Summer Fun

We've been having so much fun enjoying summer that I've forgotten to blog anything about it! 

Let's see - there has been a beach trip, which was fabulous.  We went down with my parents and ended up spending time with not only family, but some of our best friends, too.  Kendall love, love, LOVED the beach.  The water, the sand, the critters, the shells - all of it.  And I was very proud of myself that I didn't get sunburned!  Well, okay - there were two strips on my shoulders that I neglected the first day, but that's really good for me!

It was a bittersweet trip because Ronnie wrapped up his beach ministry for a while, at least.  Last year at this time, I really thought they were going to move there permanently, but I think God had other plans for them.  Isn't He cool like that? 

I've also turned the big 3-0 since my last post and I must say I still feel a solid 24.  Age ain't nothin but a number, right?

We've enjoyed lots of time outside - blowing bubbles, taking walks, going to the pool.  I was even blessed with the special experience of finding a tick on myself for the first time in those aforementioned 30 years.  Those that know me well know that I FREAK OUT about pretty much everything and this was no exception.  Ticks have ALWAYS wigged me out, combined with the fact that someone in James' extended family actually died from a tick bite and you have one insanely freaked out mama.

Looks like Kendall will be taking some dance classes this summer.  We checked out a recital of a dance school in Raleigh on Friday night and I was way impressed with the whole thing - it was all very classy and age appropriate as far as the costumes and the dances - really a breath of fresh air compared to some of the other dance school performances I've seen in recent years.  You probably don't know this about me - but I danced for years and years and years growing up - competed and the whole nine, so of course I would LOVE it if Kendall took to dancing.  We'll see - I will not be that mom that forces my kid to do something she doesn't enjoy, but Kendall was mesmerized for the entire 3 hour show and she loved Little Gym (and this is half the price of Little Gym which makes me really happy) so we'll give it a whirl.

I think that's about all for now.  How is your summer going?

Traumatic

Last night we went out with my in-laws to celebrate their anniversary.  On the way home, we happened upon an accident - a young woman had hit a biker and we literally drove by right after it happened.  Of course we stopped and I jumped out the car and called 911.  James stayed back at the car with Kendall.  The poor guy was just a mess...very bloody, not really coherent, moaning, etc.  (Please pray for him - not sure of the outcome as we left after the police and paramedics arrived).  Kendall didn't see any of this, but was aware that something bad had happened.

Anyway - as we pulled off, of course Kendall wanted to know what happened.  So we told her (in 2 year old terms) and dropped it.  Well, this morning, she's still talking about the accident.  We've prayed together for the victim and talked about safety, etc. but I really think she may be semi-traumatized by the whole thing.  And I think that she thinks we're the ones that hit the biker.  She keeps saying "hit man daddy's car".  I keep telling her that we just stopped to help, but she's not getting that part. 

I love a good learning experience, but this is one we could have skipped.

Preschool

Today I put Kendall on the waiting list for preschool.  I can't believe she's even old enough to go to preschool...seems like yesterday I was complaining because I didn't think she'd ever come out of my ginormous belly and now she's gonna be learning all sorts of stuff away from the comfort of Mommy, Daddy or Nana.  It makes my heart hurt, but I'm really excited that she will be able to go to a Christian preschool that will teach her about Jesus and that she'll be able to "ease" into the school routine by going only part of the week for half days.  I'm sure that being around other kids in a structured environment will help with her diva tendencies (or either they'll kick her out).  She is such a special little kid...I know all moms think that about their children, but for real, she is ;-)

In other news, the Grove Park Inn was fabulous.  I literally cried while we were at the spa.  It was just so unbelievably beautiful.  I know it won't be a trip that we can take again for a long, long time, but I'm really glad we got a chance to go and experience such a cool place together.

My in laws celebrated their 45th anniversary yesterday.  I got a text from my mother-in-law (she's so tech savvy) with a picture of two identical greeting cards...turns out they both bought each other the same card, which of course made me cry (I cry a lot lately).  They are such a sweet couple and sometimes I'm very much overwhelmed by the fact that God decided to bless me with not only fabulous parents, but also fabulous in laws. 

Speaking of fabulous parents, Ronnie was in an accident last week.  He is okay, but his car was totaled.  It sort of made my stomach hurt to think of what could have happened, so I was really glad to be able to give him a long hug and tell him how much I love him and how glad I am that he wasn't hurt.

We celebrate moms this Sunday and I'm excited to be able to hang with my mama this weekend.  We spent some really good time together last week as well...it's always good for my soul to hang with my mama - she's funny and wise and beautiful and above all, Godly and obedient to Jesus.  I tell you - every time I call her and ask what she's doing, it seems like she's reading the Bible...and that shows in her. 

Enough for now - hope all is right with my blog readers (you do exist, don't you??)

Date Weekend

For those of you that don't know, my sweet husband works in country club management.  One of the things that country club manager people do is join CMAA - Club Managers Association of America.  This association offers training and retreats and that sort of thing.  Sometimes the retreats take place in really cool places and the wifeys get to go along for the ride.  This weekend is one of those occasions and I get to tag along with James to Asheville and we're staying at the Grove Park Inn!  I am so very, very excited for lots of different reasons.  Want to hear them?  Okay! 

