Day 16

my camera was foggy from just coming outside
but you get the idea

Day 16 was actually 2 days ago. Oops. It was my friend Leanne's birthday. One of the staff girls baked 2 cakes in my room for the project to eat in honor of her day. So, my room smelled divine--I love birthday cake! I knew I was not likely to get any of that cake since it was going to be at the rally and I was not. It was in my mind to run to wal-mart and get some cake. I battled for a little while and then my lack of self-control won. Ella and I loaded up at 7:45pm while Streed played outside with the other kids. We came home at 8:15pm with some cake for everyone to share. That's right, at 8:15 the kids chowed down on some chocolate cake. Then we ushered them off to bed. Nice. I was too selfish to eat mine with the vultures hovering so Kim and I waited till they went to bed. That's right, I ate cake at probably 9:30pm and then ushered myself to bed. Nice.

ps--I found some small pieces of cake already cut, portioned, and packaged for 2 adults in the bakery section for $1.50. I am glad and not-so-glad that I found that.

Day 15

Off day #2. We took the kids to the Sunspree. They loved having Daddy there. It was work for me because Nate just wants to do things he cannot do yet. All in all it was a good time.

That night we went out with the Louisiana staff. (one couple was missing & one guy is in Brazil) It was a fun environment on a high deck over looking the gulf. I should have taken a picture of the kids with their baby sitter when I got back. They had such a good time. They fight me and try to make me feel guilty for going out but when we are gone they have a blast.

Day 14

Nothing really significant to share. Normal day. I did attempt dinner with the students again. It went much better this time. Afterwards we let all the kids play outside at the hotel in that big field. Soccer turned out to be a disaster. The girls thought they were being left out. We tried duck-duck-goose and kicking the soccer ball in a circle. I was just trying to give them a break from riding bikes on the concrete. Oh well.

I spent the latter part of the night looking at homeschool curriculum online. I am definitely going to attempt it now that we live in Baton Rouge. The kids will attend preschool but I may start at home with Streed next year.

Day 13

The kids went to VBS today. I volunteered. Chip actually asked me in front of the Children's minister if I would volunteer. I ended up working the nursery. If you volunteered your young kids got to go to the nursery. I really needed to because Nate is still super fussy. This was not my ideal situation but I am glad I did. Because now I know I will not volunteer again. It wasn't terrible but it was 4 hours in one room basically. I think my kids will have more fun just being at the motel.

I spent $2.25 per load of laundry today. But we had to wash towels desperately.

Chip took the kids swimming today. I walked Nate out there after his nap. He was not dressed for the occassion. His little Luvs held up quite nicely.
Ryan & Leanne volunteered to keep our kids tonight. The students had their discipleship groups so the staff was free. So Chip and I went out to eat for an early birthday dinner.

Day 12

I have been saving this picture for a day when I had nothing to say.

I call this our water feature. This is the constant state of the faucet in our room. This is as far off as I can turn it. So I hear a constant hum as water is pouring into the sink. I am so used to it now that I rarely ever turn the water "on" anymore. The stream is enough to wash my hands and wet my toothbrush.

Day 11

pretty landscaping and carousel

In Ashford it was all about Streed and Ella. Down here it was all about Nate. He woke up at 4:15am with a fever but after Motrin and some lovin' he went back down till NINE am. I was so refreshed! The three of us went to Chick-fil-A for breakfast then to Pier Park for a little escape. We love this place. It is such an awesome addition to Panama City Beach. Nate got some new kicks from the Crocs store, a new do from Cost Cutters, and some new digs from Carter's. After his nap I took him to the Holiday Inn Sun Spree to play in Kidland. This was his first experience there. It was fun for him.

Day 10

Took the older kids to the grandparents' today. They will stay for the weekend. Nater is still not himself. I think he is getting his molars too which is causing some major pain.

So, this is what my weekend will look like...

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