I knew I should have done some quick mid-week recaps while in Florida because now I'm back home from a fantastic week visiting family and Mickey and so much to write and 150 pictures to upload!
Let's just start at the beginning. Mom, Dad, Philip, Braewyn and I piled into our Trailblazer and left Saturday, Sept. 20 for Albany, GA to spend the night with Mom's parents. It was a decent drive; Braewyn slept off and on, Philip watched videos and played with little toys, Dad and I drove and Mom entertained all the rest of us. I had borrowed a GPS device from Mollie so we enjoyed hearing "Gladys" as Dad named her give us directions and "Calculating Route" every time we didn't follow her directions (we obviously knew the way but would need it later in the week).
Grandma and Grandpa have a wonderful backyard which was put to good use when we got there by two cooped up little ones. We ate a wonderful, home-cooked meal and got settled in bed around 9:00pm. Braewyn cried a little now and then as she always does the first night sleeping somewhere new and Philip and I shared a full bed meaning I got kicked off and on all night. It made for a long night, but I kept telling myself, "Tomorrow night, I'll be at Disney World!!" (Those pictures will be coming tomorrow... Lord-willing!)
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Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Our Labor Day weekend
I should not have let Labor Day slip by without a mention on the blog. It was especially fun this year as Matthew and I, with the help of MANY others, planned a suprise 60th Birthday Party for his mom, Ruth Ann. An additional part of the surprise was that her other son, Jonathan and his family were coming for a surprise weekend visit. I love Jonathan and Lori as my own brother and sister so we always have good times together. Lori and I also agree that we wished we lived closer (it's only 4 hours these days) because of how cute Philip and his cousin Hannah are when playing together. Braewyn and cousin Madeline also played very well together too but there's not much verbal communication between them (mainly due to Braewyn not being able to speak yet!).
Well, I was A/V challenged all weekend, but Lori didn't miss a beat and therefore has a much better recap on her blog. Here's the video from the surprise party and photos from our weekend.
Well, I was A/V challenged all weekend, but Lori didn't miss a beat and therefore has a much better recap on her blog. Here's the video from the surprise party and photos from our weekend.
God's Grace and Goldfish
Yesteday, Philip and I began another year of BSF. This year we are studying the life of Moses (meaning the adults will be reading and studying every verse of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and the children will be learning all the stories included therein!! I've done this study before and know just how great it is!). Kristy, the lecture leader, said a main theme for this year's study will be "God is faithful to His Word and to His people." I am so blessed to say Almighty God was faithful to even little me just this morning.
We had no real plans today so we all had Cocoa Puffs for breakfast (not Matthew; he's dedicated to his bran flakes and blueberries and way better off for it). Well, I'm not sure if that was the culprit or not but by 9:30am, Philip and Braewyn were irritating each other to tears every time I turned my back to them! I was almost to tears also and so called my cousin-in-law and confidante Mollie to ask her to pray for us. I said, "Please just ask God to pour down his grace on this house!" I prayed myself saying, "Lord, give me grace and strength to care for these children today." I was relying on Corinthians 12:9, "My (Jesus') grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
I poured out goldfish crackers for them to eat which calmed them both down for a few minutes. Next, I called a few friends saying we were headed to a local park but everyone seemed to have other things going on. No matter what, I was still going as fresh air usually always seems to clear a bad mood for me. However, just before leaving the house I remembered that the little train ran on Fridays and grabbed some change. It was a dreary morning so the park was empty except for the two train engineers. What a perfectly wonderful time I had with my two precious children and how sad I am not to have had my camera with me.
We first rode the train; engineer in the engine of course and us in the VERY BACK of the train as Philip wanted to ride in the caboose! There was about 20 feet between us and the engineer. He took us around twice as no one else was there. After arriving back at the station, he asked Philip if he would like to drive! We went around again with Philip on the engineer's lap (it's a SMALL train) and hitting the horn knob with his foot many times around the track!!
