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

 

Happy Birthday Daughter!

Has it really been 6 years since I birthed my first baby? It seems like just yesterday. The memories are forever etched on my mind as if I am again living them out. Isn't it cool that God gives us those memories of our first moments with our children? And it seems the pain diminishes and we don't quite remember that, which is a good thing also. I can't believe that my baby is 6 years old. The first time I held her she smiled at me. I wasn't able to hold her right away because I had a c-section, but once I got up to my room and daddy brought her to me, I placed her gently into my arms and she gave me a little smile. What a blessing! Now, 6 years later she is reading, adding, subtracting, cutting, pasting and doing all the other things you do in kindergarten. But it is more than the age or the things she does while we do school. H is the most helpful little girl. She has such a spirit of helpfulness. Sure she sometimes grumbles when asked to help yet again, but don't we all!? Just tonight she put away her clothes without me asking her to. She is great at helping out with her brothers, although she also likes to boss them around. She has such a caring nature and is so lovable and cuddly. Sometimes I think we don't love on her enough. She has such an interest in Jesus and things of God, always asking some question that blows my mind. I don't remember having such an interest in God at that age, but I wasn't brought up in a Christian home at that time of my life either. She has such a spirit of gentleness about her. She loves, loves, loves babies. She is always trying to sing a tune, whether something she's heard in church or something she's making up. She just seems to have such joy about her. Her middle name isn't Joy for nothing, after all. She is truly a blessing unto us and I am so thankful the Lord has blessed us by giving her into our family. Without my dear daughter life would not have been the same these past 6 years. Happy, happy birthday my sweet girl.

Bummer

Well, I am not a finalist for HGTV's Dream home. Maybe next year. I would love to move to North Carolina again, although Zach didn't like it there too much. Just the thought of living in that luxurious home...drool, drool. Although I'd have to hire a maid to clean it. And I'd really have to child proof. But it could fit our dozen children that Zach is shooting for! Of course, being in the military, we have a long time before we can plant our roots in one certain area. So, I am looking forward to seeing who the winner of the home is.

Another 'J' Antic

This morning while cleaning up J from breakfast he asked, "Why is your face pink?"

This, my friends, goes to show that I rarely wear make-up! So, I tried to explain that mommy had make-up on, but I'm not sure he got it! Oh well! I will stick to my one day a week make-up wearing! As if I have time to doll myself up every day!

Brown-eyed babes

Since I've been posting alot about J I thought I'd better add something about G and H. Here are a couple of recent pictures of them.


 

Like Father Like Son

Remember awhile back I said something about Zach and J making the same face? Well, I finally captured it on film. J's not exactly meaning his, so its not as good as if he were really pouting, but boy these two look like twins to me!

 

Porcupine Hay-er & a Drawl

Last night the kids wanted to look at pictures of themselves when they were little. So, that is what we did. H kept commenting on how cute she was! She loved to see herself in all the cute little dresses! In some pictures she didn't recognize Zach or I, or even grandparents! Have we changed that much in 6 years??? J couldn't get over his porcupine hay-er (hair). Guess he didn't know how much it stuck up, 'like a porcupine'. The first thing he did this morning was get out the photo album and look at more pictures, commenting on his porcupine hay-er and laughing. I don't know where this boy gets such a southern drawl from! He will say he is almost fo-wor (four), that he got his hay-er (hair) cut and other southern lingo. We don't go out much, he isn't in school, so where he picks up the draw-al is beyond me! It is funny to hear him talk and I get such a kick out of it. I wonder how southern G will sound? Here is a picture of J with his porcupine hay-er.

One Proud Wife

Well, Zach has gotten into boxing lately. I have been somewhat supportive, although my heart hasn't been into it, so I'm really not sure how supportive that is! I just don't know how I feel about slugging people like that for a sport! Anyway, that is not why I'm writing. Friday night he took part in a boxing match called Slugfest. They put him in the heavyweights division because they didn't have enough men in there. He weighs about 186-190 but on the program they said he weighed 199. I was SO nervous. I went to watch and support him and I was more nervous than he was! The biggest guy in the heavyweights was 355!!! I was so worried Zach would get stuck fighting him and get knocked out or something. Anyway, he made it through the first round on to the second round. I was SO proud of him! I was up in the stands cheering, "GO ZACH!!! WOOOHHHOOO"! I am NOT normally like that, I was so shocked at myself but I guess I got an adrenaline rush seeing him out there like that!

