Thunder and lightning

I must begin by adding to yesterdays blog about the pool. During adult swim, and in an effort to keep the boys occupied until the whistle blew, SUe and I ventured a turn each on the big, winding, banana slide. Okay, for those of you who have been to the Y are maybe giggling or rolling your eyes! Sue went up the stairs first and...came flying out feet first. And then my turn. Well, I figure, if you're going to go down the slide, do it up right. So I grabbed hold of the handle above the slide entrance and hurdled myself down the slide. My butt recognized every rivet and seam holding the slide together as I passed through the sunshine slide! I bursted out the bottom so fast I hit the bottom--SMACK! Besides that, I don't think I was prepared adn got water up my nose too!! Oh well, I got a cheer from Alexander who said I looked like I did a cannonball coming out! Simple pleasures for sure! Thanks Sue!!

Today started off great, though mommy had a hard time waking up and getting her feet on the floor! Grayson and I built a new train track, which took mommy a lot of time and thought, which in turn really disturbed grayson because I kept pulling th track apart to get it "just right". That took us right up to lunch time when Miss Sus called to give the meeting time for the pool. We ate and got ready and headed to the Y again. There's not better way to melt the day away than at the pool.

We arrived just in time to say hello to the Schrodt's who were leaving to go home after a long morning at the pool. The place was dead! Fabulous! And to Alexander's delight (and Sue's good planning) we missed the adult swim. We had not got settled in for too long, about 45 minutes when I looked up and noticed the sky beginning to turn dark grey. A few minutes later, the whistles sounded and the first boom of thunder was heard. I've never seen the pool empty so fast. Sue and I were determined to see it through. But as she went to ask the lifeguard how long it would be, I saw a beautiful streak of lightning right over her head. So to all of our dismay, it was definitely time to head home. And just in time I must say!! As I got home and was getting out of the car, I swear the thunder and lightning was in our backyard. It startled Grayson and I both.

After quickly going inside, we changed to the tune of thunder clap after thunderclap. Sue, I don't know if you had the same experience, but within 15 minutes of being home, the power went out. I explained to Grayson all about thunder and lightning. Grayson said that we needed to call Daddy to come home so he wouldn't get hurt by the storm. I said that I was a little scared of the storm too, but that Jesus was with us watching over us and that He would watch over Daddy too. We read books by flashlight, laid under the rain tent, and took another nap. It was either the sun, or the 6:30am wake-up, but either way, Trevor arrived not long thereafter and we were able to chat a little while we waited for the power to come back on.

Another successful day: trains, pool, a lesson on the weather, and a nap to boot!

Beat the Heat

It was hot yesterday even inside the house, so with today's forecast to be even hotter (heat index well above 100!) we made plans to head to the pool. Don't you love the convenience of the Y! Well wouldn't you know, it was 9:45 adn it time to change to be there when they opened and Grayson announces that he doesn't want to go. No way! This mommy had it in her mind that we were going and so we did. I just went close by to Hickory praying that it wasn't insanely busy. When we arrived at 10:30, there were only a dozen there and as the morning went on, it didn't get really busy.

Grayson and I had a blast! I am so proud of him and the way he is getting more and more comfortable in the water. It probably helped that he just came back from Grandpa and Gran's and spent a lot of time out by the pool! He was wading in the water, sliding down the frog's tongue, swimming down the slope (as mommy calls the graduated floor of the pool), and even discovering that he could walk all the way over to the "Deep" part beside the #3 "just like me mommy". During one of the adult swims we had a snack and got relotioned up (daddy would be proud that I remembered). He played over by the water area, and of course he had to drive the boat. He made a new little friend Emma and they drove and shot the cannon together. At one point, I lost track of him, and he was walking in the 3 foot water! Yikes!

