Hattiesburg Zoo

Our plans for Friday were up in the air because Chuck was having surgery on his hand.  My mom would have to take him to the hospital and then stay with him, so AC said she'd be happy to take me and the kids to the zoo. Of course I wasn't sure what to do in H-town so that became our plan.  The zoo opened at 10, and I think we pulled up at 10:05.  It was already hot and sunny, but I was just happy to be out of the rain (read previous post).  The kids were excited about our activity, but mostly excited about the train ride.  We saw a variety of animals: zebras, tigers, jaguar, llamas, ostrich, alligator, and lots of monkeys and birds.  The kids enjoyed the prairie dog exhibit and climbed in and out of the tunnel.  All in all it was a good time.  There was a ground sprinkler like at triangle, but we did not know that.  I wish we would have known so we could have packed their swim suits.  AC and I thought about letting them just play in their clothes and then strip them down for the ride home.  When we got off the train, it was 11:45 so we decided just to head home. 

Looking at some sort of monkey

Trying to see the Prairie Dogs

hi!

Waiting for the train

silly kids

on the train

EXCITED!!!



A Long Drive...

We normally drive to MS for camp in July and when I say we, I really mean B.  I typically don't do any of the driving because I don't really like to drive, B does like to drive, and I fall asleep.  I didn't have that luxury this summer though because B had class from the 11-14 and camp starts on the 14th.  I left Wednesday at 12:00 pm and made it to Atlanta just a little before 8:00 pm.  We stayed with Chris and Heather Wednesday night and then we hit the road again from Atlanta to Miss.  That drive was a bit shorter.  We left around 9:00 am and arrived at 3:00 pm.  It rained all day on Thursday which made the drive harder.  When we stopped for lunch, I just went through the drive-through and fed the kids in the car so we didn't have to get wet.  I'm pretty wimpy when it comes to rain.  I'm proud of myself for making the drive with 3 kids and no major problems.  The kids were really good.  We had the occasional scream from W because he dropped his toy, and unfortunately, I couldn't reach to pick it up.  When B drives, he can reach the floor behind him.  R was great to try to please W when he got upset but it's not fair to her  to give up her toy or whatever she has that W wants.  We watched 3 movies on the way down.  A's dinosaur movie that J/N gave him and I tried to get the kids to watch Happy Feet.  They were not interested and at one point, A asked me to turn it off.  On the second day of traveling, they watched Toy Story.  We listened to a lot of kids music that included Go Fish cd's, nursery rhyme cd's, and Jesus music cd's.  Praise God for the safe trip.  I don't want to do that again, but I'm glad to know that I can (with His help) if necessary. 

Bryce is Thirty!

Bryce turned 30 this birthday and since it was a milestone, I thought what better way to celebrate than giving him the chance to get the tattoo that he's been wanting for years.  Several years (about 4) ago, B designed his own tattoo with alpha, omega, trinity, star of David, and some other things all together.  It looked really cool and he always said he wanted to get a tattoo but we never got around to it. One evening before W was born, we had babysitters and were going to get it, but Milton was not at his shop and that was the deal breaker for us.  Milton owns Tattoo Supreme and is the husband of the guidance counselor at my school.  We've known their family for a while (almost 7 years) and I taught their oldest son.  I'm pretty sure I'll teacher their daughter and younger son as well.  So anyways, the shop opened up at noon, and we wanted to walk in the door at 12:01.  We wanted to get their first and get in and out, besides, we had all the kids with us.  It was a scene in that tattoo shop.  We were there for about 2 hours total, but that included all the prep work making sure the size was correct and the placement correct.  Here's a picture of the before:

Like I said, we were there from about 12-2, but the actual tattoo getting only took maybe 30 minutes.  B got the design with Greek letters under neath.  The Greek underneath is from Romans 8:37, and it means "more than conquerors" (from the full verse, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."). I love it and want to get a matching one (without the Greek) in November when I turn 30.  I have to figure out where though.  The kids were great and took turns watching. 

Of course when it was over, his skin was red and irritated, but it looks awesome.  I'm helping him take care of it with A&D ointment and keeping it covered until it's fully healed.  His back looks so different now.

The other part of his birthday was a sleep-over at the G's house.  We've done this a few other times and we always have a blast.  The evening consisted of hamburgers and fish for dinner with red-velvet cake for dessert.  The kids watch the Muppet Movie before bedtime.  After the kids went to bed, the adults played video games and watched TV.  I think it was 2:30am when we all went to bed.  It's been a long time since I've stayed awake that late!  Sunday (B's official bday) began with breakfast at McDonald's before church.  I'm not sure who told, but our Sunday school class sang to him!  After church we went back to the G house for naps since all the kids' bed stuff was still over there.  We snacked until it was time to go to CRF for our core meeting at 5:30.  More happy birthdays were spoken to B and a little talk about his tattoo.  B was definitely the center of attention for a while.  Our evening ended with a family picture before bedtime trying to capture the day B turned 30 years young!

B and his kids on his birthday

Self timer family picture

the only one not looking is Cooper!

Independence Day 2012

I love holidays!  I love any time family and friends get together and celebrate.  B worked ahead so he was able to spend Wednesday with us for the 4th.  We started our morning with yummy beignets from the mix that B brought back with him from SBC.  G-Lupe always makes them Saturday morning over Easter weekend so we thought we'd have them in NC.  The kids loved them, and what's not love?  Fried dough with powdered sugar??!! 

B cutting the dough for mini beignets

frying them up

cooling off before shaking

the first few batches done!

R & A were great helpers.  All 5 of us hung out in the kitchen while breakfast was cooking.  Here's the fam!