For the second round it turned out the guy he was supposed to fight forfeited because he was light-headed, so Zach didn't even have to fight that round and he automatically made it to the final round, where if he was the winner he would win $1,000!!! I am glad he didn't fight the guy in the second round. He was this short fatter kid, but he could punch! So, the final, very last round of the whole night and Zach is in it! I was so nervous and so sure he could beat the guy. Turned out he didn't, but that is ok. The $1,000 would have been nice, but I am just so thankful he didn't get hurt. He ended up busting up the guys nose pretty good- there was blood everywhere! I was just so proud of how well he did!

His first boxing match ever and he made it to the final round! He kept getting knocked down (about 5 or 6 times), but he kept getting right back up and finally he just called it quits. One guy I was sitting by commented on how much Zach kept smiling, through it all (everybody comments on how he always smiles). I didn't think he had it in him to do something like that. Do I want him to do it again? NO! But I am proud of him standing his ground, doing something nobody thought he would be able to do. I think people think that because he's a Christian he is a push-over and all. I think this was partly a way for him to prove himself to people, not like he needs to do that. Anyway, just wanted to share that I am a thankful wife, that he is ok and that the Lord has given him strength and that despite how I feel about boxing I am proud of him for doing so well!

My pictures didn't turn out very well, but here is one of them. 

Come out, Come out Wherever You Are

Ok, so I have talked to people lately who tell me they read my blog! No big deal, but I don't know that you are stopping by and reading it! Please feel free to post a comment and let me know you are visiting! You just click on the 'comments' and type away. You can post as anonymous and let me know in your comment who you are if you don't have an account! Just want to know who's all reading! Sometimes I don't post something because I don't think anybody is reading my blog! So, come out from hiding and say hello;)

Rock Painting

Yesterday we went outside and painted some rocks. Granted, I didn't have the right kind of paint, but we still had some fun. Here are the children getting in on the action:












Here is H, intent on painting her rock:
















Even J had some fun concentrating on turning his rock a different color:
















G was much more interested in trying to suck on the paint brushes!













 

Learning about Liberty

This week we talked a bit about The Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell. Here are a few pictures I took of the children. J has his classic face, showing off the picture he colored of the Liberty Bell. Doesn't H make quite the Lady Liberty? And I had to get G involved in the
action.



 

Flower Power

This is about the only thing in my yard that is pretty. When we first moved in our yard was lovely. I do not have a green thumb, nor time to putz around outside. I do, however, want to make some areas in my front yard a bit more pretty. Right now the weeds abound! But, I love these flowers! I also have some white ones and some lilac colored ones, though they don't stick out as much as these. I see these in abundance down here! This is one plant that I won't be chopping down as I redo my areas (when time and money allow). I just pray it will all look ok when all is said and done. Of course, anything has to look better than how it looks now!
*Note: You can see the 'weeds' in the pictures with the children painting rocks above. I should have tried to take the pictures elsewhere;)

Smiles Through The Trials

Monday's lately seem to be doomed for our household. I am not sure if it is just trying to get back into our weekly schedule or what. Today I dealt with Mr. Cling, Mr. Tantrum and Ms. Attitude. It was fun. Why does it always seem that when you are reading your Word, sure that you are chewing on some new meat, learning to lean on God that trials hit you in the face. And you fail. And fail. Will I ever learn to truly yield to Him and lean on Him so I CAN get it right? Anyway, here are a few smiles through my trials:

• When J gets sad or pouts he gets this look about him. Well, his daddy can make the same look. Tonight Zach was imitating J perfectly on the look and it had me rolling. I need to snap a pic of them together one of these days just so you can see. There is no doubt who's son J is!

• Tonight at dinner H asked what we are going to do when the Pilgrim's move here. She asked if we were moving when they came! It was SO funny! Where do these kids come up with this stuff?

• J tries so hard to be like daddy. You should see him 'put up his dukes' and start punching the air. It is SO cute! He really looks like he's concentrating hard and ready to fight! What out boys!

