Tomorrow is my last full day at home, and I feel a little bad because I should be more excited to get back and see my husband after 2 1/2 weeks. It's not that I am not super duper excited to see him... just means it's time to go, and I must be honest, home has never felt more like home in my life and I'm not looking forward to it one little bit. My baby girl is now mocking many things that her one-year-older-cousin does, and I like the idea of Eden Grace being Reese's closest playmate. In my book, that's the way it should be. I got to be here when my sister got engaged... when my dad got the good news about his cancer... got my hair cut by my old stylist... got to watch Reese and my grandparents (still only in their upper 60's) spend time playing together... got to watch her cousin teach her how to dig around in the sandbox... to watch her like sitting and playing with her Uncle Ryan. (Give it another year and let him pick at her and aggravate her a little more and I'm sure that'll change, but... nonetheless.) :)
I read a quote once that said "Don't be sorry it's over... be glad it happened."
I'll be working on that...
7.26.2008
What the heck was I thinking?
As I posted a day or two ago, my mom, my sister Danielle, my niece Eden Grace, Reese, and I went to The Beach Waterpark on Thursday. One of the little watersport activities is swinging your way out on these... 
There are only four of them, and once you get to the end you ring a bell and drop into the water. There was a time in my life when I could swing my way all the way out on these things and ring the little bell... had to have been like, ten years ago now that I think about it. Seeing as how I didn't think about it Thursday, I thought I'd try it again...
You can see for yourself how the whole thing went down. No bell was rung, however there was a large flash as both my headlights popped out of the top of my suit for all the world to see as I exited the pool up the ladder. My mother couldn't get the words out of her mouth quickly enough, but the look on her face and gaping mouth told me I'd better jump back in and fast. Thank God the camera still wasn't snaping then... bet folks didn't know they were gonna get a peep show included in the price of their ticket.
There are only four of them, and once you get to the end you ring a bell and drop into the water. There was a time in my life when I could swing my way all the way out on these things and ring the little bell... had to have been like, ten years ago now that I think about it. Seeing as how I didn't think about it Thursday, I thought I'd try it again... Please take a moment now to refer to the title of my blog.
Looks like my sister had the "action" setting on the camera as she snapped my picture.
You can see for yourself how the whole thing went down. No bell was rung, however there was a large flash as both my headlights popped out of the top of my suit for all the world to see as I exited the pool up the ladder. My mother couldn't get the words out of her mouth quickly enough, but the look on her face and gaping mouth told me I'd better jump back in and fast. Thank God the camera still wasn't snaping then... bet folks didn't know they were gonna get a peep show included in the price of their ticket.And yes... I did smack the water when I hit. And yes, it did bruise my leg and still hurts today.
Here are a few other pictures of our fun day at the park...
Reasons to Celebrate
Tomorrow is my niece's 2nd birthday, and today was her party. I broke down and let Reese have her very first brownie and cookie today to celebrate with her cousin. My girl thought she was in chocolate heaven... (my niece has a boatload of allergies, but LOVES these cookies my sister is able to make for her... hence the absence of a cake.)
Eden Grace wasn't the only girl with a reason to celebrate, however. Her Aunt Shi-Shi (my sister Ashley) got a big ol' gift today, too...
My baby sister got engaged today!!! She and her fiance have been together since their junior year of high school. She's 24 now, so needless to say, he's already been part of the family for quite a while. Here's a picture of the happy couple arriving at the birthday party, telling everyone their big news... I think she just walked to the back yard and shouted "I'M ENGAGED!"
Too sweet! Michael, her fiance, had already filled us in, so we knew what was coming. He told her that his car had broken down and she needed to come get him for the party. When she got there a table was covered in candles that spelled "I LOVE YOU" with a Bible opened to I Corinthians 13. A note said "read verse 7" which says "Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." After she read it she looked up as he walked into the room, bent down on one knee, and I'm sure you know how the rest went. Their dating anniversary is July 11. It's always been my sister's dream to be married on that day. It falls on a Saturday next summer, so... looks like she's gonna get her wish!
7.25.2008
"Working My Way Back to You Babe..."
See the little airplane over WashingtonState? Well, it is 10:17am EST, and I am stalking the flighttracker again. My husband is coming home today, and although I still will not see him for another week, I am as giddy as I was to see him as the day I married him. I am so overjoyed to know that he is lurking somewhere back in the United States that I can hardly stand it!!!
