Malachi 4:6

Esther

2010-03-26T15:46:00.003-04:00

Behold,children are the inheritance of the Lord...

...and the fruit of the womb his reward...

As arrows in the hand of the strong man; so are the children of youth...
Blessed is the man...
Who hath his quiver full of them...
Psalm 127 ,3,4,5a

Family times

2010-03-24T17:28:00.005-04:00

At Thanksging we took a Morton family picture ... And a Smith family picture
Bret listening...
My Alan
Thanksgiving dinner...
Mother and daughter
Esther girl

Wecome to the world Baby William!

2009-09-21T00:06:00.004-04:00

Alan and I have a new little nephew! William Stone Morton, son of Wesley and Rachel Morton.
What a precious blessing he is ! We love you William!

Below is Wes and Rache and Co before and after.What a precious family the Lord has established.

2009-09-20T23:06:00.005-04:00

Here Are some pictures from this summer! Hope all of you are well! The children got to see their Great-Nanny,which was a treat as she lives up north. Family is so wonderful! Esther is growing and Bret and Ron have become good buddies.

Catherine Esther Smith

2009-05-25T23:22:00.002-04:00

Esther was born to the Smith family by the grace of God,
and first saw the light of day,May 17th 2009. She weighed 9lb 8oz.
She has been a great joy to us and we thank the Lord for this precious gift.
She has brown eyes like her Papa
and a sweet little mouth for kissing
And chubby little hands to wrap around his finger...
Granddaddy holding his little Esther...

She is a daddy's girl. She listens to his voice

when he speaks and falls asleep on his shoulder...

2009-05-25T23:00:00.000-04:00

Grandmama and Esther...May they be sweet friends

A happy mama...thank you Lord...

2009-05-25T22:17:00.000-04:00

Brotherly love...

First meeting...

Andy Vawser & Brittany Antonion

2009-03-02T11:43:00.009-05:00

Hooray for Andy & Brittany! We were blessed to witness their betrothal ceremony yesterday morning.

Congratulations, guys, we are very happy for you, and we are looking forward to seeing the Vawser clan again this evening at a shower hosted here in Griffin.

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They exchange rings
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Andy reads to her

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and sings to her...
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Congratulations, guys, we love you two and look forward to our children playing together (whenever we manage to get out to Idaho, that is. :D LOL...)

Snow, in GA!

2009-03-02T10:49:00.001-05:00

The Vawsers thought they were getting away from the blizzard up in the northwest, but it followed them down. I guess the Lord decided to give Brittney a wee taste of life in Idaho. LOL... Naturally, after the betrothal ceremony most of us ended up out in the Antonion's yard flinging snowballs at each other. A rare pleasure around here!

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One of the Antonion's rose bushes

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Andy & Brittany
---------------------------------------------Art

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Beth
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Madara
---------------------------------------------The author
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It was a fun drive home -- I had not driven in snow since we visited ID back in 2005...
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Michael and Wallace, back at our house
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Michael and I tossing some more snow... :D
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Michael Beverage Morton III

Kate & the boys

2009-03-02T10:16:00.000-05:00

After the betrothal, lunch is almost ready...
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Katie and Bretski back at Mom & Dad's house

The Perfect Pack, revisited

2009-02-25T13:29:00.003-05:00

Eberlestock G4

A long time ago I was looking at rucksacks, and posted a note about the SPEAR ELCS rig. That is, indeed, a very fine system, but it weighs a ton. (Well, ~17lbs, anyway)

I recently was discussing packs with Danny Lane, and was looking for Kifaru (couldn't remember their name at the time) but found these guys in the process. They have two packs that I really like -- the G4, and the Halftrack. The G4 (pictured above) is a nice, med-large full size ruck. It is not the largest pack, but these days I am a family man who only maintains the barest minimum of physical conditioning. Add a little boy or two, and I would have a difficult time carrying much more weight than this pack can hold.

I had never really thought about having a pack specifically designed to carry a rifle and was not initially favourably disposed towards the concept, but the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Again, when I hike these days I am usually carrying a little boy or two/holding their hands, etc. It would be nice to have a pack I can shove my rifle into and then be able to retrieve it without opening the main compartment. Looks like the flaps fold and buckle out of the way when they are not needed.

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It has both top and front load access, which is wonderful for ease of accessing and organizing gear. The only thing I don't really like about it is the rather sketchy track record of zippers' durability in field gear. I like my Camelbak's zipper, but even it has its limits, and I don't know that it will be nearly as durable over the long run as a conventional pullcord/buckle style hatch.

