October is Here!

Today was one of those days that is the blessing provided for enduring one very hot summer! I love Fall. However, I've been so worried about how I was going to handle this weekend's activities - that I didn't get to fully appreciate the amazing weather (I actually prayed for rain this weekend.....the Lord listened but did things on his own time table)!

The NICU reunion was this weekend...I'm in charge of the event. We had over 500 people attend. Tabb was at my side along with the most amazing family, friends, and coworkers that I could ask for. Several of the Young Men from our Ward volunteered their time to direct traffic, haul stuff, make snow cones, and play with kids. So many people commented on how respectful and sweet these boys are.....I love our youth!!! Highlights of the day....seeing happy parents and happy kids. When we see these families in the NICU it is at the most stressful time of their lives. At the reunion, they're all so anxious for us to see how their "tiny" miracle grew up. My children are miracles too! Watching them play with the "little ones" reminded me of how much I prayed and hoped for each of their arrivals into our family.

Stop reading at this point if you have a weak stomach....so last night I was busy working on my nursing research paper that was due today...ughhh is all I have to say about that! I had to be up at 5 am for the reunion and I also had to take a math exam and a nursing research exam by Sunday evening. Needless to say....I was feeling swamped. By 9 pm, I had not eaten dinner. Tabb came home with the kids and gave me 1/2 a quesidilla ..... I poured a glass of milk to go with it (usually I don't drink milk, but my stomach was feeling a little odd). I ate the food and within 5 minutes I realized I was in trouble. I called for Tabb and said...."Get a bowl...quick!!" I haven't tossed my cookies in years (Keeks...I'm sure you remember a bonding experience we both had...I still think in horror on that experience). Anyway....I layed down on the sofa and prayed that the feeling would go away (....no, I'm not pregnant....there is no star in the east). Thinking that my bed might be more comfortable....I went upstairs and made it as far as the door to my room. At least I had the bowl with me. Poor Tabb....he was right behind me for the reappearance of dinner. I sure love him. He has a rock iron stomach and can handle the sound/smell of throwing up. I still gag when others get sick...some nurse, huh!! Anyway, I laid down on the bed and started thinking of what my boss would say if I called in sick for the Reunion the next morning. I prayed so hard for the feeling to go away. It would have been horrible if I came down with a flu bug before a big event. I had visions of running around doing the set up carrying my bowl! The Lord took pity on my sick little soul and by the morning, the feeling had come and gone. I didn't eat or drink until late afternoon ( I did have a diet coke), but that was it. I'm so grateful for answers to prayer. It would have been absolutely awful to let so many people down! I hope you enjoy the few photos I took.

Cake Boss - Not!!!

I got up this morning an procrastinated on studying for my algebra exam today. I made 3 loaves of pumpkin bread, jello, crock pot chicken and then I got the insane idea to make a "pre-birthday" cake for Brian. I don't own cake pans; so I made tripled a recipe for homemade cake batter. Then I got the bad idea to make a filling of vanilla custard and a chocolate sauce over the top. The cake wouldn't come out of the pans and crumbled. The sauce didn't stay on top of the cake and ran off the side down into the burners of the stove. Cory came down when he heard me laughing, tasted the cake and said, "It still tastes good." So....Brian...here's a mutant cake to celebrate your upcoming 23rd birth day. Yummmmm........

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!!