Mother's Day 2007

Just wanted to wish all the moms a Happy Mother's Day! We love and appreciate our moms and hope you all make sure you let yours know how much you care! Lord knows, I am blessed with a houseful this year!

Seeing the Opthamologists

Hello all! I just wanted to let everyone know that Caitlyn has been referred to a pediatric opthamologists by her pediatrician. She has a small bump on her lower eyelid on the her left eye. Her vision was a little worse this checkup, and since the bump has been steadily growing over the past two months they want her to see this new doctor. I have to admit I'm a little worried, but the doctor thought it wasn't serious. She goes on June 1st, so I'll let everyone know then what they say. Please pray for us as we take Dawn and Corey for their consult with the oral surgeon Monday morning. This week has been pretty busy, and I think Jeremy and I both are a little wore out. This weekend looks pretty easy, so I'm hoping we'll be able to catch up on some rest. Also, before I forget, Dupont is posting that new position next week that Jeremy is hoping to get, so there should be a decision soon. Like I said before, it will be a very good thing for us, if he gets it. they are also posting another position that he is very interested in, so pray God will open the right doors. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Had A Blast At Busch Gardens

As you can see, we had a great time Friday at Busch Gardens! I added a slide show of pictures from the last two times we've gone. We were all feeling much better, and everyone enjoyed themselves much more this time. All three girls rode the Big bad Wolf roller coaster, and loved it! I rode the Big Bad Wolf too. Now, I haven't ridden a roller coaster since 1999, so I was a little surprised at how fast they moved! I rode it with Kylie, and I screamed more than she did. It was Kylie's first time! I had forgotten what that felt like. Maybe it is a sign of our age, but Jeremy and I neither one enjoyed it as much as we remembered! :) Corey still refused to ride anything. I'm hoping we can get him on the carousel at least once before the summer is over. The highlight of my day (just kidding) was riding the Roman Rapids with the girls. As you can see from the picture, it is a circular raft that floats down the water. It is very similar to Grizzly River Rampage, a ride I grew up riding at Opryland. As we were waiting in line, I was watching the people as they got off the ride. Some of them were very wet, but many were just splashed a little. I was thinking that I probably wouldn't get that wet, and my chances were good that I would just get splashed a little. The very first big splash soaked me! After that it was all downhill. The raft holds six people, and the four seats we were sitting in were soaked by the end of the ride. All four of us girls were literally dripping wet, completely soaked thru and thru! The two teenage boys that rode in the raft with us? Completely dry! It took awhile of walking around to dry out, and some of our clothes never got completely dry, including my underwear! We had a great time though, and can't wait to go again! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Our Trip To Walmart

Well, the potty training is going pretty well. At home he has almost no accidents, but he has yet to make it to the potty in public. For that reason, I put him in a pullup today when we went to Walmart. We're almost done grocery shopping, and John David starts holding himself and screaming at the top of his lungs, "My pee-pee is cold!" Of course, Corey starts holding himself and yelling too, because he does and says everything that John David does. We are several aisles away from the nearest restroom, and so I start booking it for the potty. As all six of us are running to the potty (all the while with John David still screaming bloody murder and people are staring at us wondering where the fire is), I remembered that I had bought the new pullups that get cold if you pee in them. They're supposed to help the kids realize that they need to go and stop till they get to the potty. Well, this was the first time that John David had had one on, so of course it scared him to death. When I finally got to where I could take the pullup off, the first thing he said was, "That feels better, mommy!" Lesson learned! We're taking the kids to Busch Gardens for the afternoon tomorrow, so I'm thinking we'll probably put him in pullups for the outing. Hopefully, it won't set him off screaming again! I am very proud of him though, and I'm glad that he's really trying. I'm really hoping to get our family pictures taken this month. It's what I asked for for Mother's Day! If we do, i'll get them to everyone ASAP. Well, I'm off to enjoy some peace and quiet during what's left of nap time. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Just a Mom?

A friend of mine sent this to me and I couldn't resist sharing it! I might try this!

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.


"What I mean is," explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a......?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.


"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."


"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it?
I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid air and
looked up as though she had not heard right.


I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
in the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are
more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than
"just another Mom." Motherhood!


What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations"
and great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts
"Associate Research Assistants".

Potty Training Success!