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Eberlestock Halftrack

Ok, first a little background info: I bought Kate a Camelbak Talon for our last caving trip. It turned out to be a good pack, but the size is a little off. She isn't used to carrying a load on her back, and it is a little too big for her to carry comfortably for a long time. (She is a very strong girl, so I suspect that the weight wouldn't be a problem for her in a pack with a good frame and belt, but that will have to wait for next trip.) The Talon is, on the other hand, a little too small for what I like to carry around on a regular basis. I use it now for a general purpose carry bag. It goes with us pretty much everywhere, and usually contains some combination of a medikit, diapers/wipes, change of clothes for a little one or two, 2D maglight, headlamp, extra batteries, another medikit, a Goretex parka or poncho, 3L of water, a Gerber folding saw, Cold Steel knife, ear plugs, a bit based screwdriver kit w/ ~30 bits, more miscellaneous medical supplies, 1L of Gatorade, and sometimes an extra 2L canteen of water. It usually weighs around 25-30lbs. depending on the exact loadout.

It has a hard time holding it all, and sticks way out if fully loaded -- especially with the baby stuff and parka. I would really like something just a little bigger, but I don't know whether I really want it to have a frame or not. The things I don't like about the T. are A. the main compartment access is too small; B. it isn't big enough; etc. Other than those two issues, I love the thing. It is very comfortable, rides fairly well for a pack without a frame, and has 3 external pockets that are particularly well laid out.

The Eberlestock Halftrack (pictuered above) is an interesting little framed rig. At ~2300 CI, it is about ~500CI bigger than the Talon (1820 CI), and it looks like the layout is also a little better. Full frontal access to the main compartment, full size side pockets (although it doesn't look like the zippers run all the way down on the sides -- that is not good), a top pocket, PALS webbing all over everywhere, compression straps to keep things nice and tight, and the shape looks designed to keep your center of gravity very close. The straps and back padding all look very similar to my VERY comfortable little REI internal frame pack(which Beth usually carries -- that's why I don't have Kate use it as her primary). This might be a little too big to use as my everyday run-around pack, but it looks like it would be perfect for Kate as a primary ruck.

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These pictures are from a website I ran across called Hardcore Outdoors. The author looks like an interesting guy. He does a lot of equipment reviews, and I like some of his opinions. His language is occasionally slightly off-colour, so I only recommend his website with caution.
Nevertheless, as I am using his photographs, I will include a link to their source:
http://hardcoreoutdoor.com/2008/09/08/eberlestock-halftrackhunting-backpacksmilitary-backpacks.aspx

On a side note, (no pun intended) I also like his choice of additional side pouches for specific extra items: camera, radio, sunglasses, binoculars, etc. I would add a medikit to the front, as well (I always do. LOL...)

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As with the G4, one additional weakness with this ruck is its heavy reliance on zippers. For this size pack, though, I would note that Camelbak, Bug-out gear and most other patrol packs including the MOLLE rig also use zippers.

2009-01-28T20:29:00.003-05:00

Alan shifting gears in the big truck! We rode with him last summer as a family,and had a wonderful memory making time! I loved it!

Bret playing us a tune on his Great-grandfather's harmonica at a truckstop.

One of the warehouses we delivered a load to! Love that name...

A cotton warehouse way out west.

Alan enjoying a walk with Ron.We enjoyed doing things like this when the rig was being unloaded at the different warehouses.

¿Planning a Cave trip?

2008-12-18T12:46:00.003-05:00

As some of you may already know, Kate and I have a tradition of taking our children caving before they are born. Well, I guess it's time to start planning another trip! Hopefully we can get one together for late January or early February.

Here comes 3

2008-12-18T12:35:00.002-05:00

Good Afternoon friends!

It's been a while, but hopefully Kate & I will slowly get back into the habit of keeping our online journal. LOL... ;)

Anyone checking on my blog has already been the the rest of the family's blogs, so you already know that Kressant and Michael have 2 boys, Wesley and Rachel have a fine strapping (large) son, and you probably have already heard that Katie and I are going to be having another one by the middle of next year.

Our midwife, (the redoubtable Mrs. Jobe) says she suspects 1st week of July; little bit has a fine, strong, healthy heart beat -- maybe a wee smidgen fast (~158bpm, girl maybe?) , and so far Kate has experienced no morning sickness. Hooray!!! :D

We spent the last several months hauling peanuts down in south GA. That went very well. This year saw one of the largest peanut crops in history -- the price of peanut butter may come down a little next year. LOL... We are currently between jobs and may do some contract work with Schneider over the next few months, but who knows?

I will try to put a photo of the truck up sometime soon.

Well, God Bless you all, I'll write again later...

Alan

It's a Boy!

