Lydia is 2 1/2 weeks old

Lydia is fitting nicely into our family. She has been to all of our favorite places... the library, Wal-mart, Sam's, chick-fil-a, Community Bible Study, church, the Thompson's house, the Fargarson's house and even Josiah's soccer game! Here are a few pictures from the past couple weeks. This first one was actually taken at the hospital, but I had to include it. It is Lydia with her best buddy Kassidy Thompson.














Josiah and Eliott love their new baby sister!














Eliott loves to say, "baby watch" and "cute baby."














Emma and Eliott have enjoyed trying out all of the baby seats that are around our house these days.














Lydia had her first real bath yesterday. It was so nice to get her cleaned up and smelling fresh.














Next week is birthday week for Emma (Sept. 28th), Eliott (Sept. 30th), and Josiah (Oct.4th). They have chosen to have a birthday lunch with the Thompson family at Chuckie Cheese's. We will be sure to post pictures next weekend from that big event!

More Pics of Lydia

Working ALL things......

I'll give the straight facts to those who just want to know that: Lydia Cathey Knowles was born 9lbs. 6oz. 20-1/2in. long last night, but the whole story is below... you might find it interesting.

Working All Things....

Last night Laurie woke up at 10:39pm with sharp labor pains, and by 11:04pm I was on the phone with Devon (who was our late night on call get here as quick as you can person). And I must say, Devon came through like a champ, and we can't thank him enough.

We're on the road to the hospital at 11:24pm I have flashers on driving like a mad man. I call Chase to get him to start praying that we make it to Brookwood Hospital from Pinson on time. He calls back and suggests calling 911 which a few seconds later I'm coming up on a police car so I say... that's a good idea. I try to get the attention of the police officer as I drive past...(i did slow down a bit), but he didn't really do anything at first. He kind of followed at a distance, but as I got to a traffic spot and was trying to maneuver through it... the policeman thought he'd better check us out. He cuts on his lights... I don't pull over ..... He hits his siren.... "Focus on your breathing honey not on the pain" (note to future dads...not a very helpful line) I don't pull over.... He comes up beside me as I'm pulling on to the interstate and begins to "guide" me off the road... I still don't stop, but I am trying to scream at him to tell him "MY WIFE'S HAVING A BABY!!!" at the same time trying to get his car number to tell the 911 people so they can pull him off of me..... He doesn't get the message, but I do... as he pulls his gun and points it at me ...... I pull over...... Understand the whole time this is going on, my wife is in labor screaming (yes, Laurie can scream) and telling me to go, go, go!!! The P.O. gets out of his car - weapon still drawn and pointed at me while I'm trying to explain the situation and begging the 911 operator to do something.... He makes me cut off the car and get out, put my hands in the air and get into the back of his vehicle.... only then does he go over to my car and asks Laurie, "Are you in labor?" while she's sitting their with obvious belly writhing in pain..... she tells him 'YESSSSSS!!!! AND I'M ABOUT TO HAVE THIS BABY!!!!".... He then comes back over to his car and asks if I will go and calm her down.... (uh... yeah... calm her down... sure... no problem)....

He then proceeds to put on surgical gloves and walks back over to the car saying, I didn't think I'd ever have to do this... (uh... do what.... if it comes down between you and me delivering this child.. I will win that battle ;) ) but then he asks if I'm still on the line with 911.... that's a good question... I'm not sure if they stayed on the line since you made me put the phone on the trunk of your car before going into your back seat.... The P.O. did ask if he could use my phone to talk to them.... sure, no problem....

Well, at this point Laurie's water broke and now it's on.... when Laurie's water breaks - baby comes. The P.O. gets on the radio to see how far the ambulance is away.... it's close.... I hope close enough.

We see the lights of the ambulance.... I see Lydia's head... they pull up and Paramedic Stan (may God bless him) comes up and gets everything ready for delivery which happens D.O.B. .... 11:57pm.... (notice the time frame here)....

They put Laurie and Lydia in the ambulance and I follow the P.O. in our car to the hospital.

In hind sight, we realize that we would have been cutting it real close to make it to the hospital and getting pulled over to have the paramedics on seen was probably more desirable than us having to pull off and deliver with just me. (still could've done w/out the gun point ;)

Well, we rejoice in the Lord that Lydia is born and healthy and mom is healing up from last night's festivities. Please, continue to pray for us as we celebrate this new addition to our family.

Here is a pic of this beautiful girl, too.

"For we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes." Rom. 8:28

Graduation Day

I can't believe we already have a graduate... from Kindergarten, but nevertheless a graduate. We are so proud of Josiah who has just finished up his first year of school. Agape Academy is our home school covering and I couldn't be more excited about being a part of such a Godly yet academically strong group. There were 7 graduates last night and they all did such a wonderful job.

Here are just a few pictures from yesterday and last night and I hope to have some video up soon too.

Summer 2006

Josiah and Emma just picked some fresh veggies from Mama Jean and Paw-Paw's garden in Cullowhee, NC.











Josiah and Emma took swim lessons with their friends John Caedmon, Abbey, and Chloe Thompson.











Eliott enjoyed hanging out by the pool and eating snacks while Emma and Josiah had their lessons.

The kids and their friends at McWane Center

We recently went to the McWane center for an orientation for a science class that Josiah will be taking this month. His friend Chloe will be taking this class as well. This is a video of our children building an arch and the falling down of the same.... click here to enjoy!

Oh how time flies...

Hello blog readers. Please forgive me for taking soooo long to update our blog! I have been very busy chasing after my three little ones. Yes, chasing...Eliott is now officially mobile! He can scoot anywhere and everywhere. He has also been cutting teeth. He already has five and another about to break through.

Josiah and Emma have been enjoying the summer. Last week they attended a VBS at a friend's church and started swim lessons. We have also been swimming at the pool in our neighborhood and tomorrow we are going to the zoo.

Sam is doing well despite his recent loss. A couple weeks ago he had a wreck in his 1986 Skylark. Thankfully Sam was not hurt, but his Skylark did not make it. Oh well, we have been a one car family before we can do it again.

Here are a few pictures from the past few months...

Easter take two...Sam and I were very sick Easter weekend which was also my birthday. We were not able to go to church, so I dressed the kids in their "Easter" clothes the following weekend.


Mother's Day at the park after eating at La Paz, my favorite.

Emma and her cousin Breana at a Knowles Family Reunion.

Eliott hanging out in the stroller at the pool.