Monday Musings: Adulthood

Adulthood is something that most people assume just happens. One becomes an adult when he or she reaches 18, gets married, has their first child, goes to college, gets their first steady job..... I suppose all of these things require a level of maturity, but all of these situations can happen to someone still in an "adolescent" phase.

The world would have it that to become an adult means to be independent, to have a mind of your own and make your own decisions without counsel or help from another person.

So, just what is adulthood anyway?

Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin define it this way: "The hallmarks of adulthood are not self-will or self-expression. They are self-denial and self-government." A true sign of adulthood is knowing your place and being willing to submit to your God given authorities, thereby submitting to God Himself. Being an adult is doing what is asked and required of you, without having to be coaxed or prompted.

The question is: How would you define Adulthood?

Our Fall Trip: Ridgecrest

The day before the conference, we went with the Bartons and the Knights to a local geyser.

Butterfly and Kate! : )

Beautiful fountains!

From a photographer's perspective!

We found a bench and had fun!

Family photo!

The LaPores showed up!

The Knights!

Amanda- intense photographer!

Lovely Barton Ladies

Dave and Sarah matched!!

Mom and I behind the geyser (with a lovely crane for background!)

Love those sisters! : )

We took a picture of the foliage through mom's sunglasses and it gave it a vintage look!

Hannah and I were able to spend some time together, which was such a blessing! Here's adorable Nabby!

The view from the back door of our room at the conference.

I didn't take any photos of the actual conference, because we were to busy bustling here and there and chatting with people, but I wish I had! Hopefully next year!

Of Boys and Army Men...

Ethan (ie. captain of the minutemen): Do you surrender??
Dad (ie General of the British Army): Never! We'll fire until we see the whites of their eyes! Oh, wait..... forget it! Just shoot 'em!

Our Fall Trip: Colonial Williamsburg

Thomas Jefferson (As he was talking, a helicopter flew overhead and he mentioned something about how the Americas were filled with new scientific discoveries, like these enormous dragonflies!!)

One of the highlights of our fall trip was going to Colonial Williamsburg. A village in Virginia that has been conserved and originated pre-Revolutionary war.
The jaol appears to be empty..... but for one prisoner...



Upon visiting the cabinetmaker, we found a harpsichord and were allowed to play it! It was such a neat experience, as it was the instrument used by composers like Bach, Correlli and Handel. Apparently cabinetmakers were also responsible for repairing harpsichords and also for wallpapering!
The cabinetmaker even gave me a Bach invention to try out!

How many eagles can you count in this chair? (hint, if you look beyond the chair you'll find a couple as well! )

The workshop

Look whose been locked in the stocks!!

The kitchen where Ethan discovered that little boys his age were also taught to cook, in the event that they may have to feed themselves from time to time. His epiphany: "Hey! If I learn how to cook, than I won't ever have to get married!" (the marriage conference changed his mind, thankfully!)

The Governor's Palace

These as well as rows and rows of guns lined the walls of the mansion, in the halls and even up the stairways!!

Our tour guide.

The ball room

View of the Palace from the Palace Green!

The tavern in which we ate lunch! So fun!

We were seated in the basement, which gave it a tavern, aesthetic feeling all the more!

Mmmmm.... Mom and I had Bangers and Mash (also known as Mashed potatoes and sausage)

We were able to witness a re-enactment in the middle of the street.

Patrick Henry

This poor fellow was nearly tarred and feathered! (Which is actually a whole lot more barbaric than it seems!)

I spy with my little eye....

We only were able to see about 1/3 of the village. We would love to go back again, spend a week and take a crowd with us! Who wants to join??