We then played for another hour as a light misty rain fell. Philip wanted me to push him on the big swings so I let Braewyn help push him. She thought it was wonderful and just laughed everytime her hand pressed on his back. Lots of energy out and fresh air in. God is so faithful and provided the perfect remedy for a weary mom and her cooped up kids.
When we got home around 12:30pm, Braewyn was asleep so I carried her in to her crib. Since we had all eaten granola bars at the park, the mood was good for "school" so I helped Philip work on an apple counting project Jo Ellen gave me yesterday (she accidentally printed an extra copy when printing one for Emma). Jo Ellen, it was a God-thing because today was a perfect day to do it. Philip cut all the apples apart using my 12" paper cutter and then completed two pages, putting drops of clue on the backs of apples to match the number on the page. We have 8 more pages to do, but it was really a breakthrough activity for me. He hasn't liked our "school" times recently because I present him with only a worksheet and a crayon. When I said today we'd use scissors and glue, Philip lit up and said, "It's a craft?!" Guess I've been boring my poor kid! Maybe he's just more of a hands on learner.
We had no real plans today so we all had Cocoa Puffs for breakfast (not Matthew; he's dedicated to his bran flakes and blueberries and way better off for it). Well, I'm not sure if that was the culprit or not but by 9:30am, Philip and Braewyn were irritating each other to tears every time I turned my back to them! I was almost to tears also and so called my cousin-in-law and confidante Mollie to ask her to pray for us. I said, "Please just ask God to pour down his grace on this house!" I prayed myself saying, "Lord, give me grace and strength to care for these children today." I was relying on Corinthians 12:9, "My (Jesus') grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
I poured out goldfish crackers for them to eat which calmed them both down for a few minutes. Next, I called a few friends saying we were headed to a local park but everyone seemed to have other things going on. No matter what, I was still going as fresh air usually always seems to clear a bad mood for me. However, just before leaving the house I remembered that the little train ran on Fridays and grabbed some change. It was a dreary morning so the park was empty except for the two train engineers. What a perfectly wonderful time I had with my two precious children and how sad I am not to have had my camera with me.
We first rode the train; engineer in the engine of course and us in the VERY BACK of the train as Philip wanted to ride in the caboose! There was about 20 feet between us and the engineer. He took us around twice as no one else was there. After arriving back at the station, he asked Philip if he would like to drive! We went around again with Philip on the engineer's lap (it's a SMALL train) and hitting the horn knob with his foot many times around the track!!
We then played for another hour as a light misty rain fell. Philip wanted me to push him on the big swings so I let Braewyn help push him. She thought it was wonderful and just laughed everytime her hand pressed on his back. Lots of energy out and fresh air in. God is so faithful and provided the perfect remedy for a weary mom and her cooped up kids.
When we got home around 12:30pm, Braewyn was asleep so I carried her in to her crib. Since we had all eaten granola bars at the park, the mood was good for "school" so I helped Philip work on an apple counting project Jo Ellen gave me yesterday (she accidentally printed an extra copy when printing one for Emma). Jo Ellen, it was a God-thing because today was a perfect day to do it. Philip cut all the apples apart using my 12" paper cutter and then completed two pages, putting drops of clue on the backs of apples to match the number on the page. We have 8 more pages to do, but it was really a breakthrough activity for me. He hasn't liked our "school" times recently because I present him with only a worksheet and a crayon. When I said today we'd use scissors and glue, Philip lit up and said, "It's a craft?!" Guess I've been boring my poor kid! Maybe he's just more of a hands on learner.
Friday, September 05, 2008
We're going to Disney World...
in two weeks! After deciding to postpone the trip due to Hurricane Ike, Dad called the man that booked his vacation package and was told if we went the week of Sept. 13, he and Mom could only get a three-day trip. If he took the trip the fourth week of September, it would be the identical trip to what they were planning. We'll be leaving home on Saturday, Sept. 20 and praying no hurricanes are brewing in the Atlantic.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Caught up in Decision '08!!
