Achy Breaky Heart

Oh man, did I cry. Last night was the night I decided to no longer nurse G. I had it down to once a day, which was right before bed. He'd beg to go to bed come evening. He even began asking to switch sides while we would nurse! But, I would lay there nursing him and then lay there even longer after he nursed waiting for him to fall asleep and I thought, that's it! So, last night I didn't give him his 'ma', which he calls milk. He barely cried. Well, he was crying for daddy, so daddy came and laid with us and G put his arms around me. Meanwhile I'm crying a bit anyways, because I know I won't nurse him again, and then he says, "Wa-wa-wa" (which translates to "I love you" and he said "night". Then he kissed me a few times! Oh, the tears were just pouring! My sweet, sweet baby is growing up! I am torn...in one sense I'm ecstatic that he is weaned, in another I'm saddened.

Vacation Pictures

Here is the cabin we stayed in from the river. It was so beautiful. The place was called Welcome Valley Village and was awesome! We want to go back! It was such a beautiful place and was reasonably priced! I would recommend it to anyone!











Here is G and I by the Ocoee River. This was the view from our cabin. We were about to hike on the trails on the property. He didn't stay on my back long...he wanted to hike too!















This is H along the hiking trail.



















H and J on the swinging branch we saw along the trail! How fun!
More pictures to follow...

Here is daddy and G walking along the road. G was pointing to something and talking to daddy. Notice daddy carrying his gun? Well, he wasn't taking any chances with the incident that happened 5-10 miles from there the week before. A bear attacked a family, killing a 6 year old girl. I thought he was crazy to carry it, but to each his own! We still enjoyed our hike!











H and G throwing rocks into the river. There was a bit of a drop-off down to the water. It had quite the current too. No swimming for us!

G enjoyed roasting marshmallows. He managed to have the marshmallow laying on his shoulder, getting all over his shirt. He liked to feed himself too! He loved every bit of the experience!












Here is J chilling out by me by the swing.

Here are Zach with the kiddos at the Ocoee Whitewater Center, where the Canoe, Kayak and Slalom events of the 1996 Olympics were held. It was neat climbing around on the rocks. There were trails to hike but we didn't do that as we were headed for a train ride.













Here are the kids and I by the train we rode on in Georgia, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. It was my first time ever on a train and I must admit it was so much fun! Slow, but fun. The train couldn't go very fast because of all of the curves. We went from one small mountain town to another, where we got to eat lunch and shop in the little shops. Reminded me alot of the small towns back home! The kids had a blast on the train!


Here are Zach and the kids on the train. We rode in a part of the train with open windows. Was chilly on the ride there, but on the way back was pretty. We got to see the river (Tocoaa, which in Tennessee is the Ocoee) go by as we rode along.






J being silly on the train ride.

The kids got to stand and look out as we cruised along. They loved that!












Here are the three at Rock City in Tennessee. That was the most beautiful place to see! Click on the link and you can see pictures! Absolutely amazing!








This is me on the swinging bridge at Rock City. Zach didn't want me to go on it at first, but I had
to try it! It was a bit nerve-wracking. Way up high. Once I went on the kids wanted to follow, so Zach was forced to come along. There was a stone bridge you could choose to go across instead, but I wanted the adventure. It isn't every day you get to go across an "Indiana Jones bridge" as my family calls it.

Zach, H and J 'holding up the fort' and being silly!












Here is G on Resurrection Day. He looked so handsome!









Of course J is being goofy. H looks a bit upset about something and a little disheveled in the picture! G is just his merry ol' self!

Belated Birthday Wishes

Due to the lack of rest from my trip and the fact that I was sick I haven't had the chance yet to wish my mom a Happy Birthday. Monday, the 24th was her birthday. My mom isn't any ordinary mom. She is so special. While my grandma told her to have an abortion, my mom (who was single) decided to choose life for me. My mom has dedicated her entire life for me. For many years it was just my mom and I and we were so close. My family would tease me because I would want to go grocery shopping with my mom or just hang out at home, but I loved my mom! She was my best friend! I'd have to say now she comes in second to my husband;) She has sacrificed so much for me. Not only in material things, but in her time and her love. I can't even describe the love that I have for her or all that she has done for me. So, Happy Belated Birthday Mom! I love you! I am so thankful that God put me in your care. You are the BEST!

Home

Well, we are home. Will type about our trip another time. I am beat and need some rest! That driving about kills me!