We weren't far from leaving when who should arrive but Miss Sue, Alexander, and baby Hamilton! Grayson had asked if they were at the pool when we arrived today because last time we came to Hickory, we met them for a late afternoon swim. Grayson had a good time watching big Alexander jump off the side into the pool! He loved when Alexander would give me "5" when jumping into the pool. Alexander inspired Grayson to do another first today. He jumped into the pool all by himself!!!!! I showed him that if he stood where the #2 was that the water was only coming up to his belly, so if he were to jump in here, it would be okay. Well after 2-3 times holding 1 of my fingers, in he went all by himself. Twice he lost his balance and went all the way under, but he came up, brushed the water out of his eyes, and went again. Thanks Alexander for showing Grayson how much fun it could be to jump in the pool. You're such a great example and as Hamilton grows, he'll learn a lot from you too!

So after all of the fun, we got home to have lunch at 2:30. Four hours at the pool! WOW! Sue, I hope your boys took a nap for you. I climbed under the rain tent with Grayson, and within 3 songs on the CD, he was fast asleeep!! What a successful day and a nap to boot!

Pool Day

We went to Lynchburg to pick up Grayson from his long weekend of fun. This is how we found him when we arrived at 11:15pm--tuckered out in the fire engine bed!!

We enjoyed church at TRBC on Sunday! Trevor loves to walk in and see just the enormity of the building and all the people among everything else, but for me it's always the music that gives me a tear. The music and sound that verberates through that sanctuary would bring anyone to tears!

Well, I convinced all of my siblings to put their plans aside and join us for one of my Dad's favorite things in the summer: pool volleyball. He rigged up the poles and a net that goes across the shallow end years ago, and it makes for some really great games of volleyball. We enjoyed getting together as a family and grilling out. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, hot but a little overcast so one team did not have an unfair advantage over the other. The rain held off long enough for everyone to get their fill. There is nothing like chilling out in your own backyard, grilling burgers, eating poolside, watching Grayson play fireman with the freezing cold hose water that was needed to refill, listening to the laughter and silence of a good game of volleyball, and just being together as a family!

Thanks Dad, Mom, Joel, Sara, and Megan for a great afternoon! We can't wait for more family fun over Labor Day weekend in Myrtle Beach. See you all then. Hugs and kisses!

2 frogs catchin' flies!!

POWER

"Mommy, not now! I need power to my heart." Now not knwing what this expression was, as it was the first time I've heard it, I asked further questions to find out what that meant. Is it a spiritual reference, is it from a cartoon, is it something he picked up at Grandpa and Gran's over the weekend? None of the above. He needed to take a break from playing trains and get a drink because he was thirsty and he needed some energy! That chocolate milk that I proceeded to give him must have brought POWER to the heart because he helped me sweep and mop the kitchen floor! So Grayson, here's to more days and times that you'll need POWER for your heart. I love you sweet boy-you make me giggle!

Eleven is Heaven

Okay, so before the comments start flying in, maybe you should take a look back at your own wedding photos. Trevor was like "Why are you putting that one in?" It is one of my favorites. This was just a snapshot taken at the end of our wedding reception, just before we went to change to leave for the honeymoon. Tired, exhausted, excited about the night ahead!

"Today I will marry my best friend. The one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love." Quite a sentiment from not so long ago. Trevor and I celebrated 11 years of marriage on Friday, August 3. It's always fun to go throughout that day recounting all the "This is what I was doing at this time 11 years ago, etc..." Due to the lack of receiving passports on time, our trip was cancelled (or as Trevor would say postponed until a later date). We still droppped Grayson with my parents in Lynchburg on Wednesday morning. We had a great time catching up on the little everyday things on our ride home. Our plan to see a movie was foiled as Trevor got a call for work. No big deal-I just transferred vehicles with him and off to Hampton we went together. I'm so glad I went. We had a chance to reconnect a little bit more-no where to go when you're 2 feet apart makes for great conversations!

Thursday was Jayne morning: new haircut! Long overdue-thank you Sue for introducing me to Steven. I love, love him!! Trevor liked it too. What husbnad doesn't appreciate anything that helps us not to look like a mommy but more resemble the young lady they once dated and married! Again our plans for the day unravelled a little bit differently than expected, but after that many years together, who hasn't learned to be flexible and adaptable. After all the unplanned and unexpected things in our married life, Jayne has had to change a little bit. Spontaneity is still no where in my vocabulary, but flexibility and adaptability have risen.