R was by B's side the entire time

A took a break to read his book from the library

W just playing around

Our day consisted of some errands, AJ's birthday party (he turned 7), lunch at home, naps, and around 4 it got crazy.  Cooper was at the vet because he needed some shots and he needed to be picked up at 4.  We also needed to be in Rolesville to hand out watermelon with our church at 4.  Divide and conquer this time (although we don't like to split up a lot).  I took W to pick up Cooper and B took R & A to Rolesville.  I met up with B and the kids later.  It rained while driving out to Rolesville so W and I stayed in the van.  Our evening was spent with the Daniel family at their home.  A & S had us over last year when W and Landon were just newborns.  They have a great few of the Rolesville fireworks from their backyard.  We invited ourselves this year and said it's pretty much our tradition from now on:)  They said that was fine.  Logan is almost a year older than A and Landon is a month older than W.  We've been hanging out with them a lot this summer.  The Caldwell Crew also came so we had G, B, and R to play with as well.  We started the evening with food, followed by store bought fireworks provided by B and Andrew.  Our fireworks attracted all the kids in the neighborhood, because I think we had like 15 other kids not counting the 8  from our 3 families.  Our store bought fireworks took us until about 9:15 and then we headed to their backyard for the big fireworks at 9:30.  Everyone had their own chair and there was no crowd.  I had W and Baylor with me.  All the kids did great and the fireworks were so pretty.  I wish we had family closer to celebrate with, but our small group is our family.  We had a wonderful Independence Day of 2012!

W and Landon

Sibling Love

6.5 years together, 3 kids, 1 dog

A silly firework that Andrew had

B and Andrew

kids with sparklers (I love A covering his ears)

A & Grayson with sparklers

Monday Fun!

We had a spontaneous breakfast change Monday morning because B didn't have any coffee filters.  He was going out for coffee, so I thought it would be fun to take the family out to Krispy Kreme for breakfast!  Of course the kids loved it, and the donuts were hot and fresh.  YUMMY:)

Happy kids about to get donuts!

W did not keep his hat on long.  R & A did the entire time.

Later in the morning, while B was at work, we played Pirates at home.  The goodie bags from Baylor's pirate themed birthday party had an eye patch, pirate money, beads, and swords.  We had a fun time playing pirates Monday morning and here's a few pictures.

cute pirates

Again, W taking off his eye patch

showing me their 'booty'

A long over due Date Night!

B and I are terrible daters!  We spend good quality time with each other every night after the kids go to bed, so we don't really think about dates.  The last time we went on a date, was in February.  We need to be more intentional about dating each other so that will be one of our goals for the second half of the year:) 
J/K Gillam took the kids for the evening and our plan was dinner and then maybe a movie.  MIB #3 is playing and that's what I really wanted to see.   We had Red Lobster gift cards from C/J/L Hantla and a student of mine, so that was our destination.  We had to wait just 10 minutes and then got a booth.  It was fun just talking and laughing with each other and not having to worry about a kid (or three).  Red L was running a special: a 4 course meal for $15/person.  We both got that.  B got clam chowder, a garden salad, Cajun chicken linguini, and apple crisp for dessert.  I ordered potato soup, Caesar salad, shrimp & scallop alfredo, and brownie for dessert.  Neither of us could eat all our pasta or our dessert we were so full after soup, salad, and yummy cheese buscuits!  We took home 4 to go boxes, and yes, we went home.  We were both so full-the uncomfortable kind when you are uncomfortable sitting, standing, anything.  The thought of going to a movie and smelling popcorn, sitting next to other people, in my dress did not sound pleasant.  I have to be honest and mentioned getting home and doing dishes and laundry...B nixed that quickly.  He picked up a redbox and we watched Sherlock Holmes on the sofa together.  It was very relaxing and refreshing to just be with each other.
I'd like to say we slept in, but no such luck.  I was awake at 7 am (well that is sort of sleeping in for me) but didn't wake B up until 7:15.  15 whole minutes just laying there waiting to talk to him.  I should've gotten out of bed and let him sleep, but there were no kids for me to wake up:)  Anyways, we got up and brought over pancake batter to the G household to feed hungry kids.  R/A/W had a great time at the G house.  They watched Dumbo for their movie and ate popcorn too!  It's so nice to have such great friends.  Their friendship is a blessing from God.

 Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times

Our first picture but B didn't like how he was leaning back

Our second try and much better

It's Getting Hot in Here...

Well today was the hottest it's been and I found out that the next four days are supposed to be hotter...It's going to be difficult to get my kids outdoors in this heat!  I don't blame them...it's almost too hot for me too. 

Temperature at 1:00 pm in Cherry

Temperature at 3:00 pm in the Camry

On the way home from the sprayground, Cherry read 107 degrees.  While the kids were taking their nap, I ran to the store and the Camry also read 107 degrees. 

Today we met friends at the sprayground and it was so much fun.  It was our first time, and we'll definitely go back.  There are two sections.  Since it was Baylor's birthday, Nicole brought cupcakes for all the kids.  We had our picnic lunch and then ate his baseball cupcakes.  W was a mess! 

Tonight, we had a new couple over for dinner.  Their names are Adam and Jen and they have a 3 year old, Marlow.  We also had the Daniels and Gillams over since we wanted Adam and Jen to meet more couples from church.  I had a great time, and from what I can tell, everyone did.  If it wasn't so hot, we would have let the kids play in the backyard, but even at 7:00 pm, it was still too hot.  They had fun playing in the kids' rooms though.  I'm not sure where Adam and Jen stand when it comes to small groups, but we would like for them to start coming to the family Sunday School class at CRF-WFR. They just attend the second service right now so the first hour Marriage and family class would fit into their schedule perfectly.  We've been trying to get more 'young' couples to attend.  I'm not even sure if B and I fit into the 'young' couple group anymore.  We are more like 'young' families I think even though we are young at heart!