Mimi and Miss Molly

Miss Molly - look at the face!
Mimi

My mom and my sister, Michelle, got two adorable puppies a few weeks back. They are the biggest babies, but just too immensely cute. You just can't resist them when you see them. I am so glad I didn't go with them to get them because I think I would have taken the last puppy home with me.

Big Camping Trip 2008...

I am day late on this post. Sorry. Last weekend, almost the whole family, (my mom and sister didn't go) went camping in Table Rock, SC. I think there were 21 of us and 4 campsites. They all left before Tim and me because Tim had to work till 6pm. Everyone had different directions and no cell phone service. Tim and I began our camping adventure getting lost. We found another person that was lost, but knew where we needed to go. Thankfully. We arrived and found our tent all put together because we have great family. The first night was not that great. The air mattress had a leak, so I ended up sleeping in the car. It wasn't that bad though. The next day we hung around the campground and the kids swam in the lake. It was relaxing. Tim, Sebastian and I headed to Walmart for an air mattress. We missed the close Walmart and drove about a half hour too far. Oh well, Sebastian got a great nap. We came back to make hamburgers, hot dogs and s'mores. My loving family was taking bets that we ate at a restaurant while we were out. WE DID NO SUCH THING! The nerve! =P I learned to play Hearts with Karen, Jennifer and Laurie. I had a lot of fun just hanging out with them. That night we slept well. On Saturday, we headed to some little shops by our campground. There was a very nice lady there that did glass work. I bought myself the most beautiful cross that she made. While we were there, she talked a lot with my kids. Tim II shared his desire to go into the army for medical training. She had a good bit of stories to share about the service and her medical job. As we were getting ready to leave, she gave Tim II a glass cross. She told him to take it with him to comfort and watch over him. I had to hold back the tears. She was just so sweet. She kept telling me she knew how hard it was for a momma to let him go. I am so glad we made that stop. It was a highlight to my trip. Next up, we went to Jones Gap State Park to hike to a waterfall. It was SUPPOSED to be about a mile up to it. Ummm... it was more like 2.5 miles. Sebastian did so great. Savannah did really well too being only 5 weeks out of surgery. Even the hike was longer than I would have liked, it was so pretty. I love the kind of hikes where there are creek beds with rocks all the way up. It is just really pretty. We headed back to the campground and had a big fire with everyone. Lots of s'mores. The next day we packed up and headed home. With a stop at Red Lobster - YUM! Both Laurie and Crystal were anxious to ask me if I had a good time. I had joked at the very beginning of the trip - that I was going to return my tent. I assured them that I would be keeping the tent and would go camping again.

Jennifer "found" this snake on our hike. She actually walked up and accidentally put her hand on it while she was looking ahead at the water! YUCK!

The waterfall!

Tim II on some really pretty rocks.

S'mores! YUMMY!

Derek and Sebastian

Tim II, Karen, Jennifer and Crystal

Playing at the lake.
Derek, Kameron and Sebastian.
He had a goofy wave.
My personal camping chef.
Boys will be boys. (Shhh... don't tell Laurie Kameron was playing with the fire!)

Ummm... quick update...

We went hiking at Jones Gap National Park. It was a pretty hike. Long, but really pretty.

I have been so busy since last week. Lots going on with packing, camping, unpacking, phone calls, lawsuits (yes, a lawsuit), trying to sell a house, paying bills, baking bread, etc. I have things to post and picture to upload. I really, really do. I keep trying to wash my floor too. I need more motivation. Anyway, I am going to go for a walk, I think. Maybe I will get motivated when I get back. If not tonight, then in the morning. I promise! For now, enjoy the picture from our camping trip!

My girl...

Waiting for surgery.

After surgery. Good ol' Puppy right there with her.

At the doctor after surgery - Puppy taking over.

I have been thinking about writing about Savannah since her last surgery, but we were just so incredibly busy - that it escaped me. I am still incredibly busy this week and going into next, but I decided today would be the day to write about my girl. When we found out last month that she would need to have surgery again, my heart sank. She actually took the news pretty well. I think she was more upset over missing a camping trip then she was about the actual surgery. The day before her surgery, I had to take her for pre-op stuff. Tim II kept Sebastian for me. We spent a good part of the day together - just the two of us. The next day she was scheduled for surgery. Things happened and it was delayed for several hours. I got to sit in a quiet room with her all morning and into the afternoon. It occurred to me how very rare that is. I remembered back to when I was pregnant with Sebastian. Savannah was asking me if everything would stay the same - would I read to her, etc. I assured her that it would stay the same. It didn't. Sebastian was like a rocket into our lives. We love him, but he can consume me at times. I realized that Savannah very rarely gets her momma to herself. I so enjoyed sitting with her waiting for surgery as odd as that may sound. We had a trip planned to Charleston the day after her surgery. It was with the homeschool group. I was lucky enough to borrow a wheelchair and use that. Sebastian stayed behind, so again, 3 times in one week - I had time with my Savannah. You would think that would be a lot for a 9 year old to just take off a day after surgery. Not my girl. She was a trooper through all of this. She just kept going. I have only had surgery once - a tubal after Sebastian was born. I was very nervous when they wheeled me down to the operating room. My comfort level was stretched beyond what I would have liked. I wanted to tell them I had changed my mind because the fear of surgery was great. If I felt that way at 32, I can only imagine the fear of a child. I look at these pictures of my Savannah and know that she is strong. She has faith in herself. I am so lucky to be her mom. I hope we can steal moments away here and there where I can just focus on her. It really is important - very important.

