Day 9

It started for me at 5:30am when Nate woke up crying. He was on fire. He only wanted me most of the day. I started the antibiotic this morning. By this evening he was starting to perk up a bit. And it rained today. So, while Nate was taking his morning nap the kids and I made the most of it. I found some great sites from a friend of a friend. We did several alphabet games online as well as learned about some animals on National Geographic for kids. After dinner the kids and I took a nice walk. It felt great. I really want this to be a part of our lives...early dinner then walk. All I have to do is make it happen.

I give God thanks for giving me the energy I needed for today.

Day 8

even her little sandy buns are cute

The first OFF DAY for Chip since we got here! So, we (I) were (was) super lazy this morning. Chip actually went to the gym. Then we went to the beach with some friends. It was overcast much of the time which was nice. Not so nice for Chip's back. Those bad UVB rays scorched his back. It was the kids first time at the ocean this year. They loved it. It took them a little while to get used to it. But, if they were with Chip they were fine. That was about the extent of our day, except a trip to Wal-Mart for me and then a trip to the After-Hours clinic for Nate & Me. He woke up from his afternoon nap with a fever and I thought he may have an ear infection. I was not really impressed with the care we received there. They were nice and the facility was great. However, Nate still had a 100.3 fever after being on Motrin for an hour. All the PA told me was that he may be in the beginning stages of an upper-respiratory infection and here is your antibiotic scrip. It is just sickening how quickly antibiotics are handed out. I filled it but am going to wait and see how he does through the night. I personally think he is at the beginning of an ear infection. Mom does usually know best. No offense Shana. I was wishing you were there to look at him. I know you would have done a much more thorough job.

Day 7

We got out a sprinkler today
trying to kill time before naps

what i do during naps--
i don't have to always sit outside
now that we have our second room

what i found when i opened my new box
of diapers tonight. i was shocked

somebody snuck that in i am sure

how i have to bundle up in our room
thanks to the frigid wall units
i guess i should be thankful it is not hot

i was listening to a sermon from our home church in BR.
they are preaching a series on the "psalms of ascent"
Psalm 120-134
i never knew what that meant till a few weeks ago

check it out at:
thecornerstonechapel.org/blog

the real Day 6

I took the kids to Target before lunch and picked up lunchables as a quick and cheap lunch. They loved them. Streed and Ella, that is. That afternoon our good blond buddy got in town and we were so excited. That night was the first social of the summer--Beach Olympics. It is my favorite because it is usually the only one I can take the kids to, which means it is the only one I attend. It is laid back and the kids have so much fun. I brought a bat and soccer ball out there for the kids knowing they would want to copy the big college students doing their relay races. The little ones were really into the buckets and shovels that Jill thought to bring. All in all it was a great night. So, I was too tired to post. I got in bed after I dusted off the sand. I know. As Shana would say, "Don't Judge Me!"

Day 6

tomorrow, tomorrow. i'll post tomorrow. it's only a day away!

another break from the day-to-day posts

We had a fun night at Pier Park on Friday night, I think
(the days run together)

Nate was trying to get some loving from his new friend

Streed and Isaac wrestled the entire time

31 or 13

I am watching the MTV Movie Awards right now because I saw on Facebook today that I would see a sneak peek at the Twilight New Moon movie trailer. I mean come on. Am I 31 or 13?

And BTW, I am super excited about the new movie! The trailer looked great. Way better than the first. I am going to reread the book again real soon. As soon as I buy the entire saga off of Amazon.

I mean really, 31 or 13?

Day 5

SBP officially started today. We had a meal with everyone tonight at the church. This should be great...two meals provided a week. I mean, what mom wouldn't love that? Uhh, this one! It is just too much. Not too much work, just too much stress. There are 10 kids here right now and STREED is the oldest. All the kids sit (ha) in one corner. They sit for about two seconds and then the wrestling begins. Two drinks were knocked over. Ella almost broke a snare drum. Nate got tired of his high chair. I realize the beach project is not designed for families. I embrace that. I am going to do my own thing while I am here rather than try to fit my kids into the schedule. I do not know if that is the best attitude but I think it will help me to have a better attitude.

We are super excited that there are so many Southeastern students here! And there are several more overseas in Tailand.

Day 4

I was reading "Don't Make Me Count to Three" by Ginger Plowman. It is an awesome book with really practical advice for parenting. A particular scenario had to do with whining. What she did with her daughter was talk to her about how she did not speak with self-control. She made her wait 5 minutes and then try to ask again. I have tried to work on Ella's wording a lot lately. She just does not get it. I am constantly getting her to rephrase her beggings into more of a kind request..."May I..."

This happened twice today...no lie

Ella was whining about something.
I asked how do you need to ask me for something?
She said, "Please?"
I said, "No, put it in a full sentence."
PAUSE She was thinking
"Pwetty Pwetty Please?"

Day 3

I met our neighbor today. He walked out his door and asked me, "How do you put up with them?" I pretended I did not understand him. I asked, "How do I keep up with them?" He said, "No, put up with them." I told him I loved them. He said, "You have 3 of them. Hmmm. I am a W.C Fields guy. I hate kids and dogs."

This was the end of our conversation.