not feel quite the same as a vacation, but I'm glad he'll be here!

Here are some pics from our week!

Emma thought she should read my book as well...Parenting the Strong Willed Child.  So far, I don't think she's learned anything.