I am from a gravel road that leads to the mountain, from the falling down mailbox, from Mayfield ice cream and macaroni and tomatoes.

I am from the house full of kids…loud, noisy, messy, and fun.

I am from the blackberry bushes and yellow jacket nests, the creek in the woods where we played and splashed and lived a thousand kid adventures.

I am from potlucks at Christmas and losing their temper, from Mamaws and Papaws and Mom and Dad. From shirtless boys with buzzed hair and bare feet.

I am from the shortest in the class and crooked teeth and freckles. Campfires and bluegill. Spankings and tears. From sucking my thumb will make it fall off and coffee will stunt my growth.

I am from washed in the blood Baptists. From Wednesday night services, week-long revivals, and Sunday School. From “Jesus Loves Me”, stolen money in the offering plate, turn around and stand up straight.

I’m from the woods of East Tennessee, boiled okra and watermelon with salt. From the man who prayed for a wife who could cook. A baker’s dozen of kids, and a ring for a heifer.

From hand-me-down clothes, broken bones, and crawdads. From fishing in papaw’s pond in clothes made by my mom. No air conditioning and crickets at night. From creepy mouse up my leg, bluegrass, and rummy.

I am from photos in an album, by Papaw’s chair, stained with tears. Young brides and marriages that last. I am from veterans, and coal miners. Black coffee and Copenhagen. From barbed wire fences, skinned knees, and trust in the Lord.

“He’s Popeye the sailor man! Toot! Toot!”

Big smiles!

Kyra waking up for school. Seven o’clock comes early!

All dressed in her new school clothes.

Eating breakfast…a princess pop tart and strawberry milk.

All ready to go.

Kyra showing off her new princess backpack and Supergirl lunchbox.

Why can Daddy never snap the picture at the right moment and take a good picture of me? I had to add it, though, because these are the only pictures of me and my baby girl on her first day of school.

Daddy missed the kiss! It looks like she blew me off. In all actuality, we had a long, adorable smooch…that he missed!

Of course, I take great pics of him.

A smooch from Daddy!

Leaving the house…

…and we’re on our way to school.

Apparantly, he’s a lot like his big sister. Case in point…

Collin and Owen…Collin is one week older than Owen.

Piper and Kyra were going to pose with their baby brothers, but Elijah kept crawling away.

Claire was reading the kids a story. It’s hard to believe that when I moved here four years ago, neither of us had kids yet. Now, here we are with six kids between us. (Claire has a baby boy already in Heaven.) It appears that we have taken it upon ourselves to populate the neighborhood.