Sunny South Florida

We just got back last night from a fabulous mini-vacation to the Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach area of Florida. Our church association meetings were being held in Boca Raton this year, so we decided to head down a little early and see some sights and enjoy some company. God blessed us with cheap airline tickets and the hospitality of MaryJane and Myron McPherson. They were the best hosts and really made us feel right at home. Xavier and Addison were both sad to leave. They loved MaryJane and Myron a lot and had a great time playing and hanging out with them. We were not able to do all the things we had wished to do, so we will have to plan another trip down that way. Maybe April???? Who knows.

While there we visited the Lion Park Safari. You drive your car through the park where the animals walk all around you. It was really cool. Some ostriches came very close to the car. They even had a baby rhino. It was so cool to see. Xavier said it was a like a zoo, so he is counting it as one and now that makes 12 for him and 8 for Addison. On Friday the whole family got to take an airboat ride on the Everglades. That was super cool. We saw lots of alligators and one got pretty close to the boat. Afterwards they have a show where they wrestle alligators. Addison thought it was great and kept trying to climb into the pen with the gator and the guys. What can I say she is fearless.

On Sabbath I helped MaryJane with the children. We had a great turn out of 15-18 kids. It was great to see MaryJane work. She is so passionate and engaging with the children. We had a field trip planned for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, but we got there late and they had already closed. They did allow us to walk around a little bit before they locked the gates. We have added it to the list of things to do the next time we come down.

The Past few Months

We had one day of very nice sunshine, although pretty cold temps, but me and the kids braved the elements and spent an afternoon at the Zoo. Zoo Atlanta makes the list at number 11 for Xavier and number 7 for Addison. Like I said before, we like zoos.





Addison got to attend Montessori School for one day because Grandma had to go out of town. We didn't have anyone else to watch her and we both had to work. So, she "visited" the toddler room for a day. She absolutely loved every minute of it, so now I need to figure out to afford to send her or maybe not. :)







A Bug Boil and Softball game with the folks from The Journey, our Sunday church.










October is Pastor Appreciation Month. The very yummy cake they had made for John and I.




A quick trip to Asheville, NC to visit Uncle Daniel and a pumpkin patch.







Been pretty busy around the Pethtel house over the last few months. Xavier is enjoying Kindergarten although not really learning anything new. He has a great teacher who is willing to give him some extra work, but he's still way ahead of his classmates. John has gone back to sales at Sears, which means a big pay cut for us. But he does now have more time for the family and the church and that is more important. I am still busy at school. My classroom flooded during all the heavy rain in the Atlanta area a few weeks ago. Not a lot of damage but enough to keep us out of the room for a month. We get to go back to our old room in one more week.
John took a trip to West Virginia at the beginning of October and hit a deer on the first day. The KIA was totaled and thanks to our wonderful in-laws, he is now the proud owner of a 93 taurus. He went for a vacation and didn't get much of one. Maybe next time. :)
The kids and I took a trip to Asheville to visit my brother, Daniel. We had a nice time and beautiful weather. Next month we should be heading down to Fort Lauderdale for church association. Right now we are deciding how to get down there.
So, that is everything in a nut shell. Blog some more next month.

Montessori at Home

The shelf Grandma found at the thrift store for $10. It works perfectly for Addison. (Soon the whole shelf will have Montessori work on it. As of right now it only has 2, but she loves all the other stuff too.)


She loves her little puzzles.


Xavier was showing her how to do a knobbed puzzle.



Choosing her favorite work off the shelf.




Her favorite work so far is put and take.


Doing some dry pouring. I used some colored pasta and she tried to eat it at first.



Since we can not afford to send Addison to Montessori school at the moment. I am turning the playroom into a small Montessori environment for her. It's been a slow process because you need shelves and they don't come cheap. We finally got one from a thrift store and then found the perfect table and chairs at IKEA for a very good price. I have set-up 2 works so far and she is in heaven. Next on the list is another shelf, some actual Montessori work and some rugs for her to do work on the floor. She may not be getting the socialization that school offers, but she will be getting some of the basic skills. I am hoping we can afford to send her next fall.

7 Reasons Why My 7 Years with Tabatha Have Been the Best

Anyone who knows me knows that I have never been the "perfect" man. My wife can reiterate the fact that I am not the "perfect" husband but there is a huge difference between year 1 of our marriage and year 7. I just want to share with you (Tabatha, and our audience in blog land) 7 reasons (however, there are plenty more) why, in my eyes, you are who God has sent to share life with me.

