We're Home.....

I'm ready to go back!!

Sunrise at the beach

Brian and the girls at his school in Kitrell, NC

There was an abundance of peanut fields!

She slept most of the way home!

Katie loves her hi-tops!

Cotton Fields

Peanut processing plant

Brian and Kylie

All Together Again

I got up this morning before the sunrise and sat on the balcony. It was so beautiful!! Just breathing in the smell of the sea ...ahhhhh!!! We left by 9:00 am. The trip back home was so pretty....lots and lots of peanut fields and cotton fields ready to harvest. We're sure in the south! Melissa slept most of the way. We called Brian and picked him up at school so he could spend the weekend with the family. He's doing so well ... we're really proud of his hard work. A quick funny story: In the car, Katie was talking about the person she wants to marry someday....when I mentioned that name of a certain boy that she knows...."She said.....Mom....he can't spell snow. I won't marry anyone who can't spell snow!" Apparently the young man spelled it as "snowe." So there you have it....Katie is looking for someone who can spell "snow"!

Day 6 of Vacation - Boo Hoooooo!!!

It's been such a fun vacation with the girls!! Each day was special. We couponed our way .... looking for discounts on everything including checking out books from the library. The library has become one of our favorite beach activities along with the usual swimming, walking, staying up late, eating frozen juice bars, and cuddling while watching the ocean.

Today we used a coupon to go to Ben and Jerry's....in front of us in line was a man and his son. I offered him an extra coupon that I had. The woman behind the counter said out loud (with about 20 people in line)...."Do you know what happens when you share coupons?" I could tell by her evil frown that it wasn't good. So I quietly said, "I don't get to use my coupon?" She said..."that's right!" I looked her right in the eye and said loudly...."That wasn't very kind of you!" Couldn't think of something more clever to say. I quietly told the girls..."Let's go." They didn't complain one little bit...I was really proud of them. Melissa looked at me and said, "Mom, that lady wasn't very nice." I talked with the girls about what good customer service is and how we should behave if we're the recipient of bad service. I'll admit...I've "lost it" before....I'm sure the vacuum cleaner store remembers me well!! Anyway...we went to another Ben and Jerry's 10 blocks away. No one was in the store. I asked the owner if she owned the other store...she did! I told her our experience and she apologized profusely. After thanking her for listening, and after thanking her for the free ice cream, we left the store. It was a great experience for the girls!!

Other than that fun experience, our last day was spent tiding up the condo, feeding birds (the girls were hysterical....literally....you would think they were reliving Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds." I'm ready to go home! My mom called and said my sister is having emergency abdominal surgery tonight. Doesn't feel right to be vacationing when someone I love is going through something as scary as surgery......Carolyn...I love you and all will be well!! Tabb....we're coming HOME!!! (change the litter box please). .....love you.

Day 5 of Vacation

Ahhh.....I'm finally getting it!! The only thing I did today other than "nothing" was write 5 pages of my research paper on SIDS Risk Reduction and Parental Preference of Infant Safe Sleep Positioning. We met a great dog today - 17 month old Australian Shepherd named Brooklyn. He ran up to us and sat down and wouldn't move when his owner called for him. Brooklyn had the most gentle spirit of any dog I've ever met.....his owner should volunteer Brooklyn at a children's hospital. No Tabb...I'm not bringing a dog home. His greatest fear!! He's got something against doggie land minds in the backyard...not that he would clean up after the pet. But if we could have a dog...Brooklyn would be my first choice!

I will be happy to see my family again....thank you Tabb for flying solo with the boys. Gotta run ....Underdog is playing on TV....can't miss that.

Day 4 - Vacation at VA Beach

A confession: My name is Michelle and I have "I can't relax - itis!" I know that those of you who know me, can't believe such a thing. This morning I was up at 6 am waiting for the sun to rise. It was beautiful sitting on the balcony overlooking the Atlantic ocean, watching diving birds, and feeling the cool air. Maybe one day, I can figure out how to have more moments like that. Each day seems to be filled with responsibilities, so much so, that I have forgotten how to slow down....I worry about that alot! My mom reminds me that one day all of this "responsibility" is going to catch up with me. The last 9 months I honestly felt that the best of my life was over...very sad to admit...still struggling with those thoughts to be honest. Gotta work on that, but it's harder than you can imagine. Since I'm speaking honestly... you never know your capacity for carrying a burden ... it's greater than you can imagine. The Lord expands your capacity, but never leaves you alone. I hesitate to pray for a break...I just pray to keep my gospel perspective and to be the best person I can be in all of my roles in life. Enough of that mental rambling.

Today we went to Naticus in Norfolk. I had an absolutely wonderful time - we were only there for 2 1/2 hours due to Melissa's limited endurance. However, it was great fun. I loved the battle ship USS Wisconsin. Well worth the time to visit. I can't wait to bring more of my family to see the sights of downtown Norfolk. Enjoy the photos!! I think the tugboat was my favorite....never saw one before today.