Field trip to the Tea Plantation in Charleston.

Free Shipping and If You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

If you have ever read If You Give a Mouse A Cookie, you will completely understand this post. If you haven't, you need to order it from your library or Amazon to really get it. I ordered my tent from Target this week. It was not that the tent was only available online. I could have went to an actual store and got the tent. Target was offering Free Shipping. I decided to take up the offer. My reason is sorta similar to the Mouse Book. For example, he'll certainly need a glass of milk to wash down that cookie, won't he? And you can't expect him to drink the milk without a straw, can you? The book goes on and on this way. Here is my reasoning... If I go to Target to buy a tent, then I will certainly need to look in the dollar section at Target spending $20 - $1 at a time. Then I will need to look at the clearance at Target. Even if I don't need a thing, I will find something that is a good deal that I just can't pass by. Then there is Salsarita's right by Target or Five Guys. I will have to have lunch and not just me - me and the kids. Then since gas costs so darn much, I will need to justify the trip and stop at Kohls since it is close by. I will need to look at all the cute kid clothes and pretty wall hangings. Buying at least 2 of something before I leave. Of course, Lowes is right next to Kohls. I will need to stop in and get one of those house things we can't live without. Then Publix is right there too, maybe I should stop in and stock up on 22 jars of Ragu since it is on sale. Seriously, this is how my brain thinks. I am trying really hard to conserve gas. I am realizing I have so much "stuff" in my new house that I haven't even put away or unpacked, that there really is no good reason to be shopping for anything. I have found if I stick close to home, my budget is pretty good. Having said all of that... my friend from Illinois is coming to visit (I think) and I just want to go to Home Depot and buy paint, then to Walmart to buy curtains, etc. Oh no, I am becoming a MOUSE WITH A COOKIE!

Choosing a tent...

The WHOLE family and I mean WHOLE family is going camping next weekend. All of this sorta came about - at least for us - because Savannah wasn't able to go camping last month because of her second surgery. My heart hurt for her that she was missing something she wanted very much. So, as any "good" mom would do, I told her daddy and I would take her camping. What??? Who said that??? What was I thinking??? I told Tim very off the cuff, "Hey, we are taking the kids camping in June." He stopped what he was doing and sorta gave me this look of what the heck did you just say? We have around 20 people here give or take a teen that may or may not be doing something with everyone. Sometimes I can't remember who said what or how the ball got rolling. I *think* our friend, Laurie, really wanted to take her family camping and had already talked to my brother-in-law's family, etc. When I mentioned we were going to go camping, I *think* it went something like - yeah, so do we, let's go together. Funny, how details get fuzzy around here. The next thing I know Laurie, Karen and I are picking a spot and a weekend. Ummm... Tim and I had one small problem... no tent. We used to have a tent a bazillion years ago. Savannah doesn't believe us, but I really do have pictures. We used it exactly 4 times. The first time was the legend of a trip with Tim's brother and sisters. (A whole post for another day.) Then we took Timmy on two camping trips and had the best time. I have no idea why we didn't keep going. My only thought is we had the money to go to Disney and stay in hotels??? Crazy, huh? Then Tim and I went on a pretty dull camping trip for our 10th anniversary. When we moved from Florida, our tent was about 13 year old and had spent the last 7.5 years in a hot, humid shed. I WAS NOT opening the bag to see how it survived. I quickly threw it in the garbage pile and didn't give it a thought. Until I realized we needed to buy a tent. When I bought that other tent back in 1995, I believe I went to Montgomery Wards with a friend. I went to the tent aisle, picked the biggest tent, took it to the check-out and paid. Simple. I didn't look all over the internet, read reviews, dream about 50 different tents or consider joining Consumer Reports. I also didn't know we needed to seam seal it before we went camping and we got really wet. This time around, I decided to use the world of technology. I looked up tents at Walmart and Target. Then Tim and I went to the actual stores to look at them. Their stock was pretty bare. And I couldn't really remember which tents I had looked at online because I didn't write it down and bring it with me. I did try calling Tim II and have him look up a few tents while we were standing in the store. That was good because one we were thinking about had terrible reviews. We left the stores empty handed on Sunday. I spent a good deal of Monday looking online. I love reading Amazon reviews. I don't ever write a review, but I love reading them. The thing is that I get consumed by reviews. I can't keep track of which one I thought good and I have to keep clicking back over and over again. I spent hours doing this. I finally narrowed it down to 3 tents. The first had a really nice rain flap thingy, 20 really good reviews, free shipping from Target. The second was from a real camping store which I think means it may be a better brand, super sale price, same size as the first tent. The third was at Amazon, super price, 12 good review, 2 feet shorter. I was tempted with the frugal one from Amazon, but Tim really didn't like that is was smaller. I was tempted with the better name brand one, but Tim didn't really love the rain flap on that one. That left us with the Target one - the most expensive one - of course! I was out for quite awhile yesterday. When I got back, I knew I had to decide. I pressed submit and ordered the Target tent. I HATE, HATE, HATE making these decisions. I never feel like I choose the right thing. I told Tim which one I chose. He said it was a good choice, but I know he would have said that no matter which one I chose. I am telling myself the additional footage and better rain flap was well worth the additional cost. I am telling myself that we will most likely be dragged joyfully camping with family again now that we live here. I guess time will tell if I made the right choice...