• G loves to kiss. He puckers up his little lips and makes a smacking sound with his lips. He kisses mommy, daddy, his animals, the wall. He needs to give daddy numerous kisses before bed at night.

• Speaking of kisses, last week J said to me with the most serious look on his face, "Let's kiss!" He just wanted a kiss, but to say it like that...you gotta love them;)

• G is getting into that stage where he says "Hi" and "Bye" to everybody and everything. It is so cute when they do that!

• Tonight we prayed for some Christian widows in Nigeria. H prayed for one of the ladies, who is blind in one eye, to get a new eye and a new husband, because she wanted one! You just gotta love the prayers of children!

Just a few things to make me smile as I unwind this Manic Monday night!!! Thanks for listening, er, reading!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have medium extroversion.You're not the life of the party, but you do show up for the party.Sometimes you are full of energy and open to new social experiences.But you also need to hibernate and enjoy your "down time." Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness.You're generally good at balancing work and play.When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done.But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have high agreeableness.You are easy to get along with, and you value harmony highly.Helpful and generous, you are willing to compromise with almost anyone.You give people the benefit of the doubt and don't mind giving someone a second chance. Neuroticism: You have medium neuroticism.You're generally cool and collected, but sometimes you do panic.Little worries or problems can consume you, draining your energy.Your life is pretty smooth, but there's a few emotional bumps you'd like to get rid of. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is low.You're a pretty conservative person, and you favor what's socially acceptable.You think that change for novelty's sake is a very bad idea.While some may see this as boring, many see you as dependable and wise.

The Five Factor Personality Test

The President of the United States in MY Back Yard!!!

Well, not quite my back yard, but pretty much. Here's the scoop:

Today I had a playdate with a lady I've been wanting to get to know for quite awhile. Normally on a Wednesday I do NOT go out at 11 am, but this was special. H has been wanting to play with the little girl for awhile now, and finally it worked out. So, as we're driving to their house I pass a police car and I see one parked on the road. I'm thinking, "Well, that is weird. Wonder what they're looking for?" Then I see these people sitting on the edge of their yard with a sign that read, "Thank you President Bush". Hmmm.....I'm wondering if I'm in a movie now. What is going on? Now keep in mind that I don't watch TV, I don't really know the local news or anything like that. So, as I'm coming to another 4 way stop I look down the road and see police cars (both marked and unmarked) at like every corner. Ok, now I say to myself, "Is the President going to be here?". I figure that must be what it is and I phone my friend who seems to know all the happenings. She asks her hubby, who is a Marine and he says that yes, the President is supposed to be here. Wow! I was shocked! Now I know after the hurricane he came down, but I always seemed to miss when he was coming. And he had gone to Gulfport and Keesler Air Force Base, but not here.

I am so excited by this point that I call my mother in a crazy frenzy. Typical woman! I get to Betty's house, now keep in mind I don't really know her, and I pretty much run in and tell her we have GOT to go to MY house! You see, about 3 blocks behind my house is this tiny airport. You know the kind, where they fly private planes and give flying lessons. Well, I had put two and two together and figured he must be flying in. So, we grab our 6 kids, throw them in the vehicles an drive back to my neighborhood. We sit in somebody's driveway and wait. Luckily the weather is warm!

Finally we see these helicopters fly in. There must have been 5 or 6. About 5 minutes later the motorcycles zoom by, followed by police cars, suburbans, vans, cars, an ambulance, etc. Which one was our President in??? I'm sure not the ambulance! We were pretty excited and waving and snapping pictures! We went back to Betty's house, had lunch and drove back down to see him leave. By this time Zach was home and another friend and her children had joined us. It was fun. Exciting. It was neat to see the Bomb Squad come and check the mailboxes that were on the street, the ditches, yards, houses, etc. The security was amazing. I didn't get to 'see' him, of course, but I think I did pinpoint which vehicle he was in on the way back. And when the sun hits those windows a certain way you can see in there. Many of the people in there behind those tinted windows were waving back. I have to be honest, I think I was more excited than my kids. H was sad that she didn't get to play at Rebekah's house. Oh well, there's always next time. It's not every day that our Commander in Chief lands in our back yard! Just had to share my excitement! And pardon me if I sound like a child. After all, where I am from the only people that visit you are Toivo and Eino, eh.