Elijah at Thanksgiving Tennis Camp

Elijah passed the time during the Thanksgiving holiday by playing tennis every day. Here he is hitting a one handed forehand because he did not want to put his trail mix down.

Here is another photo of 'Smiley Boy' still holding his trail mix. Elijah plays tennis about three or four times a week in various home school classes. He has many friends that play tennis including his best friend: Eli Lintleman. Tennis is more of a social thing and father - son activity for him at the moment. But at five years old he is 'pretty good' for his age...!

I am very proud of him...! ~(Daddy)

Elijah absolutely loves this scripture verse and video... We listened to it for hours yesterday... It was a good Thanksgiving.

This was our first Thanksgiving as a Vegan family. We went to FBC West Columbia for their first annual Community Thanksgiving dinner. It was all delicious. It was difficult for me to pass up the Turkey and gravy but I was 'good'... except when it came to desserts... I'm sure the small piece of pecan pie I consumed had real egg in it but Monica and I decided it's ok to splurge on dessert once in a while...!

The rest of the day we just hung out home and enjoyed each other's company.

I'm sure this will be a fond memory for Elijah...!

Five Years Old....

We celebrated Elijah's fifth Birthday yesterday. I took a cool video of him opening his presents but it is just slightly too long to post here on blogger. I will post it some where else later today and just provide a link later.

All in all it was a wonderful day. At dinner last night Elijah asked if we could schedule another birthday for him today...!

Dear Elijah,

As you look back on these blog posts I hope these photos remind you of what a cool day yesterday was. Turning five years old is a very significant event and it was a huge blessing to be able to share that day and those precious moments with you. Your Mommy, Connor, and I love you very much. And you have many, many other friends and family who love you, too.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy...!

Love, Daddy

The Jedi Days....

Here are a few photos of Elijah practicing his Jedi Light Saber moves. Notice he is also wearing one of his favorite Clone Wars t-shirts... Elijah really does have a huge passion for Star Wars.

We also have a few Red 'Sith' light sabers too fo Elijah to practice against...

Gardening 2010

We took a break in our gardening to enjoy some ice cold watermelon... We hope to be harvesting our own watermelon in about three months...!

We have started our Garden... Wish we would have started a month earlier but the car accident put us a little behind schedule...

Random Photos from Spring 2010

Elijah is working on his groundstrokes; primarily his forehand. At this point he does not care for backhands although he hits his backhand pretty well, too.

I love this photo with Elijah and his shadow... Elijah hits 'The Modern Forehand'

Elijah and his buddy Bryce O'Quinn have a lesson together every week.

Bryce loves tennis as much as Elijah. I have had reports that he sometimes takes his racquet to bed with him.

Bryce is a right hander and is just now transitioning to a one handed forehand, although he is showing a 2 handed follow through here...

Message to Elijah...

Dear Elijah... I have been thinking about you a lot today. Then a scripture verse passage, Matt 18:1-6 came to my mind...

Jesus said we need to be humble like little children to get to heaven. I was thinking that your example will be a light to us all... “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:3..... And then in verse 18:4 Jesus says: Whoever humbles himself like this child shall be the greatest in Heaven!

Elijah, I don't think we are going to see any proud, arrogant people in heaven.

Here is my prayer for you this morning, my son.

Please Lord, give Sam Chadwell a heavy dose of humility today! Help me to model for my precious son what he models for me know... Childlike faith, hope, and love. Innocence. Humility. Bless Elijah. Guard his heart, my King I thank you for my sweet family. I love you, Lord. In Jesus' name I pray... Amen...!

The Perfect Bounce of the Ball...

Here's a funny photo that was taken in November of 2007... Juast came across it as I was reorganizing the desktop on my computer... The ball bounced up right as this phot was taken. It kind of reminds me of the old Jack in the box commercials... -Elijah will have no clue what I'm talking about but everyone else will...

By the way, I realize it's been way too long since I last posted on this blog... But I'm back into a regular routine trying to capture memories for Elijah so he will always know what his childhood was like and how very much he is loved...!