SUMMER BEACH PROJECT 2008

(I started this post right after we got here, but then my computer crashed, so I will be better- promise)

Well...some of you ask- how do you pack for a month- and my response is usually- we pack everything but the kitchen sink and this is just about true and I thought I would let you see what it looks like!! Luckily last year we bought a trailer that we now take with us and we also took several of the other staff's things as well! And we are here and settled in!! We have been to the beach a few times and to the pool ALOT!! Blevin has picked right back up on swimming and Caleb is well...fearless and has already jumped in several times without me looking and of course will not wear a float at all!! The students arrive tomorrow and we are ready to settle into somewhat of a schedule so we get to see Seth a little more consistently! This is going to be a super fun summer but an exhausting one as well- making sure no one gets run over or tries to swim on their own is enough to wear anyone out!! So....I will keep you posted!!

Here are some pictures of us at the beach with Luke and Kate on Wednesday night!

Seth decided that Blevin and Caleb needed their first pet on SBP, so on thursday he came home with a fish- Blevin named him Nemo, although Seth was hoping to name him Bama- He has been fun already- we just look at him!!

Caleb + Red Marker =

PINK HIGHLIGHTS!!!! ( I don't think the picture does it justice)

So... I was trying to get a few things done yesterday and I was writing a few things and Caleb wanted my pen, so I just gave him a piece of paper and a red marker and he was quiet for around 4 minutes (which most of you know that you can get a lot done in that amount of time with peace) Luckily he was in his highchair because I turned around and he had definitley had more fun writing on himself and his hair than on the paper!! You shoulf have seen the looks and laughs we got when we went to the post office. After a bath they are still there, just a little faded!! You might be thinking, well I guess she learned her lesson, but no I will do it again in order to get one or two things done in peace!!

Being a mom

Although mother's day was three days ago, I am just now getting around to writing about it- We had a great day- we actually got to see both of our mom's, which has never happened and got to see their faces when they opened their cards! We are so thankful for them and the example and help they have been for us as we are parenting our own children. On our way home from B'ham, Seth had me list out my top 10 reasons I love being a mom and then he told me the top 10-15 reasons I was a great mom- so I thought I would fill you in on my favorite things...

Top 10 reasons I love being a mom

(these are in no particular order)

1. Being a mom with Seth- he is a great daddy and I am so thankful we get to tackle this adventure together

2. Blevin- my sweet first born who i like to refer to as my angel

3. Caleb- my determined second child who is full of life and ready to tackle life- literally

4. Laughter- hearing them laugh always makes me smile

5. Listening to Blevin talk and get a taste of a 3 year old's imagination

6. Hearing Blevin say I love you and Caleb's open mouth kisses

7. No matter how long I have been gone- even just a few minutes- I can walk in- hear little feet- hear "Mommy" and get hugs

8. Having Caleb stop playing and just need to come sit in my lap for a few moments of peace and comfort

9. Having constant entertainment, even if I do need a referee shirt most of the day

10. It is so fun!!!

so....there is a little insight on how much I love being a mommy and am trying to treasure every moment!

Who needs toys??

......When you have a mesh bag that you can pull fish (or Caleb) in- a belt to tie to each other and run around (they did this for around 30 minutes) and mom to push you in the jog stroller while you eat a popsicle!!!! Things are going great here! It has been a crazy week, but fun- we got to see a few of our old Jacksonville friends on Monday and Blevin had a blast playing with them, we had lunch with three phi mu's on Tuesday, went to a Corn hole tournament onTuesday night, and then just did normal things the rest of the week. Caleb started throwing up AGAIN last night, which is around the 4th time we have had the stomach funk since we got here- georgia must make them sick- but we got some phenegrin (sp?) and hopefully he will be off to dreamland soon!! We are supposed to go and see the family in B'ham today, we will see if it happens or not.....

Oh to be 3!!!

On Thursday I was able to just listen to Blevin and observe all his little thoughts that were going on in his brain. (probably because I went to bible study and spent personal time in the word) I love to hear what he is imagining and try not to crush it with reality. So....during his "rest time" he came out and invited me to come play with his new friends. I went in there and met "turtle" (a watering can with a turtle face on it), "key" (the lock box for the car that he found and brought in), and "baby" (his blanket that he wads up and puts to sleep in his bed or in a basket). He had the game Chutes and Ladders set up for them and they were playing! Then we went for a run later that afternoon and when we were running he said "Mommy, we are going as fast as a race car!" and then saw the neighborhood dog running beside us and said "We are going as fast as a dog!" I don't know why I thought that was so cute - I guess just because it is so cute to think about how much he still has to learn and I love that he still is so innocent (in some ways)! I am so thankful for those little moments as a mom when I can laugh out loud at things that are not really funny at all to any one else, but that bring me pure joy!!!

(this is a picture of Blevin with the neighborhood dog- when we moved in everyone told us it was ours- apparantly she is abandoned- and she has finally warmed up to us enough to pet her and the boys love her)

Celebrating 80

We went to Seth's parents for several days last weekend and got to hang out with Shane, Brittany, Madison, Macey and Hadley. It was fun, but controlled CHAOS are the only words to describe what it is like being in a house with five children 5 and under and having them all mobile!!! Then, we had a suprise birthday for Maw Maw on Wednesday night for her 80th birthday and we also got to celebrate Madison's 5th birthday on Monday! We played outside a lot- dug for worms, went on many golf cart rides and just monkeyed around! It was such a blessing to think about Maw Maw's 80 years and how thankful we are for her and it was so great for the boys to get to hang out with their cousins, since we don't get to see them much! Although....it was exhausting as well! Here are some pictures of all the fun and festivities!

Great things happening

Just thought I would give you a quick run-down on new things happening here at West Georgia:

*Seth and Ben (staff guy) have started a Bible study in one of the guy's dorms and we are having all those guys over to cook out tomorrow night

*Kim (one of the staff wives) is starting an evangelistic Bible study with KD (sorority) tonight for 4 weeks

*One of the Kappa Sigma guys had lots of questions last night after the meeting and might have become a Christian

*Two guys committed to SBP last night and there are many more still thinking about it

The Lord has been so faithful and there are many relationships being made right now and we are praying the Lord will continue to draw men to himself- Please pray that with us!!!