I enjoyed driving around with Trevor all day! It gave me a greater appreciation for what he goes through in any given day, and the stresses of running your own business. I am so thankful for my man who is not afraid of risk, who will step out into the unknown and whatever it is that will await him there. He is brilliant, he thinks outside the box, and leads our family well. There are so many admirable qualities in him and I can't wait to see Grayson to grow up and emulate his Daddy's character. Trevor has done an awesome job providing for our family and affording me the opportunity to be home with Grayson. So on those nights when he comes home and doesn't feel much like talking, let alone anything else but vegging on the couch, I know why and understand a little better. I'll give him his space, put Grayson to bed on my own, and just veg on the opposite couch ready for him if and when he might need something. We did finish up that long, fun, whole tank of gas day by going to see a movie!

Friday was my day to sleep in-9:30 to exact! I didn't even know I could do that anymore! After doing some odd jobs around the house that needed to be done, I showered and prepared for my Prince Charming to come home. he had left the house at 6:30am to start his day. Poor thing, he was exhausted by the time he arrived home at 3:30. But we still headed out to another movie (Bourne Ultimatum for him after his day-although I wanted to see it too!) and then to a great dinner at Bravos, where we had a cool breeze and a band that played while we ate. After dessert too, which we rarely venture, we headed home for the rest of the evening.

Saturday was Trevor's day to sleep in-10:45am!! He had me beat, but he deserved it. He awoke to his phone telling him that work was inevitable this Saturday, and he quickly left. I spent the rest of the morning relaxing and watching my movie I had picked up from the Library to watch as I folded clothes the day before! Makes a task go by much quicker. We grocery shopped and went to his softball game-WOW was it hot!! We packed suitcases and headed to Lynchburg to get our Grayson.

Oh yeah, Grayson had an amazing time at Grandpa and Gran's. He practically pushed us out the door on Wed. We love that he loves his time there, and of course he gets to go "all by himself"!! I'll write about their adventures later.

So here's to my husband. After 11 years, he is still the one I laugh with, live for, dream with, and love. Isn't it great how God takes 2 very different people and meshes them together into a perfect little unit. Far from perfect we are, but after 11 years, we love the little piece of heaven that we have called marriage.

No Nap Neverland

Okay, so this mom of a 3 1/2 year old has decided that after 4 months of fighting to get my child to nap, it is just not worth it. I have settled for a 30-minute downtime where he must stay in his room and rest (under the rain tent of course). It is great, he is still getting his 12-13 hours of sleep, going to bed at 7:00 and waking anywhere between 7-8 the next morning. But here is where I need some suggestions: what's a mom to do all day long with no other siblings to play with and entertain the little guy? Mom cannot be the playdate all day long-mommy needs her own downtime, and all the chores and extras that used to get done during naps are just not getting done. I am sitting down trying to come up with a workable schedule forthe Fall so that he and I know what to expect on a daily basis so that everything can still get done during the day, we can have fun together and apart, and we can make it until Daddy gets home with our sanity!! Any creative suggestions? Any good activities/classes that you have done with your kids that I can check into and enroll Grayson in?

Bringing the oceanfront home

I absolutely can't stand going to the Ocean for the day--the sand everywhere, and I mean everywhere!!, the crowds, the parking, all the gear that needs to be lugged. packing and unpacking, etc. But after going through all the things I hate, there is the other list, too. The way Grayson's face lights up to be in the sand, the way God provided a close spot, a sandy area vacated right down beside the water, relaxation for Trevor to just sit in the chair and vegetate after a crazy week and just watch Grayson and I living it up, making sandcastles that Grayson inevitably knocks down just as I'm finishing or starting a master creation, running away from the waves that force to crash on our feet, going out far enough so that our heads are only visible bobbing over the waves, watching Grayson giggle with delight as he lay on his belly waiting for the waves to come up and catch him, a slight nervous feeling when a wave got too strong for Grayson and forced him to be caried back out a little ways into the next oncoming wave, picking up a pizza onthe way home, enjoying the fact that we had a great time at the beach as a family, and being thankful that we live so close to be able to enjoy it anytime we like. So yes, we brought the Oceanfront home with us, but it was all worth it!!