7.23.2008
These are a few of my favorite things... :)
I am having so much fun being home these past few days, and am loving the fact that I still have a week and a half to go. Today me, my mom, one of my sisters, my niece, and Reese spent the day at a waterpark. We had a blast... even with two babies. Yesterday I dropped Reese off at my Dad's parents' and took off for an afternoon with my best friend since we were 15, Ruth Ann, who is now a massage therapist. One of our new favorite things to do when I come home is meet up at her office... she gives me a massage and we catch up on the past month or however long it's been since I've seen her last. It's one of the most wonderful hours of my life. :)
So here I was today, a big grown-up Mama now, driving around my old stomping grounds, and what should I find, but a radio station that seriously must've picked up a playlist from 1999 'cause all it did was play some of my favorite tunes from high school. What a perfect day.
Most of the afternoon we were reminiscing about old times, and my mind didn't stop reeling as I drove home. This led me to a list I compiled of my favorite things about coming home... and especially in the summertime. Therefore, in no particular order, we have...
Corn Fields
Everywhere you go in Germantown, Farmersville, Miamisbrug, Carlisle, or the million other little towns I could name that make up home to me, there are corn fields. I do not exaggerate when I say everywhere. Once my brother in law visited home with Reagan and me, and all he could talk about was how much corn there was and how we all must be cornchildren.
The Family Farm
Oooh how I love this place. It's absolutely gorgeous inside and out. This house was my favorite place to be as a child. It was built by my Grandpa's Great-Grandpa I believe, or maybe just his Grandpa, I can't remember... in the very late 1880's or so... (I'm sure if my mom reads this and I'm wrong, she'll let me know... although it is etched into the concrete floor in the cellar. Maybe I'll go check that out before I leave.) I pull into this place and feel as though my roots spring up out of the ground and just hug me tight. I walked in the doors just tonight and for a short moment took a very deep breath. The smells took me back to being 7 years old again eating Grandma's breakfast and watching the Bugs and Tweety Show on Saturday morning with my Grandfather. So much history in this house... so many memories made by myself alone, not to mention the scores of other people who have inhabited its walls. My Grandfather passed away 7 years ago, and just last year my Aunt and Uncle moved into it and still farm it today. Each time I go back to it my heart aches with the memories of childhood and I miss my Grandfather all over again. That, however, is another post in itself...
The Carlisle Spaceships
"What the *?!@ is that?" How many times have I heard that? I love driving by these things, located less than a minute down the road from my parents home, especially with unexpecting newcomers. It took me by suprise the first time someone asked. I mean- duh! They're the spaceships! Doesn't every town have random spaceships hanging out in a cornfield somewhere? I mean, these things have been here my entire life... since before I was born I guess, and yes- to my knowledge, people still live in them today. There's a big ol' white farmhouse in front of them, and a swimming pool to the right, and whatever posessed these people to do such a thing I'll never know, but they are a landmark. We give directions by them... "go past the spaceships and look for our house about a mile down the road on the right."
The Giant Jesus
Now this thing has not been up my entire life. I actually got to watch this thing go up. It sits in front of a church located just off of I-75, and directly across the interstate from where my dad goes to work everyday. Not exactly sure why they would ever wanna build such a thing. Word has it that it was built to take attention away from the Gentleman's Club on down the highway... who knows though. Being a Buckeye fan, of course my favorite picture of it shows why Jesus himself is also a Buckeye fan. :)
Last but not least...
Yes, this picture is a little old... (Reese was an unknown bean in my belly at the time it was taken.) But call me a little biased, I can't imagine any one family loving to be together as much as this one does. I'm so blessed to know that every trip home that I make is going to be a meaningful one, and not one member is going to dread getting together with any of the others. They are what make coming home the best times of my life...
So here I was today, a big grown-up Mama now, driving around my old stomping grounds, and what should I find, but a radio station that seriously must've picked up a playlist from 1999 'cause all it did was play some of my favorite tunes from high school. What a perfect day.
Most of the afternoon we were reminiscing about old times, and my mind didn't stop reeling as I drove home. This led me to a list I compiled of my favorite things about coming home... and especially in the summertime. Therefore, in no particular order, we have...