2008-01-17T22:41:00.001-05:00

The Lord has given us another precious little boy! He was born January 9th 2008. He was born at home before the midwife arrived, delivered by his brave and able Papa! He weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. He is such a joy to Alan and I and is greatly loved by his big brother. He was named Ronald Michael Smith in honour of his much beloved great-grandfather, Ronald Smith, and my own dear father, Michael Morton. May the Lord bless this little man and cause him to be a faithful servant of His.

2008-01-17T22:24:00.001-05:00

2008-01-17T22:13:00.001-05:00

Fathers and Sons...

2007-08-25T22:39:00.001-04:00

Working on the computer with Papa...

2007-08-25T22:34:00.001-04:00

Starting to crawl...

2007-08-25T22:28:00.001-04:00

Baby Bret

2007-06-11T22:03:00.001-04:00

My dear Alan playing the baby and I an evening concert

2007-06-11T21:54:00.001-04:00

Geronimo!

2006-06-14T11:04:00.000-04:00

Dad Smith, Dad Morton, Mr. Plath, Michael, Cleve, Wes, and my wife's husband rapelling in a TN cave. Good scouting trip -- we all survived...

The perfect backpack?

2006-06-14T10:26:00.000-04:00

The SPEAR system, designed by and for Special Forces in conjunction with Gregory. Very nice design, but still a bit high priced. Retail is ~$1k, they occasionally go on ebay for around $400.

Beth hard at work

2006-06-13T18:12:00.000-04:00

Our dear Beth, ironing away...

2006-05-12T01:55:00.000-04:00

This past week we have taping at the dear Edwards home in TN

2006-05-12T01:54:00.001-04:00

Charlie and Kate in a cave in TN

2006-05-12T01:54:00.000-04:00

Kate and Beth

2006-05-12T01:53:00.001-04:00

Today Charlie and beth played for our Aunt and uncle at their home in Chattanooga TN

2006-05-12T01:53:00.000-04:00

Last weekend the Mortons traveled up and Charlie and uncle Ed taped

2006-05-12T01:52:00.000-04:00

Last weekend the Smithies went to the Sanders for Sundays fellowship

2006-05-12T01:51:00.000-04:00

Charlie and Kate at the Sanders

2006-05-12T01:50:00.001-04:00

the gang

2006-05-12T01:50:00.000-04:00

Charlie and Kate two weeks ago at our cousins house

2006-03-12T17:29:00.000-05:00

Charlie and I chatting-kressy

The battle of Bull [Float]?

2006-02-05T23:27:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, I was allowed the joy of playing around in a mess of concrete as the slab was poured for the building in which I will become wedded to the sweetest, most precious, beautiful girl in all the world. :) My dear brothers graciously allowed me (Carlos Cortocircuito) the happy diversion of playing with the bull float, to the merry amusement of all present. LOL... ;)

2006-02-05T23:24:00.000-05:00

Target area preparation

2006-02-05T23:22:00.000-05:00

A closer look

2006-02-05T23:20:00.000-05:00

And the thunder rolled...

2006-02-05T23:18:00.000-05:00

The crew looks on in interest...

2006-02-05T22:04:00.000-05:00

Cleveland during our pre-op briefing.

2006-02-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

Moving rocks...

2006-02-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

In which Michael draws the last bit of cement from a chute.

2006-02-05T17:01:00.000-05:00

Dad (#2) directing the placement of the next load.

2006-02-05T16:51:00.000-05:00

Momma (#2) watching, gracious as ever, from the proximity of the cow chow canteen.

2006-02-05T16:47:00.000-05:00

Halfway there...

2006-02-05T16:38:00.000-05:00

Michael conducting a careful LAA (Local Area Analysis)

2006-02-05T16:18:00.000-05:00

My beautiful bride graciously allowing herself to be photographed with her messy husband while we wait for the concrete to dry...

Love you, Babe... ;)

Final Product

2006-02-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

Surveying the finished slab with the love of my life. :)

2006-01-05T07:50:00.000-05:00

Katherine whilst the guy's were in New Orleans

2006-01-05T07:37:00.001-05:00

Kate and Auntie

2006-01-05T07:37:00.000-05:00

charlie and yuchi right before the guy's went to LA

2006-01-05T07:35:00.000-05:00

Charlie and Beth with the Edwards boys at Stone mountain, sometime this year :) hey, we need to take y'all there!!!

2006-01-05T07:34:00.000-05:00

Kate playing the piano at the film fest

2006-01-05T07:28:00.000-05:00

Charlie last night off on one of his midnight runs

2006-01-01T23:29:00.001-05:00

Charlie at one of his favorite past times, sides spending time with us and the Smortons that is :)

2006-01-01T23:29:00.000-05:00

LOL

2006-01-01T23:27:00.000-05:00

Charlie awhile ago

2006-01-01T23:16:00.000-05:00

Hey Kate, wish you were here with us! -SissyB for Charlie

2006-01-01T00:40:00.002-05:00

Charlie taking a nap

2006-01-01T00:40:00.001-05:00

And this, little buddy, is called a whetstone...