A few weeks ago, I told myself that I wanted to see how I felt if I went to bed at 10:00 pm every night for a week. It hasn't happened. That was in the middle of the Olympics and all the best stuff started at 10:00pm but to the time difference between here and China.
Tonight, I just finished watching John McCain's Republican Nomination Acceptance Speech. Most people don't know that I minored in Political Science at college. Politics and world affairs have always interested me, but there's nothing more exciting than United States Presidential election time. I was so ready for the Primaries to be over with the major overkill of negative campaign ads. This is when the exciting stuff starts. The last two weeks I've been up late (again) watching bits of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. There is so much hype and comparisons. It's a media frenzy but at the heart are people in line to really change this country (as opposed to media frenzy following Hollywood celebrites which I like too but know is pointless!).
I will say I have always voted Republican and after seeing last night and tonight's speeches from Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. John McCain, I pray our country will fall under their leadership. They are each such real people who happen to live extraordinary lives. They seem to be genuinely concerned about things which concern the regular people of America. We'll see what happens over the next two months. Wow, two months to the day! I wonder how late I'll be up that night!
Philip & Braewyn's Silliness
My previous post mentioned Braewyn's new favorite, black, patent-leather shoes! Well, she loves shoes in general. And ALWAYS wants one pair or another one. I had the pleasure to babysit my friend Frances' daughter Bella last Thursday afternoon and evening. I took Bella's shoes off but she soon found a pair of Braewyn's flip-flops. Braewyn then noticed Bella's shoes and wanted them on. The girls wore each other's shoes for at least two hours!! So silly. I didn't know swapping stuff started so early! Bella had a great time with us as she and Braewyn played and Philip tried to impress her with his funny faces. Here are some pictures so you can really understand.
Philip has a style all of his own. His Spiderman outfit (last Halloween's costume) is one of his regular wardrobe choices and there are a handful of accessories which usually follow.
Braewyn's Doctor Visits
Last week was hard on Braewyn as it came time for her 15-month check-up and shots! I take my kids to the city Health Department because the shots are free there (our insurance only covers so many shots per year) and plus they usually avoid shots at the pediatrician's office so they're not afraid of their main doctor. That said, last Monday morning, Philip, Braewyn and I headed to the Health Dept. at 9:30am. After waiting for an hour and trying to keep my two from getting too rowdy with the other waiting kids, we finally entered the "shot room". Philip was trying to help Braewyn feel brave, but poor little girl didn't know what was coming. She had to receive 5 SHOTS and unlike her pediatrician's office where two nurses will give two shots at a time to make it faster, Braewyn had 5 shots in a row (two in one leg, one in the other and one in each arm!). Yes, she cried LOUDLY while receiving the shots, but settled down while I carried her out down the hall. Philip was clearly glad he didn't receive any, but I scared him a little when I said, "You know, when your birthday comes around it will be your turn for shots." He decided he didn't want his birthday to come.
Surprisingly, Braewyn didn't run a fever Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. On Friday, she woke up feeling grumpy and a little warm. Her normal 15-month check-up was at 8:20am on Friday morning. I didn't think to check her temperature but I thought she was just upset to be at the doctor that early and she is a tad bit on the fussy side when ANYONE touches her when she's not in the mood.
By that afternoon, she had a 102.6 fever. I gave her some Tylenol and headed out to the football tailgate party thinking we'd probably just stay long enough to eat. Matthew and Philip stayed for the game and I stopped by my parents' house as they live just down the road. While there, I noticed Braewyn grab her diaper and begin crying. I went to her and felt that her diaper was warm (recently used!). I had seen her grab her diaper a few times the day before and now I was wondering if she might have a bladder infection (crying after urinating and fever?). My mom suggested I might call the hospital nurse line and I was referred to visit an evening pediatric clinic. Braewyn and I headed out for it at 8:55pm! What a fun Friday evening.