Mountain Bound

We're off to the mountains in Tennessee tomorrow...as long as Zach's supervisor still approves his leave and our van's battery works. Yep, we spontaneously decided to get out of town for a bit and it is perfect since Zach doesn't have a class this week. Of course, then our van decides to die. Go figure. I'm not exactly sure what we'll all be doing, but I know I want to enjoy some mountains, some fresh air and some relaxation. See ya when I get back!

Playing

 

I'm Melting

How is it that you can continually fall in love with your baby? How is it that you can be having the crummiest day, yet this baby just melts your heart and you forget for that instant all of the crummies of the day.

As I was laying with G to put him for a nap I was having quite a time. J was laying in his bed crying because I took a toy from him. It has been this kind of week! Since I am weaning G, which is going pretty well, I decided today I would cut out his naptime feeding. Oh, how hard that was for me! I love to lay there with him, feeling his body relax against mine as he suckles and finds comfort before he gives in to sleep. I didn't know how he would do. I was feeling horrible even before I told him no. Boy, did I want to give in! But, I didn't. He cried for a bit, then he laid next to me, said "Mama" and lovingly wrapped his chubby little arms around my neck and kissed me smack on the lips. Oh boy, did I melt! All of the junk from the day faded away as I laid there looking at this angel. Boy, God sure did bless me!

As the children get older (and sometimes sassier) it is easy to forget these cute toddler tendencies. So, as I lay there enjoying G I thought back to when J was this age. I have been having quite the week with J! He has gotten every last straw of mine and I am at the ropes end. But, it was so refreshing to think back to how J was when he was G's age. So sweet and cuddly. So innocent. And to remember the love I had for him. Not that he isn't sweet or cuddly now or that I don't love him. But sometimes those reminders do a world of good! They sure did at that moment. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember how blessed I am that the Lord gave me these children. It is easy for me to get caught up in the lies of the world of how burdened I am. I am a blessed woman and I will not allow Satan to feed me with his lies. Thank you, Father for these children you have given Zach and I! May I remember to thank Him, even in the midst of chaos!

P.S.

Please don't feel weird if you feel differently than I on the last post. We're all in different places in our lives. I'm not saying I'm better than you or holier because I feel this way. This is how we choose to do things. So, with that said have a blessed holiday!

Resurrection Day

Last night while driving home from church, H asks us something about eggs and Easter. I have no idea where she got any of this from, maybe Sunday School? So, we began to tell her about Easter, and how it is really about the Resurrection of Jesus, not about bunnies and eggs. We decided then and there that we aren't going to call it Easter, but Resurrection Day (or Sunday). It is so sad how the world has tainted all of the holy-days to take the focus off of Christ. Christmas. Easter. It just saddens me. We have never celebrated the 'Easter' bunny, Santa Claus or any of that since we've had children. We both grew up believing there was an Easter bunny and a Santa, but we want our children (and us) to focus on the real meaning of these days- that being Jesus. I want to celebrate the fact that Jesus has died on the cross for me- a sinner- and for you too. He came into this world for that very purpose- to die for our sins. But, he is no longer dead! He rose again on the third day- which is why we will celebrate Resurrection Day. He is alive. He lives in us. One day we will see him face to face in glory. What a wonderful day that will be to stand in awe before Jesus!

Another Failure

Once again our plans failed. No, we didn't try to feed the ducks again. The base was having 'Child Pride Day' with a bunch of activities- bounce houses, face painting, games, etc. Well, we get there at 1 pm and there is nobody there. All of the tables are empty and they are already deflating the bounce houses. Our kids were looking forward all morning to bouncing in those things! The whole ordeal was supposed to last until 3!!! What a disappointment to our children! To us also. This isn't the first time that has happened to us with a base function here. Another time they had a car seat check and by the time I got there everybody was gone! And we got there before the designated 'close' time. Guess next time we'll have to go right away in the morning if we want any 'action'. Such disappointment. Hopefully this week whatever we plan will actually be carried through and give us fulfillment! But, we did get to see the Katrina Memorial that Ty Pennington and his crew came down to do. I thought it was neat, but Zach didn't care about it! Oh yeah, a friend and I recently started a couple of Yahoo groups for military wives. So, if you are a Christian military wife or know one, let me know if you are interested! And as Forrest Gump says, "That's all I have to say about that."

Where's the Ducks? Where's the Ducks?

Umm....about the only place we've seen ducks is in my bathroom.