1. A-Addison. We fought over this for a while. You had been ready for another child for a while and I was perfectly content with Xavier. I am so glad that we decided to make our family bigger with the girlie. She loves her mommy and if she grows up to be just like her I will be pleased.

2. B-the Boy. Xavier has been a blessing beyond a blessing. He is amazing in every way and even though it took his physical arrival for me to even begin to realize that he was sent to help me be the father that my dad never was I have never been upset one single day he made us a family.

3. C-Courage. It takes courage to marry a guy like me. I have been a "momma's boy" unashamedly for so many years. I shared my calling to ministry with you. We have moved across the country twice now and it probably won't be our last time. You amaze me with your courage in our life situations.

4. D-Duty. You use this line a lot lately. You do the things you are supposed to do because it is your "duty". I wish that I could punch the clock at work or help you around the house or do the things that I don't want to do with the same attitude in which you do your "duty". You are the cog that makes our family work. You are the one who wakes up at night with the kids. You are the one who goes to the doctor. You are the one who always makes sure there is dinner. I need to learn my "duty".

5. E-Exceptional. They don't have a handbook for being a "good" wife or mother. You have somehow seemed to know how to do it. Whether it is a maternal "instinct" or just what you know you should do. You have been the best wife and mother that I could possibly know. Your children love you so much and I love you as well. We are blessed to have you in our lives.

6. F-Family. You were with me when my parents passed. You know how much it messed me up inside. You put up with my crying and pain. You comforted me when no one else could/would. You love me in spite of the bad habits that I have picked up. You have encouraged me to make our family a priority. You have reminded me that God has called to be a pastor in my own house first.

7. G-Grace. The grace that you have shown me over the last 7 years is truly a reminder of the grace that God has shown me and our family over those 7 years as well. Without your grace, our marriage might not have made it 7 years. I love you for every ounce you have shown. You have taught me a lot here.

With others as my witnesses, I will strive to show you more Grace, to put the Family before self, to be an Exceptional father and husband, to meet my Duty on a more consistent basis, to realize the Change that we make is scary at every step, to Bear more burdens of our family's life, and to Always cherish you.
I love you Tabatha.
Happy Anniversary!

The busy month of August

Happy Birthday John!!!


An ice cream sundae and movie party for Daddy's birthday!




John had another birthday. He is now 31!



Addie wanted some of her own homework too.



Doing homework. he finished in a matter of minutes, but he was excited to do it. However, he has homework again and he is not so happy about it this time.


Xavier on his first day of school. Doesn't he look so handsome.



Xavier started Kindergarten this fall. This is him with his new backpack. It came late.




Addie and Xavier watching Addie's ball go down the lane. It was so cute to watch.


Some of our Life Group bowling together.

Summer Vacation

Ok, so usually I break the vacation down into parts and talk about each post. Well, this year I am tooooooo tired, so you will get a basic break down and some photos.

First, the kids and I left on July 16th for Louisville, KY. We were suppose to leave at 4am, but I lost my wallet and then had to get a new license and stuff, so we left at 12:30pm and got to our hotel at 7ish. We played in the pool and then got up the next morning to hit the Louisville Zoo. It is one of our favorites and very kid friendly. I took Xavier there when we were moving to GA. The water park inside is awesome.

We hit the road and headed north to Columbus, OH to see my friend Juice. We had a wonderful time at the Columbus Zoo and getting to eat at Schmitts. I love that place. Our stay was short, but a really nice one.

We then headed to WV to stay a few days visiting with friends and family there. Addison got to meet her Uncle Jeff for the first time and she loved him. We stayed with the Thorngates' and had a wonderful time with them. Xavier had a play date at the movies with Uncle Jeff and Uncle Mike. But after 3 days of fun it was time to head to PA.

We arrived on Tuesday, July 21st. We hung out with my cousins for a little bit and then I had to go to the airport and pick up John. (John was directing Young Adult Pre-con this year) While John stayed on campus for precon, the kids and I stayed with my aunt and uncle. We had a wonderful time visiting family and going to the Philadelphia Zoo. Jen Stall and her girls also got to go.

Then Sunday arrived and it was time to get ready for General Conference. Although I did not get to see much of my husband, I had a nice time. Xavier was old enough to attend Children's conference and he loved it. Addie spent a few days in the nursery making friends and mommy got to chill and catch up with old friends. We even got to visit an Amish village and learn about the Amish lifestyle.

It was a great vacation and break from life in GA and we are grateful for the blessings God poured out over us while we were gone.