Women's March

Boy am I fired up!  I'm mad at our country, mad at the Great Orange Beast that is running it, and mad at the injustice that he stands for.  Again, I felt like I needed to take action.  I have called and emailed numerous senators, signed petitions and marched.  I will continue to fight and luckily for me, I raised three mini fighters as well.  We will not stand for people to be persecuted, for people less fortunate to be bullied or for women's right to be taken (not to mention a laundry list of other items).  Hell NO!  It blows my mind that people voted for that arrogant, racist, xenophobic, son of a bitch.  He has no business running our country.  

 I was debating about going to the Women's March in Asheville but they were estimating 10,000 people were going.  While I would have loved to be a part of something that big, Emma wanted to march too.  I felt it was important that she come with me so we chose to go to the Black Mountain Women's March.  

It was perfect.  All the badass women of Blk Mtn marching together.  I felt a real sense of community  and was so proud to walk with friends and neighbors.  They estimated that 600 people came to the march.  That is a lot considering we only have a population of 7,000.  I was so proud of my little town.  

My little activists making signs

We had some really great talks.  My kids will always be champions of the underdog.  

Em even made her own sign.  I LOVE it

The Blk Mtn Women's March

It began in the town square

The town bear was proudly wearing a "pussy" hat

I will teach her to be strong, to be loving and that she has a powerful voice.

I marched for her

One of my favs

Melissa and I

This was from the march in Washington but I had to steal it :)

MLK Peace Rally and March

Ever since the Great Orange Beast has taken office, I have been contemplating ways to take action.  Peaceful action.  I rallied my troops and went to the MLK Peace Rally and March in downtown Asheville.  I wasn't sure what bringing 3 kids to a march was going turn into.  Overall, it went pretty well.  We had to wait about 45 min for the march to start so that was a little rough, but gave me time to talk to them about what we were doing.  While in the midst of the march, we had to pull over and have a talk with Emma.  "Emma, what is this march about"?  Emma replied, "kindness".  "Well, then stop running people over with your stroller.  That is not kind and they will kick us out".  Brutal.  Baby steps, baby steps......

Getting ready to march

The line began

The boys met up with one of their friends, Tessa

Still waiting

My little activist.  

On we go

It was a pretty good crowd 

Peace out!

Holidays 2016

We started the holiday season off with Emma's Christmas show.  As always watching 115 kids on stage is like watching monkey escaping from the zoo.  I'm always waiting for some giant disaster.  It went pretty smoothly.  

She was a little confused as were the rest of the kiddos

Then we put up the tree.  Pip found the perfect spot

The mini van hit 200,000 miles and it was time for a new ride.  We bought a Honda Pilot just in time for me and the kids to drive to Virginia.  

We went to a few Christmas parties.  The boys did not want to sit on Santa's lap this year....or last year.  This was the first year that I was sure that Grady stopped believing in Santa.  He told me, "Mom, I know you wear the Santa suit".  

The kids and I made the drive to Virginia.  Josh stayed home to work.  He couldn't get away after having hernia surgery and being off work for 3 weeks.

I love these two crazies

We had our first Christmas with my family.  Uncle Will and Leia gave Emma some dress up clothes

and a repunzel wig

I love this fierce pic.

Warrior Princess

Then we had a 2nd Christmas back at our house.  Josh made Emma a doll house.  When she opened it she thought it was a bookshelf.  The boys took it over and used it as Fort Scala.

Thanks for the new shirt, Papaw

Gramma and Grandpa came and the kids had Christmas #3.

They gave Emma some furniture for her doll house.

Crowns and a new party dress

Poor Pip

Nick, Carolyn and the boys came the following day

A lot of carpet ball ensued

The princess doctor

We took the cousins to Catawba Falls

Checking out a field guide

Em had to borrow Josh's sweatshirt. Burr

She pretended to "die".  I think she wanted me to carrier her.  

We went to the Biltmore

Grady forgot that it was winter!! Flip flops???

An intense game of checkers

Myles borrowed Emma's jacket.  Haha, short arms

Whew, that's a wrap!! Until next year