Yep, yesterday a friend and I were going to take the kids to a park to feed the ducks and have a picnic. I had never been to this park, but heard of it and had driven past part of it. So, we drive there and there is a little lake. In one part of the parking lot are trailers, probably for relief workers or something, they were like work trailers. So, I didn't venture down that way. And we didn't see any said ducks. So, I drove to the other part of the park. There is another little lake, surrounded by fence. I am wondering how on earth you get to that water, but I'm not too concerned because a) I see NO ducks and b) there are prisoners working in this part of the park. This is the part where the playground was too, so we were going to get out and just let the kids play, but with prisoners there? No way! Of course their supervisors were there, but not even near the prisoners! I'm not having my children run around some park not knowing what these men are doing time for!

We were disappointed. All of us were. Now what? I didn't know of any other duck parks. Sure, there is the hospital. Yep, the hospital has a bit of water in front of it and you can feed the ducks. But its a hospital! And right on the highway! Nope.

So, we ended up coming back to my house, playing in the backyard and having our picnic here. It was still fun. But, I was really hoping to post some pictures of the kids feeding ducks. Instead I leave you with this:

It's Official

1. I am finally on the weaning process. I am bound and determined to get G weaned once and for all!
2. We finally became members of a church, First Baptist Church of Ocean Springs. I can't remember if we were members of our church in North Dakota, but if not this is our first church membership since being married. We've attended churches and gotten involved, just not become actual members. Now, you won't catch me saying, "I'm a Southern Baptist" because I just don't get into the whole "religion" thing. I am a Christian who happens to be a member of a wonderful Bible-preaching Baptist church.
3. J has got to be the most unadaptable child. While he was first in Cubbies I helped out. Being that I homeschool, he is never away from me. This doesn't affect H in any way. She is the most sociable little chatterbox you will encounter. But leave J alone and he freaks. The first night he did fine without me, but the second night he cried at the end. This past Sunday night he was wailing right in the beginning and they had to come and get us out of church! I am not sure what to do. I love that he is around other children. He is learning alot through Cubbies. We only have about 2 more weeks of it left until the fall, so I won't think too hard on it. Hopefully by the time the fall comes around he will be a little more relaxed when it comes to being by himself and changes. This past week they were also meeting in a different room, so that may have been uncomfortable for him also. Have any of you dealt with this? What do you do???
4. H finished her first year of Book It. I was in Book It as a child and I loved it. I would get my pin and get stars put on it every month, plus get my own pizza. I felt special. I know this is how H feels when she gets her own pizza. But, they don't get pins anymore. She never really got anything resembling a monthly award. There were one or two months where she didn't get anything. I am thinking of calling them and just giving them my .02$ on the matter. I LOVED those pins and placing my star on it EVERY month gave me such a sense of accomplishment. Anyway, even homeschoolers can sign up for Book It, so check it out. I believe they are even starting a preschool program now, although I'm not sure if that is open to homeschoolers. And despite my complaint, it is still a great program. They have many reproducibles on their site that you can print up. Awards. Monthly reading charts.

Catholic and Baptist Joke

I got this in my email today. I thought it was too funny not to share!

Once A Baptist - Always A Baptist

Bill Smith was the only Baptist to move into a large Catholic neighborhood. On the first Friday of Lent, Bill was outside grilling a big juicy steak on his grill. Meanwhile, all of his neighbors were eating cold tuna fish for supper. This went on each Friday of Lent. On the last Friday of Lent, the neighborhood men got together and decided that something had to be done about Bill, he was tempting them to eat meat each Friday of Lent, and they couldn't take it anymore. They decided to try and convert Bill to be a Catholic. They went over and talked to him and were so happy that he decided to join all of his neighbors and become a catholic. They took him to church, and the Priest sprinkled some water over him and said, "You were born a Baptist, you were raised a Baptist, and now you are a Catholic." The men were so relieved, now their biggest Lenten temptation was resolved. The next year's Lenten season rolled around. The first Friday of Lent came and just at supper time, when the neighborhood was sitting down to their tuna fish dinner, came the wafting smell of steak cooking on a grill. The neighborhood men could not believe their noses!WHAT WAS GOING ON? They called each other up and decided to meet over in John's yard to see if he had forgotten it was the first Friday of Lent?The group arrived just in time to see ! Bill standing over his grill with small pitcher of water .He was sprinkling some water over his steak on the grill, saying, "You were born a cow, you were raised a cow, and now you are a fish." Nothing will happen if you don't pass this on. But, if you do, a few Baptists and Catholics will be laughing!

Birthday Girl