Corn Fields
Everywhere you go in Germantown, Farmersville, Miamisbrug, Carlisle, or the million other little towns I could name that make up home to me, there are corn fields. I do not exaggerate when I say everywhere. Once my brother in law visited home with Reagan and me, and all he could talk about was how much corn there was and how we all must be cornchildren.The Family Farm
Oooh how I love this place. It's absolutely gorgeous inside and out. This house was my favorite place to be as a child. It was built by my Grandpa's Great-Grandpa I believe, or maybe just his Grandpa, I can't remember... in the very late 1880's or so... (I'm sure if my mom reads this and I'm wrong, she'll let me know... although it is etched into the concrete floor in the cellar. Maybe I'll go check that out before I leave.) I pull into this place and feel as though my roots spring up out of the ground and just hug me tight. I walked in the doors just tonight and for a short moment took a very deep breath. The smells took me back to being 7 years old again eating Grandma's breakfast and watching the Bugs and Tweety Show on Saturday morning with my Grandfather. So much history in this house... so many memories made by myself alone, not to mention the scores of other people who have inhabited its walls. My Grandfather passed away 7 years ago, and just last year my Aunt and Uncle moved into it and still farm it today. Each time I go back to it my heart aches with the memories of childhood and I miss my Grandfather all over again. That, however, is another post in itself...
The Carlisle Spaceships
"What the *?!@ is that?" How many times have I heard that? I love driving by these things, located less than a minute down the road from my parents home, especially with unexpecting newcomers. It took me by suprise the first time someone asked. I mean- duh! They're the spaceships! Doesn't every town have random spaceships hanging out in a cornfield somewhere? I mean, these things have been here my entire life... since before I was born I guess, and yes- to my knowledge, people still live in them today. There's a big ol' white farmhouse in front of them, and a swimming pool to the right, and whatever posessed these people to do such a thing I'll never know, but they are a landmark. We give directions by them... "go past the spaceships and look for our house about a mile down the road on the right."
The Giant Jesus
Now this thing has not been up my entire life. I actually got to watch this thing go up. It sits in front of a church located just off of I-75, and directly across the interstate from where my dad goes to work everyday. Not exactly sure why they would ever wanna build such a thing. Word has it that it was built to take attention away from the Gentleman's Club on down the highway... who knows though. Being a Buckeye fan, of course my favorite picture of it shows why Jesus himself is also a Buckeye fan. :) Last but not least... Yes, this picture is a little old... (Reese was an unknown bean in my belly at the time it was taken.) But call me a little biased, I can't imagine any one family loving to be together as much as this one does. I'm so blessed to know that every trip home that I make is going to be a meaningful one, and not one member is going to dread getting together with any of the others. They are what make coming home the best times of my life...
7.22.2008
Finally... Some Good News!
For those of you who have been praying for my daddy... we received the first good report regarding his cancer since we first received the news of it two years ago.
Let me give a little background... each time my dad has had any urine/blood lab work done, his protein counts have increased... actually they've more than doubled every 3-4 months. First counts came in around 150, then jumped to 400's, then 800's, 1600's, then at the end of this past March, his counts measured just over 3900. Once your protein counts reach the 4,000's, your kidneys begin to be in more danger, and his were on track to hit the 8,000's.
So back in mid-May, my dad went under the care of a doctor in Florence, Alabama who placed him on a 60 day fresh vegetable/fruit juicing fast along with some other cleansing routines. Long story short... when protein counts are anticipated to be in the 8,000's, and they come in only just over 4200, I think we've got something to sing about. :) (or cry about... whichever hits you at the moment.)
Thanks to everyone who've lifted him up in prayer... continue to pray that the Lord will allow him to continue to receive this kind of news and that ultimately healing would take place!
Let me give a little background... each time my dad has had any urine/blood lab work done, his protein counts have increased... actually they've more than doubled every 3-4 months. First counts came in around 150, then jumped to 400's, then 800's, 1600's, then at the end of this past March, his counts measured just over 3900. Once your protein counts reach the 4,000's, your kidneys begin to be in more danger, and his were on track to hit the 8,000's.
So back in mid-May, my dad went under the care of a doctor in Florence, Alabama who placed him on a 60 day fresh vegetable/fruit juicing fast along with some other cleansing routines. Long story short... when protein counts are anticipated to be in the 8,000's, and they come in only just over 4200, I think we've got something to sing about. :) (or cry about... whichever hits you at the moment.)
Thanks to everyone who've lifted him up in prayer... continue to pray that the Lord will allow him to continue to receive this kind of news and that ultimately healing would take place!
On the road again...
