While we were in Tennessee for Christmas and New Years, my kids kept asking me what time it was “Tennessee time”. Explaining a time difference, even if it is only one hour, isn’t something that a five year can quite grasp.

If there was a family that ever needed a vacation it was mine. 2009 was a crazy and challenging year for us. I will say that we came out of it an even stronger family though. On our way to the cabin we were able to stay over with some family outside of Atlanta.  They were so welcoming and kind, it was really nice to spend time with them. Thank you to the Bradleys. What a blessing to not have to drive 10 hours straight to our destination with three kids.

Now my wonderful husband had been to the cabin several times, I’d seen the pics and heard the stories but little did I know what we were in for. He had explained what a small town it was in, I grew up in a small town so I thought I was okay with it. BUT, we’re talking  a post office, a filling station (where a 70 year old man still pumps your gas), a restaurant that offers “catfish and ribs” and a general store. You blink and you’ve missed it.  Now some of you might laugh, some might cringe ( I did at first) but I soon found out something very special about “Tennessee time”…

Something amazing happens when there isn’t all the busyness of the “daily grind”.   When you’re able to not be in a hurry, when by choice you have absolutely nothing on the agenda, life becomes so much more simple.  Christmas Eve we made ornaments to go on the tree, the kids loved it. Christmas Day, we took a drive through Standing Stone National Park and marveled over God’s amazing creations. That night we ate a delicious meal that no one had stressed and fussed over.  Life was good…

We made lots of good memories while we were there and I can guarantee you there will be many more over the years when we visit our little mountain cabin. 2010 is in full swing already but I’ve made a promise to myself that whenever I start to get caught up in our “fast paced” life, I’m going to remind myself of “Tennessee time”. Each moment we have really is a gift,  personally I plan on treasuring and using each one wisely.

So where are the photos? This is supposed to be a photography blog right?  I must admit while in Tennessee my camera didn’t see much action, here are a couple that I did capture. One of this gorgeous barn and the other of Dale Hollow Lake (can’t wait to go back in the summer).

So for those of you who do follow my blog (hi Miss Donna), the blog is going to be changing a little. I’ll be sharing more of the daily stuff that goes on in our lives and not just the photo stuff.   Look out!

Hugs, Shannon