Beach Bums

Yesterday we decided to go to the beach. Can you believe this was our first time going to the beach down here since we've lived here? It's been almost 2 years! Sure, we've walked along the beaches, but never swam. Where we live you don't swim in the water! So, we drove east and swam. It was glorious! The beach was pretty packed. The weather was perfect. It was sunny and warm but there was a wonderful breeze so we weren't hot. The water felt like bath water, but having grown up on Lake Superior I think anything would! I enjoyed working on my tan (I am determined to have a good tan before I visit family in Michigan in June). G didn't know what to think of the water. He was mesmerized. He had been to a couple of beaches in Michigan last summer, but I'm sure he didn't remember! He just watched the waves come crashing in. He wasn't afraid in the least. The water/sand kind of pulls you. As the waves come into shore it pulls you back toward shore,a and when the wave recedes it pulls you back toward the water. You aren't actually pulled, but it feels like the ground underneath is pulling you. Well, G would lean back and forward as this happened. It was a riot. Last year J was terrified of the water for some reason, so I thought he would be this year. But he surprised us and got right in there, splashing, jumping and all. He even got his face wet a few times and it didn't bother him. He also loved playing in the sand and covering himself in it. H had a blast going a little deeper with daddy and jumping the waves. They were out there pretty much the whole time jumping those waves. And some of them were huge! It was wonderful. I didn't realize how much I missed the beach until we went. We decided we need to go more often. After all, we are blessed to live so close to such an expansive body of water. I love to sit and look at the majestic waters. It just goes on forever. The sand is beautiful and so soft beneath your feet. The music of the waves just soothes me. How can somebody deny there is a God when that stares them right in the face? Water has always brought me 'closer' to God; helped me to ponder His might and power. In college sometimes I would go to a park called Presque Isle. I had this certain spot where I would sit on this rock, sometimes take along my Bible or walkman and just bask in the presence of the Lord as I marveled at His handiwork. He has truly created a beautiful earth. I love going outdoors and enjoying it. I look forward to our next beach trip! Meanwhile, here are some pictures.














Here is H getting ready to jump a wave.
J is a sandman!































G with his typical look on his face.
Here are H and I enjoying the sun.

J and I (he is so goofy)













G staring at the water













H and daddy jumping the waves














J playing in the sand

Hammering Away

On Saturday Zach took the kids to Lowe's to make a Mother's Day craft. They come home, not only with their handiwork (a wheelbarrow planter), but aprons, safety goggles and a certificate. I was so impressed! Guess they have little workshops like that once a month. Zach said they did real well- H did hers all by herself and he helped J. I was very impressed! So, here is a picture of my two munchkins.  

A Mother's Prayer

A MOTHER'S PRAYER
Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom--
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week's mail to read--
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one's face,
That you have blessed me all the while --
And I stoop to kiss that precious smile.
Author unknown

I am certainly a blessed woman! Three beautiful children that the Lord has blessed me with. I wouldn't be able to celebrate Mother's Day if it weren't for these blessings. I don't always see them as blessings. There are moments when I want to scream, cry and just hide in my room. But, God has given me this job title- Mother. I pray that I can be the best, Godliest, most selfless mother that I can be. I don't want to be mediocre. I don't want to just get by day-to-day. I want to instill in my children love- for the Lord, His Word, our family. I want them to know how much I love them, not by the number of toys they have but by the way I spend time with them, teach them, love and nurture them. Thank you, Jesus, for these blessings of mine!

Chance to win an Ergo

I am posting about another contest, this one for Mother's Day. This is for an Ergo baby carrier. I hear this is the best thing around! I have yet to try one myself (which is why I would love to win this one- for the next baby), but I have heard nothing but fantastic things about the Ergo. So, where do you sign up for this wonderful gift? Over at Biblical Womanhood.

Weekend Re-Cap

1. Thursday H had her first eye appointment. It was discovered that she needs glasses. I was a bit surprised, but shouldn't have been considering that Zach and I are blind as can be! I was also expected to pay $150 for my appointment. I have never had to pay that much for an eye appointment. We have great insurance. I was livid, but didn't fight it too much, as I was there for 2 1/2 hours!!!! It took forever! I had my baby-sitter come along and watch the kids. I felt so bad that we were cramped in this little office (my first time there) and for that length of time. She was so cool about it- I have the best baby-sitter. Let's just say I won't go there again!
2. Friday I ran around getting ready for J's birthday party on Saturday. Pretty uneventful day.
3. Saturday our friends came from Pensacola to celebrate J's birthday with us. They always come early so we can hang out. This was our last time seeing them until who knows when because they're moving to North Carolina. I am so bummed they're moving farther away! Then we had J's party. It was supposed to rain, we even had a tornado watch that morning. Somehow the storms broke up! Boy, was I thankful! I had planned an outdoor party and couldn't fathom about 10 kids (8 being boys) running around my house! They had a blast playing in the pool, the slip-n-slide, and the sprinkler. They had fun with water balloons and eating all the yummy food (surprisingly the fruit was all gone yet I had tons of chips left!). J got a ton of great gifts and was pretty excited. It was an eventful day! I used to think that having a 'theme' party was a must, but party planning is hard enough. They don't care about a theme, but have fun no matter what! Our friends from Pensacola didn't leave until about 11:30! It was nice spending all of that extra time with them!
4. Yesterday we picked up H's glasses. She looks adorable. When I was little and had glasses they were so geeky! I'm so glad that they make them differently now! Not that I'd think my kid was a geek anyway, but you know what I mean.
5. Last night was the Awana Awards Ceremony at church. Both of the kids were so excited to get an award for finishing their books! They had cake afterwards and we had a good time. I am so proud of both H and J for doing their books in 4 short months (thanks to Katrina)!