The clinic staff and doctor were all so nice and welcoming. I described the situation and the nurse said Braewyn would have to be cathaterized to determine for sure if she had a bladder infection. I was not scared about that, but knew Braewyn would not be happy and she clearly told everyone in ear's distance how she felt. She actually flooded the table and I had to change her outfit. The doctor told me from first examination of her urine it looked fine, but they would culture it overnight.
Poor thing didn't need to go through that last visit at all as Saturday I noticed a tiny cut in her diaper area which obviously would sting if urine passed over it. I've been neglectful to cut her fingernails regularly and she regularly grabs herself while I'm changing her diapers. She must have scratched herself and therefore the crying while peepeeing!
Her fever gradually faded throughout Saturday and good thing too as we had planned a surprise birhtday party for Matthew's mom and his brother, sister-in-law and nieces were coming to stay for the weekend.
All that being said, I've discovered a new, very simple way to bring a smile back to my little sugar muffin's face: black, patent-leather shoes! Thank you so much, Lindsay and Cheryl, for this pair of shoes. They are almost 2 sizes too big, but SHE LOVES THEM!!!
Surprisingly, Braewyn didn't run a fever Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. On Friday, she woke up feeling grumpy and a little warm. Her normal 15-month check-up was at 8:20am on Friday morning. I didn't think to check her temperature but I thought she was just upset to be at the doctor that early and she is a tad bit on the fussy side when ANYONE touches her when she's not in the mood.
By that afternoon, she had a 102.6 fever. I gave her some Tylenol and headed out to the football tailgate party thinking we'd probably just stay long enough to eat. Matthew and Philip stayed for the game and I stopped by my parents' house as they live just down the road. While there, I noticed Braewyn grab her diaper and begin crying. I went to her and felt that her diaper was warm (recently used!). I had seen her grab her diaper a few times the day before and now I was wondering if she might have a bladder infection (crying after urinating and fever?). My mom suggested I might call the hospital nurse line and I was referred to visit an evening pediatric clinic. Braewyn and I headed out for it at 8:55pm! What a fun Friday evening.
The clinic staff and doctor were all so nice and welcoming. I described the situation and the nurse said Braewyn would have to be cathaterized to determine for sure if she had a bladder infection. I was not scared about that, but knew Braewyn would not be happy and she clearly told everyone in ear's distance how she felt. She actually flooded the table and I had to change her outfit. The doctor told me from first examination of her urine it looked fine, but they would culture it overnight.
Poor thing didn't need to go through that last visit at all as Saturday I noticed a tiny cut in her diaper area which obviously would sting if urine passed over it. I've been neglectful to cut her fingernails regularly and she regularly grabs herself while I'm changing her diapers. She must have scratched herself and therefore the crying while peepeeing!
Her fever gradually faded throughout Saturday and good thing too as we had planned a surprise birhtday party for Matthew's mom and his brother, sister-in-law and nieces were coming to stay for the weekend.
All that being said, I've discovered a new, very simple way to bring a smile back to my little sugar muffin's face: black, patent-leather shoes! Thank you so much, Lindsay and Cheryl, for this pair of shoes. They are almost 2 sizes too big, but SHE LOVES THEM!!!
We're Waiting A Week...
Dad, Mom and I have decided to wait a week and leave for Florida on Saturday, Sept. 13. There were just a lot of variables to consider. Ike is still headed straight at Floriday, Mom and Dad would be in Orlando without a car, even if it didn't get dangerous there's most likely going to be rain all week, and we can move it back a week without any penalties so Matthew said we may as well.
This change in dates also allows me to help with last minute details for our first MOPS meeting (however I will miss it being in Florida) and Philip and I can attend our first class of Bible Study Fellowship which begins on Sept. 11. God's plans are sovereign. Yesterday, when I thought about leaving in three days, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and developed a headache. Everytime I thought about going another time, a peace came over me. I am grateful that the Lord has brought to a stage in life where I recognize His presence and guidance. We'll see what happens with Ike. Maybe nothing, but Mom, Dad and I feel the following week is when we are supposed to go as opposed to this coming week.