It is official! John David is out of diapers! Now if we can get Corey out of diapers, that would be great. John David was finally showing some signs that he was ready, but after he had such a bad experience last time we tried, I didn't want to push it. So, Monday afternoon after nap we headed outside to play and I thought that would be a good time to try it. I mean, if there was a mess it would be outside, right?! He did very well, so yesterday he went all day, except for nap, in underwear. he had some accidents, but it was obvious he was trying. today, has been a little crazy. He hasn't had any accidents, and has refused to wear a diaper or a pullup for nap, but he has been going potty every ten minutes! I'm definitely glad that he's getting the hang of it. It will make my life a bit easier. Plus, that's less diapers we have to buy! Tomorrow, Corey has a doctor's appt. I'm taking him to a different pediatrician than the one he has been seeing, to see if we can find the reason for a rash that he keeps getting. His skin is extremely sensitive to everything it seems like, and I think he definitely has some allergy issues that need to be dealt with. Please pray that we can find the source of the problem, and that there will be a way to fix it. Also, please keep my Grandma Thomas in your prayers. Her sister Gene Anne died suddenly Sunday, and although we know that she is in a better place, I know my grandma will miss her greatly. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

VBS Overload

Okay, I know I signed on last year for this VBS director position, but now I'm remembering all the stress that goes along with it! I'm not complaining, I just have been spending so much time and effort on getting things in place for our church's Vacation Bible School. Last year it was in August, but they've scheduled it for June this year. That put a crimp in my time line, but everything will work out. I just have to get things done quicker! :) Hope you enjoy the pictures. The top one is the picture we found when we went into check on John David one night. He fell asleep like that! Well, this weekend was pretty busy. The wedding was on Saturday, and all went well. I wish I could share their whole story with you. They were getting remarried to each other after divorcing each other, and it was probably the most emotional wedding I've ever sang at. It was an absolute miracle that God worked in their lives! It was beautiful, and the kids did great at the sit down reception. Sunday was Caitlyn's end of the year drama show. She did very well, but wasn't as excited about it as I thought she would be, just further proof that she has gotten bored with the drama classes. This morning Dawn and Corey had a family visit at social services. It did not go well. Some of the family members ended up in an argument with the social worker. Please pray. I'm not really even sure what to ask you to pray for. When we're at home just hanging out, it's easy to pretend that none of this mess is in our lives, but the reality is that this is part of the deal. The kids are all doing great, and that in itself is a blessing. All it takes is one look at the kids all together to know that we are doing the right thing. It feels good to be in God's will. Because of my own choices, I haven't always been able to say that, but it feels good. Oh yeah, I have to tell you all about some of the funny stuff Caitlyn has done the past few days. I couldn't make stuff up this funny if I tried!! First, Wednesday night at the rehearsal dinner for the wedding, she sat with some friends of ours who have a son (4 yr.) and a daughter (5 yr.). They are very close friends with our kids, and somehow the discussion turned to who they were going to marry. To make a long story short, after their son revealed that he thought he was going to marry his sister, Caitlyn announced very loudly (in a disgusted tone), "That's against the law! That's not right!" That of course got a lot of laughs from the adults! Then the very next day, Dawn and Caitlyn were coloring at the table, and Caitlyn was lecturing Dawn on the effects of alcohol on your body. She read a poster at the social service office, and now thinks she's an expert. Dawn said her grandma drinks beer, and Caitlyn asked her if her parents drank alcohol, because "if you drink alcohol when you're pregnant it can kill your baby." I didn't hear Dawn's response, but it must have been yes, because next I heard Caitlyn say, "Are you going to be messed up in the head when you get older? Because if your mommy drank alcohol, it could make you messed up in the head!" Leave it to Caitlyn! Then lastly, Nanny sent the kids a box (Thank you!) with a really cute stuffed lamb. It's a character from a DVD story she sent them. Caitlyn really likes it. The other night, I was checking on the girls, because they were supposed to be sleeping, but there were noises coming from their bedroom. I opened the door, and hanging from the ceiling fan by a jump rope was the poor lamb. There was a noose tied around his neck!! I had to leave the room and let Jeremy deal with it, because I couldn't stop laughing! Caitlyn didn't realize that it looked like the lamb had committed suicide. After Jeremy explained to her that it wasn't appropriate to hang things by their necks, let alone tie something to the ceiling fan with her jump rope, he sent her back to bed and had a good laugh himself! :) The things they do! There's never a dull moment around here! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these!