Let me begin my post with a big THANKS to my Uncle Keith for coming by my house and packing my car. Reagan would've been super proud, and I can tell you right now I wouldn't have been able to put the pieces to this puzzle together the way that you did... This was the way my car looked last Saturday as Reese, Grandma, and I headed to Ohio to begin our big three week trip away to finish up our summer. I can't BELIEVE summer is almost over.
This is Grandma... my Grandma, Reese's Great-Grandma. Her name is Florence. I like to refer to her as "G-Flo".
She came home from Ohio with us after the 4th of July and stayed for a nice long visit. She also cleaned my house from top to bottom and spoiled my baby every chance she got. Big Nanny thought she was the stuff for giving Reese Dr. Pepper and Doritos at VBS... then Grandma came. Grandma thought it'd be nice to let Mama sleep in one day, and I think for breakfast they shared a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee... Nice one, Grandma. Loved hearing that when I woke up.Regardless of the coffee... you've gotta love my Grandma. If there were a sixth love language, my grandma has it, and I truly believe it is cleaning house. When Grandma calls and says she's coming to visit, you know it means your house will be sparkling by the time she leaves. Some people may take that as an insult, but not me... pull out the old toothbrushes- 'cause Grandma wants to shine your baseboards. I'm telling ya... this Grandma rocks.
As mighty and wonderful as her cleaning skills are, Grandma does have a little problem with getting her words mixed up. For example, she uses words like, homen-sectional, lesman, nonchalah (nonchalant), and tex-mexin' (text-messaging)... there are plenty more, trust me, but they are escaping me at the moment. We get so tickled when she mixes her words up, but don't you dare laugh at her for fear of hurting her feelings. Here's a bit of a conversation about landscaping that we had on our way home...
GFlo: I just can't believe they wanted $1600 to do that tiny little bit of mulching and planting in my front yard. I'll just pay you and your mom to do it if you're interested.
Me: Well, I don't have a clue about how to make it look, but if you get someone there that can put me to work and show me what to do, I'll be glad to help. Where do you get your ideas for what you want to plant anyway?
GFlo: Oh, Bern's comes out and they give me a diaphragm...
I am sure what she meant to say was diagram... let me just tell you though, it was all I could do to drive straight. My mind was racing with so many things I could've said... of course it was overlooked... until I got home to tell my mom and sisters anyway. Big laughs were had by all.
These folks here are my parents. I've shared with lots of people that over the past couple years my Dad has been fighting Multiple Myeloma... a type of cancer that's sort of the opposite of Leukemia. Rather than treat it by traditional means, they've been researching a more hollistic way of treatment... the last 8 weeks of which have been a complete fresh vegetable and fruit juice fast. If you could've seen my dad two years ago, you wouldn't believe how much weight he has lost and how much he has changed. The doctors say now he's the healthiest sick man they've ever met, and we're anticipating good reports from his latest bloodwork tomorrow. I'm so proud of how well he has done and how disciplined he has become. The 8 week fast was up on Saturday... if you've been drinking nothing but juices for 60 days, I'd say you'd be ready for a celebration, so celebrate we did. Burgers, chicken, salmon, and other yummy things all grilled around the pool. Mix all that in with a cake for my 8 month pregnant sister's birthday and you've got yourself a party!
Just when you thought the party couldn't be anymore fun, my niece Eden Grace suprised us all with a big announcement. "Mommy- POOPY!" Frantically we all began glancing around the pool, until we realized this not quite 2-year-old was telling us that SHE had to go. As quickly as an 8 month pregnant woman can hop, my sister quickly hopped up and got the potty chair, and little EG did her business. She was so excited, she kept squealing "Mommy- I made it, I made it Mommy!" Who would've thought 15 other people would all get to experience such a first... and all around the swimming pool. ha ha ha
As for Reese, she's having a blast with her cousin. My sister and I are big ol' nerds and love to dress our kids alike when we get 'em together... :)
Reese has now learned how to tell me to "stop it", (thanks again to Grandma for that one) and puts her hand out in front of her when she chooses to do so. So far I can't get her to do it on camera... every time I get it out she gets stage fright. Keep your eyes open for that one though.
As for Reagan, I continue to be amazed at the people they are meeting and the short stories he is able to share through his text messages. This is currently the view from his hotel room...
One story in particular that I can't wait to hear more about is the tiny, poor little village they could reach only by boat where he said foreigners had never visited before. Can you imagine the looks on the faces of those people when these incredibly tall white people pulled in on their boats?!? Please continue to pray for them as their trip finishes up over the next 3 days!
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