Now with Kids (Day 2: Morning)

We even met Mr. Jimmy Gentry!

This morning was gorgeous! We could not have asked for more perfect weather to adventure to Gentry's Farm! Gentry's Farm is a historic working farm of almost 400 acres in Franklin, Tennessee. It's been owned by the Gentry family for nearly 150 years, and while the family does use the property for raising cattle, as well as growing pumpkins, the land is used mostly for educational purposes and in service to the community.

Mr. Jimmy Gentry can almost always be found on the property. He is both local and national hero. He grew up in Depression-era Franklin and served in the military during WWII; Mr. Gentry was among the soldiers who liberated the Nazi concentration camps. Following his service in the military, Mr. Gentry coached football in various Williamson County schools, including the school where I taught, Brentwood Academy. His life experiences are vast, and his heart is gracious.

I was able to sit down with Mr. Gentry and share the past few years. Overlooking his lovely farm and seeing my son playing in the distance, he listened intently to our story and was eager to meet my husband, son, and Clemson friends. He embraced us all with firm handshakes and warm hugs. He even gave Sawyer and Ayden each a small pumpkin painting that he had created for children in situations such as these.

The entire morning was filled with special moments, such as our time with Mr. Gentry. I believe that Ayden especially loved the wagon rides behind the tractor. He stood up in front of his daddy the entire time, and his face glowed with excitement and joy. The children especially liked the cows; one could hear a chorus of young comments: "Look at the baby cows!" or "I see/smell poop." or "Moooooo." We actually got to ride twice (a rarity since the farm normally hosts 3-4,000 people!), the second time in the wagon behind the tractor. Ayden was enamored with the tractor.

Bryan carted the boys around in Ayden's birthday wagon, and he walked Ayden through the playbarn. Sawyer & Ayden traveled through the corn maze, got to see various farm animals, and enjoyed playing in the fresh air. As we were leaving, we attempted to get pictures of the boys with a pumpkin, but Ayden kept stealing the pumpkin (it probably weighed more than him, but that was not a deterrent!), so we gave them each a pumpkin. The pumpkins stole the show, and we never captured the picture we were looking for... That doesn't mean they weren't super cute though!

This morning was one of the best times I have had in a long time. I was blessed by good weather, good times, and good company. God is so good.