High Water

Okay, so this might make me look like a bad/unsafe Mom or something else, but here it is. Grayson was in the shower getting ready for bed as I was checking blogs. I thoguht I heard the water stop, so I went to check and see what was going on. Usually when he is super quiet, he's into trouble.

Well, not yet... I couldn't believe that the water was this high!! "I'm swimming Mommy!"

Super Grayson

Trevor went on the road again, and with nothing on the calendar, Grayson and I went along. We just had to go to Fayetteville, NC and so we left after church yesterday. We had a good ride down, but as you tell by the picture here of the sky, we got there just in time for me! I was nervous just looking at it!

Grayson always loves to stay in hotels, and checked everything out! After loading up the fridge with our snacks and a pillow fight with Daddy, he decided that he had developed so much bravery that he was going to jump between the 2 beds. Now I swear these beds were 2 1/2-3 feet apart! I gave Trevor the look and it was all I could do to not tell him NO! What resulted was amazing. Grayson landed on the bed on his stomach and the look on his face was priceless-I don't think he thought he was going to make it either. Trevor was cheering him on!!I could kick myself because as proud as I am of the pictures I got, I should have clicked the switch and gotten a video! Aaaagh!

Going Under!

No-this is not about the Baptism class Shores offers it's children. So NO, I am not taking on yet another job at the Church! Don't you hate it when people write things and you have no idea why they did because it just doesn't make any sense or it's just not funny?! Sorry!



Anyways, Our power went out AGAIN on Saturday in the heat of the afternoon, so where did we go? Yes, The Y! As you all are aware Grayson is getting more brave all the time. This day he actually worked himself up to 2 new things: going under the mushroom waterfalls all by himself and putting his face in the water. Of course he doesn't do this like everyone elseand only put the face in and blow bubbles! He goes to a part of the pool where if he lowers himself down just enough in a sitting position, his face and head all go under the water. He even worked up to doing this with his eyes OPEN! I'm sooo proud of you Grayson! The cowardly lion in Oz would be proud too!

Busch Gardens-Long Overdue!

What a day to be at Busch Gardens, a little on the warm side, but not busy at all! Grayson has been asking to go, so with Trevor having been out of town, this made the perfect day for quality time with Daddy/Trevor! We didn't even bother with breakfast, but headed straight there! I packed a picnic lunch that we ate when we arrived so that we didn't have to stop our fun to eat!

Which train is it going to be?

The train is always the first stop! From there we hit the kids park, and then the phone rang. We had about 30 minutes until we had to cut our day short because there was an emergency delivery that needed to be done! Trevor disappeared for a while and I changed Grayson into his bathing suit so he could play in the water. A perfect day because we were all sweating by now. He had a great time pretending to be a frog and jumping from lillypad to lillypad! And of course all the while looking backwards with a big grin to make sure I was watching. As I am writing, I am reminded that instead of just taking pictures, I should have changed the switch to the video so you all could have enjoyed this little guy have a blast! It was a good substitute for the Y seeing as we haven't done it in a couple days!

Trevor reappeared just as I was getting Grayson out to dry off and change so we could go. He made the joyous announcement that we could stay and brave the heat to enjoy the rest of the park together. Thanks Dominique for getting the delivery done for us! We did a lot of Grayson's favorties: the planes, gliders, balloons, ladybugs, boats, skyride, more train. Grayson was excited to ride the water ride in the kids park because there was no line at all, and usually it's wrapped around the corner! We proceeded through the gate and I went to get in first. The attendant came running over and in her best broken English told me that I was not allowed to ride. I was like, it's okay, I've done it before. Trevor comes walking over and says, "Jayne, you missed the big sign at the entrance that says adults can't ride anymore!" No Mommy meant NO Grayson. NO FUN! Grayson was also a little upset because Daddy couldn't ride with him on the gliders because he was too tall! Sorry Daddy, mommy's not though so Trevor took our picture. He hates it when I make him pick up the camera to take a picture.

I can't believe Trevor agreed to do this one! He hates to go around and around!

We did one first for Grayson this time and visited the Festhaus just in time for the Show! He absolutely loved it-the singing, the dancing, the music, the band that rose up in the air, and Mommy trying to teach him how to do the "Chicken Dance". He wasn't impressed!!

Lovin' the music and dance

Great day with Daddy at one of our favorite spots. And for those of you who look forward to Fall at Busch Gardens, they were getting ready for Howl-O-Scream!! It opens Sept. 14!! We will definitely be doing that one evening minus Grayson!

Dreaming about next time!!

A Night at Waterside

Grayson and Trevor slept today at the same time, so I pulled out my Creative memories garb and continued plodding on in Grayson's baby book. Trevor had a hair appointment late this afternoon, and as he was on his way there he called and said "Let's do Busch Gardens tonight since Grayson had a good nap!" Of course Grayson and I said "YES!" Well, on his way home he called and said "What was I thinking-I am exhausted. We'll go tomorrow!"