• James and I have been together almost 8 years and we've never been to the mountains together.  Yay for higher elevation with your love!
• We need a get away to "reconnect".  We've let the crazy business of life ease it's way into our couple time lately, so it will be good to focus on each other for a couple of days.
• We get to stay at the Grove Park Inn.  And someone else is picking up the tab, no less. 
• I get free time to read or take a nap or walk around or whatever I want to do while James is in class.  He actually was thoughtful enough to ask me if I'll "be okay" while he's in his classes.  Um.  Something tells me I'll be just fine.
• We don't have to worry about whether our sweet girl is safe.  We are so, so blessed with parents that truly enjoy spending time with Kendall.  She will stay with James' parents on Saturday night and my parents on Sunday.  She is sure to have a blast with both.

I hope everyone has a fabulous, restful weekend.  I shall think of you while I enjoy the mountain views.

Spring has sprung!

I can't recall a time when I have greeted warm weather with such excitement.  I'm pretty sure it's because being outside brings my Kendall such absolute joy!  We have literally spent HOURS outside since the weather broke.  So far we've blown a million bubbles (who knew dish soap and straws would work so well), drawn lovely pictures with sidewalk chalk, road Dora (her power wheel that she's figured out how to ride backwards down our steep driveway), played basketball, met 2 new neighborhood friends (very sweet girls that asked permission to come and play in my driveway), fingerpainted (which I think I enjoyed more than I should have) and filled up the sandbox with new sand.  We even battled some wasps today and kicked them to the curb so we could enjoy our front porch without that buzzing.  

I truly feel like God gave us the seasons as a way to show His love.  Just at the point where we are so very tired of cold rains and 2-hour delays He sends us warmth, tulips, and the smell of fresh cut grass.  He knew those things would make us happy and rejuvenate us and give us time outdoors as a family.  Then just at the point where we're tired of sweating, He sends us the crispness of fall with crunchy leaves and bright orange pumpkins.  I am just amazed at His Creation here lately.  So very beautiful.

We've got a fun filled weekend lined up.  Tomorrow we are meeting some of our besties for lunch at Mad Hatters and a trip to the Museum of Life and Science.  Then Sunday we celebrate Jesus at Cross Culture, hunt for eggs and enjoy time with Nana, Papa, and Mimi for lunch. I'm really excited for all of those things.  We have been so very blessed with unbelievable family and friends and I love the fact that Kendall is surrounded by people that love Jesus and love our family.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

Why?

Last January I wrote this post:

Please continue to pray for our family. Mikki passed away on Monday. Her funeral will be on Friday and I know that it will be extremely difficult. Please pray specifically for:


My Aunt Tina who has had to make some very difficult choices while mourning the loss of her baby daughter.

Jayden, Mikki's son. He still does not know that his mommy isn't coming home. They are telling him today.

TJ, Mikki's brother. He is heartbroken.

My brother, "Little" Ronnie who was best friends with Mikki from childhood.

My Ronnie dad who is performing his first funeral service.

I know that the Lord can be glorified through this situation.

At the time - Mikki's death seemed like the absolute worst thing that could have happened to my Aunt Tina and to my brother.  Then I got the call this morning that TJ had been killed in a car accident in the wee hours of the morning.  That's right - my cousin TJ, Mikki's brother.  As in my Aunt Tina's other child.  And suddenly I find myself at a point in my own personal life where I truly do not understand why.  There have been times in my life where I've seen something horrendous on the news and wondered why.  Or heard a story about someone that had tragedy hit and said "I don't understand".  But standing in my aunt's kitchen this afternoon, watching her try to hold her head high as she mourns the loss of another child before she's even begun to process the lost of the first one...it just doesn't make sense to me. 

Why has Tina's life been so hard?  In the course of her 45 years she has buried a husband and now has lost BOTH of her adult children?  Why?  Why?  Why?  I said in my first post that I knew that God could be glorified through Mikki's death.  And of course I pray that He will be glorified through TJ's as well.  But that nagging question still comes in - Why, Lord?  Surely I am not worthy to question the Almighty, but I feel that He can handle my questions, my anger, my disappointment.  And quite frankly, I don't know where else to turn with these feelings that I can not even put into words. 

So I'll ask again that you blog readers pray for my family.  Ronnie will again be doing the service...his second funeral.  I feel that the Lord used him in a great way at Mikki's funeral and I know He will again.  Please pray for Tina as she wonders if her life will ever be normal again.  As she figures out how to move on with these holes in her heart.  Pray for my brother "Little" Ronnie who has literally lost the two best friends, possibly only real friends, he's ever had.  Pray for my mom, who in her sweet and gentle way, provides comfort and support for Tina.  Gosh - I could go on and on - just please pray for my family.

I know God is good and I pray that the knowledge of His goodness will get our family through this difficult time.

Temper, temper

It's not really a surprise that my child has a bad temper.  After all, there was a time in my life when my only emotion was anger.  I had hoped that she would inherit her dad's calm emotional state, but apparently not.  Kendall has been throwing some pretty horrific temper tantrums and quite frankly, I'm not sure what to do to handle them.  Here's an example - Saturday it was nap time and I gave her a 5 minute warning that she'd need to be ready for a nap.  She LOST IT.  Screaming.  Crying.  Kicking.  Scratching.  She was hysterical for a good 20 minutes - which is a llooonnnggg time when you're watching your toddler go absolutely nuts.  I stood my ground and she finally calmed down and took her nap, but it was rough.  I was literally holding her and praying out loud that I would not lose it.

So my question for the mommies out there - what do I do when she is acting like that?  We wholeheartedly believe in spanking as a form of discipline, but do I spank her in the middle of her hysterics?  Do I just ignore her?  Do I spank her after she calms down and send her into hysterics again?  Help!