This change in dates also allows me to help with last minute details for our first MOPS meeting (however I will miss it being in Florida) and Philip and I can attend our first class of Bible Study Fellowship which begins on Sept. 11. God's plans are sovereign. Yesterday, when I thought about leaving in three days, I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and developed a headache. Everytime I thought about going another time, a peace came over me. I am grateful that the Lord has brought to a stage in life where I recognize His presence and guidance. We'll see what happens with Ike. Maybe nothing, but Mom, Dad and I feel the following week is when we are supposed to go as opposed to this coming week.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
What to do???
Sorry for being vacant from the blog for a while. Lot's going on with MOPS starting in a few weeks, trying to get on a new fall schedule, change out seasonal clothing, etc., etc. Anyhow, here's my dilemma today.
I haven't seen my Grandma Allen (who lives 2 hours from Orlando) since last July so Matthew said I could go visit her sometime this summer however he couldn't take time off from work to go with us. While thinking on what the best way to get me and the kids down there, another thought came to mind. My dad won a trip to Disney for a week for he and Mom; we could tag along squeezing in one day at the Magic Kingdom and the rest of the week visitng Grandma. Two weeks ago, I very excitedly booked two nights at the 1980's Pop Century hotel at Disney World. Here's the agenda.
Saturday: Drive (me, Mom, Dad, Philip & Braewyn all in our Trailblazer) to Albany, GA to spend the night with my grandparents (Mom's parents)
Sunday: Drive to Orlando and hang out at Downtown Disney
Monday: Spend the day at the Magic Kingdom
Tuesday: Drive (me, Philip & Braewyn) to Grandma Allen's in Citrus Springs, FL; Mom and Dad stay in Disney
Wednesday & Thursday: visit with my grandma and Aunt Maureen
Friday: Drive (me) back to Orlando to pick up Mom and Dad and return to my grandma's house
Saturday: Drive (all 5 of us) back to Albany, GA to spend another night there
Sunday: Drive all the way home!
I've been so excited and Philip is obviously counting the days until he meets Mickey and Buzz Lightyear. So the catch is two tropical storms/hurricanes named Hanna and Ike!!! Argh!!
Would you still go? Cancel and reschedule? Hanna looks like it'll miss Florida, but only God knows for sure. Ike is still way out there but on a direct path for south Florida. Please share your thoughts. Or better still, pray for God to provide His clear direction for us in this decision.
I haven't seen my Grandma Allen (who lives 2 hours from Orlando) since last July so Matthew said I could go visit her sometime this summer however he couldn't take time off from work to go with us. While thinking on what the best way to get me and the kids down there, another thought came to mind. My dad won a trip to Disney for a week for he and Mom; we could tag along squeezing in one day at the Magic Kingdom and the rest of the week visitng Grandma. Two weeks ago, I very excitedly booked two nights at the 1980's Pop Century hotel at Disney World. Here's the agenda.
Saturday: Drive (me, Mom, Dad, Philip & Braewyn all in our Trailblazer) to Albany, GA to spend the night with my grandparents (Mom's parents)
Sunday: Drive to Orlando and hang out at Downtown Disney
Monday: Spend the day at the Magic Kingdom
Tuesday: Drive (me, Philip & Braewyn) to Grandma Allen's in Citrus Springs, FL; Mom and Dad stay in Disney
Wednesday & Thursday: visit with my grandma and Aunt Maureen
Friday: Drive (me) back to Orlando to pick up Mom and Dad and return to my grandma's house
Saturday: Drive (all 5 of us) back to Albany, GA to spend another night there
Sunday: Drive all the way home!
I've been so excited and Philip is obviously counting the days until he meets Mickey and Buzz Lightyear. So the catch is two tropical storms/hurricanes named Hanna and Ike!!! Argh!!
Would you still go? Cancel and reschedule? Hanna looks like it'll miss Florida, but only God knows for sure. Ike is still way out there but on a direct path for south Florida. Please share your thoughts. Or better still, pray for God to provide His clear direction for us in this decision.
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