No dinner was made so we headed to Norfolk to eat. We love to go there because there are good choices to eat outside. We chose the Outback because Trevor loves to indulge in cheese fries every now and again, and he figured he deserved them tonight! We ate outside and Grayson loved it! Mommy too because it was warmer, daddy because there was a nice breeze and lots to watch. Grayson was everywhere: climbing the fence, climbing all over daddy, and catching daddy up on everything he might have missed the last couple of days. I think he ate a little in there too! He loves their bread and butter. He ate most of the loaf! We even caught him stcking the knife in the butter and then licking the knife!! Good thing those steak knives aren't sharp!

Yes, his licker is still intact!!

Don't lose your supper all over daddy's head!

After that we had to have Ben and Jerry's ice cream and go outside to eat it by the water. I'm sure you Ratz's have had this fun experience from the boat! Grayson loved talking all about the dock, and the pilings, and the boats. And in between bites of his ice cream cone, he jumped off the wall and ran the ramp!

Where's Grayson?

There you are!!

What a great evening! The boys are both obviously fast asleep as I catch up on my guilty pleasure here at the computer! Good night everyone adn check back tomorrow for great Busch Gardens pics! (Heidi: here it is, one of the perks of the business owner-taking a day off whenever!!)

Exhausted, but Home...Not for Long!!

Thanks for the prayers everyone! Trevor arrived home early this morning about 3:00am. Being the heavy sleeper that I am, I didn't even know that he came to bed. When I awoke at 7:15am, the only evidence that he had been home was his suitcase that I tripped over! I called him and he was out doing an early morning delivery. He came home at 9:00, grabbed some paperwork and then left again. He came back and delighted a little Grayson who ran down the hall to tell me "I'm going with my daddy in the big truck to do a delivery. See ya' later sweetie pie mommy!" So Grayson and Trevor left together to go do yet another delivery this morning. They'll be gone for about an hour. When they return, Trevor will finally hit the bed for some shuteye! I haven't decided what Grayson and I will do to keep busy, either the pool or Kangaroo Jacs. Something so that the house will be quiet for Trevor. What a guy!! We love our husband/Daddy who does these crazy things and keeps crazy hours to provide for our family!!

Lightning, Jitters, and Success

NO! These are not my own photos of the storm, just borrowed for effect!

TO BEGIN, DAVE AND SUE I AM NOT WRITING THIS TO MAKE YOU FEEL OR LOOK BAD IN ANY WAY!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight when small groups were ending, Sue asked if I would take Lacy home. It was absolutley fine with me. Trevor was gone, and Grayson loves to take her home, so I said sure. Plus, Dave and Sue could have a little more time together, not to mention he could eat supper!


And so the trip begins...the rain had just begun and it was no big deal...Lacy and I are discussing which way is best to get her home. The first crash of lightning is seen and this is where it starts to get interesting. The lightning keeps flashing from everywhere and then the light drizzle turns into a torrential downpour! Now I may be exaggerating just a little but here is the situation...I hate, Hate, HATE thunderstorms, and not just driving in them but sitting at home and listening to them! So I'm on the backroads-barely visible road lines, no street lights, no other cars, brush and debris in the road, and to boot I realize that I've missed my turn! I think this must have been when Lacy started to panic, if she wasn't already because we had already discussed my loathing for storms.


Thankfully Trevor and I used to live in VB, so I was familair with these roads enough to get us back on track. So as the rain continued to pelt down and the thunder rolled and the lightning continued to light up the sky, I swear every available angel in the vacinity was alongside the car and in the car with me rubbing my shoulders and temples! Are you sweating with me yet??!! As we got into civilization, cars, lights, heavily marked roads, the rain let up just in time to see a really big accident. Terri called me to make sure I was okay. Thanks Terri! (She's also a hater of the storms!)


We navigated to Lacy's house, and thankfully her side of Lynnhaven still had power. Her brother Miah came to meet her at the car as soon as we pulled up so she could walk inside under the umbrella!! What a guy and what a lucky sister! I'm sure Lacy was ecstatic to be home in one piece, although I'm sure that my job as the carpooler may be on hiatus for a while!!

In the midst of the craziness I looked into the backseat to find Grayson fast asleep. Thank you God! As I proceeded to call Dave and Sue and give them a hard time, I realized what a feat I had accomplished this night. Not only was I out in the storm, but I drove through it, and got someone else home safely, maybe scared out of her mind, but nonetheless, safe! And what a show I was able to see as I drove home. I didn't notice the beauty so much as I drove there because I was so intent on the road, but the rain let up enough for me to enjoy the splendor displayed through the skies. The whole sky turned an eerie bluish green color right before each lightning bolt struck through the sky brightening everything for miles! The lightning that struck several times right in a row that seemed almost over our heads! The lightning that seemed to be playing chase as it flashed horizontally across the sky!



Thank you God for keeping our little car and it's inhabitants safe! Thank you for the angels that guided us when I couldn't even see the road. Thank you for the beauty and majesty displayed with each bolt of lightning! Thank you for the beauty of creation that always points us to You!