Day 3 of Vacation

Another perfect day! The weather is absolutely beautiful. We got up early and rented a family bike. The girls eagerly took off down the boardwalk. As I waited for them to return, I heard distant shrieks.....the girls were running people off of the boardwalk as they struggled to keep the bike on the path. When the girls returned to the rental spot, they were closely followed by another family bike with an elderly woman and her daughter on board. The girls saw me, slammed on their brakes, and the bike behind them slammed on their brakes as they swerved to avoiding hitting the girls. Melissa (who lack a filter on her words at this time...shouts out "Hey...why don't you watch where your going?) I'm profusely apologizing for the scare these two women just endured. The girls announced that they weren't finished riding bikes and they once again proceeded down the boardwalk to the dismay of the bicyclists following them!! The rest of the day was spent at the pool and beach. The girls endlessly changed their minds about what they wanted to do. I would get seated with a good book and someone would have to go potty or want to return back to the Condo. The girls are eating machines.....we have healthy snacks, but that hasn't deterred them. I think they would eat dirt....something about the beach is stirring up their appetites. Today I did manage to get homework done again. Having this week to focus on keeping current with my studies has helped a great deal. If I weren't on a scholarship that would need to be paid back, I'd put my education aside right now. As I've said before, the Lord, in his wisdom, knew I needed something to occupy my mind. It has helped to learn new things. Before I left for vacation, Tabb and I were having a discussion about his scripture study program. I'm more haphazard in my approach...usually look up a topic and ponder it. Tabb, on the other hand, has created this masterful color coding system that helps him coordinate themes in his study. At a glance, he can glean concepts that in the past were overlooked in his study. I will probably never reach his level, but I find that studying the scriptures by topic is perfect for me. The topics I choose are often selected by events or inspiration. I saw a billboard that stated that "The bible reads you." To me, it means that when you truly ponder what you read, the personal application to your life becomes apparent. Think of the treasures that are there for you and you alone! Don't wait for some crisis or sad time to delve in the scriptures. Make it a part of your daily routine...the Lord is waiting to give you guidance, support, and encouragement!!

Day 2 at the Beach

Sunset at the beach....hardly anyone on the beach!

My math book is a sleeper....can you tell!!














A little reading about Sponge Bob at the pool!

Girls playing in the surf... no life guards on duty....I was just a wee bit nervous!

Lunch at the girls favorite mexican restaurant - El Azteca

What a beautiful day!

Handsome Fella - King Neptune (Standing watch in hopes that Hurricane Igor stays far of the coast)

Katie built this all by her little self....not! (But it sure is creative)


Posing by King Neptune!



Sunrise at the beach....I plan on being outside tomorrow morning to see it again!

A Little R&R

Katie testing out the wireless connection at the Condo.....she's in heaven!

Melissa taking a nap....she loves being at Virginia Beach. I guess the sound of the ocean makes her sleepy....wish I could take a nap!!!

Got my P.J.'s on, brunswick stew and grilled cheese for dinner! Let the vacation begin....thank you Mom Clements! I really, really needed this time away. Miss you Tabb and boys!

Melissa's home from the hospital!! She's tired, but doing well. Melissa came home in time to Track Out from school. For all of you not familiar with Raleigh's confusing year round school schedule - my children go to school for 9 weeks and "track out" for 3 weeks. It has worked well for them. At least we're all used to it by now.

I'm fortunate enough to have vacation this week; so my wonderful mother in-law is letting us stay at her condo in Virginia Beach. It's a beautiful time to be at the beach. The tourists are mostly gone and the weather will be in the 70's and 80's all week with sunny skies. We plan on walking alot, enjoying the beach, and maybe fitting in some bicycle riding and a trip to the Science museum. However...these grand plans may not work ..... it all depends on Melissa's energy level. Whatever we do, it will be wonderful to be together. I have a bus load of school work ahead of me this week. I need to write 4 literature reviews for my nursing research class and prepare for a math exam. On top of that, I need to keep the wheels moving in Raleigh on the NICU reunion coming up on October 2nd. There's never a moment to relax. I'll be honest....having things to do that keep my mind busy has helped tremendously this past year. Somehow I've managed to stay afloat, but not without a lot of prayer and support from family and friends. Have you ever noticed that you are far more efficient when you're busy? When I'm bored, I lack motivation. So...I guess that the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, knew I needed a full plate or I'd become a total slacker!

Interesting note: each time we come to Virginia Beach something not so good happens. Let's see: 1) Cory's appendix rupturing and having emergency surgery; 2) the battery on my car dying because the kids forgot to unplug the various computer game stuff from the car. 3) contracting a flu bug on day 2 of vacation. 4) Katie's little finger getting slammed in the frame of a door (blown shut by the wind). 5) And today's adventure....we arrived at the Condo and the office forgot to leave a key. So we drove around VA Beach waiting for the key to arrive. After getting the key, we made two trips up to the 9th floor to bring up our stuff. On the way back down I dropped the keys to the condo down the elevator shaft! How did I do something SO stupid....I was reaching across Melissa to help hold the elevator door open for her and (in slow motion) we both watched the keys tumble to the edge of the gap between the door and the shaft. I told her not to move and I gently reached down to pick up the keys....I'm not sure why, but the keys started to tumble down all 9 floors. Melissa started laughing and I quickly said: "Don't tell Dad." She made a bee line for the cell phone and called her Dad with lightening speed - the little traitor! So tomorrow morning I get to go to the front desk and apologize for being such a klutz! I hope this is the last "problem" of our trip, but if the past is any indicator.......

Enjoy the photos of our first night at the beach.