Pictures from the wedding, our anniversary and family...

We took these pictures after the wedding. It was just so pretty there, that I had to get some pictures of our kids. I was planning to post these this morning, we I realized it was also our 18th anniversary. I tried to find a current picture of Tim and I, but I am not having a whole lot of luck. I guess we need to ask somebody to take our picture! Anyway, it has been 18 years of marriage - today. We created this beautiful family that I am forever thankful for. Even when they are whiny and needy - er... I mean sweet as can be. What more could I ask for? As I watched Tabi get married, I was thinking about my wedding. It sure seems like such a long time ago. In some ways like it was a story that was told to me and not something I really was a part of. In other ways, I felt like we had just married. That we hadn't really already raised our oldest child. Sometimes I still "feel" like we are 18 or 19 and just beginning. Then I crawl into bed at night and feel the same familiar snuggle. He kisses my cheek in the morning as he leaves for work - I am still asleep - but I feel his whiskers. Same, familiar kiss. I realize it has been 18 good years. God has been good to us. We have been blessed. I hope for many more years of blessings.

I believe...

I didn’t make this up, but I agree with it! My mom sent this to me in an email. I get lots of fwds in my mailbox. It takes me a long time to actually sit down and read them. This one really hit me, so I thought I would share. As I read these things - different times in my life popped into my head. Maybe it will do the same for you. Enjoy!

Subject: Thoughts


A Birth Certificate shows that we were born

A Death Certificate shows that we died

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.


I Believe...

That just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other.

And just because they don't argue,

it doesn't mean they do love each other.


I Believe...

That we don't have to change friends if

we understand that friends change.


I Believe...

That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt

you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.


I Believe...

That true friendship continues to grow, even over

the longest distance. Same goes for true love.


I Believe...

That you can do something in an instant

that will give you heartache for life.


I Believe...

That it's taking me a long time

to become the person I want to be.


I Believe...

That you should always leave loved ones with

loving words. It may be the last time you see them.


I Believe...

That you can keep going long after you think you can't.


I Believe...

That we are responsible for what

we do, no matter how we feel.


I Believe...

That either you control your attitude or it controls you.


I Believe...

That heroes are the people who do what has to be done

when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.


I Believe...

That money is a lousy way of keeping score.


I Believe...

That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best

time.


I Believe...

That sometimes the people you expect to kick you

when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.


I Believe...

That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry,

but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.


I Believe...

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had

and what you've learned from them and less to do

with how many birthdays you've celebrated.


I Believe...

That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.

sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.


I Believe...

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for

your grief.


I Believe...

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,

but, we are responsible for who we become.


I Believe...

That you shouldn't be so eager to find

out a secret. It could change your life Forever.


I Believe...

Two people can look at the exact same

thing and see something totally different.


I Believe...

That your life can be changed in a matter of

hours by people who don't even know you.


I Believe...

That even when you think you have no more to give, when

a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.


I Believe...

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.


I Believe...

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.


I Believe...

That you should send this to all of the people that you believe in, I

just did.


'The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;

they just make the most of everything.'

The Wedding...

The wedding was wonderful! Absolutely beautiful. I don't have that great of pictures. I think the church lighting was funny with my camera. The good news is that we will be getting the professional pictures on cd. I will post some of those when I get them. I am sure they will be awesome! Actually, I came across some photos this photographer took for their engagement pictures. When I looked at them, I started to cry - they were that beautiful. I can't even put into words how special these pictures were. I only wish I had some sort of pictures like that to capture my young love. What a gift! Tabi and Caleb were very happy and it just radiated through everyone. I am so happy for them. I have more pictures of my kids from after the wedding. The location was so pretty. It was on Goodview Road and let me tell you - it was a Good View!

This is Uncle Tim to the rescue. I bet most of you don't know that my husband is really good at putting on fake nails. He used to mine as a treat. Tabi was trying to do her own nails about 15 minutes before the wedding was supposed to start. I told her I had the fix for this and went to get Tim to do her nails. What a great uncle!

My camera really does not show how incredible her dress was. I can't wait for the other pictures.

I love the smiles on their faces! Young love!

I have never experienced a real, chocolate fountain! OH MY GOSH! They are amazing! Yummy!