2006-01-01T00:40:00.000-05:00

Charlie reading to Beth

2006-01-01T00:39:00.001-05:00

Rachi and Charlie

2006-01-01T00:39:00.000-05:00

whoa betsey...

2005-12-30T17:47:00.000-05:00

2005-12-30T17:46:00.000-05:00

Wrapping base lights for the green-screen...

2005-12-24T02:21:00.000-05:00

Myself engaged in one of my favourite activities -- writing my beloved Katherine... (Love you, Babe) 8)

2005-12-22T14:54:00.000-05:00

Charlie and Yuchi on Stone mountain

2005-12-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

Charlie

2005-12-21T14:38:00.000-05:00

Word of the day

2005-12-19T14:23:00.001-05:00

the youngest boys...

2005-12-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

in which my family greets the arrival of......

2005-12-19T14:21:00.000-05:00

Yuchi babe with his new harmonica

2005-12-19T14:20:00.001-05:00

the cute couple

2005-12-19T14:20:00.000-05:00

Alan -n- Katie

2005-12-19T14:19:00.000-05:00

Aunt Jeanine and Mama chatting, aren't they so cute?!

2005-12-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

My view from the back seat

2005-12-16T20:44:00.000-05:00

Charlie

2005-12-16T20:43:00.001-05:00

My handsome brother!

2005-12-16T20:43:00.000-05:00

Isn't he sweet?!

2005-12-16T20:42:00.000-05:00

Charlie

2005-12-16T20:36:00.000-05:00

ready....set.....DRAW!..

2005-12-14T20:38:00.001-05:00

Talking to Wes..and...

2005-12-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

Then talking to his KAte

2005-12-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

The Smith Family 2005!

The boys prove their worth once again...

2005-12-01T18:58:00.000-05:00

My new brothers singing a sweet ballad to my beloved...

Katie and I

2005-11-30T04:08:00.000-05:00

My darling Kate, you are the light of my life here on this earth. Whatever happens, through good times and otherwise, may our Lord grant us joy with one another for the duration of our tenure in this tangible macrocosm.
Shalom, my love...

The most beautiful girl in the world...

2005-11-29T23:42:00.000-05:00

My darling Kate -- I love you, Hon...

Another kind of Kate

2005-11-29T23:28:00.000-05:00

Ah, my darling Katherine, I found us a picture of a brambling finch, which shares your pet name of Kate. :)

Of course, between you two warblers, I'll take your singing any day, Love...

2005-11-24T14:59:00.000-05:00

"The Bible riddle of the week..."

2005-11-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

In which Rachie hits the big screen. LOL...

2005-11-24T14:56:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, the Edwards clan journeyed to Griffin for a film shoot at the studio in the church.

In which the author of this blog is blessed far beyond his just deserts...

2005-11-20T02:16:00.000-05:00

Greetings, one and all.
I have been remiss in the management of my blog, in part due to the hectic rapidity with which various events have transpired during the past few weeks. One week ago, Mr. Michael Morton gave me the hand of his beautiful daughter Katherine. She is sweet, precious, compassionate, lovely beyond measure, serves her family faithfully, loves the Lord with all of her heart, soul and mind, and I have never heard her say a harsh word. I am altogether unworthy of her, but shall endeavour by the grace of our Lord to love, serve, and cherish her as Christ loved his church, giving himself up for her, to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of the water of the word. This high calling is one to which I am incapable of aspiring in my own strength; rather, it is in my weakness that our dear Lord may manifest Himself, doing through me what I clearly cannot do myself, that all glory and honour might be His and His alone. God grant that it may be so.
To thee, my darling Kate, my humble thanks for thy willingness to join this simple traveler in his journeys. All that I am and have are yours for the duration of our earthly sojourn. May we ever give glory and honour to our blessed Lord together. Shalom...

2005-11-20T01:50:00.000-05:00

Katie darling

2005-11-20T01:14:00.000-05:00

Mr. Michael and I the day before our departure to FL to conduct repairs on Mr. Frank Campana's roof.

2005-11-20T01:13:00.000-05:00

At Katie's grandmother's 74th birthday party

2005-11-20T01:11:00.000-05:00

My beloved Kate

2005-11-20T01:10:00.000-05:00

And my dear mother-in-law

2005-11-20T01:09:00.000-05:00

My beloved at the Campana's

2005-11-20T01:08:00.000-05:00

Katie and Yerik