Boys will be boys...













Silly 4 year old birthday boy!



















Here she is in her glasses! She is amazed at how well she can see things far away now. She keeps taking them off and putting them on to see the difference! I'm thankful that she can see too, and that now I know!

 

Birthday Boy!

 

Happy Birthday JoJo!

I can't believe my Jo boy is 4 years old today. I remember being so ecstatic to learn he was a boy! I remember the doctor literally throwing him on me and me looking down and exclaiming he was boy! This was my first taste of boy. I grew up an only child. Majority of my cousins are girls. I did baby-sit, and mostly for boys, but that wasn't always that often. Jo was my first boy in EVERY sense of the word. I remember peering into his face and instantly being in love. I remember calling my friend who was watching H and telling her it was a boy and his name is J, even before Zach and I had totally agreed on that! J was such a sweet baby. Melted mamma's heart. He was so good natured. Little did I know when he turned two, and then three, that things would change! While he still had a sweet nature, he was such a boy! I was scared! But, God showed me that this is how boys are and I breathed a huge sigh of relief! J is the one who is the clown in the family, always doing something silly to make us laugh. He's also the one who doesn't like to venture far away from mommy and daddy, but likes to stay near us when we're in a public setting. God designed Jo in His image and I wouldn't trade it for anything! He is the only of our children (so far) with mommy's eyes. He is still my little heart-breaker. So, on behalf of my Jo's birthday here are 4 things for him:

1. I love the way you smile at me. Your whole face lights up. Your eyes shine. Your little dimples melt my heart. Your smile is like the sunshine that warms the earth- it warms me up and fills me with so much love for you.

2. I love your little antics and imagination. You make up so many words and stories. You always make me laugh. You like to put on a show and dance the most wildest dances. Not only do you move your body this way and that, but you contort your face into all sorts of movements and you just make me burst with laughter.

3. I love your inquisitiveness. You like to ask questions and learn. You ask about God, about birds, dinosaurs, Jesus. You are always asking questions (you probably get this from your sister). I love to see your mind at work as you ponder the things we tell you. I hope you will always have a heart and mind for learning and never be afraid to ask a question.

4. I love that you are a boy and that God has blessed us with you in our family. You can be wild and sassy, but you can also be sweet and loving. You love to run around and be loud, but you also will sit and cuddle. You like to shoot guns and play swords, yet you also like to kiss your mommy. You like to watch a movie with Daddy, but you also like to read a book with Mommy.

Happy birthday my dear boy. Mommy loves you!

Bringing Down the House

Last night we were to have company over for dinner. Some friends of ours that live here, and also my friend, Jodie's husband, Brian. Jodie and I were best friends growing up. We were the 'rebels' at church. Not really. But, we have so many fond memories, some of us getting into trouble. Her husband is working down here and I told her he ought to come over for dinner sometime! It was so neat to have him! I have only met him twice before last night- our wedding and their wedding! We had such a good time.

But, before the company arrived (good thing they were late) I had a fire in the kitchen. I was going to make some tuna salad and turned on the wrong burner. On the burner I turned on I had a bag of pretzels. I was in the living room and I looked into the kitchen to see smoke, so looked closer and there were flames. Thankfully it was contained to that one area, but boy did the whole house get smoky. It still smells in here. We opened the windows, but it is so hot here that I don't think that did much good. At least I had it all cleaned up before our company arrived! But, it still did smell. Zach was livid with me. I was pretty upset at myself too. As if I didn't feel bad as it was...I was all shook up! It was a stupid accident. Please tell me I am not the only one who has made a stupid mistake like this. We all make mistakes. So, share a stupid mistake you've made.

The Weaning Scene

Well, we're doing pretty good with weaning. G rarely asks for it, mostly when he goes to bed. He cries a bit, but not bad at all. Last night he slept in his own bed until 4:30 am! Usually he comes into my bed in the middle of the night- I think the longest he's stayed in his own bed had been until 2:30. It was such a relief. Zach woke up at 4:30 and I couldn't believe G wasn't in our bed! He sure is growing up. Now hopefully with him weaned number 4 will be on the way soon. I am still waiting for that good ol' friend to show up, but I doubt I am pregnant. I sure hope so though!

Here is a picture of my little man. He is pointing to his hat and saying, "Hat!" He looks like such a big boy in this picture!

Spunky's Great Giveaway

Spunky is giving away a Benz Microscope and Apologia Biology Set this week. Click Here to get the details.

How totally cool is that for us homeschoolers!

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